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Novela

Cocktail Bar$$$$

SoMa, San Francisco

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Novela

7.7^/10

993

ratings

Ranked #4 for cocktail bars in SoMa
"Loved this place , amazing cocktails get the Jay gatsby"(6 Tips)
"House punch on tap very cool"(4 Tips)
"amazing seasonal Punches on tap!"(3 Tips)
"Billy Pilgrim cocktail is better than the Hemingway house punch."(3 Tips)

134 Tips and reviews

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jay gatsby
happy hour
trendy
house punch
good for groups
billy pilgrim
bar
good for dates
books
tequila
great value
cute
comfortable
good for singles
Irish coffee
rum
crowded
lounges
Huckleberry
good for special occasions
(15 more)

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Michael FitzgeraldJune 12, 2013
Been here 50+ times
Beautiful space and awesome menu! Try the hand crafted specialty cocktails! The menu has icons that let you know whether its citrus fwd or spirit fwd and they have amazing seasonal Punches on tap!
Upvoted Feb 29
Chris MessinaNovember 19, 2013
Been here 5+ times
Enjoy the draft punch program, but don't miss cocktails like Atticus Finch, an old-fashioned with balsamic bitters served up or the hardy Santiago, with tequila, mezcal, and coffee liqueur.
ᴡ ConcepcionJanuary 26, 2014
Been here 5+ times
This is the best place to get a drink or simply just hang out with friends. Jon Park the owner has great taste and will take care of you. Best club is SF!!!!
Marc SDecember 30, 2019
If you like Irish coffee, try the White Fang, an interesting twist on it, with both coffee and chocolate kicks, and Irish whisky of course. It’s an homage to Jack London.
SFistJune 5, 2015
Conveniently located near Yerba Buena, the crowd is lively, the drinks are good, and they've got a huge projection screen, perfect for watching Warriors games. Read more
Mohit SJanuary 31, 2015
Been here 5+ times
Go with a friend (or 6), get two flights and try every single one of the punches. The flight glasses are much larger than the menu suggests! You will leave very happy (and probably a little drunk).
CITY GRITAugust 1, 2014
Heaven - beautifully lit, full of perfectly organized books, with handcrafted punches on tap. Give Kate Bolton and Alex Smith a high-five for opening what we think may be the coolest bar in America.
Marc R?erSeptember 22, 2014
Definitely among the top bars in SF, the cocktails are great, staff is fast and friendly and the atmosphere makes you want to stay, Thursday to Saturday it can be pretty crowded
7x7 SFJuly 30, 2014
Fireball whiskey. This hot drink of choice is now spreading to the streets of SF. Bars are creating their own delicious recipes, like the Red Hot Rye at Novela. Try it for a nightcap! Read more
Shil PaMarch 9, 2016
Came here with big group for my birthday. They reserved entire side of the room for us @ last minute. had such a blast! Cocktails were delicious👌! Ps. Get the Huckleberry Finn!! 🙃🙃🙃
Karen KJune 2, 2017
Super swanky bar for young professionals. you'd probably like it if you're a fan of dirty habit.
Upvoted Feb 24
Tye ChaitSeptember 13, 2014
Skip the cocktails and go straight for the punches (ask for samples to taste). Reservations are key since most tables are reserved.
Frances 미라July 12, 2013
Been here 25+ times
Don't listen to anyone else.Trust me, if you're Asian- you'll fit right in. If you're on a date- t's a great place during the off hours. If you want to come for an event such as a birthday, come here!
Megan AllisonOctober 18, 2018
Really nice selection of spirits but most of the menu cocktails are too fruity and the people here after work on a weekday are so extra
Katerina KuvOctober 22, 2018
Library style, cool atmosphere and bartenders. Try local punch, gatsby style. Trendy and super popular
Sravanti TekumallaDecember 5, 2017
Perfect for bougie (but good) cocktails and a trendy spot. Gets super busy, so come in the off hours if you can.
An ShengJanuary 21, 2019
Been here 5+ times
Drinks are pretty good, food is excellent. The host let us take a reserved spot since we had a large group and asked nicely
Nikko SchaffSeptember 15, 2013
The place has an interesting literature theme. All the drinks are named after classic characters. Try the Jay Gatsby, it was sweet and delicious.
Natalie KMarch 27, 2018
Awesome cocktails, great place for after work drinks. Get here early or late to grab a seat, otherwise you’re standing all night
Alex RothenbergAugust 8, 2013
Loved it! Awesome lounge bar with lots of great craft cocktails. Try the house punch first. It may be all you ever need.
ChrisFebruary 9, 2019
Love this place. Two bars, twice the crunk. On nice days, you might see furniture outside for lounging.
Eric DelacruzAugust 16, 2013
Great atmosphere! Not super busy late on thursday night. Awesome bartenders! Get one of the punches. They are known for that.
O KApril 6, 2014
Someone abducted the douchey B&T crowd from the Bubble Lounge circa 1996 and dropped them all off here. Nice space, though, I'll give them that.
ShinaJuly 1, 2015
Great spot for happy hour. Although it gets a little busy so expect to wait longer for a drink.
Surface MagazineJune 14, 2016
Suzanne Miller, bartender at Novela, reimagined Netflix (the iconic technology company) as the Netflix and Chile. Click Read more for ingredients and details. Read more
Zach WeinsteinFebruary 16, 2019
Super busy during happy hour. Interesting concept with drinks named after characters from famous fictions
Lauren MacNovember 4, 2015
Cool spot in SOMA with fast service and ambient lighting. Come for cocktails
Brendan CurranNovember 7, 2014
The Huck Finn is a personal favorite cocktail here. Also love the color coded bookshelves!
brent cocoAugust 30, 2021
Been here 5+ times
Seating is a little weird but this place has a great vibe and definitely a date spot.
Brian LongtinSeptember 13, 2014
Billy Pilgrim cocktail is better than the Hemingway house punch. Love the book theme overall!
Josef RichterFebruary 10, 2014
quite a nice place, big and crowded, a bit pricy and everything feels a tiny bit pretentious and snobbish here. worth giving a try though.
Kate SMay 31, 2013
Gorgeous space and the tastiest punch drinks. I love the tequila punch while lounging in a cozy high back chair.
VyomaAugust 22, 2013
Daisy Buchanan was oh-so-delicious! Better than a pisco sour. Beautiful decor, accessible location!
Anuja SelvaJanuary 17, 2015
It's a place for 30+ to hangout or you can entertain yourself with a group of friends.. Good music
Adrienne OldsJuly 27, 2013
Great new little spot. Delicious drinks, perfect for an after work happy hour spot.
Michelle LeeNovember 5, 2014
#CocktailsWithCharacter are ace. The Billy Pilgrim is the best. Bonus points to: Dread Pirate Roberts & Ford Prefect. For the literary nerd in us all 💕
Adriaan TrouweeNovember 9, 2014
Great place for after work drinks! Go for a date or go out with friends.
Benjamin BlackmerAugust 9, 2019
Cocktail was excellent. I had the Jay Gatsby. However, it was super loud.
Brian BeckerleApril 15, 2016
Good cocktails, cool interior, got crowded fast, would reserve a table if possible
Sherry LiOctober 19, 2016
Decent drinks and interesting decor. Gets crowded though so come on an off night to enjoy the drinks.
Jorgio CastroJuly 6, 2013
30 mins to get a drink at the bar Friday night. And too crowded around the bar. Interesting space but your have to Ho there early to enjoy it.
Jenny L.May 21, 2015
Trendy. Good cocktail and punch selections. Cheap oysters for happy hour. Waitresses were a little rude...they acted like doing their job is too much for them.
DevAugust 17, 2013
How not to pour a Guinness: single pour, too much head, in a tall glass #doinitwrong. Nice lounge though.
Kimberly WongOctober 5, 2013
The pippi longstocking is amazing! Pisco punch is a solid choice as well
Ziyan CJuly 13, 2013
Get the Huckleberry Finn! Light, sweet, delicious - even the guys loved it.
Mark SherwinDecember 31, 2014
The game is to pull a book off the shelf and read a passage aloud.
Kim De GuzmanMay 26, 2015
Great drinks but the crowd is usually a bunch of ill mannered jerks that yell like their friends aren't a foot away and all woo girls be woo-ing.
Jason JokerstFebruary 18, 2018
Relaxing and comfortable place to hang out.
sandeepAugust 22, 2018
Amazing ambience and cocktails.. try the Jay Gatsby !
Jesse SandovalAugust 16, 2013
Beautifully decorated, with a stylistic eye for bottle display. The designers really put their heart into this establishment.

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