Top San Francisco Wine Bars

If you walk into Bacchus early on a Sunday evening you might be struck by how small and empty the space is for a chi-chi wine bar near the top of Russian Hill. But you'd soon discover that copious pours and friendly locals make this a great place to wind down a weekend. Of course, most battle for bar space during the extraordinarily crowded Thursday through Saturday scene while waiting for a table at Sushi Groove down the street, which might be worth it if you're into rubbing elbows with San Francisco's hoity-toity. There are certainly a plethora of excellent wine choices by the bottle or fancy sake cocktails (and even designer leather love seats in the front window). On an "off night" though, you can pull up a bright blue Art Deco stool and chat the bartender up or just kick back with a very full glass of wine and listen to some smooth electronic melodies.

Boasting 51 wines by the glass and a selection of 23 exotic beers, Bin 38 Wine Bar and Restaurant in San Francisco's bustling Marina district is a great place to relax and unwind with the company of friends. Head chef Glenn Christiansen crafts a fresh, local, shared- plates menu inspired by seasonal ingredients and organic offerings and with an eye to complementing the bar's extensive wine list. With its sleek interior, heated sidewalk seating and outdoor back patio with a fire pit, Bin 38 offers the comforts of great food and drinks.

Opened just a year ago, Cav already has a vivacious following despite being nestled between the well established Zuni Cafe and Espetus Brazilian Churrascaria. Sleek lines, juxtaposed color themes, and an angular layout define an über-modern style that caters to the nouveau riche and allows Cav to hold its own against these more traditional dining options. Black and white San Francisco photography adorns one wall while a creative cork board and free-for-all chalkboard face opposite. Bare incandescent bulbs drop from above next to stainless steel ceiling fans while up tempo dance music comes through the airwaves. This "Wine Bar & Kitchen" has substance too; as the name suggests, the menu features all things French from small production appellations to exquisite charcuterie. To top it all off, an eager and attentive staff will keep you in the lap of luxury guaranteeing a return trip to this trendy San Francisco wine bar.

Eos is imbued with the comfortable, classy vibe characteristic of Cole Valley. Though only a few blocks off Haight Street, Eos serves mostly thirty-something locals looking for a quiet night and good eats. This is an ideal spot to have a glass of wine while waiting for dinner at the adjoining Eos Restaurant that crafts a unique menu of Pan-Asian tapas like the Ahi Tuna Tower and Edamame Risotto. Bring a date to the bar and do a sake tasting for a break from grapes. The candlelit atmosphere and hands-off staff keep things at a leisurely pace conducive to intimate conversation. Artwork done by local painters hangs from the wall and adds a mellow aesthetic. And no worries if you hate doing laps looking for parking, the N-Judah line runs right to their front door. Definitely your choice for a pleasant (albeit tame) evening of wining and dining.

This subterranean lounge might just have the best wine bar ambiance that San Francisco has to offer. Tucked away down a back alley in the run-down hotel district between the Tenderloin and Nob Hill, the Hidden Vine is a true vestige of the Prohibition era. But the personality here is more antique parlor than salacious speakeasy thanks to good southern hospitality. Well-to-do gather after work to sample an outstanding wine selection that features a new global region each month. Thursdays are especially popular when you can snack on a complimentary cheese and salami platter. For the novice, be sure to enlist the expertise of co-owner/sommelier David Cahill to find the perfect wine to suit your tastes. Beware though: a flight includes substantially more than the purported three 2-oz. servings, so arrive thirsty.

Head up Gough half a block off Market Street to find Hotel Biron, a combination art gallery and wine bar. Exhibits rotate monthly and feature a kick-off party on the first Thursday with plenty of bubbly and a chance to meet the artists. With understated art, the space's cellar aura permeates. Only candles and dim spotlights illuminate this long and narrow cavernous space. Unfinished stone floors and rough brick walls are accented with rich wooden beams, supporting the illusion that huge oak casks filled with wine are fermenting around the corner. There's ample seating at small tables with rustic wrought-iron frame chairs stretched with rawhide seats. But this authentic motif comes at a price with hardly a thing under $10 per glass. However, there are some quality non-wine options if you know your specialty European beers and an interesting assortment of cheese and fruit platters from which to choose.

This diamond in the rough is the new entrepreneurial endeavor of Michael Pierce and Scott Youkalis, formerly of Laurel Heights' swanky Sociale restaurant. Maverick, the rogue cousin, is nestled into one of the grittier blocks of the Mission District amongst authentic taquerias, seedy dive bars and the neighborhood's hallmark junk and thrift stores. But you won't find the local hipsters at this "American Eatery and Wine Bar" that serves up a veritable fine-dining experience to a more genteel brand of epicureans. Truth be told, it's more restaurant than wine bar, open only for dinner on weekdays with an added brunch on the weekends. The wine is carefully chosen, however, and you won't leave disappointed if you're willing to part with a little cash. Try the "Bubble Flight" to jumpstart a rowdy night on the town. Seating is limited, so arrive early (or better yet, make reservations) and be prepared for a lively crowd.

In Greek, Paréa means a gathering of friends, and the billing for this San Francisco wine bar is quite apropos. The dim lighting and bold, primary-colored interior make for a warm atmosphere that brings intimacy to an open floor plan. Simple furnishings, spartan decor and Latin rhythms are the signature of a subtle, Mission-chic vibe designed for imbibing with good friends rather than impressing out-of-town guests. While the wine list is extensive, don't come looking for your California favorites. The focus here is on Mediterranean vintages and features many rarities from Spain, Italy and Greece. Prices are reasonable for a bottle, glass or tasting, and a small menu chalked on the wall offers light starters and salads to whet the appetite. Grab a booth in one of the windows up front for great people watching and a view of Mission district nightlife kicking into high gear along the Valencia corridor.