San Francisco’s Best Champagne Bar Hides Inside a SoMa Loft | Eater SF

"Inside a SoMa loft that doubles as a registered bar, the San Francisco Champagne Society stages reservation-only tastings (typically $75) in a moody, 'bat cave' room with powerful shades, long rows of bottles, maps of the Champagne region, and a private room that was once a bedroom with a shower. Bill Marci, who says he's the only person in San Francisco who sells many rare micro-lot Champagnes and is uniquely allowed to host them here, pours uncommon bottles (from producers that sell as few as 2,000 to about 50,000 bottles a year) that often cost $200+ and are sampled over three- to five-hour sessions; guests can purchase bottles to take home and add on tins of caviar, Rechiutti chocolate, or extra flutes. Marci, who opened the operation in 2014 after acquiring a transferred liquor license, showcases imported French chalices (sometimes charging extra to compare the same wine across glasses), uses Tock to manage reservations, and runs private events that can exceed $6,000—making it a one-of-a-kind San Francisco destination for oenophiles who prefer deep, celebratory Champagne experiences." - Paolo Bicchieri