Novela

AMBIANCE:
The ambiance here is very sophisticated. Well decorated with shelves of books and sofa seating on one side and table seating on the other side of the bar that's located in the center. The space has low lighting which sets a lovely mood for dates. Upon entry, you can smell a lovely candle burning with really sets the tone if you're trying to impress your date!

SERVICE:
Attentive and very courteous staff.

FOOD:
The Brussel sprouts here are amazing and we order it every time we come here. I highly recommend their Brussel sprouts. The ceviche is a very small portion and it was more diced chili than any other ingredient so don't order it if you don't like spicy ceviche. I would also consider it more of a Peruvian ceviche than Mexican ceviche. The albóndigas are more like (5) dry meatballs covered in bbq sauce. As a Latina, I wouldn't call them albóndigas and I wouldn't recommend those.

DRINKS:
My favorite cocktail of all time in the entire Bay Area was the Queen Calanthe (rum, pineapple, butter macadamia nut, lemon) here but as of August 2024 they removed it from the menu so I don't see myself coming as often as I was anymore. I also wouldn't recommend any of the punches on tap because they taste super premade and strongly of alcohol. I tasted all of them via the flight and I didn't enjoy a single one.

I visited Novela on a Saturday night for drinks and really loved the literary theme and ambiance. I will note that it is somewhat important to ask if you can be seated on the side of the bar that has all of the bookshelves, as the view is less exciting on the other side of the bar. We tried the punch flight for our drinks and really enjoyed the diversity of spirits used in each punch.

The drinks were great, the ambiance was lovely, but I think to bump this to a 5 star experience, make sure you get seated on the side with the bookshelves!

Novela is a stylish cocktail bar nestled in San Francisco, known for its literary-themed ambiance and innovative drink menu. We came in on a Saturday night with reservation, and got seated right away.

We each got their seasonal drinks: Saya Kuroki, and Espresso Martini. With an atmosphere reminiscent of a vintage library, Novela offers patrons a unique experience where they can sip on expertly crafted cocktails while surrounded by shelves of books. They also have a live DJ spinning music on the side.

Whether you're a bookworm or a cocktail connoisseur, Novela is sure to delight with its blend of literature and libations.

Novela SF has become a favorite hangout spot for my coworkers and me whenever we're in San Francisco. Most recently, I brought my cousins along and they loved the vibrant vibe just as much as I do. To ensure you secure a spot, be sure to make a reservation in advance as Novela SF can get quite busy.

I recall the weekends at Novela SF with fondness, as DJs often set the mood with their music, adding to the energetic atmosphere. The late closing hours allow for extended enjoyment of their excellent cocktail selection. I appreciate the quick and attentive service that ensures a seamless and enjoyable experience every time.

For a lively and dynamic hangout in San Francisco, Novela SF is a must-visit destination that never disappoints.

Novela was a spot I remember going to pre pandemic on Friday nights that was always super busy. It's like a novel theme and a very nice and spacious bar. Fast forward to 2024, a friend from out of town was visiting and we were looking for happy hour places in downtown SF to go somewhere around 4pm. Happy hour is from
4-7pm and I walked in first without a reservation and it was perfect, not busy, we were able to get a seat, there's a QR menu and there's a server so you don't have to go up to the bar. They have happy hour specific menu items. I started off with the bartenders creation for $12 and ordered the table truffle fries, chicken empanadas (3 pieces), and some oysters. They were out of Brussels sprouts. My friends also got the bartenders drink and I additionally got the flight of the different mixed punches (all different alcohols). Kind of sweet but a very nice mix to try.

The book lover in me was so excited to see that a bar like Novela exists. Books, cocktails, and a great happy hour?! Yes.

I was in the city for work and wanted to meet up with a friend for happy hour on a Thursday night. I'm a book lover, my friend is an author - it's like Novela was made for folks like us. She got there around 5 and was seated quickly. She even got to do some work real quick before I met her at 5:15. (Though she did mention they don't have Wi-Fi to encourage people to really *be* with each other).

Upon arrival, they'll check your ID at the door. They've got some seating outside but on this late afternoon, everyone was inside. The vibes are vibin' at Novela with its walls of lit up books (or book-like decor). I love that they even have quotes on the ceiling.

Once seated, they have a QR code to their menu at the table. They've got a pretty good happy hour Monday - Friday until 7 PM with bites at $6 ea and drinks at a discount. Here's what we got:

+ Chicken empanadas ($6): the order came with 3 empanadas. Super flaky and buttery crust. The filling was delicious, though, I wish there was more. The empanada itself was pretty bread heavy.
+ Seasoned fries ($6): solid fries. Had some spices added onto it (maybe paprika/chili powder though there wasn't too much of a kick). Great to share and enough for 2 people.
+ Tacos de carnitas ($6): available only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Came with 2 tacos. Great! Not too greasy and overall, pretty easy to eat without being too messy. Lots of greens and thick cut onions.
+ Bartenders special ($12): I love going for whatever the bartender recommends so it was cool to see this on the menu. On the day I went, it was a mango vodka cocktail that was definitely sweet/fruit forward, almost like a juice aka very good and probably very dangerous (gets you drunk without you realizing it because it tastes so good).

Service was good too though it was a bit slow when we were wanting to pay. As we sat there, the bar got a lot more full with more people getting off work so the staff got busier. I'm not sure if we had a dedicated server as we were helped by a few different people. Still, we weren't in a rush so it wasn't a big deal.

They also had a DJ going by the time we left, which was fun! Just be prepared to speak a little louder to each other haha.

Restrooms were pretty clean too! Shared sink space for all genders and they've got the private closet type stalls for the toilets.

Great vibes, great bar, great drinks. Can't wait to come back again!

I want to rate Novela higher because the service and the atmosphere are great. Unfortunately we ordered martinis and they came nowhere near cold enough. At $15-$16 each, they really have to be perfect. Other standard drinks like gin and tonics etc are fine, but the martinis were unacceptable. I'm curious to know how they do with other cocktails that need to be well chilled, but I wasn't up for experimenting on a second one there. Not at those prices anyway.

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.

Really chill lounge bar that's book themed! We went right after dinner on a Friday and were able to get a table with no wait, but they also take reservations. The interior is big, so it feels spacious and not crowded. The vibe is amazing and cozy but also not too quiet. They also have plenty of food options! Their drinks are all book character themed. We got the Aster gray which was light and sweet. They also have punch bowls which are great for a group and selections of beer/wine/non alcoholic. Many bathrooms that are very clean as well. Overall love Novela and will continue to come back!

The ambiance here is so nice. I love the wall of books, it's so beautiful and the ambiance is just so romantic and stylish. It's in a nice part of the city, but there isn't any parking that I'm aware of so either you'll need to walk or taxi in. The drinks were good, but I loved the fried brussel sprouts. The dressing they used was so garlicky and delicious. The service was ok, but they forgot to put our order in until the very end. Then they told us that one dish was on the house since they never put it in.