Noir Lounge is a relatively new jazz-inspired wine bar and brewpub in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley. The lounge bar is in a seductive setting with two bars and a film screening room (black and white films when I was there on a Friday night). You can get 55 wines and 20 craft beers as well as more than twenty selections of wine by the glass. There are also four wines and eight beers on tap.
The menu at Noir is mostly bar food and small plates, which includes an arugula salad and risotto. Chef Joanna Karlinsky of Meetinghouse makes what they refer to as “comfort foods” scintillating. She came from Meetinghouse Restaurant, the restored Elite Cafe and Hotel Utah before coming to Noir Lounge. Think Modern Attitude baby.
The location is at 581 Hayes Street, San Francisco, CA.
Martuni’s is a martini piano bar located a mile or so from Hayes Valley. For those like me, originally from New York, or who knows their musicals, Martuni’s is an ideal find.
While you’re sipping martini’s, wine or cognac, you can sing along or tap your foot to fabulous Broadway and 1930’s era music until 2 am in the morning nightly. Yes, they’re open every day and night of the week.
Above taken on my iPhone so the quality is very low – I plan to return here and do a more extensive piece. Below is a few seconds video so you can get a flavor of the place. Fun, fun, fun!!!
Location: Martuni’s is located at 4 Valencia in San Francisco.
Hotel Biron is also in the area, not far from both venues above and is open 7 days a week from 5 pm until 2 am. Their gallery features a new artist monthly, hosting a reception the first Thursday of the month. Hotel Biron is not an official hotel per se, but after perusing its wine list and sinking into one of the comfy sofas, folks might not want to check out. A handful of copper tables, wrought-iron bistro chairs and zinc-green walls decked with a revolving exhibition of local art further the Left Bank mood. The low lighting and high spirits form the perfect setting for an after-work get-together or romantic rendezvous.
The extensive wine list features a well-chosen selection from French and California vineyards and is especially strong in award-winning reds. A brief menu including cheeses, seasonal fruits, charcuterie, and olives is designed to complement the wines.
Location: Hotel Biron is at 45 Rose Street in San Francisco.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
