Dirty Habit is a classy bar straddling the line between SF’s downtown neighborhoods and the gritty industrial financial district. Whether you visit Dirty Habit for after-work drinks or to jumpstart your night out clubbing in Selma, this oasis is here to welcome you with a great cocktail program and delicious food. Plus, the opportunity to have a private dining experience! In this episode of The Muddler, our host TJ Bonaventura sits with Maritza Sabino, Head of the Cocktail Program at Dirty Habit to dive into the inspiration behind the creative cocktail menu that fits the noir-inspired dining room, and the fresh but cozy outside patio. Join in and get a sneak peek into the mind of an expert cocktail crafter!

Jump straight into:

(01:55) - Dirty Habits: A classy but comfortable bar and patio in the SF financial district.

(04:04) - An oasis in San Francisco: How to create a fun bar experience in a somewhat industrial location?

(07:50) -  A hard halt and shutting down the bar facing COVID19: A gradual increase in visits and shifting to a private dining experience. 

(14:57) - Cocktails with a creative flair: Some stories behind the names and creation of the drinks in the menu.

(22:07) - The art of making a session-able but still delicious cocktail + Trying the spirit-forward Mochajillo.

(29:00) - Merissa’s new inspirations: Experimenting on new creative cocktail ideas for the future.

(32:08) - Last call!: Marissa’s story with the Great Ginger Beer Incident.  

Episode resources

Golden Rule Spirits

Dirty Habit | Instagram

Dirty Habit SF

Thank you for listening to The Muddler. If you liked this episode be sure to rate the show wherever you listen. Visit themuddlerpodcast.com and follow us on Instagram @themuddlepodcast. Tell us about your favorite bar and drinks!

The Muddler is a StudioPod Media original podcast produced by TJ Bonaventura. Our writer is Joey Mezzatesta. Editing and music provided by Nodalab.

Pairing a cocktail menu with high-quality Japanese food is a challenge. In this episode of The Muddler, our host TJ Bonaventura sits with Tim Cosgrove, Bar Manager of Mamanoko, a comfortable and vibey sushi restaurant in the vibrant SF Marian District. Stryker Scales and Sam Josi the owners of Mamanoko built this restaurant with quality of produce in mind and the cocktail bar is no exception. The simple but delicious cocktail menu heavily relies on Japanese Whiskey paired with imported sake and regional beers. Tune in and join us in our second dive into a restaurant-first location that pairs simple and delicious food with original yet clean cocktails. 

Jump straight into:

(01:59) - Mamanoko: A sushi restaurant with a great cocktail menu in the vibrant SF Marina District.

(03:50) - What is the perfect drink for Japanese food?: The challenge of pairing the bar program with an excellent sushi menu. 

(08:06) - Building the experience: How they created the whole ambiance for a high-quality comfort experience. 

(11:49) - The COVID-19 pandemic: Adapting Mamanoko to operate in a completely new way and rebuilding that sense of community.

(23:07) - Trying Mamanoko’s signature drinks: The reason behind the Japanese whiskey drinks and their eclectic tequila cocktail.

(37:35) - Last call!: Tim’s craziest story at bars and handling an outside restaurant in SF Marina District. 

Episode resources

Golden Rule Spirits

Mamanoko

Thank you for listening to The Muddler. If you liked this episode be sure to rate the show wherever you listen. Visit themuddlerpodcast.com and follow us on Instagram @themuddlepodcast. Tell us about your favorite bar and drinks!

The Muddler is a StudioPod Media original podcast produced by TJ Bonaventura. Our writer is Joey Mezzatesta. Editing and music provided by Nodalab.

High Treason is a neighborhood wine bar in the middle of San Francisco’s Richmond District. Despite the pretentious stereotypes around wine, High Treason nailed it in bringing this district’s chill family vibe into its atmosphere. In this episode of The Muddler, our host TJ Bonaventura sits with Justin Myers, the Cocktail Program and Marketing Director at High Treason to talk about the story behind the bar’s name, how they endured the pandemic and the uniqueness of their aperitif cocktail menu. Tune in and join us in one of the friendliest and most local bars we’ve featured this season. Plus, listen to a 101 on the history, aesthetics, and culture behind delicious wines. 

Jump straight into:

(00:00) - An unpretentious experience: High Treason’s Richmond’s laid-back vibe with a high-end wine bar experience.

(02:45) - The story behind the name and the location: Finding Michelin Star cocktails in your family-oriented neighborhood bar.

(08:08) - Changing to face the pandemic: How High Treason stayed open by pivoting into online retail and focusing on staying connected with regulars.

(17:09) - An aperitif cocktail menu: The culture and aesthetic behind the pre-dinner drink + Trying out The Bamboo.

(26:28) - How to serve “Ready To Drink” cocktails: The science behind creating and batching aperitif cocktails.

(35:14) - Last call!: The reason why Justin misses stroller happy hour.  

Episode resources

Golden Rule Spirits

High Treason

Thank you for listening to The Muddler. If you liked this episode be sure to rate the show wherever you listen. Visit themuddlerpodcast.com and follow us on Instagram @themuddlepodcast. Tell us about your favorite bar and drinks!

The Muddler is a StudioPod Media original podcast produced by TJ Bonaventura. Our writer is Joey Mezzatesta. Editing and music provided by Nodalab.