First time at Gold Bar Distillery, we took the cocktail class and it was amazing! Johnny was the best teacher and we had so much fun! read more

Gold Bar Distillery - Distilleries Near Me - San Francisco, California

Richard was awesome! Had a blast at the whiskey cocktail class! He was very knowledgeable and helpful when making the cocktails. Highly recommend! read more

Gold Bar Distillery - The set up - Distilleries Near Me - San Francisco, California

Richard was amazing as a cocktail class instructor. Very knowledgeable and kind. So much fun and a great time for groups.

We decided to surprise my husband for his birthday with a class here. It was the 2 of us along with one daughter and the best friend. We took the ferry from SF and that started already making it feel like an event. It was a beautiful day and the ferry to and from the class was so fun. This building in Treasure Island has a storied history and is beautiful. The bar is a blast from the past with a beautiful deco interior and the amazing views of the bay & SF out the windows. As with other classes, the group of people were all milling around until we were given our places at the bar tables. Once the class got started (especially the drinking) people were much more talkative and involved. Will was our bartender/instructor and he did a fantastic job. He was highly informative & entertaining. I don't even like bourbon that much, but this class was so much fun that I still ended up drinking 2 of the 3 cocktails as they were delicious. We learned the history of the glassware & drinks, how bourbon/whiskey is made as well as how to make a good beverage with bourbon. It was incredibly informative as well as highly entertaining. I do recommend either eating something hearty prior to this class or getting the charcuterie plate to go along with your tasting as we did. This class is a great thing to do as a couple, with a group or even by yourself as you will know everyone at your table by the end. Good for locals and people on holiday. My husband had the best time so it was a winner as a birthday gift which isn't easy to do after so many years together. If you are considering this class, I suggest you just go ahead and do it! read more

Gold Bar Distillery - Distilleries Near Me - San Francisco, California

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My first experience here was through a Yelp Elite event, and I had a fantastic time and had been meaning to come back--especially for their cocktails. Unfortunately, my second visit was horrible and has deterred me from wanting to come again or recommending it to anybody. I brought a group of 15 girls to explore Treasure Island with me, and this was our second stop. Even though the actual center is so much larger, Gold Bar Distillery only takes up a tiny corner of it, and the corners are mostly filled with small cocktail classes. I cannot emphasize how much I felt unwelcome by some of the staff (2 of the staff were great), the server who took our order said "gross" when I said that everyone would be paying for their own cocktails separately. They could have also just had us order at the bar. One of the bartenders also suggested that we just get a giant jug so they wouldn't have to make us individual cocktails. I asked if they were especially busy, and then I looked around and there were no more than a handful of people sitting around. Most of them already had drinks. I had forgotten my ID, and asked if I could show a picture of my passport, to which I was received with several passive aggressive remarks from the server about how that's very illegal and that he could show me a picture of a cocktail. I tried to keep a lighthearted response, but the server badgered on. Despite all of these unsavory and frankly very rude and uncalled for remarks, I ordered a lobster crab corn dog for $19, and a mocktail for $12. The mocktail was OK. The corn dog was very soggy and the accompanying aïoli did nothing for me. I would definitely not recommend this place for parties of over 4 people, as the staff seem largely unwilling to accommodate. I think there were a a lot of attempts to create a very unique experience, and I felt that it would have been really special had another server taken our table instead. read more

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Came here for Father's Day with my family. Had such a great time. Johnny, our host and instructor, was high energy, fun, and did a great job leading us through the cocktail making class. We can for the gin class and will be back for the whiskey class!!! Thank you for a great time!!! read more

The wifey took me there for the birthday for the spirit making and it was excellent! Richard was the teacher of the class and he knows his stuff. We made three drinks over the course of the class a Whiskey Sour, Old Fashioned and a Paper Airplane. There was about 20 of us in class. Each person gets their own mixing supplies and the alcohol and spirits are shared among four people. The first drink we made after getting some lessons about the Gold Bar whiskeys and whisky in general was the Whisky Sour and this was the star of the show. It was the best whiskey sour I have ever had and the kicker was I made it myself. There were several of us in class who thought the same thing. Richard gave us plenty of useful information and keeps the class engaged and entertained through the entire 90 minute session. Gold Bar also provides light appetizers during the session to balance the alcohol and we also got a bite to eat after. We ordered the bacon grilled cheese which was really good, a bit pricey but good. The bar is on Treasure Island and is in the old World Fair Building. The bar is cool although we sat just outside of the bar in the open area. Overall I had a great time and would definitely recommend that you go and enjoy a class if you enjoy whiskey or are looking for something to do! read more

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As you probably know, dining options are quite sparse on Treasure Island. I decided to take the tiny ferry over to check out Panorama Park. The uphill climb must've worked up my appetite, and I still had an hour before the next ferry back. I remembered this atmospheric Art Deco spot but never tried it before. Like the name says, it's a distillery, so whiskey is their primary sell, and this is their tasting room. Interestingly, they also offer cocktail making classes as groups of people came in for lessons in the middle of the afternoon. Not that I'm judging...much. I think I was the only customer who was here for a late lunch. They actually had a nice selection of "Snacks & Bites"... poke bowl, Buddha bowl, grilled cheese, soup dumplings, a pricey picnic platter, even a millionaire corn dog with lobster and crab. I ordered the generically named $18 Seasonal Sandwich because it turned out to be a triple decker BLT with chips (Photo 8). It was just what I wanted: toasted sourdough slices, hefty iceberg, thick tomato slices, mayo, and plenty of crisped bacon. I noticed the kitchen was not in a back room but exposed in an open area of the lobby. I bypassed one of their signature cocktails because hey, I had a ferry to catch. FOOD - 4 stars...a better BLT than I expected AMBIANCE - 4 stars...elegant Art Deco interior in a huge historic building SERVICE - 4 stars...very much an upmarket experience TOTAL - 4 stars...definitely worth a stop even without the whiskey RELATED - Exploring Treasure Island? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/iy-SprpALK read more

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I didn't get to experience the actual bar inside the building, but I thoroughly enjoyed the drink I had at their popup bar outside during the AAPI festival on Saturday. I believe they also organized the event, which was a pleasant surprise. The drink I ordered was called "Island Passion," and it was an intriguing concoction. The bartender who prepared it was incredibly friendly, and I managed to catch a glimpse of the interior bar from the outside. It looked inviting, so I'm planning to return with some friends or family to try it out. read more

Took my hubby to the cocktail mixing class at the Gold Bar Distillery on Treasure Island. It was so fun! Richard our mixology guide was knowledgeable and fun. He kept us engaged and answered all our questions. The whole place was enjoyable to be in. The class/bat located on Treasure Island in the crescent shaped building and was decorated in an elegant fashion. Sort of fitting to the deco style of the building . Go! Have fun! You'll enjoy yourselves! read more

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I came to Gold Bar Distillery on Treasure Island for a cocktail-making class and left with significantly more confidence in my bartending abilities than my wife probably wanted me to have. The class was genuinely awesome. Great drinks, great atmosphere, and an instructor who somehow managed to make cocktail-making feel both impressive and completely doable. He was knowledgeable, entertaining, and had the patience of a saint, especially considering some of the questions coming from our group. The cocktails were fantastic, the experience was genuinely fun, and I learned enough to now be dangerous behind my own home bar. My only complaint is that the instructor, Nick, was a little too charming and charismatic. I'm not entirely sure I feel comfortable bringing my wife around him again. 10/10 experience. Would absolutely recommend. Just maybe keep an eye on your spouse. read more

We had a couples date night, with 8 of our couples friends, signed up. It was $80 a person, we were welcomed to the beautiful building. Very Art Deco, so regal and luxe. Our host/bartender/teacher was amazing and very informative. Gave us the story for all the drinks and the building (PanAm airport at one point- ) very interesting. The drinks were delicious, complex but easy enough for anyone to learn to make. I had fun mixing, shaking and sampling. They did have charcuterie board, sandwiches and other items ready to order. I got the grilled cheese with bacon. So delish perfect to pair with all the gin. Parking was easy and the view across the street - gorgeous! Will do again read more

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First time here. Nice space but not what I expected. It's an open area inside a large lobby. Lots of stills to look at. Service a bit slow and it was not busy. Both bartenders were personable. No servers hence the slow service. Ample Bar seating but limited table seating. I ordered. Whiskey Sour which was awesome first time having that. I was able to watch a private class thought with a rolling cart. That was the best. I definitely will book a cocktail class. read more

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I took a couple friends here for their whiskey cocktail class. It was beyond all expectations, The building itself is a beautiful piece of Bay area history, the staff at The distillery were friendly, and Nick led the cocktail class with friendliness and charm. The whiskeys and bourbon were wonderful and the entire experience. Was truly next level. I cannot wait to go back and take another cocktail class this time with their gins, And if you're looking for a fun day activity, I cannot recommend popping out to this gem of a distillery either for a class or simply to have some amazing drinks with a breathtaking view. read more

Gold Bar Distillery - Paper Plane cocktail I made myself. - Distilleries Near Me - San Francisco, California

We had so much fun taking the whiskey cocktail-making class! It was the perfect idea for a double date night. The instructor was really friendly and helpful, and we were able to make three delicious cocktails: an Old Fashioned, a Paper Plane and a Whiskey Sour. They provide all the materials, and you get to sip as you learn. Afterward, we sobered up at the bar with a stunning view of San Francisco. We purchased some nibbles and finished off our cocktails. It was the perfect afternoon with friends! read more

Ambiance 5/5 beautiful art deco building full view of SF from parking lot Service 5/5 came for the class and learned so much about making a mean cocktail , the different kind of whisky and history of Gold Bar Value 5/5 My hubby treated to me to this experience and I could not have been happier. The building is beautiful, there is a free museum located inside with a history of Treasure Island. While I was in the museum, my hubby cozied up to the bar before our class. We had a paper plane cocktail. Don't ask get one. There's a small bar menu. My date night suggestion is arrive around 3:30 have a cocktail,a bite to eat and go outside and watch the sunset. It can be a bit nippy so make sure you bring warm clothes, trust me you'll thank me. Nick was a wealth of knowledge, fun, extra personable and made our experience really memorable. We made an old fashioned, paper airplane and a whiskey sour. The drinks were beyond great and I feel more confident making these cocktails and others having received a lesson on bar ware and how to shake cocktails and how to measure. It was really fun. I've already recommended this experience to friends. read more

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Gold bar distillery recently just started offering a gin making class which my fiance and I attended. The instructor, Nick, taught us how to make three different gin drinks. Nick was a fantastic instructor and taught us a lot we did not know about the drink making process as well as teaching us about the different gins Gold Bar made. The actually building is huge and the bar area/drinking making area makes up a small portion of the venue. It has a beautiful view of the sunset on the water just outside. I would highly recommend this class for a date night or someone looking to learn more about drink making. read more

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Wow! Two days ago we experienced the fine service, great environment, and wonderful people that is the Gold Bar Distillery and bar. We arrived to take a cocktail making class, and enjoyed every minute of it. Located in the main building of the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition, later a military base and Pan Am terminal, the people at Gold Bar were amazing, the class was fun and educational, and the afternoon a most memorable event all around. A great place to celebrate my birthday this year. We WILL be back! (Maybe take a taxi or Uber next time as we had to drink lightly as I was driving. KUDOS to the folks at GBD, give them a try! read more

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We signed up for the World Cup cocktail making class and found ourselves in a private class. Nick was fantastic. Super knowledgeable and fun and a great teacher. The Matcha Sour is to die for. Thank you Nick and Gold Bar Distillery! read more

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My favorite Bar in the East Bay I've been here before for their cocktail class but finally went out for food and drinks here! Always a good time here. The cocktails here are the best and always love how carefully crafted they are. The food menu is a limited but pretty diverse. Tasty bites with tasty cocktails is just a good combo for a night out. Overall, the ambiance is nice and there's a nice view of the city from the parking lot. read more

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Brought my husband to the cocktail making class for his birthday and it was great. Arrived early got to check out the beautiful building and bar. The class started on time and Richard was an excellent instructor. He is very knowledgeable, patient and funny. We made three cocktails whiskey sour, old fashioned and a paper plane all were very good. We also tasted alcohol as we went along. Richard provided us with lots of great information about the island, liquor, cocktail making and lots of other stuff. The whiskeys we sampled were good. We were provided water and encouraged to drink it throughout the time we were there. They definitely don't skimp on the alcohol so be prepared. They did provide an appetizer to share for the table. Since we had a big group I only got on piece but that is still better than none and not a dealbreaker. We had lots of fun and hung around after in the bar area with our new table friends. We shared a grilled cheese with bacon sandwich it was good. It came with a cup of tomato soup for dipping. We also took advantage of the deal provided to buy some liquor to take home. All the servers and staff we encountered were very nice and friendly. We also spoke with the owner who was very nice and he took the time to show us where Joe Montana's signature and some other notable people were in the wall of gold bar bottles. We definitely want to come back and take another class. read more

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I booked a whiskey tasting class for my social club recently. From the get go in planning to the execution, my experience was fabulous! This spot is tucked away in the former Pan Am building, roped off in the corner, surrounded by an amazing mural and open air feel. There were several copper distilleries in view, the kitchen is open, to the back. The long tables off to the side were perfect for my group after our class- just to hang out, eat and give our whiskey buzz time to dissipate! Options were good, slightly pricey, however it was a good splurge. In the class, we made three drinks- and as a non whiskey drinker, I was really impressed and enjoyed two of the drinks I made. Nick and Will were our bartender instructors and they worked hard to ensure we had a great time! Accommodations were top notch with giving us an elevated platform for our interpreters (we provided the interpreters for our group), and the guys were willing to wear a mic for one customer who used a transcription app. Complimentary spanakopitas were given, Yumm! Roxy, Sam and Weston were quick in replying to emails, offering pricing options as we explored various group sizes. My friends and I are already talking about taking the gin class they offer! No doubt, we'll be back! read more

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O M G If you love Whiskey/Bourbon...... Amazing in every way! Great Cocktails, Cocktail Classes and even food too! GO!!! read more

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If you're ever looking for a ferry ride and a great view of the cityscape this is the place for you , the bar offers a great escape from the city life. The ambiance is very impressive and transports you into another era, went for the drinks but would come back just for their grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup .. to die for, a must have. Staff was great , enjoyed a mai tai and a whiskey flight .. a must visit on this side of town read more

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Took the whiskey drink making class with Ceylon He was Very Informative. Very fun and an educated drink maker. We had such a great afternoon. And, we were feeling really good after class too! read more

Nick was an amazing instructor. He was extremely attentive as well as informative. As someone who doesn't care for learning, I l learned so much. The entire staff was friendly and welcoming. I would recommend this place to anyone visiting San Fran! The decor was beautiful and the views were breath taking. read more

Mannn this class was awesome! Great instructor and great time overall. He got everybody involved and by the end I feel like I can make people cocktails for my B-Day party! place has a great vibe inside. read more

Gold Bar Distillery - Distilleries Near Me - San Francisco, California

My girlfriend and I enjoyed the class and the vibes of the place overall, Richard was a great teacher. Highly recommend the class as a fun activity and the drinks came out delicious! read more

Richard is the MAN. The class was so fun I can't even believe how good of a time it was. Took my girl for her b-day and we had a blast. Thanks Richard!!! His knowledge of the spirits is unmatched. If you're even thinking of taking it, it's better than you think!!!!!!!!! read more

Gold Bar Distillery - The three drinks ( Whiskey Sour and Old Fashion are done haha) - Distilleries Near Me - San Francisco, California

We had an excellent experience at this cocktail class! Will was an amazing host. We'll be back

This is a review of the Cocktail Class at Gold Bar: I booked the cocktail making class off Airbnb Experiences for 2 people. The price was reasonable for the length of time of the class and the quality of ingredients and bar supplies you get to use. Nick and Anthony really know their stuff when it comes to whiskey making, cocktail crafting, and bartending techniques. They made the instructions super easy to follow along and understand. Everyone felt comfortable learning together, even if you are sharing the table with strangers. You'll get to learn how to make 3 cocktails, which included some light bites and a storytelling of Treasure Island which is where the distillery is located. Be sure to pace yourself and go to the restroom in-between each drink. I definitely recommend it for date night, team-bonding, or if you just want to come to learn how to craft your own cocktails. read more

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5 star experience all around. I declined to continue drinking with a friend at least half a dozen times after a long brunch. We finally, after much loitering and 2 hugs finally went our separate ways. I was at a stop light making my way out of the city when I got a text from her for Gold Bar Distillery. No pressure, but this is where she'd be for the next hour and that's where all my will power dissolved. Ample parking, beautiful views of SF and the East Bay - go into the old military but trying to look friendly looking building to find Gold Bar. Despite the too big space, they carved out a cozy corner for drinks, views of the bay, snacks and conversation. Bring friends to catchup with or talk to the very friendly bar staff. We promised only 1 drink so she had the flight of whiskey cocktails and I had the flight of gin and tonics. I enjoyed them all so much I bought every bottle. I also got a free Joe Montana t-shirt which I wore home to a very confused husband. The marketing / branding / partnerships for this place is on point. They also host cocktail making classes which I definitely plan to be back for. Had the funnest time here with my bad influence friend which turned into a highlight of a very exciting month. Can't wait to come back! read more

Super fun cocktail making class! Anthony was a great bartender/teacher and we had three delicious drinks and snacks. Highly recommend! read more

Gold Bar Distillery - Whisky sour (egg substitute), old fashioned and paper airplane - Distilleries Near Me - San Francisco, California

Loooove the whole vibe ! Johnny was very entertaining . Can't wait to take another class read more

Gold Bar Distillery - Distilleries Near Me - San Francisco, California

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What a fun place to come for a cocktail class, or just to hang out for a drink that feels like an event. I've come one other time but our current visit was for a cocktail making class which I knew would be fun, but it exceded my expectations. The class is set up at portable tables (about 8 people per table) with each person getting their full set of bar necessities and shared ingredients. They have a coat rack and the table has purse hooks. In general, the whiskey and cocktails they make are something special and authentic. No corners cut or cheap substitutions. All the staff are friendly, smart and well informed. The ambiance is impressive and beautiful. They've turned a huge space into a setting that feels intimate with fun details. They have walk-up-to-order food service, which I didn't try but my family did and they enjoyed their food. There is a small Treasure Island museum across the pavilion that provides cool info about the history of the island. There is ample parking but also a ferry terminal that's an easy 3 minute walk to the front of the building. I can't wait to try their Alameda location next! read more

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Visited during 'Country on the Bay' on Saturday. There were four of us trying to order drinks, and the service at this bar was frustrating -- the bartenders were consistently extremely rude and slow. read more

Gold Bar Distillery is a really cool spot and definitely worth checking out. We were out exploring the area and decided to stop in, and the space immediately stood out. The vibe is unique and memorable, especially with the distillery being housed in such an interesting building. It feels different from a typical bar and has a lot of character, which makes the experience feel more intentional and fun. The drinks were good and well made, with a menu that offers something a little different from your standard cocktail lineup. It's a great place to come if you're looking to try something new or enjoy a quality drink in a distinctive setting. Service was a bit so-so and could use some improvement. At times, it felt like the bartenders were more focused on having drinks and conversations with guests rather than keeping things flowing smoothly. With a bit more attention to service, the experience would easily feel more polished. We'll definitely be back, especially when we have friends visiting and want to take them somewhere unique and memorable. read more

Gold Bar Distillery - Distilleries Near Me - San Francisco, California

Cocktail class was a cool experience! Would highly recommend. Richard took this class from 10/10 to 11/10. If you love science, he will nerd out with you! read more

Gold Bar Distillery - I fly like paper, ya I like planes - Distilleries Near Me - San Francisco, California

Such a cool one-of-a-kind setting in a historic museum, this place poses as a fun, uniquely themed place to gather, drink, have a bite, enjoy the view, and simply do something on TI! You can tell this venue can host a good amount with all of its space, available parking, etc. There are a few snacks to accompany your whiskey on the menu, the flight options come with a free shirt and discount on retail! There are also events such as Sunset DJ from 4-7PM and a TV screen to watch sports events. read more

Gold Bar Distillery - Bourbon ice cream with 24K gold flakes and chocolate and bourbon sauces - Distilleries Near Me - San Francisco, California

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The Whiskey Cocktail making class was great. The "instructor" Richard was phenomenal in his expertise! I learned a lot of Bay Area history as well as how to curate a craft cocktail read more