Established in 1858. The 2nd Oldest Saloon location in San Francisco, this bar has served its neighbors since at least 1858. It has been called Elixir since 2003 and had previous incarnations as a merchant marine bar, a gay Latino bar, a craft beer bar, and more. The original saloon burned down in 1906, along with the rest of the city, but the existing saloon was built in 1907 by the same owner (he had it from 1893 to 1933). The bar remained in beverage service throughout Prohibition as “soda fountain” and jumped right back into alcohol service when the failed experiment ended. It was known as The Hunt-In Club, then Swede’s, La Bandita, Jack’s Elixir Bar, and finally, in 2003. H. Joseph Ehrmann bought it, named it ELIXIR, and restored its Victorian bones. Ehrmann’s cocktail and whiskey programs would, over time, become known as some of the best in the country, and programs like Tuesday’s Quiz and Thursday’s Cocktail Club tastings draw locals, folk from across town, and tourists alike.
We are THE exceptional neighborhood bar: 2nd oldest saloon in San Francisco, Internationally-renowned cocktails, listed in “America’s Top Whisky Bars” (over 600 whiskies), fun programming throughout the week, 3 TVs for sports (without the sports bar look and feel), experienced, friendly, and knowledgeable staff.
