Trail raised the bar for tipplers in old S.F.
For three decades, a legendary trail ran through the heart of San Francisco. Its zigzag course was famous throughout the world. It could be dangerous: To venture down it too often was to risk one's hearth, home and marriage. But that did not prevent intrepid explorers from setting out to conquer it day after day.
It was the Cocktail Route - the highest highway in history.
The Cocktail Route was one of the glories of San Francisco's Gay '90s, that lighthearted, often lightheaded era that started in the 1880s and whose last call was the earthquake and fire of 1906.
The Cocktail Route was an actual route. It started on Montgomery Street around Washington, headed unsteadily south six blocks to Sutter, stumbled over a block to Kearny, staggered up to Powell and passed out around Eddy and Mason.
Along the way, the Cocktail Route passed no fewer than 20 saloons, which included the most famous and well-appointed drinking establishments in the city. All of them served, in addition to the potent beverages that gave the route its name, a mouthwateringly munificent free lunch.
The Route's all-male ranks of regulars included respectable businessmen and politicians, as well as a miscellaneous crew of drink cadgers, skirt chasers and opportunistic gourmands known as "free-lunch fiends."
They followed an unvarying routine. Around 5 p.m., these gentlemen would close down their offices, don their Prince Albert frock coats and hats, and stroll into the street, lighting up their stogies. Ten blocks and as many as 20 Champagne cocktails, Bonanzas or Pisco punches later, they would finish up and be delivered to their Nob Hill homes, to be greeted by the icy stares of their wives.
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Trail-raised-the-bar-for-tipplers-in-old-S-F-5063281.php
= new reply since forum marked as read
Interesting.
like the Freedom Trail in Boston. 
