Twas the afternoon of Cinco de Mayo. I rode the Rainbow-lit-escalator up from the muni station into the vivacious heart of Castro. Thirsty, I sauntered over to Blush! An adorable sign boasted a seven-day-a-week happy hour. Thirsty, I ordered a glass of prosecco from the charming bartender. I proceeded to people watch the hustle and bustle of Castro street while sipping my effervescence. Later, my companion arrived and we moved to a scarlet, velvet couch in the back. I sipped a glass of dry, Jacquère. The bartender was kind enough to pour me a taste before I committed to a generous glass. We sat, chatted and took in the wonderful neighborhood of a wine bar. Although, It appeared the majority of customers were regulars, I felt quite welcome. I would definitely return to try more of the unique offerings in such a quaint establishment. Funny Note: A customer asked if one of the bartenders was celebrating Cinco de Mayo. The server embraced the other server and cried, "We are French! We do not celebrate Cinco de Mayo! We lost!" read more

Christopher was fantastic, and his wine recommendation was wonderful with the crab and avocado bruschetta. He even plugged my phone in to charge so I wouldn't be struck traveling back to Emeryville on my own late at night with no phone. Unfortunately, I initially chose Blush because I saw escargot on their menu online and was excited to have that for my late dinner after a long day of exploring the city. Sadly, they had just 86'd escargot from the menu, hence the bruschetta. It was delicious, though, and the charcuterie board the other gentleman at the bar enjoyed also looked delicious. I do hope to come back when I eventually bring my wife to explore the city by the bay, but we'll be hitting before 6pm, when the wines are half price for happy hour. read more

Blush! - Malbec and crab and avocado bruschetta - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

I came here once for Happy Hour with a friend. No wait I missed it by 10 minutes... boo. Their Monday HH special is awesome, though. 50% off all glasses of wines! I'm going back just for that. Actually I would generally visit Blush for a glass of wine and maybe a charcuterie platter. The more substantial food menu has never appealed to me during all the times I've walked by, but I will probably give it a try sooner or later. The Burrata ($10) is quite excellent, and I would recommend it. The bartenders are chill, and the service is nothing special. This wine bar really is about you and your friends. Come here, drink wine, and have a good time! read more

Love it here! Christopher is an amazing bartender. He knows his wine and isn't afraid to give his phone number out. Wait. I mean... Seriously, he lived in Italy, studied sculpture, and isn't afraid to give his honest opinions of the wine - which coincide with reality vs. being pretentiously vague and verbose. And he's really interested in you _liking_ what you order, too, helping you find what appeals vs. just getting drunk. Got the cheese plate that included a triple cream that was amazingly light and creamy, like butter, but better. But the cheese selection seems to change daily. I'd trust it. read more

A divine li'l spot, so long as it's not packed! Can be overloaded with folks on busy weekends, but sparse during others, so you've just gotta find the right time. Bar seating, tables and comfy couches! Definitely come for their red wines, such as their Meritage from Masked Rider. Good mimosas, too, if you're in that kind of a mood. Even tried some of their brunch food before and it was decent -- tried their Croque Madame and I savored the entire dish. Also like that they appreciate local art by hanging it on the walls for sale. Saw one piece depicting "Lincoln was a Punk" that has never left my mind, and it was sold and gone the next day. read more

I watched the Americano social club at Fillmore Jazz Festival and have been meaning to go see them at Blush on Thursdays and I finally got a chance to do that. The bar was packed, but there was still enough space to stand, enjoy some music and grab a wine. They have a big wine menu. Slightly on the pricey side. I had a glass of Riesling for $11. But worth it for the music ! read more

Blush! - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Kristin is the bomb diggity. She not only hooked us up with bottomless mimosas and food, but took an Ellen style flawless selfie. We went in for a birthday and the mimosas were strong, food was good, and the music was perfect. This place is never too crowded for brunch and is an awesome addition to the Castro. Saturday morning turn up!! read more

Blush! - Mimosas and extra shots for a birthday boy!! Love this place. - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Quaint little bar in Castro street I loved their ambience. Very classy and quiet. I went with my friends and had an awesome time chatting and drinking in here. read more

I enjoyed some apps here with my wife before heading out to dinner. If you are looking to eat dinner, then this isn't the place for you. It's a great place for some nice appetizers and great drinks. The place wasn't packed but most of the tables and bar section were full. We had to flag down the server a couple of times to take our order and get the check. Luckily, we didn't have to be somewhere at a certain time. I would go back since it's a great place to chill, have some wine and share some small plates. read more

Went there before COVID. They had nice wine bar and the service was good.

Wine was too good.they had of variety of wine .my husband's beer. came in a decorative flask Ambience of this bar was also good. Planing to come here again with friends. read more

Blush is an excellent, calming place to decompress with friends after work. Their wine selection is very good, their food is different and yet appropriate for the French bistro feel, and the atmosphere is conducive to gentle conversations and sedate people watching. I am a red wino, so a bottle of tempranillo with a cheese plate is a nifty set up to catch up with friends. There are corners, chairs, tables, and nooks that let you find a place for conversation. Okay, sometimes at Friday happy hours the noise level is frenetic, but deciding to go there on a Wednesday instead of a Friday solves that problem! Vincent and his staff are low-key and friendly, and they know their wines without being snobby. It's one of my go-to places when my non-wino friends are not going out. And, their 30% off happy hour wine prices are appreciated. [The music noise I wrote about in the earlier review has disappeared, btw.] read more

I don't have one positive thing to say about this place. If I listed everything I hated I would waste more time then this awful spot is worth. The staff were rude and kept vanishing (it wasn't even busy) so you have to stand around at the bar and wait forever to order a drink. They also rang me up wrong twice and didn't give me the happy hour price, but I was so done with the spot I just overpaid so I could GTFO. I would spend your time and money elsewhere and at places that are more representative of the awesome welcoming spirit this city is about. read more

12/03/2017 - Walked in and was completely ignored by the two employees behind the bar. The actual wine may have been delicious, but I never got the chance to try any. Also, I'm not a big fan of people drinking on the job...but maybe that's just how they roll here. Went 1 block down to another establishment, and was immediately greeted with a warm welcome, great service, and wine. read more

A rare find in the Castro: A Cozy, warm, intimate wine bar. Sans flamboyance. I dig it. Lovely ambiance. So quiet that you can actually carry on a conversation! Choose from a great selection of wines, then sit at the bar, a table, or one of the never-want-to-get-up couches. And oh yes, they have nibbles. I'm no wine snob, so I totally appreciate an establishment with such a low-key and friendly staff...Not to mention that it's walking distance from my house ;) (Which, by the way, has no bearing on my 5-star rating!). read more

EDIT: Downgrading to 3 stars because the service is definitely spotty. Yay wine bar in the Castro! Went here last night and really enjoyed the ambiance and the hot french guy behind the bar. The wine wasn't too expensive, the pours were pretty generous and overall it was a nice change of pace. Not quite at five stars yet because this place is still establishing itself, and because it was super hot in there considering the lack of a large crowd. That said, PLEASE come here and keep this open. Yay! read more

One of the tricks to understanding Blush is that it is one of the few places in the city--yes, really, the city (note: native San Franciscan writing here)--where your party can get nice wine AND nice Belgian beer on draft AND sit comfortably AND hear one another talk AND get nice nibblies. Not one beer, either, but four (always the same four, which is fine by me): Duvel green label, Chimay white label, La Chouffe IPA, and Maredsous (which at 10% is kind of an event all by itself). Oh yes, and Anchor Steam and Blue Moon for your Uncle Roy from Milwaukee who don't like them thar furrin beers and ain't never had a wine he liked. The wine lineup may not be extensive, but it's always good, and having paid silly amounts elsewhere for wine that was merely meh, I appreciate that. A nice Sonoma wine in the vicinity of $8 for a generous pour, in a humanely comfortable setting: go try doing that elsewhere in the Castro, or most of the city. The food plates are terrific for what they are -- simple accompaniments to a decent glass of beer or wine. We have done the cheese plates, the fish plates, the oysters,the olives, the tapenade... it's all good. In fact, more than once we have made it a meal, and frankly, it is one of the better places to dine on Castro Street proper if you are not a big eater and are not looking for a major sit-down dinner or do not want a forgettable burger/pizza/etc. The Alsatian pizza and Croque-Monsieurs look good, too (though I'd rather spend my carb count on the beer). Many Castro Street restaurants are tiny and crowded, with seating that feels cramped and is either by the kitchen or (as happened last night, in an incident that drove us to walk out of a restaurant before ordering after waiting over an hour to get in) near a banging door that blows in an icy draft every minute. In comparison, almost all of the seating in Blush is *comfortable.* It's a mellow setting that in one small storefront manages to have window seats, a bar, small tables, couches, and a great long table where you can sit absorbed in your beer and your iPad or mingle/chat with others. If it's full, you may not get one of the choice spots, but none of the seating is outright uncomfortable--again, for the Castro, high praise. The art is always interesting (even when it is odd, like the blacklight exhibit--unlike another reviewer, I kind of liked that one; it's not like they were twisting my arm to buy the stuff) and the service is personable and knowledgeable without getting in your face. The noise level varies, but on a weekend night this is one of the few places that is likely to be comfortable and not over-the-top noisy. On an early weeknight when it's not a major holiday, Blush can be serene, even when full. Last night the music briefly got on a weird jangly techno-something jag... after five minutes my partner asked if the music could be changed, and the server could not have been more courteous or moved more swiftly. (In my fantasies, Blush has a jukebox featuring Edith Piaf and Nina Simone... but at least the music is usually pleasant.) There is at least one review suggesting that inebriated blowhards looking for a new perch for their obnoxious behavior will get the message that while they may patronize the establishment, an extended drinking session will not be encouraged. To that I say: thank you. I do sometimes wish they would surprise me with Delirium Tremens on tap or even sneak in a (gasp) American Belgian, like Damnation or Matilda. But that's a small quibble. This review has been overdue, but a pleasure to finally write. Yes, five stars, not awarded lightly, after two years of enjoying this little bit of heaven. read more

I'm always down for a glass of wine or even a bottle, especially at half off during happy hour at Blush! With so many enticing happy hour spots in the Castro, I opted to go to Blush with two friends. Blush has a decent amount of seating at the bar and table-wise. We found ourselves at the bar on a Wednesday afternoon. Friend ordered a bottle of Omen (50% off $52) for three of us to share along with a cheese plate ($18). The cheese selection included 3 French cheeses with the usual hard, soft and goaty, accompanied by crackers and warm bread. Good wine bar, but nothing really stood out about the place. The service was a bit lackluster as well. Happy hour prices very appealing though! Might come back if I were in the neighborhood, but would opt to check out another wine bar first. read more

Blush! - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

15-September, Saturday: It's nice to have a redux with a calm, slow glass of Pinot in compliment to good conversation with company and friends every once in a while. Especially living in the Castro, and without having to walk over to the Noe side.. because lately it seems like all the bars around here have 1 thing in common.. Stiff drinks with a splash of tonic, which even at the request of quality liquor is most times overwhelming since I only prefer gin. "There's a famous saying: Like schoolboys, Rieslings are best enjoyed young." -Posh Nosh Cheers! read more

We've been going to Blush for years and haven't any issues until now. Sure there's good ravioli, variety of wines and somewhat uncomfortable chairs; service can be slow and the ambiance ranges from nice couch, bar to picnic table. Ours was an issue of service and accommodation. My partner has a painful back condition that really is helped if he puts his feet up on another chair, which he's done pretty much every time we've gone. We're not talking reclining with feet up on a table but just propped up onto another chair so as to relieve the pressure coming up the legs from the concrete floors to his back. It's certainly not a sign of disrespect. Every time we've been there nad he's done there was never a reaction, no comments, nothing even if they're busy. They've had a good track record of accommodation too. We bring our big serivce dog there regularly and never even had an eyelash batted at us. But for some reason tonight (which wasn't busy) the staff was having none of the foot-raising. And instead of asking why his feet were up or asking him to put them down the rather animated (and jerky) security/staff skipped right ahead to kicking us out after curtly announcing that, "you need to leave right now." And that was the end of our night. All in all the episode was more shocking to us more than anything else. It seems as if staff needs to get a refresher on customer service and empathy. read more

Love this place. You can't go wrong with their Happy Hour 30% off all bottles of wine. Our server Gabriel is the best in the City. He always makes us fell welcomed. Do yourself a favor and check Blush out soon. read more

Blush! - Gabriel our fantastic host. - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

It's a shame I can only give this place two stars. Unfortunately the service dragged down the rating. I had been wanting to stop by and experience 'Blush' for quite some time now and while walking past one weekend afternoon I noticed the wine list (posted outside) had been expanded so thought I'd pop in. So we sat at the bar and waited and waited while the server chatted to a friend of his who was sitting just a couple of stools away. The 'friend' sat there texting with no drink or food in front of him just taking up space. We still sat there and waited and... oh good thanks, a menu appears and then the server returns to his buddy and continues to chat. Finally obtaining the servers attention, we at last got to order 2 glasses of wine. The entire time I want to keep an open mind and really wanted to like this place. Now the servers friend leaves and in walks another friend of his and sits on the sofa behind us. Immediately the server walks off to sit on the sofa arm and chat to his next friend. Another customer was standing at the bar with his check in hand wanting to cash out - server ignores his customer and prefers to spend his time chatting to yet another friend who is not ordering a thing and not making a single penny for the house. The customer finally has enough and walks over to the server perched on the sofa arm to advise he wants to pay. By this time we've had enough - check please - Hello? any one there? We ain't goin back. Too bad, cuz this place has potential, but with the poor service and 12 bucks for a glass of wine you're better off elsewhere. ., read more

I have been here four different times and I can't quite figure out what's up with the bartenders. Are they too pretty to make drinks? Do they not like women? Are they hungover from the night before? This is a 4 star wine bar with 2 star service, so what to do? I keep coming back but have started sending friends up to the bar to order, they get the same response or lack thereof, so... Just be forewarned and maybe you'll get the guys on a good night, or just be patient, they'll eventually get around to waiting on you. Things I like: * interesting wine and priced fairly for SF (read expensive) * great location * rustic hip interior * good food read more

I have been to Blush several times over the years, the wine, food, ambiance and entertainment are all very enjoyable. It's a great atmosphere for those simpler times and conversations with friends or new companions. However, I was here a couple weeks ago on a Thursday night with a friend trying to indulge our love for wine, the issue we had was not with the wines but with the service. I had a tasting of the 2009 Masked Rider Meritage and enjoyed it so we ordered a bottle. Unfortunately the newly opened bottle needed to breathe and we were semi pressed for time (less than an hour before we had to leave). I asked for a aerator and the staff gave me a dumbfounded look with the response that they did not have one. Which, for a wine bar seemed odd to us. About 15 minutes later, we asked for a decanter and the response the staff gave more than surprised us but encouraged this review; "Oh, I thought you two were joking about that (letting the wine breathe)." No aerator. No decanter. We were left with an unfulfilled experience and a bottle of wine that was rushed and therefore not at the potential we initially enjoyed. read more

Blush is a really cute wine bar with really tasty food. Went with a friend on a Saturday night and we both enjoyed our wine ($12 wine flights), food (cheese plate, escargot, smoked trout salad and raw oysters) and the company of the friendly couple sitting next to us at the large communal table. It is a bit pricey (I think it came out to around $70 for the both of us before tax & tip), but I really enjoyed the ambiance of the place. It was nice because it wasn't pretentious at all and was as comfortable as a cafe. It wasn't too crowded and the waiter was attentive and knowledgeable. read more

I'm no wine expert, and these days I base my order on the fact that I get splitting headaches from red wines. But I learned an adjective or two from a trip to Sonoma Valley, so I can tell you that the Argentine Malbec that Blush sells by the glass is really buttery! Perhaps more importantly, the bread here is really delicious and the cheese and savory platters are pretty satisfying. Combined with the extensive drink list, that makes Blush my standby for a low-key girls' night out. But don't forget to sit at the bar, since that's the only way to really get the staff's attention for the check. Random note: the rotating art on the walls sounds like a good idea, but sometimes I kind of hate what they're showcasing. read more

Cool ambiance, nice French dude behind the bar, and some interesting wines. Definitely a nice, different option for when you're in the Castro, or when Swirl on Castro is closed later in the night. Overall, prices are ok, taking San Franflation into account. The 10oz. (2 glass) carafe of house red for $7 was actually pretty decent and not a bad value at all. Several $4 apps also a good option for some nibbles with your tipples and they have some cheese plates, salads, and more if you wanna throw down some dollbills. Plus, they have legit coffee and beer (Stella, Hoegaarden, and Leffe(!)) and always offer water, which is nice. Oh, and live music sometimes. Service was a little slow (there was a big private party, 1 guy to take all the orders, and for some reason it was packed on a Weds. night), but still friendly. read more

If you want to see a perfect example of bad service, you just might have found your place. This is as bad as it gets, folks. I've been here twice and had near identical experiences. The atmosphere is nice and it's great to have a wine bar option in the Castro, but service stinks. We ordered drinks that never came and fought for the servers' attention many times. It was funny, at one point we were just sitting there laughing at the two servers behind the bar texting on their cell phones, as customers where trying to order more glasses of wine. You could just see money floating out the door as people were giving up and heading out. FIx the service and this place would be a great Castro alternative. read more

I REALLY want to like this place, but it's just too damn difficult to get a glass of wine. I've been here twice now. Neither time have I been promptly greeted after sitting down. It's always a matter of chasing a server down, or heading up to the bar, waiting and hoping I'll be acknowledged. I do like the space, the chill, low-key atmosphere, and how it offers a welcome break from the craziness and noise of other bars in the neighborhood. But, if I go to a wine bar, I want the ability to get a glass of wine, easily -- or at least some service -- rather than just sitting 10 minutes at a table, waiting, being ignored. Until they get the service aspect down, I'll happily stick with Hotel Biron, Yield, Press Club and the many other great wine bar options around town. read more

Definitely steer clear of this place. It will be discovered any day now and I'll lose my local cachet to those with the good sense to seek it out. So help a girl out and just move on to the next cruising bar in the Castro, mkay? Read my lips - the bartenders? Dull as nails. Unfriendly. Too busy to chat because they're too busy doing "their job." Certainly won't remember your standard order or let you sample reds even when they know you know nothing about reds. Horrifyingly unattractive too, especially the hipster kid with the biceps. Also, their music nights are the worst. No atmosphere, low talent, and the mandolin trio that plays Thursdays is definitely not a welcome departure from your usual techno and retro pop around these parts. In short, just pass on Blush! or you'll never leave. Seriously. I overstay my welcome every time and may be doing so as I type, don't be like me. : ) read more

Love the owners. Love Thursday night music. Love the Wine Selection. Love that weird appetizer that tastes like ravioli but looks like spinach dip. Love the art! read more

The wine selection is amazing and the staff is superb! I love the cozy feel of the place. It feels like you just sitting at home with friend enjoying wine. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and get customer service 100%! I especially love the 30% off happy hour from 4-6pm because it is even 30% off bottles: which makes it a great time to experiment and try new wines! The snacks are super tasty and pair perfectly with the wines! read more

Nothing outstanding, but it's not bad either. Laid back, cool, chic ambiance. Nice selection of wines, but I couldn't bring myself to pay that much on a bar-hopping night. And I've been to restaurants with greater selections that actually had descriptions of the wines. Three suggestions for the owners: 1. Put at least SOME description and tasting notes so people can explore the flavors a bit more and know what they're actually buying/trying. 2. Expand your offerings to include some cheaper alternatives. 3. Come back and ask if we'd like anything else besides just the one time in the beginning. read more

This place does make you blush. Very warm inside and with a glass of wine. You're done! Great recommendations from the staff. I like how the place is not too tiny that you're tripping over others feet, but still has a cozy feeling. Laid-back place to go with friends or on a first date. Noise level is not too high, so you can have a conversation. If you like Syrah, try a bottle from Onyx South Africa and pair it with a cheese plate. read more

Came here a few times with some friends. 4-6pm happy hour on Monday through Friday which is amazing! Half off of glass of wines. The white wines are so delicious. We ordered the Burrata together once and it was delicious. I do love a good burrata. It's a cheese that I've really fallen in love with. Anyways, this one was delicious as always. Protip: Go for happy hour! read more

I've been to Blush several times and even though it's a nice space to grab a glass of wine where the rest or the area is surrounded by cocktails and debauchery I can't say I've ever had outstanding service here. The last time I was here my friend and I had a seat on the couch as we ordered our wine, but the lady who gave us menus seemed to have a chip on her shoulder for some reason. Everything was met with a snarl and a little attitude when ordering and paying. I was happy that she carded us and everyone has a bad day but if I'm friendly, you should be too. Good wines, but lacking in great service. read more

I think it's saying something that I spent the entire day in Napa before coming to this wine bar, and I'm still sitting down to write this place a 4-star review. (Yes, I drank a lot of wine that day...) This is a really great place for a classy but simple get-together with a few friends. The atmosphere is casual but classy, not too loud or crowded while maintaining an energetic vibe. They're open late and have a decent amount of seating, which means you can sit with a friend and chat comfortably into the night over a few glasses of wine. Of course, we should talk about the wine: Most importantly, this place has a huge selection of wines! They have wine of all kinds from all over the world, and many wines aren't even on the menu, so ask the staff if you're looking for something in particular. For someone like me, who admittedly doesn't know much about the wine, the staff is really helpful. All you need to do is describe the type of taste you're looking for and they'll make sure you're satisfied. They even let you taste a particular wine first before you get a full glass. The wine selection is mostly reasonably priced at ~$10-12 a glass, so you can feel fancy without paying too much for it. Important note: I didn't try the food, but I'd like to! I'll be back the next time I'm looking for a place to spend a quiet night out with a few friends. read more

Rose and Creamy Buratta make my week. They have really yummy snacks and the bartenders are welcoming. For the solo sipper you can rest assured you'll feel comfortable going here. They also have fun themed activities different nights of the week, including having your fortune told. I'm a cheese person so I could most likely eat here for the rest of my life and be perfectly happy Can you say Yum? read more

I was so pleasantly surprised by this place! While waiting for a table at Starbelly, we stumbled upon Blush. 8:30pm on a Friday night - no wait, ample seating, instant service The wine list has great wine by the glass prices, and featured my favorite grenache from Spain. It was funny because we initially tried to go to Catch to get some oysters, but it was too crowded....and guess what Blush has on the menu? Kumamoto oysters...1/2 dozen for $11! Score! Side note: Blush has the best use of space I've seen in San Francisco. The layout of the bar allows for SO much seating but manages to still give off that "cozy" feel. A great place for a date or pre-dinner drinks! read more

Sweet-Baby-Jeezus. Could the staff have been any more disinterested in our presence? Seriously, I felt like an impediment to their wellbeing. It also interrupted their beer drinking. Mind you, I enjoy a good beer drinking server like the next person - as long as they take care of business. The wine list is seriously limited and the food outrageously overpriced. Thank gawd for the latter, the lighting is so fucking dim you can hardly see what the hell is being served. Save your money and good vibe and take it somewhere else - anywhere else. read more