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    Wunderbar

    4.6 (209 reviews)
    ModerateCocktail Bars
    Open 4:30 pm - 11:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

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    Erick T.

    Hands down the best cocktail lounge in San Mateo! The drinks here are delicious and wonderfully prepared the Shogun is my favorite. The process of finding this speakeasy lounge is really playful and fun. Hint: follow the little bunnies down the stairs to the basement floor below Whisper (formerly Wursthall) and peek behind the red curtain. Service is top notch and incredibly helpful and friendly. The self service popcorn cart is a really nice touch as well. I'd highly recommend a visit here!

    Bar inside
    Matt D.

    This lil speakeasy was great, honestly only giving this a 4 star because I don't want to make it seem like I 5 star everything lol. The staff was very welcoming and accommodated my family even though they were fully booked with reservations. Their drink menu has a variety of options catered to their dark fantasy theme. And it matches well with their cavernous pub aesthetic inside. I very much appreciate a themed bar and they avoid a cheap and tacky decor. I got their painkiller I believe and I tasted a few others. All tasted good and were not stingy on the alcohol. Bonus they give out free popcorn ! Definitely one of the more bars in San Mateo with true character

    Tien N.

    Speakeasy Wunderbar is a fun little hidden spot in San Mateo that's worth checking out if you're looking for a laid-back place to catch up with friends. Reservations are required, and once you get there you head down to the basement where the bar is tucked away. The space is pretty small, which actually makes it feel cozy and intimate. The staff were super friendly and welcoming, and we have self service to get the complimentary popcorn, which is a nice touch while you sip your drinks. Speaking of drinks, they're delicious. I ordered the Dream Catcher (ube + coffee + alcohol) and it was very yummy, sweet, unique, and easy to drink. Only downside: the basement had a bit of a funky smell that wasn't the most pleasant. Not a dealbreaker, but definitely noticeable. Overall, it's a chill, low-key spot with creative cocktails and a relaxed atmosphere. Totally recommended for chatting with friends over drinks!

    King Louie
    Jason X.

    Great cocktail bar that adds a vibe that San Mateo downtown is low on. Great service and love how the menu is structured in pairs with a traditional cocktail and a similar-but-creative cocktail. Only complaint is that the entrance hallway can smell like trash at times since it's the basement of the above restaurant

    Den area
    Michelle K.

    This place is usually pretty great! The popcorn is nice and fresh, not stale, and they have a popcorn maker. The drinks are good, very traditional with slight twists. It's underneath another restaurant so the entrance is hard to find, but it's got a very Alice in wonderland theme - just rub the rabbit at the door and you're in. 4 stars because the service is a little slow - but everyone was very kind, will continue to come back here

    Laura O.

    Ok, this was actually a couple years ago. I just forgot to do a review then. This place is really fun. Inside is very dark and moody and the drinks were delicious. The servers were pretty quick and the bartenders made some nice drinks! It was fun getting inside the speakeasy!

    bengal tiger + holy water
    Donna T.

    I'm so sad that we didn't discover Wunderbar sooner, as they are expected to go on hiatus starting on 9/27. It feels like the kind of speakeasy you'd expect to see in a film, or the way you'd imagine a "true" one might be. Enchanting vibes start at the entrance, which is below Wursthall and behind a red set of velvet curtains. When you see a glowing rabbit amongst a bookshelf wall, you push the door to transcend into the magical Wunderbar that awaits. What struck me most was the sheer artistry of the drinks. Their menu is represented by a set of tarot cards: the white side consists of their traditional drinks and the flip dark side depicts their more inventive and unique cocktails. We sampled 6 different drinks and each of them were so distinct and exquisite; especially the bengal tiger. Once you've experienced cocktails crafted at this level, it's impossible to see cocktails the same way again. Service was fine; our server was pretty on top of noticing when we needed more drinks. We had a timed 2-hour reservation window for our high-top table and they definitely kept track of it. Lastly, they have a retro popcorn machine for you to grab free popcorn from which is a super cool feat. I really hope they return back from their hiatus!

    Intimate bar, well-stocked with good liquors
    Bennett L.

    Stumbled upon this bar purely by accident while searching for something else to do in downtown San Mateo on Yelp! and I'm glad that I did. It is a tiny, hidden treasure nestled underneath the [former] Würsthall beer hall (now the Whisper breakfast spot) on the corner of B Street & Baldwin Avenue in the heart of downtown San Mateo. Half the fun is just finding the place. I had no idea it even existed until I randomly found it on Yelp! but once I discovered it, I made a reservation to find out what it was about. First of all, it has no outside entrance. You have to access it by going through Whisper/Würsthall, then proceed down stairs into the basement- follow the white rabbit clues to discover the entrance. Admission is by reservation & online booking only. You book a 2-hour block at a table or at the bar, and you have to start drinking & get down to business right away. You are on a timer, and they remind you that your time is about to expire, so finish up and leave. It's not the kind of place that you can hang out at and relax and not care about time and get wrapped up in conversation or company, it's sort of like a version of speed-dating, speed-drinking, so order, drink, and leave. Kind of weird, never experienced anything like this before, but it was fun and had a nice atmosphere, I just wished that i could enjoy it a little bit longer. I guess the strategy here would be to book back-to-back two-hour blocks to ensure your spot for the night. Hard to get settled in, when they remind you that your time is about to expire. Almost felt stressful & a bit rushed, two hours at a bar can go by very quickly! Anyways, it's an Alice in Wonderland-themed establishment. It's a private speakeasy bar, only available by reservation and notice, you can't simply walk in off the street and sit down for s drink. Almost feels exclusive. It's dark, cozy, and well-decorated, clean, and warm. There are real books, trinkets, and decor to gaze around at & interact with. Felt like the setting of a Harry Potter book, with books, statues, pictures, and bookcases, like a library in Hogwarts. Music is good, volume is conducive to conversation & mood (not too loud, upbeat, and modern). The leather chairs at the bar were comfortable, and the side tables were small and cozy. In thr back, there's larger round tables for gatherings of 3-4. There's even a private nook that you can book for more intimate, larger parties of 5-6. The place was mostly full of 20-40 year old techie professionals unwinding from a long day at the office. Dress code seemed casual, yet also upscale & professional. No ball caps, athletic jerseys, sweatpants, or flip flops here, but I suppose that you could get away with it, but then you'd stand out. We sampled some pilsners & lagers from Scrimshaw & Almanac. They were priced very well from $4-8 per can. We also tried some of their terrific cocktails such as Shogun (Japanese whiskey), Poison Apple (brandy & scotch apple), and the Spirit Animal (spicy margarita with reposado tequila). Everything was made quickly, efficiently, and with a bit of pizzazz from a cordial, friendly, and attentive bartender. The rest of the support staff were busy bussing tables, cleaning utensils, and prepping ingredients. Everybody working here was really hustling to serve the ever-revolving crowd of thirsty patrons and customers. The drinks were delicious and price well for the level of service, atmosphere, and exclusivity here. Other than feeling a bit rushed to keep under our 2-hour reservation to make way for the parties, I really enjoy Wunderbar. It felt magical, cozy, enchanting, and intimate, and it really felt like an escape from the world above. It was so removed from everything above at street level, that I felt like I was in another world. And I was. I felt like I was in a book, on a journey, through time, space, and fantasy, and I enjoyed the escape. To top it off, they provide free popcorn to soak up all the alcohol that you can binge in two hours. The containers were nice & sturdy, and made to keep messes down to a minimum. Bathrooms also extremely clean, as were the bar surfaces, floors, and chairs. I can't wait to go back to try new cocktails & beers, and I want to bring other friends to share this experience. Ive been in San Mateo for over 50 years and I never knew such a wonderful place even existed, it's simply Wunderbar!

    Vibe
    Norris T.

    Nestled under Wurst Hall, this hidden speakeasy is a hidden gem where half the fun just to find it. You genuinely feel like you're stepping into another world when that secret bookcase door swings open (a tip: look for the interactive bunny!). The vibe is incredible: whimsical, magical, and utterly unique. Every detail, from the funky decor to the intimate, low-lit setting, makes you feel like you've stumbled into a fairytale. But the real stars are the drinks. As many of my group raved, these are top-tier craft cocktails. The bartenders are artists, mixing up "fantastical concoctions" that are as delicious as they are creative. It's easy to see why it's been called one of the best cocktail bars in the Bay Area. Perfect for a special night out or just when you need a little enchanting escape!

    Temple gate
    Rucha S.

    To enter Wunderbar, walk through the Wunderhall and head toward the area marked "Restroom." That's actually the hidden entrance! You'll find a small white rabbit on the staircase, a large red curtain, and a glowing rabbit tucked into a book nook. Wave at the rabbit, and the secret door unlatches--such a fun touch! You'll be greeted by the host once you enter. This is a reservations-only speakeasy, and bookings must be made through their website. The reservation is also tied to specific seating areas within the bar, so make sure to pick carefully. The space is quite small with limited seating, adding to the exclusivity. We had a 7:30 PM reservation and arrived around 7:20. The host wasn't very pleasant--he asked for the name on the reservation and pointed out that we were a bit early, though he did seat us. A little while later, he returned to explain the bar's concept: they offer both traditional cocktails and their modern interpretations. Unfortunately, we didn't find him warm or welcoming, which affected our overall impression. As for drinks, we tried the Sidewinder's Fang, Dusk Till Dawn, Temple, and Bengal Tiger. The drinks were decent, with Temple and Bengal Tiger being our favorites--subtle yet with a nice kick. There's also a cute little popcorn stand in the corner where you can grab complimentary popcorn. Overall, it was a good experience with creative presentation and ambiance, but we wish the host had been more friendly. That definitely impacted our rating.

    Bengal Tiger
    Amanda Y.

    My friends and I love visiting this speakeasy, which sits below J. Kenji Lopez Alt's Wursthall (great spot). You enter the bar behind a curtain and a bookshelf door - so fun - and you are greeted with the dimly lit and cozy mysterious vibes of Wunderbar. Service is good, and the drinks and popcorn are great! Haven't had a bad drink here yet!

    Free birthday shots
    Roselyn D.

    We came here to celebrate two of our friends' birthdays and we all had such a wonderful time! My favorite drinks were the bengal tiger (if you're into dark spirits) and the temple (lighter drinks, the base for this one was gin). Both the pho spices (Bengal) and the Sichuan spice (Temple) were really nice hints and not overpowering at all. Very innovative if you're looking to try something new and unique. They also gave us all free birthday shots, which were very yummy! (Other drinks we ordered were the ube one, and holy water which you could taste the spirits more, but definitely the temple one was my favorite) Free popcorn in the main space was very nice to have with the drinks, especially since one of our friends didn't have a chance to eat much beforehand. Also despite being in a semi-private area, service was great and they checked on us frequently. Booking is very easy through their website (reservation only, not sure if you could just walk in), and I booked the nook, which is a semi-private little space in the corner, near the entrance. We really enjoyed the space (a bit dark so you'll need your phones to look through the menu in there, but it's a really cool space!

    French 75
    Viji S.

    Love the ambience here. It very dark and has great vibe. Bartenders are usually wry nice but sometimes you might find a chip here and theretheir drinks are never watered down , they do not skimp on alcohol.. love their cocktails

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    Fogbird

    Fogbird

    4.0
    (201 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    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.

    Photos
    Angry Bird and Shirley Temple
    Angry Bird and Shirley Temple
    Happy hour drinks
    Happy hour drinks
    Nice interior.

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    Nice interior.
    Gao Viet Kitchen & Bar - San Mateo

    Gao Viet Kitchen & Bar - San Mateo

    4.0
    (2.2k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Wow wow wow! Expansive menu for Vietnamese food that hit on every level. I didn't realize how much…read morethey offered - I was so tempted to order everything and I nearly did! The only thing I found a bit underwhelming was the pho broth and felt it wasn't flavorful as it could've been. It was missing a tad more saltiness for my liking. We were also looking forward to trying the bun mam but they were sold out for the night. The banh khoc was my favorite since it was so light, airy and not at all oily! Even the fish sauce was just right. Oh and the drinks? Very well crafted and delivered in flavor and creativity. The colors also pulled you in! And the flight of coffee was the finishing touch for me. Service was very quick and efficient. We were seated upstairs which was spacious being in downtown. The ambiance was very nice and lively.

    Everything finally worked out in our favor (in the area and got on the waitlist in time) for us to…read morevisit the original GAO. Honestly, I prefer the SF location more. The dining experience is a lot more cramped here, at least in the downstairs dining area. There was also a bunch of gnats? Fruit flies? Flying everywhere. I get that it was hot and probably why they left the door open, but it was annoying and kind of gross to constantly have to be swatting insects away from our food. Food wise, I was craving a pho, and the brisket pho did hit the spot. However I found the noodles a bit too overcooked without the typical bite I like in my pho noodles. Overall, my favorite item was actually the cafe trio. The corn coffee was unique and I enjoyed it a lot!

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    Inside at the bar
    Inside at the bar
    Banh Canh Gio Heo $25.00
    Banh Canh Gio Heo $25.00
    Banh hoi with pork belly

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    Banh hoi with pork belly
    Olhso House

    Olhso House

    4.2
    (408 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$$$
    Locally owned & operated
    Minority-owned & operated

    AMAZING! Jaw dropping, drooling over culinary taste!…read more We ordered all their specialties from their live fire menu. It's grilled in the back over Binchotan Emberhaus. Then they bring it to your table with a hot coal platter to warm up the meat! Amazing!!! The meat selections were out this world! Their short rib meat and the pork belly melted in your mouth! I cannot wait to go back!

    TL;DR: 1. Mediocre…read moreby Korean standards, above average for the Bay Area. But normalize for price and Daeho and plenty of other options are clearly better. 2. Atrocious management that puts this new place on a path to fail quickly. 3. Staff initially tried hard to help, but four dishes we ordered never arrived; instead, we were simply brought the check. Details: The one star is for management. The food itself is mediocre by Korean standards, though above average for the Bay Area. I booked through Resy with no indication that there were menu limitations. And outside of different tiers of KBBQ AYCE, what exactly is a "menu limitation" anyway? After we sat down, we were told that the prix fixe menu is only available at tables with a grill. The irony is that, regardless of which table you sit at, all of the food is actually cooked in the kitchen. Our table had a warming tray plus a candle-lit skillet--the candle went out about two minutes after the waiter lit it. There are also two layers of air between the food and the heat source, with so much space in between that you could fit a SpaceX rocket there. The service staff initially tried hard to help with the discrepancy between what was bookable and what was actually available, and I was ready to give them five stars for trying. After all, the policy isn't their fault. We then ordered the remaining meats on the menu so I could actually assess the full offering. Instead of receiving them, we were simply brought the check. That makes any substantive review of the food inherently incomplete, but here goes: * The non-prix-fixe menu has a total of eight meat options: two pork (jowl and belly), one chicken, and five beef (two kalbi preparations, skirt steak, bulgogi, and tongue). * We had the pork jowl and belly. Both are hard to mess up given the fat content, and they were fine. The bigger problem is the setup: the heat source is simply too weak to keep the protein warm. * We also had the salted kalbi and beef tongue. The kalbi was forgettable--thankfully not oversauced, but neither exceptionally marbled nor fall-off-the-bone tender. The beef tongue was chewy; despite the flower-cut preparation, it could certainly have used more tenderization. * We ordered the chicken, skirt steak, OLHSO kalbi, and bulgogi. They miraculously never came. Instead, we got the check. So I honestly cannot comment on the rest of the available menu, because I was never given the chance to taste it despite having ordered it.

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    Olhso House
    Olhso House
    Olhso House

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    Bar Underdog

    Bar Underdog

    4.3
    (56 reviews)
    13.8 mi

    I think it's kind of funny that there is such a discourse amongst other reviews about whether or…read morenot this place is a speakeasy. As a speakeasy enthusiast myself I definitely agree to the fact that it is "hidden" but also it does kinda give corporate vibes a little bit - maybe we can say they "gentrified" the speakeasy experience which is honestly so funny for Palo Alto. But anyways I don't think a classification should stop you from visiting it. The food is actually surprisingly really good. We came with a pescatarian and honestly while the offerings for snacks were a bit slim, every option was really good. I feel like this was the first time where I understood the price even the the quantity is no where close to be desired. One shrimp is like $6 and I was like whoah. Service is definitely more laid back and it's overall just like a more chill atmosphere. I'm fortunate to work nearby so I'll definitely visit this place a few times after work to blow off some steam... And the drinks! Yes they are good! They are also quite strong! Would come back again but also if you're conscious of budget then I'm not sure if you'll find the same value proposition.

    Note: I believe the menu has changed since my last visit…read more Stopped by Bar Underdog for a quick drink and was recommended their take on a martini from the "Traditional" section. It came out quickly, crisp, and as cold as it gets. I also tried a shrimp dish from the "Steamed" section, and it was delicious. Their chicken was also larger than I expected, making it a good bang for your buck, especially if you plan on grabbing a few drinks. Excited to come back and try more of their cocktails!

    Photos
    Fru-ti Punch and Old Soul
    Fru-ti Punch and Old Soul
    Bar Underdog
    Bar Underdog

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    Wunderbar - cocktailbars - Updated August 2026

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