Now open in the Castro is BOTTLE BACCHANAL, a woman-owned boutique bottle shop and the Castro’s only shop focusing specifically on natural wines (along with small-batch artisanal liquors, craft beers, and ciders with a focus on women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ producers). Owner Beth Hughes has been in the industry for 12-plus years, with five of those years as a baker at Tartine Bakery, so you could say she’s into things that ferment.
The space is more than just a bottle shop: you’ll also find vintage glassware, decanters, bar sets, wine and cocktail books, and snacks. There’s a space for cocktail classes and demos, as well as local artist and maker pop-ups. Customers can order online ahead of time and pick up, and there will be three monthly subscriptions as well—join the “Life of the Party Cocktail Club” and learn how to make a new cocktail every month with an exclusive video from the West Beverage team! Get ready for your pet-nat party. Hoodline first reported BB was moving into the former Specs in the City & Cheaters Too location. Open Tue-Sun 11am-7pm. 4126 18th St. at Castro.
I reached out to the Future Bars team (known for Bourbon & Branch, and now behind so many bars in the city, including The Devil’s Acre, just up Columbus) about their plans for the former È Tutto Qua space in North Beach (a liquor license transfer is in effect), but haven’t heard back from Brian Sheehy and Doug Dalton yet. It’s a historic space, the Italian American Bank, opened in 1899 by Andrea Sbarboro: “the second bank in San Francisco to be owned and operated by and for Italians.” Of course, I’m hopeful for Italian-driven cocktails. 270 Columbus Ave. at Broadway.
Future Bars also has another project coming soon: HEYDAY PUB & BOTTLE CLUB, which Eater reports is opening in Union Square, with “cocktails and pub fare inspired by the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s” from GM Jayson Wilde (Bourbon & Branch, Bottle & Barlow, Raised by Wolves). 555 Geary St. at Jones.
I caught some license transfer activity for the former THE SARATOGA from Bacchus Management Group (sniff sniff, I loved that downstairs bar—this place will be missed!). Phil Chen is listed on the new project moving in, MEMBERS ONLY—their Instagram account states: “Anti-Private Supper Club, Craft Cocktail Lounge.” What Now notes Chen is the owner of Alchemist Bar & Lounge in SoMa, with plans to open this spring. 1000 Larkin St. at Post.
Beer lovers, get fired up for the return of SF Beer Week, running Feb 11th-20th, with all kinds of special events, from a big bus tour of SF with Seven Stills (with the new release of their four core beers) to some exciting new releases from Fort Point Beer (including the return of their Yuzu KSA Radler!), and there’s even an event at Laughing Monk with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence for a karaoke bacchanal to mark the release of a wine-lager hybrid five months in the making! (It’s alive!) Check out all the great events and new releases that will be flowing on taps around the Bay.
