oChef » Aura Cinema – San Francisco

Aura Cinema - San Francisco

Restaurant Aura Cinema in San Francisco
Photo from Aura Cinema
How do the guests rate it?
Aura Cinema at a glance
San Francisco Dogpatch
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 11 of the guests
#206 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#40 Restaurant out of 254 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.5 out of 10
8.4
Food
8.9
Service
8.3
Ambience
7.8
Value
124

Reviews

89.5%

Satisfaction

Often praised
  • Great service
  • Tasty offerings
  • Fun ambiance
Frequently criticized
  • Slow service
  • Menu confusion
  • Identity crisis

The restaurant Aura Cinema, located in San Francisco’s vibrant Dogpatch neighborhood, offers you a unique dining experience. This restaurant is known for its great beer selection, making it a prime spot for enthusiasts.

You can enjoy a casual yet trendy atmosphere, perfect for unwinding after a long day or catching up with friends. With options for dine-in, takeout, and delivery, Aura Cinema ensures you can savor their offerings however you prefer.

Overview: Introducting Aura Cinema

Aura Cinema offers a distinctive experience, often praised for its ambiance and the overall feel of the place. Guests appreciate the comfortable setting and the lively environment, making it a pleasant spot to unwind.

However, some find the lighting a bit unusual, and the venue’s identity as either a sports bar or lounge isn’t always clear. The culinary offerings, particularly the drinks and certain food items, generally receive positive remarks for their quality.

Service is frequently highlighted for its friendly and attentive staff. Yet, there are occasional concerns about slow food delivery and some menu discrepancies that could be improved.

Excellent
8.5 out of 10
124

Reviews

89.5%

Satisfaction

9

negative

4

neutral

111

positive

Overall, Aura Cinema earns a solid 8.5, indicating a generally positive experience for many patrons. This is further supported by a strong 89.5% customer satisfaction rate, suggesting that most visitors leave content.

These figures are drawn from a considerable 124 customer observations, with 111 positive remarks outweighing just 9 negative ones, painting a clear picture of what to expect. Diving into specifics, the Service (8.9) stands out as a particular strength, with guests frequently commending the attentive team.

The Food (8.4) also performs well, offering a satisfying culinary experience. The Ambience (8.3) contributes significantly to the overall appeal, creating a pleasant setting.

Even Value (7.8) is rated as good, suggesting that pricing generally aligns with expectations.

What people like
  • Friendly, skilled service
  • Delicious food and cocktails
  • Lively atmosphere, entertainment
What people don't like
  • Slow food delivery
  • Outdated menu information
  • Unclear venue identity

With a strong 8.6 recommendation score, Aura Cinema generally delivers a positive experience, especially if you appreciate good service and a lively setting. It’s a solid choice for those seeking a place with engaging entertainment options and well-crafted drinks.

However, be prepared for potential delays in food service and check the menu beforehand, as online information might be outdated. If you prioritize a clear concept and swift food delivery, you might find minor points for improvement, but overall, it’s worth considering.

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Verdict: Our expert take on Aura Cinema

Food (8.4 out of 10)

mentioned by 88% of the guests

Alright, lets dive into the food scene here! Its clear that the culinary offerings are a big hit, boasting a strong 8.4 score and an excellent 90.5% customer satisfaction. With 38 positive opinions out of 42, guests consistently praise the delicious bar foods, excellent drinks, and specific favorites like the Wagyu burger, wings, and ramen.

Youll find a great selection of East&West fusion dishes and tasty sides too! However, its not entirely without its quirks. A handful of the 3 negative pieces of feedback pointed out that the menu information might be outdated, leading to some confusion.

There were also a couple of general remarks about the quality and quantity of certain dishes, and one specific comment about the drinks seeming a bit off.

8.4 Food

42

Reviews

90%

Satisfaction

3

negative

1

neutral

38

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Delicious bar foods
  • Excellent, punchy drinks
  • Diverse menu options
What people don't like
  • Inconsistent dish quality
  • Outdated menu info
  • Questionable drink quality

Often praised

  • drinks
  • food
  • cocktails
  • $1 oysters
  • Chicken wings
  • Drinks
  • East and West
  • East&West
  • Food
  • Fries

Frequently criticized

  • drinks
  • food
  • menu

If you're looking for a spot with generally delicious and diverse bar bites, excellent drinks, and a high satisfaction rate, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be aware that the menu might have changed since older reviews, and a few items could be inconsistent.

Service (8.9 out of 10)

mentioned by 83% of the guests

When it comes to service, this spot truly shines! With an excellent score of 8.9 and a good customer satisfaction rating of 88.6%, its clear guests are happy. Out of 35 opinions, a whopping 31 praise the friendly wait staff, passionate bartenders, and attentive owner who makes everyone feel welcome.

Many highlight the quick service and the cool new mobile ordering system. However, a few experiences werent perfect. Just 3 opinions mentioned issues like general bad service or a long wait time for food.

There was also a note about needing to update Google Maps info regarding the menu, which can be a bit misleading for some first-timers.

8.9 Service

35

Reviews

88%

Satisfaction

3

negative

1

neutral

31

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Friendly, attentive staff
  • Owner interaction
  • Quick, efficient service
What people don't like
  • Slow food delivery
  • Inconsistent service

Often praised

  • service
  • staff
  • bartenders
  • Bob
  • Kristina
  • Ray
  • Service
  • bartender
  • bartender and staff
  • cool dude

Frequently criticized

  • Google Maps info
  • service
  • wait time

If youre looking for a place with genuinely friendly and attentive staff, youre in for a treat. While a few folks experienced slow food delivery or outdated menu info online, the overwhelmingly positive service makes this spot worth checking out for a great time.

Ambience (8.3 out of 10)

mentioned by 79% of the guests

The ambience here is definitely a highlight, scoring a good 8.3 with an impressive excellent 90.2% customer satisfaction! Out of 41 total opinions, 37 rave about the lively karaoke night, fantastic private Karaoke rooms, and the overall vibe and music. Guests loved the clean restrooms, comfy furniture, and found it a cool, modern hang out spot perfect for events and good times.

However, a couple of opinions (2 negative mentions) noted that the lighting was a bit weird and felt the place cant decide if its going to be a sports bar or a lounge. While these are minor points, they suggest a slight inconsistency in the overall aesthetic that might not appeal to everyone.

8.3 Ambience

41

Reviews

90%

Satisfaction

2

negative

2

neutral

37

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Lively karaoke nights
  • Cool hang out spot
  • Private karaoke rooms
What people don't like
  • Confusing identity
  • Odd lighting

Often praised

  • atmosphere
  • place
  • pool table
  • Atmosphere
  • Karaoke Wednesday
  • TVs
  • ambiance
  • comedy night
  • environment
  • furniture

Frequently criticized

  • lighting
  • sports bar or lounge

If you're looking for a lively spot with great entertainment and a modern feel, especially for karaoke or events, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared for some unique lighting and a dual sports bar/lounge personality.

Value (7.8 out of 10)

mentioned by 21% of the guests

When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark! Many customers are thrilled with their awesome Happy Hour, praising the great drink prices and noting that the food is reasonably priced and delicious. With a good score of 7.8 and a strong customer satisfaction of 83.3%, its clear most folks feel theyre getting their moneys worth, especially with those tempting $2 tacos and beers.

However, its not a perfect score for everyone. Out of 6 opinions, one customer felt the overall price was simply too expensive. While this isnt a widespread concern, its worth noting that not every item on the menu might strike everyone as a bargain, suggesting some price points could be a bit high for certain tastes.

7.8 Value

6

Reviews

83%

Satisfaction

1

negative

0

neutral

5

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Awesome Happy Hour
  • Great drink prices
  • Reasonably priced food
What people don't like
  • Prices felt high

Often praised

  • $2 tacos and beers
  • Happy Hour
  • drink prices
  • happy hour
  • reasonably priced

Frequently criticized

  • price

If youre looking for great deals, especially during Happy Hour, this place is definitely worth checking out for its reasonably priced food and drinks. Just be mindful that while many find it a good value, a few have found certain prices a bit steep. Go for the happy hour specials, and youll likely leave happy!

How are the prices at Aura Cinema?

You’re looking at roughly 38 per person – reported by 11 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.

Looking at what people actually spend, prices are quite spread out, with a mix of more budget-friendly options and a few higher-end choices.

Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 11 reviews.

How this Restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.

Overall, we think the pricing feels pretty fair for a Restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a good balance, allowing for both more casual and slightly more indulgent dining experiences.

Customer Reviews: what people think about Aura Cinema

Price per Person
  • $41–$50
Visit Type
  • Casual Outing
Group Type
  • Friends
Group Size
  • Large Group
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Hazel
Review date: 06/27/2025
9
Fun Karaoke with Great Drinks and Food
Had a lot of fun in one of their private Karaoke rooms! The drinks were awesome, and the garlic noodles and chicken wings were our favorite chow. I'm happy to have found a karaoke place within the area! I do think they need to update their Google Maps info as the menu has changed significantly, and some of us thought they still had ramen etc. (from old 2018/2019 menu lists, I think?). Would definitely come back for drinks, chow, and group Karaoke!
  • private Karaoke rooms9
  • drinks9
  • garlic noodles9
  • Google Maps info3
  • menu3
Price per Person
  • $21–$30
Visit Type
  • Casual Outing
Group Type
  • Friends
Group Size
  • Small Group
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Noise Level
  • Loud
Alvina E. A.
Review date: 06/15/2025
9
Fun Karaoke with Punchy Drinks!
My experience at this karaoke bar was hella fun! They have a great selection of both new and old songs. The drinks were delicious and definitely punchy. The atmosphere was fantastic, and the food was also a hit. I'd highly recommend this place for a good time.
  • karaoke bar9
  • songs9
  • Drinks9
Price per Person
  • $71–$80
Visit Type
  • Casual Outing
Group Type
  • Friends
Group Size
  • Large Group
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Wait Time
  • Short (6–15 min.)
Noise Level
  • Quiet
Brandon H.
Review date: 12/05/2024
9
Great Service and Delicious Food!
I had a lovely time at the restaurant! We were in a private karaoke room on a slow Wednesday night. The service was great, and the food and drinks were delicious and quick.
  • private karaoke room9
  • service9
  • food10
Visit Type
  • Special Occasion
Group Type
  • Friends
Group Size
  • Large Group
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Geric O.
Review date: 11/23/2024
9
Quaint and Cozy Karaoke Bar
We were here for our buddy's surprise party, and this place is very quaint and cozy. The family who owns this karaoke bar is very pleasant and fun, and the bar itself is well-stocked.
  • atmosphere10
  • family10
  • bar9
Visit Type
  • Casual Outing
Group Type
  • Friends
Group Size
  • Small Group
Service Type
  • Dine-in
ZhiCheng Z.
Review date: 10/16/2024
10
Amazing Hangout Spot with Great Bar Food!
We visited as a party of 4 and were immediately struck by the amazing environment. It's a really cool hang out spot with the added fun of karaoke, and they even offer private karaoke room rentals. All of their bar foods were amazing! We can't wait to come back.
  • environment10
  • hang out spot9
  • karaoke9

What Aura Cinema offers

Highlights

  • Great beer selection
  • Sports

Planning

  • Accepts reservations

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible seating
  • Wheelchair accessible restroom

Crowd

  • Family-friendly
  • LGBTQ+ friendly
  • Transgender safespace
  • Groups

Payments

  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards

Children

  • High chairs

Amenities

  • Restroom
  • Bar onsite

Offerings

  • Late-night food
  • Hard liquor
  • Happy hour drinks
  • Wine
  • Beer
  • Small plates
  • Happy hour food
  • Cocktails
  • Alcohol

Dining options

  • Dinner
  • Seating
  • Table service

Service Options

  • Dine-in
  • Takeout
  • Delivery

Pets

  • Dogs allowed

Atmosphere

  • Casual
  • Trendy

FAQs

Is Aura Cinema accessible for all guests?
Yes, Aura Cinema prioritizes accessibility for you. The restaurant features a wheelchair accessible entrance, wheelchair accessible seating, and a wheelchair accessible restroom, ensuring a comfortable experience for everyone.
Absolutely! Aura Cinema welcomes your furry friends. Dogs are allowed at the restaurant, so you can enjoy your meal and drinks without leaving your beloved pet at home. They also offer high chairs for your little ones.
Aura Cinema scores a good 8.5 overall, with high marks for Service (8.9), Food (8.4), and Ambience (8.3). Value (7.8) also rates well, indicating a generally satisfying experience.
Guests enjoy the lively ambiance, which includes features like Karaoke Wednesday, large TVs for sports, a pool table, and even occasional comedy nights. The comfortable furniture also adds to the inviting environment.
Some patrons have noted slow food delivery and that the online menu information can be outdated, leading to confusion about available dishes. There are also mixed opinions on the venue’s overall identity.
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Location
2368 3rd St, 94158 San Francisco
Opening hours