Hotel Biron
45 Rose Street
(between Gough St & Market St)
San Francisco, CA 94102 (415) 703-0403
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Best Nights: Mon, Tue, Thu
- Happy Hour: No
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
- Smoking: No
- Coat Check: No
173 reviews
Neighborhood: SOMA
"This place kicks some serious ass. Finding this place in SF has been amazing. It being located walking distance from my place is all the…" read more »
326 Reviews for Hotel Biron
Looking for a very crowded wine bar/lounge on a Wednesday night? Well, look further, this is it! :) (Actually, I think it's always crowded here)
It's dark, it's young, it's hip, and down to earth, I think this place is great for people in their 20's & 30's that enjoy hanging out at wine bars rather than dive bars.
They also have cheeses and fresh fruits and nuts, which goes oh so well with wines they offer.
The only thing is that since the walls, floor, the ceiling and everything is brick/concrete, it can get pretty loud in there.
Again, always good when it's freezing, like it is now, in this bleary San Francisco August.
After a satisfying dinner at Puerto Alegre, there's no greater pleasure than walking off the Mex for a glass or a bottle at beautiful, intimate Hotel Biron. This time, I withhold that ever-important fifth star because of the May-December couple putting the back seating area (arranged for maximum intimacy) to good use. Don't do that shit when the line for the single-occupancy bathroom goes right in front of you.
When my friend suggested we cap our evening here, I instantly felt warm and happy, like she just offered me a pot of gold with a bonus leprechaun. There aren't a lot of places that can do that.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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01/23/2008
I love feeling cozy, especially when it's freezing - and by freezing, I mean freezing by San… Read more »
Hotel Biron is really sweet. Nice ambience and kind of like a secret little hide out...which is always good. The crowd can be a little pretentious (kind of like the crown at 111 Minna...you feel me?) So yeah, but overall, wonderful spot. Staff is friendly. Yum cheese yum wine!
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Well, after a few friends had clued me in on how great this place was I finally stopped by with a date this weekend and wasn't disappointed. It's a narrow space, nice and dark, and offers a wide selection of wines from around the world. The bartender, Allison, was well-informed and nice.
They offer a small but nice food menu which is something that any good wine bar should have to compliment their wines. The duck pate was especially nice.
One thing that I would like to see here is a larger bar space. With only room for about 4 bar stools, it can be difficult to reach the bartender once the place is full. Overall though, I met some great people, drank some very nice wine, ate some good complimenting foods and enjoyed myself.
Go enjoy this European-style environment for yourself.
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It makes me feel like I'm in the bat cave. Bat man will come out in lounge gear and take a few sips from my glass, then sleep away into the night on Rose.
Great place, low key, no drama...
They even dim the lights per request for those special nights. :)
Are you seeking a wine bar that's unpretentious, comfortable and hip? You'll find it all here at the Hotel Biron!
The place is right off an alley and the space is great! I've been here a few times and each time I leave wanting to bring more friends to experience the HB. The selection of wine is not only affordable, but delicious. Their choice in beers is also a winner, where there's something for everyone. This is a fantastic place to meet friends before a show of after dinner. It just oozes relaxation here!
There is a certain point where my review becomes a teardrop in a teeming river of thoughts, and experiences.
There is a certain point, around 300 reviews for a restaurant, that maybe you don't need any more reviews. Where it simply doesn't matter because the people have spoken..... and they have an opinion, and they want you to know it. In this case, something like 370 people want you to know it.
I loved this place. The wine list wasn't that deep frankly, and I never figured out why. Feel free to email me to have a conversation about it and I will bump up the last star... that is how much I like this place. I thought the app was overpriced.. that is until the fruit and cheese platter came out... immaculate, geometric, adorned with wonderful nibbly bits. It was a treat. One of the more romantic spots and surprisingly pleasant experiences I have had in this city in a long time.
Hotel Biron, it was quite the mystery to me-it's very well hidden which made it all the more intriguing. And with Zuni Cafe just down the way what's not to love? This place feels like something out of an old movie-it's so dark inside and the main source of light comes from candles-which makes having a glass of wine even more relaxing. There is also a very wide selection of wines to choose from to please a variety of palates. Surrounded by art work, people tucked into tables and corners, and a very late night feel (even in the middle of the day)-this place brought nothing but good feelings!
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Why haven't I been here before... what an absolute gem of a find..
It was Fides b-day and Hotel Biron was the selection. It's in a dark alley behind Zuni Cafe.. It's a small quaint brick room with very funky artwork. The wine selection was delicious.. the cheese and meat plates artistic.. I do love this place it brings me back to nights in Paris.. Ambiance is sexy and sleek.. It's a bit small so it may get crowded and hot, but it's worth the experience.
This place is a must!
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Been coming here for a while, and it never ceases to give me that feeling of "this is a great wee place"!
Amazing host! Sexy as fuck atmosphere! Killer wines with the best suggestions to your likes around. Artsy. Tucked away. Top notch wine and cheese. I love it!
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what a great little place. Dark, romantic, simple. Perfect way to start a date over a glass of wine and a cheese plate, or end it late at night, making out on the couch in the back room, if you can get in. If you are doing Hayes Valley, you have to go here.
The decor is nice and intimate. Sexy, even.
However, the wine was terrible. For a wine bar, you'd think that they'd carry nicer wines, or perhaps the bartender would know how to properly open a bottle of red without inducing a look of "WTF?!" on my friend's face. She actually looked offended. I appreciated that he sniffed the cork to check if the bottle was good, but it was done like he was taking in a whiff from a questionable sock found on the floor. (Like, is this clean? When did I last wear this? Why is this wet? Whoa, there's a dollar in here!)
I had a cote du rhone and my friend had a sancerre. Neither of us could finish our glasses, and we are not ones to ever waste wine.
Might come back again for ambiance, but may opt for a cheese plate instead of a glass.
Great atmosphere! Wonderful wine list and yummy small plates. Great place to meet up with a small group; super sexy place!
i use to frequent this place quite a bit. after sf magazine did a feature on this place a couple of years ago, hotel biron became more popular, thus i stopped visting.
someone whom i met recently likes her vino and had never been to biron, so we went last night. it was pretty crowded with groups of after work folks, but surprisingly it didn't take away from the intimacy of the room. we were still able to hold a conversation at a low volume. all of the features that i use to enjoy about this place still exists; paintings by local artists, the laid back, cozy vibe, decent wine list and friendly service by the wine geeks (i say that in a good way). chris, who was pouring last night, is a cool dude and will chat you up enthusiasticaly about wine.
i have to say that the room is starting to show some wear and tear; areas where the paint is chipped off the wall. and the folding wooden chairs are not the most comfortable. still, a chill place to slurp a glass of grape juice.
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Really nice. Had a 30$ bottle of Rhone red with a friend and really enjoyed the atmosphere. The art on the walls was a bit of a downer, but hey, the whole experience was really fun and not stuffy at all. It was perfectly busy for a Thursday night, but I could see it getting too busy over the weekend. Regardless, reasonable wines. Nice staff. Cool atmosphere. Little out of the way space. I'll be back... many times.
Lovely little wine bar - space can be an issue, so not really great for large groups, although when we were here last time, we did manage to squeeze 12 of us in there, so it can be done. Very cozy and somehow, feels like you are in Paris.
Hotel Biron is quite possibly my favorite bar in all of San Francisco. First of all it's right behind my house in my favorite neighborhood--Hayes Valley. Second of all, it is the most relaxing yet lively place to sit down with your buddies talk, eat, and drink. They give you free samples when you are trying to decide which wine to drink. They also have amazing art exhibits by local SF artists that change on a monthly basis. HB--I love you!
This is a nice place to relax with a friend or a hot date, enjoy a pricey (starts at $10) but generously poured glass of wine and maybe one of their lovely cheese plates as well. A perfect medium between swanky and laid back--you don't have to dress up to go, but if you happen to be sporting your fanciest duds you won't feel overdressed either.
The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about wine and cheese and all that good stuff--a great place for people who aren't quite sure what their tastes are when it comes to wine--they even let you taste the wines first! Yum!
It does get a little claustrophobic sometimes...a good place to either start or end your evening, but not necessarily a whole evening unto itself.
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perfect. i could see why people wouldn't want anyone to know about it.
it's got more style than anywhere in sf.
great quaint size, dim lighting, suprisingly good local artists' (better than most galleries i've been to), nicest bartender, cute crowd, wine and cheese you dream about, reasonably priced, the greatest alley in town, and a nice selection of loungy music.
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this place is exactly what I want on many a night. a nice glass (or bottle) of not-too-expensive wine, some cheese, some fruit, and a little coziness. If you get a couch, you have majorly scored and really have all this place has to offer. they used to have these amazing handmade chocolates, not sure what happened to them, that made me realize how fantastically red wine and chocolate go together.
for any occasion/social gathering this place works. first date. check. out with an ex. check. with some friends. check. out with your main squeeze. definitely check (then you especially need the couch though).
I had my third visit here recently and have not been disappointed yet. You wouldn't think it much from the street, but just a few steps inside and you feel like you are in a basement cafe in the Latin quarter of Paris. I wouldn't call this a place to go wine tasting, although that can be arranged. Rather it is a cozy place to hang with friends when you are in a loungy bohemian mood.
The wine list is excellent, though. And they have a great selection of cheeses, and other light fare. Highly recommended!
It was a cold and exceptionally windy Sunday evening. I approach a friend and she whispers, "look for the B in the alley." The surrounding empty streets worry me that it's either closed or vacant - neither are ideal situations for my brother's bday outing. After missing the alley about 3 times, I see the gently lit round orange sign with a white "B" in the middle, and I realize that we've found our destination.
We open the door and find that we've not only found Hotel Biron, but perhaps another world. I peek behind me as I let myself in to make sure that the SF street outside hasn't disappeared!
Upon entering the narrow, cozy space, you're hit with a warm glow of light and the murmur of European tongues in lively conversation. Edgy art adorns the rustic, pale dijon walls. The inviting bistro tables, few tall bar tops, and loungey sofa and coffee table set you up for intimate seating and chit chat.
Our group of 6 is able to snag the living-room-like cushy couch and coffee table. After tasting a few unimpressive less expensive wines, we opt for a bottle just a smidge above our original target price range.
Although the bar looks more like a check-in desk at a bed&breakfast or boutique hotel, rather than a bar, don't be fooled... no hotel rooms here.
Intimate and old-worldly, and often impossible to find standing room in, Hotel Biron is in a class all by itself. Its tiny, cavernous-feeling space evokes continental Europe, where the gastronomy is second place to the conversation and communion of people.
That this place is located in Deco Ghetto makes it all the more oddball.
WIne selection is probably what keeps me from giving the B five stars. But I don't necessarily call it a fault, or a con. The space just seems too small to accommodate anything more.
That said, the selection is good enough, and the people who work here are always friendly enough to help you find something should you need it.
A standard pairing of cheese, meat, and olives rounds out your tasting.
As Nicole G. and Tara R. have said, the place is unassuming and cozy, which works well when it's cold or hot.
If you care for wine at all, and love getting out of the house to drink it, Hotel Biron is a must.
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Loved this place. Went here with my date for a few glasses of wine after dinner. Wasn't sure what I wanted, but the bartender was great! She poured me four different types of wine to try. Great service!
The ambiance is perfect. Dimly lit with candles at each table, with brick walls, along with comfortable couches and tables throughout the place. The back room is cozy too.
The art on the walls was interesting! Loved it! I heard from someone last night that this place is an art gallery!
IMO, this place is perfect for a date night going very well:)
Hotel Biron is one of the places i miss most after leaving San Francisco. They have a great selection of wine/food...but so do most other places in SF.
What sets it apart is the atmosphere. Its dark, moody, and sexy-- much like myself. Its great for catching up with a friend or trying to snag the secluded couch in the back for a make out session. Its pretty quiet...with a constant din that makes conversation comfortable.
Great date spot!
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I really like it here. It's comfy. cozy and a great place to chill after work. It gets a little crowded since its on the small side, but get there early for a seat on the couch and it is absolutely wonderful. Good wine, good cheese, good service... what more could one ask for?
Hotel Biron is a Perfect place to go if you:
1) Are meeting E-Harmony date # 4 sans make-up.
2) Want to seem "cool" and in the know - people will think that you are taking them to some hotel bar but they will be pleasantly surprised that this wine bar is located in a small alley.
3) Love cheese - their selection is great.
4) Are not hard of hearing - this place can get loud.
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The only thing that I like about Hotel Biron is that it's tucked away like a hidden closet in a castle.
Unfortunately, that closet isn't so exciting once you enter inside. The selection are acceptable and the pours are decent. But it's more of a pit stop on a night out.
With its hidden alleyway entrance a la 19th Century London , low and cavern like ceilings, funky-Space-cartoons-on-LSD art, and glorious cheese and wine selection - I'll be honest - for a moment I doubted if I was cool enough to be in here...
And then I was like, "Wait a second. Of course I'm cool enough to be in here. In fact, THESE people should be practically PISSING themselves with glee that they get to even be in the same ROOM as someone like me.
And then it all went to hell.
I started demanding a shrine built in my holy and blessed name, an indigenous labor tribute, gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh from my loyal subjects, and babies! Babies sacrificed to appease my wrath! You know, just the usual accoutrement of life as a despot king...
No but seriously, all egomaniacal tendencies aside, this place rocks my world and I'm way jealous that it's not in my neighborhood....stupid Hayes Valley its stupid scion of hip-ocity ways...
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Personally, one of my favorites bars in the city. Cool art on the walls. Dark moody lighting. Big comfy couches. Tons of wine and excellent cheese. Seriously, what gets any better than that?
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Hotel Biron is a quite small but very cozy wine bar and art gallery that lends touches of Paris to its comfortable and appealing ambiance. Very dim lighting, modern yet comfy decor, a handful of copper tables, wrought-iron bistro chairs and zinc-green walls decked with a revolving exhibition of local add to the mood, and form the perfect setting for an after-work get-together or romantic rendezvous. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and the wine list is interesting and not expensive. If you can, it makes sense to buy by the bottle as for the most part bottle prices are only 3 times that of the glass prices when offered. A brief food menu including cheeses, seasonal fruits, charcuterie, and olives is designed to complement the wines.
I arrived a bit earlier than my friend and luckily was able to snag a table near the bar area, and ordered a glass of 2006 Sur "de los Andes" Torrontes. It was light and refreshing, but lacked a fruity quality that I had hoped it would have. Once my friend arrived we tasted a few red varietals, and decided to go with a bottle of Jenke Vineyards Shiraz from the Barossa Valley. It needed to breathe just a bit, but notes of berries and a strong earthy quality made it really delicious and interesting. We also tried a couple of the cheeses. Old Quebec, a Canadian raw cow's milk cheddar aged for 3 years was rich and creamy, and Serra da Estrela, a Portugese washed rind raw sheep's milk cheese, was also decadent and delicious. Hotel Biron is really an adorable spot I hope you get a chance to check out if you haven't already done so. It's just off Market Street on Rose just behind Zuni Cafe.
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This was everything a wine bar should be. Comfortable and unstuffy, informative, good selection without being overwhelming and affordable. AND they have hooks for your purse and jacket underneath the bar. Love it.
I recommend the Lambrusco with the cheese plate and if you prefer a sweeter white the muscato.
I will be back.
Sweet spot. So not a hotel, either. I love how there is no sign and simply a "B." I was first told that this is a secret spot, but I don't think it's a secret anymore! The wine selection is great and the cheese choices are great...they give ya a nice amount of bread as well! I would love to go again.
Normally I'd say when your date takes you into a dark alley in a seedy part of town you should run away. Yet the superb Hotel Biron is hidden away in such an unlikely place and you'd probably pass it by if someone didn't point it out. The wine bar is literally in an alley not too far from Market. I'd expected a place akin to the questionable surrounding establishments, but it's quite a contrast to what's outside.
The low lights, candlelit tables and exposed brick give the venue a bit of a cave-like feel. There are spots for groups to lounge and small tables for two people. It's a cozy place with a relaxed feel. It's neither too yuppie nor hippy, and the vibe from the nearby Hayes Valley crowd comes through. Despite being a small place it didn't get too loud or crazy. This is certainly one of the best wine bars I've been to in the city. The wine is good too, but I was so enamored with the setting I forgot about the wine after my second or third glass.
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Great neighborhood bar in the neighborhood bar wasteland that is Hayes Valley. The wine selection is excellent, the bar staff is knowledgable, and the atmosphere is chill and comfortable.
The space is also an art gallery and the curator is fantastic. The art is quirky and unexpected.
The only negative thing is that the place can get crowded on the weekends, but for a relaxed happy hour with friends on a tuesday or an intimate night with a hot date, Hotel B cannot be beat.
This is a cool out-of-the-way spot to cap off a hot date. With any more than two the space would probably seem crowded unless it's an off night.
Yes this is a 'wine bar' but the vibe is young and fun-- classy but laidback, too.
The only thing this place is missing is a cloud of smoke hovering around the ceiling. The alley entrance, the dim lights and brick walls, the cast iron touches on the bar and tables, all feel like some European underground hangout of pre-War intelligentsia. We're holding out against the fascist threat! We're wearing all black and talking about existentialism! WE'RE GETTING DRUNK WHILE WE DO IT!
It's more expensive than places I usually go (hey I work for the love, not for the money...er....), but an oenophile has got to indulge occasionally. And Industry night on Monday nights makes the indulgence a bit more doable by, say, easing the guilt of ordering a $16 glass of auslese.
The staff is knowledgeable and friendly.
Vive la resistance!
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I've been coming to this place for about three years now, and have loved how knowledgeable the bartenders are, how delicious the charcutrie places are, and how amazing the atmosphere is. When I take my friends out for a glass of wine, we go here. When I had a crappy day and want to leave the house for a good read and some wine, I come here. I really don't know what else to say, but it's really an amazing place.
Comfy couch to whisper about who shagged who on the studio floor- you know who you are!
Felt like I was in that scene from Funny Face, the one where Audrey Hepburn dances around like a kook and the beatniks just do their thing.
OK- I'm really talking about myself.
Hope they don't have security cameras.
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