This my first negative review on Yelp- and Bar 821 more than deserves it. They gave us the wrong credit card when we closed our tab- they ran someone else's card with our bill and gave us that person's card. That was extremely careless, to say the least. When we noticed and told the bartender, he then told us he couldn't find our card after a brief look around his area. He didn't seem apologetic or concerned. We asked him to keep looking, since losing and replacing a debit card is a serious thing. He again briefly looked then leaned on the bar and said it wasn't there. After a bit of back and forth, we started the process of canceling the card he lost- during which time they cleared our half full drinks and threw them out. We AGAIN described what the card looked like and said the name on it for the fourth time. He didn't seem interested in finding the card he admitted he lost and didn't even offer an apology. Luckily, the waiter happened to see the card sitting right by the bartender's cash register- at which point the bartender charged us for our drinks even though they threw them out while half full. It was quite possibly the worst service I've ever gotten at a bar. I understand that things get misplaced, but his lack of concern and lack of even a cursory apology was shocking. Needless to say, we won't be going there again. And folks who care about their cards and their financial security shouldn't go to such a careless and apathetic establishment. read more

Great little neighborhood spot with a unique feel. - Quiet enough to talk without being a crypt. - Hip enough to be fun without being self absorbed. - But for the liquor... read more

I recently read a great article about happy hour pub crawling through Divisadero, so on a recent trip through the city, a friend and I decided to hit a few and 821 was one of them. Bar 821 is a small, dark, but chill bar. GREAT happy hour beers on tap and friendly staff. Did I mention they have Chimay on tap!?! That's good enough for 3 stars right there! They also have Sangria and Sake, but that seems to be par for the course in NOPA these days. There was a very interesting mix of hipster regulars, 40 somethings, and a few "just got off work and need a drink" 30 somethings. Music wasn't too loud and they were running old Popeye episodes on the tele. Overall a good experience and would definitely hit it up for happy hour again. Depending on your scene, I imagine it gets pretty crowded as the night progresses. We were in around 6:00pm and it wasn't very crowded at all. read more

What? I can't hear you over the increasingly loud Euro trance! What? Bartender wasn't familiar with their own happy hour specials, and the pricing wasn't much of a deal if any. The bar was empty, and I still couldn't hear someone seated next to me, shouting. The great reviews of this place remind me there are different crowds for every bar, and they're not all universal. Go to Big Bar instead. Edit. We were charged $10 and $12 all during happy hour, not $6. read more

Extremely rude and condescending male bar tender. Does the owner know that the bar tender treats his neighborhood customers this way? Yikes! We won't be back to Bar 821 after that rude bar tender. There are too many great bars nearby with knowledgeable, friendly, and professional bar tenders to waste any time at Bar 821. read more

Jon is the best!!! People but on Fridays lil Jon makes a special appearance. He is the best make Sure to stop by this place!! Good vibes read more

This place had no sign when I moved to the neighborhood seven years ago. A secret little hole in the wall pub that closed up, neighborhood peeps only, at 11pm. I liked that, kind of makes you feel cool and special. It does get really loud in there when it fills up, and there's a big ass TV right behind the bar, glaring you in the face, but the bartenders have always been personable, and know how to pour a Guinness. Why the hell am I reviewing this place? It's supposed to discreet. read more

First off, the place was awesome and there was really only one reason why I gave them 4 stars. The only reason being that they do not accept credit/debit cards. While I don't mind having cash to pay for drinks, I do mind having to pay after each individual drink. I wasn't able to open up a tab ,which would make things a whole lot easier (especially if you're with a group of friends). That was my only complaint. The atmosphere was perfect, not too dark and not too bright. Music complimented the place and was not overwhelming. The drink selection was on point and Happy Hour prices are hard to beat. Great place to get away from the large crowds in downtown and easy to get to. read more

I love this place! I've only come in here on weekdays, but I've always been able to get a comfy spot in the window seats. The happy hour is awesome and I love their champagne drinks! The sangria pitcher is larger than it seems & oh-so-delicious. I also have to give a big gold star for the Monday night bartender since he has a huge smile, plays what is clearly his favorite music, and is just a great guy to be around. read more

A nice, small bar and it's usually quiet enough to hear the people you're with. The staff is great too. They do have a minimum bar selection. The sound system sucks though! My friends and I noticed how terrible it was and the next time I went up to order a drink I intentionally looked around to see what they were using. Are those overpriced and underperforming Bose speakers I see hanging in the ceiling? Please get rid of those things and get something decent. (if you're thinking, "but I thought Bose was really good", then you're mistaken) Those little square things were definitely not designed for a bar. The sound is super tinny and it sounds like an amplified transistor radio. read more

This place is really awesome. The decoration, ambiance, music, the drinks. All was great. But it closes at 11pm. I am not American, so I find all the restrictions really strange. Minimum age is 21 to drink... Well, I'm old already so whatever. But then the bar only serves wine, champagne sake and beers. Something about the license?... I guess some people might be put down by that, but for me it's not a problem too. I had two different champagne drinks, and I liked them a lot. And the tap Chimay was great. The beer selection looked great to me, and good prices too. I can't tell of any food, didn't try it. Bathroom was fine. A game was on TV, but it didn't seem anyone was there to watch it. I saw _some_ people there, mostly friends and couples talking, it seems. Anyway, I was liking the place a lot. The music was really really good, lots of soul and funk... But then, they had to close at 11pm. That's just crazy. Is it something about the license too?? So everything about the place looks great. But it made me go home earlier, and I have to take a star for that. And it looked like it was much emptier than it could be _just_ because of that. So because this problem seems to be really hurting the place indeed, I must take a second star. Best place to go if you want to have some good time on a place where it will be really easy to sit and to get your orders. And then come home early. If you want that real memorable "fun times" parties, and totally "spend the night" somewhere, look for another place. Maybe it just pretends to be a good place to get the night started, whatever. read more

Decent bar for a drink, although the food options are quite limited with only charcuterie/cheese plates, octopus and one other offbeat dish I can't remember. We wanted more varieties for nibbles so left after our first drink, but the place is nice enough. Service was a little slow. read more

For someone like me who finds joy in comparing beer fluid ounces per dollar spent, this is a great find with a good atmosphere. They have a 5-7pm happy hour every day with a selection of 20 oz. beers (not like the average bar which gives you a "pint" of 12 oz.) and mixed soju drinks for only $3! And the selection ranges beyond normal imports and domestics. The atmosphere was lounge-y and a great place to go on Sunday because it was not crowded, but still vibrant. Overall, had a fun and relaxing experience. Next time: will try a weeknight happy hour and the luxury mojito. read more

I love this little NoPa gem... Bar 821 is a cozy and friendly bar in the North of the Panhandle neighborhood. While I can't get my Vodka & Tonic here, they do have a nice selection of beer, wine, champagne cocktails (very yummy) and sake drinks. This is a great neighborhood bar where you can come in, be greeted by super friendly bartenders (Juan and Oba rock) and nice folk from the neighborhood. read more

Went for a date on a Friday night around 7pm and it was small but plenty of seating. I even got one of the tables... probably cause we were there so early. Apparently they're obsessed with fernet there and I had a couple of different ones and they were so good! Guys behind the bar were really sweet and friendly. Love this place already and it makes me realize why this area is up and coming... great bars! read more

I love this place because (1) it's totally chill, and (2) I like their champagne cocktails. It's a great place to hang out and catch up with friends. It may be crowded, but it never gets too crazy. One big exception: Art Walk. (Should be re-named ArtDrunk, but that's another review waiting to happen...) One thing I'm not keen on is that you can't run a tab. Oh well. I'll deal. read more

THIS PLACE IS SO COOL!!! My friends and I met up for a party there last night, great drinks and great service!! I had 3 lychee drinks that were so yummy! The music wasn't too loud, they were playing an old Charley Chaplin movie too. The bartender was so friendly and on point with her drinks and smiles! We felt so bad for her at the end because this crazy drunk lady was giving her such a hard time! Hey lady, whoever you are, they close early-not the bartenders fault! We were impressed (tipsy we were) at how well the bartender dealt with the crazy lady. Cool neighborhood bar, cool times, don't forget they close early read more

whats up with those fucking chairs yo? if you lean the wrong way a bit too much, they will tilt over. i wasnt even drunk and i almost fell over. jesus osha fuck me dangerous. ok, i was kinda buzzed. ok, fine i had no shirt on, was butt drunk and i fell out the fucking chair. so fucking sue me. cool, cheap happy hour joint. good drinks. cant complain. except those fucking chairs!!! read more

The drinkers of Divisadero and Lower Haight need to get together and protest or something. I mean, this city has protests about everything every other week. We don't like cars so we fuck up the last Friday of the month for every single person who works downtown and just wants to go home and clean up and go out with their friends by not allowing them to get home, even when they are taking public transportation. We don't like plastic bags so we have now outlawed those. We don't like the war and at least once a week we make that known with some protest. That is cool, I am all for getting out on a Friday at 10pm, carrying my 40 in a brown paper bag (as it should be) and lets face it, a war would really put a damper on my Friday plans. So, if we can take the time to speak up about these things why cant we let the people of these neighborhoods know that we want a few more bars that serve hard alcohol!! I mean, I am unsure that serving beer and wine is going to save us from anyone who wants to be drunk and unruly. Newsflash, they can still get drunk and unruly on beer, I swear, and if the liquor store on the corner carries Jack you are not keeping it from them prohibition style or anything. You can serve alcohol in a lower proof form in a bar, out of anything you want, to people on bikes who hate war, but if they drink and want to get drunk they will!!! Can we please have some bars that afford us the luxury of doing this on our own terms!!?? Bar 821, its not your fault. You work with that permit well. You have a good selection of wines by the glass and bottle, and tasty beers and sparkly and soju all at very fair prices for a wine bar. You do your best to provide a nice selection of alcohol "lite" in a dark, loungy, inviting way, but damnit, sometimes I just want a sapphire and tonic. However, when I do have a hankering for some wine while in your neck of the woods you are my first choice. Anyone up for a protest, or at least a glass of wine? read more

Yummy cocktails, Yummy bartender and regulars, and Yummy Yelpers??? Get out the crayons and color me Tickled Pink! Those soju bombs were out of this world and somehow matt r and I didn't find ourselves roaming the streets of SF at 5 a.m. after this soju experience! Nice job, Bar 821! Call me Bubbles, I LOVE sparkling wine! The champagne cocktails at Bar 821 can't be beat and they're cheap cheap cheap too! The Ginger Sparkler is now my very favorite champagne cocktail ever. With so much AWESOME going on within these walls, you can bet I'll be showing my face around these here parts a hell of a lot more often now. JAMES (Thanks, G!) the bartender is adorable and super friendly and like I said, there are some pretty hot hotty regulars, too. Little Star is right across the street and I hear they'll let you bring in food from outside so you can get your drink AND your eat on. The inside is cute and neighborhood-bar-ish. Nice bathroom with cool mirrors. If you live in the neighborhood, I highly recommend! read more

My aunt recommended this spot while I was in town visiting from Austin. I told her I was looking for a chill place with a full bar that would be quiet enough for conversation on a Friday night. 821 fit the bill on those criteria, but where it fell far short was in the condescension of the man-bun sporting bartender. As we approached the seemingly well-stocked bar, I searched the shelves for their vodka selection, only to find out that vodka is déclassé in this hipster paradise. "Do you have Grey Goose?" says I, with a winning smile. "THIS is the only vodka we serve..." says man-bun, pulling a sad bottle out of the well. "...Oh... Um, is it any good? Why are you hiding it under the bar?" "I guess it's fine. This is all we have, LOSER." (I added the 'loser' part, but just barely) "Oooookay, I guess I'll try it, for $12. Thanks ever so much." We took our trailer-trash vodka drinks and slunk away from the bar, popping our Hubba Bubba, slapping our flip flops on the polished concrete, and hiking up our acid-wash dungarees tied with rope, hoping only to drown our shame in off-brand booze. If you're going to have a bar, or any business, for that matter, try not to make your patrons feel like they don't deserve to grace your door. It's a sure-fire way to piss off the hillbilly masses. read more

A cool little bar to be happy at between the hours of 5 and 7pm every day! $3 soju and sake mojitos, martini and champagne cocktails (the Lychee Mermaid is yummy!) and beers guarantee you will be happily buzzed before getting dinner at NOPA down the street. read more

We live in the neighborhood; tonight was our first time visiting and it was great. It's a cool, quiet cocktail bar specializing in bitters, and they really do make a good Negroni. I wish could take over the music and play jazz or like, weird 1960s French movie scores because that's the vibe this place has. A+ bartender. read more

I came here for election night, which involved sitting at the bar for hours in stunned silence while nursing many a vermouth cocktail (a first, and their HH special). That said, the one positive about that night was the discovering Bar 821, their vermouth cocktails, and their impressive list of amaro and fernet choices. I'll be back soon with a fernet-loving friend to check out their amaro and/or fernet flights. read more

people, place and product. fives all around my friend. 821 has become one of my new fav happy hour spots courtesy of joey and james laid-back and entertaining tendering. mostly a hoodie spot- thanks for the intel AKA G! hunttterrrrexxxxx! we thug hhwwatt!! http://static.px.yelp.com/photo/8hrcHKRSwcFHXZ_JF3lvKw/l i have enjoyed classics on their flatscreen like transformers and thrashin along with a good ole butt-whippin' of the warriors ;-) little star is right across the street and its all good to bring em over...just be courteous and ask first. 3bucks will get you whatevas from 5-7...and yes i am talking about more than drinks..quick and dirty- hey can't hate on being efficient. i usually rock a guinness or hoegarrden & on occasion that ginger soju/champagne...order a diamond and risk getting jumped. for real street cred just keep slurpin up the ABC! read more

Sorry for contributing to your unwanted exposure to the internet masses, Bar 821, but I just *had* to Yelp about this place. Once in a great while, I happen upon a night spot or restaurant that just hits me exactly the right way and this place is it. Its small, humble, unobtrusive, populated by locals and has a very warm and intimate feel to it. The bartender is the owner, and his menu is filled with awesome and inexpensive saki and soju drinks (beer and wine license only). The little decor touches are great, including the colored tile crossbeams on the ceiling. I think this might be my new neighborhood bar.... read more

Charged with not being very prolific lately - I admit my guilt. Realizing that I have never reviewed Bar 821, even though I love it so? Surely that deserves a 20 year sentence. Or maybe just a 20 drink sentence. Bar 821 started off as my go to spot to wait for my table at Tsunami to open up. My first trip to both places was on a lovely date - he chose well, and while the dates fizzled shortly thereafter, my love affair with 821 was just beginning. How can you not love that Tsunami will call you at Bar 821? Or that you can ask the bartender to call Tsunami to see if your table is ready? Either way, it works out great. The champagne cocktails are yummy, the selection of beer is fab, the happy hour is wicked cool, it's small, I usually like the crowd, there are cute bear sized puppies roaming around, and the bartender has an English accent. WHAT IS NOT TO LOVE?! I just don't get a hankering for hard alcohol before I come here, and I'm beyond satisfied. That 20 drink sentence is more a reward than anything else. Minus a star for not being open at all hours and making me get off my comfy booth earlier than I'd like sometimes. read more

Great date place! Inexpensive and delicious champagne cocktails! (My favorite is the Lychee Mermaid; and if you want a manly champagne cocktail, there's always the one with Guinness in it.) Very sleek and cozy (although the flat screen TV is an odd touch). It can feel pretty couplely sometimes, and it's definitely not the place to go if you're looking to pick someone up. But that's part of the charm. read more

Nice bar. We came here on a Sunday evening. The place was completely empty. Seven of us walked in and brought the party! Bartender was nice, drinks were yummy and the bar's really charming. Would definitely come here again! read more

i'd give it 5 stars if i was ever able to snag a seat while there. otherwise, the champagne cocktails are fab and the bartenders are always uber-pleasant. read more

Something wonderful happened to me this weekend. ...The bar was dimly lit, champagne drinks were very tasty and not cloyingly sweet, drunk dude with butt-crack peeking out was thankfully not hairy, the crowd was very friendly. All in all, a very nice, laid-back atmosphere to catch up with friends and drink the workweek away. Sitting at this intimately-lit bar, talking animatedly about my chaotic week of deciphering financial data at work, my girlfriends were intently listening when I suddenly started to cough. Out of nowhere, a glass of water magically appears at my elbow. But alas, it wasn't magic! It was the bartender, thoughtfully placing the cough-saving glass of water by my side without me asking for it! Without my girlfriends asking for it! Without me gasping for air, sliding off the bar stool, hysterically pointing at my red face with the international sign of "Help me, I'm choking" kind. He gave me the glass of water simply because he cared. What a concept! In my years of happy hour'ing and my years of coughing, I have never once encountered a bartender who gives a glass of water out of the goodness of his heart. In fact when I ask for a glass of water, I've encountered exasperated bartenders, rolling eyes bartenders, dude I'm busy bartenders, but never once a thoughtful water-giver. Thanks Joey. You've given this lady renewed hope. Thoughtfulness is still alive and kicking. read more

Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got. Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot. Wouldn't you like to get away? Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, And they're always glad you came. You wanna be where you can see, our troubles are all the same. You wanna be where everybody knows your name. You wanna go where people know, people are all the same, You wanna go where everybody knows your name. OK....so maybe not my name. Met up with a fellow yelper and they might have well been singing this song. He knew everyone! I don't know if the personalities in this bar would have been able to rock it out like Sam and Woody, but this place for sure has character, personality, comfort and a cool quality where you hope they eventually do learn your name. Great happy hour prices, and it closes at 11 on weeknights. That's a great way to prevent the 2am evening when you have to wake up for work the following day. Last call...10:50, perfect. I don't see this being a weekend destination for me, Ill probably hang onto it for beer filled afternoons. I have lived up the street from this bar for 2 years now, and stepped foot into it for the first time yesterday! I couldn't believe it! They welcomed me and my pooch and i can see this definitely becoming a regular thing. Take dog for walk. Stop in bar with dog. Have a few beers. Make rest of walk that much more entertaining. Thanks for being there 821! Sorry I haven't gotten to know ya sooner! read more

The bars start to blend together as you run along divisdero and Bar 821 is just another one in the long line of options in this area. If you are looking for a story or a place that you have to recommend to your friends to go to this probably not going to be it. Nopa, La Urbana and Candybar will probably fit that bill better. But if you actually live in the area or want to avoid the tons of overflow from NOPA and the Independent this is a nice place to duck into. It doesn't get to busy there and you can talk to a couple people over a nice mix of drinks. The place has some pretty decent cocktails but this is the kind of bar you go into knowing what you want. There is usually only one bartender and they are pretty knowledgeable about the drinks. It's a no frills bar that is set up like a frills bar. The décor is inviting and there is usually ample seating. It feels a little more upscale because of the deco so if you aren't looking for dive bar but don't want to be surrounded by a ton of people Bar 821 and its neighbor Mini Bar are great alternatives to the hip and overpriced neighbors done the street. Its still expensive though with about 10 dollars per cocktail but you are probably used to that by now. This is one of those places you will end up frequenting more and more because you want to avoid the show and dance of going to the other more popular places down the street. read more

I like the concept of this neighborhood spot but it just doesn't get pulled off very well. The beers they offer are good but typical of any semi-hip beer/wine bar these days. While the seating area is nice it just feels like it is trying too hard. Also, the place in small... feels like you are intruding even if there are just a few people hanging out there. read more

This place is the epitomy of a local neighborhood-bar. The clientele are low-key, the location is superb, and best of all the selection of on-tap beers!! Hoegaarden and Stella, my two favorite beers. This is definitely a place where I can rely on to be as warm and comforting as a bar should be. Great place for a first date, or just to hang out with the guys/girls. Great selection of cocktails and happy hour is great. I definitely suggest 821 if you are in the neigborhood. They don't serve hard liquor, so if that is your thing, go somewhere else. But who needs to get drunk every time they visit a bar? Especially one right around the corner? Just go there after work, or whatever you do during the day, and unwind with that special one, or whomever. This place won't let you down. read more

I've been called out on more than one occasion as to my gravitation towards good deals. This night was no exception. Upon entering the bar, i glanced at the taps and just ordered a Hoegarden. However, a few minutes later I took a look at the menu and noticed a few beers that were $1 cheaper and contained almost double the liquid. Thus, I ordered a 22 oz draft Anchor Steam and all was right in the world... read more

I have been stopping by here for happy hour for awhile. Since I have so many friends in alamo square, this is generally where we meet. Soju cockails are delicious and they have Guiness. However, not excited about their wine list but hey I am just a wine snob. read more

Tiny, very dark, limited drink menu, charming, intimate, friendly bartenders, 1st-23rd date location-able, cool crowd, cozy, lazy review writer read more

They're charging $8-9 for draft beer. I recall paying $1.29 at the Bean Bag for a local beer. This was a few years ago and obviously things change, but that's the neighborhood I moved to. I'm not sure who Bar 821 is catering to, but the same beer next door at Mini Bar is $4. I mentioned to the bartender that these were AT&T Park prices and he just shrugged and handed over a $9 beer... and it was flat. read more

While sometimes it's too crowded in here to get a seat with friends, I do like the fact that it's just a simple local bar. I may miss my whiskey, but Joey knows what's up and always makes sure to take care of me. Yeah, it sucks that it closes at 11, but there's 3 other bars within walking distance that will be open for your drinking pleasure. Hit up 821 first for a bit of relaxin' and then go get your party on. read more