Polk Street's nightlife just got a secretive twist with the grand reopening of the Blind Pig, a cocktail bar with a speakeasy vibe that's cleverly masquerading as a convenience store. On March 29, the bar first swung open its doors at its new address at 1113 Polk Street, a spot that once housed the private dining room of Sato Omakase, according to Eater San Francisco.
The Prohibition-style joint does not just rely on ambiance to draw the crowd; access is password-protected, adding to the allure. Patrons eager to sip on unique concoctions must stay tuned to the Blind Pig's Instagram, where the weekly password is revealed every Monday, as per an announcement on the bar's official website. This little detail is just one of the gimmicks that set the Blind Pig apart from the standard watering hole.
Cocktail enthusiasts can expect an inventive menu including the 'Pig Steals My Purple Corn,' a zesty mix of mezcal, prickly pear, and blackberry served in a ceramic pig, and 'Hong Dou,' a complex blend featuring Ron Zacapa rum and red bean among other ingredients. While the drinks run the show, a select offering of Chinese snacks like honey-roasted nuts and latiao — spicy strips — complement the experience, Eater SF reports.
Local mixologist mastermind Li, with a prestigious competition title under his belt, brings his expertise and love for Asian flavors to the Polk Street establishment. "A lot of bartenders don’t feel feel comfortable to play around with baijiu, but I have a different feeling," Li conveyed last year in an interview. He's betting on the traditional Chinese spirit to catch on in the cocktail scene just as mezcal has. His credentials are impressive; he has held positions at Cold Drinks Bar at China Live and Sushi Sato, and claimed 15th place in a national bartenders' competition, as Eater SF noted.
Blind Pig operates Wednesday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., and on the bustling weekends, Friday and Saturday, it extends its hours to 12:30 a.m., for those who fancy a late-night tipple. Sunday nights also see the speakeasy open until 11:30 p.m., ensuring that the start of the work week can still accommodate a touch of indulgence for San Francisco's night owls, revealed the bar's official announcement.
