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Categories: Wine Bars, Venues & Event Spaces, Wineries
Neighborhoods: Union Square, SOMAMon-Thu. 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Fri. 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sat. 2:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
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Love Love LOVE this place! NY meets Napa, in SF--you get the chic, upscale NY atmosphere plus 8 Napa wineries, all in the convenient location of SOMA!
This is the deal: You give them your card at the entrance and they hand you a tasting card. Walk down the stairs and you'll find a huge space with 8 tasting bars, each a different Napa winery. Order a glass, a flight, or even some small bites, and your tasting card is swiped. Pay at the end!
Elizabeth at Miner Vineyards is AWESOME. She's friendly, down to earth, and entertaining. Oh and she knows her wines as well! I tried their Cab and it was deelish. Smooth and easy to drink, even a Cab-hater would love it.
You can also sit at the bar or grab a couch in one of the lounge areas and order drinks and food from there. Though you don't get the informative spiel that you'd get from going to the individual wine counter.
Great place for a first date since it's not too loud inside and therefore you can get to know each other!
A reunion needs to start with a great meeting place preferably where a bevy of mood enhancing libations are easily available to coax the memories of past experiences. The Press Club provided a wonderful place for three good friends to recollect and exchange new stories and updates as well as an added bonus to share this festive opportunity into a review.
This handsome and confident space was detailed with muted earth tones mimicking vineyards changing through the seasons: where russet brown reminds of the rich autumn soil, teak vines flourishing in spring light, and shades of verdigris wine bottles glowing under the vibrant summer sun. Gorgeous undulating lines, repeating symmetry and shapes fill the space like a Wayne Thibaud landscape. Tessellations of wine bottles become the framed windows of this cavernous place where various rectangular and rotund disks of wrapped lanterns light like the ambient sunset.
The delectable treats from the cheese tray:
Cowgirl Creamery, Mt. Tam- I think it would be safe to say this is one of the best San Franciscan treat to be found in a cheese. Its buttery creaminess keeps rolling in your mouth fresh mushroom that make this a California Brie.
Cypress Grove, Truffle Tremor- Goat cheese that is not overpowering balanced flavor of just enough tanginess and sweetness with a light truffle aftertaste.
Bellwether Farm, Carmody Reserve- One of my favorite picnic cheese, carmody spells caramel and carafes of lush milky flavor.
We tried the White and Red flights composed of the following:
Landmark, Overlook Chardonnay, 2006, Sonoma
Pahlmeyer Jayson, Chardonnay, 2007, Napa
Fritz, Reserve Chardonnay, 2006, Russian River - Elegant and balance of pears, melons and apples with a slight mineral cling rounded with kiwis and strawberries.
Saintsbury, Cerise Pinot Noir, 2006, Carneros- Vanilla, White pepper and lush cherries and plums -- I like this Pinot!
Mount Eden, Saratoga Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005 Santa Cruz Mountains
Chateau Montelena Cabernet Franc, 2003, Napa
PS. I initially thought this was a bar where the Chronicle staff frequented and delved into their columns. Sadly mistaken, it still crossed my mind and imagine Leah Garchik, Gwen Knapp and Stacy Finz toasting their glass from across the room :-)
I've been on this wine bar kick as of late (translation: he's getting old!) and having heard about this place from a colleague, I was itching to try it out. So when the opportunity presented itself last week, this was the pre-dinner spot.
I'm sure previous reviews have gone over the taste-and-pay method so rather than repeat all that, I'll just say I like the convenience though I was also worried at the danger this might invite! Jumping ahead a bit, I'm happy to say I got outta here escaping financial disaster (phew!).
I'm intrigued by the business model: 6 wineries signed on for 5 years and each staffs their counter with a friendly and knowledgeable pourer. The wines we tried from Chateau Montelena and Saintsbury were all very good, with a special nod to CM's Riesling.
The layout of this place - I think - is killer. Take your choice of drinking and talking shop at the counter or retreating to any number of the bar/lounge seating options. We also spent some time at the food bar and got a cheese board to hold us over till dinner. Friendly staff all the way around. There was a good-sized crowd there but because the space is so nice and large, each group was able to basically find there own little spot to have a private chat.
The tastes are pricey but they are larger than your usual tastes. So when you're in the mood for a classy, spendy wine-before-you-dine experience, I recommend trying the Press Club.
Dear Press Club,
Oh you, how you have captured my heart. I could go on and on... and on about how much I adore thee. From the wine, to the ambiance, to the music, to the wonderfully cute servers, to the catering partnership with Cheshire Cat, our wedding reception would not have been as amazing if it weren't for you.
From the first inquiring e-mail ("Do you have private function availability for November 7, 2009?") to the day-after pick-up of all our reception necessities (wine, cake plates & cupcakes) the staff at Press Club have been more than professional, polite and accommodating to our random, fun needs for our reception!
To lovely Miss Jonnie, the day was a success because of you. Thank you for being on top of your wine and event game. Thank you for being such a delight to work with and thank you for having a spare IPod to plug in when I forgot mine!!
For the wine kids, get your taste buds excited by the following:
Mount Eden Vineyards 06 Pinot Noir
Hanna 05 Cabernet Sauvignon
Saintsbury 07 Chardonnay
You will not be disappointed by the Press Club. Have yourself a seat on one of the plush couches, have a glass of vino and call it a day. Better yet - have your wedding reception there!
I was blown away with the Press Club. If you want to impress a date, a boss or a client - GO HERE! Heck, if you're just a fan of great wines and a sexy atmosphere - it's the spot for you.
The first thing I noticed was that the space was below street level. This gave a really cave-like vibe to the place and made you think of wine cellars and caves. The furniture is clean, modern and sleek. I also always happen to notice light fixtures and although you're sort of underground, it's well lit without being too bright.
Here's where it gets even better... different wineries host at little posts or locations across the space. You're given a plastic credit card to track your orders while you buy and sample wines from different local vendors. How fantastic is that? Although the owners themselves must be wine lovers and experts, they leave it to an actual representative of the winery to talk about their specific products. So genius!
Apart from the great selection of wines and the hosted booths, they also serve great foods with which to pair the wines. I was really impressed that the selection of fruits and cheeses was also local to the area as well. Can't get enough of this place!
DRINK ME.
Just like Alice in Wonderland I can't help but follow printed directions and simply see where that leads me to time and time again. This time I tumbled down a rabbit hole!
Heading down the stairs at Press Club leads you directly to Napa. It's like there's a Portal off Market Street that instantly teleports you to Wine Country. There are multiple wineries just waiting to swipe your wine card and show off their wines tasting room style. If you'd prefer a less participatory environment you can also head over to the bar and order from an extensive wine list.
Another novel thing to note : Since this is a tasting room, and not a bar, you can bring your children here. I know there are lots of you trying to figure out where you can booze it up with your toddler so add this one to your list ;)
While I was there we didn't catch site of any Jabberwalkies but I did notice some amazing interior design elements going on. Edison lights are in wonderful abundance and the warm wood used so richly throughout the venue makes it feel like a place you want to stay a while and try some wines while you look for the ever elusive EAT ME sign that will take you back to the real world.
I'm a huge fan of wine and thanks to good friends for booking their private party here, I am a huge fan of the Press Club!
Right when you walk in, you walk in thinking it's a typical wine shop that sells accessories that you may not even use... but you look down and see there's more to it! (Dun, dun, dun!!!)
The ambiance and the lighting was very welcoming and had a great feel. There were several bar and lounge areas where you can enjoy wine with friends, but of course since this was a private party, we had a really cool spot for the newlyweds... the private room and the lounge area. We had our own private server for apps and wine host, which was great!
Not sure if this was their own caterer but the apps were very good and filling! There were different cheeses, fruits, chocolates, crackers, wraps - tuna, cuiche, etc.
They also even allowed private entertainment... no NOT that kind of "private" entertainment!
I will definitely come here for ME time and friends time especially for happy hour or for that "I need a drink" time!
Stumbled upon this place after having a drink at the Four Seasons with a girlfriend and let me say we were delightfully surprised! This place is really hip but more importantly all the folks here were super cool! In addition to delicious cheese plates and charcuterie, the folks at Hanna Winery & Saintbury did a great job of steering us in the right direction as far as wine selection. Did I enjoy the wine? Yes! Was I a bit tipsy? Yes! Did I leave/drop my credit card? Unfortunately yes, but Jaime who was on his way in to work for the evening found it and called my house. Exceptional wines and top-shelf, friendly folks providing extraordinary service, this is a MUST DO if you are in the area!!! Will definitely come here again!
I usually make it out to wine country for a day during my frequent trips to SF. Unfortunately, there was no time for wine country during my last trip to SF, but happy hour at Press Club proved to be just as fun.
It's a gorgeous lounge (I wish my living room looked like this) full of wineries offering tastings of their wines. Genius concept.
We arrived for Monday night happy hour, which apparently has become an optional nights at Press Club since it doesn't tend to be busy. Makes sense- most people are nursing those weekend hangovers on Mondays. Therefore, we only got to taste an incredible sauvignon blanc from one winery, but Press Club took care of us by giving us 3 lovely reds to taste and a few cheese plates. I may like cheese even more than I like wine so I was in happy hour heaven.
I loved it and can't wait to go back on a different night when all the wineries are present. Press Club offers the best of both worlds- a taste of wine country right in the city. Obsessed!
I've been to Press Club once before, but last night there was a charity event there. The venue is really nice. I like the design and ambiance. It's fairly hidden, so unless you know the exact location...you would not walk by it.
We walked in, got a card and went down stairs. There were too many people at this event, so we didnt really get a chance to wine taste. I prob tried only two reds! haha
I think I will have to come again with some friends, when there is not an event...so I can fully enjoy the venue.
I was very excited to come here again now that the bartender Tony is back! He always makes me laugh and I love, love his smile! Love you!
I came here for a fundraiser and was thoroughly impressed. the space is very modern, yet inviting and comfortable. although having a little difficulty finding the place (Garmin directed me into a dark alley), i was able to find parking rather easily on a Tuesday night...and there are a couple of parking garages nearby as well.
upon entering, you swap your credit card info for a press club card then proceed downstairs. each time you make a purchase you just hand them your card, they swipe, and you drink. it is quite simple and overall makes the entire process a lot quicker. i forget how many different wineries from napa/sonoma were present (maybe 6-8?). but basically you can order a tasting, flight, or a glass of wine...and it sorta feels like you ARE in napa! i've been to napa once only and although completely gorgeous and a great experience...press club could make a great substitute for those without the time to head up to the wine country or for those who are weary about driving from winery to winery after a couple flights...meaning...light weights.. =)
hmmm...writing this review makes me want to go again...perhaps this week!
Classy and relaxing. It's good for an intimiate time with your group of friends. The food was pretty good but small, very very teeny tiny small, lol. Anyway, Look up directions before you go though, don't just follow your GPS because it'll take you around in circles to find this street that is a walking street but not a driving street. Or just don't be an asian girl driver named alina who gets lost crossing the street and we mighta been ok ^_^
Oh, I'll be back.
Swanky. Sexy. A good Girls' Night Out joint.
The set-up of this place is awesome --- various bars, each backed by a different vineyard. The wine tenders are knowledgeable (at least to the novice) and will tell you all about the vineyard and the wine selection.
Tastings are $4-$6 but tasting samples are a decent amount --- not just a sip. Ordering a full glass is a little awkward b/c of Press Club's licensing issues. That could use some improvement.
Also, be forewarned, no real food is available, unless you're willing to eat an entire cheese plate or 3 cupcakes. Press Club could be improved by offering more substantial pairings with their wine.
Press Club hits it home with its interior design and ambiance. The crowd is fairly young. I would say a good mix of people between their 20's and 40's. Very nice decor and the place is actually fairly well-lit to my surprise (not a bad thing). Only complaint is that the couches are pretty far from the table. You have to sit on the edge of your seat to even reach anything on the table. Not very comfy. Appearance alone? A+++
Everything is a bit pricey with wine "tastes" are as cheap as $4, but goes up to near $20. Keep in mind that it takes about 3x wine tastes to equal one large wine glass. Also, don't come here hungry...there are wine flight food pairings for about $30-40, but you would order this to experience the flavors, not for a means of sustenance.
If you like wine, this is a fun place to hang out. Upstairs you swap your credit card for a tasting card, go downstairs, and let the fun begin! It's spacious and has a grip of wines featured at separate counters throughout the room. You can browse and sip and hang out on their comfy couches. They also serve food all the way in the back but I didn't have the pleasure of tasting any of their dishes. I suppose I'll just have to go back...shucks.
Great place to sample some good wine. Very nice environment and good layout. Easy to talk to people and it can accommodate a large group.
Couple of hints:
- You won't get any cell reception in the underground space (this can be a good thing though).
- Doubles seemed to average about 4x the size of a Taste.
I love the concept of Press Club. NY meets Napa, yet minamalist. Don't be alarmed if they ask for a credit card - you'll realize it make sense. The wine selection was great. The cheese plate was fabulous. I came here with friends to unwind after work. The price was reasonable esp. after the fact that we went to St. Regis' bar for more drinks. I'll opt to stay and finish the night here. Press Club, I'll come visit you when I make my way back to SF. I can't seem to find something like you in SD.
The first thing that struck me was the sheer size of the place. One walks into what seems to be an ordinary fancy wine shop, but the main event is really downstairs in a vast space that includes tasting counters for several wineries staffed by their own personnel, to offer a wine country tasting without having to drive all the way to Napa or Sonoma. The space is classy and elegant, filled with large couches and banquettes, making for a nice gathering space for larger groups of friends who want more intimate lounging areas.
Though there is a small menu that offers specific pairings with tiny bites (wine pairing is optional - you're able to order just the food). A note - I would not recommend going to the Press Club hungry. We ended up ordering almost everything on the food menu, and numerous bowls of the truffled popcorn - this leaves one feeling somewhat unsatisfied (not full) and guilty for spending too much money... The food is fair; not great, not mind-blowing - they're nicely arranged tastes to pair with your wine.
This place is great for wine tasting and is basically like going to Napa without leaving the city. Tastings are very reasonable in pricing and-- the employees from the various vineyards usually are super generous with their pours. Love the Miner Family Vineyards- fabulous cabernet! Really enjoy coming here with friends from out of town or on a date! However- sometimes getting a table can be tough- but I do still enjoy this place!
I certainly love the ritual of wine tasting in Somnapa, but there are some things that cramp my style:
sunburn
watch tan
heatstroke
pebbles in my sandals
dust on my bottom
transportation
All of these are taken care of at Press Club, with just one swipe of a card! Goodbye sun, hello semi-subterranean lounge, windowless. Goodbye sundress, hello evening attire. Goodbye buzzed driving friend, hello cabbie, you're lookin' nice tonight. Goodbye winery jumping, hello eight wineries under one roof.
You get the picture.
The reps from each winery have a great bedside manner at the counter, will tell you all you want to know about what you're about to drink. For a good time, stop by the Hanna counter and have the Bismark flight. It will transport you to a remote Alexander Valley mountaintop, without leaving downtown.
I really really want to give Press Club 5 stars. In fact, I probably should... we reserved a seating area Sat afternoon/early evening for my 30th bday for pre dinner drinks. The ambiance was fantastic, music good, food great, winery reps very knowledgeable, and it wasn't too busy. We were there from 4 - 7 and during that time only three out of the six wineries showed up. I was really looking forward to tasting the Chateau Montelena wines but alas I could only choose from what was on the general menu. If all the wineries had reps pouring I would definitely give a full five stars.
Terrific place to come for drinks after work. I especially loved the tasting portions and prices. Definitely try the Miner wines .
I wasn't as impressed by the cheese plate as it was a bit small and the popcorn was overly salty.
Thank you Jason E for having a birthday and giving us an opportunity to finally check Press Club out! We loved the woody space and low, comfortable lounge areas perfect for chill catching up and mingling.
Th concept is pretty brilliant--a "coop" of six wineries set up in different areas of the sleek basement space where you can either sidle up and taste by winery or plop down in a couch and choose from the whole wine list and have the exceptional, swift servers come to you. The card system they use to make sure each of the wineries gets paid appropriately works well, though some might find it a bit annoying to have to produce the Press Club card every time you order a new taste or glass.
The cheese plate we chose (there are two choices, soft and hard) was pretty standard (cowgirl creamery) but tasty and the charcuterie plate looked good as well. Unless you are also 8-months pregnant, however, you are here for the wine, not the food anyway.
Will T enjoyed everything he had, I believe (though we were hoping the Montelena wine would be a little more exciting after seeing Bottle Shock). Overall, this is an excellent way to get to know several wineries well in a centrally-located, laid-back setting.
Never have been a wine kinda girl but, the Press Club got me wanting to learn more about wines... the atmosphere is great and the appetizers were on point as definitely a place i will continue to visit.
Love the atmosphere, great for groups or dates. Didn't have any of the food, but the Summer Nights flight (3 white wines) I had was awesome, I liked each one. And I got out of there for just $14! I'm definitely coming back here with friends. I like that you can have as little or as much as you want. And on Fridays they have cupcake flights too!
Spacious, modern wine bar - perfect lounge atmosphere
We almost didn't go in when we walked past because the main floor (wine store) looked empty. But the real action is downstairs, which boasts six grand wine tasting stations over about 7,000 square feet.
The vibe is cosmopolitan and chill. The staff are fairly helpful and everything you order (from flights of wine to cheeses) goes on a debit card you're issued at the door, to encourage roaming around to the different wine stations.
This is a great place to start your evening or end it while in San Francisco.
Great vibe. Very high end so if you're more of the pubs that smell like puke kind of person I'd recommend you stay away from this place. Lets see..service was great, the 'Wine Tender' took time to explain the different types of wine, all to our blank expressions since we had no idea what he was talking about. The decor is awesome. Something SF isn't used to..nice decor. We're so damn lazy when it comes to visual creativity so walking into a place with a great look is always appreciated.
Oh.. and before assuming they close early because they're trying to act like wineries (stupid rumor), they do so because they don't technically have a bar license. As such, they can't serve full glasses of wine, only tastings, nor can they serve alcohol after a certain time.
So..this is a great place to check out if you're craving a high end bar or if you want to impress your date and the Porsche you rode in on wasn't enough. :) Enjoy.
Location and ambiance are great and the wine is nice. A shame the overall experience left such a bad taste.
The prices are high which is what I expect and couldn't care less except the service is mediocre at best. Reception kept us waiting for 5 minutes just to get inside while they were too busy looking self important and talking to each other (there were no other customers). Kinda annoying you;d think but that didn't stop them adding a gratuity to my bill without asking.
They natually assume us poor foolish customers should just be grateful to be there. Sorry dudes, ain't coming back. Don't like your attitude.
Yep, this is urban wine tasting. Sounds snooty and pretentious, but the way this place bills itself is pretty on target. Enter this warehouse-like structure In the open-air alley of Yerba Buena between Market and Mission. We arrived a bit after 4:00 pm on Friday, and the space had just opened for the afternoon. It was our first time there, so the staff explained how the Press Club card worked and what was available to us.
You descend into the lounge and tasting area, and there are stiff, geometric sofas scattered in a fairly dim-lit, cavernous space. (Cell phone reception is spotty, FYI.) Various wine bars for tasting are set up, and the decor is stylish, modern, yet simple. If you sit in the lounge, people will come around to serve you. We started with pinot and red flights (three tastes each), then tried the charcuterie and olive plates for something to snack on.
It's pretty hard not to order menu or tasting items -- as you just hand them your little green pass -- so I ordered another half-glass of a pinot I'd tasted. We also sampled a sauvignon blanc and a viognier, which we paired on our own with pecan cupcakes with blue cheese frosting.
When afternoon turns to evening, the lights dim more, and more people stroll inside -- tourists carrying brown Bloomingdales bags, co-workers meeting for happy hour, and friends. The service was pretty attentive, although we went early on a Friday afternoon, so I cannot speak for the crowd or service at night or when it's busy.
I'll definitely return, perhaps early on a lazy Saturday.
Gorgeous interior - good wine selection and friendly, efficient service.
Have been here twice, once with a handful of friends and another time with a larger party. This location accommodated both smoothly and easily.
Also enjoyed that they had several vineyards represented. It's like going to a Napa tasting without the long drive out of the city.
Can be a bit pricey but eh, what do you expect? The location and interior is high end. Sometimes you have to pay to get more.
I use to go wine tasting very often. There was nothing more exhilarating and traditional than our yearly "ladies getaway" weekends to Napa. Fresh from facials & massages to the wineries where we drank, laughed, talked, drank, laughed, and drank some more. Very good times...... And then my friends got knocked up and became mothers/wives. Such was the end of an era.
Press Club isnt in Napa. Even better, its in San Francisco, nestled right in SOMA in between buildings. I would never have even known it was there. Walking in is like walking into a "members-only" club - down the steps into a classy posh lounge with sections for the various wineries. Reminded me a little of NYC. (oh how i miss thee) I like wine, and when paired with dessert, well, its pretty much a done deal for me. I lucked out that this particular night they had a cupcake special going on - 3 cupcakes paired with 3 wines.
* Coconut cream cupcake paired with Chardonnay - really good, probably my favorite out of the three. I loved the coconut frosting.
* Almond cream cupcake paired with Reisling - good but i wasnt a huge fan of the almond taste.
* Pecan bleu cheese cupcake paired with Red Zin - now this one caught me off guard. I dont like bleu cheese, at all, so i was weary about tasting it. The thought of bleu cheese makes me gag. But let me just say, the sound of it might seem off and unappetizing, esp. if you dont like bleu cheese.....but this was surprisingly pretty good. Oddly enough, i liked it. The sweet taste of the pecan frosting with a hint of bleu cheese went really well together.
Each cupcake paired perfectly with each glass of wine. The wine by itself i wasnt fond of, but with the cupcakes it was really a match made. Now the cupcakes alone.....well, i could have ate about a handful more with no guilt. They were really good. After that little taste test, i wanted to explore the other wineries, and ended up at Hanna where Brenna served me up a nice glass of their Sauvignon Blanc. Sadly, i was only able to enjoy one glass, but it was definitely a good one.
If you're lucky like i was this night, when you visit Press Club, you will get treated to their cupcake flight too. They also offer other small bites on the menu. This is a nice place to unwind after a long day. You'll love the ambiance. Definitely take advantage of all the samplings from the different wineries.
Twice now I have been to Press Club, with overall impressionable experiences. Namely, I love coming here because Chateau Montelena features their wine and I have an obsession for any of their production. Not only do you get friendly tastings and good chats with representatives of the winery, but you also get to enjoy full glasses afterward in the lounge of either the crisp and floral Montelena 07 Chard, or step it up a few notches with their Estate Cab that makes my toes tingle.
Prices add up quick on the Press Card, so you have to be a bit careful. The second time I went was later in the evening and they shut down the tasting stations at 9pm. Plus it was the night before July 4th, so many of them were unwilling to open new bottles of wine because they were going to be closed the holiday weekend and they would go bad. They did have every wine we asked for available, but I noticed several other couples with disappointed faces. I understand their concern for losing profit on a product, but at the same time keeping customers happy should be priority and if anything, employees could take home whatever isn't finished, right?
While I'd love to give 5 stars for both visits, I'm settling on a 4.5 because of these small hiccups. I really wish that they would keep the stations open until at least 10pm. And I didn't get a full glass of the Estate Cab because they wouldn't open another one to finish it off. It seems they've worked out some of the previous kinks, and of course they are unique in the city, so I will be sure to come again. Just make sure you get there early!
Love Love Love this place!! When you first walk in, they swipe one of your credit/debit cards and then give you a plastic card to use to buy your drinks. You go downstairs and it is a swanky area with, what looks like multiple bars around the room except with wine. You can use your card and go to the different counters, each of them being a different winery, and you can try a taste, a glass, or do a flight. They charge based on what you do. When I went I got tastes from a few different wineries. Do be careful though because these "tastes" were more like half a glass to me. You can make your trip to Press Club as pricey or as cheap as you like. You pay when you leave and they will know how much to charge you by swiping the card that they gave you on the way in. Wine connoisseurs should definitely try this place out.
I stopped by here for a friend's pre-bday dinner happy hour. It wasn't too crowded for a Thursday. The setup is very nice. You walk in and register, and they give you a tasting card. There are a bunch of counters with different wineries with tastings. Its like wine tasting in Napa, but all condensed into one spot.
I arrived later than my friends, so I just tried whatever they were having.
I ended up with Miner Vineyard's Red Flight( http://static.px.yelp.... ). You get 4 tastings for $20, but our guy threw in an extra tasting for us. The extra tasting was a Cabernet Sauvignon which we really liked....too bad I can't remember the name of it. I definitely want to come back to taste more wines. I'd recommend going on an empty stomach. For $20, I ended up with a nice buzz. =)
Parking was a bit of a pain. If you don't want to pay the meters, you have to wait until 6:00 to park on the street. Otherwise fork up the quarters or head to the 5th & Mission garage.
Love this place. Taste bunches of wine from small wine makers who don't even have tasting rooms in Napa (for the most part). Everyone running the various winery offerings knows not only their wine but everyone else's wine and will point you towards other wineries' offerings that you will enjoy.
The food is overpriced for what you get. I suggest a meal immediately before coming to the Press Club, somewhere near by that has awesome food, and then toodle over here for a fun couple of hours trying different wine offerings.
Friday is my favorite night for the cupcake pairing. That's very fun. :)
What a piece of real estate that this place occupies! I can picture a huge club in this awesome space with lots of bar room and lounging space.
I came a little late Friday night 'cause I heard they had great wine here. Sure enough they do! Like 7 different wineries are represented in this place.
Here's what you do..NO cash or overtipping required. Just leave your credit card at the front and they give you this swipe card to take to each place you want to try. About 3-5 bucks for each drink. And, most wineries towards the end of the night are trying to finish their bottles off. More than just a taste I noticed in my glass..woo hooo!!!
I would say in a span of 45 minutes I had 15 "taste" glasses of wine and including tip it ran me 77 bucks! Lets see..what do I remember..Miner '07 Sauvingon Cab, Miner Rosellas Pinot, Miner '06 Sangiovese, Montelena Cabernet Franc, Landmark Heitz '06, Jayson Chardonnay don't remember the rest. Thats it! You do the math...you can't beat it.
Great place to start the nite if you are meeting friends or heading to another bar afterwards.
Only negative thing is no music! I guess they want you to talk to the servers and listen to them talk about their product but by the 10th glass I was like ..whatever!! Just pour my glass b&*%h! I'm running out of time...last call is 10 pm! :) Had a blast and will come back again...
I came here for a alumni get together/mixer and was very impressed with the venue. Upon arrival, they ask you to swipe your credit card and give you a press club card - basically making it so much easier when you want to just purchase something (like D&B but with no games!). The place had a modern feel to it and is definitely impressive. It got kind of hot down in the cave area though. Overall, it has a cozy feeling and is a good place for large groups and gatherings.
Press Club has the ideal location for Downtowners and Moscone event attendees.
Check out their website and you'll see this amazingly sophisticated, sexy space...you'll be happy to know the pictures are not exaggerations.
Needless to say, the wines are fantastic and because their menu changes monthly, they will definitely have me coming back for more. The cheese pairing flights are a nice way to go if you want to sit back rather than (or after) walking around, which is another fun choice.
I was surprised though, unless I just wasn't being observant, that they didn't have wine evaluation charts...since I am by no means an expert of wine, it would have been nice to keep track of my favorite pinots.
Also, If you go out to eat AFTER coming here, do NOT, I repeat do NOT order wine. You will be very tempted to throw your glass on the floor and yell "WHAT IS THIS CRAP?!"
Oh, this place is NICE. It's a beautiful, beautiful wine bar with a classy well designed interior and natural finishes everywhere - it's sexy.
They have vinters from different wineries come in to talk about the wines as you are tasting. They give you a card, like a credit card so that you can taste different wine flights.
To sum it up, Five Stars and One word, Classy.
Neighborhood: Union Square
Category: Bars
Neighborhood: Union Square
Category: Wine Bars
Neighborhood: SOMA
Category: Beer, Wine & Spirits
Neighborhood: Union Square
Category: Lounges
Neighborhood: SOMA
Category: Bars
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