Good place for drinks and shareable’s with a cozy atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kumamoto Oysters
Ivory M.
Super cute place with a great vibe and amazing staff. The food was just ok but the ambiance and service are great
Lindsey Williamson Christy
Stopped by for a late night cocktail and dessert. The cocktails were wonderful and our table tried an assortment. I really enjoyed the Punch Flight. We had Churros and Vanilla Gelato for dessert and it was strictly average, the first batch of churros were under cooked and still doughy, we sent them back and the replacements weren't really much better. But the atmosphere is fun and the service was excellent. I would have like to have returned but ran out of time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Christophe T.
I should add that I was rebuffed when I requested a paper menu, which was a strong motivation for bothering to write a review in the first place.
Jeremy Cole
To be honest, I wouldn't give this 5 stars for just the drinks. They tend to be a bit sweet and simple for my taste. But the decor and environment are excellent, and the naming of the drinks after literary figures and book characters is just a lot of fun.
I M
Super cute place with a great vibe and amazing staff. The food was just ok but the ambiance and service are
Cute spot with a nice vibe and solid drinks. A little on the expensive side ($15-$19 for cocktails on the menu), but they're good. Attentive, kind folks working there.Kid-friendliness: It's not. It's a bar.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Allison W.
Came here with a friend on a Friday evening for happy hour. The vibe is very classy with its beautiful wall of books and red lighting. Depending on where you get seated there are nice comfy leather armchairs to lounge in. We each got an order of fries and two drinks each. Mary Lennox - 5/5, always a fan of drinks with Tajin and this one was no exception. One of those drinks you can go through quickly because the alcohol is fairly undetectable. Kaladin Stormblessed - 4/5, I'm not a lavender fan but it was fairly balanced for my roommate who does like floral flavors. Bartender's Special - 4/5, very strong drinks but was fun to try something unexpected. Fries - 5/5, an unexpectedly large portion of fries for $6 that were perfect for munching on. Drinks were pricey but good quality. The waitstaff were very attentive and happy to help guide us to drinks based on our flavor preferences. Fun adventure! Would come again.
Zack I
Love Novela tbh. It can get a bit weird at night if there are too many people standing, but when it hits that sweet spot of just the right amount of people and intimacy, it's fantastic. The drinks are also great, and the old fashion had
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Reeven S.
In the heart of the San Francisco Financial District lies an intriguing book-themed bar full of elegance and wonder. I absolutely adore this bar because of many factors: The location is a perfect area for a workplace happy hour. It is within walking distance of many tech, finance, consulting, and other offices around the area. The prices of their cocktail and food menu are actually pretty decent, surprisingly affordable for a financial district location. I ordered the Punch on Tap flight, and it was only $20 for four! That is definitely worth the price and could be shared by two people. The drinks are sweet and extremely delicious. The theme of the bar, of course, is the highlight. The red lighting, bookshelf walls, enchanting chandeliers, and wooden barrels offer a unique ambiance that is perfect for all types of occasions - happy hour, celebrations, casual drinking, and more. I genuinely love the atmosphere at Novela, and I am definitely looking forward to my next visit here.
Great ambience and even better food ! Would definitely recommend to a smaller group 2-3 for quicker service
Christine C.
This is such a a cute and intimate spot for drinks and to enjoy small bites during their happy hour. I stumbled across this bar and I loved the vibe and aesthetic of this place. It is a great spot to get drinks and all of their drinks are all priced extremely fair. Service was also quick and timely. I came on Saturday evening before my dinner and I was a bit shocked it wasn't more packed considering how much of a gem this spot is. If you're looking for well priced drinks, great service & ambiance definitely check this bar out. I absolutely adore this place.
Nisha T.
Went here to celebrate my brothers birthday and the bartender was giving us attitude because we didn't order drinks in bulk for a large party. It's their damn job to make drinks no matter what we order.... Horrible customer service and I won't be returning. The music also sucked and the drinks were TERRIBLE. My margarita was too sour and it was unpleasant to drink. If you want to have a good time go check out north beach or literally any other bar in sf. Trust me.. don't go here and waste your precious time.
Vic S.
Novela was formerly the go-to spot for weekday happy hours, attracting a diverse crowd ranging from suited professionals to casually dressed tech workers. However, the current mix of visitors seem... different, with a noticeable presence of ppl who appear to be trying "too hard" to fit in, altering the dynamic of the place. While the ambiance is enjoyable, the drink prices lean towards the expensive side. A simple vodka soda can set you back a hefty $19, which seems exorbitant for such a basic "cocktail." Also keep in mind, there's a dress code--no shorts allowed. Once a personal favorite due to its crowd, ambiance, and overall vibe, Novela now unfortunately falls short.
Blair P.
Ambiance is on point at Novela, and so are the fresh oysters at only $2 a pop during Happy Hour all days but Sunday until 7pm. Dim lighting, chic decor, and a cozy aesthetic blend with old school library vibes. The service is average but fine. This is a perfect spot to bring a date and cozy up together, or dine with a group up to 10 in a comfy booth / seat combo.
Good place for drinks and shareable’s with a cozy atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kumamoto Oysters
Super cute place with a great vibe and amazing staff. The food was just ok but the ambiance and service are great
Stopped by for a late night cocktail and dessert. The cocktails were wonderful and our table tried an assortment. I really enjoyed the Punch Flight. We had Churros and Vanilla Gelato for dessert and it was strictly average, the first batch of churros were under cooked and still doughy, we sent them back and the replacements weren't really much better. But the atmosphere is fun and the service was excellent. I would have like to have returned but ran out of time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
I should add that I was rebuffed when I requested a paper menu, which was a strong motivation for bothering to write a review in the first place.
To be honest, I wouldn't give this 5 stars for just the drinks. They tend to be a bit sweet and simple for my taste. But the decor and environment are excellent, and the naming of the drinks after literary figures and book characters is just a lot of fun.
Super cute place with a great vibe and amazing staff. The food was just ok but the ambiance and service are
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kumamoto Oysters, Punch Flight, Octopus
Cute spot with a nice vibe and solid drinks. A little on the expensive side ($15-$19 for cocktails on the menu), but they're good. Attentive, kind folks working there.Kid-friendliness: It's not. It's a bar.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Came here with a friend on a Friday evening for happy hour. The vibe is very classy with its beautiful wall of books and red lighting. Depending on where you get seated there are nice comfy leather armchairs to lounge in. We each got an order of fries and two drinks each. Mary Lennox - 5/5, always a fan of drinks with Tajin and this one was no exception. One of those drinks you can go through quickly because the alcohol is fairly undetectable. Kaladin Stormblessed - 4/5, I'm not a lavender fan but it was fairly balanced for my roommate who does like floral flavors. Bartender's Special - 4/5, very strong drinks but was fun to try something unexpected. Fries - 5/5, an unexpectedly large portion of fries for $6 that were perfect for munching on. Drinks were pricey but good quality. The waitstaff were very attentive and happy to help guide us to drinks based on our flavor preferences. Fun adventure! Would come again.
Love Novela tbh. It can get a bit weird at night if there are too many people standing, but when it hits that sweet spot of just the right amount of people and intimacy, it's fantastic. The drinks are also great, and the old fashion had
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
In the heart of the San Francisco Financial District lies an intriguing book-themed bar full of elegance and wonder. I absolutely adore this bar because of many factors: The location is a perfect area for a workplace happy hour. It is within walking distance of many tech, finance, consulting, and other offices around the area. The prices of their cocktail and food menu are actually pretty decent, surprisingly affordable for a financial district location. I ordered the Punch on Tap flight, and it was only $20 for four! That is definitely worth the price and could be shared by two people. The drinks are sweet and extremely delicious. The theme of the bar, of course, is the highlight. The red lighting, bookshelf walls, enchanting chandeliers, and wooden barrels offer a unique ambiance that is perfect for all types of occasions - happy hour, celebrations, casual drinking, and more. I genuinely love the atmosphere at Novela, and I am definitely looking forward to my next visit here.
Restaurantji Recommends
Great ambience and even better food ! Would definitely recommend to a smaller group 2-3 for quicker service
This is such a a cute and intimate spot for drinks and to enjoy small bites during their happy hour. I stumbled across this bar and I loved the vibe and aesthetic of this place. It is a great spot to get drinks and all of their drinks are all priced extremely fair. Service was also quick and timely. I came on Saturday evening before my dinner and I was a bit shocked it wasn't more packed considering how much of a gem this spot is. If you're looking for well priced drinks, great service & ambiance definitely check this bar out. I absolutely adore this place.
Went here to celebrate my brothers birthday and the bartender was giving us attitude because we didn't order drinks in bulk for a large party. It's their damn job to make drinks no matter what we order.... Horrible customer service and I won't be returning. The music also sucked and the drinks were TERRIBLE. My margarita was too sour and it was unpleasant to drink. If you want to have a good time go check out north beach or literally any other bar in sf. Trust me.. don't go here and waste your precious time.
Novela was formerly the go-to spot for weekday happy hours, attracting a diverse crowd ranging from suited professionals to casually dressed tech workers. However, the current mix of visitors seem... different, with a noticeable presence of ppl who appear to be trying "too hard" to fit in, altering the dynamic of the place. While the ambiance is enjoyable, the drink prices lean towards the expensive side. A simple vodka soda can set you back a hefty $19, which seems exorbitant for such a basic "cocktail." Also keep in mind, there's a dress code--no shorts allowed. Once a personal favorite due to its crowd, ambiance, and overall vibe, Novela now unfortunately falls short.
Ambiance is on point at Novela, and so are the fresh oysters at only $2 a pop during Happy Hour all days but Sunday until 7pm. Dim lighting, chic decor, and a cozy aesthetic blend with old school library vibes. The service is average but fine. This is a perfect spot to bring a date and cozy up together, or dine with a group up to 10 in a comfy booth / seat combo.