Choose your location
Thu / Apr 22
Party Earth Review Red lights, polished surfaces, and a touch of France create a sleek and sexy atmosphere at Amélie, a popular haunt for casual jet-setters, European expats, and lovers of unique yet affordable wine. Bottle lamps and paper... ... read full review
1754 Polk Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
415-292-6916
Daily 5:30pm–2am; Kitchen open until 10:30pm
Nob Hill, San Francisco –
Red lights, polished surfaces, and a touch of France create a sleek and sexy atmosphere at Amélie, a popular haunt for casual jet-setters, European expats, and lovers of unique yet affordable wine.
Bottle lamps and paper chandeliers cast soft hues over the young professionals sipping their way through Happy Hour wine flights at the long bar, while executives chat over charcuterie and trendy women nibble on cheese and chocolates in the lounge and white-linen dining areas.
A multicultural den with a heavily European staff and clientele, the venue brims with different languages and aromas to create a suggestive backdrop for everyone – whether it’s the Downtown after-work crowd and Marina businessmen charming chichi Nob Hill ladies or tourists and French lit students pointing out the Victor Hugo poem on the ceiling.
The main draw, of course, is the ever-changing wine list – and with bottles starting at only $20, the constantly packed house lends itself to sophisticated socializing without the exclusive price tag.
A perfect social pairing of quietly chic French bar and vivacious worldly lounge, Amélie translates the complexities of wine into a language all of its patrons can understand.
Budgeted wine lovers, trendy young professionals, hip internationals, casual foodies, groups of fashionable ladies, and powerful businessmen, late 20s to late 40s.
Playlist of international lounge music.
French bistro menu of small plates including duck confit, patê, escargot, foie gras, and the southern France specialty ravioli du royans, as well as Californian and other international choices such as crab salad and smoked salmon on flatbread. Cheese and charcuterie plates available until midnight. Reservations suggested for dinner. Happy Hour daily 5:30–7pm.
Appetizers $6–$25, salads and sharable plates $7–$15, desserts $5–$13. Beer $4–$10, wine $5–$15/glass or $20–$200/bottle, wine and champagne flights $7.50–$14.
Smart casual to upscale: striped sweaters, loose tops, polos, suits, designer skirts, heels, Pumas.
Busy every night, though Thursdays through Saturdays are best for a late dinner – reservations required! – and socializing with an exuberant and tipsy crowd.
Nook (1500 Hyde Street) is another wine bar that also features a good assortment of cocktails and daily Happy Hour specials, all in a much more casual atmosphere.
Amélie User Reviews