Dropped in here last night with a friend for a night cap. Enjoyed the Wednesday night band. We got a bottle of the Argentinian Cabernet with the hummus and mixed board. The wine was amazing and the small bites were delicious. Laidback service with an east vibe. Check this place out. read more

Blush is a cute quick stop for wine and a quick bite. I went for dinner but the food was limited so we only had an appetizer and went elsewhere for a full meal. It was an interesting wine cellar vibe, dark ish and quiet. I can't recall the wine, but there is such a variety here for every taste. As for food, we got the smoked salmon ravioli. It was okay, heavy cheese with smoked salmon chunks that gave it that smokey and fishy flavor. Not a ravioli, but a solid appetizer. Wish there was a better food selection, but their focus is their wines. Definitely come here for wine and vibes, maybe not the food but it's not bad. read more

Blush! - Smoked Salmon Ravioli - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Decided to make a visit to the Castro while we were visiting San Francisco. Stopped into one of the local gay bars, and the loud thumping music just wasn't our scene. By chance, came across Blush while we were out walking and decided to go in and check it out. This wine bar was exactly the scene we were craving. Blush has a relaxed, inviting atmosphere that is void of pretense or attitude. This is the type of place where you can discover and enjoy some really good wine and actually have conversations with others. The staff was super friendly and knowledgeable about the wine they were serving and made good recommendations based on your individual palette. If you are looking for a nice place to chill and enjoy some wine in the Castro, Blush is definitely a must stop. read more

Blush! - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

This is such a cute little bar in the Castro! They have a great selection of wine and a decent food menu as well. We only stopped here because we had time to kill before our dinner reservation and it was the perfect place to grab a quick drink and small snacks. The service wasn't exactly friendly, but we were there for such a short amount of time that it didn't matter too much. I would definitely recommend Blush to all my wine lover friends! read more

Blush! - Small cheese board - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This has been one of my favorite spots for a long time. I believe they went through a renovation a couple of years ago but the ambiance has always been perfect and a welcomed contrast to all the bars and clubs nearby. If you're not feeling like being in a loud crowded club then see if you can get a seat here and enjoy a glass of wine. They play music some nights, definitely on Thursday's. I really appreciate that most nights the musicians tend to play music at a polite level so that you can hear your company speak and hear your own thoughts as well. Lounges that don't find this sweet spot of volume are a major pet peeve. Lots of great choices of wine and ask the staff for recommendations. Escargot and olive tapenade are some of my fave items. read more

Blush! - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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If you want a great wine and beer, this is the place to go. This place has an amazing selection to choose from. The atmosphere is dark and cozy. You can really feel like you are in your own little world there. Bartenders were great. They were very attentive and friendly. When we didn't know what to get or what something was, they happily explained without any attitude that sometimes you get when servers are impatient or irritated at questions that they should be answering as part of the experience. If you get hungry, they have a really nice menu with a large variety of items to choose from depending on what you are hungry for or how hungry you might be. I recommend the large board. It had just the right selection of cheeses and meets to pick at while enjoying your drinks. It isn't cheep, but it isn't outrageous either. Definitely worth the money for the experience, level of service, and quality of drink and food. Check it out, you won't be disappointed and I do plan to visit again when in town. read more

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Amazing sweet and fun bartenders serving up delish Belgium beers as well as great wine and food to suit any taste. Great reprieve from rest of Castro. read more

Gabriel and Vince are awesome bartenders at Blush! They are friendly and personable. Love coming back.

This was a great place to have a glass of wine... or 2!!! The bartender was great and extremely well informed regarding the wine. Will definitely be back!! read more

Blush! - Clementine was delicious! So was the Bartender! - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

You can't ask for a better (wine bar) happy hour! 30% off their ENTIRE wine list. They also have a great selection of wine. I've gone to other bars with better food selections, but since I came in strictly for a glass of wine, I can't complain! The bar is simply but artfully decorated, and would be a nice date spot. read more

I've been here twice now and really like the quiet and chill ambiance of the wine bar. It's conveniently located right across the street from the Castro Theater, if you and your friends just finished watching a show and want to grab a drink or two before heading home. Both times I've been, there were 5-6 of us and it was never too crowded that we couldn't find seats immediately, which is impressive given its prime location in the Castro. We came around 10 pm on a Friday and Saturday night, respectively, so I was surprised we could find seating so easily.The set up is varied with some larger communal tables, some cozy looking couches, and some private tables that are perfect for a group of 5-6 people. I've never had the food here, but I've consistently gotten their sangria ($8 a glass) which is delicious if you like sweeter drinks like me. Note that it's probably one of the sweetest sangrias I've ever had, so if sweet drinks aren't your thing, stay far away from the sangria here and try one of their many wines instead. Parking here is all along the street. The last time I came my friend drove and it was shocking to me how we were able to find an open spot right in front of Blush. So it is possible but I would recommend ubering or lyfting instead to be safe, especially on a busy Friday/Saturday night. read more

Definitely buy the bottle or you will get a small glasss. One friendly bartender, and the other not so great.

Ugh! My friend and I ended up with massive gastrointestinal issues the day after. Simply awful! The bar is much divier than I expected from the pictures, which looked more upscale. Service could have been a bit better and more attentive as the place was not busy. Had a couple glasses of wine and shared a prosciutto and goat cheese sandwich that came with a side salad (big mistake). They had live music which I guess could be considered a plus for some folks, but my friend and I ended up shouting at each other all night, and left exhausted with sore throats and ringing ears. Needless to say, I won't be returning. read more

-I had two glasses of Sauv Blanc, he had two glasses of the Malbec "If not now, when?" I was on a date with J, at least I like to call it that. He's a friend of a friend and, while infrequent, he's sometimes been at some of the same 'friend gatherings' and whenever he is, we've always chatted it up like old mates (lovers?) and remarked, 'we need to get a drink together sometime'. Well this was that... I had asked him out, finally! And why not Blush? It's comfortable, cozy, and tapestries, art, sofas and wine give it a warm atmosphere. Tuesday has live music, jazz, for that special touch... We had a lovely, lovely conversation over two glasses of wine. It's complicated. He's a successful dancer and even so, the Bay Area is an expensive place to be in the arts. He's heard Berlin is the place to be and plans to move this year, having never been--sight unseen. He's young. 33. Why not? I told him that that's why I moved to San Francisco from Pennsylvania when I was 27....and I have never regretted it. Kindred spirits I think. Thanks Blush--lovely wine and a very lovely place for a romantic conversation.... read more

When I was young, I wanted to be a writer, a poet, a lounge singer and a journalist. I had wanted to sing at a place like this, dark and trendy, good wine but not too crowded so that you can still hear your companion at a respectful distance. It also possible to take small breaks and mingle around the tables scattered around this bar, without bumping into sweaty people. I did not think a French wine bar existed in many places in this part of the town. In part, I was never looking for such things. If I wanted a French bar, I would have gone to one at my home in France but that's too far, too ambitious and unnecessary when a good one is just across the street from the Castro theatre. I arrived last week after a long day at work, honestly thought I was late but I was the first to arrive. Promptly ordered a glass of bubbly Rose and grabbed a table because my girlfriend often arrives with her entourage and that evening it was no exception. Soon six of them arrived, separately and then some together, they complimented my seating arrangement. We all set at a communal table, pleasantries exchanged. Noted two new people from Brooklyn, musicians, who I had not met before, one friend I already knew, some musician who lives in Cole Valley, a Bavarian girl I've known through a gallery outing and then my girlfriend who was an ageless lady who used to belly dancing naked in the early years of Blackrock city, now a perennial fixture among the musicians and artist in town. She literately knows everyone and is friends with everyone in town. So you get the gist. This bar attracts artist types who came in that evening to watch a band. It's a good place for likeminded people to gather, to have a good meal and then listen to some tunes. I ordered appetizers for the table. Ever feel that you are the lucky one who did well for yourself and you should be more generous among your artist friends? Well, I do. I always feel too sheltered and too lack of artistry. The only thing I'm good at is to eat food. So I ordered two things and they arrived shortly. They edamame spread was quite clever. I liked it a lot. The musicians playing that evening were quite good. French gypsy music was quite suitable for this bar. It's low key. Meaning, you don't have to scream and yell to talk and to be heard. The ambience is chill. And the food is good. The wine selection is robust. Stick with French, but of course. Will likely bring other friends of mine over here for meal and music. read more

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A lot of drink choices , good interior designs and nice atmosphere. A lot of wines and beers selection.

Wow, cannot say enough about this place. Service was phenomenal, we had two French bartenders that gave out free drinks if you made the cork in their bucket. What started as a quick stop turned into a night of great wine and a decent beer selection to top it off. Ambience is great, it's a little bit of an older crowd but can't critique that. I just can't get over the outstanding bartenders; they seemed to really care that their customers were enjoying their drinks and the bar itself. The wine was not too expensive, overall a blast. Must stop in Castro for a more laid back night. read more

Visited this place around midnight on a Saturday. Was about half full. Unfortunately the service was pretty bad. Bartender was very unpleasant and you could tell he just didn't want to be there. In fact, he was already closing down things when the bar was open for another 1.5 hours. Wine was fine. Moderately to expensive per glass (~$14). Perhaps he was under staffed and just needed some help... read more

Blush! - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

This is a generous 3 stars; I should have given 2-2.5 Wanted to love this place, unfortunately did not. Service was okay, and the food wasn't bad, but the portion we got for the cheese platter was pathetic. $18 for three tiny pieces of cheese and a handful of crackers and airy bread... Eighteen whole dollars. Two of the three cheeses were tasty and the bread was warm, but that should have been a $10-12 plate, max. Also, the layout and seating arrangements were a bit awkward. I really, really wanted to like Blush! Bummer. read more

Blush! - $18 platter (not including drinks). Measly portion. Not worth it. - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Can't wait to go back! I tried Blush for the first time this past weekend, and it was truly such a pleasant experience--exactly what I'd want from a wine bar. Jason was incredible knowledgeable and friendly! You can tell he has a lot of experience dealing with wine (and people!), and he'll make you feel totally at home. I loved the cozy vibes of Blush, and the wide array of wines you can try is more than you could ever want. Blush has undoubtedly been added to my list of regular haunts. read more

One of my favorite wine bars in the Bay Area--I love that the house wines are all European and that there are organic and biodynamic options too :). DRINKS: what a fantastically curated menu! I've never had a wine here I didn't like, and they have many of my favorites (no claim to being a oeno/expert here) including a House Montepulciano, Sancèrre, and some lovely darker red blends (my favorite!). Happy hour (until 6pm) is choose your own adventure at 30% off all wines. FOOD: There are cheese plates and other smaller bites that looked appetizing! Hope to try sometime soon :). SERVICE: so friendly! Never felt rushed (I do in most wine bars) and appreciated our server's high indecision tolerance. Everyone working there was open and ready to help--easy to flag someone down for whatever reason (more drinks, question about the wine list, bathroom low on toilet paper). AMBIANCE: perfect for a first or hundredth date or catch-up. There's a good mix of counter, table, bar, and couch seating--something for everyone (well, comfortably groups up to 10)! The lighting is charmingly dim without the hazards of darkness (looking at you, Local Edition). It's cozy, but doesn't feel small given the high ceilings and many nooks settle in. Overall, a welcome oasis amid all the fun craziness that is the Castro at night :). read more

This place is really lovely and intimate. If you want to take someone on a date who loves wine, come here. Wines run around $9-12/glass from my memory with bottles available as well. If you're not into wine they had $6 sangria when I came and a few beers on tap. Longish bar area, a fair amount of tables, one community table, and a couch area near the front. If you're feeling a classy night out as a person who can adult with some wine on your mind, Blush awaits you dear! read more

After struggling to find some late night eats, a friend and I walked into Blush! We were slightly intimidated by its appearance - it's intimate and extremely classy, so we assumed it would be expensive. Thankfully the prices were pretty reasonable. Our waiter recommended the bacon & ricotta ravioli ($16). It came out steaming hot with some crispy bread on the side. While I didn't have taste buds after my meal, it was creamy and delicious. It was pretty rich but I still wanted more! While a little pricy, I had no regrets (even though my lactose intolerance was acting up...). The only disappointing aspect was that our waiter wasn't the friendliest. After reading some of the other reviews about how staff wasn't friendly however, I don't take it personal. I personally think it enhances your dining experience when you feel welcomed. However, although somewhat preoccupied, our waiter was quick to take our order and fulfill any requests we have. For a classy dining experience before your night out partying it up with amazing people in Castro, check out Blush! read more

Awful unpleasant staff. Came here and was waiting for a friend, was sitting out front when a waiter with an accent approached me. I told him I was waiting for my friend before I ordered, and he asked me to leave. When I was still there 30 seconds later he came back out and started throwing insults at me. Not sure why he assumed I wasn't a customer. There was only one other customer outside and many empty tables so there was no reason for that. Rude, bad experience. No idea what the wine is like. read more

Well now I feel bad for my assertion that there are no straight bars in the heart of the Castro. And yet, right here at the epicenter is a lovely, laid-back wine bar that would be the envy of many a straight neighborhood. Especially nice is that they've dialed down the romantic pretensions and just given it the lounge-around vibe of a coffee shop (albeit a well-lit and well-appointed one). Kicking back on the couches with your pals for a Friday night workweek debrief, washed down with a $10 glass of tasty Pinot (the Les Carabenes, I believe), is socializing at its best. I only wish the waiter had been a little less eager to flirt with our entire group--perhaps he was hoping we were drunk enough to get talked into ordering some of their tempting but pricy tapas. Also, it was almost too easy to get good seats in here--I can't help but wonder if this place is going to get waaay more popular after it's been open a little longer. read more

Blush! - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Such a cool wine bar in the Castro. One of the reasons why I don't travel to the Castro very often is that, most of the places aren't all that appealing. I was here with a friend recently and had a great time at this spot. The ambiance is low-key, but cool. The wine selection is fantastic and the servers are chill and friendly. It actually feels like an escape from some of the hectic scene outside. With a place like this, it's nice to have an alternative option to the mostly divey and loud establishments in the area. read more

Live music Thursday night, place packed out... Lucky enough that our group landed one of the two couches available. This is a wine bar, but the noise level was off the charts the evening we were here for some hangout time and to meet some new folks. My friend Ro's suggestion.. she had a glass of Sancerre, myself a sweet rose, and tried too friend S's tempranillo. There are always a few specials; see sandwich board. Warm and relatively small, but popular spot in the Castro! read more

Multiple visits Averaging 2 weekly visits My bf and I love to come here to get some "couch time", that is, to sit in one of their two comfortable couches and sip some wines. You'll be lucky to get them if you arrive early or on a slower weeknights. In general, there is no bad seat in Blush. We also love the table by the window facing Castro--the "soft serve window." :) Blush makes slight modifications to their menu from time to time. The most recent changes have rid off one of our favorite pinot noir by Spencer Santa Cruz, replacing with another one from the same region, Downhill ($12). We also love the Sancerre sauvignon blanc from Loire Valley, France ($12). Côtes du Rhône red is also good with a fuller body. Food-wise I recommend the chicken skewer and the various salads. I'm not a huge fan of cheese but judging from the ubiquitous presence of cheese plates during our visits they are to be recommended as well. The lava chocolate cake is delicious. Blush has live music on Thursday night. Also look for a house psychic/tarot reader on Wed. He's the one at the candle lit table. They open for brunch on weekend so you can get your Croque Madame. Service is always friendly and attentive. The place gets busy on weekend so you just have to wait and get your drinks at the counter. This is a great uppity alternative to the noisy and smelly bars in the neighborhood. read more

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Twas the afternoon of Cinco de Mayo. I rode the Rainbow-lit-escalator up from the muni station into the vivacious heart of Castro. Thirsty, I sauntered over to Blush! An adorable sign boasted a seven-day-a-week happy hour. Thirsty, I ordered a glass of prosecco from the charming bartender. I proceeded to people watch the hustle and bustle of Castro street while sipping my effervescence. Later, my companion arrived and we moved to a scarlet, velvet couch in the back. I sipped a glass of dry, Jacquère. The bartender was kind enough to pour me a taste before I committed to a generous glass. We sat, chatted and took in the wonderful neighborhood of a wine bar. Although, It appeared the majority of customers were regulars, I felt quite welcome. I would definitely return to try more of the unique offerings in such a quaint establishment. Funny Note: A customer asked if one of the bartenders was celebrating Cinco de Mayo. The server embraced the other server and cried, "We are French! We do not celebrate Cinco de Mayo! We lost!" read more

A little dark and dingy and who knows what happened on that old velvet couch but we'll lounge there anyways, yeah, that's part of our Sunday afternoon adventure. Came here with my sweetie and 2 friends post Beach Blanket Babylon and the place was pretty empty at 4pm on a Sunday. The service was friendly and our waitress even offered us a tasting of the wines as we were indecisive. Their chardonnay and pinots were both excellent but the cheese plate at $16 was just some measly pieces of toast and 4 pieces of cheese. No dried fruit? Wines weren't too expensive but not cheap either. Wine bars to me are suppose to be intimate, romantic, cozy. This place is none of the above. The ambiance makes me feel like I'm hanging out at some unclean high school friend's basement. Not too bad of a hangout spot but definitely not a place for romance or dressing up. Throw on your dingy 3 day old jeans and converse and you'll blend right in. read more

Sometimes circumstance is everything, so my friends and I were happy to rest at the relatively low-key Blush after a busy day of walking all over the city. The drinks were very good, as was the olive tapenade and the cheese plate. I actually still dream of that cheese plate from time to time. We sat in front of the windows and enjoyed a bit of open-air dining and people watching, and our server/bartender was friendly enough for my taste. But then, I get annoyed at overly-attentive service, so I don't mind having to walk to the bar to settle the tab. read more

Blush! - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

This place is a great place! They have a wide selection of wines for any kind of wine fan. I had the fortunate timing of coming in when Andrea is working. She couldn't have made me more comfortable while I was there. We talked a great deal and her knowledge and costumer service ability are 5 stars without hesitation. When you walk in it's as if your transported to a friends house for a glass of wine. Easy decor, comfortable couches, and fantastic staff. This is a must for anyone wanting to relax and have a great glass of wine. I'll be back for sure. I'll be back for sure! read more

Blush! - Amazing place! Andrea is amazing and makes the place like your at home having wine with a friend. - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Reason for loosing a star: This is not the fault of the actual place but the hours on yelp for the weekends are not correct. This caused my friends and I to explore around Castro for 45 mins before it opened, granted the street has many places to wonder in and explore so it wasn't too bad. I only noticed the late opening (10 mins, so really not that big of a deal) because we were literally standing outside. Also they were not completely ready at the time the store said they would be, in terms of kitchen staff and decor. Came here one weekend with my two high school friends to chat, drink, and eat. We walked in right when they opened the doors and clearly they were not 100% ready. The kitchen staff does not come in for another 30-45 mins after the opening so any food orders just took a little longer. The candle light decorations had yet to be lit and placed around the room either so it was a rather dark and uninviting environment. Once properly set up though, the place was rather charming with selves of wines, coaches, more private tables, and a bar. We also weren't aware but we came in during happy hour (daily 4-6pm) and all wines were 50%, yay! I am not a professional wine taster so sadly you cannot fully trust my taste on the "good stuff" but I can say there was a good selection of options. We ordered a bottle of Moscato for $18 after the 50% off (that screams girl-drinkers, I know! Partially ashamed, partially not.) and a large assorted board ($38). The board though! It really went well with a glasses of wine and I fell in love with the olive tasting spread, yum! The service was super friendly with the two interactions we had. Once when the kitchen staff apologized for the wait with the food they brought out and the second time when were were brought out our wine and asked if we wanted the option of chilling the remaining amount in the bottle, considerate. Overall, I think they were busy opening and could tell we wanted to chat and catch up, so they left us relatively alone which was fine for me. End note: I would love to come here during happy hour again but I would double check the times they are actually open and maybe wonder in 20 mins after they open. read more

Blush! - The assorted board and a bottle of moscato - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

It's awesome to have a wine bar option in the Castro as an alternative to places with only a choice of red versus white and no chance at an intimate conversation. Their menu is more extensive than just food plates so I'd say it almost qualifies as a restaurant. And as a restaurant, it's just ok. Croque-Madame: Standard. Ham, cheese, egg on bread. Satisfies your hunger. Tastier than American diner versions though doesn't compare to many French bistro attempts. Spicy Blush Kobe Beef Tartare: Spicy wasn't that spicy. Texture seemed machine processed rather than hand chopped. The typical capers, cornichon and onions were in the mix. I've had worse, but have also had better. Raviole de Royan: Probably the most standout item I've tried here. Super creamy comté sauce encasing midget-sized raviole. Way more sauce than pasta, which is ok by me since it made an awesome fondue-like dipping sauce. Escargots de Bourgogne en Persillade: Typical snails in garlic butter sauce. Tasty as always. I like that they put them in the ceremonial snail shell and give the special escargot tongs so there is always the risk of being like that ho in Pretty Woman. read more

I know, I know, it's the city. I get it, the buildings are old. Of course they don't have good air conditioning (or any). But it still killed me that on the hottest day of the summer, I popped in here to meet a friend and it was about 90F inside. That's SO not a relaxing place to have a glass of wine. It's just not. Three stars because it's cute, well-located, and has a nice wine selection... but... oy the lack of circulation on a hot day. read more

Love this joint! We came on a Thursday night after having dinner at Catch and the featured act for the evening was gypsy jazz. I can't recall having heard gypsy jazz before so I was intrigued. Turns out the band was good. They played some lively show tunes and a number of popular tunes that are well familiar to anyone with some semblance of popular American culture. We wanted a relaxing evening with good wine and good live music. Well, this place more than delivered. read more

My friends and I decided to come here yesterday and skip the crazy cheap happy hours around to enjoy some wine instead. The place is really chill. There was only one server so it took some time, but she was pretty good at checking up on us and updating us to let us know our food was coming. We all got a glass of wine and ordered a mixed platter which came with toasted sourdough bread, 2 cheeses, prosciutto and salami with whole grain mustard. I really liked the everything on the plate. I didn't care much for the prosciutto here but the Brie was really soft and creamy! Overall, decent service. The food was good and the wine was good, minus the sangria that I tried a sip of and didn't like. Other than that, I'd come back. read more

Blush! - Mixed meat and cheese plate - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Christopher was fantastic, and his wine recommendation was wonderful with the crab and avocado bruschetta. He even plugged my phone in to charge so I wouldn't be struck traveling back to Emeryville on my own late at night with no phone. Unfortunately, I initially chose Blush because I saw escargot on their menu online and was excited to have that for my late dinner after a long day of exploring the city. Sadly, they had just 86'd escargot from the menu, hence the bruschetta. It was delicious, though, and the charcuterie board the other gentleman at the bar enjoyed also looked delicious. I do hope to come back when I eventually bring my wife to explore the city by the bay, but we'll be hitting before 6pm, when the wines are half price for happy hour. read more

Blush! - Malbec and crab and avocado bruschetta - Wine Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

I enjoyed some apps here with my wife before heading out to dinner. If you are looking to eat dinner, then this isn't the place for you. It's a great place for some nice appetizers and great drinks. The place wasn't packed but most of the tables and bar section were full. We had to flag down the server a couple of times to take our order and get the check. Luckily, we didn't have to be somewhere at a certain time. I would go back since it's a great place to chill, have some wine and share some small plates. read more

Quaint little bar in Castro street I loved their ambience. Very classy and quiet. I went with my friends and had an awesome time chatting and drinking in here. read more