It’s a bar, a restaurant, and a music venue — the newly-launched second location of Goldfield Trading Post is one of the most exciting destinations in Roseville. Paying homage to the region’s Gold Rush history, Goldfield has a laid-back charm and Wild West saloon appeal. It’s a place for indulgent bar food —  Ahi Tuna Poke Wonton Nachos, or Mariachi Tacos with bacon-wrapped shrimp. Given their excellent tap list, opt for a boilermaker — a good pour of Bulleit Bourbon alongside a local pint like the Henhouse Incredible IPA.  

Inspired by Belgium public houses, The Monk’s Cellar is a comfortable place to enjoy house-brewed beer, hearty sausages, or a steaming bowl of moules frites. A Bulleit Bourbon is the perfect accompaniment to their excellent beers on tap; the Biere Blanche, a Belgian-style witbier, is bright and citrusy, and an easy-drinking partner to Bulleit’s bold, spicy character.

Every neighborhood should have a Causwells — an inviting bistro with a notorious burger, killer brunch, and popular happy hour — but it’s the Marina that’s lucky enough to lay claim to this longtime favorite. Whenever you visit, there’s a burger for you — the smashed Americana Cheeseburger at dinner, or the brunch burger with fried egg and bacon, both just as good as the breathless reviews claim. With a hearty meal, you’ll want a stiff cocktail, like the Chamomile Ryed with chamomile-infused Bulleit Rye, clove, and honey. 

There are any number of bars that try to recreate a pre-Prohibition vibe — but Comstock Saloon comes by its vintage charm honestly. The historic space dates back to 1907 and it retains its old-world character without ever tipping over into kitsch. It’s a place that makes you grateful for San Francisco in all its eccentric history. Naturally, classics dominate the cocktail menu, and you can’t go wrong with any whiskey drink: There’s nowhere better to order a Bulleit Sazerac.

Bright, open, and light-filled — with a retractable roof that lets the fresh air in, even right downtown — Peacekeeper is a welcoming refuge in Lower Nob Hill. While tequila and mezcal anchor the cocktail list, their whiskey cocktails are every bit as enticing. On one of San Francisco’s cherished, all-too-rare sunny days, there’s nowhere nicer to sip a Kentucky Mule made with Bulleit Bourbon, ginger ale, and a splash of fresh lime. 

A bar named after whiskey had better nail the whiskey classics. And thankfully, Rye more than delivers. Long before San Francisco seemed to have an impressive cocktail bar on every corner, Rye was serving expertly-made drinks. Low-lit and sophisticated, it’s among the most reliable spots in town for a beautifully crafted classic like a perfectly stirred Bulleit Manhattan.

San Francisco isn’t much of a rooftop bar town — a constant shroud of fog is no friend to an outdoor drinker — but the sheltered, heated rooftop at 25 Lusk is an exception to the rule. The sophisticated menu strikes just the right balance of innovative and accessible: fermented garlic hummus with smoked paprika and vadouvan; a Dungeness crab roll with Meyer lemon and togarashi; chicken terrine with a black pepper waffle and farm egg. And since decadent fare is often best accompanied by an uncomplicated drink, keep your order simple: A Bulleit Bourbon with tonic and a lemon wedge is light and smooth enough to drink throughout dinner. 

After a 20-month closure, San Francisco’s most cutting-edge cocktail bar is finally back in business. Ever since its debut in 2013, Trick Dog has been known for their cerebral, high-concept menus. Their current list is themed around the Reformation, Renaissance, Enlightenment, and Roaring Twenties — times of vibrant change that each followed a devastating pandemic. (Historical optimism? We’ll take it.) Here, the bartenders know their craft, and their cocktail list, inside-out; ask about their whiskey drinks and they’ll lead you in the right direction.