Moongate Lounge
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Omg I loved the vibes here it was so cute and loved the inspired drinks! I only wish there could have been more chill seating as there was a group of around 6 of us and we huddled around a bar top for 2. Would come back for the ambiance.
Date: Friday, February 20th, 2026 Time: 9:45pm Party of: 2 *Minor Snow ($20) *Jujube Spritz (13) *SF Mandate - 5% ($1.65) *Tax ($2.85) First off, this review is coming from an old lady. I used to go clubbing in the late 90s and 2000s. Probably before most of the patrons here were even born. Now that I've gotten that out of the way... I came here for a fundraiser once years ago before the space was finished. It seemed like a cool lounge at the time, so I pictured the same when we decided to come here for an after dinner drink. Definitely not the vibe I was envisioning. Basically a club, but not packed like clubs I'm used to back in the day. They have a main front bar and a a makeshift back bar with limited offerings by the dance floor. We ordered from the main bar. My drink was fine. Light and fruity which was what I was going for. My friend got the mocktail which he said was fine as well. There was really no place to chill, so we actually walked back to were the dance floor was a stayed there to finish our drinks. The floor wasn't really crowded at all. I just downed my cocktail cuz we wanted to get out of here. There was a lot of ice, so not too hard. I believe my friend did not finish his mocktail. i may have enjoyed this spot when I was younger. But as a xennial, def not my vibe. REVIEW #3988
I have to give this at least four stars because the vibe was so cute! The lounge is above a restaurant, so it's a bit inconspicuous from the outside -- almost like, if you know you know type of vibe. Which I enjoyed! *giving speakeasy* The only thing that was a little frustrating was the amount of time we waited for drinks. I'm not the type to complain about a bartenders speed at all, but when we went, it was a noticeably slower pace than any other bar I've been to. It was busy, sure, but probably not anything they haven't seen before? I'll give this place another try for the vibes, hopefully next time I can fit in a few more drinks!
**Vibey Lounge with eclectic chic decor and excellent cocktails** Came on a Saturday night with no Rezzie and was able to snag a small cocktail table with seating for two. This place gets busy and rightfully so as the libations are buzzing and equally tasty with great energy. Service was a little slow considering the crowd, however they made up for it with offerings of sparkling wine as an olive branch for the extra wait on our beverage order. Music was really good, mix of 80s San Francisco dance hits that will keep interrupting your conversation for a little wiggle. Highly suggest a visit if you're feeling adventurous and want to try a very unassuming lounge on an otherwise very quiet alleyway in Chinatown
3.5 stars Moongate Lounge is located on the top floor above the Michelin-starred restaurant Mister Jiu's. They take reservations but also welcome walk-ins which is what we did. We came on a Saturday night and the lounge had loud music and gave clubby vibes. We ordered the cold dew ($20) and the start of autumn ($20). The cold dew was refreshing and cooling from the crème de menthe. The start of autumn was served as a slushy that was also refreshing. There were some lounge seats but there were a lot of people standing. If you want to guarantee a chair, I recommend making a reservation.
This place is really vibey - semi-private comfortable lounge areas and full bar service. They have a rotating seasonal cocktail menu that follows the "moon's phases" so I'd definitely recommend trying one. I got the "Frost Descent" and it was good - a little bit sweet with a refreshing and "frosty" taste. We also got the crab dip and it comes with wonton chips - yum! Pretty decent appetizer portion. The place wasn't packed on a Tuesday night yet busy enough to feel like it had activity. To enter, you go into Mister Jiu's and there's a staircase directly to the right that leads you upstairs
TLDR: Great vibey lounge in SF Chinatown. Large menu with a variety of specialty cocktails and shareable drinks. Would recommend a reservation to ensure you get place to sit Drinks: Our group (7 people) shared the Orange Julius punch bowl and really enjoyed it. It was pretty rum-forward but was still something we could sip and chat with. We also thought the traditional style highball was very good! Ambiance/Service: I really like the dim lighting and decoration of Moongate. Since we had a large group we were lucky to sit in a booth but there is a variety of seating including high stools and couches. This was a great space to enjoy a drink with a group of friends. The staff was also very kind and friendly Price: I believe drinks ran about ~20 per drink which I think is standard for the area. The orange julius punch bowl was ~100 but we though it was a great value to share
I've had this place bookmarked for years, and finally made it out on a weekday night. I absolutely loved it! Such an intimate vibe! I made a reservation for 6:30pm and there were plenty of seats available. I loved the dim lighting and the overall feel of this place. The drinks were also DELICIOUS, my friend and I had like 3 drinks each. The fries were good and flavorful, however they got too salty at some point. This is such a great place for a date night or girls night out. They have tables for bigger groups and we were surprised to see they even have bottle service! I would definitely come back with a bigger group. This has to be one of my fave bar spots in SF, especially bc I prefer more intimate settings.
I tried to come on LNY, but it was completely packed. It was confusing to find because it's above Mister Jiu's and I believe there might be a small sign inside saying moongate is upstairs. I was able to get in the week after and it is over rated in my opinion. The colored LED lights and aesthetic is super cute don't get me wrong, but the back of the room is open and has carpet. It's a little bit of a weird vibe. The drinks weren't good at all, but they were strong. I don't think I'll be back.
Great spot for large groups! I made a reservation for a group of 11 and everyone was able to fit! FYI for large group reservations, you must pre-pay for a group cocktail (I got the Mai Tai one which was SO GOOD and strong!). Please double check your bill as they accidentally charged me for it AGAIN which I didn't notice til the day after but thankfully they were so sweet and reversed the charge for me immediately once I called. The ambiance here was definitely lounge-y and I loved how open the space was. I will say, though, their cocktails didn't really taste like what was described. For example I got the grain in the ear one (?) and it was supposed to have this corn taste to it but I got nothing of that. Also ordered mala fries which were pretty good! Overall great time here and would totally be down to come again!
Tucked away on the second floor of Mister Jiu's in Chinatown, this bar exudes a sense of mysterious glamour. Velvet sofas bathed in purple lighting, paired with Chinese-style windows and doors, create an atmosphere that feels both dramatic and intimate. The space itself is generous -- roomy enough to comfortably accommodate both seated guests and larger standing groups, making it suitable even for gatherings. We sampled the full lineup of house cocktails along with a few classics. The menu leans confidently into Chinese-inspired ingredients -- baijiu, osmanthus, fennel, and longan all make appearances -- resulting in a cocktail list that's both inventive and culturally expressive. Among the standouts was Rainwater, a beautifully balanced drink with layered complexity, showcasing notes of longan, elderflower, and grapefruit. Start of Summer, an iced riff on the strawberry daiquiri infused with baijiu, offered a refreshing, playful twist. The bar's approach to classic cocktails also reveals a spirit of reinterpretation -- most notably in their Vesper, where a touch of crab oil brings out savory undertones and adds an unmistakable Asian sensibility to an otherwise traditional composition.
More like MOODgate lounge. Putting on a whole vibe here with the hue lighting, alt beats, & seasonal funky cocktails. Selection felt a bit limited but it was a fun place to stop by for pre-dinner cocktails. Atmosphere beats the drinks but I'd still definitely come back. Love Mister Jiu's and this is conveniently located right above it!
Moongate has a great vibey speakeasy atmosphere which is great for a post-dinner drink. We came by on a Friday night without reservations and grabbed drinks before finding a standing table to hang out by. The dark mood lighting is really aesthetic and overall the atmosphere perfect for a cocktail lounge. We got the Grain Rain and Clear & Bright which were both spirit-forward and quite strong. The ice helped dilute the drinks but for me they were both a bit too strong. My friend enjoyed it though and ended up getting second drink. Would definitely recommend making a reservation ahead of time to guarantee a seat. There's also more spacious tables for larger groups.
4 months ago
I did not want to like this place as much as i did, but it was actually fairly decent! I happened to go on the night of the lunar new year parade - so it was VERY crowded. They were charging $10 cover at the door. Luckily my friend reserved a table for her birthday so we didnt have to pay the cover. The only requirement for the table, was an order of the punch bowl. We ended up ordering several bowls and lots of other specialty drinks. Drinks were standard SF prices but the lines were very long. Overall the vibe was very good, i was a little worried going in to this place that it would feel lowkey stereotypical, but i was pleasantly surprised! I would definitely come back (maybe on a less crowded day). read more
Omg I loved the vibes here it was so cute and loved the inspired drinks! I only wish there could have been more chill seating as there was a group of around 6 of us and we huddled around a bar top for 2. Would come back for the ambiance. read more
Date: Friday, February 20th, 2026 Time: 9:45pm Party of: 2 *Minor Snow ($20) *Jujube Spritz (13) *SF Mandate - 5% ($1.65) *Tax ($2.85) First off, this review is coming from an old lady. I used to go clubbing in the late 90s and 2000s. Probably before most of the patrons here were even born. Now that I've gotten that out of the way... I came here for a fundraiser once years ago before the space was finished. It seemed like a cool lounge at the time, so I pictured the same when we decided to come here for an after dinner drink. Definitely not the vibe I was envisioning. Basically a club, but not packed like clubs I'm used to back in the day. They have a main front bar and a a makeshift back bar with limited offerings by the dance floor. We ordered from the main bar. My drink was fine. Light and fruity which was what I was going for. My friend got the mocktail which he said was fine as well. There was really no place to chill, so we actually walked back to were the dance floor was a stayed there to finish our drinks. The floor wasn't really crowded at all. I just downed my cocktail cuz we wanted to get out of here. There was a lot of ice, so not too hard. I believe my friend did not finish his mocktail. i may have enjoyed this spot when I was younger. But as a xennial, def not my vibe. REVIEW #3988 read more
I have to give this at least four stars because the vibe was so cute! The lounge is above a restaurant, so it's a bit inconspicuous from the outside -- almost like, if you know you know type of vibe. Which I enjoyed! *giving speakeasy* The only thing that was a little frustrating was the amount of time we waited for drinks. I'm not the type to complain about a bartenders speed at all, but when we went, it was a noticeably slower pace than any other bar I've been to. It was busy, sure, but probably not anything they haven't seen before? I'll give this place another try for the vibes, hopefully next time I can fit in a few more drinks! read more
**Vibey Lounge with eclectic chic decor and excellent cocktails** Came on a Saturday night with no Rezzie and was able to snag a small cocktail table with seating for two. This place gets busy and rightfully so as the libations are buzzing and equally tasty with great energy. Service was a little slow considering the crowd, however they made up for it with offerings of sparkling wine as an olive branch for the extra wait on our beverage order. Music was really good, mix of 80s San Francisco dance hits that will keep interrupting your conversation for a little wiggle. Highly suggest a visit if you're feeling adventurous and want to try a very unassuming lounge on an otherwise very quiet alleyway in Chinatown read more
3.5 stars Moongate Lounge is located on the top floor above the Michelin-starred restaurant Mister Jiu's. They take reservations but also welcome walk-ins which is what we did. We came on a Saturday night and the lounge had loud music and gave clubby vibes. We ordered the cold dew ($20) and the start of autumn ($20). The cold dew was refreshing and cooling from the crème de menthe. The start of autumn was served as a slushy that was also refreshing. There were some lounge seats but there were a lot of people standing. If you want to guarantee a chair, I recommend making a reservation. read more
This place is really vibey - semi-private comfortable lounge areas and full bar service. They have a rotating seasonal cocktail menu that follows the "moon's phases" so I'd definitely recommend trying one. I got the "Frost Descent" and it was good - a little bit sweet with a refreshing and "frosty" taste. We also got the crab dip and it comes with wonton chips - yum! Pretty decent appetizer portion. The place wasn't packed on a Tuesday night yet busy enough to feel like it had activity. To enter, you go into Mister Jiu's and there's a staircase directly to the right that leads you upstairs read more
TLDR: Great vibey lounge in SF Chinatown. Large menu with a variety of specialty cocktails and shareable drinks. Would recommend a reservation to ensure you get place to sit Drinks: Our group (7 people) shared the Orange Julius punch bowl and really enjoyed it. It was pretty rum-forward but was still something we could sip and chat with. We also thought the traditional style highball was very good! Ambiance/Service: I really like the dim lighting and decoration of Moongate. Since we had a large group we were lucky to sit in a booth but there is a variety of seating including high stools and couches. This was a great space to enjoy a drink with a group of friends. The staff was also very kind and friendly Price: I believe drinks ran about ~20 per drink which I think is standard for the area. The orange julius punch bowl was ~100 but we though it was a great value to share read more
16 days ago
10 months ago
I've had this place bookmarked for years, and finally made it out on a weekday night. I absolutely loved it! Such an intimate vibe! I made a reservation for 6:30pm and there were plenty of seats available. I loved the dim lighting and the overall feel of this place. The drinks were also DELICIOUS, my friend and I had like 3 drinks each. The fries were good and flavorful, however they got too salty at some point. This is such a great place for a date night or girls night out. They have tables for bigger groups and we were surprised to see they even have bottle service! I would definitely come back with a bigger group. This has to be one of my fave bar spots in SF, especially bc I prefer more intimate settings. read more
I tried to come on LNY, but it was completely packed. It was confusing to find because it's above Mister Jiu's and I believe there might be a small sign inside saying moongate is upstairs. I was able to get in the week after and it is over rated in my opinion. The colored LED lights and aesthetic is super cute don't get me wrong, but the back of the room is open and has carpet. It's a little bit of a weird vibe. The drinks weren't good at all, but they were strong. I don't think I'll be back. read more
Great spot for large groups! I made a reservation for a group of 11 and everyone was able to fit! FYI for large group reservations, you must pre-pay for a group cocktail (I got the Mai Tai one which was SO GOOD and strong!). Please double check your bill as they accidentally charged me for it AGAIN which I didn't notice til the day after but thankfully they were so sweet and reversed the charge for me immediately once I called. The ambiance here was definitely lounge-y and I loved how open the space was. I will say, though, their cocktails didn't really taste like what was described. For example I got the grain in the ear one (?) and it was supposed to have this corn taste to it but I got nothing of that. Also ordered mala fries which were pretty good! Overall great time here and would totally be down to come again! read more
Tucked away on the second floor of Mister Jiu's in Chinatown, this bar exudes a sense of mysterious glamour. Velvet sofas bathed in purple lighting, paired with Chinese-style windows and doors, create an atmosphere that feels both dramatic and intimate. The space itself is generous -- roomy enough to comfortably accommodate both seated guests and larger standing groups, making it suitable even for gatherings. We sampled the full lineup of house cocktails along with a few classics. The menu leans confidently into Chinese-inspired ingredients -- baijiu, osmanthus, fennel, and longan all make appearances -- resulting in a cocktail list that's both inventive and culturally expressive. Among the standouts was Rainwater, a beautifully balanced drink with layered complexity, showcasing notes of longan, elderflower, and grapefruit. Start of Summer, an iced riff on the strawberry daiquiri infused with baijiu, offered a refreshing, playful twist. The bar's approach to classic cocktails also reveals a spirit of reinterpretation -- most notably in their Vesper, where a touch of crab oil brings out savory undertones and adds an unmistakable Asian sensibility to an otherwise traditional composition. read more
25 days ago
More like MOODgate lounge. Putting on a whole vibe here with the hue lighting, alt beats, & seasonal funky cocktails. Selection felt a bit limited but it was a fun place to stop by for pre-dinner cocktails. Atmosphere beats the drinks but I'd still definitely come back. Love Mister Jiu's and this is conveniently located right above it! read more
Moongate has a great vibey speakeasy atmosphere which is great for a post-dinner drink. We came by on a Friday night without reservations and grabbed drinks before finding a standing table to hang out by. The dark mood lighting is really aesthetic and overall the atmosphere perfect for a cocktail lounge. We got the Grain Rain and Clear & Bright which were both spirit-forward and quite strong. The ice helped dilute the drinks but for me they were both a bit too strong. My friend enjoyed it though and ended up getting second drink. Would definitely recommend making a reservation ahead of time to guarantee a seat. There's also more spacious tables for larger groups. read more
2 months ago
1 year ago
I had been eyeing this spot for a while and finally got to check it out last night with my group around 9PM. Pros: The space is beautiful. Definitely super aesthetic with the lights and overall vibe. It's packed though, so make a reservation if you plan to come! It's a really cute spot for pictures and hanging out. Cons: The drinks weren't great. My boyfriend and our other friend both ordered the Equinox -- and both said it was probably the worst drink they've ever had (their words: "do not get this"). My bestie ordered the Grain Rain and that one was actually sweet and good. I got the Rain Water because I saw it hyped on Yelp... but honestly, it wasn't it for me. Also, I expected live music since I saw people mention it, but there was no music at all the night we went, which made it feel kinda dead. Overall, I might give this place another shot if I make a reservation and find a better drink. 3/5 for me. read more
Located right above Mister Jiu's in Chinatown, this speakeasy-style lounge has a super cool, upscale vibe. We walked in on a Saturday night and it wasn't too crowded. The space itself is beautiful -- modern, moody lightning with LED accents and a live DJ. Drinks are Asian fusion-inspired and pretty creative, but super expensive. We ordered 3 cocktails, which ended up totaling around $70. A spot to check out for sure, but I wouldn't go here too often. It's a good spot to start if bar hopping in Chinatown! read more
1 year ago
The drinks I wanted to order, it's either they don't know how to make it, they don't do it here or whatever the case may be. The vibes are really nice but the service was not it. And $50 for two drinks is a bit crazy but I'm not sure if it's just a San Francisco thing. read more
Had a friend visiting from NY and brought her here with a few others, no reservation. Unfortunately we didn't get seats as they were all reserved but we did find some space near the bar. Space itself is such a vibe -- it's dark, moody, and a very cool interior. Drinks were a bit pricey but all delicious! Overall great for a girls night, date night or for a bigger group, but would recommend reserving a spot :) read more
It wasn't crowded at all when I went on a Thursday post-work. The space is stylish, though the $20 cocktails didn't quite wow me for the price point. The real standout was surprisingly the food - get the shrimp cocktail and don't miss the mala fries, which pack the perfect kick of spice. Curious to return when it's busier since it seems like it could have great energy on peak nights. read more
BEWARE of your credit cards at this bar! I came here with friends, and when it came time to pay, I put down my card, and a different bartender from the one who'd been serving us took my card and receipt. Then I received a push notification from my bank that my card had been charged not only for the base price of my drink, but also, based on my calculation, included their 6% service charge and a 20% tip. HOWEVER, I did NOT authorize the charge or designate the tip amount. It turns out the other bartender gave MY card to someone else and NEVER gave ME a final receipt to sign. Worst of all, I have to wait until the charge posts to my bank to report my card "stolen", request a new card, and go about reversing the charge I did not authorize. The bar was not that busy at the time we went, so I definitely question why the bartender didn't confirm they were giving my credit card back to the correct person and why they couldn't tell us apart. There's really no justification for this lack of competence. Aside from the issue with my credit card, the overall vibe at this bar was a miss. Despite being an Asian cocktail bar, there were no other Asians (patrons or staff) at the bar. The mood was low, and no one seemed happy to be there. It's unfortunate because I was excited to try it initially, but it's not worth dealing with the stress of micromanaging credit cards to return. read more
Been waiting to come here for so long and never had good luck but I finally managed to get inside! Most likely because there wasn't a private event, it was raining, and it was 8pm on a Friday. But alas we were able to get a seat since someone didn't show up for their reservation. My friends that have been here before say it's usually packed so be cautious. They have a coat rack at the entrance which is so convenient especially on a rainy day when you just want to ditch your jacket and let it dry. The staff was super nice especially the girl managing the reservations. She held our take out bags and umbrella for us while we enjoyed our drinks. The ambiance of this place is unbeatable. The mood lighting really sets the tone and the dj did not miss on keeping the vibes up throughout the night. I think my only gripe with the place is they definitely could fit more highboy tables in the back area to allow more room for people to plop themselves at. Saw too many groups just standing around unsure of where to place themselves. They don't really cater to walk ins super well here (unless you're lucky or it's not busy)! But overall really enjoyed it! The restaurant below also offers free matchboxes if you're into that kind of thing! Took 2 for myself on the way out! read more
10 months ago
When I organized a dinner party with my friends, the restaurant told me that it would be here, upstairs from the touted Mister Jiu's Restaurant. We had a party of eighteen dining on a recent Saturday night. They cordoned off the window side room for our celebration for two and a half hours which made our event peaceful yet very special. It was my first visit here since I got a tour when they were still building the space out. In walking in a little after 6 pm, the bar was about half full and the tables were about the same. There are booths along the wall to give couples more intimacy in coming here. As we dined here and the sun came down, the room was highlighted by the moongate (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=0&select=UBlCHO2rHGo0iANpcDY4cQ) which lit up in a different color. In using the communal restroom, I was amused with the setup. That moonlight theme continues here (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=UBlCHO2rHGo0iANpcDY4cQ). As we finished our meal and walked out, the room was filled just after 9 pm. And people were flowing in for a lively evening of drinks and hopefully good company. This seems to be a happening spot and a younger crowd of customers were flowing in here. This was the type of scene that I remember when I was their age in going to DV8 and 1015 back in the day. I look forward to returning to experience the lounge area in a regular setting even though I'm likely old enough to be a grandparent to their patrons. read more
This was my first time at Moongate, and I was pretty excited to check it out. In the end, it was just okay. The main letdown was the drinks. The menu is small, which I usually take as a good sign, but none of the cocktails really stood out to me. Service was good, though. Unfortunately, the window area was closed for a private event when I visited. I know the menu changes and its seasonal so I'd still like to give this place another try and update my rating after a second visit. read more
2 months ago
The ambient lighting here goes CRAZY, I love the purple, green, and red lighting. The Dj was playing some awesome music that went perfectly with the ambience. Our waitress was wonderful, she gave us recommendations and checked in on us frequently. The staff here are really friendly! We didn't make a reservation this time, but my partner and I definitely will next time! We were still seated very quickly despite not having a reservation. On to the drinks! We ordered the eclipse pale ale and start of autumn (per waitress suggestion). The start of autumn is pretty juice forward and has a strong peach profile. It opens with a juicy peach followed by the tang of the lemongrass. Despite being juice forward, you can still taste the booze in it. I wouldn't say it's worth $20 though. The eclipse pale ale was a wonderful surprise. My partner was intrested in it and decided to order it. It was floral and kind of reminded me of lychee? It was very smooth and easy to drink. read more
The food and drinks and ambiance are really good here, but the service is sooooo slow. We had to remind our server multiple times to bring our food and then again several times to get the check. We ended up staying an extra hour just trying to get her attention lol. She was so nice and friendly though! The music was nice and the DJ was really good so we didn't mind that much. I definitely recommend the black sesame soft serve with persimmons. It was my favorite order. read more
2 years ago
My friend and I had reservations on a Saturday night and were seated immediately once we arrived. Located in Chinatown, above Mr. Jiu's, with limited street parking. The ambience of the bar was amazing - we loved the lighting and the layout. Staff were friendly and service was quick. Each cocktail was $20 and was a perfect way to end the night after dinner. Noise level was moderate -- there was definitely chatter but not to the point where we couldn't hear each other in conversation. Would recommend this spot for post-dinner drinks! read more
Very interesting drinks + a lot of them are simply not vegan lol. If you're looking for classic cocktail this may not be the place! they do have fun drinks though (mine was 99% ice as pictured). I got the Start of Spring and would give it a 5.7/10. The service was alight, they seemed very busy (it was quite busy hahah). Overall cool place and vibey music There is a bathroom. read more
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More info about Moongate Lounge
28 Waverly Pl
Fl 2
San Francisco, CA 94108
Chinatown
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(415) 857-9688
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https://www.moongatelounge.com
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