What is it? In a neighborhood better known for dive bars and windblown dunes than mixology, White Cap brings polish without pretense. It’s a 24-seat refuge for locals, surfers and the laid-back residents of SF’s Parkside neighborhood.
Why we love it: A couple blocks from the Pacific Ocean, tiny White Cap was opened by Matt Lopez and SF bartending legend/sherry expert Carlos Yturria (who also co-owns the Treasury and Deep Water Ice). Both surfers, they’ve created a space that blends casual neighborhood charm with drink cred. With reclaimed driftwood walls, teal banquettes and bar stools, fireplace and classic surf footage on screen, it’s relaxed, intimate and just beachy enough.
Seasonal cocktails include thoughtful NA cocktails and highballs ideal for those sunny beach days (think Green Room where Bayab Palm & Pineapple African-grown gin plays with green melon, matcha, lime and tonic). Longtime house favorites like the Surfer on Acid (rum, amaro, pineapple, coconut milk, coffee, velvet falernum, PX sherry, salt) thankfully stay on-menu, alongside rotating creations like Barney, a Cocoa Pebbles-infused rum cocktail with dry vermouth, Palo Cortado sherry and sherry vinegar—all capitalizing on Yturria’s decades of experience with Spain’s mighty sherry category.
Time Out tip: They don’t serve food but do kindly let you bring in food from neighboring gems like Underdogs Too (which serves SF legendary Nick’s Crispy Tacos) and the new French cafe Galinette next door.
Address: 3608 Taraval St, San Francisco, 94116
Opening hours: Mon 4–11pm, Tue–Thu 3–11pm, Fri 3pm–12:30am; Sat 1:30pm–12:30am; Sun 1:30pm–11pm
Expect to pay: Drinks (beer to cocktails) run $8–$15; no food