First visit at this great pre-show spot, literally one wall from the lobby of SF Jazz to dine or have cocktail(s) (or both!). Recommend making reservations on their site, as the space is pretty small and can get busy. The menu leans Latin, but has a nice variety. Prices are high on the Mains, but lots of small plate options. We wanted something light, so we went for the "Chips," which were long, super thin, fried slices of plantain and yucca with a lovely aioli on the side ($10), beef empanadas, which were deep fried and crunchy on the outside, and, lastly, sweet plantains, hot and drizzled with a lovely crema. Portions were generous enough for 3 to share. Ketel One martini was delicious (ice flecks!) but only one olive (I'm sure you could ask for more, I just didn't know), as well as the old-fashioned. The staff were super attentive and had great recommendations if we weren't sure what to order, without getting impatient as the tables started to fill up. One wall is all glass, so even if you don't eat, it would be a fun spot to just sit, have a drink, and watch the world move by. Bar prices are competitive/reasonable. There is parking over by Davies Symphony Hall, but also Muni options nearby. read more

See all

I came here with my husband before a concert and wanted to grab a coffee. We not greeted and I saw the guy (running the place, owning the place) talking in a stern sounding voice about their menu to someone who ordered something that she'd ordered before. It could have been a cultural thing but his tone was off putting. And he walked off. I grabbed a menu and saw that they actually had what she was asking for, so that was weird. Again, there was no greeting, list or anything. Another down side is that every table was taken, there were none outside. As a result it smelled of age, stuffiness and desperation and I wanted to get out of there. I think the only reason I looked at the menu was because the host station was near the door that opened out onto the street. Unfortunately, they didn't have seats out there. But the energy of the guy was enough that I realized that I was better off not getting anything. They have a nice looking bar and an expresso machine area. And I assume a kitchen in the back, but there was no warmth in this place. read more

B-Side - The room where it didn't happen.. - Lounges Near Me - San Francisco, California

Bread and coffee were great. Bread was warm and fresh. Ambiance a delight. Service was very professional and full of smiles . read more

B-Side - Lounges Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

We were going to the SF Jazz fest to see Chris Botti. We were hungry but didn't want to eat too far from the venue. Fortunately, B-Side is literally beside the venue. We entered and were greeted by the host. We told her that we didn't have reservations which she said was no problem, but we can only order from the finger food menu. We were a bit disappointed we wanted to eat more than just finger foods. We sat at the high table which was communal. We were greeted by the server who said we could order from the main menu, which obviously made us happy. We ordered bread and butter, which was great! I ordered the pork sandwich and substituted the yuca fries for coleslaw. My wife ordered the Mahi-Mahi with rice and curry sauce. I must say: the food was wonderful. The pork sandwich was cooked well and seasoned perfectly. The curry was sweet and was mild. The rice was prepared well and the fish was soft and flaky. We absolutely enjoyed our food. For dessert, we split the chocolate chip cookies (2) and vanilla ice cream. The cookies were warm and soft and full of chocolate chips! Yum! This was a great find for us. We definitely recommend coming an hour or so early before the show to ensure you get seated since it got pretty busy. read more

B-Side - Pork sandwich with yuca fries. - Lounges Near Me - San Francisco, California

Summary: Food that stands out more for the value than the taste Details: Looking for a quick bite before our nearby show, we popped in looking to try some of the arepas at Andina. Turns out they only operate during the day, and the (same) kitchen turns into B-Side at night, with an entirely different menu. Reviews didn't look quite as enticing, but we were in a hurry, and weren't left with too many other options. All that said, the food was actually much better than we expected/feared. Not great by any means, and on the salty side, but solid nevertheless, and you're given quite a bit of it for what you pay, surprisingly. Still unlikely to be one of my first few choices in the area, but I certainly wouldn't be apprehensive about having to eat here again! Accessibility: Reasonably spacious restaurant with a good number of accessible tables read more

B-Side - Lounges Near Me - San Francisco, California

Nice ambiance at the Jazz Center with very good food and friendly service! We were seated right away and staff made sure that we were ready to wrap up with lots of time to get to the show. Check it out! read more

What a disappointment. We arrived to be told they couldn't find our reservation, in spite of the fact that I had received a confirmation. We had to wait in line to order drinks which took 15 minutes.Eventually we got seated. The service was extremely slow, and they got our order wrong. The food was okay, but nothing special. read more

If you're at SFJazz this is the spot to be after a performance. Grab a drink, snack, and relax. The service is on the slow side but you want to kill time here. Chances are, your favorite performers from the show will pop in! It's a wonderful bonus treat for the night. Seats are limited so don't delay. They do take reservations too. read more

B-Side - Great salad - Lounges Near Me - San Francisco, California

They don't have a variety of options but the heart palm salad and the sea food player is really good. Price is average for Bay Area and good selector drinks. The host does not pay attention to the door as should be and it is very rude in the approach. Lacking some nice customer service skills. Overall I would come back due to quality of food and bar service attendees. Average service! Nobody came to clean the table or provide any service or check the food quality and expectations. read more

B-Side - Nice Zinfandel! - Lounges Near Me - San Francisco, California

Become a member of SFJAZZ and reserve a spot at the chic B Side Lounge. Delight in expertly crafted cuisine and elegant cocktails, all while mingling with an ebullient crowd. Celebrate the timeless tradition of jazz in the creative arts hub of happening Hayes Valley. Hospitable staff. read more

Out of all the places I've been to so far since moving to SF in the beginning of April, unfortunately this was my favorite. Now don't get me wrong, the service was good and the interior was nice looking but it's the food. The food was not that great for the money. The mashed potatoes basically taste as if they came out of a box and have 0 flavor. You need to add salt to even make these edible, and a decent amount as well. I'm not sure if the people cooking know they need to add salt in the cooking/mashing process but they need to be informed. The salmon even had more salt than the potatoes from the jump. The salmon itself was ok, it really didn't appear blackened though. This place has to make some major adjustments in their cooking to survive in my opinion. read more

B-Side - b - side music food and cocktails - Lounges Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Food is good , decently priced, but the vibe is what you come for- it opens up right into the SF jazz lobby. Sometimes after shows there's some loose jamming there. Cocktails excellent read more

I just read an interesting article that claimed fried chicken sandwich with fries is the number one ordered item during these crazy COVID times. I definitely understand why. I stopped by B-side for Saturday brunch in their outdoor/sidewalk area and really enjoyed their fried chicken sandwich and fries. The other noteworthy thing is that they are very invested in using QR code for enhanced safety - they don't have a paper menu (scan the QR code on the table) and you pay by scanning the QR code on the check. Service was really good and the tab, with tax and tip, is around $22, a great value. Highly recommended if you are in the area. read more

B-Side - Fried Chicken Sandwich - Lounges Near Me - San Francisco, California

Wow. All we wanted were 2 coffees. One with Kahlua and one with Amaretto. The waiters and the bartender couldn't figure it out. They also had no idea how to serve it and couldn't find any cream. What a complete waste of time. When we finally received them, one was Kahlua and one was.... who knows?? Not Amaretto. How hard could our order be? read more

Before seeing Hamilton one Tuesday night, I wanted to get ramen in Hayes Valley but the line was too long so we walked around and found B-Side. There was no line but it looked nice in the interior and looked like it'd be quick. The staff is so helpful and warm and orders come out quickly. The crab cakes were very good with not too much batter and the cole slaw with the fried chicken sandwich tasted less like cole slaw and more like cabbage salad. It was less mayonnaise-y and more cabbage-y, it was great. Would definitely recommend this cool space for a quick bite before or after a show. They also have an extensive drink menu. read more

B-Side - Fried chicken sandwich - Lounges Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Great place for pre-show food and drinks. Seating is open but very limited so it's best to get there early and expect to wait.

Unbelievably wonderful place. Just returned from a leisurely dinner with friends and wow, what friendly people. No pressure to hurry up, just an exquisite meal in top-notch modern surroundings, and in the incredible Jazz Center, too. You know, the food doesn't have to be this good, since many people want to dine 30 feet away from where their concert is located but it IS. The pozole is to die for, my Mexican-born friend says it is real and authentic and she orders it every time. You will probably need a reservation. Can't wait to return -- thank you!!! PS -- Host/mgr/maitre'd super nice and friendly to us, I see the other reviews but not my experience at all --- read more

Prior to attending a recent Saturday nite show at SF Jazz, we decided to try the food at B-Side for the first time. Let me be very clear, aside from having a hyper rude Maitre D who busted my balls verbally in front of our group of 5 when entering, here is what was very-off about the food: 1. Mashed potatoes arrived with our orders, sans butter or even a slight bit of salt to make them edible. The dry, unsalted smashed potatoes were intolerable. 2. We requested bread with the meal, apparently in the SF Sourdough world, B-Side decided that all bread was OUT! How brutal 3. The main meat orders were overcooked, and rather mushy to the pallet. Final comment: After eating at many SF restaurants since the 1960s, B-Side should be renamed F-Side, as the number one (1) worst food we have ever had in the City!!! Think twice before ever reserving a seat here. Would have preferred a No Star rating instead of just one. read more

If you're looking for a good restaurant to go before a show, or even in general, B-Side is the one! I came here with a party where one member was semi-overwhelming (to say it nicely) and I honestly felt so bad for our waiters, but you guys were SO incredibly patient with us. Our food came out quickly, and immediately after the appetizer was set down. I was like HECK YES FOOD BRING IT ON, because everyone loves quick service, or so I thought. Before the waiter could put our meals down, one of our table members snapped at the waiter and sent our main dishes back because it came out "too quick" (and then later informed the waiter that the food wasn't hot enough, when obviously it isn't going to be perfect now that it's been sent back!). My jaw was like ":0," so I apologize on her behalf. The staff handled everything so well and brought our food back after the appetizer, which was an incredible dish by the way. The Food: -Spinach Artichoke Dip Appetizer: Creamy dip with some hot melty cheese on top! Let me just pretend this is healthy because of the spinach and devour it all. -Veggie Burger: This was pretty good! Tons of veggies. If you can get all the fun things in one bite, it's a very tasty burger. The side salad was also refreshing. -Fried Chicken Burger: Someone else at my table got this and he nearly licked the plate, so I'd assume this is also a good option. -Half Chicken: Spend the extra few dollars and go for the half chicken. It is a large portion and comes with mashed potatoes and broccolini! -Key Lime Pie / Bread Pudding: Both were insanely good. The bread pudding is a huge portion, and great for groups. It took a little longer for these to come out, but this was around the time the Jazz Show crowd hit, so I would recommend coming a bit early so you don't have to worry about a crowd. Overall the service was incredible (I didn't catch our waiter's name but I think he mentioned he was 24 if that helps. He also had brown hair but I don't think that helps at all. Anyways, thank you for putting up with our table). The food was great. The environment was spot on. If you want a meal, do it! If you want a small snack and drinks before a show, perfect! If you want key lime pie, get it! You're worth every bite of that thing. read more

B-Side - Veggie Burger! - Lounges Near Me - San Francisco, California

This place is located outside of I believe like a Jazz concert hall or something? Most of the people were probably patrons stopping by for a drink before the show. That being said the drinks and food were quite good on its own merits. I ended up getting the cherry bomb, which as expected was sweet and fruity, but that was actually what I was craving at the moment. It was also less sweet than I thought it would be which made it that much more pleasant and enjoyable overall. The tater tots were excellent. They tasted kind of like those zucchini fries you get from Carl's Jr., but in tater tot form. The texture also wasn't what is typically expected from tater tots, having a slightly mushier taste. The staff were super friendly here as well, the customer service is top notch! read more

B-Side - Cherry Bomb - Lounges Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

I would have give 5 stars but the host was curt and intimidating. Everything else was excellent! I will definitely be back. The venue is sultry and the vibes are great. There was live music playing when we arrived. What redeemed the hosts's behavior was that the bartender with the cool hair. The cocktails were delicious and he was super personable and professional. It was super busy but he was able to make us feel welcomed right away. The food was delicious. I got the prawn Caesar salad and would definitely recommend. The lounge itself was cozy yet sophisticated. It's located right next to SF Jazz so it made the best pre-concert pit stop. If you come out this way, definitely stop in for a drink! read more

Wonderful little brunch place to grab some great breakfast food with friends. The place is quite beautiful and if you have a large group like us (about 7 people), you can sit at the lounge and eat/drink. Its more for a place for 4 people, but they can accommodate larger groups. On the food, was pretty solid. I had the pork belly. Really nice char on the outside and really flavourful. Their potatoes are dope too! Much better than the fries (they weren't that crispy). All in all, great brunch spot. Will be back again if I'm in the area. read more

B-Side - Lounges Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Great bartenders, all the cocktails start at $14? Came in last minute, before the show! Grab your drinks in plastic cup so you can enjoy the music with your drank! There's a lot of whiskey options! Third set - espresso whiskey, scotch, amaro nonino, creme de cacao, mint. Delicious! Spice me up -house-made spiced rum, bitters, honey. Would pass! 9 Wood - gin, lime, grapefruit, cardamom, vanilla, coffee, sparkling wine. Tasty and refreshing read more

4.5 STARS My group of three was looking for one last stop before heading home. One of my girlfriends realized B-Side was close by, so we decided to drop by. (She adored this place the first / last time she came here.) We walked in on Thursday, December 21st around 9:45pm. There was no one here, so we just sat at the bar. I got the Third Set: espresso whiskey, scotch, amaro nonino, creme de cacao, mint ($14). Sounded like my kind of drink since it had whisky and caffeine. (Not sure how much caffeine espresso whiskey has, but it sounded like it would help me get through the night?) The cocktail was nicely balanced, though a little light for me. I like more spirit forward drinks. (Or maybe just stronger whiskies?) My gfs asked the bartender to make the special cocktail they had last time. The first attempt wasn't right, but he got it on the second try. Very sweet as he was a good sport at trying to get this mystery cocktail right. Really fun bar! Although we were the only ones there, the bartender never made us feel rushed. Rounding up to 5 stars just for that! read more

See all

My YELP pal Tracey, also a fixture at SF Jazz, kept asking us if we had eaten at the B-Side yet. Somehow we assumed she was talking about a place outside of the venue,down a dark mysterious alley or something. Well we found a bunch of dark mysterious alleys, adjacent to SF jazz complex, however none was a cool bar restaurant. Like many a night in Hayes Valley, it would not be complete without fine dining experience at any of the hip cool casual and eclectic venues, sporting Michelin Star chefs in upscale digs to upscale and dive bars with cool cocktail menus and everything in between. So that kept us looking for the elusive B-side that was literally under our noses! Normally getting there within 15-20 minutes of a concert only allows us to imbibe in a cocktail and a snack at the bar downstairs or upstairs where we normally sit. Trumer Pils and chicken sliders, enough to keep us going til dinner at some swanky venues nearby. We actually went a couple times to B side meeting my bro and sis in law for dinner after a show because she's not an adventurous eater. Solid burgers, salads snacks... and plenty of suds and cocktails to wash it down. But frankly the name never registered! After bumping into Tracey at another grub hub of Chinese spicy cuisine, oh that's the B-side! Duh! We felt like dopes! honestly, I doubt I would ever jump in dah whip and head specifically to B-side for dinner. That's like going to Hawaii and only buying souvenirs at the ABC store. But many nights when we are hangry and don't wanna stand in line at another Hayes Valley venue or just want a quick bite or drink, this stands up as a solid choice in its own right. Dinner and Jazz... we are so lucky! The only built for and specifically dedicated Jazz venue in the USA, and a restaurant that compliments this outstanding establishment without trying to be a star on its own. Like the medium that is featured here, the B-side part of the ensemble, perfect pitch and rhythm. However, my main criticism is the timing of things. That's a wee bit off. Drinks ordered 15 minutes before a show should not take ten minutes to show up then the bill dangerously close to concert time. It's as if they are not in tune with the main event. The lounge -couch setting makes it easy to make friends with fellow concert goers and hang with some musicians who grace the stage with their talents. You might even get to share a cocktail with legendary San Franciscans like Angela Davis or "Dah Mayah". read more

What a cool little place in Hayes Valley! It is somewhere between upscale yet inviting and comfortable. The drinks were great--we each had a potent margarita served by a personable bartender that gave great service. The bar munchies we ate included their homemade guacamole/chips and tater tots. They were wonderful too. The menu has something for everyone--from blackened salmon to a fried chicken sandwich. I saw quite a few slices of key lime pie going by too. Make a reservation--even for eating at the bar. You'll need it as this place fills up fast with pre-jazz show patrons. B-Side shares their space within the SFJAZZ building. I was told that the couch area needs no reservations. A solid brunch is offered as well. read more

See all

Remember record singles? The B-Side on a record is traditionally a song that was recorded at or around the same time as the album, but was not released as part of the album. It was considered a bonus track. If you're coming to a performance at SF Jazz, then this restaurant is aptly named. The show is the star; B-Side is the bonus track. Dinner & drinks before the show. Or, as has been the case thus far for me, it's only drinks because of the time constraint. And of course you can dine here without going to a show. Either way, this joint is a pleasure. You're surrounded by all the jazz greats; there are several cool AF album covers on display in the dining room. Sofa side. The bartenders remember you. They'll even joke w you, too. Understandably, it gets crazy slammed before showtime, but these guys are always in good spirits. Apparently, they're happy to be here. So refreshing. There's never any rushing, either. If you're still working on one of the stellar cocktails when they signal it's time to be seated, the bartender will give you a clear plastic cup so you can transfer over & finish at your seat. So civilized. It's the wait for service during peak times that keeps this from being 5 stars. Service is slow sometimes, yes. But it's always w a smile. 4 stars read more

Love this place The servant shodt hair purple glasses and big earings. She is always so sweet and helpful and kond and caring. I wish all servants were like her. No Nespresso matchin osca shame also no Soy milk? No Almond milk? In San Francisco? Anyway I like this place and I'll go back again. read more

B-Side - Lounges Near Me - San Francisco, California

Convenient to symphony and opera hall, but food under whelming and service average at best. Better options in the neighborhood. Strange vibe. Management stuffy and not friendly. Had an open table reservation that had to cancel due to traffic but when arrived they made us sit in the lounge. There were at least 5-6 tables open but they refused to seat us at a table. read more

Unbelievably rude host, which is such a shame because I love SF Jazz. There are other fantastic bars in the area and you're really better off going to those and walking over before your show instead of spending time at the B Side. read more

We were excited to try this place, as the menu looked great. Four stars for our server, who was nice and responsive, if fairly inexperienced. One star for both the food and kitchen timing. My wife and I ordered a couple of appetizers: the crab cake bites and the fritto mixto. Our mains, roasted chicken salad, arrived before them. The salad was about as boring as can be--a few uneven pieces of roast chicken on top of purple cabbage and green onions with a light soy fressing. Very uninspiring. The crab cakes tasted of stale, pungent crab that had been stored for too long. Terrible. The fritto mixto was under seasoned and a total contrast: the calamari was chewy, dry and overcooked, while the vegetables were undercooked and greasy. I have been to SFJAZZ countless times, but last night was the first time I ate at B-Side. We won't be returning. There are plenty of better options in that neighborhood. read more

Tasty appetizers, casual ambiance, not good for a full meal. The staff wasn't super warm.

Very unhappy. Made a reservation via OpenTable on Feb 11th. Today -April 6th -received an email from OT that my reservation has been cancelled because of a private event. Going to an SFJazz show with someone with disabilities, and it's difficult to find something that looks good and is easy to access. Honor your reservations. read more

Those who follow yelp check-ins know that I'm at SFJazz like clockwork. It's a marvelous venue featuring a seemingly endless parade of artists I'm interested in seeing. How nice it is then, to find B-Side falling into a similar category. The two go together like bread and butter. B-Side took over the space previously run by Charles Phan. The new concept - beginning with the name and following through to the decor - is more aligned with SFJazz than the previous venture and that seems only logical as the two are connected at the hip. You don't even need to walk outdoors to move between B-Side and SFJazz. I've stopped at B-Side 4 times now, 3 of them for drinks only, due mostly to time constraints. For that, I appreciate their hospitality - I feel welcomed here - as well as their comfortable and stylish sofa seating. Last night I shared dinner for 4, sitting at a round Danish wood table. Their decor is hip and jazzy with a mid-century spin, all very comfortable and nicely arranged. There was also nothing not to enjoy about the burger (with fries; $17), Delicata Squash (delicious), Brussels Sprouts ($9; ample), and Tater Tots (small tots but you get a whole lot). A Cheese Plate ($12) only suffered because, having recently returned from Italy, I cannot fathom why San Franciscans have to routinely pay so much for so little cheese. More cheese, Grommit! Wines and beers (IPAs) were consumed but a Hot Buttered Rum ($12) might've been the star of the show. With our recent chill, I'm thinking this is my drink of the season. Hayes Valley has a million wonderful dining and drinking options but only one that's connected directly to SFJazz. I'd be unlikely to choose B-Side (for a meal) over the others unless I were already planning an evening at SFJazz but when I am, it's nice that I can count on them for good food and drink. read more

Incredibly rude host, discriminating against a solo diner while seating two parties of two. Great way to treat an SF Jazz member. Terrible to be lied to that capacity was reached. read more

Today they opened for brunch. The food was great. Looks like they did not expect a huge crowd so the service was bit slow but they accommodated a lot.. The food was great!! read more

See all

Great place! Nicest people! Very unique jazz vibe and the food is great. Even just to stop for appetizers and a drink. Worth it read more

Have had reservations for over a week, people coming in from Chicago to meet before the opera. Just got called to say they're closing for a private event, way too late notice to do much else. Very poor management. read more

Please stay away from this venue at all cost when it comes to organizing events. B-side recently charged my conference high minimum shortages for only a couple of hours. The thing is that we originally signed for a reasonable minimum charge, but then they updated the tripleseat to an amount that we didn't agree to. This should be illegal. I kindly asked them to correct the bill, and the owner instead didn't and went on a rampant on attacking my character rather than try to make amends. Anyone with eyes, could clearly see that there was some type of miscommunication? Instead, the owner became vile and created a whole Linkedin post where he made several false accusations. And even ask folks to harrass conference attendees to pay the tab, the owner should be sued for defamation, online harrassment, and etc. I ask people to think to themselves. Is this the type of establishment you want to work with large-scale events? The answer is no. read more

Wonderful addition for brunch in Hayes (especially if you want to get away from the throngs of people on Hayes itself) and fabulous service. Loved the b-side Benedict with bacon. For dinner or before a show, the chives/mushrooms/squid and pork chop are recommended. Wonderful service too (thank you Talib) read more