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Royal treatment at the Palace

We pulled up to the valet stand in the parking lot across the street from the hotel. One must remember that San Francisco’s “New” Montgomery Street…

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Customers shouldn’t call the shots in an emergency

The bubbles in the glass of champagne being poured foamed up, necessitating a slight tilt and then a full stop to let them subside before continuing…

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Former Marin Bartender starts hot sauce company

Super Bowl Sunday is this week. And in the world of cocktails, that can mean only one thing: bloody marys. The bloody mary is the queen of brunch…

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It’s best to keep somethings to yourself

Muted light playfully languished over red Naugahyde, leaving corners and other dark spots to their mystery. Tinkling music played low over the concealed speakers — not…

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Sometimes a drink, isn’t just a drink

“Oh, darling, you simply must get them a drink,” said the woman at the bar. “Something to get their date going.” The woman and her companion…

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Saying goodbye to Saylor’s in Sausalito

Forty years in the restaurant business, by any measure, is a long time. Marin’s Sean Saylor has been at it for at least that long. Closing…

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People hear, but often don’t listen

Don’t they want to make money?” the woman asked her friend as they stood at the front door 45 minutes after we’d closed. It’s common enough…

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A billionaire walks into a bar

The rain came down in little patters, filling potholes and creating an obstacle course of sorts in the darkened parking lot near the restaurant. The people…

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3 great nonalcoholic drinks to try this new year

Here we are one week into the new year. By now, all those New Year’s Eve endcap displays of sparkling wine in every supermarket anywhere have…

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Welcome to the jungle

The lion walked into the modern-day oasis without a care in the world. If an oasis is defined as a place of respite with abundant food…

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The Press Loves “Twenty Years Behind Bars”

Top 25 iBooks Bestseller

Top 100 Amazon Bestseller

“more about mixing people than drinks”
Christopher Kimball America’s Test Kitchen

“racy and innocent”
Marin Independent Journal

“insightful writing about bar culture and human nature”
SF Examiner

“the best stories are of the clueless at their worst behavior — often before they’ve ordered their first drink” “juicier reads than you would find in the pages of a family newspaper”
Patch

“a book of riotous stories”
The Bold Italic

“great book, quite funny, and includes recipes!”
Joel Riddell, Dining Around, NewsTalk 910

“I love this book. It's insightful, sometimes laugh-out-loud funny, and includes expert cocktail recipes, too!”
Erika Lenkert, author of Last-Minute Party Girl and Raw: the Uncook Book

“Served straight up, with humor, irreverence and a one-of-a-kind perspective, Twenty Years Behind Bars takes us up close into the life of bars, bartenders, and those who frequent both. To get any closer, you'd need be an olive in one of Burkhart's martini glasses.”
Kimberley Lovato, author of the award winning cookbook, Walnut Wine & Truffle Groves

All Content Copyright 2025 Jeff Burkhart, All Rights Reserved