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    Polkcha

    4.6 (245 reviews)
    ModerateCocktail Bars
    Open 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    Polkcha Photos

    POLKCHA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
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    Recommended Reviews - Polkcha

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    The Night Owl and Nishiki (I think?)
    Zoe G.

    Fun, decorative spot on Polk! The drinks were very unique and tasty, I liked how they had them in categories too. We went a little after they opened so it was pretty dead but I don't mind

    Maggie W.

    I love coming to Polkcha for their Trivia Night Thursdays at 7:30-9:30 PM. The themes are always fun- there's four categories and one is usually music. Others vary from current events to sports, and one is always a category that the losing team from the previous week got to pick. My friends and I joke that we should try to lose so that we can pick categories that we like! It's nice that they give something for people that come to have a good time. Their cocktails are also yummy- the gwangjang with a full melona bar is usually my friends favorites! I opted for the zero proof sugarcane juice that they sell, which was yummy and refreshing. Parking nearby can be a bit of a hassle and seats go quick here, so make sure to come early (around 7 PM) if you'd like to secure a table and proper seating. This usually never ends up being the case for us, so we stand by the windowsill or write on the wall. The trivia announcers are usually fun and lighthearted, it's a great way to hang out with friends and see who knows what. It helps that the interior is so cute and that everyone is generally nice to one another.

    Caili C.

    My friend and I stopped by Polkcha on a Wed night to grab a drink after having dinner nearby and we were surprised to find the bar empty. I don't remember the last time I've had a bar to myself! I tried the Nishiki with gin, sake, shiso liquor, mint and lime and my friend got the Night Owl. I really enjoyed the Nishiki which was tangy and refreshing - just what I wanted. I also tried a sip of the Night Owl which was bright as well. The bar is super cute and vibey, decorated with neon lights and reminded me of the night markets in Asia and bars in Seoul. We ended up chatting with the bartender who we found out is also one of the owners and had a great time! It was exciting to hear about the trivia nights and other ideas they have in the works!

    Linda Y.

    Such a fun bar on Polk! First off, decor is beautiful with neon signs and red lights like a night market in Asia. I sat at the bar and deliberated over cocktails with friends before getting Ajumma's Choice and letting the bartender whip something up for me. My friends got the Gwangchang and another whiskey based cocktail I can't remember the name of. The melona one was really good. My drink was also tasty and fruity -- only small downside was it was supposed to have egg foam but there was an egg shortage at the time lol :) The vibes in here were also very lively-- it was packed on a Friday night and there were a lot of groups just chatting. Menu is small but well curated. Can't wait to come back again!

    Linda H.

    This bar is sooo cute ! If I lived in the area I'd totally be a regular. The decor, the Asian vibe I really felt like I was transported to a really cool bar in Asia. I went with the divisadora bc it had Ube. Anything Ube.. count me in. It wasn't overly sweet and the Ube and coconut taste was pretty strong. Def going back to get that and the pandan drink looked interesting as well!!

    Back Bay ($14), Fresh Press ($7)
    Elena N.

    Date: Thursday, August 14th, 2025 Time: around 8:30pm Party of: 2 *Back Bay ($14) *Fresh Press ($7) After dinner, drinks were in order. After looking around, we decided to stop by Polkcha. Parking wasn't too bad that day. We found a spot about a block away. Atmosphere here is fun a lively. Very interactive as I think they were also doing a trivia night. It was packed, so no seats avail. We used the little rail like table along the wall by the opposite side of the bar. Kinda in the way of people going in and out, but we were only here for a round, so it wasn't too bad. My drink was good. Not conventional in any way, but reminiscent of an old fashioned / manhattan which are two of my fav cocktails. My friend got a no abv beverage as he was the driver that night. Honestly, I probably would have loved this spot in my younger years, but as an old grandma, I found it too loud and uncomfortable. If you want something more chill, this is probably not the spot for you. But if you want a fun bustling atmosphere, this is a cool spot. REVIEW #3831

    Interior
    Victoria V.

    We came here on a Saturday night around 9pm and there was already a crowd waiting for seats so we were lucky to get two at the bar. I can immediately see why this place is so popular! They have a very unique drink offering, and a vibrant ambiance inside. The bartenders were all really friendly and helpful when ordering too. We got the ube cocktail which was a fun creamy creative drink which wasn't too sweet. The pandan reposado cocktail was very strong and the Campari overpowering. I asked for the bartenders choice and they gave me a mint lemon drop which was super refreshing and not too sweet, it ended up being my favorite drink of the night. This place is great as a cocktail bar but it does not have a lot of standing room so prepare yourself if you come because it gets packed!!

    Gwangjang and Melona popsicle
    Jacky H.

    Really fun spot on Polk. Came here with friends and loved how creative the drinks were. I got the Gwangjang and the Melona popsicle in the drink was such a fun surprise. Everyone's drinks looked super unique and tasted great too. The vibe is lively and the interior has a cool Asian street market feel. Staff were friendly and quick with service. Seating is a bit limited, so it can fill up fast, but it's worth the wait. Prices are on the higher side but fit the quality and presentation. Perfect place to start the night or grab drinks with friends. I'll definitely be back to try more.

    Ambiance
    Lillian Z.

    Such a fun spot for some drinks. Creative asian-inspired cocktails with decor to make you feel like you're having asian street food. Melona cocktail is so delicious and fun! It can get pretty packed but there are tables farther back in the bar.

    athena z.

    We came here on a Wednesday night and it was not crowded at all and had a lot of seating. There was one bartender so we ordered at the counter. Their drinks are sooo unique and we had to get the drink with the melona bar! It was so sweet and such a great addition to the drink. The bartender was super nice and I complimented him on his ability to bartend cause the drinks were delicious. Especially since I hate bitter cocktails these were perfect.

    Natalie M.

    I visited Polkcha and tried the ube drink, which I thought was really good overall. It had a nice creamy sweetness, but there was also a tangy note that I wasn't expecting. It was interesting and made it feel a bit different from other ube drinks I've had. Majority of it was the ice cube but so it was only a couple sips but I did like the flavor. The space itself is super cute. The decoration and ambience really stand out and make it a nice place to hang out or take photos. When I went, they were also hosting trivia night, which seemed like a fun bonus. It's a nice option if you want something social, but it wasn't overly loud or pressured, and participation wasn't mandatory.

    Duane L.

    Great cocktail spot. Very underrated. The wine bar next to it for some reason gets more attention than this spot. This spot gets a bit hidden with the crowd outside. Definitely drop into this spot. Decor is really nice. All the drinks my friends and I got were amazing. The one with the melona ice cream was like drinking a ramune soda. Their ube one was also amazing.

    Everett L.

    Very crowded on a Saturday night. Good tasting drinks. For an Asian bar they didn't play any Asian music but the melona drink was delicious really amazing bartenders to. Good place to pregame

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    Page 1 of 7

    Ask the Community - Polkcha

    Can this accommodate big groups?

    it's not a large bar. They have a communal table in back and a small lounge area that accommodate about a dozen people.

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    Petite Lil’s - Look for this sign.

    Petite Lil’s

    4.6(58 reviews)
    0.7 miRussian Hill, North Beach/Telegraph Hill
    $$

    Pub Crawl #2 Romantic, enigmatic, and undeniably sexy…read more No, I'm not talking about my man! Those were the exact words that came to mind as I glanced around upon walking in. This bar was our second stop after wandering around SF, a bit indecisive about where to go next. The dining room and bar were bustling with couples, but luckily, we snagged two seats at the bar. Honestly, this place feels like a top spot for Tinder (or any dating app) meetups. The friendly bartender quickly set out two glasses and poured us water, but to my surprise, he also brought over champagne glasses. As we waited, he offered us a taste of champagne--such a thoughtful, complimentary touch! I can't recall exactly what we ordered, but my man's drink had Mezcal, while mine was something sweet and fruity. We both thoroughly enjoyed our choices. After a long time without dinner, I was absolutely craving French fries. The crinkle-cut fries arrived perfectly golden and salty. We also ordered the bone marrow--rich, savory, and buttery. Spread over toast, it was pure bliss. We enjoyed our second pub crawl stop so much that we vowed to come back for a full dinner. Honestly, if couples don't end up getting laid after visiting Petit Lil's, they're definitely doing something wrong!

    So warning- this place has two yelp pages- this is my review posted on Lilly Coit's page- which is…read morethe same bar and restaurant. This happened in the winter- "Owner" screamed at a woman for closing the door. It was a giant fuss on an absolute cold March night and the owner just seems to make a sport out of embarrassing patrons who were trying to keep warm. This has been consistent- he tends bar too and is rude to a lot of people. Stay away if you like to keep your dignity and not be mortified by a jerk who doesn't deserve your money.

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    Petite Lil’s - A talk about housing in SF.

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    Petite Lil’s - Ambiance

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    Petite Lil’s - Overall:4.87776 stars

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    Overall:4.87776 stars

    Legacy North Beach Bar - Fortaleza Blanco w/ club soda ($18) + Ginger Beer ($6)

    Legacy North Beach Bar

    3.6(26 reviews)
    0.9 miNorth Beach/Telegraph Hill

    Apparently North Beach is the best 'hood in the city for nightlife...right now…read more IF I was still in my 20s, I would start the night off at Monroe for Battle of the Decades where drinks start at $1 at 5 pm and increase by $1 every hour until 10 pm. Nosh on zucchini fries at Original Joe's before bar hopping on Grant Ave. IF you like a diverse crowd with DJs spinning hip hop, a visit to Legacy is mandatory. We did a little weekend day drinking at Legacy and when we saw customers sporting their Frisco gear, we knew we were in the right place! Sorry but it's Frisco, The Sco, or The City, it's NEVER San Fran. For those who disagree, tell that to Mac Dre, Too $hort, and the Hells Angels. Plus, Herb Caen eventually took back his "Frisco" stance. Anyhow, after Legacy, I would move on to watch the midnight ballerinas on Broadway and end the night smashing faces with a Golden Boy! A slice of clam & garlic OFC. O T H E R N O T E S * Friendly staff. * Low-key, locals bar with lounge seating, vinyl lined walls, TVs, and projectors for game day. * No HH specials. * Crisp sound system with DJs spinning hip hop on Fridays and Saturdays. * Dog-friendly but obvs wouldn't bring my dogs here when it's crowded at night. * Clean restrooms. * Cc's accepted but there's a discount if you pay cash.

    BFF wanted to stop her after dinner for her 50th birthday…read more I mean I grew up in NB my entire childhood. Love it love it love it but after COVID-19. Nothing has been the same. People are a bit rude and raunchy and don't respect the area for what North Beach stands for. Being in your 40's, it ain't the place really to be. To let loose, gotta have some drinks and blend in. It was bedtime for me. Still had to get home to our kids on the other side of the town way South. Music was cool but wasn't all that. Just came to celebrate and have fun, we did just that.

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    Legacy North Beach Bar - Espresso martini with cacao nibs

    Espresso martini with cacao nibs

    Legacy North Beach Bar - Empress Gin and Tonic

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    Legacy North Beach Bar

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    Polkcha - cocktailbars - Updated September 2026

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