Best Irish Whiskey Cocktails In The Bay Area

Everyone knows the Buena Vista Café's signature drink is its world renowned Irish Coffee ($10), famously created in 1952 by then Café owner Jack Koeppler and local travel writer Stanton Delaplane as a homage to a celebrated "Irish Coffee" served at Ireland's Shannon Airport. After much experimentation, success was theirs, and the delicious Buena Vista Irish Coffee recipe remains a legend. Located at San Francisco's famed Fisherman's Wharf, the Buena Vista Café is also a well-known destination for its extensive and tasty food menu and full bar, which includes Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey, the real deal Irish whiskey also used in the Irish Cocoa ($10), another popular cocktail here. Click here for the Buena Vista Café Irish Coffee story, and its "how do we do it," cocktail directions.

Around since 1998, Johnny Foley's has become one of the city's exemplary gathering spots and top Irish pubs. With its premier location, a block from Union Square and surrounded by San Francisco's theater district, big hotels, cable cars and top shopping destinations, Johnny Foley's takes a modern spin on classic Irish food, drink and ambiance. Proudly claiming itself "The Real Deal," Johnny Foley's offers live entertainment rounding out its reputation as a lively spot to meet friends for food and drinks. Top choice drinks are, of course, made with Irish whiskey, including favorites John Power, Jameson 1780, Paddy, Tullamore Dew 12 year and much more. Come in and ask the bartender for the current favorite Johnny Foley's cocktail.

Finnegan's Marin is a special gathering spot in North Marin, where as Finnegan's says, "American bar and grill meets Irish pub" in downtown Novato. This award-winning bar and restaurant offers delicious food all day plus Sunday brunch, has a full bar featuring Irish whiskeys and is proud to be a neighborhood focused business with "community-oriented nightlife." Open 365 days a year, Finnegan's stocks an extensive line of Irish whiskeys. Two Finnegan's whiskey cocktail favorites are the Whisky Smash ($12), made with Redbreast, simple syrup, muddled mint and fresh lemon topped with fresh mint, and the Bitter Sweet ($9), made with Jameson, Campari, grapefruit juice and Whit Beer, and served with an orange slice.

With its cool downtown Union Square location, and welcoming outdoor patio seating snugly set in its own comfy lane, The Irish Bank Bar & Restaurant is both a unique spot yet an authentic Irish pub at the same time. While the outside gives a traditional Irish cottage appearance, one step inside reveals a showcase atmosphere with rare antiques, historical documents and advertisements, old photographs barrels and more memorabilia that invites visitors to stay for a while and have a drink. The Irish Bank presents its Irish coffees and hot whiskeys (Irish whiskey, hot water, sugar, lemon and cloves) at $9, whiskey and ginger ales are $9, and the latest favorite is the "Big Ginger" ($10), 2 Gingers Irish Whiskey with ginger beer with a lemon or lime garnish ... delish!

O'Flaherty's Irish Pub celebrates the camaraderie, fine food and spirits that epitomize the traditional Irish pub experience. Located in San Jose's historic San Pedro Square, O'Flaherty's is centrally located and a convenient spot for friends to connect. O'Flaherty's is known for its huge selection of domestic and imported craft beers and exceptional range of domestic and imported whiskeys, including the best in Irish whiskeys. Favorite Irish whiskey cocktails feature top brands including: Powers, Tullamore Dew, Michael Collins, Kilbeggan, Red Breast, Bushmills, Jameson and more.