Dirty Habit is a classy bar straddling the line between SF’s downtown neighborhoods and the gritty industrial financial district. Whether you visit Dirty Habit for after-work drinks or to jumpstart your night out clubbing in Selma, this oasis is here to welcome you with a great cocktail program and delicious food. Plus, the opportunity to have a private dining experience! In this episode of The Muddler, our host TJ Bonaventura sits with Maritza Sabino, Head of the Cocktail Program at Dirty Habit to dive into the inspiration behind the creative cocktail menu that fits the noir-inspired dining room, and the fresh but cozy outside patio. Join in and get a sneak peek into the mind of an expert cocktail crafter!

Jump straight into:

(01:55) - Dirty Habits: A classy but comfortable bar and patio in the SF financial district.

(04:04) - An oasis in San Francisco: How to create a fun bar experience in a somewhat industrial location?

(07:50) -  A hard halt and shutting down the bar facing COVID19: A gradual increase in visits and shifting to a private dining experience. 

(14:57) - Cocktails with a creative flair: Some stories behind the names and creation of the drinks in the menu.

(22:07) - The art of making a session-able but still delicious cocktail + Trying the spirit-forward Mochajillo.

(29:00) - Merissa’s new inspirations: Experimenting on new creative cocktail ideas for the future.

(32:08) - Last call!: Marissa’s story with the Great Ginger Beer Incident.  

Episode resources

Golden Rule Spirits

Dirty Habit | Instagram

Dirty Habit SF

Thank you for listening to The Muddler. If you liked this episode be sure to rate the show wherever you listen. Visit themuddlerpodcast.com and follow us on Instagram @themuddlepodcast. Tell us about your favorite bar and drinks!

The Muddler is a StudioPod Media original podcast produced by TJ Bonaventura. Our writer is Joey Mezzatesta. Editing and music provided by Nodalab.

Pairing a cocktail menu with high-quality Japanese food is a challenge. In this episode of The Muddler, our host TJ Bonaventura sits with Tim Cosgrove, Bar Manager of Mamanoko, a comfortable and vibey sushi restaurant in the vibrant SF Marian District. Stryker Scales and Sam Josi the owners of Mamanoko built this restaurant with quality of produce in mind and the cocktail bar is no exception. The simple but delicious cocktail menu heavily relies on Japanese Whiskey paired with imported sake and regional beers. Tune in and join us in our second dive into a restaurant-first location that pairs simple and delicious food with original yet clean cocktails. 

Jump straight into:

(01:59) - Mamanoko: A sushi restaurant with a great cocktail menu in the vibrant SF Marina District.

(03:50) - What is the perfect drink for Japanese food?: The challenge of pairing the bar program with an excellent sushi menu. 

(08:06) - Building the experience: How they created the whole ambiance for a high-quality comfort experience. 

(11:49) - The COVID-19 pandemic: Adapting Mamanoko to operate in a completely new way and rebuilding that sense of community.

(23:07) - Trying Mamanoko’s signature drinks: The reason behind the Japanese whiskey drinks and their eclectic tequila cocktail.

(37:35) - Last call!: Tim’s craziest story at bars and handling an outside restaurant in SF Marina District. 

Episode resources

Golden Rule Spirits

Mamanoko

Thank you for listening to The Muddler. If you liked this episode be sure to rate the show wherever you listen. Visit themuddlerpodcast.com and follow us on Instagram @themuddlepodcast. Tell us about your favorite bar and drinks!

The Muddler is a StudioPod Media original podcast produced by TJ Bonaventura. Our writer is Joey Mezzatesta. Editing and music provided by Nodalab.

High Treason is a neighborhood wine bar in the middle of San Francisco’s Richmond District. Despite the pretentious stereotypes around wine, High Treason nailed it in bringing this district’s chill family vibe into its atmosphere. In this episode of The Muddler, our host TJ Bonaventura sits with Justin Myers, the Cocktail Program and Marketing Director at High Treason to talk about the story behind the bar’s name, how they endured the pandemic and the uniqueness of their aperitif cocktail menu. Tune in and join us in one of the friendliest and most local bars we’ve featured this season. Plus, listen to a 101 on the history, aesthetics, and culture behind delicious wines. 

Jump straight into:

(00:00) - An unpretentious experience: High Treason’s Richmond’s laid-back vibe with a high-end wine bar experience.

(02:45) - The story behind the name and the location: Finding Michelin Star cocktails in your family-oriented neighborhood bar.

(08:08) - Changing to face the pandemic: How High Treason stayed open by pivoting into online retail and focusing on staying connected with regulars.

(17:09) - An aperitif cocktail menu: The culture and aesthetic behind the pre-dinner drink + Trying out The Bamboo.

(26:28) - How to serve “Ready To Drink” cocktails: The science behind creating and batching aperitif cocktails.

(35:14) - Last call!: The reason why Justin misses stroller happy hour.  

Episode resources

Golden Rule Spirits

High Treason

Thank you for listening to The Muddler. If you liked this episode be sure to rate the show wherever you listen. Visit themuddlerpodcast.com and follow us on Instagram @themuddlepodcast. Tell us about your favorite bar and drinks!

The Muddler is a StudioPod Media original podcast produced by TJ Bonaventura. Our writer is Joey Mezzatesta. Editing and music provided by Nodalab. 

Located in San Francisco’s Duboce Triangle, Blackbird bar may seem mysterious on a first impression but seen in a better light its moody feel, red booths, and broad menu are the ingredients of the perfect timeless spot. In this episode of The Muddler Podcast, our host TJ Bonaventura, talks to Matt Grippo, bartender and co-owner of Blackbird to talk about the inspiration behind this moody bar, how they confronted COVID-19 restrictions, and the stories behind the weird and funny names on their cocktail menu. Join this conversation and learn how this bar focuses on speedy drinks without taking the attention off the customer experience in this vibey and curious bar.

Jump straight into:

(01:56) - The perfect local bar: The story behind the mysterious timeless spot in SF that offers everything you might want for a perfect libation.

(08:03) - How Blackbird confronted COVID-19: Going from the initial shock to getting back to business. 

(13:11) - Matt’s leadership and work ethic: How to handle responsibility, the silver linings of the pandemic, and getting back in the groove of seeing bars open. 

(20:45) - Blackbird’s cocktails and the importance of staff wellness: How the team came up with a new menu of delicious, collaborative, and creative drinks. 

(24:31) - Finding inspiration and iterating ideas: Trying Blackbird’s delicious kegged Kentucky Peach, and the blended No Bad Days.

(34:33) - Blackbird’s cocktail names and the stories behind it: The funny, awkward, and ridiculous vibe of the drink menu. 

(36:43) - Last Call!: Matt’s craziest story from working as a bartender and getting hit on by a customer. 

Episode resources

Golden Rule Spirits

Blackbird

Thank you for listening to The Muddler. If you liked this episode be sure to rate the show wherever you listen. Visit themuddlerpodcast.com and follow us on Instagram @themuddlepodcast. Tell us about your favorite bar and drinks!

The Muddler is a StudioPod Media original podcast produced by TJ Bonaventura. Our writer is Joey Mezzatesta. Editing and music provided by Nodalab.

The Pacific Cocktail Haven is a relatively new bar near San Francisco Union Square which earned a huge reputation in a short time. From its creative Pacific-inspired drinks to its staple Christmas Miracle events, PCH is a unique destination bar that really provides a curated experience. In this episode of The Muddler, our host TJ Bonaventura sits with part-owner, full-time operator, and America’s bartender of the year, Kevin Diedrich to talk about the genesis of Pacific Cocktail Haven, how the magic happens, and how they faced a very unsuspected tragedy. Tune in and get to know this bar’s resilience story, plus join us in a delicious live cocktail tasting! 

Jump straight into:

(02:15) - A new haven in the San Francisco bar scene: A renowned beacon for creativity with a Pacific vibe.

(04:14) - The genesis of PCH: Coming up with the Asian Pacific-inspired concept and a memorable positive name for the bar. 

(06:45) - A destination bar in Union Square: How Kevin and his team decided on their strategic location between the hotels and the local neighborhood.

(10:06) - Holidays are serious business!: PCH’s every year transformation into an epic wonderland  Christmas miracle. 

(16:42) - An unsuspected event: A hopeful post-pandemic reopening in February ruined by fire! 

(20:21) - Starting from scratch: The soon-to-be rebirth of Pacific Cocktail Haven in a new location.

(24:26) - Live cocktail tasting: Trying some staple drinks from the PHC menu, Thrilla in Manila, Jean-Claude Pandan, and Leeward Negroni.

(38:44) - Last call!: Kevin’s craziest story from back in his bartender days in PCH. 

Episode resources

Golden Rule Spirits 

Pacific Cocktail Haven

Kona Street Market

Thank you for listening to The Muddler. If you liked this episode be sure to rate the show wherever you listen. Visit themuddlerpodcast.com and follow us on Instagram @themuddlepodcast. Tell us about your favorite bar and drinks!

The Muddler is a StudioPod Media original podcast produced by TJ Bonaventura. Our writer is Joey Mezzatesta. Editing and music provided by Nodalab.

What is more of an inspiring time for excess and freedom than the Victorian era? The Dorean, inspired by Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, is a big and comfortable bar in the bustling Marina district in San Francisco. This immersive, fun, and unique space embodies the joie de vivre philosophy of the 19th century. In this episode of The Muddler Podcast, our host TJ Bonaventura sits with Benson Wang, founder, and owner of The Dorian and CEO of Palm House Hospitality, to talk about the inspiration behind this bar and how he runs three other establishments in the area. Also, TJ talks to Justin Sheffey, The Dorian’s Bar Director, about its whimsical cocktail menu and how the bar’s environment is embedded in every drink. Tune in and learn how Benson and his team have created the only top-notch experience in Marina, where you can find a $5 dirty martini!

Jump straight into:

(02:11) -  The vision behind The Dorian: How Benson transformed this huge space to create a Victorian-inspired bar on Chestnut Street.

(09:30) - Operating multiple businesses during COVID: How Benson’s hospitality background came into play during the crisis. 

(16:08) - Giving back to the community, the $5 martini golden hour, and Benson’s other hospitality venues. 

(22:58) - The Dorian’s Bar Director: How Justin Sheffey crafted this whimsical cocktail menu inspired in the Marina’s Chestnut and Fillmore corner.

(30:08) - Presenting a renewed classic drink to the team: Justin’s revamped spritz menu and the story behind it.

(37:27) - Justin’s inspiration for creating delicious cocktails: How the bar’s environment is embedded in every drink.

(40:40) - Last Call! Justin’s crazy story on his first day working at a bar. 

Episode resources

Golden Rule Spirits

The Dorian - San Francisco

Thank you for listening to The Muddler. If you liked this episode be sure to rate the show wherever you listen. Visit themuddlerpodcast.com and follow us on Instagram @themuddlepodcast. Tell us about your favorite bar and drinks!

The Muddler is a StudioPod Media original podcast produced by TJ Bonaventura. Our writer is Joey Mezzatesta. Editing and music provided by Nodalab. 

San Francisco’s iconic China Live complex is the home to a unique Old Shanghai-style bar, Cold Drinks. With its gold piano ceiling, rich stonework, and comfortable lounge furniture, Cold Drinks is a destination bar; a place to dress sharp, sit down, and enjoy a delicious cocktail with relaxing music and luxurious appetizers. In this episode of The Muddler Podcast, our host TJ Bonaventura sits with China Live’s founders, Cindy and George Chen, and lead mixologist Yong Zhu, to talk about how this James Bond-style bar came to be, from the decoration to the Scotch centric menu. Tune in and learn how Cold Drinks brings class and comfort to San Francisco’s Chinatown. 

Jump straight into:

(02:24) - Blade Runner with a touch of James Bond: A classy scotch-centric bar inspired by the romantic gangster, movie star, and writer’s Shanghai of the 1920s. 

(08.13) - Yong Zhu and the Peking Duck Fat-Washed Old Fashioned: How to blend Scotch Whiskey into a whole range of delicious staple cocktails. 

(12:58) - How Cold Drink responded to the pandemic: Holding on with a select group of people and developing a quality to-go cocktail menu.

(23:26) - From the concept to the menu: The process behind creating classic drinks with a Chinese twist of style and substance. 

(31:10) - The most unique Cold Drinks cocktails: Trying the Silk Degrees and the Sometimes Old Fashioned.

(34:59) - Hey, you don't work here!: The craziest story that ever happened at Cold Drinks. 

Episode resources

Golden Rule Spirits

Cold Drinks | China Live

Cold Drinks | Instagram 

Thank you for listening to The Muddler. If you liked this episode be sure to rate the show wherever you listen. Visit themuddlerpodcast.com and follow us on Instagram @themuddlepodcast. Tell us about your favorite bar and drinks!

The Muddler is a StudioPod Media original podcast produced by TJ Bonaventura. Our writer is Joey Mezzatesta. Editing and music provided by Nodalab. 

The newly opened and incredibly eye-catching Red Window Bar & Restaurant sits in the historic Little Italy neighborhood in San Francisco, there is just one detail, it serves Spanish fare. In this episode of The Muddle Podcast, our host TJ Bonaventura chats with Red Window’s managing partner, Elmer Mejicanos who tells us the story of this Barcelona-inspired bar, as well as the super ingenious way they managed the pandemic. Plus, Elmer prepares his iconic Red Window Cobbler and explains how he created this bar’s stylish and delicious cocktail program. Tune in and get ready to crave the Red Window’s revamped sangria while listening!

Jump straight into:

(02:12) - A tapas bar in Little Italy? How this super attractive restaurant expanded this European-style neighborhood by bringing in the Spanish tradition.

(06:39) - Red Window’s inspiration: A Barcelona-style bar with a flavorful cocktail menu.

(08:56) - Ups & downs: Getting ready for the opening day during the pandemic and the Little Red Window story.

(21:40) - Creating the cocktail program: Low ABV delicious cherry-inspired drinks + Trying the Red Window Cobbler.

(26:25) - It gives me a headache!: Why Elmer doesn’t like the iconic sangria and how he turned it around for Red Window. 

(32:47) - The craziest bar story Elmer has experienced: The one with the lady making herself breakfast.

Episode resources

Golden Rule Spirits

Red Window

Thank you for listening to The Muddler. If you liked this episode be sure to rate the show wherever you listen. Visit themuddlerpodcast.com and follow us on Instagram @themuddlepodcast. Tell us about your favorite bar and drinks!

The Muddler is a StudioPod Media original podcast produced by TJ Bonaventura. Our writer is Joey Mezzatesta. Editing and music provided by Nodalab.