Absinthe owner opens North Beach saloon
Comstock Saloon opens today at the junction of North Beach and the Financial District.
The men behind the bar at Hayes Valley's Absinthe, Jeff Hollinger and Jonny Ragin, have teamed with Absinthe owner Bill Russell-Shapiro to open a contemporary take on an old-time saloon. Comstock will have a full menu of classic cocktails, and the bartenders will custom craft drinks to individual tastes.
The bar, at Columbus and Pacific avenues, occupies a building that has been a bar since 1907. That heritage inspired the space's design, which includes many decorative pieces from the last century.
A front "saloon" room contains a 20-foot long bar, five wooden booths and some small tables and chairs.
The adjacent main dining room has banquettes and tables; Carlo Espinas, late of Camino in Oakland, is the chef.
In addition to Comstock Saloon, Russell-Shapiro is also working on plans to expand into the former Citizen Cake location in Hayes Valley.