E L I X I R :: San Francisco

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Short version:

ELIXIR (Formerly Jack's Elixir Bar), one of the oldest continually running Saloons in San Francisco, was restored to its Victorian glory 2003 after almost a hundred years of wear and tear as an Original San Francisco Saloon.

With documented evidence of a saloon operating on our corner since 1858, we have a 148 years of tradition to uphold, serving our neighbors.

Since the hayday of the Barbary Coast years, the neighborhood has been whetting its whistle on the corner of 16th and Guerrero under several owners. We've restored the old wood and polished up the classic Mahogany bar in order to revive the hootenanny that once made San Francisco one of the wildest of the Wild West cities. So come join us.

The current structure was built for Patrick J. McGuiness, ESQ. around 1906/07 by famed Sonoma County architect Brainard Jones. Mr. McGuiness owned the saloon on this corner from 1893 through the end of prohibition in 1933 (it was a "soft drink parlor" during Prohibition...). He owned the previous building and actually had the resources to rebuild after 13 years of business, when his beloved saloon burned to the ground in 1906...along with the rest of the neighborhood. Now that's a good neighbor.

McGinnis sold to Thomas Sheahan, who is responsible for the physical changes to the layout that we have today. We will post more of this interesting story as it continues to unravel, including photos, maps and the actual original architectural drawings (on display in the Saloon).In the meantime, come into the saloon to read about it in our menu and see our museum-style wall decor.

Please come in for a pint and ask your bartender any questions you may have.

See you soon!

The Elixir Timeline:

NEW! 1858 - 1873 We've discovered new evidence of the saloon that dates us back to 1858, making it highly unlikely that there has EVER been anything else on this corner.

1873 - 1893

Hugh Mooney - The earliest records show Mr. Mooney as the first Proprietor of this great corner saloon

during the days when San Francisco was the Wildest of the Wild West towns.

1893 - 1920

Patrick J. McGinnis E.S.Q. - McGinnis, a prominent city lawyer, rebuilt his saloon after the 1906 earthquake destroyed the original, making ELIXIR the only bar in San Francisco to be rebuilt in the same location by the same owner after that devastating natural disaster (Keep an eye out for our Centenial Party in 2007.)

1920 - 1933

Patrick J. McGinnis E.S.Q. - The Saloon is listed under "Soft Drink Parlors" in the San Francisco Business Directory...yeah, right...soft drinks...)

1933 - 1940
Thomas N. Sheahan - Prohibition ends, Sheahan buys the saloon and makes significant floorplan changes, adding a kitchen, eliminating the cigar lounge and boot black stand, converting the stock room to a women's bathroom (thereby welcoming women, a post-Prohibition change to the American bar culture) and extending the length of the bar.

1940 - 1965

The Hunt-In Club - The first known name of the saloon other than by the proprietor's name. Not much known about this era.

1965 - 1985

Swede's - See the hand-painted sign below. Text on Swede himself is available in a frame in the saloon, where the Boot Black Stand once was (you can find it in "The Great and Notorious Saloons of San Francisco" by Jane Chamberlin (Capra Press, 1982)

1985 - 1990

Club Corona / La Bandita - Records on the name conflict, but most stories say it was known as Club Corona - a popular gay/transvestite Latino clientele. Some of the wildest stories available come from this era.

1990 - 1998

Jack's Elixir Bar - Part of a large chain of Jack's bars around the city, Jack's Elixir thrived on the micro-brew trend of the early-mid 90's with as many as 6o taps of draft beer.

1998-2003

Jack's Elixir Bar - Irish owners return to the healm drawing the return of an Irish contingency.

2003 - Present

ELIXIR - The entire interior is given a restoration that hopes to ensure the saloon's existence for another 100 years. New taps are installed pouring the freshest beer in town and a new focus on tequila is adopted. But the focus on serving the neighborhood remains...and so do the neighbors.

Special thanks to J.F. Jarvis, Graybeard ECV Officer, for his research and dedication to the preservation of San Francisco's rich Saloon history. Watch for his book, chronicalling our drinking past to be published soon.

If you have any other knowledge, photos or personal stories about this San Francisco landmark, please send them to Info@ElixirSF.com.

CHEERS!

Jack's Elixir Bar before...