08/10/09

Snotty Bartenders

by SummerLuvin

We stopped into this place quickly, but walked out after one drink. The bartender was super snotty and barely offered us another drink. There is nowhere to sit in this place. The chairs at the bar have holes in them and there is no sense of friendly atmosphere.

• Pros: Close to Union Square
• Cons: Neighborhood, Bartenders, No where to sit

06/01/09

great owner and drinks

by GoPlaySFBay

ok - some people think the hood is a bit well not so hot - but I go here often and love the place and people. We had a friend pass away recently and held an Irish Wake in his honor - this place will always be at the top of my list.

• Pros: warm fireplace and staff
• Cons: hood

04/17/07

great club, greater scotch menu

by bobmatson

Swig provides a lot of girls to check out. That is why I can say that this place is great.

Something about travelers that makes for a fun night. Everyone is open to anything that can happen.

Now lets get onto the Scotch menu. This bar is a diamond in the rough. The most extensive scotch collection in the city. I know because I?ve done my research. Ni-hon, a small Scotch bar is a close second and an equally cool bar as well.

I never liked scotch until this bar showed me the possibilities. I really think that if you go there a few times and talk to some of the staff about the liquor, you can get a lot of really cool party conversation from them. Not to mention a cultured scotch pallet.

Get into scotch man, it?s really cool. Seriously. Cooler than wine I think.

03/30/07

Private Spaces

by canmacann

I organized my b-friends birthday at Swig for last Saturday night. We had rented the Loft which is the new private area with a balcony on the second level of the bar. It was a perfect space for our party of 30 because it overlooks the bar and the dance floor. From our perch we were able to keep a close eye on the plastic girls below attempting to move in on our boys. Our country friends were very impressed that only our guests were allowed to go upstairs to the VIP area. It would be great if there was a bar in the Loft but at least we had ordered beer, wine and bottles in advance which kept us going for barely an hour. It did take a while to get served at the main bar later in the evening as the place was rocking. Still, the cocktails were delicious, especially the Calvados Side Car. There was a line for the ladies room, but we had our own restroom in the Loft which worked well for the joint girly visits.

• Pros: Private event rooms on the second level - great for parties.
• Cons: lines for the ladies rooms at times.

03/09/07

Just the place if you want a fun vibe and you're from out of town

by charlesrwright

The atmosphere and feel was exactly as I'd hoped, but it was a little less crowded than I expected. Quite a few visiting conference-goers but everyone having fun. Friendly locals gave me some pointers as to what to do in town while visiting. Bar staff a mixed bunch - very friendly girl with a great sense of humour, slightly "too cool for school" head bartender who made me feel like getting me a drink was beneath him. He even scowled slightly at me when I gave him a $2 tip for an $8 drink - hang on, thats 25% isn't it? What did he expect??! I would definitely go again, although probably more fun to go in a group or with a friend than on your own.

• Pros: Cool place to go, great music
• Cons: Slightly intimidating if you're alone and not from around town

02/24/07

Cool Vibe, Stopoff

by MauiGirl25

I come to San Francisco a few times a year, and always make it a point to stop by Swig. It has a cool vibe and I've always had a good time there. Typically it's a good first stop on a night out, because after 10pm or so the place can get crowded. If you get there early and stick around, it'll be a nice social place to grab a few drinks.

12/20/06

For when you can't get into Bourbon & Branch

by dinkelspieler

Fortunately it is only around the corner from the B&B, so when you've failed to get a reservation at the aforementioned saloon, the strong libations at Swig will help you ponder your new strategy. For getting a reservation at the B&B, that is. The bartenders here have the inside scoop on their B&B brothers. If they are not too slammed, and you're not too cheap, they might even drop a text to get you a couple of spots right up at the oak.

11/12/06

good place to grab a drink before heading out

by bonbonsf

my girlfriend and i arrived around 7 on a friday night and there was enough room to sit at the bar. the bartender was friendly and offered great suggestions about what to order. we had a nice time catching up and enjoyed a little people watching. once it started to get crowded we headed out. the dim lighting and exposed brick offer a lowkey relaxed environment to chat it up with the girls.

• Pros: staff, ambience
• Cons: gets crowded

A downtown hang featuring DJs, live tunes and signature cocktails from a bevy of city bars.

by Contributor

In Short
In front of an exposed-brick wall, an affable bartender mixes a slew of specialty drinks--many are replicas of city favorites, like the herb-flavored Chartreuse Swizzle (a specialty at Harry Denton's Starlight Room). Other offerings are more original, like the peach julep, consisting of fruit puree, fresh mint and bourbon. Many nights feature DJs or live music, but there's rarely a cover charge.

09/25/06

What? A dive bar by any other name would surely look the same

by anitalove

The less-than-friendly staff at this bar serve like they drink more than the customers; which is reflected in every aspect of the venuea renovated dive bar, with watered down drinks and warm, flat beer. Terrible bartenders and terribly overpriced drinks.

Ive been there when the staff just decides to close early, other times they stop the music early, becausetheyve had enough? Im still waiting for a DJ without a FU attitude, who will take a request.

Ed Ivey holds a Blues Jam on Sunday nights that quickly degenerates into a bunch of drunks performing third rate versions of simple blues songs that any amateur band could learn to play better in one session. The Sunday night drunks, and out-of-towners--also too drunk to care--get up and dance anyway, but for the most part, the performances are an embarrassment.

All this place needs is a pool table and a few bikers to raise its charm to 2 stars out of 10.

A bar, so poorly managed, is going to have trouble sooner or later, and who wants to be there when that happens? Patrons deserve better, and there are far better establishments to enjoy your time.

• Pros: Located downtown
• Cons: just about everything