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Olde Fashioned Cocktail Bar Opened in Nob Hill

The new California Street spot features classic drinks and a footrest from the shuttered Eddie Rickenbacker's.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Cocktails

Bold vector editorial illustration of a polished copper bar under a glass skylight, depicting a welcoming San Francisco cocktail lounge.
Will Herrera opened Olde Fashioned on California Street in San Francisco's Nob Hill, featuring repurposed fixtures from local historic businesses. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Nob Hill residents have a new neighborhood watering hole following the opening of Olde Fashioned on California Street. The bar now occupies the former home of the local hangout Zhuzh.

Why it matters

Owner Will Herrera aims to drop the pretense often found in upscale cocktail bars in favor of a more casual environment. The venue is currently shaping its menu based on direct feedback from neighbors.

The initial menu features 6 classic cocktails, 4 beers, and 3 wines. Future drink selections remain unknown as the owner plans to develop the list based on neighborhood customer feedback.

The players

Will Herrera

The proprietor of the new Nob Hill bar who previously opened Harlan Records in 2022.

The details

Olde Fashioned sits in a building constructed after 1906 that served as a tavern named Traveler in the 1960s. Herrera retained original infrastructure like skylights and wallpaper to limit construction costs, while installing a copper bar and a footrest saved from the closed Eddie Rickenbacker's. The bar will hold an official opening celebration next week, alongside the installation of new exterior signage.

Timeline

  1. 1906: The building was constructed after this year.

  2. 1960s: The space operated as a tavern called Traveler.

  3. 2019: The bar Eddie Rickenbacker's closed.

  4. 2022: Will Herrera opened his previous project, Harlan Records.

  5. October 2026: Olde Fashioned will celebrate its official opening.

Across the Bay

The project follows a local tradition of reusing artifacts from shuttered city landmarks, specifically salvaging the footrest from the legendary Eddie Rickenbacker's that closed in 2019. It marks a departure from total interior gut-renovations by retaining the building's historic infrastructure.

Residents can visit the new bar on California Street to provide feedback on the current menu of six classic cocktails. You should expect added foot traffic and activity on the block during next week's official launch.

The takeaway

Look for a space that emphasizes casual service over the typical high-end cocktail experience. Monitor the bar's menu in the coming weeks as it evolves based on local requests.

What happens next

The establishment will host its official opening event and install new exterior signage during the week of October 19, 2026.

Further reading

You can find more local bar openings in our Cocktails section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The San Francisco Standard.

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Do you prefer bars that adapt their menus to local tastes rather than set menus?