Citysearch Editorial Review

By Benjamin McKay

 

This artsy Tenderloin lounge serves creative cocktails, sans the pretense.

The Scene
Bedecked with a black-and-white hexagonal-tiled floor, brushed-steel bar, purple velvet curtains and iron-legged bar stools, this postmodern melange oozes NYC style. Dimly lit and deceptively intimate, the watering hole doubles as an art space. The rotating exhibits and performances highlight top Bay Area talents (the proprietor is also a program director at Intersection for the Arts). At times, the unpredictable space feels tranquil and capacious; other times, it's jam-packed and buzzing.

The Draw
More lounge than cafe, this wine bar boasts an eclectic selection of nearly 20 wines by the glass. By exploiting a loophole in its beer-and-wine license, Royale serves soju--Korea's answer to Japanese sake, only stronger. One will find the Hito concoction has as much flavor and kick as any mojito in town.