Fort Mason in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Buena Vista Cafe
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 11, 2021
1. The Buena Vista Cafe Marker
The Buena Vista, meaning "good view” in Spanish, moved to this corner around 1907 and was rebuilt in its current Queen Anne style in 1911. Back then, the "BeeVee,” as it is still called by locals, was a favorite gathering place for fishermen and waterfront denizens.
Irish coffee was invented in 1943 by Joe Sheridan at the flying boat terminal at Foynes Airport in Ireland, later to be crafted at the nearby Shannon Airport.
On November 10, 1952, owner Jack Koeppler challenged travel writer Stanton Delaplane to recreate the famous Irish beverage. After many experiments they matched the flawless recipe. This caffeinated elixir became so popular that Sheridan would immigrate to America to work at the Buena Vista Cafe.
To this day, both locals and visitors from around the world start their morning here with a drop of Irish dew in a warmed glass chalice of
this page online
Erected 2020 by E Clampus Vitus Yerba Buena #1.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 10, 1952.
Location. 37° 48.395′ N, 122° 25.24′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Fort Mason. It is at the intersection of Beach Street and Hyde Street, on the right when traveling east on Beach Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2765 Hyde Street, San Francisco CA 94109, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on California’s Coast Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, on the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexico’s Alta California.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 11, 2021
2. The Buena Vista Cafe Marker - wide view
The marker is visible here on the corner of the building, to the right of the entrance, with the Irish Coffee marker visible above it.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: America’s First Irish Coffee (here, next to this marker); Friedel Klussman (within shouting distance of this marker); Barbary Coast Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); San Francisco Cable Car System (within shouting distance of this marker); Del Monte Square (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The South End Rowing Club (about 400 feet away); The Dolphin Swimming and Boating Club (about 500 feet away); Propellers from Klamath (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.
Also see . . .
1. Archives (The Buena Vista Cafe). Includes a short history of the cafe, as well as a number of photographs. (Submitted on July 12, 2021.)
2. Buena Vista Cafe gets landmark plaque honoring its Irish coffee-soaked history (Hoodline, 10/05/20). Article on the BV cafe and its plaquing by Clampers. Includes numerous photos of grown men wearing lots and lots of red. (Submitted on July 12, 2021.)
courtesy of the Buena Vista Cafe, 1909
3. The Buena Vista Cafe in 1909 - photo on the wall in the Cafe
The Buena Vista looked like this until a wandering cable car came to rest against the Hyde Street side. The building was repaired to look as it does today. At this time, the shoreline was only a few yards from the front door, and customers sat on the wooden benches to watch horseshoes on the sandy beach.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 11, 2021
4. The Buena Vista Irish Coffee
Irish coffee (Irish: caife Gailege) is a cocktail consisting of hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and sugar (some recipes specify that brown sugar should be used), stirred, and topped with thick cream. The coffee is drunk through the cream. The original recipe explicitly uses cream that has not been whipped, although drinks made with whipped cream are often sold as "Irish coffee". The term "Irish coffee" is also sometimes used colloquially to refer to alcoholic coffee drinks in general. - Wikipedia
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 773 times since then and 112 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 12, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
