Behold! A “Simpsons”-inspired bar has made its way to San Francisco. Moe’z (a not-so-subtle nod to the show’s infamous watering hole, Moe’s Tavern) popped-up for business on a Lower Nob Hill stretch of Sutter Street this past Thursday. And we can confirm that it is in fact, an awesomely outrageous hang right from the jump.
The facade will look familiar to longtime fans of the show and has been drawing people in from the street to check out the digs. Inside, there’s the signature detention chalkboard with Bart writing “I will not blame the bartender for not going to work tomorrow or the next day” over and over. There’s a wall decorated behind two tables made to look like the row of bushes that Homer infamously disappears into and lots more visual cues from the show throughout.
Two Squishee machines are behind the bar top, along with a keg of Duft Beer (not to be confused with Duff) as the subtle differences are key distinctions to ensuring that the pop-up bar can stay open as long as possible before drawing any attention from Mr. Burns’ team of 10 high-priced lawyers. Spoiler alert: The Duft is Original Pattern’s Pilsner. That’s good.
“I grew up with the show and watched every episode as a kid”, said co-owner Brett Frost, who cites the Mr. Sparkle-episode (In Marge We Trust, Season 8, Episode 22) as his all-time favorite.
In fact, the “Mr. Sparkle” cocktail on the menu is a Toki Highball, an homage to Homer’s Japanese doppelganger. There’s also a “Simpson & Son Revitalizing Tonic” cocktail, a “new improved” boozy Buzz Cola, a Supoib Manhattan and of course, a Flaming Moe — whose ingredients are listed as simply “Booze, Purple and Flames.” Fun names aside, these are actually well-conceived, elevated cocktails at Moe’z. The “Mmmmm..Donuts” features donut washed rhum agricole, hazelnut orgeat, vanilla, raspberry whip, and sprinkles.
Frost and co-owners Dan Hayes and Leo Kaplan know a thing or two about cocktails. Frost and Hayes have also owned The Summer Place around the corner on Bush St since 2021, and also own the Marina’s Wizards & Wands. Before Moe’z took over the 582 Sutter St space, it was a holiday-themed pop-up bar called Mistletoe from this same group of industry lifers.
With a penchant for thematic pop-ups, Hayes and Frost even turned The Summer Place into a Twin Peaks-themed pop-up bar for a short-time last year. The pair told 48 Hills that they also have the lease to the space two doors over at 588 Sutter, as well as its basement. Their plan within the next year is to have three separate concept bars in the building.
“We really want to make a destination spot for downtown and get people down there again,” Frost said.”It’s all gonna be great for Downtown and the Union Square area.”
As for Moe’z, it’s growing stronger by the day. New drinks are getting added to the already worthy menu and the backroom is shaping up to look identical to the cartoon family’s living room. A painting of a sailboat already hangs crookedly on the far wall of the space and a brown couch is about to be brought in. The Krusty-brand seal of approval hangs behind the bar and yes there’s a BORT license plate and yes there’s a Bryan McGee fake ID back there too. The team is designing neon lights and more decorations to put up, the “Simpsons” arcade game is coming, and a Love Tester will soon be right next to the bartop.
So if you like good fun, and a lot of crazy crap on the walls, come on down to Moe’z on Sutter and Mason. And when you get to hell, tell ’em Itchy sent you!
