Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Propagation

    4.5 (186 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    Propagation Photos

    Business Info

    PROPAGATION ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Romantic

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Propagation

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Mai tais

    This is such a cozy and cute bar in Lower Nob Hill. Love all of the plants all around the bar and all of the seating is very comfy -- this is a great date spot. The drinks are very strong and delicious and the bartenders are friendly :)

    Arthur E.

    Cool décor and fun cocktails. Went for après dinner drinks. Was able to grab seats and have two drinks each - the drinks weren't amazing, but prices were reasonable and the vibes were legit. I'd say more 4.5 vs 5 stars but I've learned in school that you round up if it's .5 or higher lol.

    Melody L.

    Came here on a chill Wednesday night. The place is literally filled with plants everywhere (living up to the name). They even have Lunar New Year decorations up, which was a festive touch. I really enjoyed their "Call Me When It's Over" mocktail, it was sweet & refreshing. There's also a special Lunar New Year menu, which was fun to explore. The music was so good I ended up asking the bartender what playlist it was, turns out it's their own on SoundCloud, which honestly tracks because the vibe was on point. Bartender was super friendly, and the bar itself has so many cute little areas to sit, whether you want to tuck away or be more social. Also, underrated detail: hooks at the bar for your bags.

    Nina S.

    My favorite bar in SF! If you love plants in a beautiful casual bar with tasty and creative cocktails (and mocktails), as well as festive decor and drinks for holidays, this is the spot for you! A perfect place for hanging out with friends or on a date. There are tables and nooks to sit inside including a comfy couch. The interior design is gorgeous throughout, even the bathroom. Just love seeing the decorations during the holiday months like Halloween, Christmas, and Lunar New Year while trying the festive drinks! The decorations are done by hand by the owner! The owners, Lauren and Heather, are so incredible, super welcoming and fun! Just an amazing bar to stop by any time of the year, but they do host engaging events -- like plant giveaways! I've gotten some beautiful clippings from plants grown right in the bar to take home. At Plantsgiving, you can win whole plants! Other events: Halloween costume contest, cookie decoration contest, and they know how to make a stunning food spread for Friendsgiving and Lunar New Year! All events are posted on their Instagram. Favorite drinks: - night after night (their most popular): refreshing with pineapple and coconut cream - apple of my rye: like an old fashioned with apple and a hint of spices - spice spice baby: rum with pumpkin, cinnamon, and salted cream - Pear pressure (shot): mezcal blended in-house with pear - Call me when it's over (mocktail): so refreshing, best mocktail I've had Definitely check it out!

    Plant Aesthetic themed decor
    Alex T.

    This bar was a very festive experience indeed. It's surrounded by plants which give off an earthy and relaxing vibe. I got some sort of piña colada with a twist and it was delicious. Shoutout to the bartender who recommended me it!!!! I will definitely be back here again for sure

    Zoe G.

    Stopped for drinks before dinner and it was very beautiful inside with all the plants. The bartender was friendly and helpful and the drink were good.

    Sticky Situation (left) and Yesterday is Gone (right)
    KC W.

    Great bar with creative drinks and garden vibes! My friend and I stopped in on a Friday around 8pm and were able to grab one of the last open tables. If you come with a larger group, you may want to come earlier to get a booth. They had a special tequila cocktails menu going until 9pm, but these were a bit too creative for our taste LOL so we ordered off the regular menu, which honestly was also quite unique compared to other bars. - Yesterday is Gone: tea-based cocktails aren't super common in the US yet, so I was super excited to see this. It was so good and refreshing, and the salted sesame added a little twist to the flavor profile. - Sticky Situation: a mango sticky rice inspired cocktail! Loved the concept, but it was a bit too sweet, especially toward the end. In this economy, it was refreshing to see drinks priced reasonably at $16 too. They also have a selection of mocktails, though it's hard for me to justify non-alcoholic drinks costing the same as cocktails lol. It was pretty dark inside and the music was quite loud, so just something to be aware of if you're sensitive to that. Might not be the best for a first date because it was a little hard to hear, but def a good spot for friends to hang out. Others have mentioned the location in the tenderloin isn't the best, but honestly as an SF native, it's on the edge of the neighborhood and not that bad compared to other streets - don't let that deter you from coming! The drinks are worth it and I'll definitely be back.

    Riley H.

    I looooved Propagation. Lots of unique seating and a great, beautiful ambiance. The plants were stunning there was a great atmosphere to the place. The bartenders were truly so friendly and kind. Pretty much all of their cocktails are $16, which felt reasonable given the unique and interesting menu. I'd love to go back and taste more of their drinks!

    Nastaran A.

    Such a cute vibe with all the plants! They had some really delicious and unique cocktails. I had one with seasame oil that gave it just the right savory-ness. Also super cute Halloween decor during October.

    Christian C.

    As a big plant lover, I really wanted to love Propagation -- the greenery-filled concept is adorable. But the vibe missed for me. The music was loud and not great, the lighting felt way too dark, and my drink just didn't hit (especially for $16). Cute idea, but the experience didn't live up to the aesthetics.

    Inside
    Sami R.

    I was doing what seemed like a tour of all the cocktail bars in this area haha and this place didn't disappoint!! It felt like I was walking into a nursery and I LOVED IT. I don't know how they take care of all those plants because mine always die but it was beautiful. The bartender was so nice and funny too. Drinks were great. I'm a fan for sure. I'll be back to see the Christmas decorations they put up!

    Apple of my Eye
    Ryan M.

    This place was a few blocks from the hotel, super cool vibe. The cocktails were great, not cheap but not expensive. I believe their cocktails are $16. Not a bad spot for a good cocktail if you are looking for a spot.

    Vy T.

    Beautiful space. I'm excited to bring groups of friends here and I could personally sit here and work for hours!!!! The good: - Immaculate vibe. Good, chill music and lots of greenery to make me happy. - a nice, wide selection of drinks The meh: - they could up the design of their cups... mine had a big ice cube that was too big for the cup itself.... - only one of the three drinks we had was balanced. I've heard a lot about this bar and was expecting a little more. Maybe it was an off day. - we had to walk up and bring our cocktails to our table, which is fine but for a nice craft cocktail bar with only one other set of customers at the time, I'd expect them to bring it to us.

    See all

    4 years ago

    Amazing drinks, amazing vibes and amazing plants!!! Must go!!!!!!! this place has fresh drinks and great service.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joyce L.
    301
    82
    96

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Good drinks. Great vibe. Awesome bartenders. Went on a first date here. Such a perfect atmosphere!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of M B.
    1
    103
    16

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    The place is dimly lit and provides a nice cozy vib. The drinks are tasty! The staff were really nice!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of K A.
    129
    46
    19

    5 years ago

    Good bar. Good plants. Good drinks. People are great. And they check for vax cards! There's this one plant in the corner. Really nice.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    It is a nice small place, I enjoyed my time. The service was great, but they do not have a full bar.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    So glad this new place opened in my hood. The owners are super cool for bringing beauty and design into lower Nob Hill. Check them out

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Fantastic little neighborhood bar! Owners were welcoming and lovely to talk to. Good drinks, cool vibes. It's a gem!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Cool vibe and good music but bar tender has had a foul attitude the past 3 times I've gone.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dar C.
    829
    9
    2

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of sophie s.
    1218
    22
    8

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lynn P.
    0
    22
    12

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Emily G.
    332
    26
    4

    5 years ago

    beautiful little spot, glad i made the effort to check it out. really well-laid out seating options/floor plan. great date spot.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joel R.
    0
    15
    14

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 5 of 5

    Ask the Community - Propagation

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Cocktail Bars 13,095 times last month within 10 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Novela

    Novela

    4.0(1.6k reviews)
    0.8 miFinancial District, SoMa
    $$
    Casual dining
    Full bar

    Loved, loved, loved this cute and super asteric bar! Their happy hour hits hard. Mon-Sat until 7…read morepm. Staff was super attentive and had beautiful descriptions of the ingredients for the drinks (I always love a little dive into how spirits are produced and from where!) The HH punches were delicious and a little dangerous (winky face). Highly recommend!

    I've gotta say, I love the intimate vibes of this bar! Though we did sit in the middle of the…read moreplace, there are plenty of spots and corners to make it feel as cozy as the library aesthetic that they are going for. It's dark but still well lit inside. Bathrooms are nice and clean, too. Service was okay. What we got: - Punch on Tap flight - sampled four drinks, pretty good especially if you have FOMO like me or are scared to spend money on a drink that you might not end up liking! I think we ended up liking 2/4 of - Mini churros - pricey for what you get (basically one churro cut up into four pieces), but it was our choice so we must now live with it lol Overall, I'd say it's great to visit once since it's an interesting concept for a bar. I've gotta say, I love the intimate vibes of this bar! Though we did sit in the middle of the place, there are plenty of spots and corners to make it feel as cozy as the library aesthetic that they are going for. It's dark but still well lit inside. Bathrooms are nice and clean, too. Service was okay. What we got: - Punch on Tap flight - sampled four drinks, pretty good especially if you have FOMO like me or are scared to spend money on a drink that you might not end up liking! I think we ended up liking 2/4 of - Mini churros - pricey for what you get (basically one churro cut up into four pieces), but it was our choice so we must now live with it lol I'd say it's great to visit once since it's an interesting concept for a bar.

    Photos
    Novela - The "Lena Younger" - Made with house made vermouth, ginger beer, citrus, fresh herbs, and gin. One of our newest house made cocktails!

    The "Lena Younger" - Made with house made vermouth, ginger beer, citrus, fresh herbs, and gin. One of our newest house made cocktails!

    Novela
    Novela

    See all

    Cityscape - Adult beverages and a mature crowd in an upscale atmosphere...

    Cityscape

    4.1(603 reviews)
    0.3 miUnion Square, Tenderloin
    $$$

    I stayed at the Hilton Union Square this weekend and ended up visiting Cityscape three different…read moretimes during my stay. On my first visit, I was helped by Jose, and he absolutely made the experience. Not only was he friendly and welcoming, but he took the time to explain some of the history of the bar and recommend several tequila-based cocktails that turned out to be fantastic. His knowledge and customer service were so good that I specifically looked for him on my next two visits. The views at Cityscape are incredible, with different perspectives of San Francisco depending on which side of the bar you're on. Yes, the drinks are on the pricier side, but between the quality, atmosphere, and unbeatable views, they're well worth it. One thing I really like is how easy it is to visit. Just walk into the Hilton Union Square, head to the elevators, and go straight to the 46th floor--no check-in or hassle required. A big shoutout to Jose for making every visit memorable. Great drinks, amazing views, and outstanding service. I'll definitely be back.

    Cityscape is something you should definitely check out for a nightcap! It does get crowded pretty…read morequickly, so if your interested get there early. Atmosphere is sophisticated but laid back. Dress to impress or come casual, honestly doesn't matter. Bring that ID, They do card you before you enter, and give you a wristband that says you're over 21. The stunning 360 views of San Francisco and the bay are stunning. Get that phone out and snap them pictures! They have a list of cocktails to order from, definitely bring your wallet, they are pricey.

    Photos
    Cityscape
    Cityscape
    Cityscape - Espresso Martini

    See all

    Espresso Martini

    Shelby's Rooftop Lounge - Orange blossom creme brulee

    Shelby's Rooftop Lounge

    3.9(432 reviews)
    0.8 miSoMa
    $$$

    We went there for lunch to celebrate my nephew's 50th birthday. The lunch menu was very limited so…read morewe all had the chicken sandwich. It was ok. The 4 stars review is for our waitress. She was very attentive. When we got there at 12:30pm we all decided to sit inside since it was a little cold on the patio. After about an hour the sun came out and we decided to move outside on the patio. That was short lived since it got so hot and no shade so we all went back inside. There were 2 other brave customers who stayed outside the entire time. The view from the patio is spectacular. I'm sure it's even nicer during the night when all the high rise buildings are all lit up. I'm sure it's nice to see all the lights during Christmas. I would go back at dinner to experience the night views from the patio. One suggestion I have is for Shelby's to provide some awnings or shades, and I think they would attract more daytime customers. Overall a nice venue, and will definitely be back to try the dinner menu.

    Reservations were easy to make through the online portal, and the ambiance was genuinely lovely --…read moreluxurious yet comfortable. The views of the city lights at night were beautiful, and the cool breeze added to the experience. Unfortunately, several aspects of the evening fell short. The music was uncomfortably loud, making conversation difficult. The charcuterie board was underwhelming, with items that felt more store‑bought than curated. The pear and prosciutto pizza also missed the mark in both presentation and appeal. Service was fine, though it carried a level of pretentiousness that didn't match the quality delivered. The biggest disappointment, however, was the condition of the restrooms. They were extremely dirty -- out of paper towels, only one functioning hand dryer, a dirty sink, and wet floors. For a dinner totaling $260 among friends, having to freshen up in a shared restroom in that condition was genuinely off‑putting. As a former restaurant owner, I know restroom upkeep is basic customer service and not difficult to maintain. Many establishments manage this every 30 minutes without issue. I truly wanted to enjoy this place and hoped it might have just been an off night, but the overall experience didn't justify the price. San Francisco deserves restaurants that deliver both atmosphere and consistent quality.

    Photos
    Shelby's Rooftop Lounge - The bar

    The bar

    Shelby's Rooftop Lounge - Roasted cauliflower

    Roasted cauliflower

    Shelby's Rooftop Lounge - Shelby's Breakfast Plate with Bacon

    See all

    Shelby's Breakfast Plate with Bacon

    Lost Cat Bar & Bites

    Lost Cat Bar & Bites

    4.5(216 reviews)
    0.3 miUnion Square, Lower Nob Hill
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Private events

    Came because of the name of this bar. Crafted beer was good. Tried several cocktails: Dumpster Cat…read moreand another one I don't remember the name of, but both were decent. Apparently, an actual cat is sometimes present at this bar. Service was nice, girls are friendly. Wish there were more vegan snacks on the menu. Parking was a bit challenging.

    I was walking around the area near my hotel, and decided to pop in for a drink and a snack.... 100%…read morebased on the name alone. As a cat lady missing my cats at home, I was hoping to see real live cats but I'd settle for a good cat theme! I was the only person in the bar on a Sunday at 4PM, and they were still cleaning and setting up when I arrived. I ordered the Thai Tea Milk Punch (Scotch-based) because I'll never turn down anything TT-flavored, and the chips with spinach/artichoke dip. The bartender made me a delicious drink and brought out water. I made myself comfortable at a high top near the window. The bar was dark and cozy and I loved the balance of cat decor... it was noticeable but not TOO much. I saw an indoor clear "catio" that looked like it was set up for a cat to live in, but sadly, no cat. I finished my drink and was about to leave, thinking they forgot about my chips/dips because no one had ever said anything to me about them. They were brought out just as I was about to close my tab, so I hung out a little longer. It was decent, solid hot spinach/artichoke dip with extra cheese on top. I really liked my drink and might come back for another one, or something in a cat mug! Friendly, laid-back vibes.

    Photos
    Lost Cat Bar & Bites
    Lost Cat Bar & Bites
    Lost Cat Bar & Bites

    See all

    Propagation - cocktailbars - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...