Paying homage to the Tenderloin's history as the city's arts and entertainment district, the eagerly awaited jazz club Black Cat officially debuted last night.
Located right across from the Tenderloin Museum at Eddy and Leavenworth, the two-story restaurant and lounge offers ample space for getting lost in the Tenderloin of yesteryear.
On the ground floor, Black Cat offers a cozy bar, surrounded by large windows and mesh curtains, exposed brick, plush velvet booths and gothic accents that give the space what the team describes as "grit-meets-glam." Painted on the brick wall leading to the downstairs lounge is the logo of the Barbary Coast's original Black Cat Cafe.
Downstairs, you'll find another bar surrounded by more plush seating (reservations required) and a stage, which performers will bring to life nightly at 9:30pm.
Bars on both floors offer a mix of old-timey and classic cocktails, as well as 90 bottles of artisanal wine and a collection of grower-produced champagnes.
With Chef Ryan Cantwell (Zuni, Chez Panisse) at the helm, the kitchen is focused on churning out "modern American supper club cuisine." That means variations on classics—like pot pie with oysters and smoked pork tongue, and swordfish, octopus and parmesan meatballs in arrabbiata sauce.
In line with its supper club aspirations, Black Cat's full dinner menu is served until 1am, with a limited list of bar snacks is available until 1:30am. Brunch will be offered in the future.
Black Cat is open daily from 4:30pm-2am; seating in the downstairs lounge begins at 5:30pm. For the full menu, details on nightly jazz performers and reservations, visit Black Cat's website.
