Smuggler's Cove Goes Worldwide, Via Partnership With Virgin Atlantic

Smuggler's Cove Goes Worldwide, Via Partnership With Virgin AtlanticSmuggler's Cove owner Martin Cate and SFO Clubhouse head bartender Justin. | Photo: Smuggler's Cove/Facebook
Teresa Hammerl
Published on January 16, 2017

If you want to enjoy a cocktail from Smuggler's Cove, you're no longer limited to a visit to Hayes Valley. 

For the duration of 2017, Martin Cate's rum and exotic cocktail destination is partnering with airline Virgin Atlantic to serve drinks at its Upper Class Clubhouse locations around the world.

The partnership is in collaboration with the World's 50 Best Bars list, on which Smuggler's regularly appears. (This year, it ranked #29; the other San Francisco bars on the list are Trick Dog, which is #35, and ABV, which is #36.) 

Drinkers at Smuggler's Cove. | Photo: Smuggler's Cove/Facebook

Cate and Virgin Atlantic began collaborating last year, when the Virgin clubhouse in San Francisco began offering a few food dishes from Whitechapel, Cate's gin-focused bar on Polk Street.

"This year, they decided to add cocktails," Cate said. Six of Smuggler's Kanye West-approved libations will appear on the menu at the local San Francisco airport clubhouse, with one drink on the menu at all the other clubhouses worldwide.

"I'm excited to have my two SF bars greeting guests coming and going on Virgin Atlantic," Cate said.

Virgin Atlantic is also planning to film a "Virtual Reality Smuggler's" experience at the bar later this year. Guests at Virgin's clubhouses will be able to don VR headsets take a trip into the Cove when they order their cocktail.

"I tried out a demo that was shot in a NYC bar, and it was an amazing effect," Cate said.