Sky Lounge

Fogbird is easily one of the best spots around for a mid- to late-night drink after dinner. The…read morespace is extremely clean, cute, and comfortable, creating the perfect ambiance to wind down your evening. The Highlights: Food & Drinks: They have a great selection of classic cocktails and an approachable menu of bar bites that pair effortlessly with the drinks. Perfect for a late-night snack! Just keep in mind that while they're open until midnight, last call for food is before 9 PM. Pricing: Very reasonable for the quality. Their Happy Hour is a stellar deal, with drinks ranging from $9-$13 and bites between $7-$14. Service: The staff is wonderfully kind and hard-working. With a small team (typically two servers and one bartender), service can run a bit on the slower side when it's busy, but the personal touch--like the bartender personally bringing drinks over to our table--makes a big difference. Seating & Group Size: Walk-Ins: You can easily walk in most days with a small party, though making a reservation in advance never hurts if you want to guarantee a spot. Party Size: Stick to smaller groups. We've tried coming with a party larger than 10 before, but it gets busy and is much better suited for small, intimate gatherings. Overall, a lovely spot with great vibes and sweet service. Will definitely keep coming back!

Fogbird is definitely worth a visit if you're in downtown San Mateo. Their cocktails are creative,…read morewell-balanced, and full of flavor, making each sip enjoyable. The ambiance is just as impressive, stylish, cozy, and perfect for a date night, a night out with friends, or simply unwinding after a long day. If you're exploring downtown San Mateo, I highly recommend stopping by and giving Fogbird a try.

Angry Bird and Shirley Temple

Nectar of the gods

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Happy hour drinks

Mortar & Pestle Bar

4.2(446 reviews)

The drinks were great and Bryan was so friendly and awesome! Definitely worth checking out.read more

Mortar & Pestle is such a hidden gem in downtown San Mateo, tucked behind Curry Up Now (go through…read morethe alley, it's worth finding). The Indian-inspired cocktails are always a hit, but this last visit was next level thanks to our bartender, Lee. We stopped in just to catch a vibe and ended up staying way longer than planned because every drink he made was better than the last. He really worked his magic behind the bar. I've been here quite a few times, and while the service hasn't always stood out, Lee completely changed that. He was welcoming, personable, and made the entire experience memorable. We came too late for the kitchen this time, but the food has always been great on past visits. Lee is the reason I finally felt compelled to leave a 5-star review. We'll definitely be back!

Bar

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Mango Sangria

The Barrel Bistro And Wine Bar

Locally owned & operated

The best restaurante i have Ever been I love the ambience. It's the best restaurant for dating.read more

Figen was a fantastic server and made the whole experience memorable. The sea bass and short ribs…read morewere amazing.

The best Brunch menu in San Mateo

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Our newest breakfast menu

Vinyl Room

4.0(525 reviews)

1.5 mi

I was at a local mixer event when we decided to come by here and continue the party. The Vinyl Room…read moreis always a solid choice because of the drinks, but especially because of the no cover charge at the door. The DJ was pretty good that night and he covered top music from 90's to today. Drinks were sooooo good!! We started off with just tequila and soda, but as the night got later I needed a little pick me up. I was initially going for an espresso martini, but I saw After Hours which consisted of Tequila Reposado, Espresso Liquor 43, Coconut and Milk Wash and ofc I had to get that... All I can say is WOW!! There were other drinks that looked really interesting too, but I wasn't trying to get too faded, so I'll have to come back and check them out. Service was very prompt and friendly despite it being pretty busy.

I went to Vinyl Room on 4/21/26 around 10pm with my friend, her boyfriend, and my wife and it was…read moresuper fun! Not a lot of people were there, so it was a relaxing environment to talk to them in. We got so many drinks -- they're typical prices for bars, but I am very glad about my selection being drinks I thoroughly enjoyed. Jarrito Jam was my first one, it was delicious, but I honestly bought it to hold the little clay pot it came in. Nutty By Nature was my second drink. I enjoyed it, but it lacked the pistachio aspect of the flavorings. Orange Crush was my third drink and I loved it more than Nutty By Nature. My spouse got a Tiki Track and Tropicana and loved both of them a lot! I also loved my spouse's Tropicana drink and plan on getting it tonight when we go back to get my wallet I left there! Thank you to the people who picked up the phone today and helped me locate my wallet!

Cocktails stirred slow. Records played all the way through.

Needle Drop. Full tracks. No rush. Let it play.

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Our main bar -- where the records spin and the night begins.

Barrelhouse Burlingame

It was not busy at all on a Monday around 8:45pm. Parking found within half a block…read more I was pleasantly surprised to find out they have the same owners as Persona in SF! And they both have a matcha drink on the menu. I ended up getting the Horse trainer's daughter. It was refreshing and tasty.

Mario greeted my party and the staff really took care of us. Went on a Thursday and it wasn't too…read morebusy until after 6:30pm. The empanadas were phenomenal and the drinks were so so good! I liked Passion punch the most. We're definitely coming back for happy hour. FYI - They don't have a large menu of food.

Empanadas time

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Bucky's Cocktail Lounge

4.4(90 reviews)

0.9 mi

•$

Do you like a dive bar? Do you like to watch the game…read morewithout others blocking the TV? Do you like to find a seat at the bar or near it? Do you like when your shoes don't stick to the floor bc it's actually clean? How about bartenders being friendly and responsive - like that? I do. That's why I keep coming back to bucks. I love the comfort in here. It's never so packed I can't move. It's not so empty I feel weird. I do wish the second room had a pool table and there was food here (pizza, wings, dive bar food) or even a taco truck outside. Otherwise I could easily be here more often. Lol... my liver said that's a bad idea anyways. Im also 99% of the way towards buying a neon sign reading "i don't give a buck" to hang next to the deer head. Tho... my husband has run this past the owner and he didnt seem enthused lol. See you soon, Bucky's!

I am torn with this review because I used to go here when Kelly owned this place and it was super…read morenostalgic with its old school vibes and it was just cool!! And now it's still super cool but now it's all new and still a nice place to go to and super friendly service. But if I had a choice i would most definitely want the old school place back lol

Bar area

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B Street & Vine

4.1(2k reviews)

Decent spot for drinks…read more Pretty solid place with a good selection of drinks. The bar staff were great and made the experience enjoyable. They have a lot of options to choose from, and the cocktails were definitely the highlight. Well-made, flavorful, and easy to enjoy. I also tried the wine. It was just okay to me, but honestly, I'm probably not the best person to judge wine since I don't really know how to appreciate it properly. Overall, a good spot for drinks, especially if cocktails are more your thing.

I honestly don't understand all the glowing reviews for B Street & Vine. Our experience was…read moredisappointing from start to finish. We sat outside, and the atmosphere felt tired and uninspired. There was nothing particularly inviting or memorable about the space. We ordered the bruschetta sampler ($24), choosing the mango, salmon, mushroom with prosciutto, and tomato mozzarella varieties. Surprisingly, they all tasted almost exactly the same. Nothing tasted fresh or vibrant. The bread was especially disappointing--bland, lacking texture, and seemingly devoid of flavor. The mango wasn't sweet, the tomatoes tasted like nothing, and even the mozzarella lacked freshness and character. The wine was equally underwhelming. My husband ordered the Tempranillo and I had the Albariño. Neither was enjoyable; both tasted harsh and overly alcoholic rather than balanced or flavorful. Even the presentation missed the mark. The glassware felt dated and unattractive, which only added to the overall feeling that the restaurant is past its prime. Unfortunately, this was not a memorable meal for the right reasons. With so many great dining options available, we won't be returning.

Indoor

Autostrada Panini | @whaevaeats

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Bruschetta | @whaevaeats

A2 Wine Bar

4.8(34 reviews)

They have live music on a Friday night and we happened to just walk by and decided to try one of…read moretheir wine flights. Owners were really nice and a totally different vibe compared to all the other places in DTSM. Great place to relax and get a NY ambiance.

Cute little pop up on Sundays when the wine bar is not open. Great quality matcha and delicious…read moredesserts, not too sweet.

Love the wine glasses

White wine classic flight

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Pausa Bar & Cookery

4.2(1.1k reviews)

0.1 mi

•$$$

Well deserved Bib Gourmand status! It was a beautiful day, with sunlight filtering though the tree…read moreleaves as I was sat outside for my dinner. I ordered the house made focaccia and margherita pizza. Yes, I love carbs. The foccacia is delicious. The bread goes through a 72 hour dough maturation so it develops these really complex, mouthwatering, savory flavors even though it's made with simple ingredients: yeast, flour (Primitiva), salt, and brushed olive oil. That's it! The crumb is fine and as light as the puffy clouds in the sky. If you wanted to, you could probably ball up a piece of bread the size of my hand into the size of a ping pong ball, but why would you? Enjoy the bread as it is presented. The edges of the bread are charred a little, adding extra texture and flavor. I'm actually kind of confused how to eat the bread as it's cut into large hunks, but there's no butter or dipping oils, so I ended up gnawing into the bread like a rat. The margherita pizza came out pre cut, but the paper-thin crust in the middle of the pie was somehow still substantial enough to not get soggy that quickly. The huge leaves of basil were very fragrant, and the tomato sauce was bright, balanced, and captured the best essence of tomato. It played well with the cheese. The crust was made of a different dough, chewy, pliable, savory, and spotted beautifully. Service was wonderful. The waiter boxed up my leftover pizza (and even asked if I wanted to box up the slice of pizza crust I couldn't finish-yes of course!). Very thoughtful. It's a shame I was too full to order dessert.

Went for a dinner date before a movie and found the restaurant particularly well suited for sharing…read moreseveral dishes over a bottle/glass of wine. For starters, we shared the meat & cheese board which our waitress recommended the off menu combo plate (2 meats & 2 cheeses for ~$40). Solid and straightforward rather than elaborate. The breads and especially the lard were the more interesting part. For entrees, we shared the diavola pizza: Good flavor with the crust being the standout. Worth mentioning that it's a softer, fork-and-knife style pizza rather than a crispy slice. Paired with the pizza was the Red wine mezzi rigatoni. Probably the most interesting savory dish. The pork sausage ragù and crispy sage made it different from a standard rigatoni. Pasta + Pizza was a great shareable combo. Lastly to round off the meal, desserts. The Chocolate trifle was the disappointment. The amount of foam overwhelmed everything else and made it underwhelming. The bomboloni were much better, particularly with the peaches. Tobias Take: Great option for people who want wine, charcuterie/cheese and several dishes for the table to share. Their meat/cheese selection and wine list are major strengths. This place shines when you order several things for the table rather than everyone ordering an individual entrée.

Great ambiance

Mixed Chicories Salad (Amarosa Potatoes, Radish, Blu di Bufala Fonduta, Basil Vinaigrette)

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Pizza Margherita

Gao Viet Kitchen & Bar - San Mateo

4.0(2.2k reviews)

0.0 mi

Came in around Thursday evening around 6pm. The staff is strict that everyone must be present to be…read moreseated. We were able to get in before the rush and got seated. We each ordered a pho: brisket pho and chubby pho, and then the banh cuon plate to share. The food was really good and honestly no complaints but just a note for myself and anyone who can relate, next time I will try not to pick a pho without marrow because it made the broth really fatty near the end and I didn't care for it. The beef quality was tender and good. The broth was tasty and clear besides the marrow which cause some oil rings spotting on top. The bang cuon was pretty good and I love nem chao tom. Not sure if it is nem but very similar.

The food was good, but overpriced. The service was extremely offputting. I checked in and my party…read moremembers went to the bathroom after a long 2 hour drive. The host told us to go upstairs, where multiple servers asked where my party was and if they were here before seating me. I told them they were in the bathroom, and they didn't believe me and checked in with the host. Right after being seated, the server immediately said there's a 90 minute time limit and asked if we were ready to order. But, she didn't tell that to any other parties seated afterwards. Felt extremely unwelcome and rushed compared to other tables.

Inside at the bar

Banh Canh Gio Heo $25.00

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Banh hoi with pork belly

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

7 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Daniella F.

0

7

21

9 years ago

my God, the place is bad, the only advantage is that it does not pay to enter, but the drinks are very expensive, it's absurd, the place is a little suspicious, I do not want to spend even at the door anymore.Really bad, i don't lindo. This is place is hood! read more

Norman S.

0

23

1

11 years ago

Excellent sports bar nice and clean and very friendly bar tender very good place to watch game here lots beers choice and good mix drinks

Malhi S.

0

6

2

4 years ago

Great place for private party downtown San Mateo really good happy hour march 16 happy hour with Dj door open at five

Hillary V.

0

1

0

9 years ago

i been here couple times and i have to say that is a good area to hangout with.

Jonathon J.

Elite 21

117

207

477

12 years ago

Good crowd, good drinks, excellent party!

John C.

19

27

0

13 years ago

Good drinks.

N M.

24

21

3

11 years ago

Blah

Sky Lounge - lounges - Updated September 2026

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Blacksmith

3.7

(323 reviews)

Cocktail spot in downtown Redwood City with happy hour…read more Highlights: - Happy hour; $3 off like can choose from most anything, Monday-Friday 3-6pm - Outdoor area on street to hang out - Nice bartender - Have more drink options posted behind the bar that are on the menu - 8 minute walk from train Midlights: - Drinks are just ok: vesper and old fashioned 3 stars Lowlights: - No snack options

This place is so cool and they have such great music on the weekends…read more During the holiday season, they have a hot thoties. Totally recommend this for the cold season. The staff is extremely efficient with getting drinks together quickly, especially when they're busy I don't believe that they serve food The only area of opportunity for this place is for the amount of drinks that they're serving. There's only two bathrooms. So expect to stand in a long line.

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Beautiful wooden bar with plenty of seating outside the bar. Very clean, good neighborhood bar with…read moretvs showing sports, dart boards and music playing.

Standard Irish Pub Surprisingly for an Irish pub - they did…read morenot have an Irish Red Ale - head scratcher Good location for a quick drink and chat The cute bartender knew how to pour a perfect Guinness :) 4 stars !!

The Rail Sports Bar & Lounge

3.1

(46 reviews)

I went here for the Super Bowl and there were surprisingly few people. The area behind the bar…read morelooks really nice and modern, and I loved the cozy touches inside, like the wood-burning fireplace and the colorful lights projecting. The bartender was kind and detail-oriented, and the space felt clean. There are a lot of food options, from American barbecue to Asian dishes, and the menu looked pretty big. It seemed like things moved at a slower pace while I was there, but overall it's a comfortable spot with plenty of choices.

The new owner is price gouging drinks. He charged me $100 for 2 shots of McCallan 15. The bottle in…read morestores costs $170. After speaking up, they reversed the charges to $40 each shot, which is still incredibly high. The Ritz in Half Moon Bay charges $25 for this exact drink, mind you, the service you get between a hole in a wall and the Ritz. I wouldn't suggest coming to this place.

Fogbird

4.0

(202 reviews)

Fogbird is easily one of the best spots around for a mid- to late-night drink after dinner. The…read morespace is extremely clean, cute, and comfortable, creating the perfect ambiance to wind down your evening. The Highlights: Food & Drinks: They have a great selection of classic cocktails and an approachable menu of bar bites that pair effortlessly with the drinks. Perfect for a late-night snack! Just keep in mind that while they're open until midnight, last call for food is before 9 PM. Pricing: Very reasonable for the quality. Their Happy Hour is a stellar deal, with drinks ranging from $9-$13 and bites between $7-$14. Service: The staff is wonderfully kind and hard-working. With a small team (typically two servers and one bartender), service can run a bit on the slower side when it's busy, but the personal touch--like the bartender personally bringing drinks over to our table--makes a big difference. Seating & Group Size: Walk-Ins: You can easily walk in most days with a small party, though making a reservation in advance never hurts if you want to guarantee a spot. Party Size: Stick to smaller groups. We've tried coming with a party larger than 10 before, but it gets busy and is much better suited for small, intimate gatherings. Overall, a lovely spot with great vibes and sweet service. Will definitely keep coming back!

Fogbird is definitely worth a visit if you're in downtown San Mateo. Their cocktails are creative,…read morewell-balanced, and full of flavor, making each sip enjoyable. The ambiance is just as impressive, stylish, cozy, and perfect for a date night, a night out with friends, or simply unwinding after a long day. If you're exploring downtown San Mateo, I highly recommend stopping by and giving Fogbird a try.

Vinyl Room

4.0

(525 reviews)

I was at a local mixer event when we decided to come by here and continue the party. The Vinyl Room…read moreis always a solid choice because of the drinks, but especially because of the no cover charge at the door. The DJ was pretty good that night and he covered top music from 90's to today. Drinks were sooooo good!! We started off with just tequila and soda, but as the night got later I needed a little pick me up. I was initially going for an espresso martini, but I saw After Hours which consisted of Tequila Reposado, Espresso Liquor 43, Coconut and Milk Wash and ofc I had to get that... All I can say is WOW!! There were other drinks that looked really interesting too, but I wasn't trying to get too faded, so I'll have to come back and check them out. Service was very prompt and friendly despite it being pretty busy.

I went to Vinyl Room on 4/21/26 around 10pm with my friend, her boyfriend, and my wife and it was…read moresuper fun! Not a lot of people were there, so it was a relaxing environment to talk to them in. We got so many drinks -- they're typical prices for bars, but I am very glad about my selection being drinks I thoroughly enjoyed. Jarrito Jam was my first one, it was delicious, but I honestly bought it to hold the little clay pot it came in. Nutty By Nature was my second drink. I enjoyed it, but it lacked the pistachio aspect of the flavorings. Orange Crush was my third drink and I loved it more than Nutty By Nature. My spouse got a Tiki Track and Tropicana and loved both of them a lot! I also loved my spouse's Tropicana drink and plan on getting it tonight when we go back to get my wallet I left there! Thank you to the people who picked up the phone today and helped me locate my wallet!

St James Gate Bar and Restaurant

3.7

(441 reviews)

I loved the sampler appetizer and the piña colada -- ask Leo to make you one; it's incredible!…read moreOwner Doug Mottern is down-to-earth and friendly, committed his whole life to making sure guests enjoy themselves and always going above and beyond to meet customers' expectations. He's decorated the bar and patios with Hawaiian-inspired touches that transport you to island vibes. The team is warm, fun, and genuinely welcoming, so the vibe is always buzzing. Don't miss Bingo every Tuesday -- win awesome prizes and make unforgettable memories with family and friends. Highly recommend! -------------------------- Stay for the smiles -- you'll leave inspired! Thank you for reading and also check my https://youtube.com/@mychannelantijsha?si=AmjF5ERTqbUai-9B

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I'm loving what you're doing to improve your new bar, Christina!!…read moreOverall the vibe, IS AWESOME!! We're loving it!!

Saturday night. Pub closes at 1am. 11am and they have the local news on, on the tele. . September 12read more

Wunderbar

4.6

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Found it on Yelp and decided to check it out. It was a bit of a drive from where I was in…read moreNewark/Fremont but I enjoyed the beautiful view and sunset as I crossed the (Dumbarton) bridge to San Mateo. I had read about how to get in etc but didn't catch the part about needing a reservation even on a weekday until I was 2 blocks away. I tried to get into the website but had trouble. Decided to wing it. They were very nice about not having a reservation. I waited a bit. Finally he said he had one seat at the bar but it was only free for 30min. I said that was perfect. I got a cocktail that was a cross between my two favorite cocktails- a lemon drop and a lychee martini. It was called a Wishing Well and I will replicate at home. Loved that they served it with a crystalline sugar stirrer! I didn't get anyone's name- the bartender or the host/bartender. But everyone was lovely. The atmosphere was cool too. It's not a chatty place- people there want to talk to who they are with. But I was there for the atmosphere and the creative cocktails! Would love to return but will make a reservation next time!!

Speakeasy located in the basement of a restaurant which you need to walk through. It can be jarring…read morewhen the restaurant is already closed and the lights are all on and you walk down to the basement haha. The bar was pretty neat with its cozy and dark environments. Unfortunately you need to reserve an appointment on a weekday. The staff were all pretty nice.

The Villa Roma Cocktail Lounge

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It's a nice spot. Stools go around the bar. The bar faces two pool tables and you karaoke on the…read moreside. Our bartender serves us well!

Nice little spot in Redwood City. They have a pool table, and Karokee night. This venue was not…read moretoo busy during 8pm to 9pm. The crowd starts to come in at 10:00ish and gets more crowded at 11:00pm. Friendly staff and reasonable priced drinks. Nice little spot to hang out. Parking can get a little tough because the parking lot fills in fast.

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