Top Picks for San Francisco Cocktail Week: September 17-23

By Meesha Halm

You might want to program the number of your favorite cab company or Lfyt into your phone because next Monday kicks off the seven-day drink and debauchery festival known as San Francisco Cocktail Week. Running from September 17-23, San Francisco Cocktail Week actually takes place on both sides of the bridge including spirited events held in the East Bay’s top restaurants, a retro party in Oakland and a grand finale at St. George Spirits in Alameda. You can pick your poison (or pleasure) from the full line-up of events and special dinners being planned, but here our top five picks.

Monday: The Artisan Tasting Opening Night Bash at Anchor Brewing Company 

The opening event bash will take place at Anchor Brewing Company in Potrero Hill but forget the beer-the event will showcase the best of locally produced artisan spirits paired with food from the city’s top chefs (6-9 PM, $45 in advance, no tickets sold at the door, Anchor Brewing Company, 1705 Mariposa St.).

Tuesday: Spirited Food Trucks at SoMa StrEAT Food Park

It’s not so much what drinks they’ll be serving at this outdoor event as what they’ll be served in. We’re talking coconut-lemongrass sake cocktails served in a young coconut shell, small–batch cocktails from 15 Romolo canned on-site by The Can Van, carbonated drinks dispensed out of soda siphons courtesy of Elixir and kegged cocktails provided by Jasper's Corner Tap (6-9 PM, $45 in advance, $55 at the door, includes drinks and one food voucher. Additional food can be purchased separately at the trucks, SoMa StrEat Food Park, 428 11th St.).

Wednesday: Free Old World Spirits and Discount Cocktails at Brasserie S&P 

Artisan cocktails can cost you an arm and a leg but you can sample local distillery Old World Spirits full spread of spirits for free at this event being held at Brasserie S& P. Local master distiller Davorin Kuchan will be on hand to guide the tasting and in addition guests will be able to purchase mixologist Priscilla Young’s specially priced featured cocktails ($6 each) such as the Lychee Gin Rickey and a Corpse Reviver Letter P (5- 8 PM, complimentary tastings, but RSVPs are encouraged by emailing nkosta@mohg.com or calling ahead of time, Mandarin Oriental, 222 Sansome St.). 

Thursday: Totally Awesome East Bay to The Max

Party to the max with the East Bay’s top ‘tenders at The New Parish in Oakland who’ll be pouring wine coolers, Slippery Nipples, Fuzzy Navels and other back-in-the-day cocktails that you’d rather not be reminded about at a retro DJ-fueled 80s party. Revelers are encouraged to dress in period and take BART (5-8 PM, $45 in advance, $55 at the door, The New Parish, 579 18th St., Oakland).

Friday: The Legend Awards Vegas-Style

Event planners have hired a Liberace impersonator to be part of the entertainment for the second-annual Legends Awards at the Swedish American Hall as they host a 1960s old Vegas theme soiree to honor the influencers of Bay Area cocktail culture. Includes tableside cocktails, dinner and a show. Dress sharp, formal attire is requested (7:30-10:30 PM, $85 in advance, $95 at the door, The Swedish American Hall, 2174 Market St.).

Saturday: The California Altered State Fair by Jupiter Olympus

Warning. This is not going to be your father’s state fair. The bar barkers at Jupiter Olympus promise veggie liquers (made in kale, radish/fennel and corn on the cob flavors), your favorite carnival games (made in appropriate for kids), a tattoo station and plenty of gussied-up fried crap just like a good country fair. Other carnie cocktails will include a Salt-Water Taffy Old Fashioned, a Manhattan Sno-Cone and Smoked Watermelon Punch. Festive but warm attire is encouraged as the event is being held outdoors (8-11 PM, $45 in advance,  $55 at the door, Mission Dispatch, 1975 Bryant St.).