The best bars and cafés - San Francisco - États-Unis in 2024

Practical information : Take a break San Francisco

Timetable

Most bars are open from noon, but the more upscale places rarely open before 4pm on weekdays. In the small neighborhood bars, closing time is between 10pm and 1am. As for coffee shops and other juice bars, which are numerous in San Francisco, they generally open at 7 or 8 am and close before 8 pm

Budget & Tips

It is best to go out with a well-stocked wallet, as the prices quoted do not include the local tax, which is 8.875%, or the tip. It is customary to leave between 10 and 20% of the bill. The highest prices are probably found in rooftops and speakeasies, where cocktails can cost up to US$20. Regardless of where you go out, beer remains the most affordable alcoholic drink, and there are local and artisanal brands that are really worth it! On the contrary, wine is atrociously expensive, especially for those who come from France... In bars and restaurants, the price of a glass of wine varies between 8 and 15 US$. Finally, in cafés and tea rooms, a hot drink usually costs between 3 and 4 US$. The solution: go out duringhappy hour, which usually takes place on weekdays, between 5 and 7 pm, sometimes earlier. Alcoholic drinks are then half price. In some bars, the reduced prices are also for food, usually appetizers or plates to share

Age restrictions

In the United States, drinking is subject to very strict rules. The minimum legal age to order alcohol and drink in public is 21. At the entrance of the bars, even if you are a 30-year-old on the verge of 40, a doorman will systematically ask you for your ID card. Anyone under the legal age will be turned away. In some places, at specific times, young people over 18 are allowed to enter but are not allowed to buy or consume alcohol once inside. A word of advice: don't try to break the alcohol laws, Americans are not amused by this, as they have inherited certain puritanical reflexes

What's very local

Every bar and restaurant in the city serves cocktails, and even in the less-than-stellar places, the bartender will be able to whip up a killer Cosmopolitan with a shaker. Americans are also big fans of beer, especially of IPA, a very bitter beer with a high hoppiness. And of course, wine country obliges, Californians know how to appreciate wine, and you will find good bottles from the Napa or Sonoma valleys in most establishments. As for non-alcoholic drinks, Americans are big coffee drinkers: cappuccino, iced coffee when it's hot, matcha latte for the trendiest, and black coffee for the purists.

Kids

There is no law against taking a child to a bar, as long as the child is accompanied by a responsible adult and as long as the place serves food

Smokers

The legislation on tobacco is very dissuasive. As in France, smoking is obviously forbidden inside stores and cafés, the few cigar bars in the city being the only exception to this rule. This also applies to electronic cigarettes. When there are tables outside, you will sometimes see the non-smoking sign. But be aware that even when the sign is missing, smoking on the patio of a café or bar is not allowed in the United States. If you try to light a cigarette, you will be asked to move away

The best bars and cafés San Francisco

THE VIEW LOUNGE

CAFE ZOETROPE

JUICE SHOP

BUENA VISTA CAFÉ

VESUVIO

BALBOA CAFÉ

BELOVED CAFE

THE SYCAMORE

CAFFE TRIESTE

BOURBON & BRANCH

ZAM ZAM

TOSCA CAFE

TOP OF THE MARK

MAUNA LOA

LONE PALM BAR

CHURCH STREET CAFÉ

CAFE COLE

CAFFE CAPRICCIO

LASZLO BAR

BUBBLE LOUNGE

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