BYOB for Free at These 14 SF Restaurants

Where to score free corkage around San Francisco

by Stefanie Tuder@stefanietuder Updated Feb 14, 2017, 2:58pm PST

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by Stefanie Tuder@stefanietuder Updated Feb 14, 2017, 2:58pm PST

2 comments / new

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It ain't cheap to dine out in San Francisco, and when you add alcohol on top, even casual meals can head into expensive territory. Luckily, there are still a few restaurants around town that offer an antidote to this very first-world problem: free corkage fees.

There's no shame in bringing your own wine to a restaurant, especially ones that encourage it through waiving corkage fees. Every restaurant listed here offers at least one night a week when wine brought in can make your check average go way, way down. All of these spots are places you'd want to sit back and relax, making it the perfect opportunity to catch up over a bottle of vino.

Some recommendations: Since you're saving a lot of money, do be sure to add a little extra gratuity for the work it takes to serve you that bottle. And, consider buying something unique to make the most of the opportunity.

Read on for 14 restaurants in San Francisco with free corkage fees.

Did we miss a spot? Comment below to let us know.

Alamo Square Seafood Grill

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On Wednesday nights, waive the corkage fee on your wine with the purchase of two food courses at this seafood spot.

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803 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94117

(415) 440-2828

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B44 Catalan Bistro

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Pair your Catalan-style tapas with unlimited bottles of wine with free corkage on Monday nights.

44 Belden Pl, San Francisco, CA 94104

(415) 986-6287

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Baby Blues BBQ

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There's never a corkage fee at this barbecue joint, but owners ask that you "be reasonable" with the number of bottles you bring.

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3149 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

(415) 896-4250

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Balboa Cafe

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If you buy a bottle of wine from PlumpJack Wine & Spirits across the street from Balboa Cafe (same owners), then the restaurant will waive its $15 corkage fee.

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3199 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94123

(415) 921-3944

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Barzotto

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Purchase a bottle of wine at Barzotto's separate retail section and skip the corkage fee, any night of the week. It's a nice little sidestep of ordering off the regular wine menu to go along with your fast casual pasta.

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1270 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110

(415) 285-1200

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Belga

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Starting December 5, Belga will waive corkage fees on Monday nights in December. It's a part of the new "Monday Lite" menu, which offers two courses from a select menu for $15, as well as $5 glasses of rosé.

2000 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94123

(415) 872-7350

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Burritt Room Tavern

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Located inside the Mystic Hotel, this Californian bar and restaurant honors local producers on Monday nights when it offers complimentary corkage on Californian wines, with a limit of two bottles.

417 Stockton Street, San Francisco, CA 94108

(415) 400-0561

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Dirty Water

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Head inside the Twitter building on Sunday nights for unlimited free corkage at this meat-heavy, wine-friendly restaurant.

1355 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103

(888) 393-0530

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feastly

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Bring-your-own-anything — wine, spirits, or otherwise — to Feastly's regular pop-up meals. The communal spirit of the meals often means neighbors will share.