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Rye

Rye

Cocktail Bar and Lounge$$$$
Lower Nob Hill, San Francisco
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8.3/10
736
ratings
  • Stars
  • Stars
    The experts at Eater and Serious Eats recommend this place
    • Eater
    • Serious Eats
  • Tips
    7x7 Magazine
    "We recommend the basil gimlet...it's #6 on 7x7's Big Eat SF 2010"(33 Tips)
    David R.
    "Get the merchant mule"(5 Tips)
    a-ros
    "Great Old Fashioned"(13 Tips)
    Kristen R.
    "Fantastic craft cocktails."(3 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon140 Tips and reviews
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  • Eater
    EaterApril 16, 2013
    The godfather of the market-fresh cocktail movement in San Francisco, situated in an unexpected nook of the TenderNob, with a pool table, a smoking patio and some flattering soft lighting, to boot.
  • Azhar H.heart icon on user image
    Azhar HussainMay 5, 2017
    The ambience and the bartenders. They make you feel at home. I would love to go back to Rye when I visit San Francisco again.
  • Jonathan R.heart icon on user image
    Jonathan Ragan-KelleyOctober 17, 2011
    Lower-key than the newer cocktail revival places in the city, Rye unassumingly delivers consistent quality in a cool setting with an absolute minimum of pomp. Great to relax after work on off nights.
  • Om A.heart icon on user image
    Om AmiOctober 22, 2014
    Whether it's the nightly special or telling the bartender what you like, you'll get yourself a glass full of delicious craft cocktail.
  • Pei 👻 W.heart icon on user image
    Pei 👻 WenJanuary 17, 2016
    Romantic yet unpretentious. Well thought out cocktail list.
  • John H.heart icon on user image
    John HaberlandJuly 21, 2013
    If you want an amazing cocktail without a bunch of unnecessary speakeasy snobbery, go to Rye. Good prices and friendly service. Note they have ZERO food so make sure you eat before.
  • Irena P.heart icon on user image
    Irena PierovaOctober 24, 2018
    if you more interested in taste of drinks (than hype/bartender “friendiness”/environment “awesomeness”) this is the only place between fishmen wharf and tenderloin (including all hills on the way)
  • DKheart icon on user image
    DKNovember 4, 2015
    The real gem! One of the few top notch bars in SF, absolutely worth visiting
  • Alex K.heart icon on user image
    Alex KimOctober 19, 2014
    Great cocktails. Recommend their merchant mule and version of old fashioned. Bring a friend or two, it's nice to hang out here.
  • Bre L.
    Bre LambertJune 5, 2012
    Been here 5+ times
    Bring your patience when you come to this TL-bordering bar. These hand-crafted cocktails take time, but good things come to those who wait. Check the chalkboard for the featured drink.
  • Serious Eats
    Serious EatsAugust 26, 2013
    Great, balanced cocktails and a comfortable space, even when it's busy.
  • SFGate M.
    SFGate ManagerJuly 16, 2012
    As its name suggests, this sleek bar in a gentler section of the Tenderloin specializes in rye whiskey and specialty cocktails made with rye and other spirits.
  • Rachel R.heart icon on user image
    Rachel RothJune 24, 2017
    Its a large space with lots of seating and great bartenders!
  • Caro S.heart icon on user image
    Caro SchieferApril 29, 2017
    Great cocktails. Try either the nikka whisky plain or the Commonwealth Tonic.
  • Priya S.
    Priya SaiprasadNovember 7, 2012
    Pretty sure I'm the 100th person vouching for this but seriously do yourself a favor and get the Basil Gimlet. Bold, slightly sweet and everything you'd want in a gimlet.
  • Donia
    DoniaMay 23, 2013
    Bartender lit my Manhattan on fire! But, seriously, Basil Gimlet. Do it. Tip well. Handcrafted cocktails are worth the extra few minute wait.
  • Seijung P.heart icon on user image
    Seijung ParkFebruary 23, 2017
    Nice atmosphere and good drinks - sour beer probably requires an acquired taste but personally thought the one here is quite good
  • Shri L.
    Shri LDecember 28, 2016
    Service is slowish, but worth the wait. Try The Flash
  • Vanessa D.
    Vanessa DaySeptember 11, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    Best bartenders in the city. They are seriously talented and make incredibly unique drinks. The basil gimlet is perfection.
  • Open Air P.
    Open Air PublishingApril 16, 2012
    "Try the "Nicaraguan Negroni Prunch." Yummy. You can find bartender Jon Gasparini's recipe in the book "Speakeasy Cocktails" created for iPads. http://bit.ly/foursq_cocktails"
  • Anthony A.heart icon on user image
    Anthony AntonarosMarch 24, 2017
    Been here 25+ times
    It's hard to go wrong with their cocktail menu, there's something for everyone!
  • Andy J.
    Andy JiangAugust 19, 2014
    Cocktail bar that focuses on whiskey. Solid old fashions. Grear for people watching.
  • Open Air Publishing
    Open Air PublishingApril 24, 2012
    Try the "Nicaraguan Negroni Prunch." Yummy. You can find bartender Jon Gasparini's recipe in the book "Speakeasy Cocktails" created for iPads. http://oapub.co/c48b46af
  • Brodie O.heart icon on user image
    Brodie OlmsteadNovember 27, 2016
    Been here 25+ times
    Solid martini. Go in on a week night or get in early before it gets rowdy.
  • Kristen R.heart icon on user image
    Kristen RSeptember 10, 2016
    Fantastic craft cocktails. Unique flavors you won't find just anywhere.
  • Jeff S.heart icon on user image
    Jeff SchonerApril 12, 2015
    Best old-fashioned I've had. Ask for a recommendation from the bartender.
  • Natalie K.heart icon on user image
    Natalie KOctober 14, 2016
    Nice cocktails...not too crowded or loud. Can usually grab a table easily.
  • Guillaume F.heart icon on user image
    Guillaume FlandreNovember 7, 2014
    Group-friendly and good cocktails. Try the lambada if you like spicy drinks.
  • Seth B.
    Seth BensonSeptember 26, 2013
    Fancy drinks in a shit part of town. Right nearby is another bar I can't remember the name of that is super cool.
  • Roger M.heart icon on user image
    Roger MaApril 12, 2015
    Awesome whiskey based drinks
  • Eric N.heart icon on user image
    Eric NelsonAugust 21, 2014
    Great for unique bourbon and rye and the bartenders are very knowledgeable
  • Sam B.heart icon on user image
    Sam BurkeJune 30, 2015
    Ask Araya to make you one of her meticulously crafted cocktails - she won't disappoint :)
  • Kyle S.heart icon on user image
    Kyle SApril 8, 2014
    Been here 5+ times
    A good cocktail bar in a somewhat seedy area. Kind of emblematic of its neighborhood (the "Tender-Nob").
  • Ashlie O.
    Ashlie O'DaySeptember 3, 2011
    Chartreuse Swizzle is amazing. Sit at the bar to watch the show--muddling, "herb slapping", shaking, nutmeg grating, etc.
  • Peter W.heart icon on user image
    Peter WuJanuary 4, 2015
    Worth the long walk through the Tenderloin to get there from BART
  • Jose Antonio T.heart icon on user image
    Jose Antonio Tena SendraFebruary 8, 2017
    Nice that they have a smoking terrace, not common in the city but definitely welcome.
  • Taylor L.
    Taylor LeeJuly 10, 2018
    If you're into trying new cocktails, order the basil gimlet!
  • Kyle M.
    Kyle MeyerNovember 28, 2013
    For your cocktail and whiskey needs if you're downtown. Walkable, but if the TL weirds you out just take a cab here.
  • Cik A.heart icon on user image
    Cik AbangMay 23, 2014
    “Sadness in your heart is an inhibitor of success. Avoid the prolonged grief, take heart, and take your chance as soon as possible.”
  • Danielheart icon on user image
    DanielAugust 7, 2016
    Solid cocktails and very nice atmosphere!
  • James T.heart icon on user image
    James TateJanuary 23, 2015
    Best place to catch up with a friend. Get the Pimms Cup #5
  • cami j.heart icon on user image
    cami j.July 28, 2015
    super dark, hip space, tasty cocktails!
  • Danny N.heart icon on user image
    Danny NathanAugust 24, 2013
    Ask for Jules. Then ask her to make you something off-menu. She's awesome.
  • Jackson F.
    Jackson FergusonJune 15, 2013
    Nice bar, bartenders are awesome try any of their cocktails I'd recommend them all
  • Kristi
    KristiMay 22, 2011
    This place has a great atmosphere and some nice drinks. The Fraised and Confused was fabulous, but I would stay away from the Tijuana Brass.
  • Laura C.
    Laura CNovember 17, 2011
    For after dinner drinks, head to Rye where the bartenders will concoct the drink of your choice using the freshest ingredients.
  • Craig V.heart icon on user image
    Craig VillamorFebruary 4, 2016
    Cool atmosphere, huge list of ryes.
  • vince h.
    vince hMay 4, 2012
    Been here 5+ times
    Call me old fashion, but why mess with classics when created by masters? Order the old fashion!
  • Wendy L.heart icon on user image
    Wendy LinMarch 23, 2013
    Pimms cup good but a little too spicy for my taste, basil gimlet soooo tasty, only mildly spicy
  • Patrick H.heart icon on user image
    Patrick HaneySeptember 28, 2012
    Try Wild Bill's Old Fashioned. Bourbon, root, maple and vanilla. It tastes like an adult cream soda.
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