when it comes to bars, i too tend to be overly critical. Maybe it's because i used to work in one. This place felt right at home to me -- not too many posers or fakes. And just about the right amount of dirty boys in the joint (and me like dirty boys) to check it out once more. read more

Might as well be a broey Marina bar - they are trying way too hard to be something special and failing miserably at delivering anything valuable when trying to enjoy a night out. Need more bartenders, waited 30 minutes just to watch man bun chop ice! read more

I'm not much of a fan. I like that they are very neighborly, that happy hour drinks are super cheap, and that they have a great selection of wine and beer. But let's face it, the lack of hard liquor is a huge blow to any bar. And frankly, I really wasn't feeling the decor, it felt pretty run down in there. But the real deal breaker for me was the noise level - couldn't really have a conversation with my peoples, which is why I was there in the first place. Parking also *sucks* in this part of town... read more

I used to (unfairly) refer to 821 as "the curfew bar" thanks to its 11pm closing time. I walk by the place every day on my way home from work, and have, from time to time, stopped in. It's got a nice selection of brews and a reasonable happy hour. Considering that my other local neighborhood bar is Fly, which attracts me like flies to vinegar, Bar 821 fills the bill when I want a beer in a setting more sociable than my couch. read more

Update AGAIN! 1/28/08: I have gone back to this bar a few times now and realized it is much more of a date one-on-one kind of place. Their Happy Hour Rocks. $3 for beer and specialty drinks is pretty great. Nice atmosphere and a friendly bartender. Earned yet another star! UPDATE 6/16/07: Went here for a drink while my date and I waited for a table at Tsunami...the champagne drinks are yummy and the bartender was super cool so they earned an extra star. Previous Review/Experience: A group of friends and I headed over here after lots of beer and pizza at Little Star...we had never been over there so we thought we would check it out. It was tiny, dark and moody...kinda made me giggle to see the sign that said "We only serve nice people." We got all kinds of looks from the people in the bar. This was NOT a place to go BS with your drunk buddies. We decided to leave to go to the Page.. One of my friends drunkenly (yes that is a word) said "Let's get out of this fuckin' hipster bar" and a guy smoking outside said, "Fuck you! Go to the mission!" We laughed the whole way to The Page. read more

Bar 821 is a great little neighborhood place--I haven't been in awhile b/c my friend who lived in NOPA moved and so now this cool area is no longer my second 'hood. But when I was hanging out there all the time 821 was a great place to go for a casual drink, either after or before dinner. Everyone is very friendly and the atmosphere is stylish yet relaxed and unpretentious. Yes, they close at 11, but somehow that makes the place seem even cooler... read more

you treated me okay. I will admit, it wasn't so much fun being sneered at by the bartender who under his breathe said 'f***** hipsters' when we approached the bar. maybe he was a Republican? maybe he didn't like minorities? I dunno. but its a cheap drink and a cheap thrill at this place but next time but they don't have hard liquer which is a bit of a bummer. so it wasn't quite easy for my date to get me drunk and I know she wanted to take advantage of me but you cut her off from letting her buy me another drink. shame on you. I missed out on sex. read more

We used to call this the "secret bar" b/c we could never figure out what the name. Great wine list. Dark, small. Alll the things that I like. Yet... there is something that gets me. I think it is the clientel. Sometimes, I go in - people are cool, calm, having little conversation. Good Vibe. But then I go in-it's like hipster invasion. And I'm going, " aww crap.. all these people are going to talk really loudly about obscure bands, and cultural shite I have no need to overhear- but it makes them feel smart and cultured. I feel edgy around this vibe- like high school lunch room all over. Okay so maybe the bar has no problem . Maybe it's me... Maybe I am usuing Yelp as a way to deal with my psychological problems. Then again-- maybe the bar has a sometimes Douchey crowd. read more

Raised voice. Growing up Mom did it all the time. Apparently calling her out of class so she could pick up the latest version of Legend Of Zelda was not a good choice. Here at 821 despite two very good cocktails for aa very good $17 can't give more than three stars. We pretty much had to yell while conversing over rather loud music. Detracted from an otherwise relaxed and inviting vibe with a friendly bartender. Tone is down and stars will be up. read more

It's my first bad experience since moving to San Francisco two months ago. In short, they lost my credit card, poured out half our drinks when we were upset about them losing our card. They seemed liked they could care less when they lost my card. They then blamed me when they found it because they mixed up my name. Details: We ordered cocktails, and the bartender asked if we wanted to keep the bar tab open. I said yes, and he took my credit card. The drinks were just ok, so we decided to go elsewhere. When they brought the bill and credit card receipt, we realized they ran someone else's credit card. I went to bar to tell them that it was the wrong card. They then asked for my last name. They came back and said they couldn't find my card even though it was only 10 minutes after I gave him my card. He kept looking for my card. He asked me my name again. I told him my first and last name. He said he couldn't find it. He never said he was sorry. He just kept saying that he didn't have it. He then asked me to see if a charge showed up in my account. I had to go online to see. Nothing was charged. He said he didn't have the card but he clearly didn't seem to care. We then asked why he never said he was sorry. Then they took our glasses, which still had half of the drinks left, and emptied them into the sink. We kept saying it was a red Wells Fargo card, and he would rudely say he knows what the card looks like. Three minutes later, he asked me my name again. He then found it. He then seemed to blame me because he didn't understand my name. He then charged me full price for the drinks (even though they dumped half of them) and he charged my credit card. He took no responsibility for his actions. I hope he took the charge off of the other person's card! From the moment we arrived, they were not very welcoming. The vibe is snobby hipster, and they seem disinterested when they thought they lost the card. Be careful with these very careless bartenders. I'd stay away. There's plenty of places in the neighborhood with a better vibe. read more

New favorite bar! The drinks are crafted with love. The ambiance is nice, though like anywhere else, it gets loud when it gets full.

The bar tender is so funny and nice, we had a cool duet singing to the music on the tv screen. The bench is so comfy the seats suck and hurt your back. Change the seats and it's ll good! read more

Stopped by here for a nightcap after dinner at Nopa tonight and this place is WAY better than it once was. The new bartender, Juan, is really friendly and on top of his game when it comes to pouring drinks. On top if this, his music selection was WAY better than the typical whiny indie crap that I remember playing here. It wasn't crowded at all, and if this place wasn't required to close at 11 I'd probably give them 5 stars. MUCH needed improvement here. read more

Yeah, yeah I really like this place! Went there on a Friday around 6:30, not too crowded, assume I missed the happy hour rush that is very typical in the "Vis" (shhh that's what i call Divisadero) Great decor on the walls, tattoo influenced, with a tattoo parlor next door. Coincidence? Great Happy Hour prices $3 for most beers and champagne cocktails! oooh la la. Donnie Brasco on the tube followed by The Darjeeling Limited! Oh, be still my heart. Little snarky on the service but I'll chalk that up to a bad day maybe. Definitely will go back and spend more money there. Great for pre-show at the Independent down the street. read more

Another Cash-Only bar, 821 I would rate just a tad above Madrone because it's MORE chill when it's not busy. Drinks are good and cheap and they bring dog-friendly to a new level by stocking Milk Bones for your companion. Bartenders are extremely friendly and even offered free drinks in trade for our group's dog which says a lot about the atmosphere. I definitely recommend 821 and hell it's pretty close to a lot of good eats. Again though, CASH ONLY so bring your greenbacks. read more

Great neighborhood spot and yummy champagne cocktails. New favorite: The Valentine: champagne with a strawberry and a piece of dark chocolate. Heaven. Don't go with a big group -- best for 2-4 people. You can order sushi from Tsunami and they'll bring it over which makes it great, but you might as well go early for a drink at 821 and then cruise over to Tsunami to eat. Or reverse it, eat at Tsunami first and then finish the night at Bar 821. read more

After a previous failed attempt at getting a drink here (it was packed and there were about 6 of us), my boy and I went back last night. Two champagne cocktails (me) and a Guinness (him) later, we were making out on their surprisingly comfortable bench seats. Everyone else has already mentioned this, but the valentine and the lychee mermaid are fabulous. We didn't drink any wine, but the wine list looked good with some very reasonably priced bottles. I'll definitely be back. read more

I liked it better when it was a secret. Every time I try to go now it's way too crowded. I gotta figure out how to get out of work earlier to take advantage of the happy hour Mojitos. Last time I did this I ran into a friend from back home (WISCONSIN!) and got fairly soused without spending hardly any money. read more

I live a few blocks from this place, but hadn't been there in quite awhile. I stopped in last night (seriously, it's probably been well over a year since I've stepped foot in the place) and REALLY liked some of the tweaks they've made! The big change being they now serve liquor, and have a pretty extensive drink menu (written on a cool chalkboard) with tons of signature drinks. I don't know if the chalkboard & light-up liquor display are the only changes they've made, but honestly, those couple tweaks just gave this place a whole new vibe I really like. The only reason I'm not bumping to 5 stars is because I was here early on a Wednesday night for a drink with some friends. I'd like to see what it's like on a busy Fri/Sat night to get the full effect. read more

Bar 821 walks the delicate line between bar you could take a date to and bar you could send your snowboarding buddies to -- the former will like the candlelight and the old black and white movies on the flatscreen TV, the latter will like the Avalanches on the ipod stereo, the 22 oz of Anchor Beer, and the lack of pretension despite its attractive decor. Or switch that around, depending on who you bed/board with. The bartenders are friendly, funny, and ultimately solid; the beers are well-picked; the crowd is a nice mix of locals and folks going to shows at the Independent. If I could change just one thing it would be their doors-at-11 policy, but on nights when I'm not leaving a show down the street, I'm glad to be in the bar and not get the post-concert rush. read more

There's something a little off about a place that's showing sports on a giant plasma TV, all the while cranking Love & Rockets' back catalog, and that's what I love about it. Although the decor leans toward the glitzy, chic-Amsterdam-lounge concept, the prices and (lack of) attitude remind you that it's a good local, with plenty of regulars and a nice selection of affordable drinks. Sure, it's not incognito anymore, but I still tell my friends to meet me at the secret bar. It's still got the cachet. Longer hours would be great, but then it'd lose the charm of a lock-in, as my London friends would call it. They loved it too, by the way. read more

NAY: - The sangria wasn't that great. It had an overpowering cinnamon taste and smell. - The bathroom was gross and there is only one (unisex). 10pm on a Friday night and the floor was all wet already. YAY: - Lychee champagne cocktails read more

Bar 821 has a lot to offer but are horribly understaffed on busy weekend nights. It's part of the Dajani Group, who also owns Nihon Whiskey Lounge on Folsom which is awesome. Saturday night was the second time I've been out to Bar 821. As tradition goes, my friend sets off for San Diego mid June, so I try to squeeze every last hang time out of the month of May that I can. So we had a nice light dinner and wine at my place, then cabbed it over to NoPa for a change of scenery. The place is very cute and upscaley feeling without upscaley prices. We both had specialty soju cocktails: she had the Lychee Mermaid and I had some kind of "Gin" Negroni. Her drink was sweet and subtle, mine tasted like earwax. Yes, I know what earwax tastes like, judge away. Surely it's difficult to mask soju in a gin flavor. And, real-talk, I didn't know it was soju until after I ordered. Around $8 a cocktail and a very ncie ambiance, I can't complain too much. OR CAN I? One bartender for the whole place? Really? It's NoPa. A ton of people head this direction for a similar purpose as my friend and I. Also, just want to say, it's misleading when a bar back looms around behind the bartender and sips water. read more

Cute little place, excellent champagne cocktail list, awesome bartender.

Went to this bar for the first time with a friend for a birthday. She raved about the fact that it was a champagne cocktail place and I would love it. I have to agree with her. The only reason I go there now is for the champagne cocktails, and that's it. I love the variety and the price. Their beer and wine selection is a bit lacking for me but again prices are reasonable. It doesn't stay open as late as other bars, so get there at a reasonable hour (It closes at 11). It is definitely more crowded on the weekends. Overall it is a chill place where you can hang out, have a drink, and hear the person talking across from you. read more

I really don't know what to say about this place. Usually, I am sitting there--with a friend, date, family, etc--quietly forming my yelp review in my mind, thinking of the good, the bad, the ugly...but, I just don't know what to say.... Basically, there is nothing that super stuck out to me about this place...kinda un-memorable. The main thing that I did remember: THE BLARING/OVERLY LOUD REGGAE MUSIC. Other than that...I liked that that bartender (who wore awesome jeans) came out from behind the bar to take our order at the table, the sangria was quite inexpensive ($4), and the bathroom was modern. There were two tvs going...one with the football game, and one with some black and white movie. Not the best lighting if you are one a first date with some dude from the Internet, because it's hard to see. But it's not intimate and quiet enough for a romantical date either. read more

Quiet watering hole to chat with friends. It is a nice enough location without standing out as special. No cards and a broken cash machine put a halt to the afternoon at 821 I would visit again if in the area but wouldn't go out of my way to return. read more

Op! My review of this place disappeared, I know I was one of the firsts because I lived across the street when 821 debuted. Nice little neighborhood bar that just happens to be adjoined to Tsunami and the kind folks that run that joint. The bartenders have always been fun, easy on the eyes and generous, which is all I can ask for when I'm hanging out being a wino. I'm not much of a fru fru cocktail drinker unless it's something with a real kick, so I've only tried the soju stuff a few times. It's ok though, you can hold onto your tough guy demeanor and kick it with a brew just as easily as you can lounge around with a 'pinky out' cocktail. Go ahead, give it a go! read more

A group of us checked this out for a pre-dinner cocktail on a Wed. night and it was crowded by 7pm. There are a lot of long tables so smaller parties will have to cozy up with their neighbors. The $3 happy hour cannot be beat as concerns bubbly drinks and beer, but prices are quite reasonably anyway. Lychee and Ginger Champagne drinks we're delish. For cocktail drinkers, beware Soju only. None of us tried the wine..but there looked to be a decent selection. Low-key atmosphere, great for meeting friends for drinks when you actually want to talk to them instead of posing and people watching. read more

Interesting little place. I was meeting my date there and I arrived promptly at 6p, but no one else was there. Including myself, my date, and the bartender, there were 5 people there at 6p. Shortly thereafter, the rest of the crowd entered. Then the lights went down to create a "mood". I wasn't too fond of that (I guess I like to see the person sitting across from me.) The wine selection is a touch sparse, but their beers are good. They have a pretty lengthy soju cocktail menu, but I don't drink those. I have a thing against mixing soju with anything. Just drink it straight up. Sadly, none of their wines are discounted for happy hour. Anyhoo, the best date in a very long time began here and continued on to Nopa down the street. read more

Small, hip, cozy, intimate. Super-nice bartender with a subtle Manchester accent. Great place for small groups. Can see how it might get WAY crowded at happy hour. Rough 'hood with NO parking, but if you can hoof it over here, it's worth the effort. read more

This is our go-to neighborhood bar. Happy hour is where it's at, massive pints of Anchor Steam for $3...can't go wrong with that. They have some interesting champagne cocktails too. Sexy atmosphere, attractive patrons, a sprinkling of hipsters, and good times all around. read more

$3 for happy hour cocktails is pretty awesome. Unfortunately, they don't have hard booze but then again, it's probably better for my own safety... I really liked the champagne cocktail with ginger - it wasn't very sweet but had a tiny spicy bite at the end. The bartender was super friendly - I was a big fan. Good spot to meet some friends for a not-too-loud chat and some cocktails. read more

I met a few people at this place in order to relax after work, and enjoy the inebriated happy hour goodness with good company. Good Points about this place: 1) Happy Hour Deal (5pm to 7pm): - Mojitos are $3 - IPA (22 oz) drinks are $3 - Champagne Cocktails are $3 - Bonus: they have Sake 2) Good music 3) Very clean 4) Nice atmosphere Bad Points: 1) Parking sucks 2) Bartenders don't pay attention if you have the need for a refill 3) This place does not have food or hard liquor Regardless of the above bad points, we had a good time. The IPA is the strongest I've had (ever), and the champagne cocktails are interesting. read more

Came for drinks on a Saturday night. Be aware they don't serve hard liquor and the beer list is not extensive. Started with a ginger soju drink (disappointingly not gingery enough). Tried their lychee champagne drink (delicious). And beer-wise they have some belgians which I like. Ended up getting a pitcher of sangria (really good, very strong cinnamon). Perfect to split between 2-3 people. All drinks were around $6-8. My biggest complaint is that they had last call way early (like 11:30pm on a Saturday). And they cleared the alcohol off our table just after midnight (some sort of rule). This was very disappointing. Environment: Small, dark, not terribly inviting. Seating at the bar or small tables with chairs and a booth bench. Service: Order at the bar, sit anywhere. I think there was only one girl working when we went. read more

I'm glad I live about six blocks away from this place because its slowly becoming my neighborhood watering hole. I really like the smallness of this place combined with the fact that the drinks are really reasonably priced. The bubbly cocktails are excellent (I really like the one with chocolate and a strawberry) and the beers run on the large size ($4 will get you a 22oz Anchor). The lighting and the space is really cool, its easy to forget that other people are here and focus on your conversation with the people around you; its that kind of place. Its true they close early but look on the bright side, it might help you drink less! Great little neighborhood place. On another note, regarding the whole exclusivity of this place I think its something you just kind of have to laugh off at this point since they are so popular. For this reason, however, my friends and I all refer to this place as "the fight club bar." First rule of 821, you do not talk about 821. Minus one star because last call is at 11.30 since they close at 12. read more

It's interesting what happens when a place doesn't have a hard alcohol license -- it makes them get creative with soju and sake and come up with things like soju mojitos and a drink I didn't get the name for, which was a shot of soju dropped into a half-pint of champagne. The staff in general seem like they enjoy what they're doing, which always makes it a better experience overall. I didn't venture into any of the funky soju cocktails, sake, or the wine list. My attention was caught by the belgian white ales -- Leffe, Hoegaarden, and Chimay White. The selection of beer isn't very wide beyond those Stella, and Big Daddy IPA, but there are plenty of other drink choices. The space is kinda small for the Friday night crowd, so don't roll in with a big group and expect to sit down anytime soon, but the population is friendly. read more

I don't come to this bar very often, but feel like it would be a great place for a first date. They don't serve liquor, so you don't have to worry about your date polishing of a bottle of Jameson's and throwing up on your new shirt... The lighting is dim, the chairs are comfy, and setting feels pretty intimate. Decent selection of wine, beer, and champagne cocktails. Because it closes at 11, you can invite said date over to your place for "one last cocktail" and it still be early enough for her not to say "well, it's already kinda late...." read more

How is it I had not seen this spot before? Strictly a beer and wine liquor license, they have some fun Champagne Cocktails and Sake cocktails which are fun and good, but won't always be a good substitute for a good old martini. A decent selection of wines and beer. Cute spot; small, modern, cozy. Service was not great. Friendly, but gave us used napkins, so that was not a great start. (Don't get me wrong - I am all for sustainability and recycling, but if re-using other peoples napkins is the next step, I will happily follow the BYON (bring your own napkin) standard... just let folks know this is the way it's done... I will be back - with my own napkin. We missed the happy hour specials, but they seem to be something not to miss. read more

Its another place that great to go to have a drink.something unique,interesting and fascinating to try the different kind of Amaro and Fernet on their Amaro and Fernet Flights.My Favorite is Amaro Sibilia (Macerata/Italy) and Jelinek Fernet (Luhacovice/Czech Republic).Learning something new every day ..and cant beat the happy hour.it's $5.50 for a Negroni and Scottish Boulevadier.David and another bartender just amazing!!! Thanks for the great experience. Highly Recomended read more