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The Alembic

Cocktail Bar and Whisky Bar$$$$
Haight Ashbury, San Francisco
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8.8/10
886
ratings
  • Stars
  • Stars
    The experts at Eater and Serious Eats recommend this place
    • Eater
    • Serious Eats
  • Tips
    Sandy C.
    "Spiced duck hearts w/pickled pineapple..delicious - a must try!"(15 Tips)
    Shawna M.
    "Sliders, duck hearts and bone marrow are always good."(20 Tips)
    Kris V.
    "fat pair nicely with Southern Exposure cocktail."(9 Tips)
    Tye C.
    "Sazerac is my favorite and the celery one is popular."(13 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon233 Tips and reviews
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  • bone marrow
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  • Eater
    EaterApril 16, 2013
    The Alembic is one of those bars where the drinks take time to make, but they're also hands-down the best in the hood, perhaps in the city.
  • Megan Allisonheart icon on user image
    Megan AllisonOctober 1, 2018
    Been here 10+ times
    This is a special cocktail bar all the time, but it's especially great for Sundays, when most people don't realize they have a proper brunch and it's sunny, uncrowded and the drinks are good as ever.
  • AFAR Media
    AFAR MediaAugust 12, 2014
    We always get snacks like the pickled quail eggs & sumac potato chips with yogurt dipping sauce, a sandwich (I love the beer-battered rockfish), & a tasty, inventive cocktail. Read more
    Upvoted Feb 16
  • AFAR Media
    AFAR MediaJanuary 22, 2015
    The bartenders here take their mixology seriously. As in "this has the essence of elderflower" in it seriously. Try the "Shine On You Crazy Diamond," which is pepper juice and gin. Read more
  • Chris M.heart icon on user image
    Chris MessinaOctober 31, 2014
    Been here 5+ times
    The Sazerac 
is an ode to the Big Easy. The Bourbon Old
 Fashioned is nothing more than a slug of bourbon on the rocks with bitters, a little sugar and lemon peel to take the
 edge off.
  • ReeDheart icon on user image
    ReeDJuly 23, 2018
    Le Marais has a pop-up brunch at Alembic 10a–2p on the weekend. Simple menu, and a tad on the pricy side, but excellent casual food.
  • Alex C.heart icon on user image
    Alex ChiritescuJune 13, 2017
    Great cocktails. Tasty and just the right amount of alcohol, not too boozy and not just water. Tried one-eyed jack and mount aso.
  • Brad G.
    Brad GrahamMay 10, 2014
    "Alembic Bar is where off-duty or pre-shift bartenders head for a high-quality drink." This bar in Haight Ashbury also has a small menu with interesting choices such as duck hearts and quail eggs.
  • Kian L.heart icon on user image
    Kian LaviJanuary 13, 2019
    The best bar in the Haight, with one of the greater menus you'll find for miles. I miss the prix fixed menu, but everything is great. Get the bone marrow
  • Shawna M.heart icon on user image
    Shawna MattisonFebruary 3, 2013
    Been here 10+ times
    I come here once a month at least. They do great classic and original cocktails. Sliders, duck hearts and bone marrow are always good. Great seasonal, interesting food in a laid back locale!! My fave.
  • SFist
    SFistMarch 25, 2015
    The Blood 'n' Sand can be found on menus as far back as 1947; it's Scotch whisky, cherry brandy, sweet vermouth, and orange juice. Read more
  • Ashley M.heart icon on user image
    Ashley MowreyJuly 16, 2015
    This place is beyond packed, all of the time, except for lunch time mid week. They have great food, mid priced, and cocktails that will get you inappropriately drunk mid day.
  • PUNCH
    PUNCHSeptember 24, 2015
    With its beautifully editorialized cocktail list, Alembic is the Haight’s de-facto cocktail joint. Whiskey is a serious subject here, as is the gin and tequila collection. Read more
  • Brad T.heart icon on user image
    Brad TJune 4, 2016
    Been here 10+ times
    One of SFs original mixology haunts and forever loved bc of it. Southern Exposure is a must and single-handedly responsible for turning me into an alcoholic.
  • Byron W.heart icon on user image
    Byron WilkesFebruary 5, 2017
    Love the Alembic, one of my fave places in SF. Make a res for bigger parties and def order the Jamaican jerk duck hearts.
  • Time Out San Francisco
    Time Out San FranciscoOctober 10, 2014
    No matter what your poison is, you'll find it here. Half of the menu is devoted to well-loved classics. The other half is “new school”—house-devised concoctions that embrace seasonal ingredients. Read more
  • Ian S.
    Ian SullivanAugust 29, 2013
    Love the Vasco de Gama cocktail! Whiskey with apple and a spicy kick. Super good. Pair it with an order of the cumin honey spiced nuts. Gold!
  • Liz M.heart icon on user image
    Liz McLean KnightMarch 20, 2016
    Nice beer on tap, but the bartenders and selection is the real draw to this place. One person asked for Pliny the Elder and was send down the street.
  • Pavan K.heart icon on user image
    Pavan KulkarniJanuary 8, 2019
    Amazing dim lit speakeasish ambiance. Try the nuevo ola and night vision(pretty strong). The fried garbanzo beans was really good
  • Ale T.heart icon on user image
    Ale TowerFebruary 13, 2017
    Had a couple of cocktails and both were very good. They have some crazy bottle behind the counter too if you're flush with cash!
  • Michael L.heart icon on user image
    Michael LunøeDecember 11, 2016
    Been here 5+ times
    Really nice cocktails! Awesome selection of whiskey! Food is pretty good too!
  • Julia F.
    Julia FirenzSeptember 15, 2012
    After we finished our bone marrow, our bartender gave us a shot of Fernet luge style through the hollowed out bone it was served in. Pretty effing epic and tasty, if you're into that.
  • BarChick
    BarChickAugust 20, 2013
    Classic cocktails, like a Jack Rose with Applejack, grenadine and lime, are right at home next to the new school ones, like the Southern Exposure http://barchick.com/find-a-bar/san-francisco/alembic
  • Kris V.
    Kris Vera-PhillipsMay 14, 2013
    Been here 10+ times
    Try the Bacon Studded 4505 Hot Dog - #kvpinmybelly : I loved @4505_Meats #Chicharrón as crunchy highlight to this meaty lunch treat. Nice spicy kick from the peppadew relish.
  • The Tastes that Make the City
    The bourbon old-fashioned is the best bourbon cocktail in SF, making our list of "The Tastes That Make the City: SF Edition." Read more
  • Becherovka Voyager
    Becherovka VoyagerSeptember 4, 2013
    There's nothing better than a fresh herbal Becherovka cocktail to go along with an equally delicious dinner. That's what you get when you pay a visit to the Haight's trendy buzz spot, Alembic.
  • Emily K.heart icon on user image
    Emily KaneJanuary 5, 2016
    It's not a cocktail menu, it's an anthology. Each drink is given its own creation myth. Be prepared to commit your time and taste buds to trying more than two.
  • Bonnie B.heart icon on user image
    Bonnie BurtonSeptember 16, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    Order the Blood & Sand cocktail! It's not on the drinks menu anymore but the bartenders know how to make this retro drink & it's tasty!
  • Tye C.heart icon on user image
    Tye ChaitNovember 22, 2014
    Great cocktails and atmosphere. Sazerac is my favorite and the celery one is popular.
  • Brook S.heart icon on user image
    Brook ShelleyJune 29, 2018
    Tasty cocktails but the chicken sandwich was so-so. The scotch egg and fries are awesome.
  • Thrillist
    ThrillistMarch 24, 2014
    Alembic is PAIRING Girl Scout Cookies and alcohol TOGETHER. You'll get two cookies served with every one complementing cocktail. What are you waiting for?! Read more
  • Eater
    EaterDecember 1, 2010
    If you can handle wordy descriptions and a sometimes-moody staff, your reward is a haunt for cocktail enthusiasts that serves savory bites warranting a trip on their own merit. [Eater 38 Member] Read more
  • Chrisheart icon on user image
    ChrisJune 19, 2016
    Great cocktails and impeccable music selection. Played Mac DeMarco and Tame Impala deep cuts while I was here.
  • Travel Channel
    Travel ChannelDecember 9, 2011
    This place has high quality drinks and a small, but interesting menu – including choices like duck hearts & quail eggs. As recommended by Travel Channel host, Anthony Bourdain.
  • Jeff S.heart icon on user image
    Jeff ShaferMarch 13, 2016
    Order a Brown Wolf and try to sit at the bar in Hector's section, the inventor of the Brown Wolf
  • Jake A.heart icon on user image
    Jake AltieriaJune 10, 2013
    Heard about the Alembic on Babberly, and checked it out. Hands down the best bone marrow I have ever had. Worth every penny. Read more
  • The Bold Italic
    The Bold ItalicMarch 15, 2011
    try to get a spot at the bar so you can watch Daniel Hyatt. He can mix a drink with one hand, stir with the other, and give a dissertation on small batch bourbon at the same time. Read more
  • Ben B.heart icon on user image
    Ben BarenholtzAugust 7, 2014
    Been here 10+ times
    Everything. Hands down the best true cocktail bar in the city. Also the Southern Exposure and the Vieux Carre.
  • Krystha D.
    Krystha DartJanuary 18, 2012
    Been here 5+ times
    My favorite cocktail here is the Jack Rose. It's kind of a cute pink cocktail, but then you taste it and you're like...woah - bourbon. Amazing.
  • Alex S.
    Alex SilarajsJuly 21, 2017
    Been here 5+ times
    It's one of those places that sounds better than it actually is. Great drinks, but everything on the food menu is just a little off.
  • Ben R.heart icon on user image
    Ben RussoDecember 25, 2014
    Been here 50+ times
    Rebuilding their kitchen has allowed them to strengthen an already strong menu. Some of the most overlooked food in town.
  • Masio W.
    Masio WinstonJune 6, 2012
    The Fever Tree Ginger Ale is the real deal... you have to donthat and most of their starter menu, I.e., pork belly sliders, duck hearts, omg
  • Campbell B.
    Campbell BirdJune 7, 2016
    Trendy watering hole. If you're hankering for cocktails, it seems like a crucial visit. For beers or other libations though, it's pretty optional.
  • Stef K.heart icon on user image
    Stef KriegerOctober 9, 2014
    Delicious cocktails in a cozy space right on Haight St.
  • Lilyheart icon on user image
    LilySeptember 8, 2014
    Great bespoke cocktails. Challenge your palette and get something on the menu you wouldn't normally go for.
  • Lan
    LanAugust 26, 2013
    Oh, you thought you were just stopping by for the excellent cocktails? False. You are also here to order the bone marrow. Seriously.
  • Caitlin J.
    Caitlin JamesJanuary 8, 2014
    great shops nearby in the haight area, specials listed on chalkboard, great place for whiskey drinks.
  • Serious Eats
    Serious EatsOctober 31, 2013
    Tasty cocktails and surprisingly creative snacks at this Haight Street bar.
  • Liza P.heart icon on user image
    Liza PApril 2, 2017
    Great Blood and Sand cocktail, also recommend the bone marrow appetizer.
  • Coreyheart icon on user image
    CoreyAugust 9, 2012
    Get the bone marrow!! The most amazing thing I've ever tasted. Then do a bone lounge; shot of whiskey through the bone!
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