The Redwood Room

Words by Simon Difford

The Redwood Room image 1

Address: Clift Hotel, 495 Geary Street, San Francisco, California, 94102, United States
Tel: +1 415 929 2383
Website: view The Redwood Room’s website
Door: Open door
Style: Hotel bar
Food: Tapas/plates & dishes

Review

The legendary Redwood nightclub in the historic Clift Hotel was established in 1934. But when Ian Schrager took it over, the vast, grand room was given the super-cool Starck treatment. The high ceiling, original redwood panelling, art deco fixtures and chandeliers combine with an illuminated Venetian bar counter and floor to ceiling light-box back bar to impressive effect. Plasma screens in classical frames often display portraits and other slowly moving artworks - seeing a painting's eyes move can be very disconcerting after a Martini or two.

Schrager has moved on but this remains a suitably glam destination where San Fran's party folk mingle with international hipster guests and the odd out of place suit. There are some reasonable beers and wines to choose from, and the back bar is loaded with premium spirits, but cocktails tend to be on the sweet side. If you are peckish, the local version of Jeffrey Chodorow's Asia de Cuba restaurant is next door.