The former EVE LOUNGE is no longer with us, but the space has been revamped and the menu reworked by the same owners with a new name: SOUTHSIDE SPIRITHOUSE. Scoop caught the story on the new concept, which includes elevated cocktails and small bites with a seasonal focus. The bar program includes punches and cocktails available by the pitcher to appeal to larger groups, plus 12 beers on tap from breweries like Dogfish Head, Firestone, and Hitachino Nest. The group-friendly food comes from chef Michael Frances. Look for pizzas with seasonal toppings, snacks like deviled eggs, and desserts. They’ll be open for late-night snacks (serving until 1am) and there’s a happy hour from 3pm-7pm Mon-Fri too. Mon-Wed 3pm-1am, Thu-Fri 3pm-2am, Sat 6pm-2am, closed Sunday. 575 Howard St. at 2nd St., 415-543-5874.
The former O’Neill’s Irish Pub—near the ballpark—was purchased by a new owner (Kevin Kynoch of Fishbowl on Divisadero) over a year and a half ago, and now it has finally finished its face-lift under the supervision of GM Janine Gallagher. It’s called the POLO GROUNDS, after the location the Giants used to play when they were still a New York team. In keeping with this theme, there’s a new mural featuring the polo grounds themselves and other icons of old New York (courtesy of designer Michael Brennan), mixed with images of modern San Francisco. The new team reached out to us to let us know they kept the menu pretty focused on pub food, with burgers, wings, and some token salads, but are aiming to use higher-quality ingredients than the previous incarnation—you can take a peek here. (Tom Ryan, who used to be the chef-owner of the Guilty Goose in New York, consulted on the menu.) Open Mon-Fri 12pm-2am, Sat-Sun 11am-2am. 747 3rd St. at King, 415-777-1177.
Scoop brings the news that the former GIO’S in the Financial District has reopened as SYDNEY TOWN TAVERN, from the owners of the Irish Bank. The name comes from a former nickname for the Barbary Coast, and references the many Australians who ended up here in the early days. The menu is casual pub fare, and they’ve got a full bar. There are 12 draft beers, including options from Firestone, Deschutes, and Speakeasy. They’re open Mon-Wed 11am-12am, Thu-Fri 11am-2am, and Sat 4pm-2am. Closed Sunday. 531 Commercial St. at Sansome, 415-433-1949.
