True Laurel

In San Francisco's vibrant Mission District, True Laurel + San Francisco elevates cocktail culture through radical sustainability and hyper-local terroir, where every sip tells the story of Northern California's diverse landscape. This isn't merely another San Francisco cocktail bar—it's a pioneering laboratory where foraged redwood tips and house-fermented field cider transform into liquid poetry.

Founded in 2017 by chef David Barzelay and bar director Nicolas Torres—the visionary duo behind two Michelin-starred Lazy Bear—True Laurel embodies their culinary philosophy through liquid artistry. Named after California's native bay laurel tree, the bar earned the prestigious Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award at North America's 50 Best Bars 2024, cementing its reputation as a leader in conscious hospitality. Their revolutionary approach extends beyond ingredients to encompass staff welfare, community engagement, and zero-waste operations.

The cocktail program reads like a love letter to Bay Area biodiversity. Signature creations include the crystalline "TL Gimlet," featuring house-made lime cordial and aromatic shiso that captures garden-fresh essence, and the contemplative "Single Thread," where Japanese whiskey meets umeshu and kelp tincture—a liquid homage to California's coastal terroir. The adventurous "Pine Tree Buck" unites gin with Douglas fir essence, ginger, and lime, conjuring Northern California forests in each sip. These luxury bars San Francisco experiences showcase Torres's science-forward methodology, utilizing pinecone distillate, California bay tincture, and ingredients developed in their off-site cocktail laboratory.

True Laurel's industrial art-chic interior, housed within a former industrial complex, seamlessly blends Nicholas Roberto's bas-relief plaster sculptures with steel shelving inspired by María Freire's geometric masterworks. The custom bartop features a cross-section of fallen laurel tree, while large skylights bathe the dual-bar space in natural light. The outdoor patio and intimate tasting bar accommodate both neighborhood regulars and cocktail pilgrims seeking the best cocktail bars in San Francisco experience.

Service embodies warm sophistication—knowledgeable staff discuss fermentation techniques and foraging locations without pretension, creating genuine connections over shared appreciation for craft. The team's deep involvement in ingredient sourcing, from urban foraging to small-batch fermentation, reflects their commitment to authentic terroir expression.

True Laurel reservations are recommended for this sought-after destination, though walk-ins find welcome at the bar. Special tasting bar takeovers offer private immersion into Torres's innovative methodology. For discerning travelers seeking authentic San Francisco luxury, True Laurel represents more than exceptional cocktails—it's a profound connection to place, sustainability, and the future of conscious hospitality.