SF Downtown Bounces Back: Stag Launches New Gourmet Dart Lounge, Golden Eye Social, with Proof Positive
Debuting in early May, Proof Positive is expanding its footprint with a new modern take on a classic dart bar serving gastropub fare with augmented reality technology. Golden Eye Social is an elevated gastropub and San Francisco’s first and only AR darts bar featuring 6,500 square feet complete with two full bars, lounge and dining areas, and six individual lanes, with a dedicated private events space. Joining the nearby Thriller Social Club as the second gaming, eating, and drinking establishment from partners Proof Positive and Stag Dining Group, Golden Eye will employ the 501 Fun Augmented Reality Dart system to create a high-tech adaption of the classic game in modern art deco-inspired space.
“We’re excited to bring Golden Eye Social to life on a bustling corner in SoMa, merging casual competition with elevated food and drink, which has become a major trend in hospitality. The augmented reality entertainment coupled with great food and drinks offers a unique experience for our guests to gather, make new connections, and their visit will take flight!” says Proof Positive Co-Founder Kingston Wu. “We also want to underscore our gratitude to the city of San Francisco and the Office for Economic and Workforce Development for funding citywide grants that support small businesses and new storefronts, such as our own. ” Golden Eye Social will cater to a broad clientele — from the happy hour work crowd and date night to business and convention groups to gatherings with friends or mature families. “Golden Eye Social is an exhilarating destination that adds to the wave of new businesses opening in Yerba Buena," said Yerba Buena Partnership Executive Director Scott Rowitz. "New investment and new attractions like this, paired with our expansive arts and cultural scene, are driving a tangible optimism and excitement about Yerba Buena. The neighborhood is buzzing day and night, with more to do, see and experience than we've seen in years."
Groups will enjoy moving easily between playing, drinking, and eating in the lanes, or dining at the communal and high top tables before or after their reserved time slot. Whether it’s shareable snacks or a sit down dinner, Golden Eye features approachable, elevated cuisine made with seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients. The food menu is filled with playful takes on classic dishes and a rotating selection of Oysters on the Half Shell, including a $2 option, served with tosazu mignonette. Bar Snacks include Pickled Eggs with piparra peppers, salted pretzels; Smoked Trout Dip with fennel pollen lavash crackers; Scotch Egg with pork banger, HP aioli, pickles; and Beef Tongue Skewer with pickled mustard seed, frisee, horseradish, beet. Small plates include 7 Layer Tuna Tartare with chive sour cream, roe, chopped egg, shallot, nori breadsticks; Baked Oyster Dynamite with tobiko mayo, crab, scallion, and bay shrimp; and Kimchi & Pork Belly Sliders with charred scallion aioli on an Acme bun. A selection of tinned seafood served with kewpie egg salad, celery-olive escabeche and toasted baguette include La Brujula Yellowfin Tuna Belly, Spain; Don Bocarte Boquerones, Spain; and La Brujula Mussels in Escabeche, Spain. Larger plate options feature Seared Maitake “Steak” with bernaise, watercress salad, onion rings; Fish ‘n Chips: cod fried in miso beer batter served with tsukemono tartar; The Golden Burger served with caramelized onion, thick cut gruyère, remoulade, served with fries; and Steak Frites with au poivre sauce, thyme fries. To finish with something sweet, the dessert menu includes a Chocolate Ganache Tart with banana, salted caramel, peanuts, vanilla whoop; Olive Oil Cake with honey yogurt, strawberry, pistachio butter.
Assistant General Manager Mike Schwindt, who spent nearly a decade at District San Francisco, spearheads the beverage program, which highlights new, creative cocktails and classics with a twist that ranges from light and bright to spirit-forward. Highlights include Golden Eye Espresso Martini with coffee infused vodka, coffee liquor, Baileys, Frangelico, Kahlua; Combination Finish with gin, elderflower, lime, cucumber mint syrup, egg whites; El Jefe with Mezcal Union Uno, reposado tequila, pineapple gum syrup, house bitters; and Barrel Aged Mezcal Manhattan with pineapple infused mezcal, Caparo Bianco, mole bitters, orange bitters. Non-alcoholic drinks include Bebida Falsa with Ritual Tequila Alternative, fresh lime juice, agace and Phony Negroni: Ritual Gin Alternative, Ritual Aperitif Alternative. All signature cocktails are $15 and non-alcoholic cocktails are $12. The wine selection features a list of elevated bubbles, approachable local and international, and Reserve wines served by the glass and by the bottle. The beer list showcases independent craft breweries.
Golden Eye Social revolutionizes San Francisco's recreational gaming scene with six various sized lanes featuring 501 Fun's AR dart technology, blending digital innovation with classic gameplay. Unlike isolating digital experiences, these augmented reality and interactive games will create interactive social hubs where players of all skill levels can enjoy friendly competition and natural conversation alongside drinks and food, making technology enhance rather than hinder human connection. The games at Golden Eye Social include “Disco Wall,” “Killer,” “Robin Hood,” “Halve It,” and “Shanghai.”
Co-owner Wu and contractor Roberto Tiradocrespo, with input from marketing and event managers Linore Rong and Kristin Chantry, oversaw the construction and design of the completely renovated former Osha Thai space, adorned with shades of burnt orange, plum, forest green, and royal blue with accents of brass and copper, chevron design elements as a subtle nod to an arrow. In addition to adding two new bars, the transformation of the space includes expanded dining and lounge areas, a brand new centrally located entrance, new and renovated bathrooms with playful wallpaper and gold fixtures, and significantly raised ceiling line. Golden Eye has invested in upgrading the entertainment package, which includes a Meyer Sound System, with multiple AV connection points, 11 individually controlled televisions, and DJ/KDJ capabilities with a stage to create the optimal entertaining experience.
Proof Positive is a San Francisco-based hospitality group focused on building and investing in food and drink concepts that bring together people for a good time over a great meal. The latest concept from Proof Positive called Morella opened in November 2024 in the Marina District and is San Francisco’s first Argentinian-Italian restaurant. Additionally, Proof Positive owns and operates a collection of food, beverage and entertainment destinations that includes Westwood, Wilder, and Thriller Social Club in San Francisco. More recently they have expanded into Southern California and opened Westwood Steak to critical acclaim in Orange County, and Eastwood in Los Angeles. The group has also invested in favorite local concepts like Horsefeather, Black Hammer Brewing, Wilkommen, Hazies, and Last Rites.
Stag Dining Group was founded by seasoned culinary outfitters Co-Founder/Executive Chef Jordan Grosser and President/Co-Founder Matthew Homyak as a supper club, producing unique, inspired dining events that united innovative design and entertainment with carefully crafted food and beverage collaborations built on a holistic foundation. Their services have been sought after for the world’s finest wineries, multiple michelin chef collaborations as well as a mulittude of tech companies for experiential celebrations that offer elevetad finesse and fare. Grosser has spent over 20 years in the hospitality industry channeling his creativity through collaborative food projects and innovative culinary events, and has worked in high-profile fine dining restaurants with celebrated chefs. He joined forces with Homyak, who has an extensive background in luxury retail management as well as agritech supporting the wine industry, to create Stag Dining Group, a full-service hospitality organization with an emphasis on sharing their passion for connecting people in unforgettable environments through food, local artisans, and experiences. Stag Dining Group created and oversees the food programs for Thriller Social Club and Golden Eye Social.
For more information, please visit www.goldeneyesocial.com and follow on Instagram (@goldeneyesocial).
