The Blue Room @ The Embassy

Even though my family has been in San Francisco since 1919, I will never be invited to one of these places. My family simply didn’t go to the right schools or worked for the right companies with the exception of one Harvard graduate. Never mind that there are policemen, medical professionals and mechanics in my family that make an honest middle class living. Ignorance of sybaritic rituals is the gravest sin at these places. Don’t be fooled, this is the same bullshit as the as the Nazis or the «Bohemian» Club with just different rules updated for 21^st century snobbery. Yes, the name, Bohemian, sounds so welcoming, but like the Blue Room and it’s ilk, it is not.

Definitely the best bar in San Francisco. The bartender takes cocktailing very seriously and travel the world collecting recipes, ingredients and menus. He’s also very, very cute. There is a little known second bartender, but he only pours scotch no matter what you ask for. Sometimes they have guest bartenders and those can be somewhat questionable. Always try to get the cute guy. This is also the birthplace of the famed Johnson Report, as in «Chauncey, send in the Johnson Report.»
Most nights they have snacks available and there is generally a theme. Don’t ask the cute bartender what it is, he generally doesn’t like them and would prefer to just drink and listen to music. The DJ is great, although they could use a better sound system. I’m constantly surprised and impressed by the selection no matter what the theme is. The crowd is generally attractive and well dressed, although once I showed up and they were all in their pajamas and refusing to drink anything but champagne.
It is a private club, but if you do get an invite, you will always be invited back as long as you (mis)behave appropriately. Unless you are That Guy, and if you are That Guy, you know who you are.