If the term “wine bar” makes you think of dry breadsticks and cloudy glasses of Barefoot masquerading as actual wine - or a place where someone will inevitably lecture you about grape varietals - think again. Wine bars don’t have to be sad or pretentious places - they can actually be a pretty great time.They almost always have a cheese plate, and it’s a hell of a lot faster for someone to pour you a glass of wine than for them to hand pick four and a half sprigs of thyme and grind them in a tiny thimble to put into your bespoke $16 cocktail. Girls’ night, happy hour, first date, a drink with the parents - we say a glass of Pinot (or whatever your persuasion) is appropriate in any and all situations. Go forth and imbibe with a guide to our favorite wine bars in the city. One of the cooler spaces to drink wine, Union Larder’s bar seats next to the big windows looking out on Polk are where you need to be. There’s also an actual cheesemonger who will pop out of his cheese house and advise you on what to order.

The answer should be “all of it.” Noir Lounge is many things. By day, they serve huge and delicious sandwiches. By early evening, they’re a casual spot to grab a drink and a bite. By the time darkness rolls around, old movies are playing on the walls and a piano player may appear to tickle the ivories. Just what the Marina needs: more wine. Nectar is a strong option thanks to the excellent food and long sleek bar that’s never too crowded but always busy enough to feel happening. They also serve many wine and champagne flights. And flights are always a good idea. West Coast Wine and Cheese Is the demographic here 99.7% females between the ages of 26-34? The Cow Hollow spot is small and usually packed at happy hour time, but that’s for good reason. The wine list rules and the small plates are more interesting than most other options around. 20 Yerba Buena Ln Dark and semi-swanky and expensive, Press Club is ideal for corporate cards, especially since it’s pretty near the Financial District.

The real move is to head there at happy hour (before 6pm) when glasses are $3 off. We once saw a waitress pour wine into a mug and drink it behind the bar here, and that’s exactly why this place rules. best wine bar west palm beachThe setup is warm and inviting, and the staff is exceptionally nice. best wine bar luxembourgEtcetera is the ideal place to grab wine before or after dinner in the Mission. best wine bar bucharestOr if you want to just stay put, the steak tartare and French-style pizzas (basically flatbreads) will do you right. Tank18, we have one formal request: be open every day. The huge, airy space in the no man's land between Market and Mission and SOMA is fantastic, but sadly only open Thursday through Sunday.

So get yourself there quick for a chill scene where you can avail yourself of all the vino (it's a winery as well as a wine bar), small plates, and occasional pop-up food truck situation. Fig & Thistle Wine Bar A cute little space on a side alley in Hayes Valley, Fig & Thistle is our go-to in the neighborhood. The wine (and beer) list is all from California and is generally excellent. If you can figure out why they have a bunk bed inside, let us know. An extremely laid-back wine bar, 20 Spot should always be in the rotation. It’s a place you’re going to want to hang out at for a while. The apps are a little small for the price, but they’re excellent across the board and plated by people who know what they’re doing. We still live in San Francisco, so we’d be remiss not to include a wine bar focused on organic and biodynamic (what?) wine. The space is cool, they host interesting events, and there’s a small but very good food menu. Terroir is a spot for people who love wine, but would probably laugh out loud if someone called them oenophiles.

Known to some as Cougar Town, California Wine Merchant is a great place to people watch and sip on great wine. Four glasses later on a Sunday night and you’ll be best friends with a 45-year-old named Cheyenne and definitely signing up to join CWM’s wine club. Wine plus live music? All of the yes. And a happy hour that goes until 7? Amélie is one of the better wine bars around. The staff is friendly, the pistachio crusted goat cheese is awesome, and the scene is lively. Head there sooner rather than later. Lark is a relatively new addition to the Castro, and we are very happy it’s here. The menu has a Mediterranean tilt we can get down with and the wine list is diverse and interesting without being too pricey. It has a very local feel, which means you can totally drink four glasses of wine in your workout clothes and no one will judge. Klyde Cafe & Wine Bar An actually OK wine bar near Union Square? We sh*t you not. Klyde has very well-priced wines by the glass or bottle and a cozy vibe to help you forget you are actually near Union Square.

Get the charcuterie plate to start. Maybe get the truffle fries. The 15 Best Wine Bars in San FranciscoCreated by Foursquare Lists Fig & Thistle Wine BarSmall, cozy spot with a nice wine and beer selection. Try the wine flight (tasting of 3 for $15). Some nights they will have the winery folks come in and feature their product.Not good for groups. Better for a date spotCute, cozy place, but pricey. BirbaLove this cozy place! They serve lunch and it's better to book a table and order food with the Allset app, so everyrthing will be ready on you time:)From Meatball Sandwich to Duck Confit Salad — you can now enjoy your sit-down lunch at Birba served on your time. Use Allset on iPhone and Android. Tiny & quiet with a highly unusual wine selection. They do bottles to go & will let you taste a few things before you buy. West Coast Wine • CheeseAmazing grilled cheese and brussels sprouts. Pricey.Looking to spend a night in with a nice red? Stop by for a bottle of wine from Napa or the Santa Lucia Highlands.

There's also a great selection of charcuterie and small plates here. They have blankets behind the bar if you're sitting outside and it's chilly! Nectar Wine LoungeGreat venue, both cosy but very cool clean style. Also wines are great & reasonably priced and the staff has a really good sense for musicCheese platter is really good. Great wine and super friendly service.Yield Wine BarTuesday nights are trivia nights! You can win a discount on your tab. Wine selection is great. Food seems to come out a bit slow. Definitely a relaxing way to end a weekday night.Settle in and drink up at this Dogpatch sister bar to Pause in Hayes Valley. Known for its sustainable wine selection, Yield also offers a happy hour option and enough bites for a satisfying dinner.Try the cherry fudge - you will laugh your head off High TreasonGiant and varied list of wines by the glass, super friendly and non-intimidating servers and owners, fabulous space.Wine is lovely, John is an awesome host and very knowledgeable about his wine.

Food is good tooSommelier was wearing a Breakbeat Science shirt. Ferry Plaza Wine MerchantNot only lots of wine, but a great beer list too. Try the Flying Dog imperial Porter. Great beer, great value.Pick up a Soiree Wine Decanter. Fun and easy way to aerate & explore the flavors of wine!Fantastic cheese and spreads to go with all the fantastic wine! DistrictIncredible ambience, wine and food. The Stoller Pinot Noir is great, fiancee enjoyed the Lucifer beer and the Napoli pizzetta and cheese plate were great. If 'Cheers' had been set in SF, this would have been the bar. Classic local's spot w/ better-than-you'd-expect food. Opt for a whole bottle and just try not to order the fries, I dare you.Cute wine bar -- get the sliders and fries with truffle aoili to share TerroirGreat wine, lots of knowledge, chill vibe, great music selection and upstairs area is really great for privacy/working (they have wifi)drink wine hereWho doesn't love a cheese plate with a side bottle of Pinot? Pro tip: ask about the secret wine club. 

Tank 18Definitely one of my favorite spots in San Francisco! The staff is amazing and the wines are great. Be sure to check out BYO-Bottle every month & score some wine at a discount while saving the earth.Definitely check out on a BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) day, bring your empty bottles for some great affordable and sustainable local wine.Super charming, nommy nibbles & quality vino. We tasted the goods & drew our own labels for 2 take home bottles on a HowAboutWe date & will definitely be back, very friendly staff & great atmosphere! 20 SpotLove the rotating wine flights. The nuts&olives are especially delicious when they have macadamias. Bread plate is generous. Devilled eggs are above average. Food and wine here are lovely all around.The wine bar, from owners Bodhi Freedom (owner of Bacchus) and chef Anthony Paone, boasts a list of North American as well as French, Italian and German wines as well as local beer. The food has become amazing here. Try it before you can't get in!! This is Michelin Star quality. 

Hotel BironVibe is romantic & secretive. Get the full spread–cheese, meat, fruit, olives & chocolate-to pair with your wine. Tuck into the back room for privacy, but take note that's also where bathrooms are.The exposed brick walls, art, and mood lighting give this bar a trendy euro-cool vibe.Great little hideaway, down-to-earth wine bar (they have beer too). Perfect for the wine hippies & bohemians who don't want the high-end District / Press Club scene. Good prices, curated selection. Union LarderGot here at 5pm on a Sunday and the bar was full already. Sit to the side and order off the menu. The wines on tap were great and the olives and hummus made some great snacks before dinner.PERFECT date night or first date spot. Wine, prosciutto, and lots of cheese. What else does a girl need?Good selection of wine, tasty food, good variety of cheese... Friendly & competent staff. It's one of the very few places that has decent bresaola! Press ClubExceptional interior ambiance. Love the decor, layout, seating options, wine selection, small plates menu.