There is a hard work to make a such shitty whiskey sour like this, not even with yolk egg. Then i tried a martini vodka and it was even worst. Honestly the worst drinks that ive never tried. One star to achieve that read more

I'm also industry and very aware of measuring jiggers. Free pour with skills, and I'm positive that the bartenders hate using. It's to keep the pouring costs in control but that's what the Bar Manager is for... Hire skilled workers... All for the business profiting but that's more like TGIF corporate and SF is levels above... Again, nothing wrong with the business but such a dead area at night. It seems to be the Happy Hour/after work, but it just looks like it so not sure. read more

Novela exceeded expectations! Being new in SF, I am definitely not the go-to guy for bar suggestions. However, a friend was visiting and wanted to grab drinks after work, so he forced my hand to make the pick. Boy oh boy, did I impress (jk Novela and Yelp did all the work)! The decor is beautiful yet casual, the cocktails were strong and creative, and the good vibes were flowing. Novela has handcraft punch on tap and to-go! This is a major game changer - you can even bring the party home if you wanted to. Novela was super packed during happy hour time but died down slowly throughout the night. The waiters were super nice, but attentiveness could be turned up a notch. The only other thing to note is that they do have a good bar menu for some small and large plates, but you're better off somewhere else if you plan to come for the food. read more

Novela - Crispy chicken sandwich - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I went on a Sunday night and was worried there would be a wait so I made reservations the day of. Surprisingly it was pretty empty and my group didn't have any problem finding a spot. I got the Stormlight which was really refreshing and full of great lavender flavor. My friends got the espresso-patronum which I loved too! Honestly one of the top espresso martini I've had. We also ordered the charcuterie board. It was actually a lot of food and more than enough to feed 3 or 4. You cannot beat the ambience and vibe at this lounge. Such a great place to get together with friends and have a great time. The service was great too. The staff was really attentive and would come around to make sure we had everything we wanted. Definitely recommend to check this place out for a great night! read more

Novela - Stormlight - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Good atmosphere and decor. If you catch a non busy night, makes for an ideal place to have a conversation over drinks. A great spot for lounging. read more

Beautiful ambiance and delicious drinks. We went on a Sunday and the crowd wasn't bad at all. I definitely recommend this place. read more

Novela - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Incredible and spacious interior with beautiful bookshelves and a great vibe for casual drinks with friends! read more

Novela - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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It started of great in the beginning but ended very disappointing. My friend is very friendly to the staff and loves talking to everyone and they deemed her "too intoxicated to be served another drink" the security guards told my friend it's ok but then the Asian manager/server told us that the security guard has been telling us that our friend has been bother the security. Our friend was not belligerent or rude but was being FRIENDLY to the staff. Definitely a huge huge disappointment. Get the story straight is she bothering the staff or is she not? If she would tell us not to bother the staff and to not engage then fine but the staff was engaging with us. WHAT A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE! If you're looking to have fun and engage with everyone else maybe this place is not for you because apparently it's prohibited to engage and be nice to staff! I don't like the fact that the Asian manager/server told my friend to sit down either, like that's so rude! ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING! I did not want to cause a scene and definitely just wanted to get out of this place. TERRIBLE SERVICE TERRIBLE STAFF WHO ACTS HIGH AND MIGHTY PS: the chips for the elote dip was stale! read more

Trendy bar near Montgomery station in SF! I have been here before pre covid and found it to be a lot less busy this time around. They have a somewhat limited drink menu but all of the drinks seem to be really well thought out! To start I got a vodka drink and my boyfriend got a flight. It seems like the flight is actually a better deal then a normal drink so I would recommend that. I also suggest asking to reserve a table in advance if it doesn't cost extra as we got kicked out of our spot after 1 hour due to a reservation. It is super dark inside so I would definitely not recommend coming here for a first date or anything as it's kinda hard to get to know someone in this environment. For my second drink, I got a gin drink that tasted really similar to a snow cone! Overall I liked this place but definitely prefer the vibes closer to the Marina over this scene. There's really not much else around this area besides night clubs and don't find it to be too happening and fun at night. I give this place a 7 or 8 out of 10. read more

Novela is a great time and the drinks are fantastic. Working near Market, I tend to go for places with fun atmospheres and delicious drinks and Novela checks both of those boxes. Their bowls are delicious and strong, and their seasonal frozen drinks have the perfect balance of sweetness to alcohol ratio. read more

The ambience was pretty cool. Enjoyed the drinks we ordered here. There wasn't any food available that day though.

This place has a stunning interior and great vibe. They feature a punch on their drink which members of my party tried and all were fans of the flavor they ordered. We had a reservation as it was a Friday evening and we wanted to be sure to get in, and it was decently crowded around 5pm. Did not try the food but definitely will be back to do so! read more

Novela - Inside - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Solid bar in Downtown SF/FiDi. I've only been here once but I think the interior really stands out. I really like the vibe and atmosphere inside. Service was standard and the drinks were good at decently priced. Would recommend checking this place out! read more

nice casual bar to visit on a weekend or weekday! i love how you can make a reservation so you and your friends can avoid lines if you plan ahead. its def a more sit down a chat and sip on a cocktail than a dance bar. For a group I'd also recommend getting their pitcher. The pitcher ends up being around 7-8 drinks so it's worth the value! read more

Novela - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

The food was amazing, and so were the drinks! I loved the decor. The doorman was great. He made us feel so welcome and was very personable and professional! read more

Novela - Excellent!!! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Amazing vibe inside. Tasty drinks and an awesome happy hour menu. Make reservations ahead of time if you have a large party and want to sit in their cushions. Otherwise, they have a communal table and bar standing area is plentiful. The bookshelf/library vibe is awesome! read more

Looking for a place to get out the rain and found this gem. Attentive service. Awesome ambiance. Delicious cocktails

Great ambience and even better food ! Would definitely recommend to a smaller group 2-3 for quicker service

A nice night time bar and lounge area to visit on a weeknight. I had a nice time chatting with some friends. The interior is dimly lit with walls of bookshelves and chandeliers lending the area a sophisticated atmosphere. There were sporadic groups of people also talking and the music playlist varies but sounds good either way. There are plenty of cocktail and drink options to choose from. read more

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Novela, Novela! Tell me a story, why don't you? By the looks of it, you could tell me many stories! With all of those glowing novels that fill your walls, the possibilities are endless. Sexy... elegant... beautiful! A wonderful time is to be had here at Novela! Walking in, you will instantly be struck by the beauty of its unique decorum. The walls are lined with bookshelves full of novels that are lit up by colorful backlights. Gorgeous chandeliers hang low and provide most of the minimal light in the dimly lit bar. The front bar is the star of show as it is strategically placed smack dab in the center of the room. High tables and chairs conveniently surround the outer perimeter, and there's a smaller bar located in a secluded area in the back with the most adorable booths and lounge chairs. The cocktails are quite lovely! They change seasonly and are dressed to please the eye. Wine and beer are also offered as an alternative. They have a daily happy hour from 4-6, but you must come for the $1 oysters special on Monday! They also have a bar bites menu if you get a little hungry. The meatballs are divine and well seasoned, but I would pass on the Mac and cheese. This place gets busy in the evenings and during happy hour so if you're not sitting at the bar, be prepared to a wait a bit longer for service on busy nights. They have table service available if you don't want to sit at the bar counter. The bartenders are really friendly and they play an array of great music. Novela is a fun spot to get together with friends or even for an intimate date night. If you're looking for a great cocktails and a mellow time, I would highly recommend it! read more

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We went here for a large team happy hour, and I've also been here a few times on my own. This is a great place in FiDi that is a little fancier than some of the other places and has creative, innovative drinks. A few things to note -- They fill up very quickly, it's pretty hard to get a walk in spot and inside can feel pretty loud and packed. If you're coming here on your own or just with a few people I would recommend not coming during the work week at happy hour time. If you're coming with a group, DEFINITELY make a reservation, and I'd tell them a slightly higher # than you have; we made a reservation for 12 to 15 people and we got a spot that comfortably seated 9. They do not have a happy hour menu, as of early 2022. I thought I remembered them having one pre-COVID, so possibly they will return with a discounted HH menu after some time. I hope so, as their food and drinks are a bit pricey for happy hour ($14 cocktails, similar food price range). However, they are high quality so I'm happy to pay. The drinks are pretty good; I find them to be a bit sweet, but they are creative and they do not taste artificial, which is a big plus for me. If you go on a quieter day, the bartenders are very knowledgeable and are happy to make other drinks for you to your preference. In addition to the drinks, I think the real stand out of this place is the staff. They are attentive, hard-working, communicative, and very friendly. I find myself returning here again and again as a result. read more

Very well designed place with good vibe, cocktails were very tasty but menu is a bit of a mess and service is very hit or miss. 3/4 stars.

The drinks here were excellent. I got the Ana cubillas ($12), which is a must-try. Made with rum, ginger, coconut cream, cinnamon, clove, evaporated milk, and nutmeg, it is absolutely delicious. I love the coconut flavor and the ample cream added. The spices also complimented the creaminess well. My boyfriend got the Miss Moneypenny ($12), which had vodka, pear honey, and lemon. It was also good but a bit on the tart side. We also tried their wines which were not bad but not the best I've had either. The ambiance is very cute, with many books lining the shelves and lots of comfy armchairs. read more

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Very cute place you can reserve seatings for. Went here for a friends birthday and was placed in a booth area. Was surprisingly full for a week night too. read more

Love the vibes of this place! Perfect for a date or girls night out. The drinks were made strong too. The macaroni dish and fries were delicious but would not recommend the tacos. I would definitely recommend making a reservation if you want a table. Otherwise, there is plenty of space at the bar to stand. read more

Novela - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

I'm pretty sure I was one of the first to reserve seats at Novela when I read they were re-opening. But no matter, we got seated way in the back under a TV. Then no one pays attention to us for 10 minutes. We had to get up and ask if we order at the front? When server finally comes, we order some cocktails and shared bites. They were out of the three cheese app. The sausage croquettes.. one was empty. I'm pretty sure they saw the cheese and filling come out of that but yet they still served it! We regularly spend $200+ at local restaurants as we're local ourselves. We have supported the local economy through the pandemic just eating out, ordering in. Big mistake of Novela to treat us this way. On top of that, the food and drinks were below average to mediocre. It's just a bar with some food. It's no fine dining. Not coming back nor recommending. read more

Novela - Punch flight, burrata - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

The best part about this spot is the cool bookshelf wall and the spacious couches. Otherwise...the drinks are very average (mine tasted like spiked kale juice and my friend's tasted like a white claw) and the price for them is high, even on sf standards. I'd go once for the vibe. read more

Novela - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

A bit of an upscale type of bar with folks rolling in for a happy hour with coworkers and such. The seating was a bit awkward for me but the drinks were good, pricey, but good. read more

Came on a Friday night and we were not too impressed. The drinks were quite mediocre and, in my opinion, overpriced. The concept of a literary-themed bar is cool, though I feel like Novela falls flat. read more

Novela - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

This place is LEGIT. Me and my friends stumbled(probably...well maybe just me) upon this place last Sunday. I didn't expect it to be as good as it but it was. When you enter it's like a cross between Harry Potter and Persona 5. And if anybody understands that last sentence will you just be friends with me immediately? I promise I won't let you down. Like let's talk about the music here. Yes. Who does that in a yelp review? Your boy. That's who. You walk in and you get hit with A Tribe called Quest. Yeaaa budddy. We're talking about that smooth hip hop. We don't need a bunch of profanity in every single lyric. We just need real lyrics with a smooth ass beat. Oops pardon me. ~breathes~ I always appreciate bars that have a particular theme to them and Novela is no exception. Every drink is based off a book in the past which is really cool. I went with the Alma Shmidt and was very content. It had a good mix of flavors and most of all I definitely felt a good amount of booze from just one drink. Have to also give a special shout out to the Rum Punch. It had even more flavors then the previous cocktail but yet had a bit of a fall feel to it. If you are thinking of trying out a new fancy cocktail bar in the city, I "highly" recommend this place! read more

I love the vibes at this bar! I've been meaning to try this place for ages and finally made the trip on a rainy Sunday at 1 pm. Naturally, we were given the brunch menu but as we had already eaten, decided to go for just drinks. The flight was the best option, since my bf and I wanted to experience a variation but didnt want anything too heavy. We got one of each option of flights and it was a really good choice for only $17 for 3! I liked the drinks with the lighter alcohols in them. I look forward to experiencing the later in the day ambience here- I love the concept of books + alcohol so I am a fan :) read more

Novela - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

The door was broken and we couldn't open it from the outside and it was POURING rain. When we finally got inside, the hostess looked as us like we were crazy .... and then 5 minutes later another employee arrived (guess what, she couldn't get inside b/c the door was locked) and she went straight to her tool kit to fix the door. Known issue. We couldn't decide on which punch to get, so we got all of it and did a taste test which was fun. The ones I ended up liking weren't necessarily the ones I would have ordered from the menu. I like the vibe of the place and will probably try to go back for the Monday Oyster Happy Hour. read more

Trendy and fun! Great place to grab drinks and hangout. We didn't eat but the espresso martinis were delish! read more

Novela - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great place to hangout with friends for some drinks. I love to hangout here, used to live next door. read more

Novela - Can't remember the same of the drinks - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

My friend and I had a Thursday reservation at 7:30pm to ensure we got a table (highly recommend doing this). It wasn't super packed, just an average kind of busy for an after work crowd, but super helpful we had the table secured. When we got seated, none of the waitresses paid any attention to us, even after repeated eye contact. It took me 15 minutes of waving them down for anyone to acknowledge us. This would've made more sense if they were busier, but they were just walking past us every time. We both got punch flights (you get your choice of 3 for $16): tequila, bourbon, and rum. The bourbon was our favorite, followed by rum, and then tequila. Atmosphere is nice, super loud like everyone else has mentioned, so not a good place to have a first date or anything of the sort. Overall, not a terrible experience, but probably wouldn't go back unless my company decided to have a happy hour event there or a friend wanted to go. read more

Novela - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Really enjoyed this cocktail bar! I had the Espresso Patronium and Jay Gatsby, and loved them both! The entire bar and all drinks are book themed. The interior was super well thought out and decorated. It was also very easy to make reservations for larger parties which was great for our group. The staff was very friendly, checking in frequently, and making great recommendations! Will definitely be coming back read more

Superb service from both Chuy and Roberto! My first time at Novela and they were both welcoming and enthusiastic. I highly recommend coming to Novela if you're looking for a chill night in San Francisco. Sultry vibes for date night or intimate outings with coworkers. Highly recommend! read more

This is my go-to bar when I feel like taking things easy and just chilling in the city. It reminds me of the Library bar in LA, except that here is a bit more spacious. They serve pretty good cocktails and several selections of non-alcoholics as well. It does get busy here pre-pandemic, but nowadays, it's a bit more chill. They do take reservations and offer walk-ins as well. read more

Novela - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

I loved the vibe of this bar and the drinks were pretty good too. Great place to come for a date night. I wouldn't recommend this place for large groups unless you make prior reservations. Since one side of the bar has seats but they're first come first serve. So there's no guarantee you'll get a seat. We made reservations for two people but I was a little disappointed in the fact that people who make reservations are seated behind the bar which blocks you from seeing the cool book displays on the other side. If I come again I wouldn't make a reservation and would try to wait for a table near the cool book displays. Overall cool ambience, good drinks, unique concept. read more

Good drinks, service could be better. Waited 30 minutes just to get a server to greet us. Also, it was really hot.