Mr Tipple’s Recording Studio

oh i like this place!
Live band, good cocktails and fun servers!
The floor plan is a little weird with empty pockets in the middle.

Drinks were great. Band was amazing. Wish they had more tables though, there was plenty of room to add a couple more at least. Also, the soft seating is totally on the side from where you cannot see the band. A little rearrangement of the furniture could go a long way.

Cool place with good drinks. I don’t think the layout is well thought out. There’s very little seating area with a view of the jazz band.
I also don’t like the auto 20% tip at the bar. That defeats the purpose of tipping based on service.

Heads up, small print on the menu adds 20% tip to everything ordered. It would be great if they mentioned it when ordering or had a note bigger at the top of the menu. Not a fan when that’s not communicated clearly and is only small print at the bottom of the menu in a dark bar.
Update, they came out same night and tried to fix the situation. At first they were trying to explain why they were doing what they were doing, I understand that part. Personally, I think it should be in their item prices and not a 20% surcharge as many restraints are doing these days. My complaint was that it wasn’t explained before I ordered the food and drink. I really do think they should change this right away; I don’t see how it doesn’t help them make everyone happy. Let’s do a better job of communicating when doing something very different that effects your customers tab.
They told me they refunded the 20% to my card, I really hope that came out of the owner’s end. None of this had anything to do with the servers and bartenders which were all great. Ultimately, I love that they came out right away to try and fix it, and also messaged me through Unilocal in a supportive, let’s fix it way, instead of a defensive accusatory way. They genuinely wanted to fix the problem and make things right. I will be back.

Chase was our bartender and he was awesome. It’s Friday night super busy but we squeezed our way in to the bar. The Hollaback was delish as well as the smashed potatoes and mushroom sliders. Highly recommend the patty melt too. They’ve copied in n outs special sauce and it’s good!
The ambiance is what makes this place cool. Live band playing throughout the night. It’s gets a little loud but such a fun place to hang out with friends.

Who would have thought that such a charming, low key spot with jazz music existed?
Let’s keep it that way.
Cocktail drinks are refined here and they charge an auto 20 percent for servicing to the tab. I don’t mind. I’m guessing that is my cover — it goes to the live music and ambiance to this nice, hidden place.
It’s a laid back vibe with music in the background to be enjoyed and delved over with on drinks.

J and I met for food on a quiet weekend evening to discuss his work life and dating story. If I get paid for every story I hear, I’d be making a lot of money but I’m more interested in what this bar /​jazz club /​international flair cuisine spot has to offer, as my last trip was too much in a haste, so that evening’s J’s stories sort of became background noise.
That evening, it was quiet. Thursday evening is often a quiet night in mid market, which frankly baffles me. But it allowed people to actually have a conversation.
The menu is very limited compares to the sister restaurant which I visited not too long ago. But trust your waitress, she knows what she’s talking about when she tells you to get the mushroom sliders: «it does not take vegetarian.» was what she said though don’t cringe when you hear that if you are a meat eater. It’s actually super delicious with the grilled sliced up onions and all. It comes in a set of three and that’s more than one meal. The hamburger like meat sandwich was also equally appetizing and delicious but to me the best was the potatoes. Seriously heavenly with the crunchy outside and soft inside.
I nursed my bier and listened to J telling me stories. Here is when you realize you actually don’t mind this dude after knowing him for a few years, his quirkiness can really grow on you, in a positive way.
Soon the music comes on, and there are some serious musicians polishing up their chops here. No cover, did I mention?
It’s a little tucked away and that’s good. Easy on the wallet, atmospheric, and a great place to go on a date with your new beau or gal (J took copious note) or grab a bier and shoot the breeze with your pals (I did come here to do just that).

These sneaky little buggers are attached to Cadence, just in case you were wondering. After several cocktails and glasses of wine at dinner, my gal pals and I couldn’t figure out where the bar was.
DUH. Of course, it’s a San Francisco speakeasy.
God bless our patient server who led us giggling and slightly stumbling down the hallway past the brocade curtain to Mr. Tipple’s.
A whole new world away from the reservedness of Cadence, Mr. Tipple’s offers a neon lit bar, lively jazz music and loud crowds. I couldn’t take my eyes off the mural on the small stage, which they tell me is representative of 1920’s Hong Kong. It reminded me of a long lost Human League video… but either way, it was a discussion piece.
Drinks at Mr. Tipple’s are hard to get on a busy Friday night and aren’t cheap, either. But hey, what in San Francisco comes cheap these days?
We stuck around for a drink or two before parting ways. But I am happy to say that I was more than slightly intoxicated at Mr. Tipple’s and would gladly return for the same shenanigans another time.

Monday nights they have live jazz music, and we happened to come on a night where some truly amazing dancers decided to come as well! It was so entertaining to watch people dance to the music while enjoying delicious craft cocktails and some tasty food.
We ordered most of the items on the menu, and the winner by far was the patty melt. Make sure you get it when you go!

I’d been eyeing this place for several months now, creeping past and trying to snag a glimpse from
across the street and see how it really is. But we finally took the plunge and ventured in last night. And boy were we in for a pleasant surprise.
Brace yourself, folks: this is no Boom Boom room, but it does have a cool, class air and environment that immediately transports you back to the golden age of jazz (minus the modern day folks all around).
The venue itself is super cute, with great lighting for ambiance, and views of the stage from practically every spot. My favorite part of this venue would have to be the living room (at least, that’s what I’m going to call it), which was an area in the back of the club set up to look like a model rendition of an actual living room. Super chic (by the way, that area stayed packed, so you may have to hover a bit until you spy a group departing and snag their seats).
We didn’t eat here but saw several others chowing down. Their food menu did look good and I wonder if it comes from Cadence (which you can access from the club and vice-​versa).
The drinks were nothing to write home about. I ordered several mocktail a and was only impressed by the amount of sugar in both (as indicated by the residue left on my teeth… but B for effort, bartenders). I also wasn’t too impressed with the imposed gratuity, but then again, it did take the guesswork out of tipping for me.
All in all, a cool spot to check out for a date night or just something chill to do with friends (or to feign sophistication — you chose).
Pros:
–great ambiance
–nice singers and band (great acoustics)
-«living room»: great chill spot in the venue
Cons:
–automatic gratuity: still don’t know how I feel about this
–drinks are nothing special
–people talk over the band (and not in whispers), making it a bit difficult to hear the whole purpose for coming to a jazz club

Mr. Tipple’s an awesome addition to the Civic Center area! San Francisco’s been in need of a jazz lounge/​bar.
It’s dark and romantic. The band is set up in a corner and there are 6 – 7 tables surrounding the small stage area. There are also seats at the bar and a more hidden corner of the room with more couches/​lounge-​like seats. This place does fill quickly after 8−9PM so best to come early unless you’re good with just standing around the bar area.
I’ve been here twice now and both times were enjoyable. I have to admit that the drinks are good but not the best in the city. I still think Bourbon & Branch and Whitechapel have better cocktails, but they’re pretty good. As many others have noted, all drinks are about $ 12 and they add 20% tip so it averages out to $ 15-​$ 16/​drink.
I also went on another occasion for snacks — we shared the sliders and ice cream. The sliders were pretty underwhelming. didn’t taste very fresh — almost like it had been quickly microwaved or heated. The ice cream though was delicious!
Overall, as much as people complain about the 20% tip, given that this spot continuously has live jazz/​music, I do believe they are deserving of the mandatory service charge. A fun experience and place to check out!

This place has heart and soul. I also left part of my heart here. Small, dark, and sexy. Make sure you come on Wednesdays for the jazz trio from 7 – 10. They are awesome. Jackie had an amazing voice and so sweet. She sang everything from Amy Winehouse to the Beatles! The drinks are good too. I had the 1860 which I would definitely recommend if you love bourbon.
This place is a must stop! Jazz music baby! Jazz music! Finally a place that you can chill and drink and listen. You can be ratchet somewhere else! Haha!

4.5 stars!
Mr. Tipple’s has an entrance on Fell and is also connected inside to Cadence. The ambience is laidback and a little posh, with a speakeasy vibe; the top of the bar has purple glass panels that are underlit, creating a cool effect. Also, they have live jazz every night, which is nice but was so ridiculously loud that my friend and I had to yell just to barely be able to hear each other. There isn’t very much seating, so bar space can get pretty crowded. Even so, the bartenders were attentive and super friendly. I tried the rye all day and the well done, and both craft cocktails were really smooth and well made! Overall, fun, laidback, classy spot but would have been more enjoyable if the live music weren’t so loud.

Cool little speakeasy — was recommended this place by a fellow Über Pool passenger, so my friend and I headed there after deciding not to wait the line at another venue. The live jazz music is something different, though it’s not as swanky or «vibey» like NYC. Still, it’s a nice change of scenery from the typical dive/​pub bar scene in SF. It gets loud in there, so be prepared to get really «cozy» with your company if you actually want to hear what they’re saying. That said, probably a good setting for a casual drink w/​a date or sig other.
ALSO, they don’t skimp on their alcohol pours (+) and 20% gratuity is already included in your bill. (I guess that makes things easy?)

Jazz and drinks that taste like they have been meticulously crafted.
My boyfriend and I have found a happy compromise.
He’s a jazz fan that can now get a fix every night of the week.
I’m a functioning alcoholic who was pleasantly surprised by what they were serving.

This place was legitimately awesome. We had dinner plans at Cadence, the also relatively-​new adjacent restaurant, but showed up early to try some of the cocktails and maybe catch some jazz. We walked over from the apartments we were staying in, and as we got to the door, we were approached by a hulking gentleman waiting outside. To our surprise, he was actually incredibly friendly, and greeted us very warmly. A very good start.
Inside, the place was bumpin’, likely from an event going on. The décor is pretty modern and classy, and there was even couch space in the back area, laid out like a living room. We quickly made our way to the bar, which was beautifully and intricately decorated, backlit with a sort of magenta pattern.
Went with the Rye All Day (rye, apricot, lemon, bonal, orange zest), which was simple but delicious, and made very strong. Also managed to try the 1860 and the Well Done, which I really liked a lot. After trying their cocktails, I went with a bourbon old-​fashioned, which was incredibly well-​balanced and generously poured. In all, the cocktails were just very well made, and it was a good start to the night. Also, having not eaten all day and needing something to tide me over until dinner, I also went for their toasted brioche as a snack. Holy moly, that was good. A thick slice of brioche, topped with linguica purée, pearl onions, and vinegar, the richness of everything was very well-​paired with the acidity of the vinegar and onions. Hoo-​wee.
Service was excellent and very friendly throughout our visit. The bartender even offered to make me a new drink if I didn’t like the one that I got, which obviously wasn’t the case. At $ 12 a cocktail, it’s pricier for SF, but expertly made, so I personally thought it was a good deal.
Given that I usually stay in this area when visiting San Francisco, I can easily see Mr. Tipple’s becoming a staple during my visits. Perfect for date night or a casual evening with friends.

Mr. Tipples is the coolest new bar you haven’t been to yet, serving up the most delicious food your mouth will crave.
I came in around 6:30 on a Friday night and easily found a seat at the bar. If you’re looking to grab a spot to drink/​nosh and chat with a date or a few friends, I’d recommend coming early-​ish. It started getting busy around 8.
The vibe in here is swanky & laid back. Walk through the graffiti’d Soul & Spirits front doors and down a wide corridor into a dark den. There’s cool lighting fixtures and murals; the backlit bar countertops are no joke. In the corner is where (one of the rotating) the live band (‘s) performs — and damn were they on point!
CRAFT COCKTAILS
I started off with the WELL DONE which lived up to its namesake. Smooth, well balanced Next up was the RYE ALL DAY. Yeah, this rye & apricot cocktail can stay. A fan of cynar & gin, I ordered the DIZZY. Not my favorite of the night, but good. Finally, the EQUATOR. Winner, winner! R (h)um, coffee honey, lime, and hellfire bitters. This is the best cocktail I’ve had in 2016 and since it’s still January, let’s just say a long time. I enjoyed the complexity of the flavors and how well they married, I might’ve ordered two. Don’t look at me like that. You should too.
Off Menu Tip: order a Sazerac shot. On draught, and spot on.
FOOD
BBQ-​PULLED MUSHROOM SLIDERS, ftw. Three of these bad boys came out and were quickly devoured. It’s dark inside so my photo does no justice, but meat-​eaters would love it. Mad flavor, great texture, and who doesn’t love American cheese?
BRIOCHE with linguica, pearl onions and something else… I don’t recall. I had a bit but wasn’t really feeling it. Mostly because I’d just returned from a carb-​fueled NY trip. My friend loved it though!
PATTY MELT. You must order this and then multiply your order by like 3. Perfectly buttered and toasted with no crust; One side is sourdough, the other rye, so if you flip it upside down the flavor changes in your mouth. Beef cooked to perfection, dressing and grilled onions… We really should’ve ordered more. So, so good. *points!* Off Menu Tip: add shaved foie on top.
KALE CHIPS. So these are fun as they come pre-​packaged. They’re puffy delights seasoned with chipotle for kick.
CHARTREUSE ICE CREAM TRUCK DRUMSTICK. Truth be told, I had my eye on this before anything else. It did not disappoint.
SERVICE
For being so new, this is a well-​oiled machine. Everyone was friendly, attentive, quick, and seemed to communicate.
Keep in mind, gratuity is added to your bill automatically. You can’t tip on top because there’s no line item to do it. It’s already there for you. Which frankly, I think is great. That amazing service I received? Probably has something to do with the fact that they’re also being taken care of on the back end. It also makes my life easier.
Head to mid-​market and spend some time here. You can send me a thank you compliment later. :)

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I lived in Chicago for a short time and one of the things I love about Chi Town is the Jazz scene. I could walk just two blocks and I was able to listen to Jazz just about every night if I wanted too.
It was raining hard when I tried to locate Mr. Tipple’s Recording Studio. Just the name alone says it all. I know then it was going to be a cool spot. Maybe too cool for someone like myself. Once I looked up, the black and white sign was right there. If I was just keep walking, I would totally miss it. It’s on the quiet end of Fell Street before Market.
Upon entrance you can hear the music, the place completely transforms to another world. The world of elegant, jazz lover, crafted cocktail by no other than mixologist Chase Williamson (former Maven, Nopa & more), and small bite menu by chef Joey Elenterio (Former Michelin Starred Chez TJ and Wayfare Tavern SF) and pastry chef Edward Martinez (former 2 Michelin Starred Guy Savoy Las Vegas, and Wayfare Tavern SF).
I was taken back by time. Mr Tipple’s is warm, elegant, and romantic. With music play daily by all different musicians, that you can check out the upcoming schedule here at
The cocktail program is strong. The food is great. The live music every night is awesome. The service is on point. And if you still hungry, walk right pass the restroom hallway, is Cadence Restaurant, a newly open in JAN 2016 with a full menu by the same team as Mr Tipple’s Recording Studio.
This is a place to end your evening on date night or a work dinner. It’s a perfect place for Jazz lovers and anyone that enjoys the art of live music. I’ll be back soon.
Note: There’s a public parking garage across Cadence (adjacent to Mr. Tipple’s), it’s in the Über and Square Building, next to Walgreen’s, taking credit card only.

For most of the week, I’ve been home sick with the flu, bored AF. I had lots of time to catch up on my Lifetime shows and do a lot of reading.
On Tuesday, I read that you can have a dinner date with The Chronicle’s food critic, Michael Bauer… for $ 2,000. In the article, it compared the experience to «hanging out with the world’s biggest rockstar»:
.
Ummm what!!!
When I read that, I laughed SO hard that I wet my granny panties! Hmmmm, maybe Bauer gets down like a rockstar… after romancing the bottle? I am not throwing shade (ok, maybe a teeny bit) but I just find it hilarious.
Since it’s for a good charitable cause, IF I handed over my paycheck for this dinner date with the «world’s biggest rockstar», my pick would be dinner at Cadence:
and a nightcap at their adjoining bar, Mr. Tipple’s. Tipples, not nipples.
Mr. Tipple’s is dark… everyone looks good in the dark.
Mr. Tipple’s has live jazz… no need for a contrived conversation.
Mr. Tipple’s is loud… see above.
Mr. Tipple’s has unique, artisan cocktails… liquid courage to get you through a date.
With enough boozy concoctions, maybe Bauer will be dancing on the table tops while us groupies hold up a lighter… like a rockstar (that he is)!
OTHER NOTES:
*No cover.
*Small, intimate space that’s good for pre-​dinner drinks or a night cap.
*Come early on the weekends because it’s packed by 10 PM.
*Live jazz music but because of the small space and lack of sound proofing, the music can be unbearably loud.
*Beer is $ 5-​$ 11, Wine by the glass: $ 12 and Cocktails: $ 12. There’s tax and a mandatory 20% tip so cocktails end up costing close to $ 16 each.
*Small bites menu ($ 6-​$ 10): lumpia, kale crisps, patty melt, smashed potatoes, Vietnamese coffee sundae (get this!), etc.
*Very clean unisex restrooms (shared with Cadence).
*Easy street parking at night.

This was the last stop on a barhopping outing this weekend. We walked over here from Whitechapel, which had already set the standard for the evening fairly high. I’m happy to say that Mr. Tipple’s Recording Studio easily met that standard!
There was no was no live jazz that evening, but the background hip hop playing was pretty good. The bar space is quite attractive and the first thing you notice is the large wall mural in the band area. I was also a big fan of the stencil-​decorated, illuminated bar.
I think this place may have the best bar service that I’ve ever experienced. While waiting at the bar we got multiple bartenders checking in on us to see if were being served or if we needed anything else. That alone would have sold me on this place, but the drinks were also great.
There’s a reasonably sized offering of speciality cocktails all priced at $ 12. (That said, be aware that there is a standard 20% gratuity fee added to all orders: there is no place left for adding an additional tip on the bill, so all you have to do is sign it.) I went with the Rye All Day cocktail. Some of my friends thought it was a little too tart, but I loved it. I’ll definitely be back to work my way through the rest of the drink menu.