Mezcalito: Russian Hill’s Best Happy Hour

Russian Hill’s steep Polk‑Street spine is dotted with wine bars and polished bistros, but when it comes to genuine happy‑hour happiness one address stands taller than the hills themselves: Mezcalito. The neighborhood’s modern Oaxacan cantina rolls out a two‑hour fiesta of discounted mezcal‑forward cocktails, shot‑and‑beer pairings, and snack‑able street‑food plates that easily pass for dinner.

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Why Mezcalito owns the “best happy hour in Russian Hill” title

1. Seven‑day schedule & broad window
   Unlike most Polk‑Street spots that limit deals to Monday–Thursday or squeeze everything into an early slot, Mezcalito keeps the price breaks coming every single day, weekends included. Weekday warriors and Sunday sightseers get the same 120‑minute cushion to unwind before the neighborhood’s dinner rush.
2. Serious savings on top‑shelf spirits
   Happy‑hour pricing isn’t a token $1 off: house and classic cocktails drop $2, select beers pour at $5–$6, and house wines sparkle at $7 a glass. If agave is your love language, the bar’s 150‑bottle collection lets you build a custom mezcal flight without torching the rent.
3. Street‑food plates that double as dinner
   – Mezcalito Burger | Gouda‑smothered, fries on the side – $12
   – Al Pastor or Grilled‑Chicken Tacos (3 pc) – $12
   – Taquitos Papa with queso fresco & tomatillo salsa – $12
4. Portion sizes land squarely between “shareable appetizer” and “I’m good till breakfast,” so two dishes plus a margarita still ring in at under $30 after tax.
5. Cocktail craft > basic well drinks
   The same bar team shaking $15 “Old‑Fashioned Margaritas” at prime time makes your discounted Paloma or mezcal sour during happy hour; no mystery well tequila here. Shots arrive with sal‑de‑gusano and fresh orange slices, another small but telling touch.
6. Atmosphere that balances buzz with conversation
   Lush living‑wall planters, a mezcal “altar,” and mural‑covered brick set a mood that’s equal parts art gallery and Oaxacan roadside bar. Music hovers at chat‑friendly decibels until the DJ booth kicks in after 8 p.m., so you can actually hear your friends toast that $10 mezcal margarita.

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The Perfect Order (15‑minute playbook)

1. Start with the $10 Spicy Mezcal Margarita – smoky, citrusy, and full pour.
2. Pair it with $12 Al Pastor Tacos (achiote pork + pineapple) for a flavor one‑two punch.
3. Level up with the $5 Modelo Especial draft to ride shotgun while you nurse a mezcal flight sample.
4. Finish with a $12 Taquitos Papa and house red if you’re settling in past six – regular menu prices kick in but the wallet damage stays mild.

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Insider hacks

• Locker‑Bottle Program – Splurge on a personal bottle of boutique mezcal ($150–$250) and the staff will store it up to 60 days, pouring shots on demand and waiving corkage on your next visit.
• Tequila Tuesday & Wine Wednesday – Stack happy‑hour pricing with these daily promos (half‑off wine bottles on Wednesdays) and shave even more dollars off the check.
• Post‑hour spill‑over – Can’t make the 4‑p.m. start? Grab the tail end at 5:45, pay, and keep your table; full‑price cocktails can wait until you’ve finished the discounted spread.
• Transit tip – Hyde‑Polk cable‑car stop is a two‑minute walk downhill; use it as a free roller‑coaster ride back to Market Street after a mezcal flight.

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Runners‑up worth a mention

• Macondray (2209 Polk) – Gorgeous plant‑filled lounge with $1.50 oysters and $1 wings, but the deal lasts just one hour Monday–Thursday and starts even earlier on Fridays; great if you’re clocking out at four, tough for the 9‑to‑5 crowd.
• Hyde Street Seafood House & Raw Bar (1509 Hyde) – Classic dollar‑oyster setup and $6 house wines, though the window is limited to weekdays and the room skews date‑night formal

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