Here's a special all-Lower Haight edition of SF Eats, with the skinny on three bar openings (and reopenings) in the neighborhood.
Openings
Lower Haight
Fort Point Lower Haight (701 Haight St.)
Fort Point Beer Company has officially debuted its new outpost in the Lower Haight, in the space formerly home to brewpub Black Sands (which it acquired in 2018).
The Lower Haight is the fourth location for Fort Point, which got its start as a production brewery in the Presidio. From there, it opened a Ferry Building kiosk and a taproom in Mill Valley. Last October, it debuted its biggest location yet, taking over the former Brasserie St. James space on Valencia Street.
In compliance with shelter-in-place guidelines, the new addition has about a dozen outdoor tables on the sidewalk. Only electronic payments are accepted right now — no cash.
The space has a full kitchen (and by law, guests must order food with their drinks), but a representative didn't respond to a request for comment on what's on the menu.
According to an employee, the Lower Haight location's hours of operation are Wednesday-Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.
Fort Point's Ferry Building taproom is also open with draft beer and hot dogs, which can be ordered via Caviar for delivery. The Valencia location remains closed for now.
Updated on 7/31, 12 p.m.:
Fort Point founder Justin Catalana confirmed that the Lower Haight location is offering a menu of hot dogs and beer.
As for operating restaurants under strict guidelines, he said he's aware of the difficulties but is excited to be open.
"We feeling like we are following the guidelines closely, and we kind of want to set a high bar and be like, ‘hey, this is how you can be a restaurant during these times.'”
Catalana and his team are slowly reopening its Bay Area locations but want to first focus on the Ferry Building and Lower Haight outposts. The Valencia St. taproom should reopen with the same safety guidelines and outdoor seating in the next few weeks. Stay tuned for updates.
Updates
Molotov's (582 Haight St.)
Down the street, dive bar Molotov’s has debuted a new parklet, complete with food from neighboring businesses.
Owned by Martin Kraenkel (Lucky 13) and Laura Callahan (Mission Bar), Molotov's has been open since April as a bottle shop, partnering with its neighbor Uva Enoteca to serve to-go cocktails and food out of its front window. Now, customers can stick around to enjoy their drinks out front.
In addition to offering seating, the new parklet has allowed Molotov's to expand its food options. Customers can order snacks from Uva, Memphis Minnie's and Berliner Berliner in order to meet the food requirement for imbibing outdoors.
The parklet is now open every Wednesday through Saturday, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Danny Coyle's (668 Haight St.)
A few doors down on Haight, Irish pub Danny Coyle’s also recently debuted outdoor seating.
Like Molotov's, Danny Coyle's had been serving to-go cocktails from a window, along with sandwiches, hot dogs, and burgers.
But with the addition of the parklet, it's shifted to a partnership with Ciba de Strada, a pop-up specializing in Italian street food. Food options include arancini, piadina (a flatbread sandwich with mortadella and cheese) or spicy "diavola" wings.
The neighborhood seems to be having fun in the new seating area, which comes complete with live jazz. Hours are Wednesday - Sunday, 2-8 p.m.
If you've seen something new (or closing) in the neighborhood, text your tips and photos to (415) 200-3233, or email [email protected]. If we use your info in a story, we'll give you credit.
