5 places for cocktails in a luxe setting in San Francisco

The Big 4 is a nod to the legendary tycoons of the railroad era, and each once lived in lavish mansions surrounding this bar and restaurant. The bar resembles a saloon and the dining lounge has the ambiance of an old gentlemen’s club. Old photos and memorabilia offer a glimpse into California’s rich history.

You’ll feel as if you stepped into the 1920s in this fine establishment, though it really opened in 1988. It’s tucked within the old brick buildings of the Barbary Coast enclave. Belly up to the mural-scaped bar, get seated for dinner on the floor or balcony, and watch live jazz performances nightly.

Leo’s is an elegant cocktail and raw oyster bar in a 1950s tropical garden-themed setting. The walls are covered in the lushest palm wallpaper. If you make a dinner reservation, you may get seated in the beautiful hidden Champagne Room in the back. And beyond that is another little hidden tiki bar.

Above Mister Jiu’s restaurant is their sister establishment: a lavish lounge with red velvet booths and plush seating. An ambient spot for small bites and cocktails. The menu features six house cocktails and six seasonal cocktails, each inspired by the Chinese lunar calendar and the fruits, flowers, spices and spirits of the season.

For elevated drinks in an elegant setting, visit this historic bar that has been newly restored and reinvented. The glamorous, art deco interior still features its original redwood paneling, and its expansive bar was crafted from an 800-year old redwood tree. The space features original work by the Austrian painter Gustav Klimt.