Another place that has been doing that “cocktail map” thing is Rooh in Palo Alto. Although I like the drinks at Paper Plane, your comment about the “open floor plan” is kind. You’ll find me at MiniBoss or Dr Funk or Haberdasher or Petiscos, none of which might have quite as good drinks but better combinations of drinks, food, and atmosphere IMHO (not saying that all of them have food, but the sum of each eclipses the rather limp vibe at Paper Plane, again in my opinion).
But realistically - between Rooh, Ettan, Zola, San Augus, it’s hard to get out of Palo Alto for drinking. President’s Terrace, Union Local, NOLA deserve mention but aren’t in the same league. Ethel’s Fancy I haven’t tried (a dire oversight on my part).
It looks like Bar Underdog (offshoot of Protoge) on California Ave [ PA ] is open, which also hosts Sekoya and (cocktail-underrated) Naschmarkt. Often one doesn’t think of popping into Protoge for a quick one either, but one can.
Menlo Park lost Canteen, of which I’m still sad, but Burma Love and Eylan make up for it a bit. Left Bank is OK if you order carefully, Bar Loretta / Bistro Vida I’ve tried hard to like but, well, don’t, Camper I’m trying to warm to. Clark’s (new oyster bar) is on the list to try but I have only moderate hope. BBC is on my shit list for removing the great atmosphere and great old bar, but I’ll admit the cocktails are at least mid, maybe a little better.
Flea St, while not in the downtown part of MP, almost carries the city itself. The few-seat bar area is a secret treasure, and I’m assuming that guy who has been mixing there for the last 15 years is still behind the stick.
By comparison, Redwood City’s not great for cocktails, with the best of the lot probably Nighthawk. RWC has some OK eats, but cocktails, it hasn’t yet fielded a team.
