Really nice cocktail bar! Came just for drinks around 5:30pm on a Thursday and there was plenty of space. Menu is via QR code. We got the Reality Check (bright mezcal and absinthe drink with a yummy matcha dust on top) and Akira (whiskey forward and really good) to start follows by the Secret Handshake (my favorite - like a boozy milk tea) and Okinawa (so delicious, kind of like a smoothie). Every drink was perfectly balanced and beautifully served. Wasn't too expensive for SF either! Food seems like mostly snacks and only a few veggie options but will definitely be back and might try some bites next time :) read more

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Perfect spot to grab drinks and a bite as you wait to be seated at Saru Handroll Bar. Interior makes you think of a hifi listening bar. I'd stay away from the egg sandwich--the soda bread (?) doesn't really work with the egg, and would much prefer a milk bread. The chicken karaage was solid. I enjoyed my basic highball. I think some picky people are going to rate this a 3 or 4 stars, but in my mind this spot does many things pretty well and you won't regret coming here. That's a 5 star in my book. read more

Bar Iris - Chicken karaage. - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This place just won the spot of my favorite cocktail bar in San Francisco. I tried a lot from their list and there was not one cocktail that disappointed me. I'm surprised this place hasn't been more spoken about. The handshake drink was incredible: spicy, herbal and hot - delicious. The cucumber mezcal and the pop citric one also from another world. I wanna come back and try EVERYTHING on their menu. It's fun, fancy and incredible ambiance. Service was also on point! read more

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Amazing bar vibe with unexpectedly great service. My drink was delish, I'll be back! It was super busy but we were lucky to get an outdoor booth, which encouraged more drinks read more

Bar Iris - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Probably my favorite bar on Polk St! I love the ambiance of everything. I love the blue lights going around and I think this bar is just really pretty and classy as well. They also have more seating in the back when it is really packed. This bar is centered around Japanese whiskey and alcohol. I love trying out as much cocktails as I can with my friends. I'm definitely going to keep going back to finish trying them all. I had a great experience with the bartender! He rlly tried to help me decide what drink I wanted and cater it to what I like. read more

Bar Iris - Manhattan w/ Japanese whiskey and a side of cherries - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Walked in on a Wednesday around 8pm, the bar was pretty busy but the host/server was able to find a table for our group of 3 without a wait. Food: Waygu tartar - melt in your mouth tartar that was lightly seasoned allowing you to taste the quality of the beef, served with lotus root chips which made this a fun snack to share Karaage - tender and juicy chicken thigh pieces that were fried crisp without being greasy, really well seasoned and served with a delicious spicy mayo, serving size was hearty, so definitely worth ordering Drinks: Linda linda - complex and nuanced, slightly floral, delicately sweetened, notes of fruitiness, the body of the cocktail makes this drink special Reality Check - a hint of smoke with refreshing cucumber, earthiness from matcha and creaminess from the egg white, nice lime notes to finish, so well balanced especially for a mezcal cocktail Middlechild - fun and unexpected, the snap pea is surprisingly the star but in a good way, refreshing, bright and bubbly, also really well balanced and delicious Service overall was pretty good, a little hard to get our server attention at times but given the busyness totally understandable. Overall truly a special bar worth going out of your way to visit. Every drink we had was so well thought out and crafted. Each was perfectly balanced and truly delightful to enjoy. Food was equally amazing. The attention to detail that the bar puts into the service ware and esthetics makes this spot extra special. read more

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A unique, swanky, intimate bar perfect for a date night. The drinks were strong, the mocktail I got was sweet, and everything was beautifully presented. The back opens up when the front seating area gets crowded, so we were able to sit in a cool, dark room that felt like the set of the movie "The Menu". There was gorgeous decor on the wall, including a kimono apparently owned by the founder. The food served here looked absolutely delicious, as the bar shares a kitchen with the Japanese restaurant next door. We were headed to dinner afterwards, so we didn't get any food, but if that had not been the case, we definitely would have tried the food too. read more

Bar Iris - Earl gray, apple mocktail - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Get here early if you're coming after work because it gets packed, but for good reason. If you're fine bumping knees with the table next to you but you have a delicious craft cocktail and some Japanese tapas in hand, Bar Iris is the place to come at 5pm. It's a chill place with good vibes, and the ideal way to start your night. During our last visit, I tried the Okinawa, which was fruity, sweet, savory, and felt like something I should ask for to-go so I can bring it with me on a flight to Hawaii. The li hing mui powder in this drink reminds me of sunny days with a bowl of shave ice. We also got the Tamaki Flight to go with our drinks- their fish quality is pretty great and I especially enjoyed the tuna and scallop. If a place can make regular tuna fun to eat and taste good, I think that's a great sign for their menu. If you're a messy eater like me, though, be careful because you will waste those ikura on them. I think the only part about this experience that warrants cause for concern is the amount of staff they having working, especially after 5pm on a Friday. There are so many people that come here at that time, and there was not enough staff when we went. Service was slow and they were stressed out, but I think this is literally a situation where throwing more people at the problem would help. We'll be back, and I hope they have a smoother service in the future. read more

Bar Iris - Okinawa & Pop Quiz - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Woah! This place has some seriously delicious and complex cocktails. We ordered three different drinks which were all totally unique with many layers of flavor. I opted for the tropical Okinawa cocktail, which I was pleased was not overly sweet while capturing the creamy essence of the iconic potato. The space isn't huge, and seems to get busy, but they squeezed us in on a Saturday night with no wait time! And yeah the drinks here are on the expensive side, but you get what you paid for given the high quality. read more

Bar Iris - Level Up! (left), Okinawa (center), Hidden Trail (right) - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Lovely spot for drinks and food. I can see it being a great date spot - there's interesting + delicious food and drinks, plus comfortable seating designed for you to sit and linger for a while. For drinks, they have an extensive nonalcoholic section which makes it a great spot to hang even if you're not looking to get drunk. Since we were here on a Sunday evening, I got the NA version of the Faithful Fool - the Kyoto. It was delicious - I imagine the alcoholic version would have been really good as well. Food wise we tried the karaage, somen salad, and tsukune. They were all delicious - the somen salad was nice and refreshing and I really liked the egg yolk paired with the tsukune. The karaage was probably the least impressive item (I didn't think the batter was particularly standout and didn't love the chili aioli sauce) but it's a relatively generous potion, so good for filling up after the other two smaller dishes. Would love to come back and try more of the menu. read more

We walked in as a party of 2 on Saturday afternoon and were seated in a few minutes. The ambience was fantastic, clean and polished dimly lit interior with real flower centerpieces. The music was also surprisingly modern and of good taste! Calm popular RnB/chill rap instrumental mixes We had 4 cocktails that we were able to order after checking the menu through a QR code. Service was a little slow, but they were also pretty busy. The staff was kind but not very talkative (again a very busy time for the bar so totally understandable). We had the pumpkaboo, the haiku, winter trail, and empty orchestra. The empty orchestra was my favorite, almost like a pisco sour with bitters. The pumpkaboo had a great presentation with burnt marshmallows to stir into the hot drink. We also ordered a plate of chicken karage that came with spicy mayo that was DELICIOUS!!! Not too much breading, super moist chicken and a good dipping sauce. Definitely a super high end cocktail experience that I really enjoyed! Will be coming back, I absolutely loved this place. read more

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I saw Filipino ingredients like pandan and calamansi and ask bartender what is inspiration...he ignored me. Everything good other than main bartender being a ******. 7/23/23. read more

Bar Iris - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I came on a Saturday night after dinner at around 9pm. There was one group ahead of us and we waited about 10-15 minutes. We got seated in the back area which was more quiet and intimate. I think that's where the host private events. I enjoyed the unique twist on Asian flavors represented in all the drinks. We tried the Level Up! and the Okinawa (non-alcoholic). I would reorder the Level Up! again because I enjoyed the strawberry puree was so yummy and refreshing. We also got the Cotton Candy which was served with li hing mui plum powder! Very interesting and addicting. I liked the sour and sweet flavor. Overall, this is a great spot for a date night or night out with friends. Our waiter was friendly and gave really thoughtful recommendations. read more

Bar Iris - LEVEL UP! (Strawberry juice, pandan, awayuki gin, rose vermouth, lemon juice, egg white, shichimi powder & OKINAWA (Non-alcoholic) - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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3.5 STARS Without sounding like a lush that romances the bottle on the regular...I love my cocktails. I especially love a good craft cocktail made with small-batch, quality vodka or gin. Cuz, Absolut or Skyy doesn't cut it when you're older...unless you want a terrible hangover. Japanese vodka and gin are hard to come by so I knew I had to visit Bar Iris, sister cocktail bar to their fine dining Japanese-Californian restaurant, Nisei. RIP La Folie. Indoor seating and outdoor seating. They have a nice parklet set-up. No heat lamps so bring a warm coat. Walk-ins only but you can reserve a space if you're planning a small get together. Arrived a little before 5 pm and had the entire parklet to ourselves. Dog-friendly: https://bit.ly/3oPV1DE! There's filtered water for dogs. Staff wore masks properly. O R D E R I N G P R O C E S S Order via QR code and keep your tab open to add on additional items. M E N U * Small Cocktail Menu: Six signature cocktails ($16 each) There's also a spirit list and you can customize your cocktail with various juices/tonics and garnishes. * Food menu (prepared at Nisei next door): Uni bites, Raw Oysters, Karaage & Black Curry, Smoked Eel & Chips, and Tsukemono (pickles) There are only bar bites but there's plenty of food options within walking distance that you can hit up afterwards. D R I N K S * Middlechild: Japanese gin, verjus blanc, snap peas, tonic ($16): https://bit.ly/3xdU3ol While beautifully crafted and photogenic, I wasn't a fan of this fancy take on G&T. For a signature cocktail, I agree with others that it was underwhelming and didn't taste balanced (a tad too sweet). Also, I was hoping for more carbonation from the tonic. * Vesper, Ki No Bi Gin ($21 x2): https://bit.ly/3HHz0PZ Super smooth and clean with subtle taste of yuzu. Even though it's strong, it's easy to drink and doesn't have that harshness that other gins have. Worth the tiny splurge. * Vesper, Japanese sake After enjoying the Ki No Bi, I asked our server if they can make another vesper using something else they recommend. The bartender made one with sake and it was hard to drink with a strong, unpleasant taste...like locking lips with a christmas tree. I was hoping it would grow on me but after several sips, I apologized to our server and asked for another vesper made with Ki No Bi. F O O D * Santa Barbara Uni w/ sushi rice, crispy nori, uni bottarga ($8 x4): https://bit.ly/3cARWl0 Fav bite of the night. Like uni nigiri but with a crispy sheet of nori for texture. The uni was fresh with a sweet brininess. Had to order 2 more for myself! * Raw oysters w/ sake foam, gooseberry (1/2 dozen-$24 x2): https://bit.ly/30S9CGC Fresh, nicely shucked oysters. The sake foam and gooseberry added a frothy sweet tartness without masking the fresh oysters. * Chicken Karaage w/ Japanese black curry ($16): https://bit.ly/3xirUwv Never had black curry before so I had to order this. The black curry was very mild with a molasses-like texture. Not robustly spiced as your traditional brown Japanese curry. The karaage (white meat) was bland and very dry. Steep pricing for what it was. We told the food runner we wanted to add the Eel & Chips since the QR code didn't allow me to add it. I think someone forgot because it never came. S E R V I C E Polished yet approachable and very kind. Since it was early, drink and food service was prompt. A M B I A N C E Elegant, dark, and cozy...it's like a bougie living room with an illuminated modern bar. A great place to impress a hot date but come early to grab some seats. They obviously invested a lot of $$$$ in the parklet. It's sturdy, covered, spacious, and adorned with string lights and succulent planter walls. There's divider walls between each table so it feels like your own VIP cubby area. I believe there were 6 tables. While I love how roomy it was, the bench was so far from the table. I sat at the edge of the bench and still had to reach over to the table so not the most comfortable for your back. Coat/purse hooks available right outside each cubby but it's the city so you have to be on guard. I read that there were heated seats in lieu of heat lamps so I kept looking for the button. Maybe it was self-heating? I couldn't tell though. P A R K I N G Very difficult street parking. Give yourself at least 20 minutes if you're meeting up with others. The nearest lot (limited space) is 2 blocks away at Walgreens on Polk/Broadway. It's $36 for two hours if you book ahead via SpotHero. Overall, I like Bar Iris' concept and the upscale yet relaxed vibe but have mixed feelings about drinks and food. They're still very new so it's probably just opening kinks. If you're in the area and looking to try Japanese spirits, give Bar Iris a try! read more

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Food (4/5) & Drinks (5/5) We ordered the Kara-age and Wagyu Tartare to share. For drinks, I ordered the Urban Jungle and my friends ordered Left On Read (seasonal) and Faithful Fool. The Kara-age was good and the portion size was huge. We could have been ok with only ordering this. It was my first time trying Wagyu Tartare and I was not a fan. My other friend loved it however so YMMV. All of the drinks were excellent. My Urban Jungle was floral and peachy delicious. The Left On Read (seasonal) consisted of Sakura, Bai Mudan Tea, Yamahai Sake, Imo Shochu, Sakura Bianco Vermouth, and Ume. This was an unexpected favorite - it was light, floral, smooth and refreshing. The Faithful Fool is great if you want a sweet apple drink. Price (4/5) All drinks are $16, slightly on the pricier side but very very good. The Kara-age was $17 and honestly a very good deal for the amount you get. The Wagyu Tartare was $17 and a good deal. Wait Time (5/5) Our drinks and food came quickly, no concerns. We came around 8pm on a Saturday and waited several minutes before being seated in the back lounge. The front lounge area was full. Ambience (5/5) The inside was navy and gold themed. While the front lounge was like any other bar, the back lounge was entirely different. It felt like an intimate library atmosphere with a tall bookshelf of wine bottles and a kimono hanging. Interestingly the bathroom (only one, single) was like a club bathroom - it was dark green inside and very different from the bar. Service (5/5) The staff were friendly and attentive. Parking/Access (5/5) We took rideshare here. Unsure about parking details. I would definitely return for their drinks and try their other bites. It's a great place for a date or good conversations. read more

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Three and a half stars. This was a last minute decision but I wanted to see what it's all about. When we got there there was a line of 4 people in front of us. They were quickly seated then we were seated outside because we wanted fewer crowds around us. The inside was completely packed and happening but we opted to outside seating which was perfect. The host greeted us nicely and had a welcoming charm. He explained the situation of the bar being full but that our options would be a short wait or being seated outside too. We had to take a picture of their menu and then we ordered online through an app. Our drinks were swiftly brought out and came with cute glasses and cute drink "accessories". We ordered the Linda Linda, a Moscow mule, and a non alcoholic drink. The Linda Linda was good and delicate, just make sure to ask for a straw to move that liquid around otherwise the alcohol just sticks to the bottom and as you drink it that will just get stronger. The Moscow mule was a disappointment. The flavors were off and it just didn't taste like a Moscow mule. It's a cute joint but for that price I would assume the drinks be to perfection. I get that the bar was busy but that doesn't excuse the drinks being not on point. The atmosphere is decent but then again I can only speak from seeing it from the outside. read more

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almost angel's share level drinks, only boring one was "dont touch my mustache". wagyu tartare was super flavorful and uni temaki was pleasantly hefty. i thought the karaage was just ok. we walked in as a party of 3 Friday 5:30pm with no wait but it was crowded within an hour so come early! read more

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10/10 would come to Bar Iris over and over and over and over again. From the cocktails to the ambiance to the fried chicken (only food we've ever ordered lol), everything is PERFECTION. And we haven't even been inside because the wait is always so long. Hack = if you don't mind sitting outside like us, there's usually seats open with heat lamps available. One day...I'll go inside. read more

Came here after a meal at a nearby restaurant to get some fancy drinks and were not disappointed! The drinks here all seem very creative and the two that we got, were very delicious and smooth. Some of their drinks had oat milk and actual milk in it, which was an interesting concept, especially paired with Japanese flavors like yuzu, shochu, and Japanese style whiskey. We also ordered the uni and wagyu tartare as something to snack on and these were also very good! The aesthetic of the place is very unique - everything is painted black and the lighting is just enough to see your drink and the person you're talking to clearly. This place is definitely on the "fancier" side of bars (their prices also reflect that), but highly recommended if you're looking for a place to drink and chat with someone! read more

Bar Iris - Okinawa and Faithful Fool - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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yummy drinks and the food smelled so good! we missed the cutoff to order tho. the only drink we didn't love was an off-the-menu espresso martini. all the drinks we tried from the menu were delicious. read more

Bar Iris - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Wow. Bar Iris has excellent ambiance and the cocktails are phenomenal. I was hesitant to go with a friend because I was choosing to abstain from alcohol, but many (may 70-80%) of their cocktails were available sans alcohol. I got the nonalcoholic Empty Orchestra and was blown away by how complex it was and delighted it wasn't too sweet like some nonalcoholic cocktails can be. I was also shocked by how clear their ice was. The clarity was remarkable. I wish I had a photo of my cocktail as it looked as good as it tasted. The decor is navy and moody and perfect for any kind of rendezvous. I can't wait to go back and try more cocktails. read more

If you like Japanese whiskey, you'll enjoy Bar Iris. They're known for making cocktails with Japanese spirits. The inside is very cozy, however the night I came, the inside was already packed and it just seemed much safer to take a seat in their nicely built parklet. Albeit, there's no heat lamps yet, just make sure to wear layers when stopping here. Their selection of cocktails all look really good from the description. I got the Okinawa because I was intrigued by the oatmilk that was used haha. The drink was good, it did look a little disappointing as the glass was packed with crushed ice. However, the drink did not disappoint and it was kind of strong as well. I really enjoyed the atmosphere, the parklet was nicer than your usual parklet around SF, I can't wait until they get their heatlamps. read more

Bar Iris - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

I stumbled upon this place as a party of 2 after dinner in the area around 8pm on a Saturday in July of 2022. We were seated immediately at a table inside, and ordered the Faithful Fool (which was a strawberry theme at the time) and the Okinawa, as well as some red bean mochi. The waitstaff was super helpful and patient in recommending our drinks, and the wait was not too bad. I absolutely loved both drinks, and the mochi was very fresh and very delicious. The Okinawa was beautiful and delicious (Kiyomi rum, Santa Theresa rum, Okinawa rum, Calamansi, oat milk, li hing mui) and was reminiscent of a pina colada with all the rum and creaminess of the oat milk - except the li hing mui (Chinese plum powder) made the drink sweet and tangy like a plum as well. Smooth and enjoyable! The Faithful Fool (I could be mistaken, but it was definitely a seasonal summer drink) was like a pink drink at Starbucks but with much more creaminess! This was my favorite. The bar started filling up around 8:30-9pm, but the ambiance in this bar is wonderful - dark and mysterious, expensive and modern. If you have money to spare, I'd stop by with a group of friends to enjoy a round of very high quality Japanese cocktails. This is definitely not a place to get wasted if that's what you're looking for - more of a nice romantic date spot or high-end casual friends hangout. read more

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Cozy, modern, sophisticated, chic lounge. Our server was very friendly and attentive. We accidentally spilled our drink and he quickly came and cleaned it up for us. He also checked in with us several times even though they were quite busy. All the drinks were crafted beautifully and were aesthetically pleasing. My favorite drink of the night was the Faithful Fool. It tasted just like the description, sweet and sour green apple. Parking was a little difficult to find which is common in this area. read more

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THE TOP FAV bar in SF!! it's so small, this is the only "weakness" lol but all the snack, and Japanese style cocktails are amazing !! The service is really sweet too, but you should wait a really long time during the busy hours to get in. read more

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Stumbled upon this spot while walking down polk st. It's dimly lit and it's giving lounge vibes. It felt like it was a first date spot. I came in on a Thursday around 6:30pm and we got seated right away. The service is great. There is a barcode for the menu but you order with a server. I wanted to try everything but I stopped at 3 cocktails. They have small bites and everything we got was delicious. I want to come back again and try the other cocktails and their cotton candy. read more

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Loved this place! I went out for a dinner on Polk Street, and I've had this place in my bookmarks for a while so I wanted to check it out. As soon as you walk in, you get the option of sitting at the bar or at a seated table for food. It was a Thursday night around 8pm, and the place was already packed so I knew it must be a crowd pleaser. DRINKS Okinawa- 4/5 This drink had yam, calamansi, rum, oatmilk and li hing mui! Very unique twist on asian flavors, and I was surprised they used oatmilk instead of coconut or traditional milk (very SF haha). It was fruity, creamy, and an enjoyable drink overall. Reminds me of a strawberry smoothie. Level Up!- 5/5 I loved this one! This has strawberry juice, pandan, and gin. The foam at the top was wonderful, and I could taste the real strawberry purée throughout. If I were to go again, definitely reordering this one! I also tried some of the Linda Linda (which I loved and tasted like yakault) and the Urban Jungle (it was good but kinda basic imo). This is a great place for date night or night out with friends. The waiters were super friendly and vibes were 10/10. read more

Bar Iris - Urban Jungle and Level Up! - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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New cocktail bar on Polk Sat outside initially and would have given it 2 stars if we hadn't moved inside. The outdoor booths, while aesthetically cute, aren't set up for function or comfort. Each bench is over a foot away from the table so you have to awkwardly lean around. We came on a Friday evening and we're given a QR code to mobile order at the table from our phone. Very weird and uninviting. We wanted to try their signature cocktails, but there really isn't a wait staff outside to discuss the ingredients or flavors so we winged it and a server brought out our drinks a few minutes later. I felt like I was mobile ordering starbucks, not out on a date... Ended up moving inside and loving the atmosphere and vibe. The owner made their own playlist and my date and I were shazaming every other song. I ordered the Linda Linda and Pop Quiz, both were amazing. First time trying a Goose Berry, that garnished the drink. We ordered the Kara-age chicken, and while it seemed like it was just air fried, the black curry was fabulous. Squid ink makes it black, but isn't overpowering at all. Will be back to sit at the bar! read more

Bar Iris - kara-age chicken and black curry pop quiz - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

The drink was okay they only provided what's on their menu and the bartender has an attitude. The food is...if you gonna order the kaisen don please please ask them is it going to be the same as the picture of the menu.... Is 90% of rice and 10 % of fish.... I dun think I will comeback read more

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Mike at a bar? Sounds like a contradiction. Yeah, definitely not something that happens often. When I heard one of my favorite pop-ups was here on a September Tuesday, I looked forward to coming here for two reasons. Besides having the food, I wanted to walk down memory lane in visiting this, being likely the last SF bar that I tried, for the 1st time since February 2020. Meeting some neighborhood friends, I saw them at a the window couch already armed with drinks. The waitress instructed me to scan the QR code to pull up the menus, both drinks and food. After speaking with my friends, I ordered the Gin + watermelon (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=EfTIXWp79QD-OUTLofTGyw&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q), a delicious mix of Bombay dry gin, campari, fresh watermelon, grapefruit tonic, and togarashi. Boy, I could drink two or three of these...or more. What a refreshing summer drink! The other thing that struck me was the music, a nostalgic mix of '80's and '90's music that brought me back to Pierce Street Annex and DV8... I know, where?! I can see myself entertaining visiting friends here or stopping before trying the destination restaurant next door. When I arrived shortly after 4 pm, there were only a few single customers at scattered tables and at the bar. By the time we left, there were parties of two filling the other tables. Thanks to the young gal who tended our needs and requests. Having to do the usual Asian tradition of fighting for the bill, I was the victor and never saw the printed bill so apologies for not knowing her name. read more

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Swanky, elegant, intimate, & polished. Arrived at 7 p.m. on a Friday and waited around 10 minutes at the door before being seated. I ordered the Okinawa (comprised of rum, oat milk, and Okinawa yam), whose flavor was quite unique: slightly sweet + a hint of sourness (though I wish the drink were stronger). Definitely will be back! Want to try the food as well. read more

Bar Iris - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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The ambiance can be dark and intimate once the sun's set. Bar seating is quite bright even with the diffused lighting. The small space can be quite busy, but conversation is easy without raising your voice. Though, expect to hear the other party just as easily. The drinks were good, I got the Okinawa, which was ok, wished it had more yam in it. Linda Linda was very refreshing, and my favorite drink. The food is top notch. The tsukemono was a good starter, bright and acidic just to wake up the taste buds. The oyakodon is good, if not a little small for one person. It's a very simple, but done well. The wagashi was quite good, and my favorite bite. My highlights were the strawberry miso and the red bean, would totally have gotten just those two. The elderflower ramune was a little bland, and the permission bleu cheese was a bit overpowering. read more

The drinks here are very unique, and I love how descriptive the menu is. It was hard for me to decide on a drink. I ended up ordering the Middle Child. It was a good balance of alc and sweet with a little bit of fuzz. My friend got the drink with milk (I forgot the name) and it was kind of like warm milk tea with alcohol. Quite good. The atmosphere of the place was really nice. We sat outside and it wasn't cold on the night that we went. However, the music was rly loud coming out from the speakers above us. The staff members were very attentive and helpful. You can order and pay everything through the QR code. I like the website they use for ordering because you have the option to pay for your own drink or pay for whole table. read more

When I think of "what would a Michelin style cocktail bar " look like - this place embodies that sentiment perfectly!! The menu, ambiance and service all bring homage to a Michelin quality experience. The Japanese undertone is a huge plus and really brings a unique vibrancy and elegance. Great place for a quick pop in to try a refreshing cocktail from the bar while you chat w your crush- or work colleague (or both!) .. you can also get comfy "armchair" seats and order a few bites from their menu. If you're like me, you'll be tempted to try every cocktail on the list . They are like art, so enjoy slowly! Cheers read more

Bar Iris a few months ago WAS a must-go with popular Japanese cocktails and was great on the first visit, however after the 2024 New Year renovations, the only thing they changed was the lack of service and a narrow dim backroom. At $18 a cocktail and $17 for a poor excuse for "food", dry, super small, and with no flavor. This place took a nosedive. A before and after photo of a cocktail is all that needs to be said both in the presentation and taste. I don't recommend this place at all. read more

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Great spot for drinks and variety of seating options. Excellent service. Best cocktails. The bites were yummy too. Will be back. read more

Bar Iris - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Good not great. Stopped in for cocktails. This could have been 4 stars versus 3 if it were not for the service and the high prices. We sat at the bar and the only cocktail waiter was noticeably sick. He had a stuffy nose and was coughing, which is what you want to see when they're making your cocktail with bare hands. We also asked what he recommended and we got a bit of a rude response with little help. I liked the dark ambience of Bar Iris and I also liked how the cocktail menu showed a diagram for each cocktail breaking down the flavor profile. I ordered the martini and it was good but not great. Cocktails are about $20 each. read more

We really enjoyed the ambiance and drinks at Bar Iris. Very elegant environment. Service was attentive and thoughtful. Also appreciate that they have so many zero proof drinks! I had the strawberry zero proof drink and it was delicious. The food was good but a bit too rich. The chicken karaage was one of the better chicken karaage dishes I've had in the city, but I felt comatose after a few bites because of how salty it was. I also wish there was a spicier sauce with the chicken karaage. The beef tartare was very very rich and the egg yolk they added on top just isn't necessary. The lotus chips were beautiful and delicious. If I go back I'd probably try the seafood. A beautiful spot. read more

An intimate, upscale, and unique bar experience! I came in on a Sunday night and it was understandably pretty empty. We were seated by the bar staff. The place has a dark, candlelit vibe with chill R&B music. They've really nailed the East-meets-West theme with their menu, definitely the most unique selection of drinks I've seen. I got the Faithful Fool and I loved it. Great for those who love tart drinks. Would definitely recommend a visit here! read more

A small cocktail bar on Polk. Very expensive appetizers and drinks. Shishito peppers were totally worth it, stuffed with a miso cream sooooo good. The aesthetics are there with great interiors and good music. Great spot for a fancier date night or night cap. The servers are so accommodating and lovely, the host is doing their best to manage small seating area. Wish the drink portions were larger on the specialty cocktails considering the price but overall we liked stopped at this place read more

Bar Iris - Shishito peppers - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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