- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Rye
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 5:30 pm - 2 am
Sat 6 pm - 2 am
Sun 7 pm - 2 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Wed, Thu
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Trendy
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
1015 reviews for Rye
Review Highlights
-
"The basil gimlet was SO refreshing and crisp." In 174 reviews -
"Pool table/smoking area/lounge and very modern decor." In 141 reviews -
"Great food options after some great drinks." In 41 reviews
Loading...
1009 reviews in English
-
Review from Courtney R.
Santa Clara, CA
5/16/2012
Came here after trying to get into the library at Boubon and Branch.
This place had some of the best cocktails at a reasonable price!
Such a huge drink menu, I recommend the Pimm's cup, and some type of drink with blood orange, and fizzies. Both were delicious and it was hard not to try every single thing on the menu. Too bad after two I'm done.
The bartenders were very friendly, quick and helpful. The prices were average for SF, on the lower side for the quality. The space was bit packed, but the people were friendly. Around the bar they have a bunch of seats, and standing area, then they have a lower level with some seats and an open air patio.
I enjoyed my time here, I would come back. -
Review from Rika P.
5/5/2012
S L O W .
I came with three other friends on a quiet Monday night. There was at most about 15 people in the bar that night, but it took them about 20 minutes to get 4 cocktails done.
The friends I was with were visiting from another city and one who owns a bar there. Ouch, thanks! It was quite embarrassing for me to take them there thinking that Rye was a better choice in the neighborhood.
So you can actually make pretty good drinks, but I wish you could've done them quicker. -
Review from Darnell L.
San Francisco, CA
5/3/2012
Came here for a friend's birthday, i really like the venue really cool interior.
We ordered our drinks from a waitress and we waited for a long time and never got our drinks, so we decided to just leave. -
Review from Jessica T.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 5/2/2012
Anyone who knows me well - knows that I may be a mixologist's worst nightmare.
I'm not a big drinker - at all - and when it comes to alcohol, I basically enjoy anything that doesn't taste like alcohol.
But Rye may be one of those few places that actually makes me want to drink. Their bartenders are not only sweethearts, but they're also phenomenal magicians when it comes to whipping up a strong elegant drink, that not only packs a punch, but which goes down smoothly, and doesn't bring on the whole icky alcohol face. Every drink that I've sampled here has been mind-blowing. Not only do they muddle fresh seasonal herbs and fruit into their gorgeous drinks, but they also craft each one with a wealth of love.
Rye manages to conjure an air of sexiness and coolness without any of the pretension that you may find at other bars. The whole place breathes what's upness - - from their dim lighting, to their free pool table, to their on point smoking area (I am not a smoker). Beautifully positioned right next door to the original Osha location, and prime real estate for cabs and epic people watching - Rye IS hands down - one of the best places in the city to get a cocktail.
Trust.Listed in: My favorite bars, Tenderloin Spots, Wher to Play Pool in the City
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
-
3/7/2009
Still some of the nicest and best bartenders around.
Drinks are an art form at Rye. On a weekday… Read more »
-
-
Review from Sergio G.
5/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Came here last Friday night after a horrible day at work and it was Ruggy's farewell party at Rye's.
As I entered the place was very crowded and thought I would see some Yelp Haters that don't think good things about Super Serg but I didn't care. I was there to see my friend off and the Haters can take a back seat.
I ordered a Stella Artois beer and then another one and then more more more. I had a open tab for my friends who I really do appreciate and was able to put their drinks on my tab. When I go to places like Rye's it makes you feel very welcomed. The atmosphere was totally awesome and also service was pretty darn good!!!!!
I do plan to kick it here more often a have more drinks with friends.
I was glad to see some faces that I haven't seen in a while and true yelpers know how to pick a winner like this place was picked !!!!!!!!!!!!! -
Review from Wanugee N.
Pleasant Hill, CA
What makes a bar/lounge better than another similar bar/lounge, especially in cities that have a lot of bar/lounges?
The drinks? The decor? The bartenders? The music? The cocktail creations?
Don't kid yourself.
No, it usually comes down to the "Vibe". and the "Vibe" depends on the people that frequent the place.
If they are your kind of people, and it makes you relaxed, hopeful, excited, happy, then it is a good bar for you.
After all, there are only 3 reasons you go to a bar:
1. To meet with friends, chillax, and have a good time. .
2. To meet strangers and get lucky
3. To get drunk because you are not doing 1 or 2.
And like Cheers on TV, it's great to go to a place where everyone knows your name.
I had never been to Rye, so possibly nobody knew my name, but since it was Yelp's SFCM Ruggy's place of choice for a farewell party before heading off to NYC, a lot of people knew my name. Mainly fellow Yelpers.
The place reminded me, at least this night, of a bar in NYC, actually. Especially when it got crowded. It had that Vibe, where you have to squeeze by people and get your accidental grope, which may turn into eye contact, which may turn into conversation, only because it is right in front of you. And there were a lot of attractive people here, looking to get lucky with others.
The bar has some large art pieces on the walls, a small pool table in the rear, a downstairs lounge, and a caged outdoor smoking area off the lounge onto Geary street.
It is sort of the place where you go after work or after dinner, but before you go to the clubs or elsewhere in the city. It is a place removed from the FiDi, so no suits, but on the edge of the Theaters, Union Square shopping, and Tenderloin clubs.
The crowd is mostly Caucasian 30 somethings, with a sprinkle of SF's diversity. They do have some tasty and popular drinks here, which helps to bring the ladies.
Most men, well they drink what they always drink, so it doesn't matter, as long as there are ladies present.
So I came for reason #1 to meet friends and say goodbye to Ruggy.
Best wishes on your next adventure in the Big Apple!
Who knows, I might come back here for other reasons!Listed in: Wanugee! San Francisco, Wanugee! Bars and Lounges
-
Review from Amy J.
4/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
We stopped by here for Ruggy's last hurrah. Wanugee thought this was more like a NYC bar so it was fitting for Ruggy to have a last goodbye here since he's off to the Big Apple soon.
The dark interior and the lower seating area as well makes this place swankier than most bars in this 'hood. They have a good drink selection and when it's not packed to the gills I'd imagine this would be a good place for a date.
Overall, I would recommend this place to people looking to gather folks for a drink. -
Review from Michael R.
Vallejo, CA
5/21/2012
If you can't get into Bourbon and Branch,
you should try to fancy your way into this place.
If not too sure if this places charm is to be as classy is it tries to be But it's a nice little spot to get your drinking kicks. It comes alive in the wee-hours of the night
"Once the sun goes down" - Arctic Monkeys.
The Dim lightly makes everyone look better and stylish The inside reminds me for a stylish place for 30 something's, and by golly I am right
The cocktails shall have you hooked but the service was a bit spry.
Please tell me how long must I wait until I can get service or attention from
A waitress or bartender, unfortunately I must not look "hipster" enough
And forget my "American appeal and Faux Guitar playing Youtube Glasses" (Shoulder shrugs)
Or lack there of I say bring cash, stop by here
and move on to another bar Like "Jones"
Not to be bitter, the drinks are questionable
To see if you want to stem up the bad service or not.
I'm not a smoker but the wing set for the smokers can be confusingly cool or unattractive for passersby.
If you go there you must try the "Basil Gimlet", you might not find it on the menu
But it should find its way upon your tongue, its the feature drink of the place.
The "Ginny sour", may fancy your palate, theses are the only two drinks I had which seemed to tickle thy Fancy,Before I went with my champagne beer of choice "Stella!"
I'll go back to give it another try,
doesn't mean I'm gonna Love it~more than I already do. -
Review from Lana N.
Was planning on post-dinner cocktails at Bourban&Branch (just around the corner), but they were closed on our nice Sunday night... so with the help of Yelp, we came here.
I'll keep this short:
Pool table and open speakeasy/lounge like atmosphere - 5stars
Their infamous Basil Gimlet (not on the menu); very cool and refreshing - 4stars
No elderflower liquor - 1star
Overall a very nice and easy going place - for a Sunday night. Supposedly it gets pretty rowdy here throughout the week... but regardless, I'd be happy to come back here to give their other drinks a try... specially since I love anything muddled (: -
Review from Mark L.
4/23/2012
How many hot girls do you have to bring up to the bar before the bartender will take your order at Rye? I'll never know because I'm never going back.
Granted, it was a packed Saturday night but I did my due diligence and waited until I could physically get an elbow on the bar, money in hand. 10 minutes went by. Then 20. At this point, not one of the three bartenders, though busy, had said a single word to neither my friend nor me (not even made eye contact). We had a few cute girls around so we brought them up, hoping to get an edge. I'm not sure what one has to do other than simply wave money and be loud to get a damn drink at Rye, but apparently my classy and patient approach wasn't enough.
Maybe I went at the wrong time or just simply didn't understand the culture but I don't really care. It's not for me. -
Review from Tresna L.
4/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
This is my kind of bar! I like being able to say to a bartender "I like gin, herbal and bitter flavours, nothing too sweet and preferably served short" and leaving it to them to create something for me. It pushes me to try things I may not ordinarily, gives the bartender the opportunity to experiment with new ideas or use an old classic that they don't get to bring out very often.
The few drinks I had at Rye recently all hit the mark. I especially enjoyed the Southside - a reminder of how much I like this cocktail and that I ought to order it more often. -
Review from Eugene B.
La Mirada, CA
5/17/2012 1 photo
Rye is extremely good at what they do. I went to bourbon and branch because I heard they were known for their mixed drinks, but they let me down. So I went to Rye and I was completely blown away. I had some sort of pisco drink with rosemary and it was SO GOOD. The bartenders were super nice and very attentive to what I wanted. There is also a small pool table with a lounge area. I would definitely go here again!
-
Review from Brett N.
3/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
Why 3 stars? Because it wasn't for me, but it was alright.
--- --- ---
Expensive, a snobby reputation and dimly lit. That's not my normal spot, but I enjoyed some lubrication nonetheless.
For starters, the snob-legend did not live up to the hype during my visit. It takes a pretty intensely snobbish atmosphere for me to take heart to such a thing, and this was not one of those situations.
It was a little pricey, but isn't everything in San Francisco? In SF, I feel a lot like I do in New York - from the second I land at the airport, I open my wallet and the city sucks out its contents like a vacuum.
Our bartender wasn't exactly a beaming light of sunshine and smiles, but she was patient with us non-regulars and helpful with suggestions.
Overall, I probably wouldn't return because I'm more of a beer drinker than fancy cocktail consumer, but 'twasn't bad. -
Review from ruggy j.
Updated - 4/22/2012 39 Check-ins Here
P in the V Sundays. Best night of the week!
Listed in: San Francisco Cocktails, Cocktail Machine, The 'Loin!, Whiskey River
-
Review from Kris I.
3/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
The Yelpers had spoken, and basil gimlet it was.
Came here after work for a drinky drink and decided to try it. Plus, twas happy hour so the price and awesome drink definitely made me happy. You can either have it with vodka or gin, and the delightful bartender recommended gin - twas excellent.
Only bummer part was finding out they don't serve food when I had the drunchies... -
Review from Poornima S.
San Francisco, CA
3/11/2012
2 words.
Basil Gimlet.
Enough said!
I love this place, it's vibe and it's cozy atmosphere. Worth checking out! -
Review from Candice G.
Naperville, IL
Tears for fears pumping the stereo? I want to go to there.
Actually, when I walked in Phil Collins was on and shortly after Peter Gabriel. Had they flat out played Genesis I would have had to leave my group to seek higher ground and cleaner underwear. Panty meltin' tunes here, y'all.
Other panty meltin' mind grapes regarding Rye:
- Dimly lit. Perfect for a make-up monster like myself. A little goes a long way and I appreciate that.
- STRONG drinks. I probably could have gotten away with just a couple stripes of eye-liner now that I'm trying to recall the rest of the evening. Not looking so hot? NBD. Buy yourself and your date a drink. Both of you will stop caring about that extra fun but feckless sh*t real fast.
- Sit in the caged 'Alfresco' area if you're a big zoo fan. I'm an animal, natch, so this area was a fun one to let my imagination run wild in. And after a few cocktails, you might have more than your imagination going wild. Keep your tops on, girls. This is still a classy place. Or don't- whatever, I don't really mind either way.
- Speaking of chests, most of the cocktails will put hair on your chest. As T-Boz, Chili, and Left Eye said: Don't go chasing waterfalls. Because I usually drink beer and I know I'm a puss when it comes to whiskey, gin, etc so I went with something that looked like both Shirley Temple and I would appreciate.
- Enter the Ginny Smith. 1 1/2 oz No3 Gin, 1/2 oz Apple Liqueur, 1 oz Lime, 3/4 oz Ginger + Orange Bitters. $10 for the martini sized glass and worth every red cent... that a lady named JZ treated me to.
- Bathroom (1 of 2- I only used one so I can't speak for the one on the cage side of the bar) has a chalkboard to draw (lewd) images on... except someone had already stole the chalk before I could literally make my mark. Next time I'll be packin' my own heat.
Next time I visit I hope to they can sync the tunes to my libido and follow through on my Genesis prophecy... maybe a lil vintage Rod Stewart too. Everyone loves a little Face, right? Er- I mean Faces, obvi. -
Review from Cherylynn N.
San Francisco, CA
It's been a LOOOOOOONG time since I've met someone who made me feel this way...
He made me blush.
He made me giggle.
He gave me that warm fuzzy feeling inside.
He even made me "think" I was the most beautiful woman in the world.
Meet my HOT DATE for Valentine's Day:
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Yuep, this is HOW I celebrated "Singles Awareness Day"!
DON'T HATE. At least, Mr. Basil Gimlet does NOT talk back!
OTHER NOTES:
*Mixed crowd (hipsters and prepsters)
*Artisan cocktails are $9-10.
*Rustic meets urban décor with wooden bar, exposed red brick walls, pool table, and sleek furnishings.
*Background music but no dance floor.
*Outdoor smoking cage.
*3 restrooms.
*Difficult street parking. Parking lot is half a block away at the Alcazar Theater ($10 max).
*CC's accepted. -
Review from Daniela R.
Bellevue, WA
3/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
Came here for Yelp Drink Week since they had the 1/2 off drink specials. I ordered the Birds of a Feather, whoooooo! That drink was waaay too strong and i wasn't trying to get that crazy!
They do have a pool table so if you're into that, do it to it. -
Review from Jelena Z.
2/20/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I thoroughly dig this spot - so very much, so very much.
Though the name of the bar is clearly an ode to a distilled spirit, that's where the connection to the modern-day mixology 'trend' ends. Here, you won't find a frontman ironically mustachioed for mere effect, you'll be hard-pressed to pick up on sneering attitude and you won't overhear contrived loose talk about the latest flavor in bitters just so said loose talker will appear well-versed in the art of cocktails, for the gain of street cred. And why not? Because the bartenders are too busy tending. Less talk, more legitimacy my friends.
I also appreciate that all of the bartenders can turn around a bonafide craft cocktail in less than five minutes... none of that unnecessary fluff is involved, which means my drink gets into my hands quicker = a happier, spendier me. It's true - a proper libation doesn't need to be coddled, nursed, weaned, sent to an Ivy league college and then groomed into corporate America's next millionaire to be good. Nope, it just needs to TASTE like a million bucks.
What else do you want to know? Just go, and now. -
Review from Joyce C.
3/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
I came here on Saturday night since it was part of Yelp Drink Week 2012. There's no sign on the door (supposedly, it's trying to be speakeasy-like) but not hard to find since there's a decent line of people waiting to get their IDs checked by the bouncer.
Got in and immediately ordered the Yelp Drink Week specials. Birds of a Feather was like a whiskey with a slice of orange in it.... similar to an old fashion - so I'm told as I've never had one before. Also got the Pimm's Cup which is similar to a mojito but made with Pimm's rather than rum.
The venue is small and there's a pool table in the back. What's awesome is that there's a guy/girl bathroom stall and a women's only bathroom in the back. Finally, someone recognizes our needs! Maybe there's a men's only bathroom somewhere too... -
Review from Kim-van T.
San Pablo, CA
2/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
Hello to my new favorite drink, the wonderfully crafted basil gimlet at Rye. It was so dangerously delicious that I would trek back into the TL just for it!
The down and dirty: Moody dark decor, free non-standard size pool table, outside smoking area, and a limited seating area (good luck getting a table).
The bartenders take a lot of time and care to make their drinks aka it can take awhile so be patient! I definitely want to come back on a non-weekend night and ask the bartenders to make me something "special".
Drinks on the pricier side, $14 for the gimlet. -
Review from margaret s.
Daly City, CA
4/26/2012
Really great drinks. I can't emphasize this enough.
-
Review from Glenn G.
The legendary Rye is the home of the Basil Gimlet, which I heard so much about from so many of my Yelp friends that I simply had to try one! Cecelia S.'s first review of this place really piqued my interest in that infamous concoction. So much so that small tactical problems like unanticipated operating hours, flu epidemics, and Global Warming (I don't know what Global Warming has to do with anything, but it's good to give Al Gore a nod once in a while) could not deter me and several of my fellow Elite Yelpers from continuing our PYE here.
Cecilia S., Janice. C., Bobby L. and I rolled in here sometime after 7pm on a Saturday in January. I KNOW it was after 7, because we had tried to go here earlier that night and discovered they were closed until 7! :-) We were joined shortly after we arrived by Mish L. and David B.
The atmosphere at Rye is cool but welcoming, and the lighting is low. It wasn't at all hard to figure out what I wanted as my first drink - a Basil Gimlet! http://www.yelp.com/bi... Slightly sweet with a bright citrus tang from the lime, and the refreshing herbal note of basil, a basil gimlet feels light going down - the combination of basil and lime gives the cocktail a nice refreshing taste that isn't heavy at all. So well mixed and finely balanced are the tastes of this legendary cocktail that's it's also got a deceptively non-alcoholic mouth feel to it - while it's got a punch as potent as any thrown my Mike Tyson in his prime, it's sheathed in a velvet glove...
When it came time for my 2nd drink, I was fortunate to be able to consult that celebrated Mistress of Mixology, Janice "vesper" C. There ain't nobody nowhere that knows more about cocktails than Janice! In fact, she's more knowledgeable about alcohol than Dick Cheney is about waterboarding... Her suggestion for my 2nd drink was a Bobby Burns: scotch, dolin rouge vermouth, benedictine and orange bitters. It was pretty good, but I guess I had a decided Basil Gimlet jones going that night, and didn't need to think long and hard about what my 3rd drink would be!
When it got to be that time, I hung out at the bar for a few and watched the professional Mixologists do their legendary deeds. It's a total pleasure to watch them work; they make some amazingly complex moves look easy, and who can argue with the quality of their work product? Case in point - CiCi invented a whole new concoction (subsequently dubbed "The Drink with No Name") which she described to them, and low and behold it came to be! I don't know if CiCi's invention can truly give the Basil Gimlet a run for it's money in my book, but the process was impressive all the same, and she totally LOVED the end result!
It was around this point when our waitress asked the bunch of us to change tables because a larger party wanted the one we were at. To make the process completely painless, she bribed us with a round of free shots of chilled Ketel One, which inspired Bobby to take a group picture. Due to the low lighting, it's not the greatest digital photo by any stretch of the imagination, but it's good enough for government work :-) http://www.yelp.com/us... In fact, we were so pleased we were still recognizably ourselves that we bought several more rounds of chilled Ketel One shots to celebrate...
It was great coming here as part of my first PYE. Meeting half a dozen uber-cool Yelpers in one night was awesome, and I especially enjoyed meeting CiCi and Janice after having Yelped with both of them for quite a while. My special thanks to CiCi (Cecilia S.) for her PYE inspiring review of Rye and it's incredible cocktails.
To those of you who haven't taken the time to check out the legendary drinking establishment that is Rye, there's no time like the present - don't forget to try the Basil Gimlets!Listed in: "It was the best of times..."
-
Review from Ted G.
San Francisco, CA
4/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
This bar is great I like to start here early evening on Saturday's. I like to just grab some kind of simple whiskey cocktail and start relaxing. The bartenders here have always been awesome to me. They generally give good suggestions and make great drinks. I've never been in here when it's super-packed, which I know is how it gets later in the evening, so I can't comment on how it is then. Anyways...I dig it as a place to lounge and grab a good whiskey drink early in the evening.
-
Review from Alison C.
3/4/2012
Came here last night for Yelp Drinks -- it was around midnight when we arrived, and by then they had run out of the 5 Island Rum Punch. SAD! Mainly because that was the one that I really wanted to try. We ended up ordering the other two options, and the Pimm's Cup was far superior than the Birds of a Feather. They did honor the prices, and charged us $10 for the two.
We also ended up trying the gimlet which seems to be the go-to drink here, and it definitely lived up to the hype. It was a very smooth combination of flavors, and for someone who's not well-versed in her alcoholic concoctions - this was good!
The crowd/line outside can seem a little intimidating, but it actually moves fast, and the bartenders are great. They are really well-staffed and we didn't have to wait long to order drinks at all.
It's a little more upscale than what my bf would call an "everyday bar", but it's nice for nights where you want to feel a little classier.
And for the SF newbies like me: as for being in the TenderNob, I don't think the trek is all that bad. Geary has pretty heavy foot traffic on Friday and Saturday nights so even if there are some not so fun stretches, it doesn't feel awful. -
Review from Ryan W.
2/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Popular, minimalist, and not too hoity-toity, Rye's a crowdpleaser of a place. As a friend of mine put it: there's no suspenders and waxed mustaches here. Not much in the way of atmosphere, either: some colorful abstract paintings and a cool street-facing smoking den are the space's main distinguishing features. Though I'm told it gets packed in nicer weather, we visited on an uncrowded weekday evening, and easily slipped into a booth big enough for six.
For my drink, I went for the house whiskey, the heady Rock 'n' Rye, served over a giant ice cube. The Talking Heads played surreptitiously in the background. "This is not my beautiful life!" You said it, Byrne.
Overall, Rye seems like a good place to take a group, especially one with members who'd like to talk to eachother, about things other than housemade bitters and favored Scotch-producing regions. Though SF boasts other weirder, wilder bars that I like better, I'd imagine if you're a local, it's nice to hit up someplace low-key like Rye once in a while. -
Review from Emily D.
1/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
Put it in my dusty shoebox entitled "Good TL Bars."
The layout was interesting. Smokers cage? Uh... OK.
They played a treasured mix of 80s songs including a heavy hit of Depeche Mode which always gets me excited.
I liked the downstairs. We got a booth which is pretty unheard of in that area- usually its just stools around a barrel. The one bathroom thing is interesting. The "lightest beer they had was a Stella" so that pretty much means they serve good beers only, no domestic crap. (Though we did have a rousing debate about whether bud light, miller lite, or coors light was better.) (Winner coors.) (It wasn't at this bar, don't worry.) (Then we discussed the federal government.) (...Wow you can't take us anywhere.) -
Review from Erich D.
4/11/2012 8 Check-ins Here
Another trendy and chill, but lively SF lounge big on mixology. I always enjoy the cocktail concoctions they have going on here and they create new ones all the time. Space is relatively small, even though there are three areas to hang out. The main bar area -- though a substantial part near the bar is occupied by a pool table -- a subsided area with seating which at times has an obscure movie projected on the brick wall, and a caged outdoor area with limited seating (that you can also bring your pets out to). Crowd is usually a good mix of folk.
-
Review from Aphiradi L.
San Francisco, CA
2/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great Drinks
Nice and friendly bartenders -
Review from Cat N.
2/26/2012
It's hard to spot from the street because it's a mostly nondescript black door with a very tiny sign. Parking was hard to find, unless you were willing to park in the super dodgy areas (we had luck uphill where the nicer apartment towers are).
I love that the smell of good whiskey hits you as soon as you walk in there! It's very inviting, with warm lighting, lots of seating, and a decent patio area. The area in front of the bar is kind of small and annoying to get shoved around while you wait for your drink, but the bartender we had was efficient.
The mint julep comes all fancy in a metal cup, and they have fresh mint and other herbs that I couldn't identify here. I ordered a double whiskey smash. Usually when that much alcohol goes into a drink, you can't expect it to taste good, just get the job done, but it was still pretty yummy! The ingredients are top notch and the skill that goes into mixing make the drinks worth the $10-$12 price. -
Review from carlie c.
1/18/2012
Rye isn't located in the safest neighborhood, but I love it's modern decor and back room dark living room feel. They offer a variety of special cocktails to choose from depending if you like whiskey, gin, or vodka. I ordered the Merchant Mule and was pleasantly surprised. It was kind of like a mint gimlet only made with vodka in this absurd copper cup which you have to put down your credit card in order to drink out of this cup. You also have to return the cup to the counter in order to get your credit card.
I'll definitely be back and Osha is next door!Listed in: Creative Cocktail Concoctions
-
Review from Cecilia S.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 1/9/2012 2 Check-ins Here
And once again I'm updating my review:
A couple of fellow Yelp Elites and I decided to hang out and grab a few drinks. With all the great talk of how amazing their basil gimlets are, my new friends decided they HAD to try it. Of course, it always lives up to its expectation... it refreshing and simply delicious.
However, I wanted to try something else. Every time I come to Rye, I always order a basil gimlet. EVERY TIME. If their basil gimlets are that amazing, I'm sure their other drinks are great too. I remember on my first adventure here, a friend of mine ordered something with lavender and egg whites. I know it may sound a bit strange.. but trust me, this may be my new favorite drink here. There's no name, at least I don't think there's one... but if you ask any of the bartenders to make you a drink with egg whites and lavender, they always make this beautiful concoction with no name. The lavender is so fragrant, the egg whites make it deliciously frothy, and there's a hint of honey to make it perfectly sweet. Oh it's just such an amazing and delicate drink!
Oh yeah, and Rye gave us free shots! HAYYYYY!!!!!!!! :)Listed in: Places to drink in SF, Happy Hour in the City
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
-
11/2/2011
Oh the Basil Gimlet.. once again, it's amazing :) Read more »
-
-
Review from Hannah A.
1/5/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I have bittersweet memories of winter 2010 at Rye.
I once stumbled through the debris of a heart wrenching break up and found myself in front of a rather unforgettable old fashioned. It sent warm sensations throughout my body and ruined me for any cocktail to come. I do wish I had a reason to brave the tenderloin again because I miss the place . It has the power to make me forget the terrible things and only remember the healing power of whiskey.
Perhaps the next time I need whiskey, crack, a hooker, or leave a man I care for ...we will meet again.Listed in: A WEEKEND WITH HANNAH, Feeling Tender towards the…
-
Review from Janna M.
1/8/2012
I know quite a few people who love Rye. I don't. It's not like you have to drag me there kicking and screaming, but it's a bit antiseptic for my taste. Coziness is my litmus test for a bar, and that's not the vibe here. Sure, there's a pool table, but I also wouldn't feel uncomfortable wearing (trendy) business casual. I never, ever want to feel comfortable in business casual.
The drinks are well-made, with an obvious bent toward whiskey. I've had a couple memorable Manhattans in particular. However, you can order memorable whiskey drinks a couple of blocks away at Bourbon and Branch and get atmosphere too. It just doesn't compute.
So yeah, Rye does what it does well. If that's your scene, cool. If you're my friend and that's your scene, I'll tag along without complaining. If you leave it up to me, though, it won't make the cut. -
Review from Helen V.
2/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
Basil Gimlet.
Hanger vodka on the rocks.
Done and done.
It's a cool space but it's pretty small. It's also really really loud in there! Cute place to visit as a bar hopping stop! -
Review from Negien M.
San Francisco, CA
1/27/2012
The TL tour continues... well, not tour.. besides this place, B&B, Chambers, and Whiskey Thieves, what are the good TL bar options? And yet, they seem to pop out randomly from the woodwork.
I tried one of their special cocktails.. something w/ whisky and grapfruit and bitters.. Derby Derry? It was pretty tasty, but I preferred my friends awesome delicious milky drink w/ brandy that came in a cute little short glass. The bartender was super fast.. as soon as he poured one thing he'd be squeezing, measuring, or pouring another. I think he was hiding another pair of arms!
The crowd is whatever.. come with a group because it's not a very mingling crowd.
Rates low on my patio scale because the patio is a big cage.. I guess the TL boogies can't get you that way. But there's probably no feasible way to have a patio and better to have one than not!Listed in: Bars w/ Patios!
-
Review from Mark T.
2/13/2012
Came here with a few friends to relax after a day in the city. What immediately struck us about this place was the great industrial feel with good mood lighting, excellent seating, and a clientele that was well dressed and casual at the same time. They do a good job of playing background music at a level such that people who want to dance can dance and people who want to chat can chat.
As the name implies, expect to have drinks that are mainly based whiskey based, but trust me; they're creative. I had a drink that infused lime, maple syrup, and whiskey in a way that allowed me to savor the flavor inherent in the whiskey, aided by a few notes of sweet and sour. My friends and I were able to find a seat quickly and lounge for a good two hours, never feeling pressured to fight our way to the bar or back to our booth on the side.
Yes, the Tenderloin may not be one of SF's best neighborhoods, but you should still make the seedy trek to try this great gem! -
Review from Lisa R.
2/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Just love this joint. Dark, modern, clean, hip, cool (way too cool and hip for me to go there, but I brought some hip friends)
Great, friendly bartenders. Excellent choice of American whiskeys and ryes. I had the Redemption Rye (with one ENORME ice cube) and my friend Erica got a foo foo drink that came in a gorgeous polished copper mug that I needed to leave my DL for at the bar... apparently the mischevious drunks who like to steal like to steal these....
Great ambiance, expensive drinks, easy to park nearby (street parking) -- easy to get lost in the Tenderloin and almost get mugged (but MY fault, not this place's location).
:)
Watching the bartenders make the foo foo drinks (which taste divine) is magic. They are artists. -
Review from Amanda S.
Las Colinas
2/29/2012
i spent a full day in napa wine tasting and then had dinner at ad hoc...where more alchol was consumed...arrived at rye late evening...not that i needed any more etoh, but it was a special ocassion...i was meeting up with an old friend i hadn't seen since college...
it was a fun night catching up, people watching, and trying all the delicious cocktails...especially the basil gimlet...i love that they serve hangar one...a locally made vodka...
