Rickhouse

This is another of the fancy mixology bars that San Francisco does so well. Owned by the same group that brought you Bourbon and Branch, Swig, Tradition, Local Edition, and Cask Store, Rickhouse is par for the course: tasty drinks that will take the bartender about five minutes to make, and you'll pay $10+ for a cocktail, but it's pretty much the place to go for the startup happy hour crowd. It's a large space with several bars and an upstairs, where bartenders wear suspenders and play to the speakeasy era decorations and brick interior. The cocktail list is extensive and impressive, featuring innovative cocktails and an excellent whiskey selection, and the fidi neighborhood much more welcoming than some of the group's sister bars in the heart of the Tenderloin. However, if you go on a weekday for happy hour, leave lots of time- each bar is often several people deep, and since the complicated cocktails are labor-intensive and time consuming, don't expect to leave with a buzz. This is not the bar for the PBR or vodka-tonic crowd either- when my friend ordered a dirty martini, the vested bartender replied snobbily, "we don't do dirty martinis." Some others commented on this being a good atmosphere for a date, which I could see later in the evening, but during peak happy hour time the bar is far too loud and crowded to be a good place for any kind of extended conversation. Bottom line: this is a cool, happening spot with an upscale crowd, great for one drink with coworkers or to impress out of town friends, but definitely not the chill happy hour spot for anyone with a time crunch or financial limitations. Or lovers of the dirty martini.

Probably one of the coolest bars / lounges I have ever been to. Something about the inside is so intriguing. This would be a GREAT place to take a first date or even a second one! This place has a wonderful ambiance inside and is quite homey. Even though the crowd is much older than me I didn't feel out of place or un-welcomed. I love myself a creative cocktail and this is the go to place for mixologists. I get the same sort of feel when I go into Bourbon and Branch. Though the same owners own these two bars, I get a different type of ambiance from each one. I suggest this to dates and friends alike!

Nice lounge. I've come here with coworkers, friends, on date nights, and it's got a great ambiance and a nice selection of drinks as well. It can be hard to find a spot, but we usually venture over upstairs and find some seating there. It does get loud, and the lighting is so dim so I almost tripped down the stairs in my high heels while holding a beer! This is a popular spot for the locals and startup crowd in San Francisco and a nice place to unwind. if you like this place also check out Local Edition, I believe they are owned by the same people and it's awesome as well!