Amber
San Francisco, CA 94114-1106
Phone: (415) 626-7827
- Cross Street:
- Church Street
- Specialties:
- Martini, Neighborhood Bar
- Hours:
- Mon- Fri 6pm-2am, Sat-Sun 7pm-2am
Editorial Review for Amber – by Patrick Heig
Besides the handsome bar, this Castro/Lower Haight/Mission place looks like it was decorated in 20 minutes 10 years ago, and it hasn't changed much since. Beat-up vintage couches, '50s vintage television, amateur art and odd coffee tables sit in what could be called the lounge area, while beer signs and schlocky velvet paintings decorate the bar. A thick fog of smoke from the chain-smoking, shot-pounding, super friendly patrons and staff hangs in the air, while music comes from a simple home stereo in a closet--the DJ is the bartender, and the music is whatever CD he feels like putting on. Amber is more like a house party than a bar, and despite the fact (or maybe because of it) that it looks like your Uncle Lou's basement and reeks of smoke, this bar gets a fun crowd almost every night of the week.
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Insider Tips
Know Before You GoWear an outfit straight out of the hamper; the smoke is so thick here you'll wake up smelling like the Marlboro Man--or at least like you slept with him
ParkingNearby street parking can be impossible on weekends, so be prepared to walk a bit. Resist the temptation to park in the nearby Safeway lot--you'll get towed.
The ExtrasIf you want to dance, head around the corner to the Transfer, which has the same atmosphere but even wilder, though sans the smoking.
User Reviews for Amber
02/10/2006 Posted by ripzippy
It's great to have a few places where you can kick back with a cocktail & a smoke these days. The decor is retro funky which is a huge plus as well. There is plenty of seating in various couch arrangements. It's a very mixed crowd of gay and straight and the music changes style almost by the hour. I also recommend the Phone Booth in the Mission district if you are looking for another bar to catch a smoke but, you can only smoke there later at night.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
01/18/2006 Posted by davidsundy
I suppose I like this place because Phil makes awesome cosmos! In fact they are so good that I can never enjoy a cosmo anywhere else. At other places I order straight alcohol, because I know after having Phil's drinks, I know I just won't be pleased by anything else. Thank you, Phil. Thank you, so damn much! --David, Age 31 SF Small Business Owner
Pros: Phil, Drinks
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
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