The Interval At Long Now

We stopped at The Interval At Long Now after a long walk through the city to cool off and wet our palettes. We hadn't been to Fort Mason before, but were glad to have known about this bar in advance as it was a bit hidden in the back of the complex.

As soon as we walked in, we were impressed by the atmosphere. With books all around and steampunkesque decor throughout the bar and tables, this bar definitely has an eclectic yet calming atmosphere.

I got the Paxton's Arrow while my partner got the I've Grown to Love Life Too Much. Although I was super excited by the combination green chile vodka, Ancho Reyes, and celery/green chile tincture, I found Paxton's Arrow to be a bit celery forward, and didn't think the drink came together quite as I was expecting.

On the other hand, my partner and I both loved the I've Grown to Love Life Too Much two-part cocktail. Neither of us have had a two-part cocktail quite like this, and found that the cognac, spiced pear liqueur, and creme de cacao came together beautifully in the main drink, which was also washed down nicely with the dry champagne accompanying it.

Sadly, we were not able to stay for another round, as the cocktail menu is quite interesting and varied. Needless to say, we will be back!

This was so so so good. Incredibly good. For *both* coffee and drinks.

Came one day for coffee and ended up with a spectacular cappuccino and vanilla latte. So wonderful that we tried to go back again the next day but they were only open later afternoon.

Tried a variety of drinks and loved them all, from the Gin Rickey (a 3 day affair) to the I've grown to love life too much (a Dostoevsky affair) and more. Both coffee and drinks service was lovely and helpful, and we even got into a fun long chat with the bartender Rick one evening. This will certainly be a permanent fixture in our San Francisco rotation.

I've been going to Fort Mason ever since college and somehow I just found out about this place in the last two years. I guess that serves me for not looking at the other stores more carefully, but this was definitely a miss since it's such a great place to grab a cocktail.

Such an unique spot, great ambiance, friendly staff, and fantastic drinks. Definitely check this place out if you're looking for a chill place to go to that's outside of the normal bars in the Marina.

Awesome place to pop in for a drink- either alcoholic or coffee. They have outdoor seating that's more private (individual benches), which is nice for reading. It's also a cool spot to just walk around and take in the decor. Lots of thought provoking stuff

Popped in for a drink while waiting for a reservation at the Greens next door. First time and what a treat, cocktails and atmosphere were great. Need to come back again.

Love this bar, especially the cocktail Sunlight on a Foggy Afternoon. Such a great cocktail. I opted for Rye and it was a great choice. It's well balanced (the sour and the sweet). I love ginger, so I didn't throw away that crystallized ginger candy. It was so good! I don't really drink much nowadays so I try to choose my drink wisely and will definitely come back just for this cocktail.

We've been here a few times, usually on a Friday after having dinner at Off the Grid Fort Mason. The last time we made a special trip here coz traffic on the Bay Bridge was horrendous, so we waited it out a little bit here after dinner.

All the books upstairs and downstairs are books that humans will need to survive a catastrophic event, in case you're wondering. You'll have to read about this place and its foundation on their website. Makes for very interesting read.

Parking is easy but you do have to pay until 10 pm. The bartenders are very nice and friendly and the place is always hopping. We were lucky to get seats right away. Great place to hang out with your SO or friends.

Tried it. Loved it. Just as it describes itself, a place for thought-provoking conversations and consideration of our future. And cocktails.

Its decor is in tune with the intention, there's a floor-to-ceiling library of the books you might need to rebuild civilization, (no you can't touch them) and prototypes for a clock meant to last for 10,000 years. Think cyberpunk meets dining table.

I was especially taken with the lighting above the bar; chem-lab style beakers hang from a fixture overhead. OK technically I think they are "flat bottom boiling flasks" but the spherical glass containers you see evil inventors surrounded by in the movies. Each beaker has a different liquid, some clear, some amber in color. Turns out if you're a big sponsor, you get to have your own personal bottle storage and that's where they keep them.

The cocktail menu is ample and well thought-out. Bartenders were fast and courteous. Overall a great hang.

One area of cognitive dissonance was the varying clientele. Like the article you read where an extra in a Trojan war film is seen sporting a wristwatch, some of the patrons looked like they fell out of the Bus Stop bar: backward caps, hoodies, and cargo shorts. But while the Interval is next to Greens, a breakthrough restaurant that permanently changed food culture, it also is adjacent to the Marina, so you're likely to see a mixture of denizens. Focus on the view, decor, and your tipple and you'll be fine.

Boy, how naive am I? When I first heard of The Interval, I thought I had a nice little secret to myself. Granted, I discovered them via Yelp, which is where all secrets go to die, but it's not like this place is right smack in the middle of the Mission or Marina. Rather, it seemed like it might be a perfectly hidden gem inside of Fort Mason. However, based on the crowds, we encountered? Like I said...naive.

Stepping inside The Interval, I immediately loved the cozy, library-esque vibe they have going on. There's a handful of tables sprinkled about, for parties both large and small, and a bar that's literally covered with bulbs of various liquors and spirits. However, the most impressive thing about The Interval has got to be their drink menu. To say that it has been carefully crafted is more than just to play up the double meaning. The nearly two dozen cocktails you'll find have earned their place for a reason - menu staples from they first opened, cocktails from years past that are back in the rotation, what were temporary offerings that have now become fixtures, and personal creations from each individual bartender. In short? An eclectic mix for every taste and flavor!

While there were a few choices that caught my eye, the one that I was most curious about trying was the FISH HOUSE PUNCH (Jamaican Rum, Armagnac, Apricot Brandy, Lemon & Orange Oleo, Pineapple Gum, Served Over Ice...$16). Between the rum and the pineapple, this has a decidedly island tilt that I loved. Perhaps most surprisingly, given the Armagnac and apricot brandy, this didn't taste abrasively sweet either, like I feared it would. FWIW, my gf's non-alcoholic drink was tasty, too, though I don't recall which one she got, and her friend also enjoyed the two drinks he tried.

In addition to our drinks, we also ended up getting a couple of The Interval's small bites to try - their BABY SARDINES IN OLIVE OIL ($11) and their TRUFFLE POTATO CHIPS ($4). The Baby Sardines were pretty solid (it comes in a can with a good amount of fish), but the Truffle Potato Chips were awesome! The chips weren't overly salted and had a good amount of truffle flavor to them (but not overly so).

If you're not in the mood for cocktails (or mocktails), The Interval also has a ridiculous amount of spirits to choose from (almost 200?), as well as an assortment of wines and beers. They also have a mix of coffees and teas as well, which is perfect for hanging out at Fort Mason during the day time, but I will definitely be back, as The Interval is a great landing spot for pre- or post-dinner drinks. And now you know too!

FOUR AND A HALF STARS rounded down.

Been vacationing in the Marina area for years now, and just barely discovered this place. Was here for a girl's weekend and a friend found this place on Yelp. We came after lunch at about 1pm and it was quiet. Most had their laptops and were doing work. My friend and I were at the bar jibber jabbering. Steven was the bartender and not only was he a great mixologist, but he had really good recommendations. This is one of those kinds of places where you want to try their specialty drinks. Don't do your usual stuff. I am picky and only like drinks served up so Steven asked me a few questions before making a recommendation. We had three drinks each, a cookie and beef jerky before leaving.

Parking is easy and there's plenty. Park, use the machine and grab your receipt. FYI, parking machine says to add your cell so they can forewarn you 15 minutes before your time ends; that DOES NOT WORK. Make sure you keep an eye on the time which we did.

Awesome new spot (for me) and will be back!

Came here on a quiet Tuesday night, so it was pretty empty. We got our drinks quickly and the bartender was very friendly. I love that you can learn something new while sipping your drinks here with the museum displays. They also have what looks like different types of alcohol in round glass bottles used as decoration in the ceiling directly above the bar, which looked really cool.