Bay Area’s Liquid Culture Celebrated with SF Cocktail Week
If August was the month for Bay Area food lovers, with SF Chefs, Outside Lands and the SF Street Food Festival among the events filling the calendar, September might very well be one to celebrate all things alcohol.
The main event is the 6th Annual San Francisco Cocktail Week, a celebration of the ever-growing Bay Area cocktail culture. Although the complete schedule has not yet been released, several of the “main events” are already on the calendar.
SF Cocktail Week, which runs from September 16-23, was founded by H. Joseph Ehrmann (Elixir), Jeff Hollinger (Comstock Saloon) and Duggan McDonnell (Cantina) back in 2007 as a way to recognize World Cocktail Day and the Bay Area’s many influences on the cocktail scene, from historical to present day.
The event has grown each year, mixing in classes, tastings, pairings and a whole lot of booze. So what’s on tap for this year? Here are a few of the highlights:
Monday, September 17 (6:00-9:00 p.m.) at Anchor Brewing Company (1705 Mariposa St., San Francisco)
The Artisan Tasting ($45 in advance, $55 at the door) – Guests will be able to explore the creations of locally-based distillers at this opening night bash. Food pairings will also be offered. Truly a celebration of local craftspeople.
Wednesday, September 19 (6:00-9:00 p.m.) at Local Edition (691 Market St., San Francisco)
Best of the West ($45 in advance, $55 at the door) – This event showcases the best bartenders from up and down the West Coast, from as far as San Diego down south to Vancouver up north. The lighthearted competition allows each bartender to present a signature cocktail that they feel best represents their city, incorporating one or more of the challenge ingredients.
Sunday, September 23 (1:00-5:00 p.m.) at St. George Spirits (2601 Monarch St., Alameda)
St. George Spirits Gets Bartenders Behind Bars ($45 in advance, $55 at the door) – The closing event for SF Cocktail Week features cops, robbers and bartenders – behind bars. The prison theme will pit “cocktail criminals” against each other as they compete for guest’s libation affections.
Photo Credit: Marc Fiorito
These are just a few of the fun events heading up SF Cocktail Week this year. A new partnership with the SoMa Street Food Park will also be part of the festivities, bringing the best of both worlds together. Expect a full list of cocktail and spirit classes to be announced soon. The classes this year will take place at The Beverage Academy at Bourbon & Branch.
The hub of activity this year will be at pop-up bar The Rio Grande (1108 Market St.), the latest project from The Bon Vivants. Click here for ticket information as many of the events are sure to sell out fast.
Main Photo Credit: Brian Smeets
