In a move that signals a shift in focus for Brucato Spirits, the popular Bar Brucato in San Francisco‘s Mission district will close its doors after this Saturday. The restaurant, which opened its doors in served as both an independent eatery and a showcase for Brucato’s small-batch spirits.
The decision to close Bar Brucato comes as the Clarks, Sierra and Jamesaim to streamline their operations and concentrate on the growth of Brucato Spirits. The distillery, which remains open, will continue to offer tours and popular distill-your-own-gin classes.
The Journey of Bar Brucato
Bar Brucato quickly made a name for itself, offering a seasonal California menu with a touch of Italian influence. It was praised for its unique offerings, including four distinct amaros—Fields, Woodlands, Orchards, and Chaparral—and Mission Gin. The restaurant was recognized as one of The Standard’s best new restaurants of 2026, solidifying its place in San Francisco’s vibrant culinary scene.
The announcement of the closure was met with emotion. Sierra Clark shared, “I teared up. I told them, ‘This place has been fantastic. There’s nothing I’m not proud of here, but let’s not wait until something goes wrong. Let’s recognize what an incredible thing we built and move on.'” The decision to close was not made lightly, as the Clarks acknowledged the challenges of managing both the restaurant and the distillery.
The Future of Brucato Spirits
With the closure of Bar Brucato, Brucato Spirits is poised to focus on its core business. The distillery will be overseen by Adam Hallwho brings a wealth of experience from his time as the operations and facilities manager at the Hotaling & Co. distillery on Pier 50.
Brucato Spirits has several exciting projects in the pipeline. Their next release, a Blenheim apricot liqueuris highly anticipated. Additionally, their kumquat liqueur Oro y Fierro recently won 99 points and a double gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competitionfurther cementing their reputation for excellence.
Partnerships and Collaborations
The Clarks have been busy forging high-profile partnerships. They recently bottled a special Brucato Woodlands Amaro for the two-Michelin-starred Lazy Bear in the Mission. Furthermore, the downtown restaurant and event space Holbrook House is set to host a launch party for a custom-produced Brucato gin.
What’s Next for the Clarks
In the short term, the Clarks plan to take a well-deserved break. “We’re going to take some time over the summer with our two girls and start thinking about our next chapter,” Sierra Clark mentioned. As for the future of the Bar Brucato space, the Clarks are exploring various possibilities, including pop-ups, a tasting room, and visiting bartenders, all aimed at celebrating Brucato and the neighborhood.
The closure of Bar Brucato marks the end of an era but also the beginning of new opportunities for Brucato Spirits. As they focus on their distillery and upcoming projects, the future looks bright for this innovative spirits company.
