Quite Possibly Your Happiest Happy Hour at Amélie Le Bar á Vin

If you're in San Francisco and have a hankering for some wine and time to spare between 5:30pm and 7pm, check out the happy hour at Amélie Le Bar á Vin.

This French wine bar has always been one of my favorite spots to hit up in the city, and I'll tell you why: $10 three-glass customized wine flights (yep, you can pick anything on their list) with heavy pour and adorable, charming French bartenders. 

Located off Polk Street in the Russian Hill district, it was established in 2006 among the many bars and small restaurants that inhabit the area. What sets them apart though is not only their steal of a happy hour offering, but their hip, unpretentious ambiance. You might think: "A massive selection of European wines, and mostly French staff. Must be stuffy." But it's not. Take a seat at the bar and find yourself immediately greeted by either the Provençal owner Germain Michel or his fellow wingman Martial, who hails from Normandy. (Pictured below right, in order of mention.)

They both immediately fill up glasses of water for you, speak to you in French if you're able, ask about your day, and just talk about life. If you know exactly what you want from their lengthy wine list, they're all ears and are happy to help you out if needed. If it's your birthday, they might give you a free glass of champagne (as they did on mine this year!). Go enough times, and you'll be on a first-name basis with them...and they'll make note of how you haven't been in for a while. (Guilty!) Just like a good bartender would.

Their selection has everything from prosecco and champagne to Gewürztraminer and a variety of bordeaux.

Happy hour also consists of $5 mushroom flatbread, and elsewhere on the menu you can find $6 and $15 cheese plates of your choice (one and three choices, respectively), $12 charcuterie plate (prosciutto, toscana salame, sopressata, rosette Lyon, coppa, and duck breast), and $15 duck pâté served with mustard, toast, and cornichons. They also have salads and main dishes made for sharing, including duck leg confit and escargots. 


So, this place meets your fancy whether it be wine, cheese, small plates, or a rich array of classic French dishes. 


The interesting contrast of their laid-back and stylish personality comes out through the wine menus placed at the back of old vinyl record sleeves, freshly cut baguette served in linen sacks, red illuminated wine bottle-shaped wall sconces, movie theater seats in their front lounge area, and a quoted Victor Hugo text decal upon the ceiling towards the back of the bar. It's a retro spin on Paris meets San Francisco, and you find yourself somewhere in between -- not caring either way, so long as you're surrounded my good wine, good vibes, and good friends. 


A witty proclamation on their wine menu that rings true: "Our football team sucks, our strikes suck...fortunately we still have wine."

Location: 1754 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA (Open everyday with happy hour at 5:30pm and closes at 2am)