San Francisco is a great cocktail town, with classic and creative drinks available at bars and restaurants across the city. That’s not changing, but now drinkers can really dial into one specific cocktail: the Martini.
The San Francisco Travel Association just unveiled The San Francisco Martini Trail, a curated guide that highlights 23 San Francisco bars serving standout Martinis.
Its exact origin and birthdate may be disputed, but the few drinks are more celebrated than the Martini. This simple mix of gin and vermouth is endlessly customizable—sometimes to ill effect—but today’s bartenders have given us incredible Martini variations that enlist craft gins, esoteric vermouths and aperitif wines, unique bitters, and fun garnishes. So, there’s never been a better time to drink Martinis.
“The Martini Trail is both a toast to San Francisco’s history and a taste of its future,” said Anna Marie Presutti, President and CEO of San Francisco Travel. “This is where the Martini found its swagger and where it continues to be reinvented. San Francisco is always raising the bar. We’re thrilled to work with local businesses to celebrate the city’s craft cocktail scene.”
The Martini Trail spans multiple San Francisco neighborhoods, from downtown to the Embarcadero to the Richmond, and each stop celebrates the city’s role in shaping cocktail culture.
The 23-drink trail was curated by San Francisco-based food, drink, and travel writer Omar Mamoon. His picks include Martinis from Absinthe, Bar Iris, Hi Dive Bar, True Laurel, Wildhawk, and more.
“The list shines a light on just a fraction of the many bars and restaurants in San Francisco making excellent Martinis,” Mamoon said. “The Martini Trail is just a starting point—use it as a fun way to explore the city and make your own trail, too. There’s so much to uncover and explore in SF.”
