New Art Deco Bar Opens In SF With $2 Oysters And $5 Sherry

Step into the Roaring '20s at The Harlequin, a new Art Deco bar and restaurant that opened last week in Downtown SF.

Jamie Ferrell - Senior Staff Writer • June 19, 2023

Harlequin interior with white marble tables, a floral chandelier, and black walls. — Photo by Kelly Puleio, courtesy of The Harlequin

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Downtown San Francisco recently welcomed The Harlequin, a new Art Deco-inspired bar and restaurant with delicious food and cocktails. The beautiful space on 4th and Market Street is an ode to the Roaring ’20s with ornate crystal chandeliers and black-and-white tiled floors. Be sure to check it out during the daily happy hour for some solid deals. The Harlequin opened on June 13 in the historic Mosser Building, which first housed the Keystone Hotel in 1913. You’ll know you’re there when you see the massive “The Harlequin” sign out front outlined in luminous gold letters. The interior design is an ode to the building’s roots featuring original brick walls juxtaposed against statement flower wallpaper and an eye-catching ginkgo light fixture. You can choose between three distinct seating areas: the 13-seat Gold Bar for cocktails, the main Great Room dining area, or the enclosed 30-seat The Aviary dining room.

Bar seating at the Harlequin with black and white patterned tile, dark ceiling and walls, and gold lights. — Photo by Kelly Puleio, courtesy of The Harlequin

Two black restaurant tables against a large floral mural at the Harlequin. — Photo by Kelly Puleio, courtesy of The Harlequin

Currently, The Harlequin is serving drinks and dinner “from happy hour to late night” and will add lunch service at the end of July. Happy hour is daily from 4-6pm where you can enjoy $10 cocktails, $8 glasses of wine, $5 manzanilla sherry, and $2 oysters. Bar Manager Lauren Fitzgerald, who previously worked at Wildseed, created a formidable 17-drink cocktail menu including 4 non-alcoholic options. Highlights include the Ube Colada with rum, ube, pineapple and coconut; Jazz Hands with gin, aperol, lemon, and guava; and Dr. Quinzel with vodka, passionfruit, pineapple, chocolate bitters, and prosecco. The food menu covers fun and creative American fare including delicious pizzas and salads. You’ll want to take a good look at the raw bar which serves up salmon tartare, oysters, and ahi for a lovely paring with your cocktail. Or bring a group and split some shareables like panko-crusted maitake mushrooms or grilled Spanish octopus.

Exterior of The Harlequin with restaurant sign in gold Art Deco luminous lettering. — Photo by Kelly Puleio, courtesy of The Harlequin

Phil Chen, known for SF’s Alchemist Bar & Lounge, is heading the Harlequin team alongside partner Sydni Downs, partner/director of operations Candice Shaub, bar manager Lauren Fitzgerald, and chef Rodolfo Aguilar. “There’s so many great things about the city,” Chen told Eater, “but I feel like the national focus is on the negative. Our hope is to show that there are people still opening restaurants in downtown.” Find The Harlequin at 68 4th Street in Downtown San Francisco. It’s open Sunday-Wednesday from 4-11pm, Thursday from 4pm-12am, and Friday-Saturday from 4pm-2am.