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Azul - CLOSED
Categories: Nightlife Bars Lounges Restaurants Tapas Bars Lounges, Tapas Bars [Edit]
1 Tillman Pl(at Grant Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94108
Neighborhood: Union Square
(415) 362-9750
- Delivery:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
326 reviews for Azul
Review Highlights
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"Great place - nice little happy hour hangout in the heart..." In 82 reviews -
"Full of hip hop artists and associated professionals within..." In 28 reviews -
"whoa, there's a bar across from banana republic." In 4 reviews
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326 reviews in English
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Review from Angela L.
6/10/2011
FOOD / DRINK:
1.) Prohobition draft = really tasty. Didn't know beer could have so many flavors lol
2.) White lightening = Lighter, smooth
3.) Garlic Fries = Really crispy, not soggy or oily. real minced garlic, some parmesan cheese on it
4.) Guacamole & chips = very simple
5.) Fish Taco = oOooh, I tried a lil of this. was expecting the fish to be like processed fish sticks but it was like real pieces of fish! yum! :)
SERVICE:
Ate at the bar :) Yup. It's one of those things. Gonna start being one of those ppl who like to order drinks & HH at the bar, and have a side of conversation with the bartender ;P
ATMOSPHERE:
I like this place, has a nice look to it. Went here for Dine for Change's happy hour benefit event :) Not sure if it normally gets crowded. The restaurant is hidden inside between big buildings, but at the same time, I can see that being the charm of the place. Little walk way leading into, with few tables to enjoy the outdoor air. Looks like a cool place for night life though, not too big but there's room for dancing. Also looks like a good place for promoters to throw parties :) -
Review from Fawn B.
Daly City, CA
12/11/2011
---CLOSED----
Azul is gone. The location is under construction for a southern style restaurant that will be opening in January 2012. -
Review from Cherylynn N.
San Francisco, CA
5/16/2011
Dude, where are we?!?!?
Tucked away into a little alley in Union Square lies Azul, a small, posh lounge that you expect to find in the Marina or in SoMa. There's nothing worse than going to a tourist trap and Azul does a good job of being incognito.
On Friday, 5.13.11, my friends and I came to Azul for a pre-Happy Hour before later hitting up Vessel (down the same alley) for a charity HH event. Azul is located between Grant/Stockton, in a small alley across from the Flagship Banana Republic store. It's easy to pass up but once you hear the thumping of music seeping out through the door, you know you've found Azul.
PROS:
*Plenty of seating: sofas, ottomans and bar stools.
*They serve food: chips & guacamole, wings, chicken tenders, sliders, fries, etc.
*Sleek and posh multi-level lounge with zoom white furnishings and electric blue lighting.
*Live DJ (that night there were playing some type of Reggae, I would have preferred Hip Hop though).
*Since it was HH, the crowd were young professionals which I'm sure is different as the night progresses and on Saturday nights.
Neither a pro/con, top shelf cocktails are about $9 and are nicely balanced; no stringent "eye squinting" alcohol after taste.
CONS:
*S-L-O-W SERVICE: Azul was probably 25%-30% filled, yet it took over 15 minutes for our bartender to make a drink (there were 3 bartenders). I asked for a Gin & Tonic NOT a hand-crafted cocktail with gin distilled from scratch.
*Amnesia-Prone Bartenders: It was obvious that our bartender forgot our 2nd round and even more obvious that he forgot to place my friend's order of chicken tenders. After waiting for 20 minutes, he says, "Sorry, our kitchen is having a hard time keeping up with the orders, they're preparing food for a large party here but your food is on its way". I look around and didn't see any "party". Sh*t, was I that buzzed?!?!?
*Bathrooms that do NOT lock or flush. Yeup, I walked into a girl using the potty. *covers eyes*Listed in: HAPPY HOUR - The ONLY thing…
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Review from Y r.
Daly City, CA
7/1/2011
So I've been to Azul twice this year. One with my homie for drinks. We walk in at happy hour so drinks were cheaper then usual. Blue moons mostly. We were there for a good hour or so. The place was dead and this was on a Saturday. Music was cool.
The last time was with a bigger group for a bday drinks. A bit later but it still was as dead as last time. Sometimes it can be a good thing. It didn't bother us. We made it popping.
This place is cool but it needs something new. Time for new promoters or management or something. -
Review from julissa a.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 7/2/2011
I try and try to give this place a chance, but every time I do...it doesn't work! so last Friday I was there with my friend, we figure we should go some where close from work and we had not been there and quite some time, since the facility keeps opening and closing opening and closing. When we arrived the music was a little random like always, but you can't beat a vodka cocktail for 5 buck s in the area. Towards the end of the night they started playing some old school hip-hop which was nice.
So now lets fast-forward to last night. The music was really random, it was not consistent, the tacos had no flavor, but I guess the drinks were still cheap (I guess this is the reason people still go)
My advise to Azul is to be more consistent with the music and the food. If they did this they would have more people visiting, but instead I feel like they hire different DJ's to experiment and change the food too often1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/2/2010
This place would be better if DJ's were more consist ant in the music that they played. The food its… Read more »
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Review from Jaime C.
3/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place yet? I came here with a friend to get some food a couple years ago, but like all good yelpers I suppose it's too far gone to write about their food. Guess it tells you something when I can't remember it?
However, I was here last night. You'd think that around 10:30pm on a Friday the place would be kickin', right? Because SF is a chronically overpopulated city, and everyone wants to go out.
But it wasn't. There were probably six people there, in the entire place, when we (a group of 25-30) arrived. We tripled the attendance in the place. Is this normal? According to my friend who set up the night's events, it was. Odd. It's a nice space, the bartenders are cool and my drink was only $5 (vodka + tonic).
My biggest problem - and the entire reason this place gets 2 stars - is because of the DJ. The guy was playing crazy bad music, like, hipster-obscure. It was completely undanceable if you weren't on acid, and absolutely no one was dancing. At Tunnel Top, DJ Madison played Michael Jackson. Everyone was dancing! It was a packed bar!
So we did what any group would do, when at midnight the only people left were people IN OUR GROUP. We started requesting songs. Songs like...Michael Jackson, Sugar Hill Gang, Bell Biv Devoe - classics everyone loves to dance to. No dice. It was sad.
Azul, I'd be more than happy to come back if you guys played some cool jams, but until you do, consider me a lost customer. -
Review from Leo K.
4/28/2011
It's definitely a lounge, meaning it's kind of small and the dance floor bleeds into the bar/seating areas, but decent drinks are to be had here. A perfect fit for one of those nights when you want to do more sitting and leering than dancing and close-quarters-creeping.
Besides, if you go to any clubs in the Union Square area, you're probably a terrible person. So come here instead.Listed in: SF Nightlife
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Review from InfodivaMLIS B.
San Francisco, CA
3/17/2011
I liked this place. I came for happy hour but ended up ordering the $10 Whore's Bath cocktail and not any of the adult beverages on the happy hour menu.
Whore's bath is worth a return trip. This drink pays homage to the fact that there was a secret brothel in the building. Before the earthquake of 1906, there were many brothels ...(i.e Whore houses) in the Union Square vicinity. Maiden Lane was a very populated alley.
There are many signature and interesting ingredient combination cocktails on the menu. Whore's Bath consists of : 42 Below Manuka Honey Vodka, Ume-Shu plum wine, Fresh Lemon, and Pear Liquor. Garnished with Dehydrated and Shaved Pickled Ginger Black Hawaiian Lava salt, and babies breath. This drink has won awards and recognition for the owner/bartender. It was very good.
We also had some bar bites... Yummy in the Tummy fries and sliders.
There was no music yet... I will have to come back at a different hour. -
Review from Su K.
Oakland, CA
11/6/2011
Bad food and good drinks. The location is convenient and the space is pretty well laid out. An elevated smaller area for a private event and a larger area for the general public. You can also reserve the big booths for private events, too. I've only been here for private events and that's the kind of place this is. It's hidden in an alley, so finding the place can be a bit tricky. By the way, for private events, it can be very hot and loud in there.
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Review from E G.
Pinole, CA
5/26/2011
Cute place and location. Went on a crappy night on a Saturday. I only had fun because I can make a party out of any situation (really, check me out in my living room on a Sunday afternoon) The bartenders had no customer service skills. Don't take it out on me if you hate your job. The DJ played strictly hip hop and kept repeating the same freakin songs. Come on...how many times can you play "do it with no hands" without me starting to think you miss being 12 yrs old.
Place has potential but not quite there. -
Review from Gina S.
Updated - 10/11/2011
They've closed down! Not surprised...Its too bad. Its a great space . Its being renovated right now. Not sure whats its going to be....to be continued.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/12/2009
Cool space. Good music. Shitty Service! The girls of the bar are shady! Don't order top shelf… Read more »
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Review from Lauren S.
4/29/2011
Wow - I hate giving poor ratings, but I had to talk about my experience here. We came here before a show on a Friday night last week, a group of 6 of us, and hurriedly put in our order before the kitchen closed at 9:30 (why so early on a weekend night?!).
The service was great, but the DJ was horrific, playing the "Worst Of' version of BIllboard's top 100 songs form the 1980's which only got a couple of totally wasted drunkards onto the dance floor, who probably couldn't tell how terrible the music was. The slider was delicious, but the size of a silver dollar, the fries were so limp, flavorless and soggy that we had to send them back... the guacamole and chips were decent, but the bad flavor in my mouth from the fries and the music was distracting...
NOT good for food -not at all... or for music, either... which makes the nice service and the good drinks kinda unimportant in the grand scheme of things. :( -
Review from Carol Y.
1/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Really nice place
Chilled atmosphere
No cover.
$5 margaritas!
I really wanted to like Azul but yesterday (Friday) Dj killed the mood. Music was way too loud. Especially when it was loud house music = more bass. I had to yell instead of talking to my friends. Maybe I'll come back again because the bartenders were super nice and quick service. -
Review from margaret s.
Daly City, CA
5/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
This was my first time at a craft bar. This is a nice place to go to really enjoy a drink, you know? The style really reminds me of the manga The Bartender. Yeah, there's a manga about bartending. I learned a lot about drinks from this manga which is the only reason why I was able to recognize the spin offs they made off some classic drinks like the Moscow Mule and the Rusty Nail.
Really cool place. It's a shame that it'll be closed and sold soon! -
Review from pachara a.
Emeryville, CA
12/7/2010
I'm a regular here at azul since I work in the financial district. One day I walked in and it was a change...new people! What is going on? Things I did notice, bartenders are texting more than trying to make their tip money. Plus, they are slow!! When it's happy hour, quick drink is a MUST because people are stressed. The vibe is different now and WILL NOT BE RETURNING ANYMORE.
*out to explore a new place for HH. -
Review from Alyssa S.
2/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been here twice before. The first time was back in August 2010 on a Friday late afternoon (5PM) and I really really enjoyed it. A great atmosphere, quick service, good and cheap eats and drinks...what more could I ask for?
I went here a second time last week and things were COMPLETELY different. Maybe because it was a Thursday evening? For one thing, it was completely dead and service was FREAKISHLY slow even though we were sitting at the bar. Plus, they wouldn't show any basketball games because they didn't have cable, they were only showing old James Bond movies. Granted, it's a lounge and not a sports bar, but still!
It was happy hour but the sliders were not only still super expensive (more expensive than the last time I was there), they were also different than last time! Don't get me wrong, it was good, but it was just way more fancy and just wasn't done the same, from the amount of extra things they put on it to the bread. The bartender did explain that the chefs like to change it up but that still doesn't excuse how long we had to wait for them.
I was just really disappointed, especially after the experience I had the first time around. Luckily it's close by my work so I might end up here again for happy hour but it wouldn't be my first choice. -
Review from Jenna Q.
San Leandro, CA
10/7/2010
I first came to this place as a nightclub and had a blast.
It was a really hot day, and my friend and I decided to try their Cucumber Cooler cause it had cucumber vodka, which we had never heard of before. It was delish! Needless to say, I got completely trashed off this newfound drink. Nevertheless, it was an awesome experience, and I've always wanted to return.
Time passed, and I've yet to have the chance to return for the nighclub experience. However, I do frequent this place as another after work, go-to spot. Seeing it in daylight is quite different, you can imagine. I always love sitting outside on the patio, assuming there are spots available. I wish they'd put a little more tables outside because the outside area is so convenient for this cute little spot.
I must say, both my experiences, night and daytime at Azul, do not disappoint. If you're in the Union Square area, this is definitely a nice, hidden gem of a bar, although, it's a little hard to find if you don't know you're way around (it's situated on TIllman, a tiny alley way off Grant), If you pass American Apparel and see the Chinatown Gate, you've gone too far. -
Review from Jon D.
Vallejo, CA
11/30/2011
1 star for not answering any of my five calls (just kept on ringing) during your hours this week. Nor did you reply to my email. I just had a few questions about bottle service for this weekend. Why put up contact information on your website if you're not contact-able? Will not be going there. Whack.
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Review from Mimi P.
San Francisco, CA
4/7/2011
I hate to put down a local business but Azul had disappointed me.
Azul had once been my favorite getaway from work type-of-place but ever since their change of ownership, it all went downhill.
I use to be able to come here and enjoy a glass of, by far, THE BEST SANGRIA I ever had. It was both delicious and strong, without the taste of the alcohol but did the works. Although, since the change, they made sangrias with cinnamon and nutmeg, it was so disgusting that I had to double check with the bartender to made sure my drink was correct. The bartender told me this was a seasonal sangria, with a taste that took the merry out of Christmas.
I told myself to not give up on them yet since they are very close to my work and I tend to need a drink or two after a long day of work, therefore I gave them a second chance the other day. They had disappointed me again. I originally came in here wanting to give the sangria another chance but there wasn't any available, so instead I ordered a margarita from the happy hour menu. There was nothing special about it.
After giving the place a second chance, I think I'll move on and search for a new place nearby. -
Review from Christina L.
San Francisco, CA
1/6/2011
I came here during the happy hour time zone. If you guys lucky enough to be able to try the whiskey mulled red wine, one should try it!! It's $5 and very tasty. We came here as a group of like 9 people and was able to get a booth spot very easily.
On their tv's they had Barbraella playing which is a plus and the music was good to ok at times. Who ever had control over the music at the time has good taste in music. They have a DJ booth set up there with turn tables so I assume that on some nights they have a DJ actually coming in.
The steak pizza and the pork pizza is sooooooo tasty. I was told that the management had recently changed and they seem to be doing a good job. -
Review from Maria P.
Roseville, CA
1/20/2011
I came here with my BF and a friend one night for drinks and I was so happy I did. I didn't know what to order so I asked the bartender to make me something with Hangar One Vodka and St. Germain elderfower liqueur, which are my faves and she made me the most delicious drink ever. I loved the service, the bartenders were really nice and I liked that you have the option of asking them to make you something special.
They had a DJ, and screens playing Barbarella which was pretty fun, and I love how it's in an alley where you wouldn't expect this place to be. -
Review from Sarah G.
San Diego, CA
4/13/2011
MY GOD! I have reached the upper echelons of bar hopping! Many a time have I experienced mixed drinks that are sticky sweet with a disgusting finish (you know, the ones that make you grimace as you down it...both because it cost so much and it tastes so awful), but not at Azul.
Michael Callahan is a genius with that martini shaker. I get off on food porn with intelligent composition, so I may or may not have stared longingly as he made my drinks.
Hemingway's Blues was my first drink: It was a luxurious blueberry flavored treat, i could easily have five of these.
Whore's Bath: an interesting combination of flavors...it tasted a little of perfume to me.
Dutchman at Dawn: I've never had an egg-white drink, but Mr. Callahan convinced me enough. The texture is exquisite like chai tea and has a nice, not-too-sweet finish.
The decor is ultra hip and sophisticated, and the music wasn't bad either. However, good luck finding this place, as it is literally tucked between two buildings and down a small corridor.
Totally worth a return trip to SF! -
Review from Kathy V.
7/23/2010 3 photos
Last night a couple of friends of mine and I went out to Azul for an open Scratch + Beat Box Session. The last time I was here was about 10 years ago. As we walk in the place was really dark, and in a mood setting of a social lounge.
As me and my friends sat down and got drinks, there was also a special cook off for some of the guest. The local cook from the SF area was trying to promote his cooking. He served a couple of his specialties which were his Chicken Adobo, Chicken Adobo Burrito and Empanada. For those of you who don't know what Adobo is, it is a popular Filipino dish which has chicken, soy sauce, vinegar, bay leaves and black pepper. Empanada is a Spanish and Portuguese stuffed bread which contains meat or vegetables.
The outcome? The Adobo was kind of salty, but everyone makes theirs different. The Adobo Burrito hmm I had too much sour cream on mine but was A-OK. I still like Papalote's Chicken Adobo located in the Mission. The Empanada was delicious. It was not just your ordinary Empanda found at local Filipino or Spanish bakeries. The Empanada was wrapped inside a wonton and had seafood inside. Something different and extraordinary.
They even sold cool T-shirts for promotion.
I've never came here for their food during the day as it is a restaurant as well, but came here in the past for the night life. It's a cool spot but its hard to find parking around this area. -
Review from Joyce H.
Foster City, CA
3/20/2011
Um, for a lounge in SF that has good space and pretty decor (lots of blues & whites), this place was oddly empty on a Friday night. My group
got in around 10:30 or 11PM, and it was dead. It is also a little hard to find -- I was kinda confused as to why I was showing my ID to walk down an alley.
The two stars is for a couple things: 1) The DJ was pretty bad, I'm not just a top-40s junkie, but I have absolutely no idea what i was listening to that night. On top that, one song would end, there would be a good minute of silence, and another would begin. Let's just say... if I could plug in my iPod and set up a playlist, I could've been a better DJ that night. Shoot, actually, that's what I should've done!
2) Bartenders were... not very good at their job. My friend asked for a Blue Hawaiian, and the bartender had absolutely no idea how to make it, so he ended up asking the other one to do it. Plus, apparently they won't serve vodka&red bull? I had to buy a can of red bull from him, and dump it in a glass of vodka.
My entire experience can be summed up with "meeeeeeeh". Luckily I was with a giant group of good friends and we went after hitting up another bar earlier, otherwise this would've been a total buzzkill. -
Review from Rylan C.
12/15/2010 1 Check-in Here
In a very hip part of town. However, the bar is usually pretty slow. I know that I'll eventually come back because it seems to be the only place in Union Square that isn't full of tourists. What I like about this place is that it's on the safer part of Union Square as opposed to the shadier side closer to the tenderloin.
I only got beers here so I can't really comment on their cocktails but I guess the atmosphere is nice enough. The bar itself is pretty tight so dancing can get really crowded (which is expected in any place close to the FiDi).
Anyway, it was nothing special but I'll probably be back someday. -
Review from Herra Chink y.
San Francisco, CA
4/2/2007
Alright, Azul.
As my party was leaving to go elsewhere, I tried to close out my tab. I had purchase 3 shots and one ridiculously overpriced drink (a total of 4 drinks) which totaled 36 dollars. Jay from Queer Eye taught me to tip one dollar per drink, but I was feeling generous so I tipped a total of $5 (which is 15%), and scratched $41 into the "total" line.
And I'm trying to leave.
And your bartendress stops me. "Excuse me, can you take a look at your receipt?"
So I look.
I forget the "1" on $41, so I wrote a total of $4. My bad. I said, "Oops, sorry about the $41, I'll change it."
The bartendress looks at me: "I was talking about the $5, actually."
Hey Azul, here's a tip:
I'm a loud sweaty fat overweight Chink, I am in no position to judge your overly-sweet overpriced and poorly made drinks, slutty bartendresses, pretentious "dj", and hoochie mama fake-tittied clientele looking for their out-of-town Mr. Robinson business-man of the moment, and the fact that you couldn't pay any actual real San Franciscans to show up at your bar because actual real San Franciscans don't like to be subjugated to your requests for more tips and more cash and more money than you actually earned because we already pay way too damn much for living in this provincial City and we don't feel the need to be pampered and prettied and babied our way into an urban lifestyle.
But here I am doing it. Judging you, that is.
Sigh, I'm such a wuss - I raised the tip to $6.
Fuck you for insulting my intelligence! Give me my $6 dollars back!Listed in: Thizzel Juice Dispensers
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Review from Natalie M.
San Francisco, CA
7/31/2011
I'm not too crazy about this place. I found the seating to be limited, the decor to be cheap, the music was an awful mix and while the drinks looked so promising on the menu, I was very disappointed with all three of mine. I might give this place another try, but there are so many other places to go in the area so I'd need a good reason to go back to Azul.
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Review from Stephy S.
San Francisco, CA
7/6/2008
I had a shot of tequila here last night that was so strong that it made my nipples hard. Sadly, that's the most action I've seen in awhile.
Azul, giving single girls thrills since 2000 something.
Yeah.Listed in: San Francisco Bars!
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Review from Connie C.
San Jose, CA
11/8/2008
Azul is a hidden gem of a bar in Union Square. It's a great spot for grabbing a cocktail after a day of shopping or meeting up with friends for happy hour after work. The multi level lounge is great for private parties, and although it can get a little stuffy up there, you can hang outside on the patio and cool off.
My coworker celebrated her entrance into pumahood (mid-20s to mid-30s, oh yeah) as I celebrated my mid-Pumahood with specialty Puma cocktails and chicken wings. We packed a good 30 people in the upstairs area and spilled out into the bar area. The smell of cheesy garlic fries wafted out of the kitchen and filled the room. It seemed that everyone was ordering it.
We pounced on them when a plate was left unattended. http://www.flickr.com/...
Yup, be afraid of pumas. Be very, very afraid.Listed in: Happy Hour Spots in SF
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Review from Lauren F.
Oakland, CA
2/21/2008
Do I rate a place solely on a company party with an open bar?
No...cuz that would automatically get 5 stars from me. I mean...lets be honest ...open bar?
However I have been here before, and it just isn't my scene. Rude bartenders, semi alright DJ's and too many douchebags to count. I love that word. You can write it in a review and people just know. They know what im talking about because they too have seen douchebags.
Kind of like this guy. http://img297.imagesha... -
Review from Darryl P.
Sacramento, CA
4/30/2009
I rarely go out drinking on Wednesdays, but went out tonight with a few friends. We got here at 10 and there was surprisingly quite a few people here. The decor was okay. Noting to jump around for though.
We ordered some GG tonics and GG cranberries. It was cool too because there was some chick there that was on the jock and bought us some drinks as well. Someone buying my drinks is cool in my books. LOL!
I think it is worth coming here if your around the area. -
Review from Jamal G.
San Francisco, CA
4/2/2007
Nothing nice about Azul... I can think of a few other A-words to name this place but won't. Put it this way Azul... San Jose wouldn't even take you. You'd be banned to Sunnyvale, charging $5 on a Tuesday for college night. Nothing nice about you Azul. Would I have liked it better if you played hip hop? No. How do you even get to the small dance floor in the back? I was shocked to see Black People and even they left before us. Azul, nice try but even with no cover I wouldn't do it... not again. You would have gotten an extra star but your bartenders were nothing nice either.
I'd rather go to the dive bar around the block that smells like Chinese food than hang out at Azul.
Oh and what's with the neighbors above tossing water out of their windows? -
Review from Hanna Y.
11/30/2010
Came here for happy hour (who knows what time this actually starts? I think it starts whenever you feel like getting off work earlier than you really should). To be clear, I came here at 6. (Yes, I was a good girl). Had a few gimlets which were perfectly tart, sweet, and stiff.
Sweet potato fries - salted with a nice crispy outside. But, not my cup of tea.
Chicken wings - oh my oh my...what delectable and perfectly sweet and salty wings. Why didn't I order this? Someone else did and I only got to have 1! Dayng namit! Would have been all over the plate had I had my own.
Gotta come back and order everything else on their happy hour menu. The food is outstanding. Per the bartender, the cook they hired is new and I must give them kudos for the smart move.
The bar itself - full bar, loungee type white couches, another seating area that's like a restaurant with more tables. Small dance floor. It's a cool spot. -
Review from Cara Y.
Oakland, CA
2/21/2009
The Good:
The gorgonzola on their cheezy garlic fries. Genius.
The DJ busted out some vintage Beastie Boys and Pharcyde. Sweet.
The swanky setup. Everything is 100% lovely to look at.
Nice job with the mojitos. Lots of mint, light on the simple syrup.
The Bad:
Ahi tuna tartare was dredged in soy sauce and plopped unceremoniously atop seaweed salad...that had also been dredged in salty liquid. All I could taste was soy sauce. It could have been anything. Cat tartare. Shoe tartare. Who knows? It did look pretty though.
If your "happy hour" is as broad as "$4 draft beers and $5 well," then please honor that. Apparently Chimay does not count as a draft beer, although it's on draft at Azul. And the mojitos don't count either. Because $4+$5 does not equal $15.
Again with the bottle service at 9pm. This place is slightly cooler and easier to pass off as a dance club than Medjool is, but when I've been sitting spending my money on drinks and food, please don't pull that velvet rope crap.Listed in: Booze.
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Review from Rachel G.
San Francisco, CA
10/30/2006
Azul means blue.
Here are the things about Azul which make me blue:
It is HOT in there. Not HOTT but plain old HOT. We went there for a private Halloween party on Saturday night, and I was sweating balls.
There are only two bathrooms. I mean, two bathrooms for the whole place. Two toilets. Two sinks. Two doors. That's it. The lines were 20 minutes at least, and that's if the group of scantily clad girls in front of you weren't going in to snort massive amounts of coke. Which, most of the time, they were.
They cleaned out a storage area in the basement to make an extra party room. They stuck the best DJ in that room, and then added NO fans or circulation. When you are wearing a wig, and a rather heavy costume, that combo is as close to hell as you can get.
People were peeing right out the front door (even chicks) because being drunk and holding it for 20 minutes is totally unacceptable. The whole front area reeked of urine. Pretty awesome.
Things about Azul that don't make me blue:
It's really cute inside. They had Halloween going strong, with spider webs, candles, amazing DJs and a really inspired crowd.
The front patio area was perfect (save the urine). Lots of chairs, tables and sexually explicit costuming. It rocked. Hard.
Drink prices were pretty fair, and bartenders were easily flagged down.
3 stars. Blue or not, I still had a really good time. But the wig had to go.... -
Review from Luan N.
6/13/2011
Definitely a hidden gem. It's tucked inside a small alleyway across from Banana Republic. The atmosphere was nice with inviting cool blue colors and tons of room. The staff was nice and the bartender was helpful in appeasing my appetite with garlic fries with a side of guac. Definitely a winning combo (I think, I was pretty inebriated at this point). It's a nice place to chill out with a beer and eat some good ol' fried food. The fish taco's were pretty nice, I was definitely surprised.
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Review from Jay H.
2/13/2008
You know what?
I like this bar.
Someone come with me to get drinks! -
Review from Ben P.
San Francisco, CA
8/21/2008
Middle of the night Ben, meet end of the night Ben.
Middle of the night Ben arrived at Azul about...oh....let's say....13 drinks into his night. But middle of the night Ben can hang. And he's still making smart choices. Like, for example, when it came time to open a tab at Azul, Ben gave the bartender his work credit card. Or, more accurately, his Private Executive Account card. [BTW, if that doesn't mean something special to you, you are missing the most important cultural event in the last 2 years.] Why? Because nothing is set up to auto-bill that card, so if he lost it, no biggie.
End of the night Ben left Azul about....oh....maybe....18 drinks into his night. And left his credit card at the bar. I've said it before: it is HARD being right all the time.
Middle of the night Ben discovered Azul was having a $2 special on greyhounds. The credit card receipt reveals that middle of the night Ben likes to buy people drinks. A lot of drinks. Or a lot of people. Maybe both.
End of the night Ben spent a lot of time talking to someone with 1% body fat. This is atypical behavior, even for end of the night Ben. She could drink, though. End of the night Ben was dubious about her intentions, however, and while end of the night Ben isn't a genius, he's usually not an idiot, either.
Middle of the daytime Ben had to spend some time today cleaning up after end of the night Ben. Specifically, retrieving his card from Azul. The nice folks there took good care of it, and didn't even take his card out for a night on the town. Thanks guys! Middle of the daytime Ben tips generously for this kind of service. He's had to clean up more than a few messes in his life. -
Review from Christine M.
San Francisco, CA
1/18/2007
I'm not ashamed to give this place four stars. Yes, I call the Mission and surrounding areas my night-life-Mecca and Azul couldn't be more off, but I enjoyed it.
I had Sangria at only $6 and, frankly, it was a mini fiesta in my mouth. Boyfriend had Chimay- which is on TAP.
Good layout, mesmerizing TV screens. Minus one star for being empty at 11pm on a Saturday night.Listed in: Shameful Affairs
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Review from Charles L.
San Francisco, CA
6/26/2009
I only go here on Wednesday's because it's the night where bartending school graduates and students man the bar. BAD DECISIONS.
The rating of this place is going to fluctuate between 3-4 stars because of this. WHYSOSERIOUS?
Last Wednesday: Purple Rain in a pint-glass instead of a normal highball/Collins glass. Bartender can't measure how many shots are in the drink. I get more than I'm supposed to. The drink is not 2.5 shots anymore, it's 4. For $5? I'm COOL with that.
Two-nights-ago-Wednesday: AMF+Purple Rain in a pint-glass yet again. Bartender doesn't know how to make the drinks. Instead of topping it off with sour mix, she tops it off with MORE vodka (4.5 shots now OMFUGGGG). FOR $5 EACH, I'M COOL WITH THAT TOO. No sour mix made this pretty hard to down, but I had two of these monsters within the hour.
Strong drinks w/ missed ingredients + mega value + work @ 8am the next morning = BAD DECISIONS
Whatevz, 4 stars for the surprise drinks you get. Bottoms up.
