Food, Drinks & Soft Latin-Jazz Music On The 19th Floor Of The InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel
Located on the 19th floor of the InterContinental Mark Hopkins hotel at the crest of San Francisco’s tony Nob Hill, it offers sweeping views of the city, the Golden Gate Bridge and out into the bay. It has the feel of a jazzy lounge with music featuring jazz with some lighter Latin hints and touches of high-quality Electro Swing.
A DJ spins Fridays from 4:30-9:30 p.m.
It also now features a new cocktails menu and starting in July it launches a partnership with Hanson of Sonoma Organic Vodka that includes a “Vodka Expressions” service. It’s a cool and unique concept: a tableside cart tasting where select organic vodkas are paired with artisanal chocolates from Kollar Chocolates and, later in the summer, caviar.
You can read about the Vodka Expressions experience here.
For food, there are appetizers such as Fennel Pollen and Orange Spiced nuts, Top of the Mark’s famous Ranch House Fried Chips and Harissa Spiced olives.
There are also more substantial menu items to choose from such as Sonoma County Goat Cheese Fundido with Chorizo, Pickled Calabrian Chilies and Crostini; Tuna Tataki Tacos on a Fried Wonton Shell with Sriracha Aioli, Cilantro and Red Bell Pepper; or Short Rib Sliders with Anise and Apricot Glazed Short Ribs, Cilantro Jalapeno Slaw and Garlic Aiol.
The much-lauded Top of the Mark opened in 1939 when Mark Hopkins’ owner George D. Smith converted the 19th floor penthouse into a glass-walled cocktail lounge. It was an instant hit with patrons flocking to enjoy a drink and immerse themselves in the glamour of the city while gazing at the glittering lights of the Golden Gate Bridge and the International Exposition on Treasure Island.
In 1941, when the United States entered World War II, Top of the Mark became a destination for Pacific-bound soldiers to have one last drink before shipping out, toasting the Golden Gate Bridge for good luck.
This led to traditions such as the “Squadron Bottle,” in which servicemen would leave a bottle with the bartender for when they safely returned from the war. Any member of a squadron who came to the bar was welcome to sign his name to that squadron’s bottle and drink for free. The only catch was that the one to take the last drink had to buy the next bottle.
Even today, military personnel and veterans can enjoy a free Squadron Shot.
The Top of the Mark is open Tuesday through Saturday from 4:30-11:00 p.m. Appetizers are served from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Address: 999 California Street, San Francisco, CA.
Website: www.topofthemark.com.
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