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Not surprisingly, the nightlife scene here revolves around suits recovering from extended workdays or still trying to seal the deal. Wiggle in among the shop talkers and enjoy a stiff martini.
Giving the Tonga Room a run for its money as the most kitschy tiki bar in town, Pagan Idol features a back room complete with erupting volcano, giant tikis, and a starry night sky. The folks from Bourbon & Branch are behind this faux wooden ship, so even if the cocktails are sometimes served in goofy tiki glasses with paper umbrellas, rest assured they're on the money.
A launchpad for the likes of Robin Williams and Ellen DeGeneres, this medium-sized club books some of the nation's top comedy talents.
An after-work FiDi crowd fills this brick-walled and dimly lit, speakeasy-ish drinking spot, revered for its extensive whiskey menu and curated list of seasonal cocktails.
This cozy wine bar is in a little alley (in the shadow of the Transamerica Pyramid), and the location is part of the appeal, but the smartly curated wines (with an emphasis on flights) and small plates make it truly worthwhile. A jumble of velvet chairs and love seats fills the dimly lit chandelier- and fireplace-adorned space, and the bocce court outside is popular.
With a striking, almost elegant interior, this is a prime happy hour spot in the afternoon, then a citywide cocktail destination afterward. You can't go wrong with any of the cocktails, but the bar has a particular affinity for sherry.
