With multiple openings by the Bourbon and Branch crew, a total renovation of the old Transfer spot, and a watering hole named after a band of rockstar puppets, 2011 has been a great year for new bars.

Check out our picks for the Best New Bars of 2011.

1. Royal Cuckoo
3202 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94110
Neighborhood: Bernal Heights

People can argue about which bar has the best jukebox all they want, but the fact of the matter is that nobody beats The Royal Cuckoo. And The Royal Cuckoo doesn't even have a jukebox. Haha! Instead, the bar has a collection of pre-1970's vinyl and a card catalog system. Pick out a record, order a hand-crafted cocktail, and soak in the ambiance. If a giant stuffed deer head, church pews, mood lighting, and live organ shows don't make you feel like you landed in style heaven then you, my friend... must be a dork.

2. Mr Lew’s Win Win Sazerac Emporium
(between Ellis St & Steveloe Pl)
San Francisco, CA 94102
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin

This place would have gotten our vote for the best named bar of the year had Dr. Teeth (see #7) not snuck in at the last minute with their crazy-ass band of muppets. As far as drinks go though, Mr. Lew’s is hard to beat. Conceived as a low-fi chill spot for the owners and bartenders of Bourbon and Branch, Mr. Lew’s is one of those rare dives where the people making your drink actually know what they’re doing. This is where B&B’s bartenders come to blow off steam and the ambiance of the place shows it. Understated, kinda gritty, and on the dark side. In a word: perfect.

3. Leopold’s
2400 Polk St
(between Union St & Filbert St)
San Francisco, CA 94109
Neighborhoods: Russian Hill, Nob Hill

Go ahead and lose yourself in the rustic woody interior and antler-decked walls of this Austrian enclave, but be warned: you'll soon be jolted back to the happy Oktoberfest reality that infests this Bavarian bierhaus year round. Boisterous calls for 'Das Boot' are answered by buxom dirndl-outfitted waitresses who also serve up the hearty Germanic fare: pig trotters, wiener schnitzel and ribs, oh my! The beer menu is extensive (from Bitburger and Spaten to Stiegl) which contributes to the atmosphere of revelry that makes for a perfect everyday celebration. If Russian Hill is the closest you ever get to the Alps, then you're still doing just fine, Mein Herr.

4. Churchhill
198 Church St
(between Reservoir St & Market St)
San Francisco, CA 94114
Neighborhood: Castro

Bars come and go at this coveted Castro/Upper Market location, but we think the Churchill’s gonna last. With dark wood paneling on the outside, a huge walnut bar inside, and tons of couches for lounging/mingling, Churchill has definitely hit the mark its predecessors --The Transfer, Bar on Church-- missed by a mile. Which is to say, this spot is classy. 1940’s style handcrafted cocktails served by a team a mixologists who’ve been around the block.

5. The Wreck Room
1390 California St
(at Hyde St)
San Francisco, CA 94109
Neighborhood: Nob Hill

Finally, a decent bar where you can drink beer, play pool, shuffleboard, or arcade basketball, and watch sports on flatscreen TV’s all at the same time. There’s a ton of sports bars in this city, but this one stands out for the simple fact that you can play games as well as watch them. Perfect if you’ve reached that stage where drinking isn’t enough fun on its own.

6. Jaspers Corner Tap and Kitchen
401 Taylor St
(between Ofarrell St & Geary St)
San Francisco, CA 94102
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin

Named after Jasper O’ Farrell, the city planner who decided to cut SF in half with Market Street to keep things “more social,” this Civic Center gastropub was designed to foster conversation and community. With its eclectic design (neons, mirrors, chairs of every size, TVs, etc), obscure beer and wine list (almost 45 beers in all), and outstanding menu (try the deviled eggs or pork sandwich), it certainly pulls it off. One of the best places in the city to grab a meal and knock a few beers back with friends.

7. Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem
2323 Mission St
(between 19th St & 20th St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
Neighborhood: Mission

Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem was named after the rock band from The Muppet Show. But that’s where the wackiness ends. Dr. Teeth is a low-key Mission-style watering hole serving good beer, drunk food (try the ghost-pepper burger or grilled cheese sandwich), and not-too-fancy cocktails. Bonus: Jameson and Fernet on tap.

8. The Decks
817 Terry Francois Blvd
(between Illinois St & Mariposa St)
San Francisco, CA 94158
Neighborhood: China Basin

Sometimes you just wanna leave the city behind and go down by the docks to stare at old ships, eat some burgers, and drink. Sometimes you wanna pre-game booze fest before a Giants game somewhere near the park, but without a thousand other overzealous baseball fans harshing your mellow. Well this is the spot do it. The Decks sits in an obscure part of SF, right by the boatyard in China Basin, about half a mile from the stadium. The deck is huge, the food (personal pizzas, burgers, etc) is great, and there’s more than enough room for you and all your friends to spread out.

9. Wilson and Wilson
505 Jones St
(between O'Farrell St & Geary St)
San Francisco, CA 94102
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin

Wilson and Wilson Private Detective Agency is a super secret bar operating out of Bourbon and Branch (which you need a password to get into). Sounds mysterious, right? It is... and we can’t tell you much more. Sign up here for the experience.

10. Reed and Greenough
Scott St
(between Lombard St & United States Highway 101)
San Francisco, CA 94123
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow

With its hardwood floors, industrial-meets-rustic exterior, antique shuffleboard table, and stuffed deer heads, Reed and Greenough is definitely what you’d call “a man’s bar,” the type of spot you could see Hugh Hefner hanging out in. And yes, the drinks match. Sophisticated cocktails, wine, and beer. Simple, elegant, and refined, R&G is for the grown-ups.

Did we leave out your favorite new bar? Let us know!