Rickhouse

Address: 246 Kearny Street, (btwn Sutter & Bush Sts), San Francisco, California, CA 94108, United States
Tel: +1 415 398-2827
Website: view Rickhouse’s website
Door: Go early
Style: Saloon bar
Established: 2009

Review

Rickhouse is an homage to spirits - in particular whisky and bourbon (a 'Rick House' is where bourbon is aged). The entire wall behind the counter is fashioned as a drinks library with floor-to-ceiling shelves of bottles complete with library ladder.

The bar is carefully styled as an old-school saloon. There's a back-room which contains a second bar and a hayloft-style gallery so you can look down on the punters below. The ceiling's woven out of the staves from 300 bourbon barrels, which, along with the pot stove, and open brick wall, adds to the authentic feel of the saloon. It's a classic flat cap and braces establishment, with the bartenders dressed to the theme.

Rickhouse's specialties are punches served out of big crystal bowls and teacups. You need to have a table to order the punch though, so it's a bit of a lottery. If you don't procure a table, then the bar is a great place to drink, and the cocktails are well balanced and expertly mixed.