The Alembic

Update: Came back here again to get the summer seasonal cocktails once more, and were blown away yet again! Kat, one of the bartenders, is so welcoming and friendly, and even remembered us even though we had only been once before, which made us feel very welcomed.

Being one of our favorite cocktails we've had recently, my partner and I had to get the Playground Love cocktail again, which hits so many flavor notes with the milk oolong tea infused rittenhouse rye, rhubarb, bermutto dry vermouth, salted pistachio, lemon/lime. When you take a sip and let the cocktail linger on your tongue for a moment, the flavors of milk tea and pistachio evolve as they wash over the palette.

We also tried the B-side, farmer's market splash, and life's a beach, which were all super tasty and quaffable as well.

Pros: offers mixology courses, seems to rotate seasonal cocktails and have creative offerings
Cons: absolutely terrible service...

Came here on a Thursday night as a party of 4. They hand you a menu and then it's open seating. Then, you go up to the bar to order.

My friends and I ordered a round of tequila shots and 1 cocktail each. After receiving the shots and 3 cocktails AND waiting a while, we asked someone about the status of the last cocktail, and she gave off such attitude with a RBF, saying that they were working on it. The bartender who worked on it was making drinks for other people, which was why we also checked up on the last drink. We shrugged it off, thinking maybe we were overthinking it or it was an off day for her.

However, we asked a bartender for some napkins, and he gave us some but then proceeded to tell us that next time, we should go to the BATHROOM to grab napkins if we need more...

The drinks themselves sounded creative but some lacked in execution of impressing me. I got a seasonal cocktail called Life's a Beach, which wasn't bad but didn't really highlight as many of the special flavors that the ingredients hinted at, as it felt like the spirit overpowered the rest of the drink.

One of my friends got one of their special drinks (don't remember what it's called), which had clarified milk and yuzu, and that one was actually quite good and refreshing as a cocktail.

They also have food, although we didn't order any. It seems like they also have mixology classes, which seemed cool.

While I do think Alembic has a lot to offer in the cocktail scene, the service was really off putting and I felt a bit uncomfortable to be there.

Live in neighborhood, came at 4pm for a quick early dinner with my wife and sleeping infant, place was quiet/empty. Right as I was putting in the order at the bar, a woman marched up and stopped us (extremely coldly) and asked us to promptly leave. No kids allowed.

That is NOT a city/license policy (they are a restaurant with a type 47 license that allows children), it is Alembic's policy, which is not family friendly, and pretentious and lame.

I went here with a friend and it was a busy day. I appreciated the design of the bar and the table we were at had hooks on the wall for my purse (yay!). We didn't get food here but we enjoyed a happy hour drink together and the bar staff were great. It's a cute spot, but the Main Street does get a little busy. Thank you!

There are alot of places to go on the Haight but this is by far the most enjoyable to have a well crafted drink and delicious eats with some friends. They offer beautiful curated NA drinks as well making it an optimal place for friends to gather. You order at the bar but a runner will bring you your order so you're not standing around forever. They did a great job creating a beautiful space maximizing this small venue.

Haven't been here in a while. Went for drinks but wasn't expecting such amazing food. Carrot fennel soup, polenta fries with red chimichuri, salad with goat cheese, all delicious. Service was also great. Had my pups with me and they brought them out some treats.

Came here this past weekend when we were walking around during the haight ashbury street festival.

They have a huge selection of liquor and the cocktails on the menu looked good. We ordered 5 espresso martini's and the bartender seemed new or was lost. Kept asking others for the measurements/ingredients for the drinks. When he started shaking our drinks, he spilled a lot of it.

He started pouring the drinks into the cups and for the 5th one there wasn't enough. I thought he would just make more, but nope! Ended up pouring some from all the other 4 and trying to make them all even.

To top it off the drink did not taste at all. Which was a bummer because I had been here before a long time ago and they cocktails were good. Maybe we'll give it a try another time.

The bar itself is nice and had a lot of seating.

Happy hour on weekends?? Say less! The happy hour deals include a happy hour cocktail for 8$. It was so delicious! I also ordered the hushpuppies with queso. They were definitely well done hush puppies, perfectly crispy and golden brown on the outside. But I wish the queso was a bit more seasoned. The staff was also super friendly and I love that it's a chill but cute bar! It's more elevated than a dive bar so def could do a date here!

love the cocktails here. tried the 'good soup' cocktail which is inspired by tom yum soup and it was great!

when you sit in the park let they serve everything in plastic cups. Obviously doesn't change the flavor but the cocktails just didn't feel as elevated. Totally get why they don't want glassware out there though.

The polenta fries are a MUST order. The buffalo wings were also great, love their bleu cheese.

A great spot to check out on haight street for craft cocktails and bites!

Started with a brown butter old fashioned , it was just what I wanted to start the drizzly winter night. Always a nice ambience in alembic for a date

Elliot was are bartender, he was very nice and helpful with our order. Ordered the west coast IPA and had the 3rd cheese plate on the menu he recommended(can't remember the name of the cheese). Was really good with the seasonal plum jelly it came with on the side

Will be returning when I'm in the area