The New Zagat SF Nightlife Guide: Some Misses, Some Hits

The 8th edition of Zagat’s guide to San Francisco Nightlife just came out. This is the book that tourists will slip into their purses and coat pockets as they visit (hopefully) in droves this summer and pump their dollars into our economy. As such, it may be important as to where those dollars go.

So, in the world of drink, what did they get right and what did they get wrong?

Right:
They’re pretty on top of things, including, for instance Heaven’s Dog, which opened only a few months ago, and Adesso in the East Bay.

Wrong:
Strange Omissions. Swig is not included in “Scotch” category (in fact not included at all); Bigfoot Lodge is not included in the “Fireplaces” category, and not at all; Heaven’s Dog is included in the “Cocktail” section, but not the Slanted Door (which is not included at all).
Some Odd Ratings. For instance, in the "Special Interests" section Seasons at the Four Seasons is the highest-rated cocktail bar in the city, right above Bourbon & Branch, Bix and (a surprise) Jardinere. Zagat says that “2,200 active local nightowls participated in the survey,” but I find it hard to believe that this many locals frequent the cocktail lounge at the Four Seasons.
Weird misses. Of the three bars listed in the “Tequila” Category, Colibri and Cantina are not among them. Romolo is not listed for “Cocktails.” Yoshi’s is not listed under “Sake.”

Altogether, though, the guide is a handy little number, as long as you take its ratings with a grain of salt (and a wedge of lime).