Bar 821

Fun small speakeasy style cocktail bar that brings a good atmosphere, fantastic amaro-centric cocktails and super nice bartenders. The "dealers choice" never disappointed. Would definitely recommend if you're in the area

Excellent bar with wide selection of amari, good ambiance. Whether you want an introduction to amari, to try a new amaro, or get a custom cocktail, the bartenders will hook you up with no judgement and passionate dedication to figuring out your palette. Also they’ll chase you down the street to give your your forgotten bag after you’ve had one too many. Would make a great date night. Great spot.

What a great date or friends spot… The menu is oriented around amaro liquor (think Compari / Aperal, so nigroni / spritz vibes). They have a build your own drink menu which is fun and the staff is super friendly and knowledgeable.

A reopening to add to the top of your list. The menu was a unique format, with a large portion entirely customizable and non alcoholic friendly. I had two different NA cocktails and loved the complexity and flavors of both. The bartenders were very friendly and knowledgeable. The space is welcoming and warm. Absolutely will be back.

Love love love. Cozy, inviting, interesting cocktails, amazing selection of Amaro (the flight is good for at least 4 people to try some different Amaros IMO), and the build your own cocktail turned out some of the best bespoke cocktails and we just loved it.

Stellar bar experience. Who knew amaro was so versatile! Clever concoctions and friendly service in a chic, intimate interior. Can’t wait to return.

Amaros were great. Sat at the bar. In fact, we were the only three people in the entire bar. Conversation with staff was fun, interesting, and educational. The drinks are ridiculously overpriced, but you sort of know that going in. The one star is because they handed the bill to us and buried a built in 20% tip without telling us it was already included. Then sat and continued to talk with us while we added a 20% tip on top of the full amount. (So also tipping on the tip, almost leaving a 75% tip in total. And who automatically add a tip to a group of three people, sitting at the bar? The amari were great, but that's not what left the bitter taste in my mouth when I got home and looked more closely at the bill. Won't be back...

Bar 821, where Amaro Meets Artistry in Craft Cocktails Nestled in the heart of Divisadero San Francisco District, Bar 821 beckons cocktail enthusiasts with its intimate ambiance and a bespoke menu that celebrates the intricate flavors of amaro. From the moment you step through the door, the warm lighting and the inviting hum of conversation set the stage for an evening of culinary cocktail exploration. Bar 821's allure lies its custom menu, a meticulously curated selection of libations that showcases the versatility of amaro in all its glory. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or a curious newcomer, each cocktail promises a journey of discovery through the complex and nuanced world of Italian herbal liqueurs. You're welcome!

I was just looking for a regular bar with decent liquor at the last minute before a birthday dinner. I was totally unprepared for how special this is. First, the entrance is subtle and you have to ring the bell. A bartender answers the door to escort you in. The inside is very dark and cozy with light music. Pretty romantic, really. They have an amaro flight and a fernet flight so we had to get them. They have such a great selection that it's a great way to sample some interesting and herbal bitter stuff. It's dealer's choice unless you have a request, so the bartender set up four fernets and four amari, allowing us to check out each bottle as we went from sweet to bitter. I went out and bought a bottle of Meletti the following week because of this. The bartenders are pretty cool and knowledgeable, but unpretentious. It was filling up by the time we headed out in the mid evening. This place is awesome for a fancy-mode dark and bitter drink in an intimate atmosphere.

Cool speakeasy, you ring a bell and they will open a door for you. Last time they didn't but this time they did! Good vibes and cool drinks, but the drinks were very expensive :/

Very interesting bar for a unique experience! Came here Friday night ~10pm expecting this to be a normal bar-- we were wrong. Upon ringing the doorbell, we were greeted and seated at the last remaining table for 5. We got two amaro flights, an espresso martini, and one of the listed seasonal cocktails listed on the wall. Not knowing what amaro is, the server was accommodating and enthusiastic in educating/explaining to us before tasting. The espresso martini was very good and on the sweeter side. The cocktail was very fruity and tart~if only I remembered what flavor it was... Highly recommend trying this place. The flight tasting was very unique and a great activity to be shared among a group! Definitely was an adventure getting through the 8. Excited to return to try the "Choose Your Journey" listed on the menu!

Came here just as they opened before a dinner reservation for my anniversary. The staff was super friendly and knowledgeable and had great recommendations on what to drink. Khaled helped us at the bar and sampled many different Amaro's both by themselves and mixed in cocktails. Great conversation and education on the Italian herbal liqueurs. The entrance is nondescript with a black door and a doorbell. Service is seated, so come early to avoid a wait. Inside is dimly lit, and has a great ambiance. They have over 200 different Amaro.

Stumbled across this place on a Friday night. Only had to wait about 5 min before we were able to find 2 spots at the bar. Service was spectacular! Drinks were spot on to our preferences. Ambiance was calm, cool, and homey. Would for sure go back!

Super cool, cozy bar with a focus on amaro. The ambiance was great and it smelled amazing. The bartenders were knowledgeable. I enjoyed the creative cocktails. Expensive? Yeah. But overall worth it.

Getting a flight. You have to ring the bell to get in. It's like shots of fancy Underberg. Speakeasy feel.

Love this bar! Such a cool concept and vibe and the staff are so kind and friendly and patient. This is a great spot for a date or a catch up with old friends. Every drink is unique and made with lots of TLC! I've recommended this place many a times and I can't wait until the next time I can go back! My only complaint is I tried to go the other day and they were closed. I wish they were open more nights in the week

Very expensive drinks. Out of 3 different drinks we tried none of them tasted particularly great. I was excited about the interesting ingredients but it felt kind of thrown together to try and be different and cool instead of actually hitting the mark. They also added 20% gratuity for a party of 3. As a bartender myself I think that's pretty lame.

I finally was able to make it in now that they are back open and was impressed. From the attentiveness of the servers, to the patrons who were there to actually try out the range of products and not just Instagram them, to the quality of the drinks. It very much reminded me of the experience upstairs at Dead Rabbit in NYC which is often considered one of the best bars in the world. My favorite part: It was Saturday night on Divisadero and I could still hear myself, and nobody was bumping into me! One note for first timers especially to this corridor: It is not cheap at all. But that's how things are in our neighborhood these days.

This place is awesome. Small very creative bar focused on amaro. Really amazing service and awesome drinks.

went for a walk in the neighborhood and stumbled across Bar 821 with my fiancé and our little walk turned into such a lovely date night! Bar 821 is a great spot for craft cocktails! They greeted us with complimentary limoncello tastings and their menu has a nice assortment of classic cocktails, flights, as well as a "Choose Your Journey" option! We both decided to go with that option because it seemed fun, and you decide the style/flavor/spirit for your cocktail and the bartenders will create a custom drink for you! Also they make their syrups in house which was neat to learn about. Our bartender Eduardo was more than accommodating and we had a nice conversation with him. Also the drinks he made were delicious! Will definitely be going back and recommending to my friends when they are in the neighborhood:D

We were at another bar, but left cuz it was too crowded. Decided to check out Bar 821 instead. We walked in on Friday, August 10th around 10:30 pm. Our party of four easily found a table along the wall. *Manhattan 821: kentucky bourbon, meletti amaro & bitters ($11) *Amaro Blood & Sand: islay sgl malt, ramazzotti amaro, tuve fernet amaro & orange juice ($11) *Mexican Alps: aromatic walnut tonic, ramazzotti amaro, chile tequila & lemon ($11) I got the manhattan. I actually don't remember the cocktail much, but it I believe it was nicely balanced. Easy to sip on. I'm more into spirit forward, so if it was on the stiffer side, I probably would have remembered. I liked the vibe of the bar. Chill and laid back. It also has a beautiful ceiling. At night, it's gorgeous with the colorfully lite wall of liquor. Now why am I giving this spot two stars? The restroom. There was only one toilet (for both men and women) and it was sooo nasty! It was as if the toilet had exploded. There was something unidentifiable around the toilet. The floor was flooded. And the smell?! A urinal from the depths of hell comes to mind. Thinking about it makes me sick. That stench was indescribable. Plus, the door lock was faulty, so the two times we went to the restroom, we walked in on someone. Fun bar. Reasonably priced cocktails. But that bathroom. Only go if you don't plan on peeing. It's not worth it otherwise!

Amaro is a spirit category that Ive had very little experience with, but that has changed a little bit after my experience at Bar 821. This place is more on the smaller side, but it is still easy to grab a seat at the bar or a table if you come reasonably early. We sat at the bar and had positive experiences with both of the bartenders. I told one of the bartenders that I was interested in doing an Amaro flight. He customized a four pour flight of Amaro's and they were all great selections. Next time, I would probably only do three pours. The four pours hit me a little hard, lol. I took a sip of the Boulevardier cocktail that my fiancé ordered and really loved this cocktail. The cocktails and personalized service are all worth stopping in for.

"Very small and quaint. Strong drinks. And deep housey music vibes. Pleasant bartender. Would come again!" - Adrian "Loungey atmosphere. A bit hidden by the tattoo place next door. Would recommend for a date." - Vizuette

If I could give negative starts this would be the one. Tonight the dude that was working was literally the worst person I have ever dealt with in customer service. Will update later. I'm so upset. Do yourself a favor and go down the street to mini bar. Way better service and no attitude. ------- 2 tries. First try they didn't serve me or my friends. Said they were closed. Even though posted hours suggested otherwise and other customers inside showed differently but I didn't argue. Second try I literally had the worst service ever. The bartender some dude seemed to have an attitude as soon as I walked in. Same guy the first time that said they were closed. So I Bartend myself. And I'm annoyed with people as much as the next guy. But I still have to deal with people so I'm polite. This guy tonight was a complete ass. Rude from the start. Yes we did order 4 drinks because the other 4 weren't drinking. Yes I did ask for a specific tequila but only after the entire order was placed did you say you didn't carry that. And then u said you were out of Jameson. Not an issue. Paid for the shots but you had to shake your head at me and talk shit about me to the other bartender and act like I'm not important. Then when I called u out for being a dick u said I had an issue. Seriously. Wtf is your problem. I work In The industry. I didn't make a scene even though one was deserved. I said have a good night. And left. This guy behind the bar was a total dick. I have multiple witnesses who were there that can attest. Whatever was going on there with dude was not ok. I suggest going up the street to mini bar. They are way nicer and way more welcoming.

Cozy neighborhood bar with incredible cocktails! You want a negroni? an Old fashioned? Or how about champagne cocktails? All cocktails are $7. Cash only. Go.

Bar 821 is quickly becoming my go-to bar in SF. Get there early enough to grab one of the comfy seats by the window or take a seat at the bar and mingle with any of the knowledgeable bartenders - especially if fernet or amaro are your thing. Also, happy hours ends at 7:30, which I love! Also, shoutout to Ade - he makes a mean gin gimlet and is an amazing bartender!

I loved this place. The drinks and the service are excellent. The bartenders Davide and Luis are knowledgeable and very helpful. They even gave us free olives and free shots. Try the flight of Amaros. So nice to discover all these different varieties.

Bar 821 is my neighborhood bar now. Initially, I didn't like it because it seemed uppity because of its large selection of fernet and amaro. But, it's turned out to be one of the least pretentious non-dive bars out there. HIGH LIGHTS It's never overcrowded. There's plenty of seating and standing room, and several bartenders. It's never too loud and you can actually have a conversation with others here. They will make you any drink, even if they haven't made it before. I asked for a cloverclub, but the bartender had never heard of it. However, he was able to make a pretty good one after just glancing at the recipe. The bartenders are friendly. They actually make eye contact with you. Insane that that's not a given, right? low LIGHTS None. I always pick 821 to meet up. OVERALL This is my ideal bar. Never change, Bar 821.

A quaint little bar and cocktail lounge in the NoPa (North of Panhandle) district. I popped in for the first (and hopefully not last time) before attending a concert around the corner at The Independent. It's a cozy little spot for those who appreciate good spirits and craft cocktails. What impressed me the most was their extensive selection and focus on Amaro and Fernet. They have every liquor imaginable, but judging from the two large boards on the wall detailing their selection of these two items, I'd say this is their bread and butter. I am sort of a fernet novice but have been slowly tasting my way through all the brands. Fernet Branca seems to be an across-the-board favorite and I've really grown to love the drier Fernet Francisco. The long, dark wooden bar here is perfect for sipping and savoring both. The number of fantastic watering holes in San Francisco never ceases to amaze me. You can add this one to my list of ideal places to enjoy a cocktail in an intimate atmosphere.

Nice quiet place. A little dim (or a LOT dim), but I enjoyed the ambiance. Drinks are strong. I didn't like their negroni, as it was a little too bitter for my taste. I did, however, like the Irish Boulevardier. Fiance had the Manhattan which was good, too. We also ordered a charcuterie board, which was amazing. Would definitely return! HH is from 5:30-7:30!

My husband and I decided to stop by Bar 821 while we waited for our dinner reservation at Hina Yakitori. It was a Wednesday night but it was a bit busy. We grabbed some seats at the bar, and were almost immediately given two glasses of water. There were two bar tenders working but service still felt a little slow. We ordered two drinks, and both were delicious! I had the orange blossom and my husband had the whiskey bitter highball. We definitely want to come back to try some more of their cocktails. See you soon Bar 821!

Bar 821 is a pretty decent place to meet up for drinks with one or two other people. It is definitely not ideal for a large group of people. The place itself is dimly lit and creates a nice little ambiance. They do have a great selection of fernet and amaro, if that is your thing. The cocktails were a much better option for me personally. Fernet and amaro aren't really my thing but the cocktails at Bar 821 are legit. They do not have an extensive food list, just minimal options so I would not go here expecting a full meal just some snacks. Overall, great experience and I would go back again.

Love their sangria and champagne cocktails. You can also bring in your own food!! 4 stars because hours are a bit short and not much beer to choose from

Fantastic well made old fashions + made to order hand-carved ice cubes to go with your old fashion While not my go-to drink of choice, really cool to see they have fernet flights Decor/ambiance strikes the right balance of date night/causal evening with friends Overall Thoughts Will definitely be back!

A part of me almost doesn't want to write this review as it's so close to my house and a total treasure that i selfishly want to horde to myself. SADLY, i'm moving neighborhoods soon though, so y'all are in luck as i let the cat out of the bag! i popped in on a Wednesday night to meet up with a date and found the atmosphere to be cozy and intimate, but not too frou-frou that i felt uncomfortable in a t-shirt and flats. the crowd is a relaxed mixture of locals which also helps keep the environment on the chill side. the bar has a massive selection of Amaro drinks if that's what you're into, but they also do a fantastic job with classic cocktails of all kinds, and had a solid top-shelf selection of other spirits as well. i ordered the boulevardier to start ($5 during happy hour, WHAT IS THIS INSANITY?!) and moved onto a classic whisky sour as the night progressed. the bartenders are the perfect level of cordial / friendly and aren't shy but also never overtly intrusive. personally, i like having friendly banter with bartenders whether i'm flying solo or with company, since it makes the whole place feel more neighborhood-y. we didn't have a chance to sample the snacks but they looked delicious. as a single female, it's also nice to know there's a solid go-to place that i'd be comfortable hanging out at by myself without fear of creepers or obnoxious tech bros. i'm sad to change neighborhoods but would easily make a trip just to come back here.

Quite literally stumbled on this gem of a place after dinner at barvale down the street. Did not know it was an Amaro bar (we were amateurs?) until we asked the bartender why Montenegro was hanging on the bar, as we sipped our beers. He teased us for our original order and poured us tasters on the house and we were sold. Highly recommend. Great vibes, knowledgeable staff and great drinks - as long as you don't order beers :)

I guess Monday's are pizza and Fernet day. This cute little bar with its caged up liquor was the first stop to our night. He got the Fernet flight which I thought was supposed to be best served AFTER a meal but whatever, any excuse to drink. I wanted a lychee cocktail but the bartender recommended a special drink not offered on the menu. I'm not a fan of cocktails or mixed drinks but this drink was exceptional. Not too sweet, not too strong, perfect for this lightweight. The bartenders were very friendly and knowledgeable not to mention, they have a great sense of style.

I am in love. This bar is awesome. We didn't have trouble securing the big table in the back. The chairs are comfy. We don't have to scream in each other's ears to have a pleasant conversation. Mon-Fri, 5-7: $3 for champagne and specialty cocktails? I'm sold. $3 draft beer. Booyah. All the other times the drinks are around $6, which still beats some SOMA happy hour deals. :) all around. Yes, the bar closes at 11 every day. Yes, it's cash only, so come prepared (they have an ATM in the front). Try the wannabe bloody mary cocktail. It's effing delicious!

Have I mentioned how much I love my neighborHOod? Bar 821 is one of the *gillian* reasons why I do...Apologies, my yelpies for not reviewing this gem sooner. Quaint, dark, and comfortable is the best way to describe Bar 821. Great diverse crowd of HOod and non-HOod dwellers. Love the vibe and ambiance, and be sure to check out the interesting flicks on their flat screen. I've been here on numerous occasions (meeting Popchip angel and Tsaritsa for the first time, pre-post dining with L, D, or M, and even a few dates, etc.,). Best place to sit are the tables by the window. Take heed, as it can get really noisy if super crowded (typically Friday & Saturday nights). Great selection of wines, champagne cocktails, and a few beers on tap. My fav specialty drinks are the are the Lychee and Pomegranate champagne cocktails. My most fav aspect of this bar is.... wait for it....tada.... The HO is on tap here. Oh Mylanta! My beloved HOegaarden is in my HOod bar! Gotta love it! Bartenders are always nice, and usually just one tending. So if it's crowded, you might be waiting a bit for your bevy. Recommend going for Happy Hour during the week, and be sure to check out their daily specials and the signage by the front door. FYI, they close earlier than most bars, and closed on certain days. Cheers and see you at Happy HOur!

Great wee bar, I'm not quite sure what Amaro is and I'm not a fan of Fernet but they have other things too. Nice vibe comfortable couch seats next to the window. Bartenders are cool, attentive. The Peat & Peat is damn good (Peaty Scotch, Allspice, brown sugar, angostura and orange) if I ordered it back in Scotland I'd probably get hit with the whisky bottle, but when in Rome and all that. Opens at 5pm by the way, not 4pm.

The best place to have a private party. The space is fantastic. The staff is phenomenal. We got to bring in our own food and play our own music. This is my favorite neighborhood bar.

Decided to check out this bar after dinner at Barvale with a group of friends. Glad we did! Bartender was very accommodating and knife skills were impressive! Enjoyed watching him sculpt the ice cube for my whisky. Definitely a plus that they had a good selection of liquor there and he also took a shot with us. Great selection of music. What's not to like? Looking forward to my next visit :)

A nice, small neighborhood bar with an impressive selection of liquors and cool atmosphere. This was the first place that came up on the Yelp app when we realized we still had some time to kill before a show at the Independent. The bartender was working hard yet still made eye contact with us as we sidled up, telling us it would be a moment. A professional at work. Drinks were strong and tasty. They made a mean Old-Fashioned for my friend P. And my Bombay and tonic was perfect. My only complaint was the place was packed at 9 pm on a Friday and space was quite limited. I made an attempt to hit the single, unisex bathroom, but the long line made me do an about-face and decide to look elsewhere. It was time to go to the show anyway, just a block away.

It's a love / hate relationship. You love it b/c they serve boozes, just wish they could get the hard liquor license, I would definitely come again. Hoogarden and Chimay on TAP! Did you hear me or do you need hearing aids?!!!! You hate it when it closes early. WHY?! this is my sad face : (

Place is great, bartenders are friendly, nice seating. You'll have a great time Don't be scared to try the canned food. It's of this world. Also thank you to Kaled for being a great bartender. Showing us the best hospitality.

My friends and I used to go here fairly regularly, at least until it changed. We went there on Saturday night for some birthday drinks. The bartenders took our basic order (4 beers of the same type) and came back and said we just ran out out that, indicating some other beer we didn't order. I also asked for a glass of water and they gave me a glass that held about a cup of water. The most annoying thing was that the music was obnoxiously loud. This place used to be reasonably quite and lounge-like. Apparently now they try to replicate front row at a concert. We could barely hear each other and left after one drink.

Weehee I think I found the perfect spot for grabbing drinks on a weeknight. As you walk in a warm cozy feeling sets in. You look to your right and see 2 big boards with their selection of Amaro and Fernets. Since both of these are digestifs I suggest going here after dinner. I tried the amaro flight. Don't remember the name exactly but it had the cardamaro. That's a great way to introduce yourself to the world of amaro. They also have flights of Fernets. Bartenders are friendly, people are happy. All in all a great way to drop in for a drink on a weeknight.

Interesting little bar. It's specialities- digestifs. Amaro and Fernet, all kinds of, literally. Smells and feels like an herbal garden, friendly agreeable crowd, music is loud but tasteful. Bartenders are friendly, they do take their time, it's not the place to get hammered in succession, nor a sleazy pick up joint, feels more like a low-down hangout neighborhood joint. Like.

5 years later, still unimpressed. The small-time hipster in me says this place has potential. The realist in me (after many visits) says this place is overcharging its patrons and could do with better-portioned drinks and service. $29 for two drinks, one being just a straight-up shot. Dude.

I liked this spot.. it's a charming bar with strong cocktails. We tried the Montehattan & the From Milano with Love, both good drinks. Even though we were there for Happy hour on a Sunday (5:30-7:30pm) it wasn't too packed which I enjoyed. Minimal options for food (I think I only saw a cheese plate on the menu) but certainly a good bar to checkout if you're looking for a relaxing spot to have a few drinks.

Here's a strange concept -- a bar that specializes in Amaro and Fernet. Yeah, so apparently they're Italian herbal liquors with digestive properties. Think bitters and vermouth. Suggested serving is on ice with sparkling water. It's not cheap so if you don't know if you like it, you can spend even more money to try a "flight" of them. My friend commented that it seemed like they were trying to make this absurdity a cool trend. We just happened to be in the area and it looked nice inside. It was only 5:11 PM on a Saturday so they'd just opened. The place was freezing and the metal seats felt like a slab of ice under my ass. I shivered while looking at the menu and we finally decided on one drink of the day (a $5 happy hour special) and one other cocktail ($11). They looked nearly the same with a cinnamon stick and orange peel. Hers tasted like sour orange juice, mine tasted like strong liquor with bitters. The bartender was wonderful. Helpful, sweet, fun to watch making the drinks, attentive. He asked us how the drinks were and the best we could say is "interesting." Three more couples filtered in while were there so maybe this place is doing alright. Not sure I will be back but it's an attractive hipster joint and I wish them luck.

Sorry Nicole, we people who are "so marina" have descended upon your adorable Divisadero Row. We just love the lounges. Stylish, fun, good conversations, great bartenders, people who look good without trying.... This place should stay open later, like 4 am. The bench-like seats along the wall are built just right for extra-curriculars, just like a good couch, soft as hell but not too slippery, nice and sturdy with plenty to hold onto for appropriate leverage...just kidding.....sort of. This place is how you want your living room to feel. Plus I've always wanted my own bartender.

Decent bar with interesting decor and a fair amount of space. It has the typical bar stools and high tables with the corner having more comfortable seating. Their sweeter cocktails were good but their savory ones were actually a bit sweet, which was odd.

Live in the hood. Came here for my friend's going away party. They started cleaning up an hour before they close. Great, fine... continued to drink our drinks. 33 minutes (according to yelp) before they close and turn the lights on while playing Calvin Harris and Rihanna's best song. No one asks me to pay for my drinks. I ask them for a bill, they seem surprised. I pay. Bizarre vibe.

Bar 821 has a good Monday night happy hour with half price bottles of wine (choice of one white and one red -- they come in ~$16/bottle). It's a comfy place to lounge and hang out with friends when you're looking for something low key. Definitely also a plus that they let you bring food in (and Little Star is across the street)! Recommended.

This place has an incredible selection of amaro and bitters. The bartenders are great, super personable, seem to know their stuff. But we went in on a Thursday night and the music was like the soundtrack to an aerobics class and they had it cranked up so loud it was hard to focus on our conversation. We wanted to hang out and explore the booze collection but we just couldn't deal with the music situation. Granted, we're nowhere close to being in our 20s anymore, but still, this place could have a really awesome vibe. The menu was also hard to read, with small script descriptions. We wanted to offer to redesign it.

Thought they had fernet on tap, but just in bottles. No food or light snacks which it could use. Chill and out of the way. Good for a drink or two, but not much else. Needs some kind of distraction like a TV or even some pinball. Even trivia cards would be fun.