Champagne adds sparkle to any special occasion, but we like it best on your average weekday, paired with potato chips and friends.
Toast to the weekend, the holidays, or whatever you fancy at San Francisco's best spots for a pop, clink, and fizz.
Avery
(Courtesy of @avery_sf)
If you're one to pair your bubbly with upscale eats, Michelin-star restaurant Avery is your spot. This fine dining restaurant in San Francisco offers a tasting menu each night focused on creative, seafood-centric American cuisine. For each meal, find a rotating menu of Champagne (or sake) pairings available, thoughtfully curated to accentuate the food just so. Looking for something even more special? Reserve a private dinner in the restaurant's Cellar Room (pictured above) // 1552 Fillmore St. (Fillmore), averysf.com
Foreign Cinema
(@honey.stills, via @foreigncinemasf)
When you think of Foreign Cinema, you undoubtedly think of elegant Mediterranean-inspired food, the dreamy outdoor courtyard with movies rolling each evening and, of course, brunch, which always means bubbly. But Foreign Cinema is also a favorite for celebrations—baby showers, bachelor/ette parties, weddings—and the place is well stocked when it comes time to propose a toast. You can choose from Champagnes by the glass, half-bottles, magnums (like Egly-Ouriet Brut Grand Cru), or 40-plus bottles including Salon Brut Blanc de Blancs or house-favorite Domaine Vouette et Sorbée Extra Brut. // 2534 Mission St. (Mission), foreigncinema.com
San Francisco Champagne Society
SFCS founder and director Bill Marci.
(Courtesy of San Francisco Champagne Society)
It almost sounds like a secret club, but the San Francisco Champagne Society is actually a reservation-only Champagne lounge where you can sample your way through different glasses of unique bubbly. Expect a private, guided experience from founder Bill Marci, who pours some of the rarest small-batch Champagnes produced (they specialize in small grower-producers who fill as few as 10,000 bottles each year). If you're limited on time, arrange for a Champagne pickup or delivery ($200 minimum). // By reservation only; 1097 Howard St. (SoMa), sfchampagnesociety.com
Ungrafted
(Courtesy of @ungraftedsf)
Ungrafted is a casual urban wine bar and restaurant from a couple of sommeliers with a passion for Champagne. This translates into an incredible wine and sparkling list made for drinking any day of the week—think bottles of Pierre Moncuit Grand Cru and Chapuy Blanc de Blancs. There are bubbles available by the glass to be paired with lunch, dinner, and plenty of caviar (reservations are recommended for drinking and dining in), and also blind flights and workshops—look out for a sparkling holiday celebration on December 17th. If you're loving what you're sipping, grab a few bottles to go. // 2419 Third St. (Dogpatch), ungraftedsf.com
Leo's Oyster Bar
The Hideaway at Leo's.
(Courtesy of Leo's Oyster Bar)
From restaurateur Anna Weinberg, Leo's Oyster Bar not only has some of the most Instagram-worthy decor in town thanks to team Ken Fulk, but the florally fabulous FiDi spot is also home to a dazzling list of sparklers. Wash your oysters down with Paul Laurent Cuvee du Fondateur or a Bubble Bath (gin, lavender, citrus, sparkling rosé) in the leafy front dining room or the delightfully tropical Hideaway at back. // 568 Sacramento St. (Financial District), leossf.com
The Bump Bar at California Caviar Co.
(Courtesy of @californiacaviar)
Where there's caviar, there must be Champagne. Just over the Golden Gate Bridge in Sausalito, find your way to The Bump Bar, a new spot from California Caviar Company that offers Champagne tasting flights as well as bottles—look for the likes of Pierre Gimonnet and Vilmart & Cie premier crus. Come hungry and enjoy a la carte and chef's tasting menus with Champagne pairings. // 1403 Bridgeway (Sausalito), californiacaviar.com
Charmaine's
(Courtesy of @sanfranciscoproper)
We're pretty sure an amazing view automatically makes anything taste 100 times better, and Charmaine's has one of the city's best vantage points. On the rooftop of the Proper Hotel, the lounge also benefits from posh Kelly Wearstler design, as well as a selection of more than 10 sparklers including Billecart Salmon Brut Rosé and Krug Grand Cuvee. // 1100 Market St. (Civic Center), properhotel.com
Arlequin Wine Merchant
(Courtesy of Arlequin Wine Merchant)
Arlequin Wine Merchant is among Hayes Valley's most low-key gems. The well-rounded bottle shop always has a great selection of Champagne, sparkling wines, and pet nat from around the world. Purchase your bubbles and cozy up in a corner to enjoy them in-store, or pick up a bottle for a rainy day. Join their wine club to keep yourself in sparkling all year-round. Look out for occasional Champagne tastings around the holidays. // 348A Hayes St. (Hayes Valley), arlequinwinemerchant.com
High Treason
(@wcc88 via @hightreasonsf)
This minimalist hi-fi bar in the Inner Richmond is a classy, cool place for an effervescent evening over glasses of bubbles and sweet vinyl tracks. High Treason has more than a dozen old and new world sparklers at surprisingly affordable prices, including Special Club Champagnes from grower-producers like Hervieux-Dumez and Charlier & Fils. And because bubbles go with everything, the Caribbean eats from Unco Frank's Island Grindz pair perfectly. Join the Treasonous Wine Club to enjoy up to three bottles a month at home. // 443 Clement St (Inner Richmond), hightreasonsf.com
Fool's Errand
(Courtesy of @foolserrandsf)
Fool's Errand checks all the boxes for what we want in a neighborhood wine bar. It's perfectly casual yet subtly sexy and the place can swing it for cozy meetups with friends or date nights. The wine list is tactfully curated so, while you'll only find two sparklers by the glass and a handful by the bottle, you'll delight in sipping wines you won't see on every menu in town. Current offerings include Domaine du Facteur "La Bulle" Chenin Blanc and Dhondt-Grellet "Les Terres Fines" Premier Cru Blanc de Blanc. Team your champs with a tuna belly conserva and Acme bread. // 639A Divisadero St. (NoPa), foolserrandsf.com
Absinthe Brasserie & Bar
(Courtesy of @absinthesf)
Absinthe nails the French brasserie vibe, which means Champagne is a must. The mainstay restaurant offers French sparklers by the glass or bottle—J. Lassalle Premier Cru Brut and Maison Foucher Cremant Rose. Pair your bubbles with raw bar classics like oysters or Tsar Nicoulai white sturgeon caviar. // 398 Hayes St. (Hayes Valley), absinthe.com
Barbarossa Lounge
(Courtesy of @barbarossa_lounge)
Barbarossa is what many may remember as the Bubble Lounge. While the 1800s jailhouse turned cocktail bar has a new name (inspired by its criminal past), it still has all the sparkling delights of its predecessor—more than two dozen bottles including the big name labels, some rare varietals, and large format bottles. Sip on Iron Horse Wedding Cuvee (a nice value) or pop for a bottle of vintage Perrier-Jouet or Armand de Brignac Ace of Spade. Oh yeah, and stop by for happy hour (6pm to 8pm, Wednesday through Friday) for specials on Champagne flights. // 714 Montgomery St. (Jackson Square), barbarossalounge.com
(Courtesy of Gloria Ferrer)
Staying in? Founders Jose and Gloria Ferrer brought with them over 100 years of multigenerational knowledge of sparkling winemaking from Spain. When they arrived in Carneros, they fell in love with the region whose climate and terroir reminded them so much of their home in Catalonia. Gloria Ferrer remains dedicated to producing exceptional, traditional-method sparkling wine that reflects their passionate Spanish spirit and commitment to Sonoma-grown quality. Gift the discerning wine lover on your list, or purchase a bottle for your holiday gathering. You’re sure to find something sparkling and memorable from Gloria Ferrer. // Shop online at gloriaferrer.com.
Thank you to our partners at Gloria Ferrer.
