San Francisco Guide to Drinking
Name: Rye Bar & Lounge
Address: 688 Geary St.

Classy cocktails, swanky style, modern detailing, and… Free pool? This assortment of wonderful goodies cannot be found just anywhere, but at Rye, one of the new-ish bars in the newly popular Tender Nob (or as some call it as of late, the “Trendy Nob”) area, you can enjoy all of the above. With a sweet space on a block of Geary heavily populated by locals and tourists alike, Rye is quickly making its mark on the SF bar scene.

As the latest venture from Greg Lindgren and Jon Gasparini, who doubled as the designers of the spacious bar and previously produced high-regarded lounges Rosewood and 15 Romolo, Rye is quickly earning its stripes as a specialist in the cocktail department. The bartenders at Rye know a thing or two about drink making, to say the least. One of the most popular drinks, the Basil Gimlet, is said to be one of the best gimlets in San Francisco.

As you enter through the heavy front door, it might seem as though Rye is not the warmest, most welcoming bar in the city, but this assumption is soon retracted. As you proceed to the lower level and make yourself comfortable on the leather couches, the soft lighting and mellow tunes make for a very congenial atmosphere. The large canvasses of art throughout the space are meant to be admired, although the large piece against the back wall is actually a chalkboard where patrons often scribble random words and drawings. While the details are minimal, the cool grey walls, steel pillars, and large bar are nothing less than brilliant. The wine bottle wall is another highlight of the space, which doubles as useful storage.

Rye is definitely a social bar. Unlike some bars in SF where smoking is completely prohibited and there is no designated smoking area, Rye has built an outside space just off of the sunken seating area that is closed in by a steel grid wall so that smokers don’t have to be forced outside each time they need a cig and the people who choose not to smoke are not directly affected. Rye’s offering of free pool also adds to the social atmosphere, although it can get a bit noisy during intense games so plan to sit on the lower level if you are looking to have an intimate conversation.

As somewhat of a newcomer to the neighborhood, Rye is quickly creating buzz. Whether you live in or near the Tender Nob, this is certainly a place to visit for a mellow meeting with friends or a reckless weekend night. Don’t forget to try The Flash, one of the most requested drinks there. Here’s to Rye!

RYE
415.474.4448