Cavaña Debuts Atop LUMA Hotel San Francisco as the City’s Newest Rooftop Cocktail Bar

Cavaña will celebrate the spirit of Central and South America with a collection of sugar-cane and agave distillates
CAVAÑA DEBUTS ATOP LUMA HOTEL SAN FRANCISCO
Photo: Official

On Thursday, February 2nd, San Francisco will welcome Cavaña, a Latin American cocktail bar perched on the rooftop of Mission Bay’s newest lifestyle hotel, LUMA Hotel San Francisco. Owned and operated by hospitality industry pros John Park of Brick x Brick Hospitality Group (KAIYŌ, Whitechapel and Novela) and Anthony Parks of True Hospitality, Cavaña will celebrate the spirit of Central and South America with a collection of sugar-cane and agave distillates to enjoy while taking in the views of San Francisco’s skyline and the surrounding Bay, in SF’s Mission Bay neighborhood.

Sign up now to get our Daily Breaking News Alerts

Opt out at anytime

Looking to bring their Cavaña to life, Cavaña owners Park and Parks enlisted the expertise of industry all-stars including Emilio Salehi and Miguel Salehi and BxB Executive Chef Alex Reccio.

While the soul of many Latin American cultures can be found in their food and drinks, the pulsing heartbeat is often expressed through vibrant music and art. Cavaña at LUMA Hotel San Francisco will be no exception to the rule, will have live music – with Latin American DJs spinning live in the main room, to regular live performances spotlighting local Latin artists – from bands to solo artists and vocalists.

“With the majority of Cavaña’s management team’s heritage and upbringing being Latin, our concept was a natural and passionate connection for us all. For Anthony and I, the opportunity to build and open an elevated hotel cocktail bar felt exciting especially when San Francisco has been underrepresented in this particular category.” said John Park, BxB Hospitality in a statement.

With Beverage Director Emilio Salehi at the helm, Cavaña’s cocktail program will feature a curated selection of Latin American spirits including high-end mezcales, tequilas, rums, piscos, and gins. Developed by Emilio Salehi, Miguel Salehi and Anthony Parks, the cocktail program will showcase native and Latin ingredients such as feijoa, yerba mate, mole, purple corn, uchuva, hoja santa, and more. Specialty cocktails will focus on Latin American classics like Caipirinhas, Daiquiris, Margaritas and more.

Highlights include:

  • Coco Cafecito – Venezuelan rum, toasted coconut, PX Sherry, coffee, almond & orange salt  
  • Kiwi Hoja – Bolivian brandy, mezcal, kiwi, hoja santa, lime . milk clarified 
  • Elote Pasilla – Oaxacan purple corn whisky, reposado tequila, pasilla chile, bitter vermouth 
  • Papaya Uva – pisco acholado, papaya, grapefruit aperitif, elderflower, meyer lemon 
  • Chicha Morada (N/A) – purple corn, pineapple rind,, apple, cinnamon, clove

Tableside bottle service will be offered with a rotating selection of high-end mezcales, tequilas and rums. Tableside bottle selections will be accompanied by assorted fruits, seasonal agua frescas and housemade salts. The spirits will be served in handmade ceramic carafes and copitas. In addition to the tableside bottle service, the bar team will be offering large format Ponches serving 6-8 guests.

In addition to spirits and cocktails, the dynamic beverage program will also highlight a selection of minimal intervention wines from Californian and Latin American producers.

“Cavaña is our ode to Central and South America, and we look forward to highlighting its beauty, culture and design through elevated cocktails, bites, artwork and music. With the cocktail program at the forefront, we look forward to bringing San Francisco a cocktail experience that showcases artisanal and original cocktails inspired by unexpected and locally sourced ingredients, in an unpretentious way. We are just as passionate about serving our unique specialty cocktails as we are the traditional fan-favorites such as caipirinhas and mojitos.”- Anthony Parks, True Hospitality

In addition to the cocktail program, Cavaña will feature a selection of shareable dishes that showcase a mosaic of flavors from all parts of Latin America, led and created by BxB Hospitality Group Executive Chef Alex Reccio. Traditional dishes from across Central and South America and the Caribbean will be presented on textured stoneware and Oaxacan-made wooden platters embraced by greenery and foliage.

Each recipe will be presented using fresh and locally sourced ingredients intentionally selected to enhance the cocktail program, all of which highlight the bounty of the season. A variety of small, shareable dishes will be served, including Aguachile de Manzana or Rojo de Camarón, Pastel de Carne (Brazilian flaky pastries with Rocoto Aioli), Costillar de Res (slow roasted beef short ribs, brocollini & chimichurri), Hallaca de Pollo (Venezuelan chicken tamal, bell peppers, olive, dried fruit crema, pico de gallo), Corn Esquites Tostadas (sweet corn, queso fresco, dried chile, crema, pico de gallo) and more. The Asado Roca will be a large dish of grilled carne, pork sausage, chimichurri, tomato-pepper relish and gaucho fries, presented on a stone slab for the table. As an homage to Bar Manager Emilio Salehi’s mother, Cavaña will also feature two different traditional arepas, tres quesos (cheese) and pabellón (brisket) cooked over a budare, which are a nod to the Venezuelan breakfast that Emilio and Miguel Salehi enjoyed growing up.

Perched atop LUMA Hotel San Francisco, Cavana’s design invites guests to indulge in the ambience of a seamless indoor-outdoor space with its contemporary and sophisticated decor. Upon arrival, guests are transported to the lush rooftop space via a private elevator entrance. Woodblock prints from Irving Herrara, hand carved wood cross paneling, Latin-inspired woven rattan furniture, decorative tiles, and natural elements fill the space in a subtle, yet lavish way.

“The arrival of Cavaña at LUMA Hotel San Francisco is a momentous occasion for the Mission Bay community, as the debut of the Latin American cocktail bar marks the completion of the hotel’s highly anticipated 17th floor rooftop space. We’re thrilled to continue to elevate what we know as the new heart of the city and serve as a destination that inspires residents to return and guests to curate new memories.” – Patti Hunt, General Manager, LUMA Hotel San Francisco

Cavaña features a mixture of textures that are commonly found across Central and South America, from smooth metal and leather stools to a permanently installed wooden table for the DJ. In collaboration with San Francisco plant pros, Arcana, Cavaña features a vibrant curation of lush greenery. Cavaña also showcases a selection of handmade ceramics from local ceramicist, Brie Wolf and Oaxacan artisan, Ana Martinez.

Lisa Hay

Lisa Hay

Lisa is a staff reporter for What Now Media Group. She covers new restaurant, retail, and real estate openings across all of our markets. A true foodie, this Air Force veteran has lived all over the world — from Aviano, Italy to Nairobi, Kenya — but her favorite spot is NOLA for its rich history, architecture, culture, and of course, its good eats.
Lisa Hay

Lisa Hay

Lisa is a staff reporter for What Now Media Group. She covers new restaurant, retail, and real estate openings across all of our markets. A true foodie, this Air Force veteran has lived all over the world — from Aviano, Italy to Nairobi, Kenya — but her favorite spot is NOLA for its rich history, architecture, culture, and of course, its good eats.

Pin It on Pinterest