Swig

Not so bad. I like this place, the atmosphere and the happy hour.

While I think the name of this place is somewhat misleading, I still love it. The space is amazing, the drinks are spectacular and the bar staff is knowledgeable and charming.
I will definitely be back.

I love their rotating craft cocktails and upbeat atmosphere! Great bartenders too!

First time here the other night. Such a fun bar!
My friends were out in the TL so i decided to join them at Swig. I don’t usually go out in this area but I was pleasantly surprised at how much fun I had here.
Really cool spot, lots of people dancing!

nice place to hang out, good vibe… Needs a couple more bartenders, had to wait 15 min for a drink

The bar itself is elegant yet chill. Tall ceilings, plenty of sitting, little stage, big dance floor, intimate loft area and a real fireplace! Wall with impressive selection of liquor adds to the style.
The problem was with a bartender. I have no idea how bad her day was or how miserable her life is, but the blond female bartender gave us some very unwelcoming attitude. She made our drinks with a stone face and, honestly, it ruined quite a perfect night. No small talk, no smile, nothing. Zero star!
Also, there was a band performing. They sang a couple of Steve Wonder’s songs. And then the lead singer went to collect the tips. She literally came up to us saying I’m here to collect the tips. And she didn’t want to leave until we all tipped her, insisting that she can break bills. That’s ridiculous: as a performer, she could have acknowledged me during performance with some eye contact, or at least ask how was my night when she came after.
Anyways, the bar itself is great. The people there, who add a lot to the vibe, are not so great.

Has become my preferred spot for dancing in the nabe on Fri/​Sat. Always good music and mature/​millennial crowd.
Drinks are pricey but tasty/​unique. No food sadly but there are options nearby. Love the fireplace and seating in the back or upstairs.

I came here on a Friday night and the crowd seemed very mixed. Since it’s Union Square I would venture to guest it’s tourists in the area and it keeps a classy vibe. The DJ plays hip-​hop music, nothing recent though. There was no line to get in and it’s a pretty big space. We lucked out and got seats in the upstairs loft area so we could people watch. You can get your pizza and fries around the corner.

Wow! Not sure what I like the most about this joint… The cocktail menu, the ambience or the great people watching perches by the window.
Of course there is also the fireplace, the attractive bar staff and the massive amount of drink selection available to the adventurous.

When life gives you lemons and locks you out, you walk to the nearest bar and drink up. Just so happens, my neighborhood bar happens to be this chill place. Please note that the only reason why this review gets 4 stars is because they don’t serve food. How are you gonna get me liquified up and not even have some almonds or a potato to chow on!!! Bump the speakeasy vibe, but give me food with my spirits. But I digress.
Nevertheless, if you’re looking for a chill place to chill after work, or a late night hang out with some friends, Swig is it.
Likes:
–pretty good drinks with happy hour specials
–good selection of spirits (translation: if you have a fave drink, they should be able to make it)
–typically a different band/​theme each night (from salsa to tango to almost any genre of music)
–great place to chill with friends or with a group, if you’re in town for a conference
–located on bus line and near BART
–great music nightly
–the front windows open on nice evenings, so you can have a great drink while you people watch
–great ambiance overall
Dislikes:
–bring your own food, folks, because it’s not served here! (although, you’re welcome to bring some in)

How in the world does this place have only a three star rating?! It’s one of the best Jazz night experience I have had in San Francisco so far.
You need to go to Swig if you like:
— Good wine
— Delicious cocktails (don’t even think and order the Swiglet. It is pure bomb.)
— Great music
— A good ambiance
— Photo-​booths!
Overall I would say this place has it all right and I am very happy I stumbled upon it with my friend on a thirsty Thursday kind of night. It was packed, but not too much, which allowed us to enjoy the music and order a couple of drinks without having to wait too much at the bar. The people there were all having a good night and dancing/​singing. HUGE shoutout to the Jazz Band that was playing that night, you were amazing and honestly one of the best I have had the chance to hear.
Plus there was no cover, which was nice.
This place is amazing and I will come back, there is no doubt about it.

Fantastic open space great for groups +1
Fireplace +1
Upstairs loft area for more privacy +1
Bar area is aesthetically pleasing and wide enough to thin out large crowds
Drinks lean towards the sweeter side but overall done fine
Overall Thoughts
I am curious to see what this place is like when there is dj/​more people

Sehr coole Bar im Stadtteil Tenderloin aber an der Grenze zu Union Square, somit noch nicht in einem Bereich, in dem man Abends besser nicht unterwegs ist.
Die Bar ist sehr nett gestaltet und kommt im Vintage-​Look daher.
Offene Steinwände, eine indirekt beleuchtete Bar, die bis unter die Decke reicht und über eine Bibliotheksleiter zu erreichen ist.
Ein offener Kamin und ein DJ runden das Ganze ab.
Der DJ übrigens legt ziemlich gut auf und trifft genau den groovigen Sound für eine Bar, mit etwas treibenden eines Clubs.
Die Getränkeauswahl umfasst das komplette Portfolio, von Craft Bieren bis hin zu Cocktails und Long Drinks.
Die Barkeeper sind aufmerksam und beraten auch gerne.
Preislich liegt das Swig vollkommen im Rahmen der Umgebung. Ein Bier kostet 7 Dollar, ein old Fashioned 10 Dollar. Klingt viel, ist für SF Verhältnisse aber normal.
Bis 22 Uhr werden die großen Fensterfronten aufgemacht, so dass man einen freien Blick auf die Geary Street hat und das Treiben dort beobachten kann.
Einziges Manko sind die wenigen Barhocker, bzw. das spärliche Gestühl im Swig. Hier könnte gerne noch die ein oder andere Sitzgelegenheit angeboten werden.
Übrigens nicht den Ausweis vergessen. Jeder Gast wird am Eingang nach dem Alter kontrolliert und das auch egal wie alt man aussieht! ;-))

I came here three times, but I was super drunk each time… and drunk me likes this place because of the music and dancing that you can get without having to pay cover, dress up, etc. If I remember correctly (…lolz), the place was playing hip hop which isn’t that easy to find in the city these days whooho0o0o0oo

Another bar/​lounge that’s owned by Futurebar group, and probably the least awesome in vibe compared to the rest. While Swig offers beer & cocktails at a more reasonable price compared to their flagship mixology bars around the block, it’s more of a casual lounge for people to dance to hip hop on weekend nights while keeping a classier vibe. It’s still crowded after all these years but a bar hopping night in the neighborhood tends to end up here as people want to turn it up.
Good draft selection, around $ 6 for a beer, and a lot of cocktail choices on the easy to read board above the bar.
Best part of Swig is the affordable private party area up top overlooking the main floor. I’ve been here twice now for it and it’s easy to host a midsize group here, the staff are accommodating and the private bartender are always great!

I absolutely loved this place until closing! I go out all the time and this club counts as one of my favorite places to visit in sf but once it turned 1:25, I hated this place. The bouncers were so eager to kick us out before we left. Like honestly, give us ONE MINUTE to finish. I’ve heard about the hostility of this place so I decided to time it and it was less than
A minute from when they told us to leave and finish our drinks. You could be a little nicer. I was having an amazing tune until closing. Would recommend as a starting place (some places are better) but if you plan on staying until close, expect to be pushed and shunned down by the bouncers. Trust me. I love this city!, San Diego babe

I went to Swig for a swag press event.
Lots of room to move around, and a pretty cool fireplace in the middle. But the drinks there were fan-​freakin-​tastic. I asked for a Manhattan, and the bartender gave me a generously poured one. I followed it up with «Monokuma’s Madness,» which had Yerba Mate, gin, Hellfire bitters, and a cucumber slice. I’m sure it was exclusively for the geeky event I went to, but if it wasn’t a great drink.

Second time I visit Swig on a Sunday. I’ve only been there on Sundays so my review is strict for that night of the week.
The live music was upbeat. The musicians were having fun making the atmosphere cheerful.
Dancing was fun but only if you can maneuver on a small dance floor. I would not say the dance floor was crowded but I’m experienced at dancing in small spaces.
The dance style was fusion but some Lindy Hop and Hustle dances were played.
The people that were not dancing had plenty of space to socialize. If you got there early (before 10) you were able to obtain a table and/​or chair.
In all this is a great place to socialize and dance if you so choose too.

Great ambiance and great drinks! We didn’t stay here long and we were told there would be a dj but never got to hear them because we left after 11:30pm. Not sure when it’s «happening» here but we weren’t patient enough. Good drinks though and nice vibe. Will come back for a laid back night with friends or a loved one.

We came here for Latin Monday night. It was a little quiet, but my friend and I made our own little dance party with the music and the video screen. There is no cover so that’s a big plus. Drinks were good and not too pricey. I heard live blues music on Sunday nights are happening.

The cocktails here are standard recipe made mediocre. Had a moscow mule and it was very strong and not good.
The atmosphere is nice inside but the people who were there the night I went were questionable.
Solid TL bar but wouldn’t be the first place I choose for drinks. Try The Royale on Post and Leavenworth.

The staff is so great, the spirit selection is amazing. The crowd is so so. Weekend nights you get a random random mix of non locals. A little of that so called bridge and tunnel crowd. Most weekend nights it’s great though.
Good place to have a first date or happy hour with friends.