There’s something about a Jazz club that makes me feel classy and sophisticated. The low lights and swanky music mixed with the often underground locale makes me feel like I should be smoking a long cigar while some top-hat looker is kissing my neck and sipping whiskey. This was definitely not happening during my visit to Black Cat in San Fran but the vibes were there you know.
The Black Cat is located in the Tenderloin District (a.k.a. the nitty gritty pocket of the city). I may have witnessed some lines of coke being snorted on the street before I reached the entrance but once inside, I was amidst a super goth-glam ambiance. Think crystal skulls, gothic chandeliers, black wood and a cool “oh, so you know about this place too” feel.
After descending a staircase in what seems like the actual bar, I arrived to the underground portion. Dimly lit, there was a small stage and cozy furniture with a central bar.
I cozied up in a corner booth while Jazzy rifts ricochet around the room. While they have a creative menu inspired by the different eras of Jazz around the world, a cocktail on their regular menu caught my eye. Dubbed the Mission Penicillin, this drink was one of THE BEST (hate to be dramatic, but it was) cocktails I’ve had. Legit pissed I can’t drink this every day. I mean obviously I haven’t had every cocktail on planet earth so I might be lying right now. But for what I’ve had…this one was the cat’s meow. Sorry. I hate myself too.
While I’ve come to find that many people are averse to tequila (not me), the Mission Penicillin will change things up for you. A blend of reposado tequila, lemon, coconut honey (game-changer) and mezcal, i was selling my soul for this bev. Not that sweet, not that aggressive, just a juicy blend of perfectly in-tune flavors. And i loved getting it in a different glass everytime. The little surprises ya feel?
In between me ordering yet another one, the music changed from traditional Jazz to upbeat Cuban tunes, trumpet and all.
It’s worth noting that Black Cat also serves up food. I had some bites of their tasty apps—mostly to avoid me chugging my drink—and they were just as delicious. But definitely come for the drinks. This place has post-dinner vibes written all over it.
