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Smuggler's Cove

San Francisco, CA
Bar
107
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650 Gough St.
San Francisco, CA
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Opened in 2009
Daily from 5pm
smugglerscovesf.com
(415) 869-1900
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Critiki ratings

Smuggler's Cove

9.5

Overall

by 222 people

1

10

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Detail
Everyone You
Decor 9.9
Drink Quality 10
Drink Selection 10
Mood 9.5
Music 9.1
Service 9.3
Tikiness 9.3
Tilt 9.5
Vibe 8.8

Upcoming Visits

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Regulars & Visitors

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Humuhumu’s description

Smuggler's Cove was opened in December 2009 by Martin Cate, a renowned rum expert and longtime tikiphile who was one of the founders of Forbidden Island
Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge
Alameda, CA
Bar
9.4
 in Alameda. Smuggler's Cove specializes in all varieties of rum and rum drinks, with a particular emphasis on historic and exotic cocktails. Cate has attracted some of the top bartender talent in the talent-rich city of San Francisco. Smuggler's Cove regularly appears on the lists of the best bars in the world. It has proven incredibly popular: if you go on a weekend, be prepared to possibly wait in a line for entry.
The decor is a blend of nautical and tiki. The dimly-lit bar spans three floors: the main and lower levels each have their own bars, and an upper half-level is a tiki hut that overlooks the main floor. There is a waterfall between the main floor and the lower floor, with a small pool at the bottom. The construction was led by Ignacio "Notch" Gonzalez, of San Jose's Top Notch Kustoms
Top Notch Kustoms
San Jose, CA
Store
10
.
The offerings can be overwhelming in scope: over 500 rums, and more than 75 cocktails. If you're intent on trying as many as possible, consider entering the Rumbustion Society; those who complete the list are rewarded for their efforts.
In September 2016, Martin Cate opened False Idol
False Idol
San Diego, CA
Bar
9.5
 in San Diego.

How to find it

1
street view
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The bar is low-profile from the outside, with no significant signage. The exterior is a simple flat wall of non-window glass. At night, look for port and starboard (red and green) lights on the building's front.

Parking

Parking is often available on neighboring streets, but the bar's location near San Francisco's opera, ballet, symphony and concert center means it can be tough to find a spot some evenings. Cabs are plentiful in the neighborhood, and the location is within walking distance of the Civic Center BART station.

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Articles in Critiki News

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Upcoming Visits
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6 followers
Hamo
visiting on
Sunday, August 6, 2017
for the first time
I'm planning on getting there at 5.
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Swanky
visiting on
Monday, August 7, 2017
Signing my book and enjoying the number one bar in America.
Reply 3 replies
BuzDeadwax
June 22, 2017, 12:04 PM
Will see you there!
Hope Chest
June 28, 2017, 11:45 AM
Me too!
Swanky
June 28, 2017, 11:50 AM
Working to serve some of Mariano Licudine's recipes that night as well.
Hope Chest
visiting on
Monday, August 7, 2017
Reply
Regulars & Visitors
  • The Jab
  • Tikitastic
  • Rugby Matt
  • JenTiki
  • Trott
  • martiki
  • Raro
  • monet2u
View all 403 Smuggler's Cove regulars & visitors
Comments
Robin
Robin has visited Smuggler's Cove.
June 27, 2017, 2:09 PM
Very nice to meet Martin Cate here! A cozy and very good tiki bar. And we had a wonderful dinner afterwards in Whitechapel ;)
tikiwithray
June 14, 2017, 4:39 PM
What is Smuggler's Cove like? Imagine a large cave where a ship’s captain has hidden his bounty and his rum or combine Tiki with The Goonies! Here's my full review...

http://www.tikiwithray.com/tiki-bar-review-34-smugglers-cove-san-francisco-ca/
KevinCrossman
KevinCrossman is a semi-regular at Smuggler's Cove.
February 17, 2017, 7:40 PM
Visited again last week and had a great time. We visited Pagan Idol earlier in the evening and the vibe and drinks were so much better at Smugglers Cove. My Mai Tai was so fragrant with mint and lime, and tasted great.
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