Any suggestions for a first date drinks spot in SF?
 

I'm not trying to impress her with my money (or lack thereof), just looking for a cool place to get drinks with a girl I met this week.

Well, what kind of drinks? Beer, cosmopolitans, etc?
 

Honestly a cool place just to hangout for a couple sweet drinks would be Voda Bar. It's a vodka bar, small, cool lighting etc...and all kinds of awesome vodka. Not a good place to go if single, but cool if on a date or with a group of friends.

Hah, get this. It's just "Voda" for there's a Voda bar in LA on the promenade (I just found out.)

<a href="http://sanfrancisco.citysearch.com/profile/40843416">Clickity</a>

The place looks hot, but I was thinking something more moderate that would have both beer and mixed
 

drinks.

I'll definitely have to check that out another time though--thanks for the heads up.

First Crush, if you like wine

Voda is Russian for water, Vodka is Russian for little water

I'm going to pretend I didn't see SF and say go to Cafe Van Kleef in Oakland
 

Very very cool place, laid back but filled with an eclectic group of patrons from what I have noticed. Peter the owner is always there and is a character. Usually there's some jazz band playing so it's got a good energy, loud, but not rock loud. And it's a visual treat. Peter has an almost still life photographers sense of arranging and composing items that feel great together. The paintings on the walls are his.<ul><li><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/05/28/EBGKG6R4781.DTL">http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/05/28/EBGKG6R4781.DTL</a</li></ul>

All the beautiful people go to Filmore Street in the Marina. About half a dozen bars between
 

Lombard and Union Street. High end swank at the Metro, classic bar and grill is the Balboa Cafe, Locals friendly dive is the Moana Loa. And a few bars and restaurants in between. You can walk down Union Street and window shop if the weather is still good. And theres a whole bunch of bars and restaurants on Union as well. My favoite being Pane Y Vino near Filbert street.

Pizza Orgasmica (on Filmore across from the bars)is open till late and serves slices.

BTW, my favorite bar in the city is Absinthe at Hayes and Gough.
 

Great wine selection, easy going but professional staff, an excellent oyster selection and the best pom-frites in the city!

np. It's darker than what you see in the pic too...i.e. the pic isn't as good as real life
 

that's a first! Usually pics make the place look MUCH better than it actually is...

That whole alley this place is located in is sweet. I only hung out there once though...should have gone back for more. Good for large groups of friends.

kan zaman on height
 

don't know if you hookah or not, if you do or are willing definitely consider this place. food is excellent as well.

i also like this place called 'the hemlock' but i don't think of it as a date place.<ul><li><a href="http://sanfrancisco.citysearch.com/profile/904029/">http://sanfrancisco.citysearch.com/profile/904029/</a</li></ul>