Buzzed

Lowering the Bar: 5 Places to Drink For Cheap (or Free) This Week

AlliePape — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:18:08 -0700

Each week, we bring you our top picks for the best places to booze on the cheap in SF.

1. Harlem at the Ambassador: Though the name may bring to mind New York's struggling neighborhood, this Harlem is actually a Dutch drink that resembles Jagermeister. The brand managers have been handing out free shots guerrilla-style to folks around town (just a few weeks ago, we were unexpected recipients in a neighborhood bar), but they're making a play to hand out free shots and Harlem-Red Bull mixers at the Ambassador this Friday. After 11, you can get the Harlem Red Bulls for $5-- a great drink or alternate-universe sports-team name. (Friday, March 19, free drinks 9-11 pm, at The Ambassador, 673 Geary St., Tenderloin.)

2. Dubonnet Happy Hours: Another liquor that wants you to remember its name, Irene Cara-style, is Dubonnet, a French aperitif. To get bartenders and patrons jazzed about their product, they're hosting two happy hours with $1 drinks: Coda takes the helm on Wednesday, while Bruno's will be the host on Thursday. Each restaurant's bar will mix up a classic Dubonnet Cocktail with gin and bitters, as well as a Dubonnet drink of their own creation, and one drinker will receive a $500 gift certificate to the host restaurant. You may also learn how to fly, but we're not making any promises. (Wednesday, March 24, 5:30-7:30 pm, at Coda, 1710 Mission St., Mission. Thursday, March 25, 5:30-7:30 pm, at Bruno's, 2389 Mission St., Mission.)

3. Show Dogs Shindig: The sausage-slingers at Show Dogs are making 6th Street better, one hot dog at a time. A $20 ticket to their spring party buys unlimited samples of gourmet sausage and glasses of Lagunitas IPA, Scrimshaw pilsner, and 21st Amendment Watermelon Wheat, and all the profits go to support the San Francisco City Academy, located two blocks away. Great deal + great cause + spring-fever cure? We're there. (Thursday, March 25, 6-8 pm, at Show Dogs, 1020 Market St., Mid-Market.)

4. Drink Me Magazine Party: The fine folks at Drink Me, a magazine devoted to (you guessed it) booze, want you to come out and help them celebrate. They're taking over Coda (which is increasingly becoming an all-star in the LTB playbook, with three events in a mere two weeks), and with a $4 cover, you'll be treated to live funk and soul music, $4 beer, $5 cocktails, $4 wine, and good spirits. And with a respectably late start time, you can easily hit this event after #s 2 and/or 3. (Thursday, March 25, 9 pm, at Coda, 1710 Mission St., Mission.)

5. Chaya's All-Night Happy Hour: The happy hour at pan-Asian Chaya Brasserie on the Embarcadero is long-beloved by after-work crowds; it's pricier than most, but the food and atmosphere match the bump. Now, they've made it better by extending it to the whole night, every night. $5.50 cocktails, $4.50 drafts, $8.50 mussels, $6 chicken satay, us swooning. (Monday-Friday, 4 pm-close, Saturday-Sunday, 5 pm-close, at Chaya Brasserie, 132 The Embarcadero, Embarcadero.)

St. Patrick's Day Flash Mob: Shoot From The Hip

Stephanie — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:46:18 -0700

Oh, St. Patrick’s Day. How we love your lucky leprechaun jigs, green beer and authentic Irish pinching traditions.

To celebrate this debaucherous holiday, we’re holding another 7x7 Flash Mob, so grab those camera phones and snap whatever you’re doing throughout the day on March 17. Sitting on the sidelines of the parade? Guzzling pints at the pub? Eating a killer plate of corned beef and cabbage? Just email your photo to our Flickr group at flashmob@7x7.com to be featured on 7x7’s site. Be sure to include a title in the subject line and a short description of where you are with your email address in the body (so we can let you know when your photo's up and if you've won a $100 gift certificate to Harris’ restaurant).

We suggest setting an alarm now to remind you of the contest; there's no telling where your mind will be after a pint (or three) of Guinness!

The 10 Best Irish Pubs in the City

allisonmccarthy — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:41:28 -0700

Sure, green beer is kinda gross and Irish car bombs are a bit fratastic, but what other day can you go out, down a Guinness and say, “Kiss me, I’m Irish” without getting slapped? The sophisticated amongst us may choose to stay couch-bound Wednesday, but for those who want to revel, there’s no shortage of solid pubs. Here’s where you might find us quaffing a few.

1. The Irish Bank
Tucked away at the end of a dirty alley, this pub is a favorite of the downtown after-work crowd. Indoors or out, you’ll get a little taste of Europe in the heart of SF. 10 Mark Ln. at Grant Ave. (Union Square), 415-788-7152

2. The Plough and the Stars
Fiddlers, flautists and bagpipes, oh my! Known for their stellar lineup of live jigs, The Plough and the Stars has been keeping the Celtic tradition real for more than 30 years. 116 Clement St. between 2nd and 3rd Ave. (Inner Richmond), 415-751-1122

3. The Blarney Stone
UK sports broadcasts and dart challenges are staple good times at this Outer Richmond bar, but we like it because of the proximity to John Campbell's Irish Bakery. Head next door for the quintessential slice of soda bread (then go back in the morning for their legendary Irish bacon breakfast sandwiches). 5625 Geary Blvd. between 20th and 21st Ave. (Outer Richmond), 415-386-9914

4. Buena Vista Café
St. Patrick’s Day may be synonymous with beer, but if you’re not feeling a pint, head to Russian Hill for Buena Vista's signature Irish coffee instead. 2765 Hyde St. at Beach St. (Russian Hill), 415-474-5044

5. Little Shamrock
The second oldest bar in the city, and a great spot to snuggle up to a game of backgammon. Whiskey connoisseurs will appreciate the vast selection of Irish varieties. 807 Lincoln Way at 9th Ave. (Inner Sunset), 415-661-0060

6. The Phoenix
Avoid the financial district’s block party and head to the Mission instead to rub elbows with hipsters over a Harp or Smithwick’s. Get there early to line your stomach with corned beef, cabbage and soda bread. 811 Valencia St. at 19th St. (Mission), 415-695-1811

7. Durty Nelly's
Lost in a sea of Asian restaurants and markets, this Sunset outpost is where the real Irish men hang out. Join the throngs of expats for an authentic Celtic toast. 2328 Irving St. between 24th and 25th St. (Outer Sunset), 415-664-2555

8. Kennedy's
It’s the only place we know of where you can get a side of curry with your Guinness and finish with a game of air hockey. 1040 Columbus Ave. at Taylor St. (North Beach), 415-441-8855

9. The Chieftain
Old world abounds at this Emerald Isle mainstay south of Market. We’re hoping the street grunge on the surrounding blocks will keep the tourists away so you can pound a pint in peace. 198 Fifth St. at Howard St. (SoMa), 415-615-0916

10. The Liberties
The dark mahogany bar and warm wood accents lend an air of sophistication to this neighborhood pub. Do what the locals do and order a BLT made with Irish bacon and soda bread to soak up all the booze. 998 Guerrero St. at 22nd St. (Mission), 415-282-6789

Disagree with our picks? Let us know in the comments.

An Alternative St. Patrick's Day

AlliePape — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:20:00 -0800

Green beer, car bombs, pinching strangers: St. Patrick's Day, the old-fashioned way, can be plenty of fun. But if your memories of last year's hangover are still painful, or you can't stomach the antics of a holiday bartenders not-so-lovingly refer to as "Amateur Night," there are still plenty of ways to enjoy St. Patty's this Wednesday that aren't on the traditional Irish-pub route. (And if you still love the classics, take heart: three of the four bars recently chosen by Thrillist as the city's best are Irish pubs.) Here are a few suggestions for a fresh take on St. Patty's (all hours are for Wednesday):

Spice up your Guinness with Indian food. One of those great places that give SF its character, Kennedy's is the only Irish pub we know of that doubles as an Indian restaurant. Plus, if you're trying to save money on your bar tab this year, they've got a brilliant happy hour deal: from 5 to 7, Guinness is only $2, and any other draft beer you buy (and there are many) comes with a token good for a second, which can be used even when happy hour is over. Settle in with a stout and a saag paneer, and revel in the contradictions. Kennedy's, open 11 am-2 am, 1040 Columbus Ave., (415) 441-8855.

Trade that Irish car bomb for an Irish coffee. Our fair city has always had a special relationship with Irish coffee, having served as its introduction to the United States. The Buena Vista is the go-to locale for the classic version of the drink, but if you don't feel like battling the tourists, nearby Vesuvio is slightly less crowded. Or go exotic: Nopa serves a tasty brown-sugar molasses version. The Buena Vista, 9 am-2 am, 2675 Hyde St., (415) 474-5044. Vesuvio, open 6 am-2 am, 255 Columbus Ave., (415) 362-3370. Nopa, 6 pm-1 am, 560 Divisadero St., (415) 864-8643.

Explore the world of whiskey beyond Jameson. We love a good glass of Jameson or Bushmill's, but on a night when everyone else will be draining bottles of Irish whiskey, you can still get a taste of the brown stuff without limiting your country of origin. The Excelsior's Broken Record has an excellent, well-priced selection of whiskey, with an emphasis on craft bourbon, as well as a sizable Scotch offering. Or you can sip on a Japanese single-malt at Nihon Whisky Lounge, which boasts what is probably the city's largest variety of Scotch. The Broken Record, open 6-11 pm, 1166 Geneva Ave., (630) 963-1713. Nihon Whisky Lounge, open 5:30 pm-2 am, 1779 Folsom St., (415) 552-4400.

Take in some Celtic cinema. Recent Oscar nominee The Secret of Kells is a lovingly hand-drawn animated film made in Ireland last year, and opening in the U.S. this weekend. The story is a whimsical take on the Irish monks (and their young apprentice) who illustrated the titular book, one of the most exquisite illuminated texts ever made. A showing at the Century San Francisco Centre in the Westfield mall would make a great St. Pat's date or outing with kids. Or, for a comfy night at home, bump some Irish films to the top of your Netflix queue: Michael Collins, Angela's Ashes, and My Left Foot all capture the indomitable Irish spirit, Waking Ned Devine is a delightful comedy, and The Secret of Roan Inish is lyrical and kid-friendly. Pick up some Guinness or Harp to sip with your popcorn. Century San Francisco Centre at the Westfield Mall, 835 Market St., (415) 538-3456.

Lowering the Bar: 5 Places to Drink For Cheap (or Free) This Week

AlliePape — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:30:00 -0800

Each week, we bring you our top picks for the best places to booze on the cheap in SF.

1. ThirstyBear Beer Education: The local beer purveyor, which is certified organic and brews sustainably, wants you to sample its wares-- on your lunch break. If you can undergo the office subterfuge necessary to sipping, you'll be rewarded with educational talks on sustainable brewing, plenty of free beer samples, and a great impetus to spend the rest of the day slacking off on the Internet. (Thursday, March 11, 12-1:30 pm, at Green Zebra Environmental Center, 50 Post St., Tenderloin.)

2. Tweservation at O Izakaya: Those wacky folks at Tweservation are at it again with the free happy hours, moving their merry band of restaurant-loving tweeters to O Izakaya, where they'll be rewarded with a free draft beer or glass of wine, as well as free edamame or fries to munch on. If you've been following them on their mission to spread free drink and fast table-snagging to the entire city, you know what to do: have a Twitter account and RSVP here. (Thursday, March 11, 7-9 pm, at O Izakaya, 1625 Post St., Japantown.)

3. $1 Oysters at Oola: Oola's convenient location, straddling the border of SOMA and the Financial District, makes it a good spot to gather after work. But in addition to $3 drafts and $5 wine and champagne during happy hour, they've decided to sweeten the pot with $1 oysters on Fridays. At the rate that the $1 oyster trend is going, even Swan Oyster Depot may have to start hawking mollusks for sawbucks. (Monday-Friday, 5-7 pm, oysters Friday only, at Oola, 860 Folsom St., SOMA.)

4. Flour + Water Free Corkage: It's aimed at industry folks, but all night owls can participate: when late night rolls around, corkage at Flour + Water, the insanely popular pizza and pasta joint in the Mission, is free. Though this deal is only offered after 10 pm on weekdays, we're totally fine with it, because that's the only time reservations are ever available at this place. Don't get too excited, though: there's a limit of 2 per table. (Sunday-Thursday, after 10 pm, at Flour + Water, 2401 Harrison St., Mission.)

5. City Tavern Has a Ton of Deals: Veteran cheapskates have long been familiar with the siren charms of City Tavern, seemingly the only place in the Marina devoted to the health of our wallets. Having realized that many of our readers are not acquainted with their deals, it bears repeating: on Tuesdays, this place is a rightful zoo, with $2 beers of all kinds, and numerous $2 foods (burgers, pizza, chicken wings, salad). Thursdays are slightly pricier, with $3 buying a well drink or one of a more upscale selection of dishes (quesadillas, calamari, spring rolls). And on Saturday, your first mimosa is free with brunch. Whew. (Tuesdays, 3 pm-12 am, Thursdays, food 7 pm-10 pm and drinks 7 pm-12 am, Saturdays, 10 am-3 pm, at City Tavern, 3200 Fillmore St., Marina.)

Do Babies and Beers Go Together?

AlliePape — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:23:05 -0800

San Francisco has plenty of ultra-hip parents these days, and with the encroachment of rock shows and art events for the younger set, a new locale is emerging as the Final Frontier of family fun: the local watering hole. Buoyed by recent memories of their salad days and recession-induced frustration at dropping a boatload of cash on a babysitter, parents are bringing their babies into locales that were once their meat markets. As with everything involving urban children these days, this has provoked some heated opinions, from parents defending their need for a post-baby social life to childfree advocates decrying the presence of breastfeeding at the bar. To help ease this conflict, we've devised a few ground rules, based on the comments of numerous folks along the spectrum of the debate. You may still meet with opposition if you plop your toddler down at a bar, but if the establishment allows it, these basics should help keep parents, non-parents, and children happy.

1. If they don't serve food, don't bring Junior. Don't take our word for it-- that dictate comes straight from the state of California. Establishments that serve alcohol in addition to food (and we're not talking just potato chips) are allowed to admit children; serious, drinking-only bars are not. While that nice bar down the street may allow you to skirt this rule, don't get indignant if they won't admit you: they could face losing their liquor license for a month.

2. The bar is not your babysitter. Not paying for a babysitter doesn't mean you can sign up the rest of the establishment for the job. Keep your kids by your side and away from other patrons; tears and tantrums should be taken outside. If a patron or staffer shows a genuine interest in your child, feel free to exercise your judgment and let them play with the person, but no matter how cute your little one is, assume that they will need to be 100% in your control unless proven otherwise.

3. When it's their bedtime, it's yours, too. Parents of babies and young children should plan on getting them to sleep at a decent hour, which means kids shouldn't be out on the town any later than 7 or 8 in most cases. Even if the baby is slumbering away in his car seat or stroller, do you really want to take the risk that some loud patron will have him waking up screaming?

4. Be a mindful stroller user. We know that big stroller helps keep the little one from feeling the bumps of city streets. But make sure it's out of the way. Not only is it not fun for people to maneuver around, it could pose a fire hazard, which could, in turn, mean a fine for the restaurant.

5. No kids? Be considerate. If parents are obeying rules 1-4, those seated near a little one should do their best in turn. Ratchet down volume, cursing, cigarette smoke, and other potential annoyances; if you can't, and it's possible, move. If conflict arises, a polite word to the bartender, server, or manager can help dissuade face-to-face aggression by redirecting the problem to a neutral party. Parents should also be aware that there are some people who just don't like kids, even if yours are veritable angels. Most of the world doesn't have it out for you or your baby, but if you feel you're making a real effort to be considerate and responsible and someone still gives you trouble, try to take it in stride.

6. If a car is involved, drink responsibly or bring a designated driver. This is a no-brainer for most people, but with precious cargo in the backseat, take extra care.

Do you think these rules are reasonable? What would you add or subtract? Any bars you love for their family-friendliness, or lack thereof? Let us know in the comments.

What Makes a Good Sports Bar?

AlliePape — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:06:23 -0800

The art of running a good sports bar is slightly different from that of running a good bar. As more and more high-class palaces of mixology open in SF, it's important to remember that sports bars, too, deserve love. While sipping on that perfectly balanced $10 martini might make you look good, the best sports bars are all about comfort-- in food, in beverage, in seating, and in neck angle. So we were interested to see the results of Thrillist's March Madness sports-bar faceoff: they chose their two favorites, letting readers choose the other two. The winner, determined by a vote, will compete in a nationwide throwdown. Here are the four SF contenders:

The reader picks:

Kezar Pub & Restaurant: The folks at Kezar are very into the community, sponsoring a kickball team of their own and playing host to countless weekend warriors craving a drink after their exertions. So it's not surprising to see their inclusion here, especially considering that they are the city's undisputed masters of that ultimate sports snack: the Buffalo wing. The panoply of TVs and regular presence of rowdy but cheerful fans doesn't hurt, either. 770 Stanyan St., Cole Valley.

The Greens Sports Bar: The ability to bring your own food is a plus of this small-but-mighty bar (though that might seem like a minus if you're four drafts down and can't fathom having to slink out for nachos). Prices can be a bit high, but with "sports" right there in the name, there's not a whiff of pretension in the place, and most patrons' eyes are glued to one of the numerous sets as they sip one of the numerous beers. 2239 Polk St., Polk Gulch.

Thrillist's picks:

The Republic: The most upscale of the four bars on this list, this attractive bar is a bit of a departure from the regulation dark wood and photo-cluttered walls that dot most of its ilk, and so suffers from a slight deficit in the comfort range. If you want to see the game alongside someone who doesn't care much about sports, though, this is the place to go: your unathletic companion can be distracted by upscale munchies (deep-fried pickles, doughnuts) and the Sutro Swizzle, made with Grey Goose, basil, and lime. 3213 Scott St., Marina.

McTeague's Saloon: Polk St. cements its reputation as SF's sports bar center with McTeague's. It's the apotheosis of the Irish bar, with spacious church-pew seating, reasonably-priced and heavy-handed drinks, and cheerfully efficient staff. And it's gotten a beloved reputation among college football fans with $2 and $3 Texas beers on Saturdays (Shiner Bock, Shiner Black, and Lone Star). 1237 Polk St., Polk Gulch.

Who's got the better picks: the Thrillisters or the voters? Or did your favorite joint get left off the list altogether? Tell us about the best (and worst) of SF sports bars in the comments.

The Castro's Cocktail Scene Grows Up

Stephanie Lazorchak — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:54:42 -0800

Long a bastion of bad drinks and a good time, the city’s biggest party neighborhood is slowly but surely learning how to wield a muddler.

San Francisco has become known as a forward-marching cocktail town—supported by a troupe of bartenders armed with swizzle sticks and bitters. But one neighborhood continues to resist this insurgence. While the Tenderloin, Mission and Haight are reveling in white whiskeys and raw sugars, in the Castro, bartenders are still called bartenders, and the drink of choice is more likely to be an appletini than something made with absinthe. From Martuni’s to Moby Dick, drinks in the gay sector are still mixed with vanilla vodka, Long Island Iced Teas make up the happy-hour specials, and mojitos come in more than one flavor. Popular venues, like Toad Hall and Badlands, skip the cocktail menu altogether.

As of late, however, there have been a few glimmers of change. As the restaurant scene in the Castro grows up, so do the drinks. At Starbelly and Frances—two recently opened eateries without full liquor licenses—you’ll find some of the most creative mixology in the neighborhood. Frances serves dry aperitif cocktails with a rotating fruit shrub, infused vermouth and homemade syrups. Starbelly offers refreshers like the Madeira Cobbler, made with fortified wine and lemon and served on crushed ice with nutmeg and an orange zest garnish; and the Mango Michelada, a combination of beer, lime and mango with a chile-salt rim.

Other influences are creeping up from mid-Market—at the Orbit Room and Pisco Latin Lounge, past Church Street to the newish Blackbird and the even-newer Residence. Here the bars are just as busy as in the Castro, though their clientele is more mixed between gay and straight. The Residence serves mostly classic cocktails with updated names like the Sands of Marbella (Blood and Sand) and the French Quarter (Sazerac). Blackbird offers 10 classic and modern cocktails on a menu that rotates a few times a year, and includes ingredients such as Velvet Falernum, Peychaud’s Bitters and agave syrup. Blackbird owner Shawn Vergara says, “We don’t consider ourselves a mixology bar, but we’re flirting with it.”

But even here, Vergara says beer and simple vodka drinks sell just about equally on the menu. He seems cautiously optimistic that these more refined (and slower-to-make) cocktails are the wave of the Castro’s future, and isn’t rushing the matter with hand-carved ice cubes and drinks that take five minutes to assemble. “It’s hard to wait [behind someone ordering a cocktail] if all you want is a beer,” he notes.

This is not to say the Castro is a bad place to drink if you’re only using cocktails as fuel for fun. Drinks in gay bars tend to be larger, cheaper, boozier and served more expediently by better-looking bartenders than in straight bars. As in nightclubs, the atmosphere and potential for romance are more important than the freshness of the vermouth used in the house Manhattan. And besides, even small Castro bars hire DJs and go-go boys on weekends—and that’s not something you’re ever going to find at Alembic or Bourbon & Branch. x

THE CASTRO GETS FANCY

Frances Though Frances is more about neighborhood fine dining than cocktails, the five wine-based drinks on the menu are the most interesting options in the Castro. 3870 17th St., 415-621-3870, frances-sf.com

Blackbird The slickly redesigned Expansion Bar space at the edge of the Castro has the best selection of real cocktails in the ’hood. 2124 Market St., 415-503-0630, blackbirdbar.com

The Residence The former Amber bar finally went non-smoking in January and now serves a mix of classic cocktails and drinks with soju and sake. 718 14th St., 415-797-8866

Starbelly This popular restaurant by the owners of Beretta serves wine- and beer-based cocktails like the Spanish drink Calimocho and a housemade Pimm’s Cup. 3583 16th St., 415-252-7500, starbellysf.com

Lowering the Bar: 5 Places to Drink For Cheap (or Free) This Week

AlliePape — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:22:03 -0800

Each week, we bring you our top picks for the best places to booze on the cheap in SF.

1. Yelp Drinks: Oh, Yelp, we are so conflicted about you. You help keep people we like in business, but you also ruin the lives of anyone who lives in a three-block radius of Ike's Place. You get us the early feedback on that new place we've been thinking about trying, but you also give a bully pulpit to kinda-crazy people. Luckily, you're doing something this week that we can agree on: cheap drinks, most $4 or $5, at a pretty great selection of bars. Rye's basil gimlet and 15 Romolo's Brick and Timber at half-off are music to our ears. Maybe we can make this relationship work. (Complete list of bars here. Through Sunday, March 7.)

2. $5 Glasses of Wine at Luella: The Russian Hill restaurant Luella is turning 5, which is also the number of sawbucks you'll need to get a glass of wine there this March. Every wine on their by-the-glass list is offered at the special rate, and you can enjoy the glass at the bar if you're not interested in noshing. Happy anniversary, indeed. (Sunday-Thursday, through Wednesday, March 31, at Luella, 1896 Hyde St., Russian Hill.)

3. $1 Wells at Avenue Lounge: The folks at Avenue Lounge are reaching out to help you Sunset and SF State denizens get through the week, with two hours of $1 wells on Wednesday nights from ten to midnight. (They mention "ordering a half-dozen at a time," to which we say, please patronize these people, we admire their grit.) Can't make it out on humpday, or don't do well booze? They're also offering a different top-shelf tipple for $5 each night: Sunday is Hennessy, Monday is Ketel One, Tuesday is Johnnie Walker Black, Wednesday is Hennessy again, and Thursday is Patron. ($1 wells Wednesdays, 10 pm-12 am; $5 top-shelf all night Sunday-Thursday, at Avenue Lounge, 1334 Noriega St., Sunset.)

4. Mission Microhood Party: The Bold Italic is at it again with another liquor-soaked SF event, only this one is free. Tour the five new shops that have opened on 20th and 21st between Mission and Valencia, receiving free booze (Firestone Walker beer, prosecco, mead) and shopping discounts at each. RSVP so they can get enough kegs to fuel the retail madness. (Thursday, March 4, 8-10 pm, on 20th and 21st Sts. between Mission and Valencia Sts., Mission.)

5. OgilvyWest Art Exhibition: In case you haven't watched or don't believe Mad Men, take it from LTB: Ad people can party like nobody's business. Meet a few at OgilvyWest's exhibition of work from Creativity Explored, which will also offer free beer and appetizers, then run out into the night to enjoy more truth serum with your new buddies. RSVP here. (Thursday, March 4, 5-9 pm, at OgilvyWest, 111 Sutter St., 10th Floor, Financial District.)

7 Days, 7 Deals: 40% Off at Vin12 Wine Tasting

jennifer — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:50:00 -0800

We love supporting San Francisco businesses and we love good deals. So we're teaming up with cool local company Joffer to offer 7 days of killer deals to some of our favorite local San Francisco businesses. From now until Friday, March 5, check back here to cash in.

Don't feel like venturing to Napa for wine tasting? Head to San Francisco's Vin12, where they hold exclusive, unlimited wine tastings (featuring 40-50 wines by 14-20 producers) monthly. It's a great chance to brush up on your wine knowledge, meet some fellow oenophiles and peruse some local art. So get your wine on and cash in on this $25 ticket to one of their events for $15. That's 40% off!