When we detect a really great trend, sometimes our inner urge is to keep it to ourselves. But that wouldn't be very millennial of us.
Alas, telling the best-kept secrets of San Francisco is literally our job, so we'd be remiss—fireable, even—if we didn't let you in on the latest: frozen boozy things are seriously happening.
That's right: If you're old enough to remember the days when frozen daiquiris and margaritas were fashionable, you're either ready to throw up (oh the hangover!) or throw a party right now. We suggest the latter, especially seeing as the old slushy classics are getting hipsterfied updates in the form of well-balanced piña coladas (oh yeah), spiked milkshakes (bring it), Tang (not even kidding), and that most millennial beverage of all: frosé (all day, baby).
Here's where to chill out (and pretend like we actually have summer) in SF.
Alba Ray's
If you've ever been to New Orleans, you no doubt have some memory (or not) of the frozen daiquiri bars. It's always Mardi Gras at Alba's, where you can not only chow on Cajun food, you can mix it up with frozen drinks galore. The strawberry daiquiri is tradish and delish; finish with a frozen Irish coffee. Happy hour goes down weekdays from 5:30 to 6:30pm. // 2293 Mission St. (Mission), albarays.com
Bear vs. Bull
If you're catching a flick a Alamo Drafthouse or just looking for a drink in the 'hood, belly up at Bear vs. Bull for one of their delicious blended piña coladas—a nice balance of pineapple, coconut, and El Dorado Rum. // 2550 Mission St. (Mission), bearvsbullbar.com
Rooftop 25
Newly opened Rooftop 25 has the outdoor space and sunshine to lure you in—and the slushy drinks that will make you stay for hours. We love the passionfruit margarita with just a hint of spiciness, and the icy John Daly (lemonade, iced tea, and vodka). // 25 Lusk St. (SoMa), 25lusk.com/rooftop-25
The Beehive
ICYMI, The Beehive is the latest It cocktail spot, with retro-glam charms and interiors that feel like a set on Mad Men. Direct yourself toward the throwback Tang, a boozy take on the classic orange drink, or the Quimbara cocktail, blended with Santa Teresa rum, Aperol, pink guava, and lime. // 842 Valencia St. (Mission), thebeehivesf.com
The Dorian
Whether your stopping in for brunch, dinner, or happy hour (Tuesday through Friday, 4:30 to 6pm), The Dorian's All Day Frosé is truly a refreshing all day deal. Dive into a glass or two of the frosty drink made with vodka, rosé, watermelon, and a hint of lemon. // 2001 Chestnut St. (Marina), doriansf.com
Palm House
Over the past few years, Palm House has become synonymous with fruity bevvies and good times, attracting throngs of Marina dwellers at all times of day. They come for the icy dranks, including the trademark Palm House Slushy, which can be customized for a choose-your-own-beverage adventure. Go for guava, passionfruit or strawberry, and top it off with a dark rum floater. Happy hour is from 4 to 6:30pm Tuesdays through Fridays. // 2032 Union St., Marina, palmhousesf.com
Trademark & Copyright
On the sweeter side of things, Trademark & Copyright keeps things chill with their boozy milkshakes. Indulge in the Samoa Scout Cookie (with Girl Scout Samoa cookies, bourbon, vanilla bean custard, chocolate syrup, and burnt caramel) or the Berry Nana (Appleton rum, vanilla bean custard, strawberry sauce, and banana). Make sure to head to the back patio when the weather is nice. // 1123 Folsom St. (SoMa), trademarksfc.com
The only thing better than a frozen cocktail? Frozen cocktails with tons of video games. Brewcade serves up the fun with old and new school video games and five flavors of slushies (strawberry, watermelon, peach, green apple, and "O.G.") made with sparkling grapefruit wine and dry aromatic riesling. Go for happy hour, from 4 to 7pm weekdays. // 2200 Market St. (Castro), brewcadesf.com
Pagan Idol
Pagan Idol is one of our guilty pleasures—we can't say no to a tropical tiki bar with dark nooks and crannies and tropical plants that make us feel like we've just discovered a hidden oasis. Celebrate your new fave spot with a Hemingway is Dead (rum, grapefruit, lime, bitters) served in a skull cup or a blended off-menu piña colada to satisfy your frosty needs. // 375 Bush St., FiDi, paganidol.com
Hawker Fare
The printed tablecloths are obnoxiously loud, the music is pumping, and rows of twinkling lights strung across the dining room suggest the party to come. Keep it going with a piña colada straight from the slushy machine. // 680 Valencia St. (Mission), hawkerfare.com
Glena's
In a city filled with delicious Cal-Mexican fare, good margaritas are kind of a dime a dozen. But an A+ frozen margarita just isn't something we come across everyday. Glena's has the good stuff, blended with Tapatio Blanco tequila, lime, and agave. // 632 20th St. (Dogpatch), glenassf.com
Botellón
On a busy corner of Market Street, Botellón delivers a mix of playful American food (potato bombas, crab ravioli, mac 'n cheese bites), but we're here for the boozy slushies. Choose from a Fernet Branca–infused twist on the Rosé All Day, the Hemingway daiquiri (Royal Standard rum, Luxardo maraschino, grapefruit, lime), and a spicy margarita with blanco tequila and jalapeño. // 2200A Market St. (Upper Market), botellonsf.com
Novela
What's a sober downtown worker bee to do after 5pm? Get your frozen fix at Novela where, despite a rotating cocktails list, there's always a slushy on offer. // 662 Mission St. (SoMa), novelasf.com
Woodbury
If you want to turn your evening into a slushy bar crawl, keep heading south from Novela to Woodbury, a fun gastropub that's always bumping at happy hour. Choose from piña coladas, frosé, frozen Irish coffees and margaritas—given the copious choices, you might also want to dabble in their savory, salty bar bites. Happy hour is 4:30 to 7pm weekdays. // 685 3rd St. (SoMa), woodburysf.com
Tiki Haven
When you venture to the Outer Sunset, don't say no to a visit to Tiki Haven. This old school dive bar is the perfect place to get your drink on with the deceptively boozy blended Fire Bowl. Each punch bowl is intended to serve two to four people, so heed the warning: It's so good, you can hardly taste the vodka, rum, and gin (yes, srsly). Happy hour is 4 to 6pm weekdays. // 1334 Noriega St., Outer Sunset, tikihavensf.com
