Novela Bar
| Address: | 662 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA |
| Phone: | +1 415-896-6500 |
| Site: | novelasf.com |
| Rating: | 4.2 |
| Working: | 4PM–1AM 4PM–1AM 4PM–1AM 4PM–1AM 4PM–2AM 5PM–2AM 5PM–2AM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 13
JA
Jane Nguyen
I thought I would really like Novela but let me list the reasons why I dont: 1. Long lines to get in. Sometimes itd take more than 30 mins, which is too long for my patience span. 2. After taking super long to get in, you come to find out that its super packed. Pushed, shoved, and squeezed through, youll probably get someones drink spilled on you. Not fun. 3. Speaking of drinks, theyre not that great. They all sound amazing in the description and the names are fun, but something just tastes off about each one Ive tried. Points to trying to be inventive but the flavors just dont meld very well together. 4. The crowd can be full of Asian douches (males & females). Everyone is always super dressed up with an arrogant attitude and Im still not sure why. Decor and ambiance is cute though but Id rather hop over to Local, which is right around the corner. Or maybe Ill visit more once a new bar opens up and the hype dies down.
MI
Michelle Rowe
Ive walked by this little spot so many times! After hearing many wonderful things about this place I finally made it inside! I feel in love! The vibe here is great and the decor is fabulous! Our bartender wasnt the friendliest but it was busy and she was still very knowledgeable. Our drinks were so delicious! I loved everything we got, except the scotch drink. (It was too smokey tasting for my liking.) We got served quickly and just hung out by the bar because it was still very busy at 830 pm on a Friday night. I will definitely come back here. Its a great spot to meet up with friends or bring someone on a date. The noise level was high but not to where you couldnt have a conversation with the person next to you.
EL
Elizabeth Tseng
Lovely cocktail lounge. Its trendy and dressy enough for you to feel classy and yet its laid back enough that you do not feel like youre in a snooty upscale bar. I reminds me a bit of the library lounge at the top floor of Marquee in Vegas. Ive been wanting to visit Novela since I first heard about them opening. As a book lover and someone who enjoys a good drink, I was really looking forward to my visit here. The cocktails were pretty good but slightly on the pricier side for a SOMA lounge. I was also shocked by how big this place was! I thought it would be small, cozy, and intimate. Well, there is plenty of room so go ahead and invite all your friends to hang out here!
DE
Deanna Shen
Novela is perhaps one of my favorite bars in SF (thus far). The cocktails are quite good, but Id have to say the atmosphere, interior, and crowd are the absolute cherry on top. The walls are lined with real books, and the bar is very spacious with room for private parties or general seating areas. We got the Ophelia cocktail, which is light and sweet, and almost tastes like a wine smoothie. It was a crowd favorite for the night. There are misses with the alcohol here, though. A friend got some sort of vodka cherry drink and it tasted like liquid tylenol. Regardless, Id definitely be back, and soon!
SE
Sebastian Fiedler
Novela was probably the first San Francisco bar I was introduced to back then and it never lost anything of its sexiness. Cozy leather couches, dimmed lighting, a long-stretched bar. Funky wallpaper and book shelves. Great drinks too. I give kudos to the bar staff that need to please a large crowd over the weekend nights - this place gets jammed! You can book a table or come early, both is necessary to secure a place to sit. A sexy bar in the Financial District - best nights are weekdays (Happy Hour, $1 Oysters!) or weekends if you like the scene.
BE
Becky Chen
So this has become my favorite Monday happy hour spot because of their $1 oyster specials. The oysters are so good and my first visit here with my coworker had us eating 36 oysters, plus the meat platter and drinks. They dont really have a happy hour special on their drinks as the prices still range between $10-12 per cocktail. BUT THE OYSTERS ARE SO WORTH COMING FOR! Will definitely be back if the keep the special going. Also, the ambiance of the bar itself is really nice as its lined with bookshelves and nice chandeliers and giant couches.
KE
Kevin Lam
I really wanted to like Novela, but it was less like a bar and more like a wannabe night club. The only thing that sets them apart is that the hostess was nice and accommodating. The wall of illuminated books is cool, but the entire interior just felt overdone. I wish there were more tables and fewer neon light strips. The price of drinks was reasonable, but they mix of flavors just didnt meld well and it was a hair short of just being plain bad. If youre going to make one drink correctly, at least make it an old fashioned.
HA
Hayley Yerkes
Checked this place out for the first time as part of a birthday celebration in the city. Loved the modern decor mixed with all the special literary touches - great bookshelves, interesting ceilings and cool wallpaper. I would highly recommend their punches - only ten bucks and they pack quite the "punch" (pun intended). The rum punch had a great wintry flavor with some Chai tea and other fall spices. It was quite crowded so I would recommend going early if youre with a large group or are looking to get a table.
MI
Miles D.
The mix of craft cocktails and a packed crowd dont appear to work well at this establishment. I was most annoyed by patrons ahead of me ordering literally 6 drinks at a time for large groups and extending already excruciating wait times for making an order. The reserved area in the rear of the bar seems to be the best move. Drinks on a Saturday require patience. The bartenders are friendly and the crowd is tasteful. I would return here but not late on a Saturday.
UD
Uday Maripalli
This is a fun little bar with unique decor. I like their book/library theme. They have a good selection of craft cocktails but I wish they had a bigger beer selection. I would go here for a change from regular bar scenery. The library theme, quaint decor, light background music makes this a unique place for sure. I am not sure if you are allowed to read those books on the shelves. It would be a great idea to have library combined with a bar.
RO
Rosa Jiménez Cano
Lugar coqueto y con una gran variedad de cocktails y aperitivos italianos. El jamón es muy bueno, también la variedad de quesos. Simulan, en parte, una biblioteca. Tiene un punto decadente pero es muy agradable.
EV
Evelyn Wai
Great location. Great Atmosphere. Great people. As crowded as this place gets, all the lounge areas are really comfortable to sit in and just hang out. The drinks take a little while. The Pisco Punch is really sweet but I would recommend against the House Punch- takes like a mixture of medicine and barbeque sauce. The interior design of the place sets the mood really well with backlight neon books and hanging chandeliers.
TY
Tye Chait
If youre looking for a new bar near the Financial District with a great atmosphere, try Novela. The place is decorated nicely with bookshelves full of books and the bar has lots of oversized, comfy chairs. The specialty of the place is pre-mixed punches, which rotate seasonally. Id recommend trying them -- they seem to be pricey but theyre strong and taste great! For an even better time, split a pitcher.
