Highlights
- Great beer selection
oChef » Hotel Kabuki – San Francisco
Hotel Kabuki - San Francisco
Photo from Hotel Kabuki
Hotel Kabuki at a glance
San Francisco Japantown
- 🍻 Bar & Pub
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 7 of the guests
#1615 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#119 Bar & Pub out of 151 in San Francisco
Good
7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
151
Reviews
73.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Craft cocktails
- Great ambiance
Frequently criticized
- Pricey drinks
- Pest issues
The bar, Hotel Kabuki, in San Francisco’s vibrant Japantown neighborhood, is a Bar & Pub that truly stands out. When you visit Bar at Hotel Kabuki, you’ll discover a fantastic spot to unwind, offering a great beer selection that caters to all tastes.
Whether you’re looking for an upscale evening or a casual drink, this trendy and cozy establishment provides the perfect setting for you to enjoy.
Overview: Introducting Hotel Kabuki
Hotel Kabuki offers a distinctive experience, often praised for its inviting atmosphere and a particularly strong showing in its beverage program. Guests frequently highlight the interesting cocktail menu and the expertise of the bartenders, creating a welcoming spot for a relaxed evening.
However, some find the overall price point, especially for drinks, to be a notable drawback. While the ambiance and drink craftsmanship stand out positively, there are occasional concerns regarding the consistency of service and the perceived value.
Despite these points, the establishment manages to maintain a generally positive impression, making it a place worth considering for its unique vibe and well-crafted libations.
Good
7
out of 10
151
Reviews
73.5%
Satisfaction
33
negative
7
neutral
111
positive
Hotel Kabuki earns a respectable overall score of 7, indicating a good dining experience, which aligns well with a 73.5% customer satisfaction rate. This suggests that most patrons leave content with their visit.
The establishment truly shines in its Ambience (8) and Food (7.9), particularly for its drinks, which are frequently mentioned positively among the 151 customer opinions. However, the experience is not without its challenges.
Service (5.6) registers as average, with some guests noting inconsistencies, while Value (3.8) is perceived as poor, largely due to the high cost of beverages. With 111 positive remarks against 33 negative ones, the feedback paints a picture of a place with clear strengths that sometimes overshadow its areas for improvement.
What people like
- Craft cocktail program
- Inviting bar atmosphere
- Knowledgeable bartenders
What people don't like
- High drink prices
- Inconsistent service
- Pest control issues
With a recommendation score of 7.2, Hotel Kabuki is a solid choice if you’re seeking a sophisticated setting and appreciate a well-crafted drink. It’s particularly suited for those looking to unwind in a pleasant atmosphere with friends, where the quality of cocktails and the overall vibe are priorities.
However, be prepared for a higher price tag, especially for drinks, as value is a common concern. If you prioritize budget-friendly options or expect flawless service, you might find aspects of your visit less satisfying.
It’s a place to enjoy for its strengths, provided you manage expectations on cost.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Hotel Kabuki
Food (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 63% of the guests
When it comes to the food and drinks, this spot is definitely hitting the mark! With a solid score of 7.9 and customer satisfaction at a great 85.4%, its clear most folks are loving whats on offer. Out of 41 comments, 35 were positive, praising everything from the delicious game hen entree and appetizers to the strong drinks and Japanese-inspired cocktails .
However, not every sip or bite was perfect. A few of the 41 comments pointed out some areas for improvement, with concerns about the cocktail menu and drinks not always hitting the mark. One specific Mi Tai was called awful, and the beer selection also received a less-than-stellar review.
Food
41
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
4
negative
2
neutral
35
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent Japanese whiskies
- Creative cocktails shine
- Delicious appetizers
What people don't like
- Awful Mi Tai
- Limited beer selection
- Some drinks disappoint
Often praised
- cocktailsMy experience at the restaurant was a nice respite when the city felt frenetic. I enjoyed the good service, food, and cocktails, with the added bonus of a welcoming and calming atmosphere. It's a great place to catch up with friends.
- cocktail menuMy experience at this restaurant featured a very interesting cocktail menu, and the bartenders were extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. While the establishment is upscale and pricey, I found it to be worth the experience.
- drinksThe drinks are good
- foodMy experience at the restaurant was a nice respite when the city felt frenetic. I enjoyed the good service, food, and cocktails, with the added bonus of a welcoming and calming atmosphere. It's a great place to catch up with friends.
- FoodFood:5
- Japanese whiskeyrelax and have some Japanese whiskey
- Japanese whiskey classicsjapanese whiskey classics, highballs, & special drinks
- Japanese whiskiesserve well known Japanese whiskies
- Japanese-inspired cocktailsA great collection of Japanese inspired cocktails
- Little Tiki-yoLittle Tiki-yo - Bacardi Rum, Lime Juice, Orgeat, Dry Curaçao, Li Hing Mui Syrup, Dark Rum Float
Frequently criticized
- Mi TaiMi Tai that was awful!!!
- beer selectionnot that great of a beer selection
- cocktail menuhope they bring back the old cocktail menu
- drinksIt was a nice spot to sit down, but we got four different drinks and did not particularly like any of them.
Overall, if youre looking for a place with a strong drink game, especially Japanese whiskies and creative cocktails , youll likely be very pleased. While there are a few minor hiccups with certain drink choices, the general consensus points to a highly enjoyable experience worth trying.
Service (5.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 54% of the guests
Many guests have found bright spots in the service, with 18 positive remarks out of 35 total. Patrons frequently praise the friendly staff and bartenders, often highlighting their mixology skills and attentive nature, like filling your waterglass. While the overall score for service is an average 5.6, and customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 51.4%, theres a clear appreciation for the welcoming atmosphere and good chat from the team.
However, its not all smooth sailing. Some experiences mention rude staff and doorman interactions, with others noting a slow bartender or issues with the paying process and incorrect receipts. With 16 negative remarks, it seems there are areas where the service could definitely use some improvement, especially regarding consistency and attentiveness from the server to ensure a positive experience for everyone.
Service
35
Reviews
51%
Satisfaction
16
negative
1
neutral
18
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Skilled bartenders
- Attentive service
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Slow service
- Payment process issues
Often praised
- bartendersstaffed by the kind of bartenders that are natural mixologists
- staffvery friendly staff
- servicethe service was amazing!!! and i can’t underscore that enough
- Bartender: PorscheBartender: Porsche
- ServiceService:5
- bartenderbartender was on point with her mixology
- friendly staffStaff is friendly
- good chatAlso had a good chat
- wait for a tableI hope they bring back the old cocktail menu! It used to be a great place to wait for a table in Japan Town.
- waitressesWaitresses were friendly
Frequently criticized
- staffwe even told the staff that a mouse was there and nothing was done
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was the worst service ever. I arrived during what I believed was happy hour and inquired about the menu.
- bartenderbartender kind of slow to get a drink
- card chargethey didn’t charge my card
- doormanThe doorman got nasty with me
- experiencevery terrible experience
- interactionthrough the whole interaction they were SO rude
- paying processpaying process is old
- receiptsbrought the wrong receipts
- serverwaving server down and being ignored
If you're looking for a place with potentially great bartenders and friendly staff, it might be worth a visit. However, be prepared for a mixed bag, as some guests have encountered rude interactions and slower service, so manage your expectations.
Ambience (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 71% of the guests
The ambience here truly shines, earning a solid 8 for its good atmosphere and boasting an excellent 90% customer satisfaction. With 54 positive remarks out of 60, guests frequently rave about the classic vibe, cleanliness, and the beautiful Japanese garden. Many also enjoy the bustling bar area, making it a lively and inviting spot.
However, a few minor points surfaced among the 60 opinions. Some found the heater to be quite loud, and there was a concerning mention of a mouse sighting. Additionally, while the bar is popular, some noted limited bar seating, which could be a slight inconvenience during peak times.
Ambience
60
Reviews
90%
Satisfaction
3
negative
3
neutral
54
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Classic, retro vibe
- Beautiful garden area
- Lively bar scene
What people don't like
- Loud heater noise
- Mouse sighting
- Limited bar seating
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at the restaurant was a nice respite when the city felt frenetic. I enjoyed the good service, food, and cocktails, with the added bonus of a welcoming and calming atmosphere. It's a great place to catch up with friends.
- KabukiWhile it was a little pricey, the atmosphere was amazing. The Kabuki is clean, fun to be in, and the staff is great. I will definitely be going back.
- barMy experience at this restaurant was centered around its nice bar. It's a good place to take a few friends, offering nice beer and good gin drinks.
- lobby barA friend and I have been passing through and grabbed a comfortable seat to get our bearings when we've parked in the adjacent Japan Center garage. Based on the lobby bar and a visit to the web page, I would love to stay at the hotel sometime!
- placeVery classy and cool place
- 420 partyThey had a 420 party while I was there
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- DJ at the BarMy experience at the Kabuki Hotel on Friday night for BASA's Curious Carnival was AWESOME! 😉 It was a night filled with an incredible PROGRAM, featuring a DJ at the Bar, a photo booth, and a fantastic garden outside the Bar with a 420 SMOKING PIT 😎. There was LOTS OF FUN and GOOD PEOPLE that night!
- GOOD PEOPLEwith GOOD PEOPLE
- Japanese gardenbeautiful Japanese garden just outside the windows
Frequently criticized
- bar seatingIt's a great spot to peruse books and to relax. The bar at the pond is nice, though there's limited bar seating. The nice charging plugs were handy and useful.
- heaterheater. It comes in like a jet engine
- mousethere was a mouse openly scurrying across the restaurant
If you're looking for a place with a vibrant, clean, and culturally rich atmosphere, this spot is definitely worth checking out. Despite a couple of minor quirks like the loud heater or limited bar seating, the overwhelmingly positive vibe makes it a great choice for a fun night out.
Value (3.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 24% of the guests
When it comes to value, a few guests found some bright spots, particularly with the interesting cocktail menu and the overall experience feeling worth the cost. There were also positive remarks about happy hour prices and some drinks being surprisingly affordable, based on 4 positive opinions. However, the overall sentiment for value is quite low, with a score of just 3.8 and customer satisfaction at a mere 26.7%.
Many of the 10 negative opinions highlight pricey and expensive drink pricing, especially for cocktails and draft beers, with some even mentioning happy hour issues and a weird credit card policy.
Value
15
Reviews
26%
Satisfaction
10
negative
1
neutral
4
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Worth the experience
- Good happy hour prices
- Affordable drinks
What people don't like
- Insane drink pricing
- Expensive cocktails/beers
- Happy hour issues
Often praised
- drinkssurprisingly affordable drinks given the upscale feel
- experienceMy experience at this restaurant featured a very interesting cocktail menu, and the bartenders were extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. While the establishment is upscale and pricey, I found it to be worth the experience.
- happy hour pricesHappy hour prices were good
Frequently criticized
- Mi Tai13.00 for a Mi Tai that was awful!!!
- cocktails$25-29 for cocktail
- credit card policyVery weird credit card policy
- draft beersIt was $14 for draft beers
- drink pricinginsane pricing for drinks
- expensiveexpensive and not that great
- happy hourdenying they have any happy hour
- options aroundoptions around
- priceMy experience at the restaurant was largely positive. While it was a little pricey, the atmosphere was amazing. The Kabuki is clean, fun to be in, and the staff is great.
- priceyMy experience at this restaurant featured a very interesting cocktail menu, and the bartenders were extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. While the establishment is upscale and pricey, I found it to be worth the experience.
If you're looking for an upscale experience and can catch a good happy hour deal, you might find some value here. However, be prepared for potentially high drink pricing outside of those specific times, as overall value is a significant concern for many.
How are the prices at Hotel Kabuki?
You’re looking at roughly 33 per person – reported by 7 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Bar & Pub, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at the spread of prices, we see guests spending across various ranges, from lower to slightly higher, indicating a diverse offering. With only 7 reviews, this gives us a good indication, but it’s worth noting the data is a bit limited.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 7 reviews. While this gives us a good indication, remember the data is limited.
How this spot’s value stacks up against similar places in San Francisco.
Considering its a Bar & Pub in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels fair for a mid-range experience. Its not the cheapest pint, but you’re likely getting good value for your money, especially if food is involved.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Hotel Kabuki
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Bartender on Point, Gorgeous Place!
I didn't eat at the restaurant, but the bartender was on point with her mixology! The place is also gorgeous!
- bartender9
- mixology9
- place9
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
4
Nice Spot, Disappointing Drinks
It was a nice spot to sit down, but we got four different drinks and did not particularly like any of them.
- spot7
- drinks3
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
3
Amazing Service, Unacceptable Pest Problem
My experience at this restaurant was a tale of two halves. The service was absolutely amazing, and I cannot stress that enough. However, during a visit with a friend close to closing time, we witnessed a mouse openly scurrying across the restaurant floor.
We informed the staff, but unfortunately, no action was taken to remove the pest from the premises.
- service10
- mouse1
- staff2
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Outrageous Drink Prices
My experience yesterday, May 15th, 2024, was marked by insane pricing for drinks. Draft beers were $14, and cocktails ranged from $25-29. This was absolutely outrageous, especially considering other options available not only in San Francisco but also in surrounding areas.
- drink pricing1
- draft beers1
- cocktails1
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
6
Good drinks, awkward payment
My experience at the restaurant was mixed. The drinks were good, which was a definite plus. However, the paying process was quite old-fashioned.
I had to stand up and go to the terminal to pay, which felt inconvenient.
- drinks8
- paying process3
- stand up3
What Hotel Kabuki offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Popular for
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Dancing
- Food at bar
- Hard liquor
- Happy hour drinks
- Food
- Wine
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Table service
- Seating
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
Parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Upscale
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and offerings can you find at Bar at Hotel Kabuki?
The Bar at Hotel Kabuki offers an atmosphere that is upscale, cozy, casual, and trendy. You can enjoy a great beer selection, hard liquor, wine, and cocktails, along with food at the bar and happy hour drinks. They even have dancing!
What service options and accessibility features does Bar at Hotel Kabuki provide?
At Bar at Hotel Kabuki, you can choose between outdoor seating and dine-in options. For your convenience, the venue offers a wheelchair accessible entrance and restroom, ensuring a comfortable experience for all guests.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Hotel Kabuki?
Hotel Kabuki generally receives good feedback, with a customer satisfaction rate of 73.5%. Out of 151 customer opinions, 111 were positive, indicating a largely favorable experience for most visitors.
How does Hotel Kabuki score across different aspects of the dining experience?
Hotel Kabuki achieves an overall score of 7 out of 10. Its strongest areas are Ambience (8) and Food (7.9), particularly for its cocktail offerings. Service scores as average (5.6), while Value is considered poor (3.8), mainly due to drink pricing.
Are there any specific issues to be aware of when visiting Hotel Kabuki?
While many enjoy the atmosphere and drinks, some guests have noted high drink prices, occasional inconsistencies in service, and in one instance, a concern about a mouse sighting. These points might affect the overall experience for some patrons.