Aviation-Themed Bar Takes Flight in San Francisco

When travel and cocktails come together, good things happen. This is the idea behind Trick Dog, an innovative theme bar in San Francisco.

Since opening in 2013 in the city’s Mission District, the bar has been a semifinalist for three James Beard Foundation Awards for Outstanding Bar Program for its bi-annual rotating cocktail menu, all focused on a different theme.

The current theme? Aviation. Through July 5, Trick Dog Airways offers a tri-fold cocktail menu riffing on airline in-flight information cards. The menu features plane model diagrams, international terminal maps and business-class selections for more upscale travelers.

Co-owner Josh Harris shares how the bar’s unique scheme came to be. “When we were discussing our first menu, we knew that we didn’t want it to fall into the traditional presentation of a menu. We felt like having a heightened level of creative thought around that would be in line with the design of the bar, style of the cocktails, and our personalities. Our first menu, which was a riff off the classic Pantone color swatches, was inspired by the actual paint swatches we had lying around when designing the bar.”

Before imbibing at TD Airways, guests settle into their journeys with a quick read of the Fight 3010 safety card, which includes instructions to always finish your own drink before assisting other passengers with theirs.

Cocktails are named for international airport terminals, divided into SPIRIT-DRIVEN and CITRUS categories and crafted with creative, unexpected ingredients. The Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA) is made with Mt. Gay Black Barrel rum, Bombay gin, Ancho Reyes, Kahlúa Midnight, chocolate, grapefruit, lime and bitters, topped with Oreo cookie crumbles. The Charles De Gaulle (CDG) boasts Michter’s rye, Cynar, Noilly Prat Dry Vermouth and a house-made waffle liqueur, garnished with a waffle.

The Types of Aircraft panel of drinks features creations to get you through your flight, whether you’re taking a red-eye or long-haul trip.

The bar’s delicious drinks and creative concepts also contribute to a great cause. Proceeds from the sale of the art-filled, tri-fold menu itself benefits Seven Tepees Youth Programs, Trick Dog’s non-profit partner for its annual fundraiser. The bar’s owners donated more than $32,000 to the organization with proceeds from the last four Trick Dog charity events.