Date night with a good friend long overdue deserved a perfectly paired bottle of red. Still fairly new to reds, I asked the gentleman to assist with a recommendation. The person who assisted us was friendly, patient, helpful with our request and navigated us to a bottle based on his suggestion. He provided a history of its origin and the reason he recommended it. He provided a suggestion based on a white for the same pairing. I appreciated him offering an additional option, allowing us to decide based on preference and willingness to explore a bit further. We went red and were satisfied with our selection, happily finishing off the bottle during our time at Arbor - next door. read more

Arlequin Wine Merchant - Bathroom wallpaper - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Stopped by Arlequin Wine Merchant to pick up a nice bottle of wine for a family dinner and honestly this place made the decision both exciting and difficult in the best way possible. Their wine selection is huge, with bottles from all different regions and price ranges. The staff were extremely helpful and welcoming, taking the time to answer questions and give recommendations without making me feel rushed or overwhelmed. I ended up going with this beautiful bottle of Chianti Classico and it definitely felt like a great choice for the occasion. The shop itself also has a very calm and cozy atmosphere that makes browsing enjoyable. You can tell this is the type of place made for people who genuinely enjoy wine, whether you're experienced or just trying to find something good for dinner. Definitely a spot worth checking out if you're looking for a quality bottle of wine, a thoughtful recommendation or just want to explore something new. read more

Arlequin Wine Merchant - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - San Francisco, California

One of the best wine shops in SF, and I do this for a job. The selection is great and there's gems all over the walls. Don't skip a spot or you'll miss something awesome. That staff is also VERY knowledgeable and very helpful. I snagged a bottle of a great Bourgogne Rouge and enjoyed it on their back patio with dinner from Arbor! read more

Arlequin Wine Merchant - 2022 Roblet Monnot Bourgogne Rouge - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - San Francisco, California

Arlequin is now easily one of my favorite places to go in SF. Their selection is absolutely massive and I love that they have their entire catalog online, making it very easy to peruse. Don't worry if you see something online but not on the shelves - they probably have it tucked away somewhere else and are happy to help grab it for you. Prices here are also very reasonable and they've got wines at all price points whether you're looking for an under $30 bottle or wanting to splurge on their incredible selection of Raveneau. They have a good selection of white and rosé in their fridge, pre-chilled, which is nice if you're going to consume the wine in-house or soon after purchase. Speaking of which, any bottle can be consumed in-house for a $10 corkage fee. What I also love about this place is that not only are the staff knowledgeable about wines, they're also super passionate and love to share geeky or off the beaten path wines they have open. It's honestly a joy to chat with them. We usually buy bottles to take to dinner, however on our most recent trip we decided to have the bottle in house. In addition to the few tables at the front of the shop, the entire back patio is open and available as is the parklet in front of the shop. The patio is awesome and more lively, while I found the indoor tables a bit more intimate and quiet, depending on your mood! The only thing that would improve the experience is the addition of Burgundy stems. We had a bottle that was quite shy and the larger bowl of a Burgundy glass would've helped with aromatics. read more

We came as a small group and were interested in getting 2 bottles to sit and drink in the patio space. We asked about a few bottles we were looking at and didn't get much information beyond "Yeah, they're good." Not the most helpful service for us trying to determine which wines we might like. We got two bottles, but didn't really care for either. There's a lot of options in the shop, so it would have been nice if the staff had some more extensive knowledge about the wines. read more

Great for getting a bottle and you can drink in the backyard. $10 corkage fee. Lots of selection and you can order from the resturant next door. read more

See all

Very unfriendly guy at the wine section front cashier. Rude and no customer service. So unpleasant. Zero personality

Wonderful selection of wine and bubbles. Staff were really kind. Came in to buy a half bottle of champagne to celebrate a friend's new job. Had a small conversation and enjoyed. Buy a bottle have a seat and enjoy. It's very minimal seating but can't imagine that it would get very busy. It's on Hayes street across from sugar lounge so if you drink a little too much just walk across the street to keep your night going. Great place. Definitely go check them out and if you're hungry grab something next door at Arbor. read more

Arlequin Wine Merchant - Champagne - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - San Francisco, California

bumping this 'ol reliable place i frequented for the 10 years i lived in the city. such a neat collection of different wines, staff always so knowledgeable and friendly. many a times this place saved me when en route to a friend's hosting dinner/party - top places i will always recommend. read more

Popped in here to have a glass of wine late afternoon as I had a little time to kill. I'm a pretty cheery and outgoing person. Courteous. I don't know who the guy was - manager I assume, but just the rudest person I've met in a long time. Rude, dismissive, unbelievably unprofessional. I even tried joking around with him a little when I was ordering, thinking he'd lighten up, and he acted like I was some kind of foul odor he couldn't wait to get away from. Absolutely no excuse for such behavior. Not to mention a tiny, tiny, tiny pour of wine for $18. I stayed and did some work for about a half an hour. As I was about to leave, an older couple walked in he couldn't have been nicer. Sweet as pie. Friendly, welcoming, conversational. Made a suggestion when they asked for advice. The complete opposite of how he treated me. There's no way I did anything to warrant such behavior from him. I don't know what his issue was but it was unacceptable. Hey guys? Just a tip. In this economy when you're charging people absurd amounts of money for a Dixie cup of average wine - maybe not a good idea to treat customers like they're bothering you. Also - this is not the place to blast Eminem. Read the damn room. read more

No frills, no service. Tried their "premium reds" flight, pretty meh. The Stonestreet cab was pretty decent, but the others were not memorable. The staff does not seem that interested in helping people. Overall not a terrible experience, but one of those places where you have to go order at front, then the default tip (before you even sit down) is 18%. Asked if there was a discount for bottles if you had a tasting, which is a pretty normal practice, got a disdainful "no" as if I were trying to something for free. read more

Delicious selection of wine for the wine lovers and enthusiasts around the neighborhood. The staff are helpful as well.

I LOVE THIS PLACE! The wine is delicious and light. I think the best thing about this place is the outdoor patio in the back. It's like a beautiful secret garden!! They also serve food and the burgers are delicious :) read more

See all

We've stopped by a few times in a short time span and have had a great time each visit. They have a huge selection of wines and have so many good recommendations. If you want something else they also can make some good cocktails next door. The real winner though is the food. They have some of the best fries we've had in SF and the cheese plate is good as well. The back patio is huge and dog-friendly and each time we've been, they've also had live music which was a nice touch! read more

Atmosphere, food and wine were all excellent. What was not excellent was the wild infestation of mice running rampant around the back patio - we saw at least a dozen mice in the span of an hour. read more

Love ! Love ! Love ! Had an amazing champagne tasting. They poured 33 producers. So fun to talk to the knowledgeable wine reps and learn about some of the producers we enjoy The only disappointment was we flew from So Cal with only a small backpack, the store advised they could not ship :( we had no way to champagne home so we could not buy anything. But the event was great and we will try to go next year read more

We love Arlequin and the staff. The wine selection is fantastic, especially for burgundy and champagne lovers like myself. They've always been super helpful and personable which turned us into regulars and wine club members! If you're looking for a bite, pop next door to Arbor and grab some food and drink your wine on the patio out back. read more

The wine by the glass is pricey but get a bottle and it's about the same price. We sat in the back garden and enjoyed chatting on a summer's afternoon. Lovely spot! The service was friendly although one guy was unnecessarily on the snarky side. Not a deal breaker! read more

TL;DR: Great wines for purchase! Don't bother with tastings. We were excited to visit because we love to taste wine before we buy it. Their tastings and flights are a pure money grab; they have no intention of selling wine through them. We wanted to buy a case of our favorite that we tasted. They admitted that they just run through whatever they have the least of to clear more storage for their wine club. Why the hell would you offer a wine in a flight that you have no ability or intention of actually selling? Stupid. Won't be back. read more

I went in on a beautiful SF afternoon knowing that I could take a glass of sparkling wine to the back patio. No one but me was in the store. The counter guy was engrossed in something on his computer, along which the guy cruising the floor. Both made no effort to welcome me or connect about the wine they were selling. It was very perfunctory. I ask for a glass of sparkling wine and I was given it in a wine glass - no bubbling once poured. I guess it was too much effort. Maybe they have enough wine club business and don't need more, which I am lucky enough to be able to provide. read more

Great wine shop in Hayes Valley with the best outdoor seating space; came by with a friend and we shared a bottle of white for ~$50. The bottle prices are very reasonable for the variety and quality, especially if you're not particularly picky and are just looking to try something new! We came in on a Wednesday evening and had absolutely no trouble finding space, it's pretty quiet on the weekdays. I will say similar to other reviews, the person who helped us select a wine was not the friendliest. While we didn't know much about wine, they seemed a bit bothered by us asking for their thoughts on a wine to choose / asking for help. However, we ended up chatting and staying a bit past closing time, so appreciated the service overall. Would definitely come back again to try out other wines! read more

Super happy with the knowledge staff and a accommodating service. Came in for the mercantile but will definitely return for happy hour read more

Arlequin Wine Merchant - Orange Wine - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - San Francisco, California

I actually should have checked in here. The wine shop and cafe are next to one another, but share a pretty little garden patio out back. We entered the wine shop and I chose a sparkling glass, sorry I didn't take down the name of the wine. We then we went out back and got a table and something to snack on from the cafe. The wine shop sells wines by the glass to enjoy there as well as bottles. The employee was very nice. The cafe has bakery items, soup sandwiches etc. The patio is very secluded and quiet, like a small garden park. A very lovely spot to relax and enjoy some wine and good food. read more

Arlequin Wine Merchant - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - San Francisco, California

Indeed a wine merchant, who knows how to offer a great variety of wine. On top of that, they provide a dining area for you to enjoy your bottle(s) inside and outside of this place. Lounge outside if it is a cool and sunny day! The outdoor patio lounge is splendid. They have a service charge if you do decide to dine at the place and they provide you with wine glasses. Just see it as tipping. My friend and I came and tried out the Malbec from Argentina. The taste was clean and not too dry at the end. I loved it. A suggested merchant to see if you are deciding to get some fine wine. read more

Arlequin Wine Merchant - Malbec from Argentina - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - San Francisco, California

I wish I could give this store a 0 because the service was nonexistent. I asked for a chateau musar (I didn't think they would since it's harder to find but doesn't hurt to ask) and he said oh I know very well of it but we don't have. Instead of suggesting another wine they do have he went back onto the computer. I then asked for a New Zealand Pinot and they said they don't have any South American wines so I said New Zealand isn't in South America... to which he responds well Southern Hemisphere the tone was dismissive and could not be more apparent that he did not want to talk to anyone. There are three mean working there and not one wanted to be friendly. What a shame. read more

I'd passed by Arlequin on a few occasions before deciding to go in and pick up some wine this particular evening. I'm not what you'd call a connoisseur, but I do drink the stuff and as a Level 2 WSET student, have learned quite a bit and especially to steer clear of wines typically stocked in grocery stores as they tend to be mass-produced and subsequently, lower quality. I was greeted upon entering and when asked if I was looking for anything in particular, told the clerk (I hesitate to call him a customer service representative) I appreciated White Burgundy's and Bordeaux the most. He directed me to the section and asked again if I knew what I was looking for. I told him about a particular wine, a little known domestic from 1996-2006 that was a really nice blend as an example of what my flavor palate favored. He asked again, "what do you like" in a way that was clearly annoyed so I said "Please, don't worry about me, go about your business and I'll poke around" to which he replied, "great" and rushed off. I watched him walk back to his two colleagues and witnessed him clearly saying something that prompted the two of them to look my direction and quickly look away when I met their gaze. I'm guessing whatever it was, wasn't very kind. I tried to dismiss the awkward moment and went back to perusing but then thought, why on earth should I spend good money on such disrespectful service? Was it my tattered Adidas or lack of a french accent? I'm a collector of great wines and I have no problem shelling out $60 for a cheap weeknight bottle, and much more when looking to add to my collection or share with great company. So I left, and on my way out, said: "thank you, you're unbelievably snotty." It's people and businesses like this that make me miss NYC, but while here in SF (where I am from), I'll take my business to Adel's in Cole Valley or K&L. Adieu, Arlequin. I'll not be back. read more

I recently got a small wine cooler from a friend who moved out of town. I suddenly felt the urge to fashion myself a wine connoisseur and begin perusing the contents of this store. "Tell me what's the finest, cheapest sparkling that you carry" I asked the staff. I marched off with two outstanding bottles - one Spanish cava and one French brut. They were excellent and much better than the mass produced wines you can buy at grocery stores for not much more. You'll never buy a bad bottle of wine here! I discussed the qualities that made these wines differentiated with the employee. I'll be back for more! read more

This is an amazing wine store in the heart of San Francisco in Hayes Valley. Come here for a glass, for a bottle or buy a bottle. Super wonderful and accommodating staff. They have a food eatery next-door that you can order food that will be brought back to you. To compliment this wonderful place they have a backyard that is beautiful with heat lamps and live music! read more

An Asian guy who served us was very arrogant, when we walked in he said "what do you need"? The pour was ridiculously small. I actually took the same size wine glass and measured at home and that glass of wine yield 90cc which is three ounces. The standard industry pour is 5 ozs (180 cc). It's not so much about the small pour but this is the 2nd time the same Asian guy was extremely full of himself and left a bad taste. read more

Arlequin Wine Merchant - Stingy pour - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - San Francisco, California

The Greatest Wine Deal in San Francisco Great selection from all major new and old world areas at every price point. They also have wines by the glass. My wife and I will usually grab a bottle of Rhone or Burgundy along with an awesome lamb burger, charcuterie platter, or maybe a pizza and a salad from their adjoining cafe and adjourn to their beautiful patio outback before Jazz. Its hard to believe you are in San Francisco! Very few places do what Arlequin does: they sell the wine at retail, and for just a $7.50 service charge they supply glasses and the most gorgeous patio to enjoy it. When you look at most restaurants marking up wine 250 - 350%, $7.50 is a rounding error. Or put another way, a $50 bottle at Arlequin will easily set you back over $100 in most restaurants. The value proposition is incredible. So do what we do, grab a nice bottle and enjoy. read more

Great selection of wines to choose from. A chill and relaxed vibe. Perfect combination for a lazy Saturday afternoon to people-watch. (and dog-watch for that matter) Pick a bottle. Or two or three. They're probably all good since they've been curated by the Absinthe Group. You'll find something along a range of prices. Ask for recommendations otherwise. Pay the corkage fee and grab a table outside if you can. It's great for catch-ups with friends. Order a cheese plate or some charcuterie from Arlequin Cafe next door if you're feeling peckish. Stop on by. Arlequin Wine Merchant offers an enjoyable afternoon of wine and conversation along Hayes Street. read more

Decent selection but the staff of this store is cold and unfriendly. I've been here multiple times and no one has ever said hello or bothered to offer assistance. I can buy wine anywhere, so why would I choose Arlequin when the staff could care less? Quick update. Walked in again today to see if they had a hard to find wine. Four employees working in the store, and only one customer (me). It was clear I was looking for something, but the staff again ignored me. Cool, thanks guys. I'll order the bottle of Caymus from BevMo instead. read more

The Mr & I were looking for a pre-SFJAZZ cocktail & given there were also Symphony & Opera events the same evening, our hopes were low of finding anywhere. Lucky for us when we walked by Arlequin, there was room for us! I liked the fact there were tables on the wine-side of the place as well as the food-side of the place. There were also tables outside and out back.....so lots of opportunities to grab a seat! The place was PACKED & for good reason - lots of heavy pours & wonderfully-smelly foods tempted us but we stuck to our drinky mission & chose a lovely Sparkling Rose from Spain Oh yeah.....they don't just offer CA wines - there's good representation from all over the world in their by-the-glass menu & they also promote daily specials Didn't take us long to find a table outside ( they're first come, first served ) & the evening was mild, there were people all dressed up for the opera & symphony, not to mention Santacon was also going strong. Made for a very festive atmosphere & let's just say the place was nearly emptied out as everyone left around the same time to catch their shows.....us included! Huge fans! read more

Arlequin Wine Merchant - Sparkling Rose - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - San Francisco, California

Here's what I think about when I think about Arlequin: 1. Wine Island. Wine Island is my name for the 2 - 3 coveted two person tables that sit surrounded by crates of wine. They are the most desirable seats in the house if you're in the mood for romance. 2. Al Fresco Patio. Can't get a seat on Wine Island or have a party larger than two? The charming community garden/backyard patio with heat lamps is a find. Day could (did) slip into night while consuming wine out here with friends. 3. How does this work? There's a wine bar on one side, a cafe on the other and you're free to mix and match and eat or drink anywhere but if you want both wine and food you'll have to stand in line at each place separately. 4. Will I ever get a seat? Being located quite near the Jazz Center, Nourse Theatre, the Symphony, et al the secret is out. This place does bang-up pre and post show business. I've yet to have much problem getting a seat but I've never not stressed about it and it wasn't always the seat I wanted. Good wine by the bottle or the glass. And: * Food reviews can be found under "Arlequin Cafe". * Same team also owns Absinthe, Boxing Room, and the Comstock Saloon. read more

This place is fantastic! I went with some of my lady friends and we had a great time. The outdoor seating area is beautiful with its green garden scenery. It gets pretty crowded, so you might have to wait for a table to open. It's definitely worth it though. My friends and I had a bottle of red wine that we split. I'm not sure which one we had, but it did not let us down. And surprisingly, one bottle was perfect for the 4 of us (mind you, this was daytime drinking so we were trying to keep it to a minimum). I'll definitely go back when I'm in SF again. read more

Arlequin represents all that is great about independent wine stores and living in the fantastic wine mecca that we do. It's not just about stopping in to find that hostess gift, or the perfect present for your hard-to-buy-for Dad, although these needs are always expertly met. No, it's about indulging yourself. On a visit to Arelquin, you are going to talk to some people, learn something, hear a story, get to know a grape, and take home something special. Going there reminds me of going to my favorite bookstore and excitedly rushing home with a new tome. What they do right service-wise here is concentrate on what you like, and if you don't know, they help you figure that out, completely without pretension. I don't like visiting wine stores where I feel that they are just trying to prove how smart THEY are - I just want to drink something delicious that is within my budget. We attended a tasting last night of small-production Pinots. I just loved their wonderfully roomy new space. Don't get me wrong, I would have continued to go to the old narrow one - but I always felt like George Costanza in the Gore-Tex jacket in there, about to knock over a case of Chardonnay. Now I can breathe easier as I browse. The back patio area is a wonderful, rare find in the city, and a place to enjoy some wine (why wait until you get home?), or some delicious food from their to-go emporium next door. It almost feels like a portal into wine country, seeing the sunlight-dappled tables and chairs back there. Give yourself a treat and visit these lovely folks - allow ample time to let it all sink in and enjoy it. Go alone or with a good friend (who knows, you might even make a new one there!) If you want to get serious, check out their Wine Club program - a great gift for a newly married couple (they'll use it more than a Kitchen-Aid mixer, trust me), or my favorite recipient, yourself. read more

See all

(See pics) Review #1088. A good wine merchant if you want to get half a glass (in pouring term, a quarter of the actual glass.) They carry a good selection without paying a hefty price. They also mentioned that they carry rare wines as well. Something to keep in mind for special dinners. There are a couple tables if you want to sit down and enjoy it or browse the wines at the back. Because you get to taste the wine first, you are more likely to get a bottle you will like depending on what they serve for the day (they had about 13 on the menu and some under the counter.) They also have wine tastings on Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons. read more

See all

Can I make it 6 stars? Please? Lovely amusement park for the vinous set amongst us. At first, I was taken aback when I was told they didn't carry Condrieu. But the helpful staff did direct me of to what I would call Off-Condrieu wine, an IGP Voignier from an adjacent non-AOC region. The dude was probably thinking "Are you fucking kidding me? Condrieus are like $100/bottle, I can't believe we just lost that sale". Yes you did honey, but thank you so much as I sip this Clape St. Peray blanc from this store. read more

Arlequin Wine Merchant - One of the wines from herr - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Just moved to a new location - next door to the old one. But the space is nicer and the selection still wide-reaching, though not massive. Great advice, as usual, led me to a really bold Tempranillo. Though they don't really have an extensive selection of Spanish wines. Arlequin's Pinot choices always feel like discoveries and have me intrigued, so I'll rotate through occasionally. Which is saying a lot since the Arlequin and my apartment don't have the benefit of propinquity. read more

I found Arlequin Cafe n Wine Bar soooo... charming. The garden setting located behind the cafe is a perfect spot to enjoy a newly purchased bottle of wine. The staff are well knowledgeable of every wine, very informative and helpful. I bought a bottle of "Calera 2007" Pinot Noir. It was exactly the flavor and depth of pinot noir I prefer. I will be sure to visit this place whenever I'm in the area. read more

Arlequin Wine Merchant - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all