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Elixir

4 star rating
based on 340 reviews

Categories: Dive Bars, Pubs  [Edit]

Neighborhood: Mission
3200 16th St
(between Guerrero St & Spencer St)
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 552-1633
Hours:

Mon-Fri. 3:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.

Sat. 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.

Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.

Parking:
Street
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Price Range:
$$
Good for Groups:
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
No
Music:
Juke Box
Best Nights:
Wed, Thu, Sun
Happy Hour:
Yes
Alcohol:
Full Bar
Smoking:
No
Coat Check:
No

340 reviews for Elixir

Review Highlights   

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"Where else in the city can you make your own Bloody Mary on Sunday." (in 41 reviews)
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"oh, also they allegedly have a "make your own bloody mary" bar on sundays." (in 10 reviews)
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"Anyway, there's a good selection of beers to chose from." (in 7 reviews)
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Sort by: Yelp Sort | Date | Rating | Elites'
Photo of Quinn S.

Elite '09

335

424

Quinn S.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
10/16/2009

I know they like to call it a "neighborhood bar," but I go across town to get a drink at Elixir.  The space is classic saloon, the drinks are well made and the staff is good-natured and competent.

I spent the last two nights in the Elixir classroom for whiskey seminar/tastings and can't wait to get back in there.  H secured the adjacent space where they have educational events on Thursday nights, and I just really dig it.

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Photo of John M.

 

292

102

John M.

San Francisco, CA

2 star rating
9/5/2009

The Yelp reviews for this place can be misleading.  Elixir is nothing more than a crowded dive bar on a cool corner in the Mission.  

I met a friend for a drink there last night and found the place to be too loud and too crowded for any real conversation.  Don't get me wrong, dive bars can be great.  This spot, unfortunately, wasn't that charming or relaxed for a neighborhood hang out out.  After one round we moved across the street so we could keep the conversation flowing.  

If you're looking for ambience and something cool, but also chill, this isn't your spot.

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Photo of Mark L.

 

16

52

Mark L.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
9/30/2009

This place is dope!

Another spot thats understaffed, but the bartenders are awesome still!  Tip these guys people since they are pouring well!

It gets crowded, but not as crazy as some other joints.  I'll be here a lot, good for the soul, bad for the wallet, good excercise for the liver!

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Photo of Adam Z.

 

30

269

Adam Z.

Mission, San Francisco, CA

1 star rating
9/16/2009

I've been here a few times now and have always regretted it.

They always let too many people in the front door, have too few bartenders working, make you wait forever to order a drink, and they serve experimental, swanky, and occasionally foul-tasting cocktails that take them forever to make.

And it's even worse when they host charity nights, because you have to buy drink tickets at the door that you'll never get a chance to use.

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Photo of Naomi P.

 

29

40

Naomi P.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
8/31/2009

I came here during happy hour on my continuous search for the ~perfect san francisco bloody mary~. I wasn't disappointed. Not bad, not bad at all. Intense bloody mary without being torturous and with a complex, almost meaty flavor. delicious.

My only gripe is the serious lack of garnishes (skimping cause it was happy hour? i don't know) which I hear is remedied on the weekends with their DIY bloody bar (but then i have to make it myself, life is hard). WE WILL SEE.

For the pickled goodness garnishes on the reg, benders/zeitgeist and pops are still your best bet.

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Photo of Sean C.

Elite '09

52

134

Sean C.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
Updated - 8/10/2009

OK. I feel like I don't even want to say this, because its the bestest thing ever...and I don't want you to crowd me out. But, I love this place so much, I'll let you in on the secret anyways :).

On pretty much every Thursday night, Elixir has cocktail night. Which means a booze company comes in and makes everyone a ton of *free* drinks featuring their booze. You also get to learn a ton about how that particular booze is made, and meet some other cool drunkards because the crowd at this place rocks.

You're welcome...you should buy me a Christmas present for telling you that...or at least include me as your AA sponsor.

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 4 star rating
    11/1/2008

    Red Bull sponsored our team here following the Red Bull soapbox race. Quite a few bizarre-o beers… Read more »

Photo of Lin S.

 

7

28

Lin S.

Marin, CA

4 star rating
9/25/2009

Love the bloody mary. I get it every time and am never disappointed. I usually go on a weekday and avoid it after 9pm on the weekend as all the bars in the Mission get a little crazy.

Small bar, but always a good amount of seating if you're like me and come a little early.

The bartenders are always nice though they are understaffed on the weekends.

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Photo of April D.

Elite '09

15

132

April D.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
10/21/2009

I like this bar. The bartenders really know how to make their drinks here. It gets pretty crowded at night, so if you don't like that, come a little earlier during the day, so you can sit down. I don't really mind either way, because so far, I've had a good Tom Collins every time that I have come. They actually have the whole Collins family drink list on their menu, which I find pretty sweet. And I don't remember the exact name of the punch, but it's on the menu and apparently it's an old favorite? It's good and can give you a good time. I highly recommend this place.

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Photo of earl g.

Elite '09

131

556

earl g.

Burlingame, CA

2 star rating
7/20/2009

Neighborhood saloon like bar. A little bit older and not as diverse crowd as I would've thought. Good taps and efficient bartenders though.

Hard to get a table because this place was fairly crowded on Thursday night. Not really much of a scene here which is cool, but then not really my type of scene here either. Maybe when I'm 15 years older and when I start listening to NPR. They have Chicharrón here for $3 bucks, ps. they sell Chicharrón at every local Mexi-mart for $1.

They do have a nice jukebox though. Hall & Oates, Christopher Cross, and Bone Thugs was $3 bucks.

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Photo of Angela H.

Elite '09

557

111

Angela H.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
7/10/2009

When you hear the word 'saloon' you think 'this is totally going to be a  hipster cowboy type place' (considering the neighborhood).  Upon entrance, it's really more of a pirate ship than a saloon.  Whatever though...they were playing good music (Belle & Sebastian at a bar?) and had yummy, different beer selections.

I still can't get over doggies being brought to bars in San Francisco though.  Seriously, take your puppy for a walk, and then go out.  This poor, adorable thing looks SO bored, so everytime i walked by it, I patted it on the head, and then it would get all fired up and want to play.  Not a good place for a dog.  But a good place for people!

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Photo of John S.

 

16

49

John S.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
7/28/2009

A friend brought me to Elixir for the first time last week for a Yelp event and I was really impressed. The bartenders were really cool, there was an interesting selection of beers, I liked the diverse mix of people, and it was a comfortable place to spend a few hours.

My only real complaint was with the sound system. I liked the music that was playing, but I'm not sure if it was the speaker setup or the layout of the room, but the music was so loud and distorted, it was challenging to hear people I was talking to and I was hoarse by the time we left from trying to talk over the music.

But hey- that's a quibble. I can see myself drinking at Elixir again in the future.

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Photo of Alex S.

 

2

16

Alex S.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
10/17/2009

Props to this watering hole! I dont usually stagger to the hipster dufas hood. i was thoroughly impressed with the knowledge and vibe of this place. Wed nights they do charity Benefits and thurs apparently are liquor education seminars. i will return with more friends next time!

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Photo of Sally M.

Elite '09

86

215

Sally M.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
8/16/2009

First off, Oh.My.Gosh. They have Leffe on tap?!?! FTW!

Loved the ambiance. Warm, masculine, pub-like atmosphere. Bold, yet substantial colors on the wall (cranberries mixed with brown wooden shades). Bustling, intriguing crowd - good-looking, but not Marina. Hipsters, but not cocky. I liked it, I really liked it.

Most of all: the music. First, there was straight up hardcore when we walked in. Some might be surprised by this, but I don't actually mind hardcore. And I have been to a straight edge concert (old school AFI) back in the day - circa 1999. Then there was my favorite punk song. Ever. Pennywise "Fight til you die". And upon leaving, M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes".

I think the better question is: what's not to like?

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Photo of Matt L.

 

9

8

Matt L.

San Francisco, CA

1 star rating
8/29/2009

One of the worst bars in SF. No exaggeration. Whenever somebody suggests this bar I visibly tense.

As some have already mentioned, the service here can be extremely slow. And this is not because the place is packed. Most times I've been here there are only a handful of people bellied up to the bar. It just takes way to long for the crew to sling drinks. I've gone into this bar probably 5 times in my life, 3 of which I left drinkless after waiting for 20 minutes without even getting a nod from the bartender. On the few occasions where I do get to put in an order, the bartender usually forgets to bring out part of the order.

On top of that, the drinks are weak and not super cheap. My friend complained that her greyhound didn't taste like it had any alcohol in it. The bartender only assured us that there was indeed vodka in it and moved on.

Throw in a $20 credit card minimum and you've got my least favorite bar in SF.

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Photo of Rat-A-Tat R.

 

21

286

Rat-A-Tat R.

Vacaville, CA

4 star rating
8/13/2009

The best thing about Elixir is that they've heard of  a Mind Eraser. I was doing a bar crawl with a group of friends, and I spent the entire night in search of the glorious mind eraser someone wanted me to try. After various bars telling me they hadn't heard of, the glorious bartender at Elixir told me she could make it. And it was good! and cheap!

This is a fun bar that has a divey vibe without being a hole in the wall. It was busy for a Tuesday night, but we were still about to find comfortable seats for our decent sized group. It was a little difficult to talk over the loud commotion, but hopefully you'll be too drunk to care.

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Photo of Scott J.

 

0

14

Scott J.

Oakland, CA

5 star rating
8/10/2009

Whenever I go to the Mission, this is the pub I will use as a pit stop, refueling station, whatever you want to call it. It is a laid back place that always has a game on (no TV sound though), good music on, and a good selection of beers for me to choose from. A pint ranging from $4 to $6 isn't cheap, but you live in San Francisco so being cheap here really isn't an option.

Recommended to just grab a beer, meet and talk with friends, and to sit at a table and watch the weirdness that is Mission pass by the window.

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Photo of Liz S.

 

21

50

Liz S.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
9/24/2009 1 photo

I have been to Elixir plenty of times but this was my first time getting over there for happy hour.

Their happy hour specials weren't anything to text all your jobless friends about but I really, really enjoyed the atmosphere during happy hour. There were maybe 10 people in there and a bartender (maybe 2.) There was a dude at the corner of the bar reading and he seemed to be a regular. The bartender knew him by name and kept his drinks coming without the guy having to ask. I thought that was cool. My boyfriend and I sat at the bar and got helped immediately. I picked some music on the electronic juke box (I love that thing!) and I actually got to hear it!

The bartender was REALLY nice. Maybe I'm a sucker, but he seemed like a genuinely nice guy. I wasn't interested in the happy hour specials and he asked what I liked. I told him vodka and he said he had a drink for me that would knock my socks off. I informed him I was wearing sandals. He worked his mixoligist magic and presented me with a glass with a cucumber garnish on it. I was already impressed. (I posted a pic if you want to see it.) I took a sip and was in love. It is 9:56 AM as I am typing this and I could go for one or maybe 5 right now. It tasted AWESOME!! It tasted like it might be healthy for me! (Ok, that's what I told myself after I ordered another one.) It was cucumber infused vodka with lemon juice and something else I can't remember. Because of that drink, I have plans to return more regularly to Elixir at happy hour in hopes that he is working and can conjure up this fabulous drink for me. If my next visit is as lovely as this one was, I will probably need to come back to this review and add a star. I had a really relaxing, enjoyable time sitting at the bar with my boyfriend. It was great.

The other times I have been there were late at night on weeknights and it was always pretty busy (but not packed) and loud. I like busy vibrant rooms though, as long as the crowd is chill, which it always is. The only time I have seen an obnoxious crowd was when I swung by on a Saturday night. But there's an obnoxious crowd everywhere you turn on Saturday nights.

If you have turned your nose up at Elixir because it is too crowded, give it a shot on a Wednesday at happy hour like I did and you just might change you mind. Ask the bartender for the cucumber drink!

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Photo of Juv C.

Elite '09

136

114

Juv C.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
6/8/2009

Im not a mission regular but lately ive been finding myself in the area more than i would prefer.  Why?  Because my urban-artistic-soulful cousin loves to dwell here.  Im a dive bar type a gal and since my cousin shares my love for dives, i usually trust his recommendations for watering holes.  

So Game 1 of the NBA finals (did i get that right? im not too much of a basketball fan) i found myself at the Elixir having a round while watching the game with my cousin and his friends.  Normally i would pass on an outing like this, but it was a semi-nice day and since i usually head straight home after work, i thought happy hour might do me some good for once.  

Im assuming on the weekends it gets more crowded, but this particular day (thursday) it wasnt too bad.  Lots of dudes though because of the game - i felt a bit "odd woman out".  But i take it with a grain of salt.  Drunk, loud, belligerent, sports guys never bother me much.  Although the dude sitting next to me kept bumping me causing my beer to spill, i refrained from smashing my glass against his face.  

Nice little dive spot with a decent enough crowd.  Good beer on tap.

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Photo of Tara R.

Elite '09

333

232

Tara R.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
4/30/2009

I'm on a cocktail kick, I guess. The combo of warm weather last week and vacation-related withdrawal is a deadly one (WHO says I can't drink multiple times every day? Don't judge me!).

A place with this many accolades is usually not so casual. It feels a bit like an old-timey saloon, and I liked that a lot. Note that I have no idea what this place is like late-night or on the weekend; still, happy hour in the middle of the week had a decent crowd, but a crowd you could chat over. Plan to stand, though, as there's not much in the way of seating in the small space.

Most importantly, these bartenders know what they're doing. They have it down pat, deserving every bit of attention they've received lately.

The drinks were imaginative and surprisingly balanced despite (and also because of, maybe) the exotic ingredients. I sampled their Winter Sour at a Commonwealth Club event, and it was my favorite one out of the mix of four bartenders that night. During my Elixir visit, I had a $10 Elisir de Cognac (cognac, crème de casis - black currant liqueur - pineapple gum syrup, lemon juice and an egg white) which turned out to be exactly what I was looking for: something fresh, on the lighter end, but still tastes like alcohol. J had a $14 margarita (!!), but it was the best margarita this side of the border, hands down.

It's not cheap and they don't take credit cards (ATM inside). They also have beers on tap, plenty of alcohol for non-cocktaily mixed drinks, and chicharones with hot sauce available for the win.

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Photo of Eric G.

 

30

252

Eric G.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
Updated - 5/18/2009

Still holding strong after all these years, I think Elixir has a solid rep as the best bar in the Mission.

That being said, avoid on Friday and Saturday nights, when it gets so crowded you can't even get in the door.

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 4 star rating
    12/24/2006

    This place is one of those little hidden gems in the Mission.

    The bartenders are cool and the patrons… Read more »

Photo of Joe C.

Elite '09

248

228

Joe C.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
3/29/2009

Another addition to the long list of SF bars at which I have never puked:

I met my friend Lulu at Elixir last Friday to watch NCAA hoops.  She was rooting for Michigan State (they won); I was rooting for UNC (they won) . . . so all around, I have to say it was a great evening.

In addition, as if that weren't enough, (1) the juke box is slammin' (ok - well, it is one of those MP3/internet juke boxes, so theoretically it has every song ever recorded . . .); (2) I didn't have to wait long at all for a stool to sit on (impressive in the middle of 2 sweet-16 games); (3) the grapefruit juice in the greyhounds is fresh squeezed and unbelievably tasty; (4) I hear they have a good bloody mary; (5) the crowd is neither so young or so douchy for an aging hipster such as myself needs to feel uncomfortable.

Elixir: -1 because their only local brew on tap is Anchor (think globally, drink locally!); +1 because Lulu is friends with the staff and gets her drinks cheap in exchange for bussing all the tables.

UPDATE:  Both UNC and Michigan State won their games in the Elite Eight today in order to move on to the FINAL FOUR!  We're just a week away from the possibility of a UNC-Michigan State NCAA FINALS (which, of course, UNC would win).  I give Elixir all the credit for this.

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Photo of Brandon L.

 

3

40

Brandon L.

Oakland, CA

4 star rating
7/10/2009

Any place with a good bourbon selection will get four stars from me. I'm easy to please. If you go on a Friday/Saturday night the smuggy smell of hipsters might drive you out of the place, but, the bartenders are cool, the liquor is good and it's a pretty simple place without a lot of the hindrances of places in San Francisco.

Just pass the bourbon so I can have a drink. For real.

Word.

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Photo of John M.

 

2

8

John M.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
4/6/2009

I'm loving this place!  My 5-star rating... it's cause they have Leffe Blond on tap... where else have I been able to find that?  NOWHERE.  And I've been lookin and lookin for somewhere just to buy my favorite Belgian Ale.  Amazing.

On top of that, this place has great energy and great people whirling around.  I met a bunch of people just sittin at the bar with a buddy.  And plenty of good music too.

Bartenders were attentive and always keepin an eye on us.  I'd recommend this place as a great place to come meet me on Saturday and Sunday afternoons cause that's where I'll be again and again.

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Photo of Taylor F.

Elite '09

112

150

Taylor F.

Tempe, AZ

4 star rating
5/26/2009

Yay! I'm a fan...
of delicious beer and absinthe! Woo hoo!
It was crowded but it wasn't so loud you couldn't have a conversation with your friends. The bartender was efficient and on top of her game. We didn't have to wait long for drinks and she was very personable.
I ordered the American version of absinthe for the first time and I must say, absinthe and BART is a perfect match. I was delightfully tipsy and had a great train ride back to Rockridge that night. Plus the glass container for the absinthe water was so neat looking that I am now searching for one. Because my house needs those kinds of things. I've decided.

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Photo of don h.

 

4

35

don h.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
7/13/2009

This is a great place to get fresh made drinks with fresh ingredients, and they try to do as much organic as they can. I was glad to find out that the owner "H" started to use compost able straws not to long ago.

The reason I am only giving this place 4 stars is that it always to crowded and hard to get to the bar to buy a drink. I think the staff is always friendly and the people in the bar have no attitude. It's just to hot and crowded for me to go to all the tie.

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Photo of Sheila Y.

Elite '09

89

447

Sheila Y.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
6/7/2009

Bloody
Mary
Bar
With
Bacon
I almost think writing more than this is too much.
Just make sure to mix the Tomato juice with V8, pickle juice, worchestishire, jerk sauce, and many more....
I promise folks...you want me making your BMs.

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Photo of Shreya C.

Elite '09

114

154

Shreya C.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
3/24/2009

I like Elixir. Everybody likes Elixir. With that said, you won't remember it for the crowd, service or ambiance alone because, while they may meet your expectations, those factors alone won't exceed them. But, from the looks of the other reviews, they seem to put on their fair share of fun events (free tastings, trivia nights) so maybe I should check out one of those before judging too harshly.

Overall it's very much a 'neighborhood bar'. If you don't know about it and pass by, you'll like it. If you go in with high expectations, you won't see what the hype is about. So...either go on a night where they are hosting an event or go in expecting a decent, neighborhood bar.

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Photo of Dave S.

Elite '09

59

237

Dave S.

San Mateo, CA

4 star rating
3/23/2009

Kumquat caipirinha - the drink tasted great and the name alone deserves an extra star.  Who doesn't want to watch kumquats get muddled after being pestled in a giant mortar?

I like Elixir - it's a no nonsense bar without the feeling that it's catering to any discernable scene.  The Tipperary cocktail (Irish whiskey, vermouth, and chartreuse) was delicious, like I would expect a Manhattan to taste in my dreams.  Great booze selection for a bar of this size.

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Photo of carlos a.

Elite '09

449

558

carlos a.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
3/15/2009

It was an interesting place for trivia. Its a very small venus and their tables only fit 2 people so be confident that if you come in a group you will stand.

I liked their ecclectic selection of beers and definitely liked the $4.50 paulaner pints.

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Photo of Kat L.

 

13

12

Kat L.

Palo Alto, CA

5 star rating
5/3/2009

When I was a tween, I was always dazzled by the bar scenes in TV shows and movies, and dreamed of the day when I too would hoist myself onto a barstool and indulge in coy, cozy banter with a cute bartender. Then I turned 21 and was vastly underwhelmed. Where was this mythical bar of my childhood dreams? Could it really exist, a bar where the music is hip but not so loud as to drown out your clever dialogue -- where the drinks are delicious and simply garnished culinary creations -- where decent men who are gainfully employed approach you for conversations that DON'T involve them staining your shirt with their sweat?!

Oh it's real, guys. It's Elixir. If you're looking to meet some nice people or knock back delicious drinks, it's the answer to all of your gin-soaked fantasies.

I particularly like the frequently rotating cocktail menus that rely on fresh, seasonal ingredients. (Can you tell I'm not an &Coke person?) My very favorite bartender is John, who's a pretty funny guy, and makes the best Aviation cocktail this side of the Savoy.

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Photo of Andrew L.

 

14

207

Andrew L.

Oakland, CA

2 star rating
9/6/2009

Been here a few times now. It's really nothing special, but their beer on tap is decent, they have some good TVs to watch games on, and the location is also great. It's a good thing to default to when you have no other ideas, but there are many places around here that are hella better.

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Photo of Ben P.

Elite '09

139

539

Ben P.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
3/2/2009

For a long time, I was scared of writing this review, because while I love you people, I don't want to see you here.  The place is crowded enough, and honestly, sometimes I need a break.

Then, I realized: no one reads my stuff anyway.  So that took a load off my mind, I can assure you.

That frees me up to say: this place is awesome.  Good beer selection, the bartenders are actual bartenders, not merely beer-pourers-and-bottle-openers.  They take credit cards (seriously, WTF is up with bars that don't take plastic?  I usually carry more than a fair bit of cash with me, but if I'm not alone, and have my drinking pants on, no reasonable amount of cash is going to suffice).  I had a celery gimlet here one time, and it managed to taste more like celery than celery itself.  It was like Blade Runner, but in my mouth.  [The first person to truly understand that gets a free drink at some bar that's not this one.  Plus, I'll help him move out of his mom's basement.  That's me: I'm a giver.]

The only thing that could be improved is that the bar could be a little closer to my house.  As it is, it's like 7 blocks, which means I can't always drink as much as I'd like to.

It's statements like that that are going to result in me starring in my own favorite TV show.  Until then, though, you can catch me at Elixir.  But don't.  Really.

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Photo of Laura W.

Elite '09

213

164

Laura W.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
3/1/2009

This place is truly A-OK.  It's a fun, non-descript bar in a great location. I had a reeally fun time here but I think that was due to my awesome friends more than the bar!

The cosmos were average priced for SF, $8, and deliciously icy.  I'll have to find out if they have some kind of Happy Hour, because if they were cheaper I could have gotten a lot more cosmos!!  However, the Malibu Pineapple I got later was horribly sweet, not really drinkable, and as you know that is usually my favorite drink.  Yes I'm embarrassingly girly!  So unfortunately that moved Elixir down to my "ehhhh" range.

We played darts with some fun guys, and I helped my team win even though I missed the board COMPLETELY on my first few tries.  It's true that the more you drink, the better your aim gets...

It was pretty crowded, so we moved on down the street to scout out new locations.  I can't complain about the crowd though, that's what happens in the mission on a Friday night and everyone I met was really cool at least, so who cares if they're bumping into you left and right?

After bar crawling and grabbing some greasy Mexican food, we ended the night by coming back to Elixir.  It's one of those places that's just nice and homey, especially if you are lucky enough to get a table and chairs.  It was a nice place to hang out because the music wasn't too loud and the people weren't too crazy drunk!

Unless I'm having a Malibu Pineapple craving, I will return to Elixir next time I'm in the Mish, for sure :)

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Photo of Barry L.

 

6

2

Barry L.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
9/14/2009

Cute place in the mission, attracting the sort of crowd you'd expect in the Mission. The bar itself is well set up and pleasant in terms of atmosphere. Service is poor. I broke down and ordered one of their special tap beers, a Watermelon Summer Brew. They sell pork rinds for 2.50 at the bar to go with your drinks.

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36

Henry C.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
9/6/2009

This bar is ok.
A little older then a lot of the mission spots.
Similar to Dalva with it's clientele. Except there are more guys here.

Beer is not cheap here.

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Laura H.

San Francisco, CA

1 star rating
9/6/2009

Hate to give bad reviews, but I have been here a few times and unfortunately, nothing special.  There are so many bars in this area and this bar doesn't really have anything special or unique to offer.  The drinks are standard, crowd blah and bartenders okay.

Although, the bouncer was really rude to me one night and had a total "power trip."  I wasn't too drunk or sassy, but he was a complete dick.  I was with a group of people, 6-8, one night and headed to the bar; we got carded, got drinks and then put in a few song requests in the junk box.  I walked over near the door to pull a chair out, and I removed a newspaper from one bar stool and place it on the empty one next to it.  I didn't fee the need to drag the further bar stool over to my party so I just placed the newspaper on the empty barstool, closer to the door. This guy comes up to me and is like, that's my chair and move.  Obviously, I'm at a bar and this random guy for no reason was being a dick, so I told him off.  Um, there was an empty chair right there.  Then this guy tries to kick me out cuz apparently he's the bouncer.  I apologized and explained the misunderstanding.  There are two bar stools and from my perspective, I couldn't understand why he wanted this stool compared to the one next.  And I didn't know he was the bouncer, we got carded by another guy.  He still kicks me out, awesome.  So my group all left and headed down the street to a different bar.  

Don't see a reason to come back here.   I recommend you all to try another bar in the area, say delirium :).

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Elite '09

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133

Angela B.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
3/19/2009

I love Elixir.  I might even go so far as to say I *heart* Elixir.  It definitely makes my list of laid-back, non-pretentious SF bars.  The first time I was here was for a Scotch tasting - they regularly do free promotional spirit tastings on Thursday evenings - which was what sold me on the place to begin with.  The spirit reps are usually quite friendly and happy to chat you up about their products while you taste, and then the bar usually does some sort of discounted cocktails for the evening based on whatever the reps are pouring.

Elixir is principally a whiskey bar, and has a fairly extensive collection of Scotch, Bourbon, and various other whiskeys for your perusal.  They also have a not-too-shabby collection of rum (which is partially where I formed my rum habit).  The bartender, H, is also quite friendly and knowledgeable, and happy to talk to you about all things boozalicious (when he's not too busy running the bar) and make you one of his original creations to try, if you're the adventurous type.  (I abhor absinthe, which I learned at a tasting Elixir put on, but H made me an absinthe cocktail of his own creation called an Off-Kilter, which was incredibly delicious.  I think it may have had whiskey in it...)

The only downside is that it can get pretty packed, especially on the weekend or during one of the spirit tastings.  On the other hand, once you're happily drunk, you can head over to Gestalt for a Belgian & and a big, greasy andouille sausage.

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Nate R.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
6/22/2009

Really solid neighborhood bar.

Great selection of bourbon (with a couple good barrels to boot). Really good brews on tap. Great ol' fashioned. Friendly bartenders. Ya gotta try the chicharones with hot sauce. It can get a little crowded on the weekends....but hey. Its a really cool bar. In the mission. Is this a surprise?

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Elite '09

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371

Devon F.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
1/20/2009

Over the past couple of months as a single girl, my roommate has settled into her wingwoman role nicely. What sweetens the deal even further is that, while we get along smashingly, we have different types. She likes her scruffy fixie-riding Mission boys, and I, well I like anything in a polo north of Market Street. What this really means is that we don't compete for men at bars - I am not interested in those that lived in co-ops in college, and she doesn't get weak in the knees when she finds out a potential used to play football.

It should not be a surprise then that I am not too chuffed about winding up in the Mission about half of the time, but I pay my dues so that I can have her by my side when I spot a target in Russian Hill. Reciprocity, my friends, is the name of the game.

Elixir does well for both of us. We've ended up here on a number of nights out in the neighborhood, and it's a quality smallish bar without the pretension that a lot of the super-hipster bars on 16th seem to possess.

The drinks are fun and creative, if not moderately expensive (an $11 drink? in a dive bar? really?) and the bartenders are always more than helpful in hooking you up with a tasty gin and tonic.

Even better is that the men who frequent this bar may be of the horizontal stripe persuasion (which makes the roomie happy), but they also are vertically blessed (which makes me happy). I've never walked into Elixir without seeing at least 3-4 guys taller than me, which is extremely rare in this city.

Ok, so some of them need to shave off their hipster pedophile staches and stop trying to be the lead singer of Gogol Clap Your Hands Say Bright Eyes, but pickings are slim in this neighborhood, and I'm willing to diversify my little black book for the roommate's sake.

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Elite '09

425

428

Pam B.

Oakland, CA

5 star rating
1/19/2009

Apparently it was a 5 star kind of day.  After ingesting what may have been the most delicious brunch in my entire life (as I am still waiting for the perfect man to make me the perfect brunch and bring it to me), getting lost whilst driving through the city, and picking up a hot chick...I made it here.

As it was the beginning of the second game, the bar was crowded, but not so much that you couldn't move.  We did manage to score a couple of prime seats at the bar, and ogle the liquor selection.  And what a selection it is.  It was Sunday, and as this wasn't a mimosa kind of place, I went with something that I rarely drink- a Bloody Mary.  The first bloody was built by the bartender (that's a letter "B" learning sentence for the kids), but on the second I did a build your own bloody.  There is nothing like having a pint glass with just ice and vodka placed in front of you, meandering over to the selection of additives and being creative.  I have no idea what I put in my Bloody, but it was pretty tasty.

They had a good beer selection, and as I mentioned, a liquor selection that has something for everyone.  Well, maybe not you, but you're just too picky.  

It's not the biggest bar in the land, but for a "dive," I love it.  I also give bonus points (if I could, anyway) to the fact that you can bring your pooch here.  

I will definitely be back to do the BYOBM, but not too many, as the bathroom sounds kind of scary.

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