Charmaine's: SF's Premiere Rooftop Bar
Yes, this place is as good as everyone says. A relative newbie on the SF rooftop bar scene, Charmaine’s is a slice of luxury stacked high above the cafes and dive bars down on Market Street. Stepping out of the elevator feels like being transported to the chicest of West Hollywood or SoHo during NY rooftop season.
Located at the top of the Proper Hotel in Lower Market, this lounge boasts incredible 360º views of San Francisco. You’ll also have a steady stream of smooth house and hip hop jams spun live in the corner and top-notch craft cocktails (the spicy margarita is a must!). Charmaine’s was an ideal place to transition from afternoon to evening.
THE CROWD: Techies straight off of work with a handful of tourists sprinkled in
MUSIC: Lounge house infused with old school hip hop
DRESS: Trendy business casual
AMBIANCE: Hip and fashionable
GREAT FOR:
Happy hour
Impressing clients
Instagrammable views
Dates
NOT GREAT FOR:
Kids
Foggy nights
Fast bartender service
Acrophobics
The key to Charmaine’s is to time your visit well so you don’t have to wait in line on the ground floor or fight for seating once you get upstairs. You’ll also avoid a crowded elevator ride to the top, which can be uncomfortable for the claustrophobics in the group.
CW TIP: GET THERE EARLY
We recommend going right when they open. Charmaine’s is in close proximity to both Fidi and SoMa, which means it gets flooded with the after-work crowds, not to mention guests at the Proper. It’s best to go around 3 pm (right when they open) to avoid the line. On a sunny Saturday afternoon, we arrived at 4 pm and waited for about 15 minutes. The laggards in the group got stuck with a 25-minute wait.
THE LOCATION
Arguably Charmaine’s only drawback. Situated on the edge of Lower Market and the Tenderloin, the wait in line can be quite eventful. Expect loud noises and busy sidewalks. That being said, we never felt unsafe while waiting in line. The bouncer at the front was attentive and kept the line moving as quickly as the elevator would allow.
The bar is easy to find. It has it’s own dedicated entrance just a few steps down Fulton Street past the Proper’s main door. Once inside the building, you’ll travel down a long corridor with other guests and pile into the elevator.
THE BAR:
The elevators open up to a sleek and shiny penthouse with a beautifully decorated black and white interior, lots of greenery, and low-to-the-ground seating. Think modern art museum meets Alice in Wonderland and tropical jungle.
We were immediately distracted by the views in front of the main entrance, which showcase the Market corridor and a bit of the East Bay in the distance. The middle outdoor section has a narrow and somewhat awkward seating setup, but the north and south sides are best for picture taking or congregating with large groups.
CW TIP: GET SUNSET SEATING
If you’re lucky to go up on a clear day, make sure to grab a spot on the south side of the building (to the right when exiting the elevator) for awesome views of City Hall and Twin Peaks at sunset. Our group was able to snag one of their gas-powered firepits, which allowed for all-night outdoor lounging. A true novelty in SF!
CW TIP: LET THE BARTENDERS GET CREATIVE
Bon Vivants strikes again. The BV team has brought us some of the best cocktail bars in the city and Charmaine’s is no exception.
You can’t miss the beautifully stocked bar in the middle of the main room boasting all sorts of liquors, bitters, and spices. Let the staff put that to use by ordering one of their specialty cocktails. The bartenders are friendly, knowledgable and take their craft seriously– which also means you could wait a while for your drink.
If you like an extra kick in your beverage, ask for a splash of the Chile Poblano liqueur (yum!).
CW TIP: SKIP THE BAR LINE
People tended to gather around the bar even after ordering, which made getting a bartender’s attention pretty difficult. We ended up grabbing a seat outside and ordering from one of the waiters walking around so we could enjoy the view while we waited for our cocktails.
CW TIP: BUNDLE UP
Inevitably, Carl the Fog came rolling in during our visit. We were thankful for that extra layer and it kept us from cutting the trip short. Later in the night when things really cooled off, we stepped inside to enjoy the smooth dj-set while still taking in the views through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
The live DJ was a great touch that really elevated the energy of what otherwise would have been a spread-out and siloed space. DJ Julian had awesome jams and spins there every week!
CW TIP: DON’T EXPECT MUCH IN THE LADIES AND GENTLEMANS ROOM
Despite the refined decor and atmosphere, the bathrooms fell victim to the volume of guests and were a bit unkempt. Not the place for primping or touch-ups– be prepared to make it a quick trip.
But don’t let that stop you from visiting. The atmosphere, views, and libations make this one of the best rooftop bars in San Francisco. If you’re a planner, check out the ‘Proper Happenings’ calendar, which lists out their DJ schedule and special brunch events.
