Nice Bar near Bix?

[painauchocolatLA]

We are visiting from LA for a long weekend and are staying in the Telegraph Hill area. We have a reservation at Bix one night at 8:30 and would love to grab a drink on our way to dinner. We aren't huge cocktail people–––more wine-oriented, though my hubby likes good/interesting beer as well. Good ambiance is always appreciated. Any ideas?

[painauchocolatLA]

Oh, should have said that we will be walking to Bix from Telegraph Hill, so anywhere along the way would be fine.

[Absonot]

Vesuvio is only a few blocks away and offers great atmosphere plus a nice slice of SF beat history. http://www.vesuvio.com/

Tosca, which is almost across the street from Vesuvio has great atmosphere: a long bar leading to a few booths and tables, it's all very 50's. But I would consider it more of a cocktail place. http://www.sftravel.com/food/tosca.html

For a beer lover, I'd suggest San Francisco Brewing Company (http://www.sfbrewing.com/), which is also only a few blocks from Bix. I'm pretty much sure it's beer only, though.

[painauchocolatLA]

I've heard of Vesuvio but guess I didn't realize it was so close. Sounds like just the right place.

Thanks for the tip on SF Brewing Co. as well. Maybe we'll hit that too, for a late afternoon beer over the weekend.

[Tripeler]

Instead of SF Brewing, I would recommend the Rogue Ales pub at 673 Union near Columbus. They have very interesting beers and spirits from Rogue.
362-7880.

[Windy]

I love both Vesuvio and Tosca for what they are, but neither is a place to be drinking glasses of wine.

Bix is the place for martinis.

[DandySF]

Tosca is a no-nonsense San Francisco original, a perfect stop before dinner at Bix.

Aaron
http://www.thesluicebox.com

[plainfood]

Perhaps the Bubble Lounge on Montgomery (near Columbus)?
Champagnes & sparkling wines by the glass, rather glamorous younger crowd.
More "Bix" in attire than Vesuvio's!

[Robert Lauriston]

15 Romolo is best known for great cocktails, but also has small but excellent selections of wine by the glass and beer on tap and in bottle. The room is reallly nice and it's kind of out of the way so doesn't get overrun with tourists. http://www.15romolo.com/libations.pdf

I've heard good things about Dell'Uva.

I like the atmosphere at Specs, Vesuvio's and Tosca, but I don't think their wine or beer selections are very good.

[waldrons]

The problem is, if you were eating anywhere else in that area and asked the same question, the answer would be... Bix! But you might consider stopping iinto Coi on Broadway for a glass of champagne or wine. The neighborhood, I have to say, is unattractive (strip bars, night clubs, etc, but more unsightly than unsafe at that hour), but Coi is a Michelin-starred restaurant with a casual front room for wine and casual bites.

There is also a new wine bar on Broadway, The Vin Club (515 Broadway), but I've not been to it.

Susan

[Robert Lauriston]

Vin Club reportedly has a sports-bar atmosphere.