1) Drinks with Travelers
Roshambo with fascinating people from faraway places without leaving town, every Wednesday in North Beach. The weekly Wednesday Rock Paper Scissors Tournament and Pub Crawl is run by volunteers from local hostels to give travelers an opportunity to drink and socialize with locals. The Tournament begins at 8:30 pm at NorthStar Cafe (1560 Powell Street @ Green) and moves from bar to bar for subsequent rounds (follow @SFBeerOlympics on Twitter to find out where they’re going next). The winner gets a $50 bar tab, with additional prizes awarded for best athletic wear. Get your drink coupons at the first bar, and enjoy well drinks and premium beers for $3 to 3.50 throughout the night. RSVP on Facebook beforehand, and announce yourself to the greeter at the door to be directed to the fun. If you’re looking to make it a late night, stick around for the dance party afterwards.
2) Re-think Happy Hour
When was the last time you sipped extravagant drinks while surrounded by redwood panelling, Phillippe Starck-designed furniture and avant-garde portraits that keep an eye on each other as they move? If the answer is “never,” the Clift Hotel is hoping to change that this Thursday. “Bardot” (bar-daux) is an invitation-only, after-work happy hour held in the glamorous Redwood Room at the Clift Hotel (495 Geary @ Taylor). This monthly, free event (RSVP required) occurs on the last Thursday of each month, from 5 - 9 pm. The menu features a changing selection of three happy hour cocktails for $10 each, plus small plates of finger food to share. Private tables accommodate up to ten people, with a $200 minimum food and beverage tab. (Call 415-775-4700 to reserve.)
3) Off the Grid Friday Night Food Truck Party in Fort Mason
If you’d rather frolic at the lower end of the luxury scale, fortify yourself at Fort Mason on Friday nights. Off the Grid’s weekly food truck party starts at 5 pm, by the water at Fort Mason Center. Listen to live music while grazing among the dozens of food vendors serving everything from burgers and BBQ to tamales and chocolate tacos. Or make reservations for a pop-up, prix-fixe meal from Azalina’s Malaysian, Californio, Hapa SF or Stag Dining Group. On-site beverage vendors include Alembic Cocktail Bar, Magnolia Brewery, Derby by Stag Dining Group and Wine Bar by QB Catering.
4) Half-Price Wines at Press Club
Press Club’s half-price wine special is basically an upscale version of Bevmo’s 5 cent wine sale, in that it only applies to wines that cost $70 or more per bottle. So, if you want to try a pricey wine without blowing the budget, show up before 6 pm on Saturdays. Located in the heart of Market Street, at the foot of the Four Seasons Hotel, Press Club Wine Bar and Lounge (20 Yerba Buena Lane) offers fine wines and beers from California in a warm and elegant environment. The menu includes creative snacks and small plates, such as Blackened Deviled Eggs with caramelized bacon frisee and pickled smoke chile ($7) and Foraged Mushroom Flatbread with burrata, wild arugula, and aceto balsamico ($12).
5) Beretta’s Birthday Bash
Slinging pies + shaking up cocktails = success for Beretta Bar (1199 Valencia @ 23rd). The Mission’s self-described “pizza and cocktail headquarters” is celebrating five years in business, and you’re invited to the birthday bash on Monday, April 1 from 8 pm to 1 am. A $30 entry fee includes a pass to the party, a free shot of birthday punch, tasty snacks, and live beats from DJ Harold “Facemelter” Cabalic. Tickets are available online and are expected to sell out.
Submit drinking events to @grassrootspr.
