Cocktail bar
Unclaimed profileStarlite
San Francisco, CA · $$$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Starlite's beverage program is a love letter, with signature cocktails like Cable Car Redux and Pisco Punch, a Champagne list reaching Salon and Krug, and a draft beer lineup from local breweries. Zero-proof options are equally considered. The program balances creative flair with classic execution, though a 20% service charge is added to each check.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Cable Car Redux ($22), a Don Q 7 rum cocktail with blood orange and Chinese five spice. For something classic, the Pisco Punch ($18) is a local homage. The Rolls Royce Piña Colada ($50 for two) is a showpiece. Wine lovers should consider the Raventós i Blanc Brut.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts seeking creative, locally inspired drinks will find much to appreciate. Wine collectors will appreciate the deep Champagne list, while those avoiding alcohol will find a robust zero-proof menu. The happy hour, with $10 cocktails and $7 wines, appeals to a broader crowd.
- When should I go?
- Happy hour is a prime time for value, with discounted cocktails, wines, and oysters. Evenings offer the full menu, and the rooftop setting is suited for sunset views. Events like winemaker dinners and oyster masterclasses provide special occasions.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Standard cocktails range from $16 to $22, with reserve cocktails like the Sazerac at $42. Wines by the glass start at $14, with bottles from $56 up to $1,340 for rare Champagne. Draft beers are uniformly $8. A 20% service charge is added to each check.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The cocktail program, led by Scott Baird, is described as a love letter to with drinks like Cable Car Redux and Baghdad by the Bay. The wine list is notably deep in Champagne, including Krug and Salon. The Rolls Royce Piña Colada, served in a frozen pineapple with sparklers, is a signature indulgence.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
Creative signature cocktails with local flair, plus a solid classic list. Happy hour offers $10 cocktails.
Menu strengths
- — Signature cocktails like Cable Car Redux and Pisco Punch are inventive and well-priced.
- — Includes a zero-proof section and a $50 Rolls Royce Piña Colada for two.
Standout selections
- — Cable Car Redux - Don Q 7, blood orange, Chinese five spice, Karl The Fog foam ($22)
- — Pisco Punch - La Madrina pisco, pineapple, pink peppercorn gomme, Peychaud's ($18)
Pricing: Cocktails range from $16 to $22, with reserve cocktails at $30-$42.
Wine
Extensive wine list with a focus on Champagne and sparkling wines, including rare bottles from Krug and Salon. California wines are prominent.
Menu strengths
- — Deep Champagne selection with top producers like Krug and Salon.
- — Offers wines by the glass and bottle, with a wide price range.
- — Includes local California wines from Napa and Sonoma.
Standout selections
- — Krug Grand Cuvée NV - $635
- — Salon Blanc de Blancs 2007 - $1,340
- — Raventós i Blanc Brut Blanc de Blancs 2021 - $18 glass / $72 bottle
Pricing: Wines by the glass $14-$48; bottles from $56 to $1,340.
Beer
Rotating draft list emphasizing local Bay Area breweries, with a few imports. Priced uniformly at $8.
Menu strengths
- — Focus on local craft breweries like Fort Point and Almanac.
Standout selections
- — Karl Fog City Hazy IPA - SF Brewing, 6.7% ($8)
- — KSA Kolsch - Fort Point, 4.6% ($8)
Pricing: All draft beers $8; non-alcoholic beers $7.
Nonalcoholic
Dedicated zero-proof cocktail section with creative options, plus non-alcoholic beer and wine alternatives.
Menu strengths
- — Creative zero-proof cocktails like Upside Dawn and New Fashioned.
Standout selections
- — Upside Dawn - verjus, lemon, honey, chamomile, club soda ($16)
- — New Fashioned - Free Spirit NA Bourbon, 7 Spice Agave ($14)
Pricing: Zero-proof cocktails $14-$16; non-alcoholic beers $7.
Spirits
Spirits program features premium and rare selections, including reserve cocktails with Old Potrero Rye and Rémy Martin XO. Aperitifs and digestifs are well-represented.
Menu strengths
- — Reserve cocktails showcase premium spirits like Old Potrero Rye and Isle of Harris Gin.
- — Dedicated aperitif and digestif list includes Averna, Luxardo Fernet, and Gaja Grappa.
Standout selections
- — Sazerac - Old Potrero 6 Year Rye, Rémy Martin XO, Absinthe ($42)
- — French 75 - Isle of Harris Gin, Lemon, Telmont Champagne ($30)
Pricing: Aperitifs and digestifs $16-$36; reserve cocktails $30-$42.
How it sits with the food
The food menu, crafted by Chef Johnny Spero, complements the beverages. Oysters are featured during happy hour, pairing well with the sparkling wine selection. The cocktail program's local ingredients and history-inspired drinks suggest a cohesive culinary experience.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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