Elixir

Specialties

Being an exceptional neighborhood bar: everything you expect in a neighborhood bar and a lot of pleasant surprises. Internationally-​renowned cocktails, deep spirits selection (over 220 whiskies, over 120 agave spirits, etc.), 4 TVs for sports (without the sports bar look and feel), experienced, friendly and knowledgeable staff

History

Established in 1858.

The Second Oldest Saloon location in San Francisco, this bar has served its neighbors since at least 1858 (no documentation exists before that, though the neighborhood was long established before that in 1776). It has been called Elixir since 2003 and had previous incarnations as a merchant marine bar, a gay latino bar, a craft beer bar and more. The original saloon burned down in 1906 with the rest of the city, but the existing saloon was built in 1907 by the same owner (he had it from 1893 – 1933). For more history a dn a full timeline, visit www​.elixirsf​.com/​h​i​s​t​o​r​y.htm

Meet the Business Owner

H. E.

Business Owner

H. Joseph Ehrmann, better known as H., has cooked, served, managed and bartended in over 20 bars and restaurants around the country throughout his 25+ year career, as well as having studied and lived in Europe for several years. Since 2003, he has owned and operated one of the oldest saloons in San Francisco, Elixir. The bar has won numerous accolades for its cocktails, marketing programs, and atmosphere, including listings in GQ, Esquire and Food and Wine Magazines as one of the «Best Bars in America». Elixir was also the first bar in the country to achieve a Green Business certification. Personal accolades include 2010 Bartender of the Year (Nightclub and Bar Mag) and 2009 Rising Star Award (Cheers Magazine) and his consultancy business, Cocktail Ambassadors, serves numerous product, hotel and bar clients in product and brand development, event execution and both trade and consumer education. As a Co-​Founder of San Francisco Cocktail Week and the non-​profit that runs it, The Barbary