This review is for the main dining room. My friend is a member of this club and she invited me to…read morehave dinner with her at the main dining room. Two of us shared 3 appetizers, each of us had a main (so 2 main dishes), total of 3 glasses of champagne, and 2 desserts, total ~$390. Almost $200 per person. Champagne, I did splurge and got the most expensive glass they had ($55). It's a blended champagne with different years of champagne and the staff member explained all the back stories about the champagne offered during the evening and this one intrigued me. If you do come in early, you will see a staff member doing a sabrage. I have been cutting alcohol consumption but I got persuaded to give this a try! It is a very very delicious champagne. Now into the food. Hamachi crudo - it is a very delightful and well-executed starter. The thickness of the hamachi is just right and the caviar and apples are definitely the perfect compliments highlight the flavor of hamachi and balance the richness in hamachi. Steak tartare - it has a lighter fare to it. The meat was cut into a micro dices/cube rather than finely minced in a traditional way. The crostini is super thin as well. I personally prefer a more rich and decadent steak tartare but I also think this lighter version will have their supporters too. (Honestly, I think if you are in GLP-1 and need to increase your protein intake but not having a large appetite, this would be the perfect dish to have. lol!) Octopus - I highly recommend this appetizer, especially during the June Gloom time when you want a warm, hearty, and flavorful starter. Not only the octopus was grilled to perfection, it has this delicious roasted potatoes, chorizo mash(?) , and one of the best chimichurri I've ever had. I can see myself coming back here just to get this dish. My friend got the black cod - she had it over the weekend and enjoyed it so much that she had to have it again. Risotto - this is the one that I just think it's just OK. I love the idea - using the spicy flavorful cioppino as a stock to cook the risotto. But I'm quite disappointed by the amount of seafood served in this $40 risotto. The portion, honestly, feels like a primo rather than the main course. If you have a small appetite, yea, you can get around with it as your main. But this is the same price as the black cod - I expect to get more rice and get way more seafood since mussels, clams, and shrimps that were placed on the risotto are on the tiny side... so I honestly don't think it's worth the price. It is delicious - don't get me wrong. But I just won't pay $40 next time again for it. Dessert, my friend got a scope of ice-cream. I was recommended to have the strawberry cheesecake and it was definitely a very solid dessert. At first I thought it's just a slice of cheesecake topped with strawberry. But the staff explained the dessert to me and I gave this a try. It is a deconstructed strawberry cheesecake but I do think the pastry chef did a great job celebrating strawberry cheesecake! The cheesecake was formed into a chocolate bon bon with a shape like a strawberry. It's served with this roasted strawberries sauce and the graham cracker crumbs tie everything together. I am a little bit surprised to see this type of dessert as I wouldn't think they would hire a pastry chef... they might just keep it simple with ice-cream and sorbet, or source really well-made dessert elsewhere. But it seems like they do have a pastry chef in-house. So definitely save room to give the dessert offering a try as well! Was the service great? Yes. Was the food good? Yes. But I just don't think it's enough to justify paying $2K of initiation fee + $3K of annual membership fee in order to have the delicious food here at the main dining room. There are other places in the city that offer attentive services with delicious food out there for the similar price range. I'm rounding up the rating to four because I see the staff here doing their best to make this dining room to provide this low-key luxurious dining experience for their members. However, if you do need an access to a venue to host parties/gatherings within your social group, or to be part of a social club to build your professional and personal network, I can see the value to joining this club. But I just won't pay $5K just to come here for food/drink unless I see a bigger discount at the restaurant. For now, I think the price is fairly comparable to other expensive steakhouse/high-end restaurant in the city that doesn't have a Michelin star. At this point, I just hope my friend who is a member will continue taking me out there for dinner in the future ;)

We love to visit the battery when we are in San Francisco. It's a private club that has reciprocal…read morelocations in different parts of the world also... Why do we like the battery? There is always something fun going on... While we were there in March we were able to attend a free comedy show... Standing room only. After it was on to the secret room for drinks and dinner downstairs in the renovated dining room. The weather was stellar during our visit in March at 80°! So sitting outside at one of the garden tables was a must. The food here is excellent in the dining room and outside. The service is also top-notch.... The art changes, but my favorite is downstairs in the basement! ".... And then they came." how can you not love that?! Even the bathrooms are fun in this establishment! Dark, bohemian and somewhat sultry. We love the changing entertainment and always feel welcome here.

This is a terrific members only club. The food is outstanding and the service is terrific. The…read morebest thing about this club is you cannot use any phones or electronic devices and no business papers can be shared at the table. I only wish every restaurant would do the same. The people go there just to talk and have a great dinner. I was a guest and really enjoyed the atmosphere.

Lovely club to relax in. Assistant GM Jay was a rockstar. We needed a specific restaurant menu…read moremid-day on a Sunday, a nearly impossible feat, yet he found it and even printed out the menu. Jay is missed at the Olympic Club! Great guy, great service!

The Francisca Club is gorgeous and a great piece of San Francisco history!…read more We were lucky enough to host our annual mother-daughter event here for Spinsters of San Francisco. I believe that you can only hold event here if you know someone who is a member of this all-ladies club. We enjoyed a high-tea with amazing tea, champagne, and "tea bites." We also had the chance to explore the building a little bit and there seemed to be beauty around every corner; I especially loved the library! If you ever have the opportunity to visit the Francisca Club, I'd recommend saying a resounding "YES!!!"

I've driven past this place countless times and never really paid too much attention to it…read more Apparently it's owned by an elite women's social club that brings in literary giants and does a lot of philanthropic work... so when I went to a holiday party here, it looked like you'd expect. Gorgeous ceilings, tall bookcases, heavy drapes... we even had a little old piano player in the corner. After cocktails we headed upstairs for dinner, and the room seated our 80-person party quite nicely. It'd be a great place to have future events, but I'm sure it costs a pretty penny.

Although I'm not a member, I had the opportunity to visit The Amador Club, and I was genuinely…read moreimpressed. From the moment you walk through the doors, the club has a luxurious yet welcoming atmosphere. The décor is elegant, the space is impeccably maintained, and the overall environment is both professional and sophisticated--exactly what you'd expect from a premier private club in San Francisco. A special shout-out to Jessey, the bartender, who made the experience exceptional. Jessey was friendly, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable. The cocktails were perfectly crafted, and the level of hospitality made me feel like I belonged, even as a guest. It's clear that providing outstanding service is a priority here. Whether you're meeting clients, enjoying a drink with friends, or simply looking for an upscale place to unwind, The Amador Club delivers. The combination of a refined atmosphere, exceptional service, and outstanding staff makes it a place I would happily visit again. If this is the experience as a guest, I can only imagine how great it is to be a member. Highly recommended!

1 star. And honestly that feels generous. I went to Amador…read morethinking "private members club" meant quality, standards, at least basic professionalism. I was there with a few of my Mexican friends and what we experienced was easily one of the worst dining experiences of my life. Let's start with the food. I ordered a shrimp cocktail. What I got looked like it had been sitting out way too long. The shrimp smelled off. Not "maybe it's just seafood" off -- actually rotten. And they didn't even clean it properly. The vein was still fully attached on multiple pieces. That's basic prep. Basic. I took a few bites trying to convince myself it was fine, and within minutes I felt sick and had to run to the bathroom. Yes, actually sick. At a so-called private club charging premium prices. Speaking of the bathroom -- disgusting. Dirty floors, nasty smell, looked like it hadn't been properly cleaned in who knows how long. For a place trying to sell exclusivity and luxury, the restroom alone tells you everything you need to know about how they operate. Now let's talk about the prices. Completely outrageous. The kind of pricing where you expect white-glove service and flawless execution. Instead you get low quality seafood and a bathroom that feels like a gas station on a bad highway stop. But the worst part wasn't even the food. We brought the issue up to one of the managers -- Catarina I think. I've rarely met someone so dismissive and obnoxious in hospitality. Instead of apologizing or trying to resolve the issue professionally, she became defensive and rude almost immediately. Then it escalated into something much worse. She made racist comments toward my Mexican friends and used slurs. Completely unacceptable. We were stunned. In 2026, at a private club, from management. That alone tells you the culture of this place. No accountability. No class. No professionalism. A private club is supposed to make you feel welcomed and valued. Amador did the exact opposite. Bad food, filthy facilities, inflated prices, and management that behaves in a way that should embarrass the entire establishment. Save your money. Save your time. And definitely save your health. Never again. 1/5.

Gorgeous venue. I attended a friend's wedding here on a weekend. If you're attending or hosting an…read moreevent, I recommend researching where to park and have a back up parking lot in mind as well. The venue does not have a parking lot, and the closest parking lot was full. So definitely have a back up just in case Honestly, I knocked off a star because the receptionist yelled at us for walking towards the elevator as we were waiting in a line for it. Instead of telling us while we were waiting that only 4 people can go in at a time, she yells "ONLY 4 PEOPLE!" as you walk towards the elevator when it arrives. I suggest to print a sign that says 4 people at a time instead of obnoxiously yelling it

Great venue for your special event! It was a wedding reception for me this time! Great historic…read morebuilding, just a block down Nob Hill from the Fairmont Hotel. Steeped in California history and San Francisco tradition. Elegant environment for your special event. Staff is great and accommodating to your needs and event requirements. They do a lot of weddings here. Got familiar with it more from a Wedding Showcase they had 1-2 years ago. The Bride actually got acquainted with us at the SF Symphony a year prior. If you like traditional elegance in a San Francisco landmark atop perhaps the most famous SF hill, check this place out for your event.

Alchemy Springs has become one of my favorite places. I didn't expect that much from a sauna - but…read morewow does it have a noticeable effect on my mood. Every time I leave I feel incredible--almost euphoric. For us American's who are just learning that the rest of world does this - and not home alone but with other people. It's too little too late and all the more reason to go. The space itself is beautiful, peaceful, and unbelievably clean. Every detail feels intentional, and you immediately sense that the owners care deeply about the experience they're creating. One of the biggest surprises has been the people. The staff and guests are warm, interesting, and genuinely kind. It feels more like a community than a business, and I've had some unexpectedly great conversations there.

Most fun I've had at a spa or sauna ever. By FAR the most fun I've had in a cold plunge (It really…read morehelps that you're alongside a friend or new acquaintance who is toughing through it to 5 minutes with you!) Gorgeous, humongous, proper hot, and dare I say social sauna? Loved it. And the selection of hot teas? (Insert chefs kiss gesture). Perfect for a cool day, even better for a rainy one. And this is just the beginning. The expansion plans are impressive and well laid out on the website and in the inner entryway. Can't wait to go back. Met more likeminded and fun people in two hours here than over the last two months. What a pleasant and unpretentious take of social spa-going. PS: as photographed, also learned about karma. And not in some enlightened sense, but the simple fact that if you beg the proprietress to up the heat in the sauna with a splash of water in hour one... she might come back while you're four minutes into your cold plunge with a three to five pound bag of ice.

The event coordinators are amazing to work with and they provide an affordable price to nonprofits…read more They are really straightforward to work with and are always looking for ways they can accommodate the needs of your event. They are located on the 3rd floor of the Kensington Hotel and their decor is very woodsy, cabin-y vibes. While they might not be the most communicative six months out from your event, by the time your event is 2-3 months away, their communications typically get more frequent and regular.

Upon the shores o' Elks No. 3, There stands a barkeep fierce…read moreas sea. Ol' Artie growls with weathered face, Yet pours the finest in the place. Ye step aboard, he gives a sneer, As if ye've stolen all his beer. But fore ye speak, yer glass is filled, With sailor's grog both strong and chilled. His tongue be sharp as harpoon steel, His jokes can make a deckhand kneel. He grumbles, scowls and rolls his eye, Yet keeps the spirits runnin' high. The lodge itself be warm and grand, A treasure chest upon the land. With hearty souls and tales galore, Ye'll find no finer tavern shore. So raise yer mugs and give three cheers, For Artie's scowl and salted years. The grumpiest pirate o' the bay, And best damn barkeep to this day.

I came here for my friend's birthday party, and this venue did not disappoint! Felt like a mix…read morebetween Great Gatsby and Vegas vibes! They had a pretty amazing DJ which definitely set the tone of the night. The lounges and seating areas are so chic and modern! Definitely felt more like a luxury cocktail lounge than an average bar. My friends and I really enjoyed ourselves. It's a huge space upstairs and downstairs! You also need to show your invite at the door or else security will not let you in. And if it's too crowded they won't let you in. I actually like that safety aspect.

San Francisco has welcomed ModX Modernist Exchange with spectacular fanfare. This storied space and…read moreprivate membership club joins the elite ranks of California's influential clubs and impressive membership roles. Nestled in the Financial District, ModX's energy and member engagement is as palpable as their delicious cuisine, outstanding staff, and passion of the owner/operators that have created something very special. I belong to many private organizations and private membership clubs. Each club enjoys a distinct and nuanced uniqueness. ModX hosts a young, vibrant, innovative membership with events that appeal to a host of interests and pleasures. From succulent dinner parties and influential speaker events to elegant evening gatherings and engaging nightlife dancing - the offerings are plentiful. Membership is taken very seriously here as with several of the best private clubs in the FiDi. The waitlist has grown to six months. Pro Tip: Accompany a friend who is a member and will invite you to one of the many functions at this elegant yet unpretentious club. Observe and learn how special the membership is and how meaningful relationships flourish here with hosts and operators that value quality over quantity. Fun facts: This stunning venue has hosted many notable events & gatherings, from when Peter Thiel owned the spot (Frisson) and hosted Facebook's early 1M & 5M user parties and our 5A5 'Influencer' dinners & events with Elon, Naval, Airbnb/ Paypal/ Youtube/ Coinbase cofounders & more. (credit for last note from their site)

I've been here more than a handful of times because it honestly feels like an old shoe on Geary…read morenear Polk next to A La Turca, the old-school Turkish restaurant (review: https://yelp.to/xS0Qk2QTtO). Like all good dive bars, it has a cool history that started with a wrestler named Hank and a boxer named Ralph who decided to open a bar together back in 1947. The bar's name is an amalgam of their names, and they kept a loaded pistol under the register. It still has a roughhewn quality that would make you think an arm wrestling match would break out between two drunk customers like a scene from "Barfly". The difference though is that the bartenders have always been friendly to non-regulars like me. Certainly no complaints from me on the prices. Whether it was a Makers Mark & Ginger (photo: https://yelp.to/soyaYncjP7) or a Tequila Sunrise (photo: https://yelp.to/cb6ipQ7wBz), it's always $7. Now I haven't gone as far as racking up the balls and playing pool here. I leave that to the regulars who seem to know each other very well. Don't let the red metal gate scare you off. It's a friendly spot. DRINKS - 4 stars...cheap and not watered down AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...still in relatively good shape after their renovation SERVICE - 4 stars...great bartenders here TOTAL - 4 stars...a really solid vintage dive bar RELATED - Exploring the Tenderloin? Here's my collection of places I've tried and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2NIQ0tw

Warm, friendly atmosphere with great jukebox and excellent pours…read more We went there on a whim whilst walking down the street after dinner this past weekend Sunday. Somehow the place drew us in. I think it may have been the old style, blinking, neon cocktail glass sign, which we all loved! Rena (spelling?) the bartender made everyone feel welcome and she was a genuine host for us strangers to the bar, indeed to the neighborhood. We noticed her style with everyone, not just us. I've gone to a lot of this type of bar - the so-called dive bar. I don't refer to them as dive bars, just cozy, unpretentious places where no one has their noses up in the air. I've met a lot of bartenders working in these types of bars, and I have to say Rena is the best I've ever had the satisfaction of talking to and ordering a drink from. Keep on doin' what you're doin' Rena and the Ha-Ra Club!

Best private clubs in town. Gets you into some of the most amazing events in the city.read more

From the owner: Private Events for Club Members & Guestsread more