Five years after opening, notable cocktail bar Blackbird in San Francisco’s Castro is having its year. First, it announced Brewcade, a new bar arcade imagined by Blackbird owners Shawn Vergara and Tiffny Vergara Chung, which opened nearby in December. Also in December, bar manager Matt Grippo launched the “Winter is Coming” Game of Thrones themed cocktail list, with highlights like the “Milk of the Poppy” (eggnog, cognac, cinnamon mulled wine) and the Mother of Dragons, with Scotch, Amargo Vallet, yellow Chartreuse, red wine, and honey, all scorched in flames or “dragon’s breath.” It also features Valar Morghulis, a Belgian dubbel from Ommegang’s GoT line (according to the bar, the GoT offerings may grow come spring, when the show’s fifth season premieres). And, the formerly cash-only cocktail bar went credit-friendly this year (hoorah). The dark and broody bar contains a small wine list, over 40 beers, full bar, and four carbonated cocktails, including a Pimms Cupp and the Pocket Knife, with Scotch, housemade root beer, tobacco bitters, and menthe. The bar also features rotating art, a noteworthy happy hour, and “Bar Jars,” 4oz Mason jars of spreads served with crackers.
Location: Blackbird, 2124 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94114, (415) 503-0630
Hours:
Monday to Friday: 3:00 pm to 2:00 am, Happy Hour 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Saturday to Sunday: 2:00 pm to 2:00 am
