Press Club - OUR FAVORITE underground wine bar
Press Club is an underground wine bar, situated on a large pedestrian walkway, between Montgomery station and Powell station. And I don’t mean underground as in ‘indie’ or ‘undiscovered.’ Press Club is literally under the ground.
The lobby is above ground, and is simple, understated, and small, with large glass windows facing the pedestrian street that it’s on. When I first arrived at Press Club, I looked for my friend in the lobby, and was confused because I didn’t see her. One of the hostesses ushered me toward the stairwell, and I realized that the bar extended underground, and is quite large.
As I descended the stairs, the space opened up to a beautiful, warmly lit room, with candles and entire sections of the wall illuminated with these wine bottle installations. The area was expansive, but had lots of intimate little corners to call my own. There were bar stools, couches, and lots of standing room. Even though the bar had a lot of people in it, I never felt that it was crowded.
The staff was knowledgeable, patient, and very professional. My bartender was attentive to our needs without being pushy, which I think is a delicate line to walk. The wine list is extensive, and includes bottles that go well over $500, but also includes much more moderately priced bottles. It includes not just the typical French and California staples, but includes wine from all over the world.
The televisions on the wall felt a little jarring at first. For a bar that had gone to such great lengths to achieve a special ambiance, the TV felt like an intrusion. But it didn’t make it a bad experience.
Come here for a date. The warm lighting and unique atmosphere make for a pleasant experience. And due to the bar’s impressive size, you’re not shoulder to shoulder with your neighbor, and can actually enjoy an intimate conversation with the person you’re talking to.
Come here for a group night out. There is a lot of standing room, as well as a few couches that are sectioned off, which your group can make their own. The lobby can be reserved for special events and large groups, as can tables, couches, and small sections of the bar.
Come here for the chambong. Chambong is a mix between a champagne glass and a bong. PressClub is one of the few wine bars in the area to offer the unique glass. Some won’t see the appeal at all, and others will jump at the opportunity to try it.
Photo from Chambong.co
Come here for an event. Press Club allows you to reserve different sections of the bar, depending on the size of your group. For a small group of about 20 people, you can reserve a standing table. For a larger group of up to 85 people, you can get a private dining room, one of the serving bars, and a lounge. And for a real event, you can rent the entire bar, with space for 300 people.
Come here for the happy hour.
Their happy hour runs Monday through Friday until 6pm, and offers $3 off wines by the glass and $3 off draft beers. It also runs Saturday and Sunday until 6pm, where they offer half off all bottles over $70.
Don’t come here to dance the night away.
Don’t come here super hungry. While the food is excellent, the portion sizes are modest. Ideally, you and your friends will come here for drinks and horderves before heading to a restaurant to have your actual meal.
The surrounding area.
Press Club is on Yerba Buena Lane, a pedestrian walkway, which shares space with a number of other restaurants, bars, and interesting places to see.
St. Patrick Church
Press Club is only a few meters away from a lovely cathedral, with high ceilings, stunning stained glass, and a long history. Go here to enjoy the beauty and serenity of a real San Francisco landmark.
Yerba Buena Gardens
Yerba Buena gardens is a large park nearby. There are often shows or events happening. It’s a nice place to go for a stroll, or just sit on the grass and enjoy a picnic.
Metreon
The Metreon is only half a block away, and there you can watch a movie or go shopping. Press Club is a good place to meet up before catching a show.
Moma
The Museum of Modern Art is only a block away, and is a great place to wander around. We recommend taking a tour of the museum, and then meeting up for drinks afterward. The museum runs from 10 am to 5 pm.
Food
There’s a pizza place across the street called Delarosa, which has a much simpler atmosphere, and is a little more crowded. I really enjoyed their pizza and Icelandic beer.
There’s a Mexican restaurant as well called Tropisueno, which has outdoor seating, a lengthy menu, and a few traditional, hard to find dishes, such as mole.
Just across the walkway from Press Club is Amber, a high end Indian restaurant.
How to get there
MUNI / BART : Press Club is between Montgomery station and Powell station, both of which are served by MUNI and BART. So if you take public transportation, it’ll only be a short walk.
Driving : Parking will be difficult to find, though there are a few parking garages nearby. You can go to Jesse Square Garage, on 3rd and Market, for $5/hour.
