Big

My favorite bar in all of SF, how I miss you soo much. I intentionally did not write a review, to keep the fiending, wannabe new bar hopper hoards away… now that Big has been closed for almost 6 months I feel safe enough to reminisce on great times. Also, give accolades to two great bartenders who are still operating in other locations.
I stumbled onto Big about a month after they opened and two months later moved 1.5 blocks away from this great, hidden spot. Let’s just say, I spent a lot of money at Big in the year they were open.
Random Access Memories include:
Sazeracs and Old Fashions
Blueberry/​Blackberry crushed Sloe Gin concoctions
Anything with Pisco — Mo rocked the Pisco
Brian’s attempt to burn my tongue with chili infusions
Discovering the oldest rum in the world — something about it dating back to pirate-​era
A cocktail that tasted like Maple Syrup Covered Pancakes — friend’s idea
Brian and Mo will go down in history as my favorite bartenders, EVER. Vincent from Rye who often guest bar tended once a week is also fab and I still fortunately get to see him, along with Brian and Mo now doing pop-​ups.
I miss bouncing from Rye to Big, Big to Rye and running into the respective bartenders from each taking a break with each other at the other bars. I miss the odd music, the close warmth vibe. I miss chatting with Iris at the door and her Moleskin notations. No other bar like it. Farewell, old friend.

I was skeptical when I heard of this tiny bar with a line out the door and $ 13 drinks, but now I wish I had come to Big sooner!
I came here this past Saturday night around 8:30pm and we only had to wait a couple minutes to get in. Once we were in though, we had to wait ~15 minutes before we could even order, but I’m the type who is willing to wait for craft cocktails. Besides, the bartender kindly apologized for the wait.
Now onto the drinks… I requested an Old Fashioned-​like drink, not sweet since I hate sweet drinks. I received a concoction of rye, brandy, and cherry bitters, finished with a splash of pilsner and served with an orange peel. If I had seen this on a drink menu would I have chosen it? Without a doubt! Was my drink the best I’ve had in SF? No, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a tad rye-​heavy, but it was clear there were other ingredients that added a brightness and some subtle fruitier notes came through in the aftertaste.
My friends ordered «a twist on a G&T» and «something citrusy with a clear spirit.» They received an herbal G&T with chartreuse and quinine, and a lemony gin-​based drink served on a rock.
Did our bartender follow our instructions? Absolutely. Was it worth the $ 13? For me, hells yeah — I got a slight buzz with just one drink! For a glorified G&T? Not really. But if you think about it, a good cocktail will cost you $ 10 – 11 in SF. For a personalized libation, improvised on the spot, I think $ 13 is fair. And the other thing that made the overall experience so enjoyable for me? It wasn’t loud inside, it wasn’t overly crowded at the bar, and the tiny room was warm so I could take off my coat and show off a cute outfit!

Good things come in small packages.
Before you get your panties all up in a bunch, I’m not talking about the beaver cleaver ladies and gentleman (Happy Crass Mondays!)…
I’m talking about a bar.
The true essence of a speakeasy, Big is the size of a tiny shack fitting no more than 20 people (packed in) but with a H-​U-​G-​E personality.
No sign. No menu. No pretentiousness. Just kickass, unique artisan cocktails made by awesome, down-​to-​earth, and talented bartenders (Hi, Brian!)
Tell Brian or one of the other bartenders what you normally drink and the flavors you fancy. Several minutes later, you’ll have the BEST cocktail of your life. I’ve been around the block, I mean been to many bars so when I say, this is the BEST cocktail you’ll ever have, I mean it.
Big is closing on June 15^th because the hotel they’re attached to is being sold (Vantaggio Suites Cosmo) so make sure to come and get your fancy drank on before then.
*Cheers to BIG packages*
Oops, I mean to bigger and better things for Big when they find a new space.
OTHER NOTES:
*While trying to find a new space, Big plans to have pop-​ups. Check their FB page for updates.
*If there is a wait to get in, leave your name and number and someone will text you when there’s room available for your group. One hour plus wait time on a Saturday night.
*All alcoholic drinks are $ 13 and non-​alcoholic drinks are $ 6. CASH ONLY.
–My 1^st cocktail:
–My 2^nd cocktail:
*Old school sexy vibe with vintage furnishings and sensuous red velvet lined ceiling.
*Older, mixed crowd.
*Restroom available next door at the hotel. Just ring the bell to get buzzed in.
*Horrible street parking. No nearby garages.

«Hi, have you been here before? No? Well, welcome to Big.» That’s the friendly greeting that awaits newcomers to this excellent cocktail bar.
Big is, well, a small bar. There are two easy chairs up front and a seemingly varying number – between 4 and 8 – of bar stools that look like they were made from dust bowl era John Deere tractor seats. Otherwise, you’re standing, so get there early.
I found Big, by Unilocaling, on a recent business trip to San Francisco. Got there about 6:30, shortly after the end of the conference sessions. No schmoozing over free beer and crappy appetizers with fellow techno-​geeks for me – get me to the bar. We’re in San Francisco for crying out loud. Most of the 4 – 5 star reviews have everything right on. What can I add that’s useful? Well,…
1) Big is geezer (50+) friendly. The bartenders were uniformly polite, conversant, and helpful. No evil eyes from younger customers either. However, don’t all of you conventioneers head there at once. It’s mostly a young person’s bar, albeit (thankfully) without the thumping music – Patsy Cline and Bill Withers when I visited.
2) Consider going it alone. This is a serious establishment. You may think this craft cocktail movement is a trendy fad, but it’s not to the folks that work there. They are genuinely creative and want to craft a cocktail that is unique and that you will truly enjoy. Also, a single will have an easier time finding a stool or a slot to stand at. In this vein, it might be good to stop at two drinks. It’s not the place to get soused and sloppy. It’s a conversation-​conducive, quite bar – let’s keep it that way.
3) It gets easier on subsequent visits. I went three nights in a row. Not because I couldn’t find another bar, but because I started to enjoy fine tuning and expanding my requests. My first night the lovely mixologess (sorry, forgot her name) asked what I liked. You’re kind of on the spot at that point and it’s difficult to find anything intelligent to say, so I reply «scotch». It was even worse when she asked if there was anything I didn’t like. «Reggae.» At least she laughed, and we got through the first drink. It gets easier and more fun as you get comfortable with the process. Over the next two nights and four drinks she, and the other great bartenders, helped me experiment with smoke (whiskey and mezcal), rum (not your run of the mill stuff), and heat (habanero infusion). Great fun.
One final note. I don’t think Big qualifies as a speakeasy. No reservations. No passwords. That might be fun to try at some point, but Big makes it easy to not feel like a doof, if you know what I mean. I can’t think of a thing to subtract a star for. Great vibe, quiet, unique, with an outstanding staff. Perfect.

This «pint-​sized» little treasure, squeezed into a space next to a hotel, is so small you will miss it if you blink.
Within resides a capacious assortment of spirits, fresh fruit, herbs, and spices — all of which are used to create an apothecary’s reverie of cocktails.
With no menu and no cocktail list, the bartenders here use your input to engineer an amalgam of flavors to titillate your tastebuds. And the cocktails are served in unique vessels of their own, purchased and collected from fleamarkets and antique shops. Dimly lit, candles flickering, a ceiling made of crushed red velvet, this sets the scene for quiet intimacy,
Be aware that careful thought and time is used for each cocktail, including numerous ingredients, and perhaps setting a torch to an orange peel or pineapple slice. Therefore, be prepared to wait for greatness.
One gets a sense that head bartender Brian Felley is a «Big» fan of the herbs and bitters, as well as Gins and esoteric blends of Mayan liqueur with honeyed anise-​seed, and absinthe. In fact, you will see Gin and absinthe showing up on many cocktail lists at bars around the city — the apothecary cccktails are very large in popularity here.
Expect to pay about $ 13 for one magical cocktail here. Cash only.

Big, I don’t know much but I know I love you. That may be all I need to know. Apparently you’re kind of a BIG deal around San Francisco. Each time I visit, I somehow find my way here. Locals love you and I can see why. First off, your’e in the mix of downtown but hidden and maintain an exclusive, yet non-​pretentious feel. You’re a quaint, intimate little dive that has the most impressive handcrafted cocktails. Not only are your mixologists talented, they are friendly. And you’re small enough that they actually take the time to chat it up and figure out your unique taste.
Each time I requested the same thing: anything with vodka that had a citrus-​y taste. And each time I was handed something that looked and tasted differently than before, but was still equally as tasty! If you don’t know about this spot, now you know. Go Big or go home.

Really hard to get a seat (let alone get in)… «Big» Lol I get it !
Fantastic drinks with some creative mixology going on… no need for a menu
Interesting liquors from around the world… love to try hard to find stuff
Speciality bar … worth the wait if great drinks is what your craving!

Classy, friendly, fun to hang out at, I was surprised such a quaint little bar is so near my apartment. While there’s no drink menu available, the bartenders are pretty amazing at coming up with something within your specifications. I wasn’t disappointed by either of the drinks I was served!
Expect to pay $ 13 per drink, this isn’t a hole in the wall pub where you go for cheap beer. If you want good quality amazing drinks and a nice (if somewhat small) place to hang out for an hour, Big is a great option! (even if it’s not «Big» inside)

Big is actually really tiny, so don’t expect to roll up with your group of 4+ people and snag a spot at the bar. In fact, you might not even make it through the door.
The space is dark and old-​timey, with a ceiling draped with red velvet and a vintage American flag hanging next to the bar. Aside from standing at the bar, there are two very worn leather chairs near the door.
If you do make it inside, do NOT ask the bartender for something girly and frilly. They are very particular about the alcohol they carry, and I watched a bartender tell a group of ladies that they don’t carry St. Germain. Instead, you simply tell the bartender what kind of alcohol you feel like drinking or some other ingredient you’re craving and he will mix something special for you. I asked for something with ginger and was served some pineapple ginger and gin concoction. I also tried something with blood orange and three types of alcohol that I can’t quite remember. Drinks are $ 13 and they only accept cash.

I’m too small for Big. It’s a Mixology Science fact.
It might have had something to do with the wine picnic on the beach before dinner, or the wine with dinner before going. I knew I was drunk in the Über on the way to Big but was too proud to admit it. I haven’t been drinking much as of late, and should have stayed home? No! I love Big*.
Big itself is staffed up with some seriously fun and lovely people. They have no drink list so if you’re going to ask for a specific cocktail, this place isn’t for you. This is a place for those with trust in their hearts, refined pallets, and a hard-​on for drinking.
The bar is so huge that the bathroom is in the hotel next door. It took me forever to find the damn lou, and I almost gave up on peeing all together when I spotted it as I was leaving the hotel building. So, if you’re drunk and going pee in the hotel, the Ladies is pretty much first thing on your right. Not my finest hour.
PEPPER’S PISSED: When a lady offers you $ 30 to make someone’s hat disappear, you don’t ask any questions, you kindly oblige. Even if she’s slurring her words and it’s a fairly nice hat.
*I also love the Tom Hanks film the bar is named after.

This very well might be the best bar in America.
That’s no easy feat, especially not in the mecca of cocktail lounges that is San Francisco. I guess that the real test of this is to compare the level of emotional uplift vs the amount of hokey bullshit. This place has that ratio down in such a winning way. Massive karma, good vibes, zero tacky speakeasy mumbo jumbo.
You walk in and immediately see a wall of hand-​picked liquor which is curated to perfection. Gins featuring every botanical under the sun. Small batch bourbons. Things you’ve never heard of. Things that you’re dying to try.
A great bar makes you forget what time it is. There are no clocks here. The bartenders take as much time as they need to formulate that perfect mixture of magic potions. It’s outstanding.
Light conversation twinkles around the bar. Nothing too serious.
Perhaps the best thing about this place is the complete lack of the now-​oh-​so-​commonplace speakeasy swagger. No need for a stupid password. No silly outfits. No edison bulbs.
Might be the best bar in America.

All I want for my birthday is a «Big» booty call
All I want for my birthday is a «Big» booty call
Lyrics from Birthday Song — 2 Chainz
JK!!!
I read about this place by chance on Unilocal and I said, «I gotta check it out next time I am in SF». My best friend and I always celebrate our birthdays the week of Thanksgiving because I am in town to visit my Mom (our birthdays are actually the following week). This place is located adjacent to the Vantaggio Suites on Post, between Jones and Hyde in the Tenderloin.
Big is literally a «hole in the wall». There is no sign or number on the outside. It reminds you of a speakeasy. I walked up to this half door, and asked, «Is this Big?». Iris, the girl in front concurred and then asked me how I heard about the place. I said, «Yelp». It was like the magic password. She opened the half door and said, «Come on in». «It is kinda tight for you and your 3 friends, if you don’t mind?» We didn’t mind at all…
Contrary to its name, this place is TINY!!! There is one bar and a couple of tables. You can maybe fit 20 peeps max. Ryan the bartender was chill and turned me on to Arrete, a small production tequila (blanco). It was tasty and only $ 10 w/​tonic — an added bonus was it was served w/​one big block of ice! However, one of my dumb$hit friends ordered a Lite Beer. Are you f*cking kidding me?! The bar went deafly silent after he ordered. I said, «He’s not with me!». I proceeded to tell him that this is a real bar and you order mixed drinks, shots or something the mixologist conjures up. Unfortunately, it was a red flag to the girls standing next to us (more on that later). They were abiding by the «rules» and drinking pomegranate concoctions and shots from Ryan.
The crowd was chill too. There were quite a few girls and I struck up a convo w/​one of the girls standing next to us named Patty. She happened to be Peruvian, is a local and actually lives in SF. I told her I dated a Peruvian girl before, and she was curious regarding what happened. I told her my friends asked me the same thing after I dumped her. I mean the other Peruviana was smoking hot — I was definitely dating up in the «looks» department — LOL. Before I told her about the other Peruviana, I prefaced it with, «Just Stating, Not Hating». Then I told her the other Peruvian girl was WACK. All she talked about was herself, she was super opinionated and to top it all off, she liked Britney Spears (HURL!!!) — I could never, (I mean «never») get a word in with the other Peruviana. Lastly, I told Patty about a rhyme my friend made up about the other Peruviana, after we split to give her a perspective — You know the «girl» (PG version — actual word contains and rhymes with «ack») is Wack, if she look like That, and you throw it Back: Patty was ROTFLHFAO!!!
Patty asked me to see a pic of the other Peruviana and she commented, «You know those blond streaks are fake?». I responded, «That is not the only things that are fake on her» (alluding to the area below her neck and above her stomach — LOL!). Needless to say, we talked for quite a while. However, her 3 wing girls weren’t digging my friends because the one ordered Lite beer. Plus, these guys don’t go out much and don’t have much game. I asked her and her friends to join us at John Collins later. She said OK, but her friends vetoed: X
This experience led me to write down another Rule of Hollarin’:
#4 — «Don’t holla, if her friends won’t folla» — LMAO! (For rules 1 thru 3, please refer to my review of Clift Hotel)
P.S — A brighter side to this story is that I told Patty about Picca (Peruvian tapas w/​a Japanese flair) in LA. She asked me to take her there when she visits next month. So when you see me check into Picca, I guess I will get that «Big» BC for my birthday after all. It will just be a little belated, and I will be on the receiving end — LOL!

Good things come in small packages.
The Tall Vegetarian swears by this place — her favorite in the city, and quite frankly, she swears a lot. The $ 13 drinks are small, but they pack a big punch and take forever to make, so you know the bartenders are good at their craft. The speakeasy is tiny, dim, quaint, and cushy (no bathroom, one table plus maybe six barstools), and you’d probably miss it, if not for the wood paneling, half door, and hanging lantern overhead.

Ironically named Big given that the place is in fact, not so big. My BF tried to take me here on previous nights but we came too late I suppose and the place was up to their maximum capacity. The person in charge at the door took our number down and said that she’d text us when there was room… I guess there never was room during those nights because we never got any texts :(
However, on our way to clubbing, we stopped by for a quick drink. Thankfully we got in this time but we were still quite cozy in the back. I wish there was more room!
I told the bartender that I wanted something sweet and tart and she surprised me with a gin based drink with pear flavoring. YUMS. I have to be honest, it may be the best drink I ordered at a bar.
$ 13 each drink
Tip: Cash only and come early bc it gets crowded!

I hate to give only 3 stars given the wonderful experiences others have had with Moe and his partner’s concoctions, but I have to agree with Jess C. regarding the price and overall cocktail quality.
I kindly requested a twist on my all-​time favorite, the Penicillin, and was presented with a melding of rye, cognac, scotch, bitters and lemon. The peatiness was evident and appreciated, yet I found the drink to basically boil down to a sweetened, somewhat diluted serving of single malt scotch. It lacked the balance and complexity of my adored cocktail and ultimately remained unfinished.
My brother preferences? «Whiskey, coconut, bitters.» Intriguing and potentially mind blowing if executed well. The drink included roasted coconut juice, cardamaro, bourbon and egg white. I enjoyed the toasty coconut notes and texture of the foamy complete protein, yet there was hardly a hint of bourbon to be found. Likewise, my partner-​in-​crime Michelle L.‘s new interpretation on a French 75 provided a delightfuly yet essentially alcohol-​free amalgam of fruit flavors.
Libations aside, I loved the intimate atmosphere and coziness of the tiny space. However, I’m not so excited about paying $ 13 a pop for Capri Sun 2.0’s and weenie scotch. But hey, I’m sure that the mixologists have tons more to offer and I wouldn’t mind stopping by again to check out what else they can come up with.

Talk about hidden. SF and their hidden speakeasies. This place is new, and thanks to my friend for discovering this place since she lives in the TL.
Big is very tiny and narrow — takes up a small nugget of a hotel, and has one of those horse stable doors (the bar girl up front has to let you in and out). I bet no more than 20 people can fit in there, and BTW there are no bathrooms inside. No music either.
Two bartenders/​mixologists make your drinks all night. No menus, just tell them what you like, and out spits a lovely, delicious tasting concoction.
I’m definitely coming back here.

Spotted this walk up window looking bar after having dinner up the street with my boys.
Inside it’s vintage, dark, and intimate, they got that 20’s speakeasy, Bourbon and Branch kinda vibe. Like the old school jazz!
Their thing is, no menus, no beer, just well made hand crafted cocktails and oh cash only. You tell them your poison (bourbon, gin, fernet, etc) and/​or what flavors you’re into and then they concoct something unique for you. The bartend… umm mixologists were very nice and friendly. No pretentiousness at all.
Well they shouldn’t when they’re charging $ 13 a drink with glacier sized ice cubes big enough to sink the Titanic. But… it was a show in watching them work.
My friend said he likes fernet and Manhattans and got a fernet based drink that didn’t taste like fernet but was strong and classic. He liked it.
I asked for a drink using some of the fresh produce I saw yet manly. What I got was strong, refreshing, herby, citrusy, yet clean with a sprig of rosemary speared through a cherry. I forgot what he explained it was but I did appreciate that they do take the time to do that. *
)
I think I’ll ask for something spicy and savory next! Veggie cocktails is where it’s at.
*Would make for a fun date night joint.
*Go for the experience, not the buzz. Worthy of a first stop of any TL barhop.
*A
for cocktails, tell them what you like and they’ll make you something similar but different. (
)

Big is a charming little spot to grab a cocktail. Very little seating, small and intimate space. They seem to attract a crowd of regulars. Bartenders are very friendly and happy to make you a cocktail based on your preferences (spirit, citrusy/​fruity/​floral, spicy what have you).
Drinks are a bit pricey but worth it for the quality and precision dedicated to each drink. The bartender could easily spend five minutes preparing your cocktail and it will be worth it.
Drinks were $ 12 each I believe but worth every penny. I will come back in a heartbeat when in the area.
Cash only!

I love the vibe at Big. It’s a cute little speakeasy-​type lounge, emphasis on LITTLE — seats ~10 people at a bar, no other seating available and very little room to stand. You give the bartender some notes about flavors or liquors that you like (no wine, no beer served here), and he’ll whip up something delicious for you.
Minus one star because the drinks are CRAZY expensive ($ 13), and I don’t find them as strong or as flavor potent as the drinks at Bourbon and Branch, where the drinks are instead just $ 10 – 11.
Note: Cash only.

(See pics) Review #1169. What a name for a very intimate L shape cocktail bar. Reason? It’s big on the no-​menu drinks!
Cocktails without menus mean imagination is the limit. Brian is the guy who will mix any drinks on your mind, either a classic like Blood and Sand with a twist, or a completely new drink that is from what you like such as bourbon, and he will add German distilled beer and some jalapeño in the mix! This guy works magic! Both Brian and Iris, the other host, were social, nice and very friendly.
The decoration can easily make you in awe, right from the entrance, it’s an half door where you will always get the fresh air from outside, yet it’s super cozy to keep the vibe inside.
Once inside, there’s a small couple leather chairs and a side table with a lamp that make it more like a private library. The L shape wine bar area nested the middle wall of liquors. There’s no fridge or electronics here other than for the music, just enough to add to the background but without overwhelming the conversations. It has a super classic with speakeasy feel– wooden frames and patterned square impressions. But look above you, it’s all the very red velvet ruffled fabrics that cushion you in while you enjoy your drinks.
This bar that starts as a neighborhood favorite will quickly become a destination. It is perfect for pre-​dinner, at the end of night, or simply a night that you want to chilax in the classic scene. This does not seem to cater the loud crowd.
Found out about this place from the same folks who are also known for Jones and it opened just a week ago.