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Where to Go for First Date Drinks in San Francisco

These places have good drinks, buzzy vibes, and food for if things are going well

by Eater Staff Updated May 23, 2019, 5:15pm PDT

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by Eater Staff Updated May 23, 2019, 5:15pm PDT

Patricia Chang

As anyone who has logged onto a dating app here can attest, San Francisco is absolutely teeming with single people looking for a match. Get-to-know-you conversation can only go so far via text, and eventually you've got to take things offline. For when that happens, you need the perfect first date spot, which should have good drinks (whether it's a cocktail or a glass of wine), a buzzy vibe (full, but not crowded), and the ability to order some food if things are going well. Bonus points for interesting menu or decor items that can help move conversation along if needed. These 16 bars check off all the first date necessities, so based on which neighborhood you'll be meeting up in, take your pick.

Rather get coffee on your first date? No problem; these coffee shops are ideal for first dates. First date go so well you're ready for a second? Head here for some moderately-priced options, and here for fancier vibes.

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High Treason

Skylights provide nice light at this art-filled wine bar from alums of Restaurant at Meadowood, Quince, and Gary Danko. Even if you don’t know much about wine, the staff is well-informed and helpful while guiding you through their list of by-the-glass selections, and there are snacks from cured meats and cheese plates to gooey croquettes. High Treason doubles as a retail shop in case you need to get a bottle for the after-party.

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443 Clement, San Francisco, CA

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Aub Zam Zam

The bartenders at this notoriously ornery, Persian-themed dive bar have softened up a bit in the past few years, making this one of the more romantic dives in the neighborhood. You'll want to stick to ordering the basics, but if you can successfully navigate first date drinks here, where the prickly staff can be an obstacle to overcome together, then you definitely deserve a second date.

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1633 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117

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Horsefeather

This NoPa cocktail bar occupies a gorgeous, wood-paneled space with tons of seating and an atrium up front for when it's nice out (though there are heaters for cooler weather, too). The drinks all come in beautiful barware, and the bites, should this date start to include dinner, are great as well.

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528 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117

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The Snug

The Snug can occasionally feel like Tinder come roaring to life: Lots of first dates seek it out because there’s plenty of space, and the cocktails, beer, and wine are excellent,. There’s also top-notch food if things are clicking and the happy new couple wants to stick around for dinner as well.

2301 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115

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Fat Angel Food & Libation

With a friendly neighborhood vibe and an extensive wine and beer list, Fat Angel will let you show off your wine or beer knowledge without adding to the first-date pressure. And, assuming things are going nicely, a nice menu of charcuterie and small plates will keep the two of you at the table long enough to split another bottle.

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1740 Ofarrell St, San Francisco, CA 94115

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The Interval at Long Now

There is a lot at this intense cocktail bar to distract if needed: artifacts to look at, historical explanations to read, a 34-drink-long list to choose from. No matter which beverage you choose, the drinks are good, the vibes are relaxed, and there's some food to snack on.

2 Marina Blvd, Fort Mason Building A, San Francisco, CA 94123

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Blackbird Bar

This neighborhood watering hole has inexpensive, expertly-crafted cocktails made by very friendly bartenders. The drink names can help discussion flow — it's hard not to talk about cocktails inspired by Game of Thrones and hip hop albums. There's also rotating art on the walls for moments of true conversation desperation.

2124 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94114

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Also featured in:

Birba

A great wine bar date choice in Hayes Valley, with a patio and food to boot, should you need a bite. It’s just enough off the beaten path, and so are the wine selections, which prize lesser-loved but excellent regions and varieties.

458 Grove St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Visit Website

Also featured in:

18 Exciting Wine Bars in San Francisco

ABV

ABV just might be the most perfect first date spot in the entire city. Always-stellar cocktails, friendly bartenders, plenty of seating, a buzzy crowd, and better-than-average bar bites are ABV's winning formula.

3174 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

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Also featured in:

Lone Palm

The Lone Palm exudes unfussy elegance, with low, gentle lighting and white tablecloths. It’s a great but actually non-fancy, almost dive bar — an easygoing place for excellent classic cocktails. And come on, that palm tree and neon sign out front are nothing if not romantic. For snacking, the bar mix is a nice touch, too.

3394 22nd St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Also featured in:

Wildhawk

Stylish, dimly-lit Wildhawk mixes a mean cocktail, and the elegant, feminine vibe here is likely to impress a fancy-seeming date. Bar drector Karri Kiyuna’s breakfast negroni is a must-order drink for negroni fans. Yes, it’s owned by the Plumpjack Group, who took it over after a long tenure as lesbian bar the Lexington Club, but Wildhawk, so you can talk about that on your date.

3464 19th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

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Wildhawk

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Union Larder

Union Larder sets the bar for wine bars in San Francisco, with its glowy interior, excellent wine list, and just-enough food menu. It's casual and comfortable inside, and you'll likely encounter plenty of other first dates, but there's a reason for that. And that reason is because it's a great first date spot.

Open in Google Maps

1945 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109

Visit Website

Mr Tipple's Recording Studio

Live music may seem too loud for a first date, but the upbeat jazz (no cover) and lively scene at Mr. Tipples will work in your favor in this case. Over snacks and expert cocktails from the Maven team you can either have such a good time that you end up dancing, or be grateful for the music to fill the space if conversation falls silent.

39 Fell St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Holy Water

Excellent cocktails in a modern space are all you need for a first date in this sleepy neighborhood. Plus, there are some bar snacks like nuts and jerky to help line your stomach.

309 Cortland Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110

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Also featured in:

The Barrel Room

The Financial District and Embarcadero can be full of expense account- and tourist-traps, but The Barrel Room is neither. Get to know your new potential someone over a dignified glass of wine (or beer or something stronger, if you prefer) in a calm setting, where you can order food if that's where the evening takes you.

415 Sansome St, San Francisco, CA 94111

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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Third Rail

A bar with a railway theme is a surprisingly good spot for a first date, where craft cocktails and mid-century vibes might help things pick up steam. The only food here is a variety of jerky (sold by the ounce), so either eat ahead of time or be prepared to get the dried meat sweats with a total stranger.

628 20th St, San Francisco, CA 94107

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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High Treason

443 Clement, San Francisco, CA

Skylights provide nice light at this art-filled wine bar from alums of Restaurant at Meadowood, Quince, and Gary Danko. Even if you don’t know much about wine, the staff is well-informed and helpful while guiding you through their list of by-the-glass selections, and there are snacks from cured meats and cheese plates to gooey croquettes. High Treason doubles as a retail shop in case you need to get a bottle for the after-party.

Open in Google Maps

443 Clement, San Francisco, CA

Visit Website

Aub Zam Zam

1633 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117

The bartenders at this notoriously ornery, Persian-themed dive bar have softened up a bit in the past few years, making this one of the more romantic dives in the neighborhood. You'll want to stick to ordering the basics, but if you can successfully navigate first date drinks here, where the prickly staff can be an obstacle to overcome together, then you definitely deserve a second date.

Open in Google Maps

1633 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Visit Website

Horsefeather

528 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117

This NoPa cocktail bar occupies a gorgeous, wood-paneled space with tons of seating and an atrium up front for when it's nice out (though there are heaters for cooler weather, too). The drinks all come in beautiful barware, and the bites, should this date start to include dinner, are great as well.

Open in Google Maps

528 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Visit Website

The Snug

2301 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115

The Snug can occasionally feel like Tinder come roaring to life: Lots of first dates seek it out because there’s plenty of space, and the cocktails, beer, and wine are excellent,. There’s also top-notch food if things are clicking and the happy new couple wants to stick around for dinner as well.

2301 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115

Visit Website

Fat Angel Food & Libation

1740 Ofarrell St, San Francisco, CA 94115

With a friendly neighborhood vibe and an extensive wine and beer list, Fat Angel will let you show off your wine or beer knowledge without adding to the first-date pressure. And, assuming things are going nicely, a nice menu of charcuterie and small plates will keep the two of you at the table long enough to split another bottle.

Open in Google Maps

1740 Ofarrell St, San Francisco, CA 94115

Visit Website

The Interval at Long Now

2 Marina Blvd, Fort Mason Building A, San Francisco, CA 94123

There is a lot at this intense cocktail bar to distract if needed: artifacts to look at, historical explanations to read, a 34-drink-long list to choose from. No matter which beverage you choose, the drinks are good, the vibes are relaxed, and there's some food to snack on.

2 Marina Blvd, Fort Mason Building A, San Francisco, CA 94123

Visit Website

Blackbird Bar

2124 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94114

This neighborhood watering hole has inexpensive, expertly-crafted cocktails made by very friendly bartenders. The drink names can help discussion flow — it's hard not to talk about cocktails inspired by Game of Thrones and hip hop albums. There's also rotating art on the walls for moments of true conversation desperation.

2124 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94114

Visit Website

Birba

458 Grove St, San Francisco, CA 94102

A great wine bar date choice in Hayes Valley, with a patio and food to boot, should you need a bite. It’s just enough off the beaten path, and so are the wine selections, which prize lesser-loved but excellent regions and varieties.

458 Grove St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Visit Website

ABV

3174 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

ABV just might be the most perfect first date spot in the entire city. Always-stellar cocktails, friendly bartenders, plenty of seating, a buzzy crowd, and better-than-average bar bites are ABV's winning formula.

3174 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Visit Website

Lone Palm

3394 22nd St, San Francisco, CA 94110

The Lone Palm exudes unfussy elegance, with low, gentle lighting and white tablecloths. It’s a great but actually non-fancy, almost dive bar — an easygoing place for excellent classic cocktails. And come on, that palm tree and neon sign out front are nothing if not romantic. For snacking, the bar mix is a nice touch, too.

3394 22nd St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Wildhawk

3464 19th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Stylish, dimly-lit Wildhawk mixes a mean cocktail, and the elegant, feminine vibe here is likely to impress a fancy-seeming date. Bar drector Karri Kiyuna’s breakfast negroni is a must-order drink for negroni fans. Yes, it’s owned by the Plumpjack Group, who took it over after a long tenure as lesbian bar the Lexington Club, but Wildhawk, so you can talk about that on your date.

3464 19th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit Website

Wildhawk

Union Larder

1945 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109

Union Larder sets the bar for wine bars in San Francisco, with its glowy interior, excellent wine list, and just-enough food menu. It's casual and comfortable inside, and you'll likely encounter plenty of other first dates, but there's a reason for that. And that reason is because it's a great first date spot.

Open in Google Maps

1945 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109

Visit Website

Mr Tipple's Recording Studio

39 Fell St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Live music may seem too loud for a first date, but the upbeat jazz (no cover) and lively scene at Mr. Tipples will work in your favor in this case. Over snacks and expert cocktails from the Maven team you can either have such a good time that you end up dancing, or be grateful for the music to fill the space if conversation falls silent.

39 Fell St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Visit Website

Holy Water

309 Cortland Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110

Excellent cocktails in a modern space are all you need for a first date in this sleepy neighborhood. Plus, there are some bar snacks like nuts and jerky to help line your stomach.

309 Cortland Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit Website

The Barrel Room

415 Sansome St, San Francisco, CA 94111

The Financial District and Embarcadero can be full of expense account- and tourist-traps, but The Barrel Room is neither. Get to know your new potential someone over a dignified glass of wine (or beer or something stronger, if you prefer) in a calm setting, where you can order food if that's where the evening takes you.

415 Sansome St, San Francisco, CA 94111

Visit Website

Related Maps

Third Rail

628 20th St, San Francisco, CA 94107

A bar with a railway theme is a surprisingly good spot for a first date, where craft cocktails and mid-century vibes might help things pick up steam. The only food here is a variety of jerky (sold by the ounce), so either eat ahead of time or be prepared to get the dried meat sweats with a total stranger.

628 20th St, San Francisco, CA 94107

Visit Website

Related Maps