Dalva - San Francisco

The atmosphere is nice, but the drinks don’t match the price. The cocktail I ordered was mostly ice and hardly had any alcohol in it. Overall, I would rate the drinks 2/5, the vibe 4/5, and the service 3/5.

The ambiance and drinks at the restaurant were wonderful! Our waiter, a charming tall redhead, was exceptionally friendly. However, there was another waitress who appeared quite unfriendly. She scolded my friend for having his vape on the table, even though he hadn’t used it at all; he simply took it out of his pocket for a moment before stepping outside. Additionally, she took our glasses and menus away in a passive-aggressive manner when I accidentally placed my glass on the menu instead of the coaster. We were nothing but polite, yet I felt anxious about being reprimanded every time she approached us, creating an unnecessarily uptight atmosphere that detracted from our experience.

I wish I could provide more details about the cocktails, but I always end up ordering a vodka soda (often several times during each visit). It's hands down the best I've had in over ten years of trying them—I've probably consumed hundreds at this point. They use highly carbonated soda water, plenty of fresh lime juice, and excellent ice. I'm curious if they use bottled or canned soda instead of the gun, but judging by the quality of such a simple drink, I can only assume the other cocktails are equally impressive. The service here is quick and attentive, making for a great overall experience.

As I was perusing Dalva's menu, I got giddy at their tequila and mezcal selection...where they offer 1 ounce pours. Hello, BYO Sampler!On a second thought...having to wheelbarrow me out on a weeknight...not a good look. Especially in the age where peeps record every. single. thing. Sister bar to ABV down the block and from the Beretta folks), Dalva has been around before Yelp times. They've since did a remodel into a hip craft cocktail bar. M E N UCraft cocktails start at $14), highballs, beer, cider, and wine. Snacks offered from other local businesses like Mamahuhu and Alimentari. No HH specials.D R I N K S Siembra Azul Blanco 1 oz $8) Siembra Valles Blanco 1 oz $8) Tapatio Blanco 1 oz $7) Siete Leguas Blanco 1 oz $7) Vesper Martini $14)They've been out of Fortaleza for over a month so I sampled some new to me tequila like Siembra and Tapatio. Both were solid and smooth but I'm a die hard fan of Fortaleza. The Vesper Martini was heavy on the lillet so it was too sweet for me. S N A C K S Mamahuhu's Mala Peanuts $6)Light on the numbing málà spice and the peanuts were stale. S E R V I C EFull service. Seat yourself, staff will come take your order on a handheld POS, and deliver your drinks to you.A M B I A N C ECozy and modern with a mix of bar seats, high tops, and low tops. Love it when they play 90s jams from TLC, SWV, 112, etc. Chill, not crowded with a mix of yipsters and techies during HH. The Hideout backroom) has been closed on the weekdays I've visited. Maybe it's only open on the weekends?P A R K I N GVery challenging street parking. Take an Uber/Lyft. Bart is down the block.Overall, with the plethora of bars on 16th, Dalva is a solid option if you're looking for a hip vibe and good selection of tequila and mezcal.

Just wanted to come in and say hey that’s just my battle scar.Small bar. Pretty great. Decor is interesting. Patrons are fascinating. An oasis from the chaos of the streets of San Francisco.