Smuggler's Cove, the top-notch tiki bar tucked away in Hayes Valley, might be a vacation destination unto itself, but for those who are looking to travel more literally, the bar's proprietor, Polynesian Pop aficionado Martin Cate, has something up his Hawaiian-print sleeve. At the end of last week, Cate announced a partnership with airline Virgin Atlantic, to bring some tropical flair to their member "clubhouses."
"For the duration of 2017, Smuggler's Cove has entered into a partnership with Virgin Atlantic Airways to serve our cocktails at their Upper Class Clubhouse locations around the world," a representative of the bar wrote on its Facebook page. As the name would suggest, Virgin's SFO clubhouse is for their upper crust passengers, but lowly "main cabin" passengers can buy day passes, which might be worth it in the event of a serious layover. (As for Virgin America customers, there will be no special privileges...)
The way the program works: Smuggler's Cove and other bars from the World's 50 Best Bars list (they're at number 29) will be adding six drinks to each bar's local clubhouse, with one of their drinks appearing at other clubhouses in other airports. As for food at the SFO location, that will come from Whitechapel, Cate's San Francisco gin bar, which unlike Smuggler's Cove has a food menu (and a fine one at that).
All of this is well and good, but until I can get a volcano bowl in flight, I'll be at the downstairs bar at Smuggler's, thanks.
Related: SFO Has A Therapy Pig Now