The Lush

With the departure of bar manager Kevin Diedrich from THE BURRITT ROOM to the upcoming Jasper’s Corner Tap, local boozehounds wondered about the fate of the fantastic bar program there. SFoodie reports that Joel Baker—previously a bar manager at Bourbon & Branch—is taking the reins. Here’s…

Bummer: the closing date of KOKO COCKTAILS has been set. The Tender reports Koko is serving its final cocktail in its current location on Saturday July 30th. The bar is trying to reopen on Polk Street (it had to move since the California Pacific Medical Center has started the transformation…

Looks like the weather might actually be nice this week, which makes it a good time to check out the Tailgating Mixer at TRES this Thursday July 21st, starting with cocktail hour at 6pm. They’re making it more than a tailgate party: they’re celebrating Milagro Distillery, their distillery…

Take a new look at some familiar spirits this weekend with two cocktail-making classes. On Saturday July 30th, CUESA and Eye on the Bay are presenting yet another Preview to SF Chefs event, this one with tequila experts Scott Beattie (Spoonbar) and Eric Rubin (Tres Agaves). Agave Spirits, Tequila Cocktails,…

A few new bars on our booze scene: Grub Street notes that the International Club in Bernal Heights is being taken over by Kevin Cline and Josephine White of the nearby Front Porch, and they will be naming it ROCK BAR. Details forthcoming. 80 29th St. at Tiffany. More liquor…

Over the weekend, I finally got a taste of the brand-new Almanac Summer 2010 Vintage Blackberry Ale (which we all jokingly referred to as the most-hyped beer in SF), and it was damned tasty. Refrescante. So head on over to SHOTWELL’S BAR this Thursday July 14th for a pop-up…

Scotch. Cheese from the ~QUINCE~ cart. What more do you need to know? Oh, yeah, how to get them together. Through July 23rd, the Quince bar and lounge will offer a flight of Scotch and a tasting of cheeses on the menu. After this one wraps up, every two-three weeks…

There are the usual Champagne tastings—but I thought this tasting on Friday July 8th with the legendary Champagne house, Ruinart, sounded quite unique. The MO Bar at the MANDARIN ORIENTAL, SAN FRANCISCO will be hosting A Sensory Challenge with Ruinart’s cellar master and a perfumer from International Flavors…

Starting July 1st, the LARK CREEK RESTAURANT GROUP will be offering half-price bottles of wine during brunch, lunch, and dinner service at all their restaurants through the month of July. Restaurants include Fish Story, The Tavern at Lark Creek, LarkCreekSteak, Lark Creek Walnut Creek, One Market Restaurant, the new Cupola…