Fans of spirited nightlife in San Francisco, mark your calendars for a fresh take on the cocktail scene - a new bar, Polkcha, is gearing up for its grand opening on February 9th. Situated at 1750 Polk Street, the same location that once housed Trade Routes, Polkcha promises to bring a piece of Asia's vibrant street market culture right to Polk Gulch. This latest spot is the brainchild of co-owners Ryan McCargar, Chen-Chen Huo, and Jay Ryoo, who previously delighted patrons with Trade Routes until its quiet closure last year, as reported by Eater San Francisco.
The bar is named after the Korean "pocha," meaning outdoor food and drink vendors, a common sight at night markets, fusioned with "Polk," the street it calls home, the owners took inspiration from their experiences in Asian street markets like Gwangjang in Seoul, Kuromon in Osaka, and Divisoria Market in Manila, which gave way to a drink menu that's divided into four categories: spirit-forward, sour, refreshing and sweet each aiming to encapsulate the essence of their namesake locales. From sake and soju to baijiu, the cocktail list includes an array of Asian spirits and ingredients ensuring an authentic flavor profile with every sip, and what's more all drinks are priced at $15 or less as highlighted by Eater San Francisco.
The newly minted establishment is set to operate Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 PM to 12 AM, with extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays from 4 PM to 2 AM and Sundays from 4 PM to 10 PM, as per details posted on their official website. Polkcha is not just a bar, but a tribute to the community and culture of Asian markets, conjuring an ambient experience that transitions from vibrant by day to spirited by night, thus claims their site.
After Trade Routes' departure, the trio decided to conduct a light renovation to transform the space for Polkcha's particular aesthetic, Ryan McCargar took the helm in creating an innovative cocktail list while ensuring the drinks remained accessible to a wider audience not just in taste but also in price, and they're gearing up to serve customers who seek quality without the hefty price tag, the experience is set to mirror the energy and craft found in night markets across Asia, where sights, sounds, and tastes collide to create an unforgettable atmosphere, according to the narrative shared on the Polkcha website.
