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Bee keeper at Rooftop Bee Sanctuary atop the Clift Hotel, San Francisco - photo credit: CLIFT Hotel

Bees, Herbs and Cocktails… Oh My!

Home » Blog » Bees, Herbs and Cocktails… Oh My!

What do you get when you combine a Rooftop Bee Sanctuary, a Cocktail Herb Garden and a new Spring Small Bites and Happy Hour Menu?

… A feast for your senses, at the luxurious Clift Hotel in the heart of downtown San Francisco.

Rooftop Bee Sanctuary at the Clift Hotel

The Clift Hotel’s year-old Rooftop Bee Sanctuary houses 800,000 honey bees, producing delicious locally-harvested honey that is used exclusively by the hotel’s Executive Chef, Thomas Weibull in various menu items – and used by their top Mixologist to create specialty cocktails.

Rooftop Bee Sanctuary at the Clift Hotel, San Francisco - photo credit: CLIFT Hotel
Rooftop Bee Sanctuary at the Clift Hotel, San Francisco – photo credit: CLIFT Hotel

Each of the white-boxed hives (installed in 2015 and maintained by local bee keeper Roger Garrison) are positioned on the roof to mimic San Francisco’s city grid – they look just like mini skyscrapers.

Urban Bee and Herb Garden Project

Michael Pace, General Manager at the Clift Hotel, launched and implemented the Honeybee initiative to demonstrate leadership in sustainability and to share best practices and creative eco-friendly ideas. It is part of the “Urban Bee and Herb Garden Project” – an enterprise to set up bee hives and herb gardens at 10 San Francisco hotels.

Cocktail Herb Garden & Signature Cocktails

Cocktail Herb Garden (Basil), Clift Hotel, San Francisco - photo credit: CLIFT Hotel
Cocktail Herb Garden (Basil), Clift Hotel, San Francisco – photo credit: CLIFT Hotel

All-organic herbs and citrus trees are grown in the Clift’s Cocktail Herb Garden and are featured in select menu items and signature cocktails. Mixologist Tony Kim and his team at the Redwood Room infuse local spirits with the homegrown herbs, flowers, lemons and limes.

49er Tea Time Cocktail, Redwood Room, Clift Hotel, SF - photo credit: CLIFT Hotel
49er Tea Time Cocktail, Redwood Room, Clift Hotel, SF – photo credit: CLIFT Hotel

During a recent visit, we enjoyed two amazing cocktails  –  the 49er Tea Time (black tea-infused whiskey, house-made honey syrup, lemon juice) and the Peerless Purple (house-made lavender-infused gin, house-made honey syrup, lemon juice, lavender bitters). Both tasty… and potent!

Peerless Purple Cocktail, Redwood Room, Clift Hotel, SF - photo credit: CLIFT Hotel
Peerless Purple Cocktail, Redwood Room, Clift Hotel, SF – photo credit: CLIFT Hotel

New Spring Small Bites Menu

In late March 2016, the Clift Hotel launched a new Spring-themed Small Bites Menu and Decompression Happy Hour Menu.

Spring Small Bites - Thai Chili & Lime Spiced Bar Nuts - photo credit: CLIFT Hotel
Spring Small Bites – Thai Chili & Lime Spiced Bar Nuts – photo credit: CLIFT Hotel
Spring Small Bites - Compressed Watermelon Salad w/Lavendar-infused Honey - photo credit: CLIFT Hotel
Spring Small Bites – Compressed Watermelon Salad w/Lavendar-infused Honey – photo credit: CLIFT Hotel
Spring Small Bites - Grilled Octopus Salad - photo credit: CLIFT Hotel
Spring Small Bites – Grilled Octopus Salad – photo credit: CLIFT Hotel
Spring Small Bites - Vietnamese Chicken Bun - photo credit: CLIFT Hotel
Spring Small Bites – Vietnamese Chicken Bun – photo credit: CLIFT Hotel
Spring Small Bites - Adobe Style Baby Back Ribs - photo credit: CLIFT Hotel
Spring Small Bites – Adobe Style Baby Back Ribs – photo credit: CLIFT Hotel

New Spring Decompression Happy Hour Menu

Enjoy Decompression Happy Hour in the historic Redwood Room, located just off the hotel’s main lobby, on Monday through Thursday at 5-7pm.

Select beers, red and white wines and house-made red and white sangrias are $6-8. Select gourmet bites start at $6.

And if you’re feeling adventurous, be sure to try one of their delicious signature cocktails.

Here’s a sample of some of the Happy Hour Bites that you can enjoy while decompressing from your day:

  • BBQ Popcorn
  • Chef’s Pinto (Tapas) Platter with House Honey
  • Adobe Style Baby Back Ribs (2 per order)
  • Truffle Fries
Spring Happy Hour - BBQ Popcorn - photo credit: CLIFT Hotel
Spring Happy Hour – BBQ Popcorn – photo credit: CLIFT Hotel

No reservations are required. Just show up – and decompress! Be sure to say hi from Alana and Barry at Love to Eat and Travel 🙂

More info on the Clift Hotel

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