Originally Posted by boolean64

I'd agree with all of this. I personally would skip the W bar if you are looking more for delicious libations than a scene (and even the scene at the SF W is lacking vs other Ws). If you're looking at 1 hotel i'm guessing you're looking for both scene and quality drinks (although i've heard that the scene there has not yet returned to the greatness of the hotel vitale happy hour). If you are optimizing for hotel bar, the best is the SF Proper. Both the lobby bar and rooftop bar are light years above the other bonvoy choices. However, the hotel itself has small rooms and the location feels unsafe (I put that in italics as there are many many sub discussions about whether the location feels unsafe or is unsafe...either way perception is reality for many).

Otherwise, against your previous list, some good "ambiance" but not a lot of "sceney" vibes. Palace definitely the most on point hotel bar. St Francis bar punches above the hotels overall weight. I'd add the bar at the St Regis in the consideration set although not that sceney unless your scene is aging former mayors holding court. But the SF St Regis overall is a great property. sleek and modern...more like a park hyatt than the stuffy traditional St Regis "king cole bar" style.

I don't know how sceney it is but i'll throw the Cavalier at the hotel zetta into the mix for good downtown hotel bars. Easily accessible from the St Francis, St Regis or W. (or i believe the JW as well but not sure without looking at a map)