San Francisco’s Newest Bar is Here: Dark Bar
Get ready for a sensory adventure like no other. Dark Bar, the newest addition to the LINE Hotel’s vibrant collection of bars and restaurants, is taking center stage in San Francisco’s nightlife scene. This bar is designed to ignite your taste buds and transport you to a world of Asian-inspired delights. This bar is a manifestation of a powerful collaboration that marries the ingenious culinary prowess of Chef Joe Hou with the mixology mastery of the local legend Danny Louie.
Start marking your calendar for your next girl’s night out or date night, because a night out at Dark Bar is going to be an experience you’ll always remember. It’s not just an aesthetic bar; you’ll soon find out every single detail, drink, and meal is well thought out and has a deeper meaning to it.
Dark & Delicious: Dark Bar Brings Asian-Inspired Cocktails to San Francisco
Tell me, what’s better than taking that first sip of a cocktail and knowing it was everything you ever dreamed of? The sip that makes you widen your eyes, smile, and say “mmmm.” That’s what you’ll experience at Dark Bar, and then some.
Dark Bar is more than just a bar; it’s an immersive journey into the rich tapestry of Asian culture and history. The bar’s design is a captivating blend of modern sophistication and timeless elegance, with a striking black-on-black color scheme that sets the stage for an intimate and unforgettable evening. As you step inside, you’ll be greeted by a stunning art piece that serves as a focal point and conversation starter.
I mean, the LINE Hotel itself is a conversation starter. As someone who was born and raised in LA and spent her early twenties galavanting around Koreatown until the wee hours of the morning, The LINE Hotel has always been the center of my nights out. It was the go-to spot to meet up with your friends before heading out, the go-to hotel for anyone visiting LA, and the go-to spot for yummy brunch or dinner. The LINE Hotel in LA brought people together, and I loved that about it. I hope it’ll bring the same effect for San Francisco as the city evolves. I’ll be a part of that evolution for sure.
What Makes Dark Bar the Best Cocktail Bar in San Francisco
The true magic unfolds when you explore the bar’s menu. Dark Bar’s cocktail program is a celebration of Asian flavors and techniques, featuring unique concoctions crafted with exotic spirits, house-made infusions, and fresh, seasonal ingredients.
What I love about Dark Bar is that they’re redefining the art of drink crafting through a lens that appreciates both the preservation of the old and the infusion of the new, especially in its meticulous selection of Asian spirits and ingredients. The menu is going to be changing seasonally, but you’ll see the same ingredients from your favorite cocktail changing into diverse forms. For instance, if you love their Reincarnation cocktail, which includes plum kernel, you’ll get to enjoy it in the next season as a powder or a syrup in its next phase.
To elevate the bar experience, Dark Bar will also feature a custom highball cart, offering tableside-made highballs with selected Japanese and Taiwanese whiskeys and flavored carbonated water.
Some of my favorite cocktails include Levitation, Reincarnation, and Cloud Nine.
- CLOUD NINE. A cocktail that’s a testament to the art of mixology and a perfect representation of what happens when you daringly bridge East with West.At its heart is koji whisky, offering a notable umami backdrop that’s intriguing from the first sip. This is elevated by the tang of lacto-fermented apricots, creating a delightful contrast that’s both bold and refreshingly unique. Smoked tea weaves in a layer of complexity with its subtle smokiness, while amontillado sherry adds a nutty depth, seamlessly integrating with the cocktail’s profile. The inclusion of winter melon brings a mild sweetness that’s perfectly balanced by a splash of yuzu, rounding off each sip with a zesty finish.Crafted for the adventurous palate, the Cloud Nine is more than just a drink—it’s an experience, merging nuanced flavors into a sophisticated and memorable cocktail.
- REINCARNATION. A cocktail that captures the heart of Asian flavors and marries them with a tropical twist.Celebrating the richness of Asian rum, the drink starts strong with a rum base offering hints of caramel and spice. The inclusion of Nigori, a creamy, unfiltered form of sake, adds a delightful slightly sweet and mildly acidic note. Purple Shiso, an herb with an intriguing amalgam of flavors- think mint, basil, and anise – lends an exotic touch while fermented pineapple introduces a tangy element, sparking an alluring contrast. Plum kernel adds a unique undertone of marzipan-like flavor, enhancing the drink’s complexity. Then comes the captivating scent of jasmine, gracing your olfactory senses, followed by a whisper of coconut that infuses a tropical note. A dash of citrus, finally, adds that perfect zing, tying up the intricate layers of this cocktail into one masterful creation.Reincarnation is a taste safari, an inspired symphony of flavors that make each sip nothing short of sublime.
- LEVITATION. A cocktail that’s a bold dive into the lush landscapes of Southeast Asia.It kicks off with a Southeast Asian rum that sets a warm, velvety foundation with hints of tropical fruits and toffee. Then, pandan steps in, often described as the ‘vanilla of the East,’ it swathes the drink in sweet, aromatic notes that are comfortingly familiar yet distinctly exotic. Up next is green Szechuan which dances on your palate, tingling with its electric, herbaceous zest. It’s a sensation that preps your taste buds for what’s to come—the deep, jammy rush of Concord grape that adds a rich, fruity opulence. Ume balsamic vinegar is the cocktail’s wildcard, contributing a touch of tart sophistication and a depth that reverberates through the sweetness. An essential spritz of citrus brightens the concoction, ensuring a balance that resonates with clarity and intention.Every sip of Levitation is a journey itself—unexpected and vibrant, just like a lush rainforest after a tropical rainstorm.
Great Date Night Spot or Girl’s Night Out Spot in San Francisco
The culinary journey doesn’t end there. Dark Bar’s food menu, designed to complement the cocktails perfectly, offers a delectable selection of Asian-inspired small plates and bar bites. Think succulent dumplings, flavorful skewers, and mouthwatering bao buns – all prepared with the freshest ingredients and presented with artistry. I personally loved the Snap Peas (could eat this everyday forever), Salt & Pepper Cauliflower, Pho Beef Dip, and the Patty Melt.
Dark Bar at The LINE SF
Dark Bar is open from Thursdays to Saturdays from 7-12AM, inviting you to step into the shadows and indulge in a world of Asian-inspired cocktails, delectable bites, and unparalleled ambiance. So gather your friends, embrace the mystery, and let Dark Bar illuminate your next night out.
