Memories. Oy the nights we spent here back when it was the Washington Square Bar & Grill. And then Cobalt. It wasn't just pre-pandemic, it was when north beach was uber community oriented. *sigh* Those days may be gone, but petite lil's is filling that sense of community void rather nicely. As soon as we walked in, we perched ourselves at the bar, & we were made to feel nothing but welcome. I had H with me, & she & I tend to do that thing where we "don't know" what we should order, as if we've never been to a bar before, even though god knows, we have. We are many things, but ingénues are not one of them. No doubt it would be a tired game for a bartender lacking in prowess, personality, & patience. Fortunately for us, you won't find that kind of bartender here. Because we are not ingénues, our days of ordering silly things (fireball), "insider" things (green chartreuse, fernet), or just stupid things (fireball) are happily behind us. We are Napa Valley & wine lovers so of course we naturally default to wine. Another truth that makes that initial game of "what should we get" so ridiculous. After carefully perusing the impressive menu, we did order wine, but we noted the martini and Negroni options. Hungry? The menu is full of stellar options; caviar, oysters (both raw or broiled), steak frites, charcuterie...even French omelettes. They do a "booth steak," a 32oz tomahawk! $99 (limit only 2 per night). We had such a great time, instead of meeting up with my husband elsewhere when he got off work as planned, we had him join us here. I saw his face light up when he saw that tomahawk on the menu so needless to say it's now on the list. It's a huge space (always was), so it's perfect for a night out w all your peeps, & any game day/night. It was our first time, but we were treated like we've been here a hundred times. Everyone was. Incredible menu. Great vibe. We will be back for dinner and... everything. 5 stars read more

This place is on the martini trail for a reason! Try the junipero martini! I get it without the olive juice as I don't like my martinis dirty but if you do, I've heard they are great! My absolute favorite thing is that you are welcomed with a glass of mumm bubbly. I hope they never get rid of this. It really makes this place stand apart from all the other options in north beach and makes you (me) feel special. Everyone who works there is also so nice. Everytime we've gone we've been so warmly welcomed and had great conversations. read more

Petite Lil’s - Ambiance - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

My friends and I totally stumbled upon Petit Lil's after a dinner nearby, and the holiday vibes were immaculate! With giant ornaments, Christmas tree foliage, pretty lights, and a movie projected onto the wall, the atmosphere was lively, fun, and cozy. As we briefly waited to be seated, I was pleasantly surprised when someone brought out glasses and poured us some complimentary champagne (and later refilled too!). We ordered cocktails at the bar and indulged in the oyster jubilee (buy 6, get 6 free from 10 pm to 1 am). The oysters were pretty fresh. The Pomegranate Nice with non-alcoholic gin instead of non-alcoholic tequila, Negroni Sbagliato, and Blood Orange Gimlet were solid. I didn't love the Aviation though because it was a bit heavy handed on the violet liqueur. But overall, I really loved my experience here! read more

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Phenomenal experience! We went on a Friday night with a reservation, and the restaurant was packed with a fun, lively atmosphere. We ordered the duck fat fries and the booth steak -- both were 10/10. The steak was especially delicious. read more

Petite Lil’s - Duck fat potatoes - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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*4.5* Just across the street from Washington Square lies the red-lit entry to the swankiest kitchen/bar menu you can visit after a late night North Beach crawl. When a few friends and I arrived at 11:30PM on a Friday, there were still a couple of parties ahead of us that made our wait about 15 minutes. Our host and server were incredibly kind and accommodating - will look for them next time to grab their names. Interior is dark and moody, with tables along the walls that surround a well-stocked central bar. From 10PM to closing (1AM) they have a buy 6 get 6 oyster deal that includes both raw and broiled oysters, so we opted for 6 of each. The raw oysters were small but sweet, with a nice punch from the mignonette and dropper-housed hot sauce, and the garlicky escargot butter submerging the broiled oysters made for an instant personal favorite. Duck Fat Potatoes: Most pieces had a nice pop and thin crispy skin, with the signature opulent taste and oiliness of duck fat. One serving is easily enough for an entire table because of how rich it was. We also happened to get a separate order of regular fries, crinkle-style and a nice golden brown with a mellow aioli on the side. Liberty Duck Prosciutto Charcuterie: We were torn between this and trying the tinned fish, which will have to wait until our next visit. The duck slices were incredibly fatty, melting into oil with just the warmth of my fingers, but balanced well with the crostini. Unfortunately, the pickled vegetables were a little too acidic for us to enjoy, although I liked how sour they were. Might also have been a little too much duck for one night... Would love to come back to try their cocktails and other dishes! It'll be hard to find another place in the city that occupies the same niche as Lil's that I think I'll like as much. read more

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Be prepared to have a good time! Been here a few times for cocktails and really enjoyed everything abt the place: ambiance, service and tastiness of drinks. Finally got to try their food... not disappointing at all. We basically got a little bit of everything and it was very yummy. Standouts were the broiled oysters in escargot butter, the hot coppa and mortadella sandwich and don't forget the fries. I'll be back to conquer the tomahawk. read more

Great spot for a cocktail and apps, with a unique environment overlooking Washington Square. Was served complimentary champagne both times we stopped in. Try the Pineapple Collins (NA) or Old Fashioned. During our second visit there was a strange woman staring at us from the end of the bar, but we still had a great time. read more

Petite Lil’s - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Always a good vibe here. Brian, Liliia and Nick are excellent hosts. It's a great feeling being invited in with a smile, proper placement and a neighborhood welcome ;) Thanks guys for making a solo night feel warm and welcoming! read more

Had a great experience here last Sunday. We only ordered drinks (we'll be back at a later date to try the oysters) and the espresso martinis were delicious, highly recommend! The bartender was very friendly and did a great job given it was her first week working at the bar. read more

Petite Lil’s - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Popped in for a quick bite and got a table promptly. Friendly staff and a good chill North Beach vibe. Expect to pay a lot to park around here if you're not lucky. The steak fries (is it frites?) is the star of the show here: really yummy at a really good price. The menu is a bit on the small side with no dessert options. But really it's got nice drinks and a good vibe. read more

This is a dirty place. And I don't mean unclean. I mean indulgent, embracing the delicacies in life, throwing caution out the door, exploring sides of yourself you didn't expect to see. Cocktails, caviar, steak, butter, oysters, snails. If it's indulgent and a little funky, you'll find it here. I ordered a cinnamon-y non alcoholic cocktail, steak and frites, and had a bite of the steak and omelette. What worked: -- super friendly service. Though I don't drink, the bartender/server brought a glass of champagne without us asking which I think was very kind -- the atmosphere is awesome. It's a little dim, the decor is so classic it feels like a different decade, and I enjoyed that it's not quite a restaurant but also not just a bar. -- the steak was really tasty and tender, but also a little crispy on the sides. The fries were honestly some of the best I've had, and the omelette was very good and creamy! -- pretty unique menu! It's not common to see tinned fish, bone marrow, or escargot but I loved the variety -- I love a non alcoholic cocktail, so it was great to see a few options on the menu -- the prices weren't too bad considering the portion sizes and quality of the food -- open late and near a bunch of little dessert spots! What didn't work: -- the steak was a little too salty for my taste! I wish the seasoning had been a bit lighter because it overwhelmed the steak a few times. The herb butter, while tasty, also added to the saltiness so it wasn't the best combo -- it turns out, steak with butter and fries is a little heavy at mealtime! A little side of something fresh would've been awesome. The mocktail was nice and tart so that helped, but some greenery on the plate would've added far more balance -- this is not a vegetarian (and definitely not vegan) friendly spot. While a steakhouse certainly isn't meant to be catered to non-meat eaters, I was disappointed that among all this decadence and creativity, there wasn't a single meal that could hold its own without relying on meat to make it good. When a restaurant can make a vegetarian meal that can compete with its meat counterparts, that's how you know you're in the presence of great culinary skill Overall, I'd love to come again! It's a wonderful spot for a date or dinner with a good friend, and the food is delicious read more

Petite Lil’s - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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The best. Have been going here for almost 5 years and every experience gets better. A slow and awesome evolution for north beach, with heart and soul. My favorites: the frisee, the dirty martini, and the tomahawk steak read more

Great place to stop for a drink and a quick snack! One of the only bars open and serving food until 1 am. They have a great cocktail menu and a carefully curated French inspired food menu. One of my favorite go to spots in north beach because I know the cocktails are always good and the vibes are always great. Recommend their dirty martini (it's pretty dirty so order accordingly) or their French 75. Both are served in a frosty martini glass! read more

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This review is solely for the drinks. A friend and I saw this place while walking down to North Beach and decided to check it out! It was beautifully decorated for the holidays and felt very warm and cozy in here, with many folks sat around the bar. You do have to go up to the bar to order and while my drink came out quick, my friends took some time. We ended up getting just drinks. I ordered an espresso martini and was pleasantly surprised. It was strong and sweeter than I am used to, but still very good. It was served in a chilled goblet looking glass which was new to me too. Overall, would come back here to the espresso tini! read more

Petite Lil’s - Espresso martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Such a cute little restaurant tucked away in North Beach! We walked into Christmas decorations and lively conversations, and honestly it instantly made us want to stay. The place was busy but we got seated right away. We ordered the steak, French onion soup, fries, broccolini, and of course--dirty martinis! Everything hit the spot. We loved it here! read more

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Most underrated cocktail lounge in the North Beach area, mark my words! This spot has unique, tasty cocktails and great ambience (we especially enjoyed the limited edition holiday drinks a few months back and loved getting to chat with some of the bartenders who inspired them). The upstairs seating area offers plenty of room to catch up with friends over a signature drink, and you'll be met with nothing but kindness and attentiveness by the staff. Petit Lil's is a winner!! read more

This is our favorite place for martinis and oysters everything on the menu is mouth watering. To top of off the owners cooler than the other side of the pillow!! I'd highly recommend! read more

The Mrs. and I stopped by Petite Lil's last Saturday night for a late dinner. We arrived after 8 and the place was packed. The restaurant was already decorated for Christmas.......it was a bit much. The footprint of Petite Lil's is pretty small. There is a large wrap around bar in the center of the room and several hightop table against the walls. Despite the large crowd, we were able to find a seat at the bar. There were several people behind the bar but we were lucky enough to get Shane. I ordered the Mrs.'s usual Bombay Sapphire Martini but Petite Lil's doesn't have Bombay Sapphire so Shane suggested their well gin which was Jumipero Gin. I ordered a Maker's Mark Manhattan. Shane then lifted a bottle of Maker's 46 from the well and asked if it was ok. We both laughed. Maker's 46 as a well bourbon? Yes, please. What initially drew us to Petite Lil's was their small plates. One of which was Escargot. FYI-The menu online is inaccurate. We started with the Escargot which was good. It was cooked in white wine rather than garlic and butter. We were going to order the Pate of the Day but Shane said they were out of it so we ordered the Rilletes of Scallop at his suggestion. It was just ok. There was something about the consistency that I didn't like. Our last dish was the Duck Fat Potatoes. A MUST HAVE is you're at Petite Lil's. I could have had two more bowls of them. Let's be honest......if you cook anything in duck fat its going to be good. From our seats at the bar we were able to get a good look at the crowd which was an attractive mix of young and old. There was a gentleman behind the bar who I think was the owner. He gave some champagne to the four people sitting next to us. They all gave a cheers and then the owner cheersed us. When the Mrs. and I left Petite Lil's and were waiting outside the owner walked by us and thanked us for stopping in. read more

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What a wonderful addition to the neighborhood!! Met up with some friends after a Warriors game on Saturday around 9pm. We had some cocktails and got the steak frites as well. It's an inviting and fun place! The lighting is dim but not too dim, and you can actually hear your friends speaking because the music isn't too loud. Amazing cocktails and delicious food available until 1am? What's NOT to love?! Thank you to Nick and the team for a lovely night and congrats on the soft opening! We are looking forward to coming back sometime soon. Katy & Bryan (with a Y - thanks for asking Nick!) read more

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Petit Lil's was such a great find! We enjoyed our drinks and we loved the bartender and the classy but casual space. read more

Petite Lil’s - Red wine - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Where else in San Francisco can you find Oysters, a well prepared Steak Frites, a smooth Manhattan, and a great vibe at 1am on a Monday night than Petit Lil's. Though they recently opened, Petit Lil's offers the warmth and vintage-nostalgia of a North Beach staple, with a touch of elegance that makes you appreciate your decision to treat yourself right in the comfort of your own neighborhood. The final touch comes from the Host-In-Chief Nick who welcomes you and offers the space not as proprietor, but as a neighbor. The personal attention to detail in the guest experience is what makes Petit Lil's a certified Gem. read more

Petite Lil’s - Oysters and a finished Jimmy The Mint Espresso Martini. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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The first time we came the food the service and the atmosphere the decoration is phenomenal we will return to try the booth steak

Date night here is an absolute MUST! Everything was perfect; the drinks, the food, the staff, the vibes, we wouldn't have changed a thing! Thank you for such a memorable experience, we can't wait to return! read more

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Came here hungry, but it was after 9pm. Anyone who knows San Francisco, knows that trying to get a good meal after 9:00 p.m. is not easy. This place came highly recommended by a few friends. Came in on a Monday night, the place was bustling, busy, and had a great vibe. The bartender greeted me as soon as I walked in and said" hey come all right up and grab a seat at the bar". I did end up sitting at the bar, by myself, but everybody was so friendly that I ended up having multiple conversations with people sitting at the bar, dining just like myself. I had a half dozen oysters, which were so fresh and so delicious. I then continued on to have the steak and frittes. The steak was cooked absolutely perfect, and everything was so delicious. If you are looking for a great spot to go, hang out, feel like you live in the neighborhood even if you don't, and have an excellent meal at the bar or at one of their beautiful booths, this is your place! I will come back again and again! read more

Awesome bar with a great kitchen too! My friends and I came in at 9 thinking we'd drink until 10 when the OYSTER HAPPY HOUR kicks in- buy 6 oysters and get 6 free. What a deal and what a way to spend your late evening hours. We managed to follow through with our plan. Pretty easy when the drinks and foods are as good as they are. I like coffee, I like chocolate, and I like old fashioneds so it was a no brainer for me to get the coffee chocolate old fashioned. Tastes how it sounds and very enjoyable. My friends got some sandwiches and smile bites to much on while we had a nice conversation around their tables. Bar wasn't too crowded on a Thursday evening so it was easy to hear each other. When the clock strung 10, we ordered ourselves a couple round of oysters and those were good as well. Came with all the garnishes you'd expect on your oysters. Place is definitely worth a visit, whether you're looking for eats or drinks! read more

Red carpet ready - literally - there's a red carpet out front that makes you feel luxe and lots of fun pop-up events (Natale in December and Drag me to North Beach in October)! Great addition to the neighborhood. Small, but mighty menu with a lot of delicious items - hello duck fat potatoes. Who can say no to a chocolate old fashioned and love that they use HITW (local coffee...hole in the wall on Union) coffee! Petit Lil's is just a precursor to a full restaurant a la Lillie Coit's! read more

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My first time coming here at the recommendation of a friend and Amaris took care of us. She was so attentive without being overbearing and knew exactly when we needed. I just appreciate going to a higher end bar and receiving such genuine and kind service even when it's busy! Not to mention great food and a fun ambience without being overwhelming! Literally ask for Amaris, shes so cool!!! read more

Quite possibly be best experience you can have at a restaurant bar in San Francisco. Service is super fun friendly. Food awesome. Drinks terrific. Can't wait for the holidays! read more

We stumbled on Petit Lil's and as soon as we sat down at the bar, we knew we were somewhere special. Nick greeted us with the personality of a world class gastropub ambassador. He knows all the regulars by name and is full of some great one liners. The drinks were good and strong. The food was fantastic. We had the French onion soup, the Bavette Steak Frite, and the St Honore dessert. I can't wait to go back. read more

Great bar! The ambiance is awesome, the cocktails are creative and strong. Great spot for a late night drink too! read more

Petite Lil’s - bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

This is a bar where you can get good food - it's not a restaurant where your main focus is dining. First, the menu is limited - steak frites, pork chops, some small plates, and a selection of tinned fish and oysters. Second, most of the space is set up for a bar in the middle of the room and high top tables. Finally, the focus is on the drinks - the drink menu is extensive with lots of great looking cocktails and you order your food at the bar (no table service). We ordered French onion soup, bone marrow, steak frites, smoked trout, and the duck fat potatoes for 4 of us. In retrospect it was a lot of food. But the soup was delicious - onions were beautifully softened and melded nicely in the broth which contrasted with the crisp toast and melted cheese. The steaks were cooked perfectly though the fries were average. The smoked trout pate was quite bland. It was served with toast and a garnish of dill and parsley so was more like an appetizer. The bone marrow as also disappointing - excited to see it in the menu but it didn't have much taste. Echoing others, the duck fat potatoes were crisp on the outside - if they do substitutions, I would get those with the steak instead of the French fries. It has a lively and festive atmosphere. I'd go back for late night drinks with food but not for an outing where dinner is the main focus. read more

Great late night food and amazing cocktails. Had a wonderful experience here. Will recommend to everyone. Lovely bartender and kitchen staff. We had a lovely meal here. Will be back soon. read more

Petite Lil’s - Manhattan with a side of water. Delicious - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This is a hidden gem. We stopped by this place and hit a jackpot!!!!! The oysters charbroiled are amazing! Im from the gulf coast and I hate to say, they have nothing on these! The server is amazing amd the atmosphere is friendly. Definitely a nice chill spot. Should have taken a pic but sorry,ill ahow the the after math read more

Petite Lil’s - The charbroiled oysters, demolished! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

The food here was amazing! We ordered everything that was recommended by our bartender and came out within a timely manner. The vibe was mellow (it was a Monday night) and they had movies playing in the background. Definitely great for dates, small or large bites and amazing customer service. Every meal we had was perfectly seasoned and the customer service was top notch. Thanks again to Tom, chef, and the staff for making this a great experience. read more

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The bartender here was so disrespectful. We had a nice introduction, he seated us at the bar and gave a complementary glass of champagne. Then proceeded to tell us he had a few other parties ahead of us to make drinks for. We understood, he then proceeded to make drinks for a party that arrived after us. We waited another maybe 15-20 minutes and I see him making drinks for a group that was waiting to be seated. I pointed that out to him, and he said "don't start with me like that, or it won't end well for any of us". We decided to leave and he said "thanks bye" instead of trying to make the situation better. I understand the bar is busy and things get hectic, but customers should never be spoken to that way. read more

Signature San Francisco. It's a letter from North Park, born out of a bygone era of the city before the pandemic shifted the North Park neighborhood landscape. It has the feel of a Edward Hopper painting -- with all types of interesting couples, and regulars hanging out at a well dressed bar with a deep well and bartenders who don't miss a beat when it comes to cocktails. The duck fat potatoes, crispy and delicious, seem to disappear easily with any concoction I order. It's certainly a bar with a kitchen that demands a visit in the late hours. Come by, find a seat, and enjoy an eventful night at this not-to-miss treasure. read more

Caviar, oysters, steak frites, bone marrow - all perfect. I will go back again and again

The bartenders here were great! Very kind and amazing service. A very cute and intimate bar, great for a one on one catch up! Obviously typically sf prices which are on the pricier side with cocktails at $16 read more

Petite Lil’s - Violet beaugadre - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Came here with coworkers looking forward to celebrate after work yesterday. Did not expect to encounter racist bartender, a tall white man with a cap. When I went up to order drink, he first said he couldn't hear me. When I raised my voice, he started to imitate Chinese to me. When I pointed at the menu and said loudly the item that I wanted, he imitated Chinese to me again and paused while looking at me, not responding to my order. Then I asked him what more information he needed to make the drink. He said it'll be right out but walked to the other end of the bar table to chat. I waited then returned to the table to sit with my coworkers. He never made the drink. SF is one of the most diverse cities in the world. To say this is a disgrace is an understatement. read more

12/10!! Highly recommend! Honestly, seriously it's just great! I can't even say enough nice things about this place. It's about 3/4 done. When the service is top notch, the drinks are yummy, the oysters and caviar are very fresh, and the place isn't even done yet, you know it's going to be another jewel in the north beach crown. We walked by and saw the martini sign and decided to stop by. The guy at the bar was so welcoming and friendly we instantly felt welcome and at home. I had the pamplemousse French and it was refreshing and delicious. Hubs had the old fashioned, he said it was just how he likes it: short glass, long pour, big ice cube, like an old fashioned should be. read more