![\"Martini](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1764119316_790_0x0.jpg\")
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True Laurel in San Francisco is among the 23 locations along the new San Francisco Martini Trail.<\/p>\n
Courtesy of San Francisco Travel<\/p>\n
The origin of martini often stirs up disputed theories involving hotels and destinations such as San Francisco.<\/p>\n
Yet the City by the Bay is now stirring its claim with the San Francisco Martini Trail, a curated journey highlighting 23 standout martinis and their establishments.<\/p>\n
Having made its debut in late October 2025, the San Francisco Martini Trail marks the city\u2019s stake in this cocktail\u2019s history. <\/p>\n
San Francisco\u2019s side of the story goes like this. It\u2019s said that the martini was created at the city\u2019s Occidental Hotel (now the Galleria Park Hotel<\/a>) by bartender Jerry Thomas, often called the “father of modern mixology,” in the late 1850s or early 1860s.<\/p>\n Raise a toast to Balboa Cafe’s Espresso Martini. As a stop along the new San Francisco Martini Trail, this restaurant’s version of this drink gets high marks.<\/p>\n Courtesy of San Francisco Travel<\/p>\n That concoction was allegedly prepared for a gold miner who was on his way to the Californian town of Martinez. This new drink would become known as the Martinez, a precursor to the modern martini.<\/p>\n \u201cAs tastes evolved and drier spirits took hold, the martini transformed into the classic we know today\u2014and San Francisco\u2019s innovative cocktail culture continues to influence its evolution,\u201d said Anna Marie Presutti,<\/a> president and CEO of San Francisco Travel Association.<\/p>\n Today, the San Francisco Martini Trail spans the city\u2019s distinctive neighborhoods, from the Embarcadero to the Richmond. Stops range from downtown institutions to chic newcomers and from longstanding establishments to inventive modern spots.<\/p>\n Sip on a martini at The Progress in San Francisco.<\/p>\n Courtesy of San Francisco Travel\/Ed Anderson<\/p>\n The trail\u2019s 23 establishments are: Absinthe, Balboa Caf\u00e9, Bar Iris, Bar Maritime, BIX, Brazen Head, Californios, Club Waziema, Hi Dive Bar, Holbrook House, House of Prime Rib, Lillie Coit\u2019s, Martuni\u2019s, Osso Steakhouse, Pearl 6101, The Progress, Sam\u2019s Grill & Seafood Restaurant, Starlite, Stookey\u2019s Club Moderne, Tadich Grill, True Laurel, Wildhawk and Zam Zam.<\/p>\n Each location offers a distinct interpretation of the martini, with many planning food pairings and special promotions to complement the trail experience.<\/p>\n The self-guided trail was curated by San Francisco\u2013based food, drink and travel writer Omar Mamoon. His work has appeared in Cond\u00e9 Nast Traveler, San Francisco Chronicle and Esquire\u2019s \u201cBest Bars\u201d and \u201cBest New Restaurants.\u201d<\/p>\n Wildhawk in San Francisco, a stop on the San Francisco Martini Trail, offers a Tini Flight.<\/p>\n Courtesy of San Francisco Travel<\/p>\n \u201cWe wanted an independent expert who lives in and knows the city to develop the trail,\u201d explained Presutti. \u201cOmar became involved through his deep background covering food and drink culture in San Francisco and other cities, and he crafted the trail as a way to spotlight the city\u2019s talent and diversity while encouraging visitors to discover even more outstanding martinis across San Francisco.\u201d<\/p>\n The San Francisco Martini Trail\u2019s website features Mamoon\u2019s favorite 11 establishments to drink a martini, plus details on the evolution of the iconic cocktail.<\/p>\n \u201cThe list shines a light on just a fraction of the many bars and restaurants in San Francisco making excellent martinis,\u201d said Mamoon. \u201cThe Martini Trail is just a starting point\u2014use it as a fun way to explore the city and make your own trail, too.\u201d <\/p>\n San Francisco Travel held their launch event for the trail at Le Parc Bistrobar in the Galleria Park Hotel, in homage to its martini lore. The hotel\u2019s daily Sipping Hour<\/a> offers complimentary gin martinis in the lobby to hotel guests.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Martini Trail is both a toast to San Francisco\u2019s history and a taste of its future,” said Presutti. “This is where the martini found its swagger and where it continues to be reinvented.\u201d <\/p>\n