Celebrate Chardonnay Day: 9 Wine Bars in SF
Living in San Francisco, we are spoiled with some of the world’s best wines sourced from Napa, Sonoma, Mendocini and the Central Coast. Being the wannabe sommeliers we all are in SF (do you detect a hint of I-don’t-kn0w-what-I’m-talking-about?), it’s not difficult to get behind these two days: Chardonnay Day (today, May 26th) and National Wine Day (yesterday, May 25th).
To help you celebrate these truly glorious occasions, we’ve rounded up a list of a few of our favorite wine bars across the City.
Salut!
Fig & Thistle
$$$ | 313 Ivy Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Cozy living room-style wine bar serving rustic wine, beer, meats and cheeses. Patrons pour out the door, imbibing on the Ivy Street-facing stoop.
What to Order: Melville Estate Chardonnay (2013)
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 4:00–11:00PM, Friday: 4:00PM–1:00AM, Saturday: 1:00PM–1:00AM, Sunday: 1:00–11:00PM
Inner Fog
$$ | 545 Irving Street, San Francisco, CA 94122
Located in the Inner Sunset, Inner Fog (get it?) is a cozy lounge with boutique wines by the bottle or glass, plus craft beers, cheese and charcuterie.
What to Order: Gold Crush Chardonnay (2014)
Hours: Monday: 4:00–10:00PM, Tuesday: 4:00–11:00PM, Wednesday & Thursday: 4:00PM–12:00AM, Friday & Saturday: 4:00PM–1:00AM, Sunday: 3:00–10:00PM
Yield
$$ | 2490 3rd Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
Based in the Dogpatch, Yield is a cozy lounge that focuses on biodynamic and organic wines from all over the world. Yield also serves up gourmet snacks.
What to Order: Cesar Toxqui Cellars Chardonnay (2010)
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 3:00–11:00PM, Closed on Sundays
Blush! Wine Bar
$ | 476 Castro Street, San Francisco, CA 94114
Pair wines from around the world with European dishes and tapas at this stylish bar located in the heart of the Castro.
What to Order: Oro Bello Chardonnay (2013)
Hours: Monday & Tuesday: 4:00PM–12:00AM, Wednesday & Thursday: 4:00PM–12:30AM, Friday: 4:00PM–1:30AM, Saturday: 3:00PM–1:30AM, Sunday: 3:00PM–12:00AM
ENO Wine Bar
$$ | 320 Geary Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Located in Union Square, ENO is a chain wine bar with a slightly more touristy clientele. Wines by the bottle, flight or glass, plus cheese, charcuterie and chocolates are served in this elegant space.
What to Order: Krupp Brothers Chardonnay (2009)
Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 3:00PM–12:00AM, Friday & Saturday: 12:00PM–12:00AM
InoVino
$$$ | 108B Carl Street, San Francisco, CA 94117
Founded by sommelier Claudio Villani, InoVino in Cole Valley focuses on Italian-centric wines, by the glass or in mini decanters, with salumi and cheeses in a slick boîte.
What to Order: Grillo Chardonnay (2010)
Hours: Monday-Friday: 4:00–11:00PM, Saturday: 3:00–11:00PM, Closed on Sundays
The Barrel Room
$$ | 415 Sansome Street, San Francisco, CA 94111
The Barrel Room is a Victorian-style wine bar located in the Fitzgerald Hotel, serving globally sourced wine with a current focus on Spain and Portugal.
What to Order: Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay (2012)
Hours: Monday-Friday: 11:00AM–12:00AM, Saturday: 4:00PM–12:00AM, Closed on Sundays
Press Club
$$ | 20 Yerba Buena Lane, San Francisco, CA 94103
Located on Yerba Buena Lane, Press Club serves seasonal small plates and a long list of hard-to-find wines and beers in an uber cool cellar/lounge atmosphere.
What to Order: Porter Creek Chardonnay (2014)
Hours: Monday & Tuesday: 4:00–10:00PM, Wednesday & Thursday: 4:00–11:00PM, Friday & Saturday: 2:00PM–12:00AM, Sunday: 2:00–8:00PM
Noir Lounge
$ | 581 Hayes Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
In the heart of Hayes Valley is Noir Lounge, a swinging jazz-era wine bar and pub, serving both small and large plates to share, with vintage films screening throughout.
What to Order: Chardonnay on tap
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 4:00PM–12:00AM, Friday & Saturday: 3:00PM–1:00AM, Sunday: 3:00PM–12:00AM
