Here are some quick bar, brewpub, and wine bar news updates for you!
A bunch of my fellow SF bar lovers and longtime boozehounds dropped their jaws (but never their drink!) over the latest incarnation of DALVA, recently featured in Eater after being closed for the past two years. The bar needed an update, definitely, but whoa.
This longtime, beloved Mission dive always poured good drinks and had a great vibe, with a dark, candlelit atmosphere. The Hideout in the back room was an even better spot to hide away over quality cocktails (Gin & Celery forever). So many late nights! I’m having fond memories of Toph One’s Red Wine Social on Wednesdays (yes, that was ages ago). And when I got laid off from my ad agency job on a rainy afternoon back in December of 2000, this is where I came to drink the shock away. But now where do I go to drink the shock away of what it has become? I know, seasons change and so did I, you need not wonder why. I feel old. At least they’re back. Clink clink.
I am also so very sorry over the loss of Tiki Jim, who I heard passed away earlier this month. He poured so many drinks for all of us over the years, and played great music. Such a kind bartender. Now we have to pour one out for Jimi instead. With love and condolences to his family and many friends, on both sides of the bar. Rest in peace. 3121 16th St. at Valencia.
Thanks to my friends over at Green Apple Books, who tagged me in the news that Ivan Hopkinson of Barrel Head has opened LOST MARBLES, another brewpub, in the former Pizza Orgasmica location in the Inner Richmond. He has been working on this since fall of 2019, so it has been a long time coming. There are large TVs, foosball, arcade games, and shuffleboard. You can check out the list of snacks, burgers, brews, and more here. 823 Clement St. at 9th Ave.
If you take a look at today’s matchmaker ad, you may be wondering about this upcoming MILI project. I have a few initial details about this upscale wine bar coming to SoMa around Labor Day, opening in the Mira building. Studio BBA is the architect of record—it will have 22 seats inside, and 30 outside.
The wine list will be focused on classic and cult wines, with many grand crus, Champagne, and highly allocated selections. But it won’t all be baller bottles—there will also be affordable choices by the glass from all over the world (and not just France). But it’s definitely geared for wine enthusiasts with a lot of room on their credit card, with wine served in handblown Grassl Glass stemware. There will be a menu of 6-7 savory dishes, like burrata, charcuterie, a salad, and other cheeses, and, of course, caviar (from Tsar Nicoulai); there will also be dessert offered. All these details will be coming in time. The owners, Anirban and Shubhra Sengupta, plan to open at 4pm during the week and 12pm on the weekend. Stand by for updates later this year. 280 Spear St. at Folsom.
