Smuggler's Cove - San Francisco

[Edward Hamilton]

I got a peek at the door at Smuggler's Cove (http://www.smugglerscovesf.com/) in San Francisco. This is no speak-easy type entrance but unless you know it's a bar you'd walk past it. I did and I had the address, a good start for a smuggler's bar. Inside you'll be transported to a South Pacific island motif with more of my favorite spirit than you can drink responsibly in a month.

I look forward to the opening, some time in early November.

[UnkleNeeko]

Will be down in SF around the 13th, will the doors to the Cove be open? Can't wait.. Any other bars I should taste out? Is Martin Cate working at any presently? Thanks!

[forrest]

i don't think the Cove will be open, but it is getting close... Check here: http://www.smugglerscovesf.com/

If you are in SF on Mon Martin in Mixing a few here: http://www.jardiniere.com/monday_menu.html

[martincate]

Should be popping up in a few more weeks!! Stay tuned.

[leisure master]

Should be popping up in a few more weeks!! Stay tuned.

are you open yet......?
are you open yet......?
are you open yet......?
are you open yet......?
are you open yet......?
are you open yet......?
are you open yet......?
are you open yet......?
are you open yet......?
are you open yet......?
are you open yet......?
party1.gif

[Edward Hamilton]

Martin's back.


http://www.ministryofrum.com/images/martinsback.jpg



I'm not sure what the rope has to do with a tiki bar, but this is San Francisco.

[martincate]

It be a nautical bar as well.

Ed, you may not know this, but rope is an important part of sail boats.

;)

[Dood]

So when should I start looking for a hotel room for a visit to the Bay? :)

[martincate]

Date to be announced very soon!

[forrest]

i want to go . . my car is half dead from my last trip... maybe i'll take a bus . . .

[Edward Hamilton]

It be a nautical bar as well.

Ed, you may not know this, but rope is an important part of sail boats.

;)

Actually, there are no ropes on a proper sailboat, there are only lines.

[malice]

It is set to open 12/8/09
http://www.7x7.com/blogs/buzzed/smugglers-cove-opening-date-revealed
http://sfist.com/2009/11/09/greatest_tiki_bar_on_earth_to_open.php

This place sounds like it is going to be amazing.

[martincate]

Actually, there are no ropes on a proper sailboat, there are only lines.

touchй hamilton!

[EssentialSpirits]

YAY! its getting close!!!! Martin... expect a visit when i get back from hawaii.. maybe sometime around the 17-18th of dec.

[Michael]

My apologies for the delay in posting but, my fellow rum aficionados please note that Smuggler's Cove (opening today at 5 PM), as experienced last Friday during the second preview session, is a very fine bar and an essential haven for lovers of the noble spirit.

The wonderful decor by Notch, the excellent, skillful bartenders, the comprehensive drink menu (divided by historical period/locale of origin), the fantastic range of available rums, the warm ambiance and convivial patrons all promise that this will become one of the great bars and our favored watering hole hereabouts.

Kudos to Martin, et al. cheers.gif

[leisure master]

The wonderful decor by Notch, the excellent, skillful bartenders, the comprehensive drink menu (divided by historical period/locale of origin), the fantastic range of available rums, the warm ambiance and convivial patrons all promise that this will become one of the great bars and our favored watering hole hereabouts.

Kudos to Martin, et al. cheers.gif

So you're sayin' it's OK, right...? JTR.gif

Can't wait to get there...

[thrall]

Ill be right there!......lol

[Michael]

So you're sayin' it's OK, right...? JTR.gif

Can't wait to get there...

Did my post seem a bit over the top? :D

Yeh, it is definitely OK. glass.gif

[Rum Runner]

Here is a nice blog write up on opening night from SF Weekly (http://blogs.sfweekly.com/foodie/2009/12/yo-ho-ho_and_a_13_cocktail_ope.php) .

[thrall]

Alright...that was fun!...Who would have thought..i now have a rum "punch" card....LOL

ok ok ok.....i have to say it......they need a drink called a Hannibal!...sorta goes with the "deaths head moth..silence of the lamb's" logo thing they got going on the house rum.....eek.gif....lol

The journey begins....Quote of the day....

"Do you smell the banana overtones?"

"Um...no. But i do smell.....eek.gif...hamster shavings....

[distilledspiritualist]

All I can say is "WOW", and "WOW" again!!!

I went a few weeks ago and started working on my "Rumbustion Society" membership, complete with punch card and all. Can't wait to go back, now the holidays are finally over, and work up to the next level, and then the next......

What a blessing it is to only live 2 or so miles from Smuggler's Cove!

-Nancy

[kgboeh]

I had the pleasure of visiting the Cove for the first time the other night, and all I can say is wow. The drink list and rum selection are both mind-boggling, and it took me about 30 minutes just to decide what to get.

I can understand people having issues with the lengthy wait to get a drink, but boy is it worth it if you like a good cocktail. Thank you, Martin, for bringing this place to life!

[thrall]

My second visit was Sunday night about 15 minutes after opening....and yes the wait was very long......it took about 30 mins to just get our order in....but their still new and learning......and hopefully things will run more smoothly soon....yay.gif

I see several problems here....they don't have a cocktail waitress taking orders and the people who are not sitting at the bar proper are all bunched up and standing around the backs of the people at the bar.... however the biggest problem in my opinion is that the drink "recipe" is listed on the computer screen....(and some of these drinks have long recipes)....that is behind the backs of the bartenders....making them turn and look at the recipe over and over again.....my suggestion would be a small print out that the bartender could put in a standard ticket rail in front along the bar....

Your doing a great job Martin....

[distilledspiritualist]

Well, I got there just as they opened for the evening and was able to saddle right up to the bar on the main level, no problem. I'm just getting over a 2 week bout of the flu, but now that my taste is back, I'm headed right back over to the Cove ASAP!

[thrall]

Well, I got there just as they opened for the evening and was able to saddle right up to the bar on the main level, no problem. I'm just getting over a 2 week bout of the flu, but now that my taste is back, I'm headed right back over to the Cove ASAP!


You were there on sunday too?? I sorta felt sorry for the poor guy at the door!. i actually like the downstairs...its a bit more....funky i guess..We got seats but it was a long wait....just getting to the point of giving them our order. And, Im just dying to know how many people are going to end up in the water....lol

[leisure master]

To all you people who live close to Smuggler's Cove:

...speaking for everyone on the East Coast....we hate you all....laughing.gif

aw, just kidding...but jealous!

...enjoy the Cove and keep it alive until I can get out there!

[thrall]

To all you people who live close to Smuggler's Cove:

...speaking for everyone on the East Coast....we hate you all....laughing.gif

aw, just kidding...but jealous!

...enjoy the Cove and keep it alive until I can get out there!



http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Surprise/surprised-024.gifhttp://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Surprise/surprised-024.gifhttp://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Surprise/surprised-024.gif....i knew it!....lol....you all hate us!!...lmao

LOL...well shoot...i have some 190 more rums on my punch card to go...so ya know im going back...

really they have a great place....and Martin is doing a great job....though hes gonna need a bigger venue soon!

[distilledspiritualist]

Ahem...ahem.....speaking of The Cove, I'm headed there late this afternoon with some distilling colleagues. I haven't added any rums to my punch card in a while because I keep getting colds this winter and haven't gotten out a lot, so I need to get crackin' on it.

Sorry Thrall, I hadn't seen that you had responded to an earlier post about whether or not I was at the Cove on that Sunday you were there. In fact, I was not there that day. However, let me know when you're going to the Cove next time, ok?

I think the trick is getting there at 5 pm sharp, that way you don't have the huge crowd to deal with.

Leisure Master, come out here sometime to our beautiful City and join us for a few rounds at The Cove!

[Edward Hamilton]

I'm looking to get back out there in mid-March and expect to have at least one drink at the Cove, if I can get in.

[distilledspiritualist]

Ed,

Weekdays at 5 pm sharp seem to be the best bet for getting in at the Cove, if that is at all possible. And let those of us in SF know when you get here!

-Nancy

[Aloisius]

Ed,

Weekdays at 5 pm sharp seem to be the best bet for getting in at the Cove, if that is at all possible. And let those of us in SF know when you get here!

-Nancy

When I was in last night, the owner Martin said that Tuesdays were their slowest day, so it will probably be my semi-regular Tuesday night spot.

[distilledspiritualist]

Aloisius,

Many thanks for the "Tuesday" tip! If I can manage, I think I'll go there tomorrow (Tuesday). I'm really in need of a rum fix. Maybe I'll see you there sometime?

-Nancy

[joshua]

This is hands down my favorite bar in SF. I had the privilege of getting some early tickets thanks for my pops (MoR:Michael) and we got to try out the drinks while they were still building the menu. Their Mai Tai is awesome, their Zombie is deliciously intoxicating, and they have a very extensive cocktail list which includes drinks with names like: Mundo Perdido (Lost World) and Smuggler's Rum Barrel (Which is actually served in a Rum Barrel).

I wish Martin continued success with his bar, it's really quite amazing.

By the way: Beachbum Barry will be visiting the Cove on the 24th and the 25th of April :D.

Cheers,
Joshua

[jmkeary]

Had a chance to swing by this place on thursday night. It is a great place. the bartenders can actually mix drinks beyond the standard trendy bar fair. This is definitely a great place to go if you are ever in san francisco

[rumdealer]

Hello,

I'm going to be down in the SF area Tuesday, July 27 - Friday, July 30. Would love to meet up with some MOR members for some good rum and a nice chat.