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There’s no better place to dip your toe (or dive headfirst) into the city’s world-renowned wine scene than at these carefully curated San Francisco wine bars.
With so many options to choose from, let us help you narrow it down to the best of the best. From upscale destinations to neighborhood hangouts, there’s a little something for everyone.
San Francisco was once the heart and soul of a burgeoning California wine scene.
But after the devastating 1906 earthquake, it would take close to a century for SF to bounce back.
With a resurgence of local growers and producers, The City by the Bay stands again as an oenophile’s dream destination.
17 Best Wine Bars in San Francisco
So clear your palate, slip into something nice, and get ready to find your new favorite bottle of red, white, or sparkling.
1. Union Larder
$$ | Website | 415-323-4845
A staple among San Francisco wine bars, Union Larder has the feel of a casual yet refined European restaurant.
The globetrotting wine list covers bottles from as close to home as Sonoma County (a must-visit in the state) and Napa Valley (which is an incredible romantic getaway in California), and as far-flung as Australia, France, and Chile.
Order by the glass or opt for a bottle, then pair your drink with a food menu full of indulgent small plates, such as house-pickled vegetables, oysters, and steak tartare.
If you’re a fan of charcuterie boards (and really, what wine lover isn’t?), then something from their expertly curated selection of meats, cheeses, and local preserves is a must-try.
Address: 1945 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109
2. Key Klub
$$ | Website | 415-494-9425
Our first two San Francisco wine bars actually share a deep connection.
Key Klub is the latest passion project of Bodega’s founders and aims to add something new to the city’s winery landscape.
With a more beer-heavy menu and plenty of space to spread out in (two whole stories of booth and bar seating), this is a spot that caters to wine lovers of all kinds.
Plenty of unpretentious selections and a knowledgeable staff waiting to walk you through your pick make Key Klub super accessible, while neon signs, exposed brick walls, and a wine list full of playful titles keep things trendy (including natural wines).
San Francisco date nights, friend get-togethers, and after-work drinks are all equally at home here, and weekends bring a particularly buzzy atmosphere and lively soundtrack.
Address: 850 Bush St, San Francisco, CA 94108
3. Bodega North Beach
$$ | Instagram | 415-634-7002
Charm abounds at this chic, new American bistro. Between modern interiors, Instagram-worthy dishes, and a menu overflowing with European, minimal-intervention bottles, guests will find an excellent selection of wines and lots to love.
In fact, Bodega was truly ahead of its time when it came to natural wines, and yet quickly amassed a loyal clientele of the city’s young and hip.
Come hungry, because the tapas-style menu of tacos, mushroom toasts, and other small plates frequently receives rave reviews. For a boozy brunch, the breakfast burritos are a must-try.
An intimate corner spot, Bodega can fill up quickly. If you’re lucky, grab a spot outdoors, settle in, and sip away while enjoying that lovely San Francisco sunshine.
Address: 700 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
4. Fool’s Errand
$$ | Website | N/A
The motto at this cozy, cabin-like neighborhood hangout is, “Come for the beer, stay for the Riesling.”
And although Fool’s Errand may come off as more of a boisterous dive bar, it actually boasts a nuanced and varied menu that can easily hold its own against the best San Francisco wine bars.
There’s a strong local wine selection, as well as French, Italian, Spanish wines, and more. The European feel is amplified with light bite offerings like conservas and charcuterie plates.
If you want to switch things up and sip on something else in this subterranean wine bar, a popular selection of ciders and sours is also on hand.
Address: 639A Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117
5. Bar Part Time
$ | Website | 669-333-9463
For anyone who doesn’t take themselves (or their wine) too seriously, Bar Part Time is the place to be. This spot is artsy, inviting, and effortlessly cool–plus, it boasts an events calendar overflowing with drag shows, DJ sets, and more.
Enter to checkered floors, shelves filled with vinyl records, and a disco ball twirling overhead. Then get comfy in a plush corner booth or hit the dance floor with your glass of wine in hand.
The emphasis here is on natural wines, and bartenders are happy to set you up with a recommendation.
Visit early evening for a quieter atmosphere, or wait for things to heat up on weekends after 9 PM, when San Francisco’s coolest crowd shows up ready to party.
Address: 496 14th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
6. High Treason
$$ | Website | 415-742-5256
Edgy and no-frills High Treason aims to make the best bottles available to anyone.
According to their website, this renegade wine bar “wanted to create a laid back space that you could come to wearing a hoodie, to listen to punk records and eat a grilled cheese sandwich, but still drink grand cru Burgundy.”
You won’t find all the standard fixtures of other San Francisco wine bars: No tasting menus, no dress codes…For months after their opening, there wasn’t even a sign outside.
But a niche wine list will encourage even the most well-versed patrons to discover a new favorite label, while the art gallery-esque space and impeccable soundtrack coax everyone into staying a while.
Address: 443 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 94118
7. Scopo Divino
$$$ | Website | 415-928-3728
As one of the more upscale wine bars in SF, Scopo Divino promises an intimate evening of live jazz performances, lounge-y atmosphere, and a globe-trotting list of reds, whites, rosés, and orange wines.
The brains behind the operation are big believers in “wine therapy.” As they put it, “We believe there is an emotional connection with the enjoyment of wine.
Our goal is to help you best navigate our selection to match your moods and desires.”
To test it out, order the Wine Therapy tasting flight, hand-selected by the bartender after a conversation with you.
Bonus: The menu of elevated New American dishes has received rave reviews, with special mentions for the fresh oysters, charcuterie boards, and burgers.
Address: 2800 California Street, San Francisco, CA, 94115
8. El Chato
$$ | Website | N/A
This is still a list of wine bars in San Francisco, even though our next spot will have you wondering if you were just teleported to Spain.
Bringing together a traditional tapas menu, carefully curated wine list, and live Latin music nights every Thursday, this Spanish-style taberna always has something going on.
“Chato” has several translations. It’s the name of a stemless, short glass used throughout Spain, as well as slang tossed around between friends, meaning “buddy.”
So grab your chatos and a chato, and settle into the low-key, welcoming space. Because the chato pours are only 3 ounces, you can sample to your heart’s content!
Address: 2301 Bryant St, San Francisco, CA 94110
9. Inovino
$$ | Website | 415-681-3770
Calling all Italian wine lovers! Just like the Italian comfort food it serves, Inovino is warm, classic, and homey, a no-fail neighborhood favorite that will always leave you satisfied.
The owner (and master sommelier) has cultivated a fantastic wine list that traverses different regions in Italy, and he’ll likely swing by your table at some point during the evening to make suggestions for your next bottle.
Oh, and they are really proud of serving biodynamic wines and indigenous varietals.
As Leonardo da Vinci said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication,” and nowhere does that ring truer than at Inovino.
With a table full of pizza, pasta, and good wine, what more could you ask for?
Address: 108-B Carl St, San Francisco, CA 94117
10. Ungrafted
$$$ | Website | 415-814-2129
Between a wife-and-husband team of Master Sommeliers, a Michelin-star chef serving up elevated street food dishes, and an eclectic wine list packed with hidden gems, Ungrafted is one of those San Francisco wine bars you just can’t skip.
The industrial-chic space is set in the city’s vibrant Dogpatch neighborhood, which sits near the waterfront and features all kinds of up-and-coming art galleries, brunch spots, and brewpubs.
Although its primary focus is on champagne, Ungrafted’s well-rounded wine list offers everything from high-end labels to more accessible options served by the glass or half-bottle.
There are also plenty of off-the-beaten-path options if that’s what you’re looking for.
Check the events calendar for a host of educational get-togethers, which often focus on wines from a particular part of the world and are led by in-house sommeliers. Round tables and blind tastings are held each week!
Address: 2419 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94107
11. Amelie San Francisco
$$ | Website | 415-292-6916
Anyone who appreciates a good pairing will instantly add Amelie to the list of their favorite wine bars to visit in San Francisco.
This buzzy, fabulous destination is found in Nob Hill, one of the city’s swankiest districts–once home to the mansions of the Big Four railroad barons.
But everyone is welcome at an Amelie party. Live DJ sets and jazz bands turn things up a notch on the weekends, and the bartenders feel like instant friends, happy to pour up the perfect recommendation for you.
Choose from an extensive wine list focused largely on French bottles but with surprise additions from South Africa, Lebanon, Portugal, and beyond. In between sips, enjoy European light bites like carpaccio, flatbreads, and cheese platters.
The daily happy hour from 4-6 PM offers unmissable deals, like a custom wine flight for just $12.50!
Address: 1754 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
12. Ebb & Flow
$$ | Website | 415-875-9849
With an emphasis on family-owned vineyards and small producers plus proud minority woman ownership, Ebb & Flow is a neighborhood wine bar where you can feel good about whatever you choose to order.
The quaint, bright interiors and quiet side-street location make it feel more like an upscale coffee shop, the kind of place where you can really settle in and sip away.
There’s truly something for everyone on the diverse and non-mainstream wine list: natural, organic, biodynamic, and even a selection of non-alcoholic bottles. Yummy small bites round out the experience.
Address: 294 Ivy St, San Francisco, CA 94102
13. 20 Spot
$$$ | Website | 415-624-3140
Although 20 Spot is on the pricier side when it comes to San Francisco wine bars, its offerings are worth every penny.
Intimate yet upscale, 20 Spot feels like you’ve landed in the living room of your coolest friend.
The space was once an old record store, and that spirit carries on in the consistently excellent soundtrack that will accompany your evening.
The wine list carries on for pages, with plenty of local bottles as well as options from all across Europe. Meanwhile, the food offerings include charcuterie boards, delicate small plates, and highly-recommended pizzas.
Address: 3565 20th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
14. Yield Dogpatch
$$ | Website | 415-401-8984
Wine bars don’t get much friendlier than Yield Dogpatch. This spot is a transgender, family-owned small business happy to host both you and your furry friends (the owner’s two dogs often hang out onsite).
The weekly events schedule is full of fun, free opportunities to engage.
Monday board game nights, trivia on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and film screenings every Wednesday guarantee a good time.
And of course, we can’t forget the main event. Although Yield’s wine list traverses the globe, its primary focus is on small-batch, organically-farmed local wines.
Offerings change weekly, so you’re always getting the latest favorites.
Address: 2490 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94107
15. Resolute
$$ | Website | 415-528-1075
Step inside the petite and polished Resolute, a San Francisco institution known for its super-friendly service and generous happy hour, which runs from opening to 6 PM daily and knocks $3 off every glass of wine.
This spot serves up some of our favorite wine tastings in San Francisco, with a selection of flights featuring whites, reds, sparkling wines, or classics.
There’s usually a generous deal on to-go bottles as well, so find your favorite and then stock up for your next get-together at home!
Address: 678 Geary St, San Francisco, CA 94102
16. Etcetera Wine Bar
$$ | Website | 415-926-5477
There’s something for everyone at Etcetera, one of the best San Francisco wine bars for those seeking a new favorite red or white.
Their exotic wine list travels the world, while tapas, French pizzas, charcuterie boards, and plenty of vegan options will keep even the pickiest eaters well-fed.
Indoor and outdoor seating options allow plenty of space to spread out, and the weekends bring an extra atmosphere with live music performances, from jazz bands to DJ sets.
Address: 795 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110
17. Wine Down
$$ | Website | 415-829-7005
With two women co-owners running the show, Wine Down aims to be a safe, inclusive space “that values, protects, and champions women, people of color, LGBTIQ communities, immigrants, and everyone in between.”
Each month, a portion of their revenue is given back to organizations doing powerful work in San Francisco and beyond.
As if that’s not reason enough to add Wine Down to your evening-out itinerary, just take a look at their menu.
It’s a thoughtfully-curated, frequently-rotating list of bottles from small, independent California producers (many of them women or minority-owned), and at a totally reasonable price point, to boot!
Address: 685 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Other Wine Spots in San Francisco You Won’t Want to Miss
- West Coast Wine & Cheese – wonderful cheese pairings on Union Street
- Fig & Thistle – with a great selection of beers too
- Arcana – a wonderful natural wine bar
- Hotel Biron – intimate wine bar/gallery
- Roaming Goat – San Francisco’s Mediterranean wine bar
- Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant – they also have a wine club
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