You have done your duty, created a magnificent feast for your family and friends, or joined in a holiday gathering like the good guest you are. With the joy of the occasion still strong, but the tryptophan wearing off it is time for a nightcap, or three. But where to go? Stop in at one of these San Francisco bars to get your cocktail on!
Elixir
3200 16th St (Mission)
Thanksgiving hours: 6pm–2am
Headed up by spirits and cocktail expert H. Joseph Ehrmann, this bar boasts a selection of over 450 types of whiskey and claims to be the oldest saloon in the city (opened in 1858). The team at Elixir is friendly, knowledgeable and ready to mix you up something special for Thanksgiving.
Anina
482 Hayes St (Hayes Valley)
Thanksgiving hours: 2pm–2am (patio closes at 8 pm)
Anina, a go-to spot for pop-ups and punch, is the perfect place to sip spritzes and share bowls with friends after a long day of cooking and eating.
The Little Shamrock
807 Lincoln Way (Inner Sunset)
Thanksgiving hours: 3pm-2am
With 18 beers on tap, a plethora of bottles and pitchers, board games and well-worn chairs, this cozy bar will make you feel comfortable and welcome. Be wary of the sofas in the back, the springs are gone.
The Bus Stop
1901 Union St (Cow Hollow)
Thanksgiving hours: 10am–2am
This family business (open since 1919) is a favorite of sports fans hoping to catch the Thanksgiving game with 26 flat screen TVs and premium drinks.
Inner Fog
545 Irving St (Inner Sunset)
Thanksgiving hours: 5–10pm
A true neighborhood wine bar with bar and table service, Inner Fog serves up cheese plates and light bites alongside an international selection of well-chosen wine. The bar specializes in hard-to-find varietals and truly excels at wine suggestions.
Trader Sam’s
6150 Geary Blvd (Outer Richmond)
Thanksgiving hours: 10:30am-2am
Heralded by fans as the best dive bar in San Francisco, Trader Sam’s is South Pacific Tiki with a San Francisco twist. From scorpion bowls to hurricanes, the bar is a true party place and will wake you up before finishing you off. Order a bowl, and share it with your new friends.
The Toronado
547 Haight St (Lower Haight)
Thanksgiving hours: 11:30am-2am
Boasting over 40 beers on tap at any given time, and a massive list of local and international favorites, this is the place to get your beer on. Since it's Thanksgiving, spring for one of the in-house specials served in a 750ml bottle ranging from $40–$120, or keep it interesting with a heretic shallow grave porter 16oz for $6.
Beaux
2344 Market St (Castro)
Thanksgiving hours: 4pm-2am
If you are tired of talking politics over pinot noir, this is the place to unwind and sweat the night away. At Beaux, every night is an event, from Pan Dulce, to My So-Called Throwback Thursday with music from 1990s & 2000s. Cover charge begins at 10pm, so don't show up too early, unless you bring your own party.
Zeitgeist
199 Valencia St (Mission)
Thanksgiving hours: 9am-2am
A long-time Mission bar with a reputation for taking no attitude, Zeitgeist could be the perfect spot to escape the family and relax with like-minded people. If you missed out on Thanksgiving dinner, order the Sugaree Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie by High Water Brewing. Yes, it is a beer, and yes you can have seconds.
Redwood Room at the Clift Hotel
495 Geary St (Union Square)
Thanksgiving hours: 5pm-2am
This classic Union Square property opened in 1934 and instantly gained a reputation for elegance and glamor. Recently, the dimly lit space got a new team and a fresh outlook, recharging the room with energy and purpose. From bespoke cocktails like the Clift 75 with Bulleit Bourbon and the Cranberry Pie (with honey from their rooftop hives), and noshes from the kitchen, a low table in the Redwood Room could be the place to escape your holiday drama.
Cityscape Bar & Lounge at the Hilton
333 O’Farrell St (Union Square)
Thanksgiving hours: 4:30pm-12am
Hanging at a hotel bar may not be for everyone, but the views and the cocktails at Cityscape make up for the long ride up in the elevator. Sipping a G&T while watching the lights of San Francisco far below reminds us how grateful we should be to live in such a magnificent city. The room is view-focused, with a center bar and friendly cocktail servers.
The Tonga Room
950 Mason St (Nob Hill)
Thanksgiving hours: 5:30pm-12:30pm
In the historic Fairmont Hotel, the much-loved Tonga Room is a SF mainstay. The room is festive, the drinks approachable and the tiki-inspired menu includes poke, pot stickers, ribs and more.