Churchill: What You See Is What You Get

After a long day of work, meeting up with friends for cocktails is almost natural. My guideline is to do it (at least) once a week. Social drinking isn't just an excuse to have a good time, it's also a skill. Seriously, anyone who watches "Mad Men" understands the benefit of networking and talking shop over cocktails. If you can handle your drinking well, be casual, and at the same time eloquent and insightful, there's no telling who you might make a good impression on given the circumstance. Speaking of "Mad Men", one of my recent stops makes an Old Fashioned that even Don Draper himself would approve of. Hell, I did, and I would know something about them as it's my family's drink (they have their own recipe, I kid you not).

Taking their cues, and their name, from the late great statesman (Winston Churchill, duh!), Churchill on the corner of Church and 14th Street is reminiscent of an old World War II era bar, with a modern day twist. Their motto might as well be 'straightforward cocktails for straightforward people', like Churchill himself. One of my favorite things about this place was the quality in their simplicity; cocktails that weren't over-elaborate, just well-made. This concept is right up my alley, if you're going to do something, do it well, do it right. Take a look at their whiskey and bourbon list and you'll know what I mean. There are plenty of classic and bourbon or whiskey-based cocktails that would make a purist happy. Not to mention a plethora of craft beers on tap...served in mason jars. And when I say craft, I don't just mean Anchor Steam, but Bear Republic Brewing Company, Lagunitas, and Green Flash Brewing Company.

Of course, apart from good drinks, the vibe of the bar is also very important. This place really nails the atmosphere it aims for. Along with the mason jars and whiskey bar, the interior also sets the laid back mood, consisting of wood paneling, rope and dimly lit lanterns. If it wasn't for the LCD screens in with the current game and the leather couched VIP area (as well as the local art scene hipsters, no disrespect intended), any salty sailor from the WWII or Korean War era, would think they were at the officer's canteen on base. A pool table in the back and a jukebox makes one game turn into three, and strangely enough the crowd is decent even if you're a mediocre pool player. 

Churchill is probably one of the most accessible bars to get to if you're using public transportation as most people are in San Francisco. Due to the fact that Market Street runs right through the intersection of Church and 14th, there are a number of MUNI stops you could get off at and walk, the closest being Church St. The closest BART station is the 16th and Mission Street stop. It's not a bad walk, but it's not through the nicest parts of town (trust me, that was my route). Drink prices here are relatively cheap also, about $4 for a craft beer, around $8 for a cocktail, but they do have a great happy hour. The only thing is, if you haven't been there before, you might walk on by without knowing as there is no marking outside of the building. Given the fact that they've only been around for 2 years, I'll let it slide, I kind of like the mystique anyhow. For an after-work hangout with friends, Churchill is just the right pace, not too janky, not too swanky. Just in the groove, man.