Highlights
- Live music
- Bar games
- Great wine list
- Live performances
- Great beer selection
oChef » El Lopo – San Francisco
El Lopo - San Francisco
Photo from El Lopo
El Lopo at a glance
San Francisco Polk Gulch
- 🍻 Bar & Pub
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 43 of the guests
#369 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#21 Bar & Pub out of 151 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
405
Reviews
86.2%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Friendly service
- Cozy ambiance
- Great wine
Frequently criticized
- High prices
- Small portions
- Inconsistent food
The bar and pub El Lopo in San Francisco’s vibrant Polk Gulch neighborhood invites you to experience its lively atmosphere. You’ll find a cozy and trendy spot perfect for a casual night out, complete with live music that sets the perfect mood.
This popular spot offers a great wine list and bar games, ensuring there’s always something to enjoy in a romantic setting.
Overview: Introducting El Lopo
El Lopo offers a generally positive experience, with many guests praising the attentive and friendly staff who provide excellent recommendations. The establishment boasts a unique vibe and a notable wine selection, making it a pleasant spot for an evening out.
However, some visitors have noted that while the overall atmosphere and service are strong, aspects like portion size and the perceived price can sometimes detract from the experience, leading to mixed feelings about its overall affordability.
Excellent
8.3
out of 10
405
Reviews
86.2%
Satisfaction
40
negative
16
neutral
349
positive
El Lopo achieves a solid 8.3 for its overall restaurant score, complemented by a strong 86.2% customer satisfaction rate. This positive sentiment is largely driven by 349 positive comments out of 405 total, indicating a generally well-received establishment among its patrons.
Digging deeper, Service stands out as excellent (8.9), with guests consistently highlighting the attentive staff. Both Food (8.2) and Ambience (8.2) are rated as good, contributing significantly to the positive feedback.
However, Value (5.6) falls into the average category, suggesting it’s an area where some guests feel there’s room for improvement.
What people like
- Excellent, friendly service
- Unique, cozy ambiance
- Great wine selection
What people don't like
- High prices
- Small portion sizes
- Inconsistent food quality
For those seeking a charming spot with exceptional service and a distinct atmosphere, El Lopo is a worthwhile consideration. It excels in creating a memorable experience, particularly for its unique beverage offerings and the welcoming nature of its team.
With a strong 8.5 recommendation score, it’s a good choice if you prioritize ambiance and attentive staff over strict budget constraints. Just be mindful that the overall value might not align with everyone’s expectations.
Similar Restaurants in San Francisco
- Bar & Pub
9.1
out of 10
out of 10
317
93.7%
- $$
- Mission District
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Bar & Pub
9.1
out of 10
out of 10
105
99%
- $$
- Silver Terrace
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Bar & Pub
9
out of 10
out of 10
217
94.5%
- $$
- Dogpatch
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Bar & Pub
9
out of 10
out of 10
101
98%
- $$
- West Portal
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Bar & Pub
8.8
out of 10
out of 10
277
95.7%
- $$
- North Beach
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Bar & Pub
8.8
out of 10
out of 10
92
96.7%
- $$
- Sunnyside
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
Verdict: Our expert take on El Lopo
Food (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 91% of the guests
When it comes to the grub, this spot really shines! With a strong 8.2 score and a fantastic 85.3% customer satisfaction, it's clear the food is a hit. Guests consistently praise the delicious appetizers, flavorful bites, and excellent food quality, especially the tapas and sherry pairings.
Out of 211 opinions, a whopping 180 were positive! However, a few diners noted some areas for improvement. Concerns occasionally popped up regarding portion sizes, with some finding them a bit small, and a couple of mentions about the octopus not being as tender as expected.
There were also wishes for more vegetarian options and a slightly broader menu, accounting for 20 negative remarks.
Food
211
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
20
negative
11
neutral
180
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious appetizers
- Flavorful, high-quality bites
- Great sherry pairings
What people don't like
- Small portion sizes
- Limited menu selection
- Limited vegetarian options
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this local bar was fantastic! It's my favorite spot because of the great food, interesting wines, and cocktails. The staff is extremely friendly, adding to the overall positive atmosphere.
- wine selectionWe visited for Valentine's Day, opting for the tasting menu. While the restaurant excels as a wine bar with great energy from the staff and a good wine selection, our dinner experience was unfortunately rough. Each dish felt off-balanced.
- winesI highly recommend it to anyone for an intimate date night or small gathering of friends. Not only do they have amazing wines, but the staff went out of their way to make everyone’s experience so memorable and enjoyable. A huge thank you to Daniel, Ivan, and Alicia for making everything so lovely.
- FoodFood:5
- menuMy friend specifically mentioned that Ivan made some incredible cocktails – some of the best she’s ever had. It’s clear the staff have a lot of pride in what they do, and it’s a pleasure to support a business that has a great menu and good people. If you’re walking down Polk street, skip the mess and go straight to El Lopo; you can’t go wrong.
- musselsThey made perfect recommendations just based on the first drink and app orders. They were friendly and welcoming and even accommodating to a litany of off-menu requests such as a wine flight and half serving of the mussels (which you should definitely try!). My wife and I are both travelers and we have been to so many cities and so many highly rated bars and restaurants that are underwhelming or just pretty good.
- octopusThe octopus was not rubbery or chewy at all!
- sherryI loved the great small plates, the genuinely friendly service, and the pleasant atmosphere. They specialize in sherry and also have a good selection of wine. I highly recommend trying the horchata with sherry.
- wineMy experience at this restaurant was wonderful. It's a cozy place perfect for enjoying a nice glass of wine and excellent food. The vibe is amazing and very homey, complemented by a usually good playlist.
- SherryMy experience at the restaurant was SUPER cool. It was a great way to learn more about Sherry, thanks to the super knowledgeable staff and their amazing selection!
Frequently criticized
- foodthe food was disappointing, didn’t resemble what was on the menu
- octopusMy sister and I visited and ordered two cocktails, one lamb meatball, eggplant, and anchovy stuffed olives, and the octopus. Unfortunately, after ordering, we were informed they were out of the octopus. The food and drinks arrived quite quickly.
- portion sizethere’s almost never enough
- anchovy stuffed olivesanchovie stuffed olives never came out
- avocado toastAvocado toast came sideways
- bigger snackbigger snack are still small
- dessertThe dessert wasn’t great either
- dinner experiencehonestly the dinner we had tonight was rough
- gluten or dairy freenot a great place to get a bite to eat if you are gluten or dairy free
- menuthe menu is short and limited
If youre craving delicious Spanish tapas and an impressive sherry selection, this place is a must-try for its high-quality, flavorful bites. Just be mindful that portions can be on the smaller side, and the menu might feel a bit limited if youre seeking extensive vegetarian options.
Service (8.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 77% of the guests
The service at this establishment truly stands out, boasting an excellent score of 8.9 and an impressive customer satisfaction rate of 91.2%. With 83 positive remarks, guests consistently rave about the friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable staff who provide great recommendations and create memorable dining experiences, often going above and beyond. However, a handful of the 8 negative comments highlight occasional service inconsistency, particularly concerning wait time and basic operational oversights like incorrect checks or missing silverware.
While these issues are infrequent, they suggest there's still a little room for refinement in an otherwise stellar performance.
Service
91
Reviews
91%
Satisfaction
8
negative
0
neutral
83
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Great recommendations
- Memorable experiences
What people don't like
- Service inconsistency
- Operational oversights
Often praised
- serviceguests had non stop compliments particularly on the wines and the service
- staffEl Lopo aims to bring attention to both for this latter purpose, which is fantastic to witness. They boast a very nice selection, a laid-back atmosphere, and great staff. It's important to note that this is not an ideal place for those who are gluten or dairy-free, but nobody is perfect.
- ServiceService is attentive and friendly
- bartenderbest bartender - super friendly and knowledgeable
- experienceThe churros were also so tasty. We ended up taking a bottle of sherry home because the experience was so excellent! Highly recommend.
- recommendationsperfect recommendations just based on the first drink and app orders
- attentionenjoyed the attention we received from Silverio
- staff recommendationsstaff provided honest and thoughtful recommendations
- AnaliseAnalise, the best bartender - super friendly and knowledgeable
- DanielDaniel was great a helping me plan
Frequently criticized
- booking sitesthey close early without updating booking sites
- checkcheck was incorrect and still had the anchovie olives
- reservationthey close early without updating booking sites, as was the case when my dinner mate and I booked a reservation
- serverserver said sure, one moment. He then continued checking out and said bye to everyone and left the bar without giving us the check
- server's friendlinessI was introduced to this place as one of the best steakhouses in San Francisco by my companion, but it's a shame that its fierce competitor across the street closed down during the pandemic. The disappointing aspect was the inconsistency in the server's friendliness. I suspected there might be differences depending on the server and especially on who the customer is, which made me ponder how much to tip.
- serviceThe service was far from okay
- silverwareThe service was far from okay. The avocado toast came sideways, and no silverware was provided.
- tippingponder how much to tip. This was quite disappointing
If you're seeking a dining experience where the staff genuinely cares and goes the extra mile, this place is definitely worth trying. Despite a few minor operational hiccups, the overwhelmingly positive and attentive service promises a fantastic visit.
Ambience (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 71% of the guests
When it comes to ambiance, this spot truly shines! With a good score of 8.2 and a fantastic 89.1% customer satisfaction, it's clear guests adore the vibe. Many of the 82 positive opinions highlight the homey ambiance, lively energy, and cozy feel, often enhanced by fun trivia nights and a good playlist.
It’s frequently praised as a great date night spot or a hidden gem. While overwhelmingly positive, a handful of the 7 negative opinions mention concerns about parking and a feeling that some areas might be outdated. A few found it disorganized or noted a loud party could disrupt the otherwise relaxing atmosphere, and one mentioned the area that doesn’t feel safe.
Ambience
92
Reviews
89%
Satisfaction
7
negative
3
neutral
82
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cozy, homey atmosphere
- Lively events, music
- Perfect for dates
What people don't like
- Parking can be tough
- Can get loud
- Area feels unsafe
Often praised
- atmosphere🍸 A young man started playing 🎼beautiful music and singing 🎤superbly, Joseph Cañas. The atmosphere was very pleasant, the service was wonderful, the decor is good, and everything in general was magnificent 👌🏼. We definitely recommend it 💯 x 💯 and yes, we will return ‼️
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- barYou can choose to sit in the nice outdoor seating area or enjoy the cozy indoors. I personally love to sit at the bar.
- placeThe service is friendly, and the ambiance is very seductive. It's a unique and fun place to enjoy a drink and some food.
- vibeMy experience at this informal bar/restaurant was fantastic! It has a lot of character and a great vibe. I really enjoyed their small selection of scrumptious tapas and delicious wines.
- wine bartook this fun wine bar to the next level
- ambianceThe food and ambiance is great
- board gamesThey have a whole shelf of board games
- HistoryWine bar with a "History"
- Madrid taverna vibesMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It truly captures the best Madrid taverna vibes in California. There's always something on the menu for any mood, whether you're looking for food or drinks.
Frequently criticized
- area that doesn’t feel safeThe menu and drink selection were limited. Furthermore, it’s located in an area that doesn’t feel safe, which was a significant concern.
- barmy least favorite bar I've ever been to
- loud partyI only drank wine but want to come back to enjoy the full experience soon! Unfortunately, there was a super drunken loud party there, but I'm sure this is a great date spot and look forward to bringing my partner back sometime soon. The staff were also super friendly!
- outdated and disorganizedthe place feels outdated and disorganized
- parkingSomewhat difficult to find parking
- silverwaresilverware we were given were covered in food
- vintage atmosphereDespite its vintage atmosphere, the place feels outdated
If youre looking for a spot with a genuinely warm, lively, and cozy atmosphere, this place is definitely worth a visit. Its perfect for a fun date night or a relaxing evening, just be mindful that parking can sometimes be a challenge, and it can get loud during special events like trivia.
Value (5.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 13% of the guests
When it comes to value, some guests found real gems, calling certain offerings an absolute bargain and reasonably priced. The happy hour also gets a shout-out for good deals. Based on 4 positive remarks out of 11 total, there are definitely moments where the value shines.
However, the overall perception of value is a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.6, placing it in the average range. Customer satisfaction is quite low at 36.4%, indicating room for improvement. Many felt items were expensive for what it was or that the quantity didnt match the price, especially for wine and sherry.
' With 5 negative remarks, some guests felt shortchanged.
Value
11
Reviews
36%
Satisfaction
5
negative
2
neutral
4
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Happy hour deals
- Reasonably priced items
- Occasional bargains
What people don't like
- Expensive for quantity
- High wine prices
- Charged for unavailable
Often praised
- 5 starsgiving you 5 stars to support the business
- bargainThe El Lopo crew helped me throw an incredible birthday party for my partner. The food, wines, and service were fantastic and an absolute bargain. The atmosphere of this wine bar is perfect, with cute wooden tables, dried flowers, and a lovely long wooden bar to sit and hang out.
- happy hourDon't forget to "gift one, when you buy one" at happy hour
- reasonably pricedAll reasonably priced
Frequently criticized
- expensive for what it wasI'm still giving this place 5 stars, but the food was disappointing. It didn’t resemble what was on the menu and felt expensive for what it was. On the positive side, they have a good selection of craft beer 🍺 at reasonable prices.
- octopuscharged us for the octopus that they told us they were out of
- pricemad expensive but it's polk st so its to be expected
- quantitya bit expensive for the quantity
- wine and sherryWine and sherry was very expensive
Value here is a bit of a gamble. While you might snag a bargain during happy hour or find some reasonably priced items, be prepared that some dishes or wine and sherry might feel expensive for what it was or for the quantity you receive. If you're looking for consistent value, you might find it a mixed bag.
How are the prices at El Lopo?
You’re looking at roughly 44 $ per person – reported by 43 diners. That puts it in the $41–$50 category. For a Bar & Pub, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Digging into the details, while the average is 44 $, we see a good spread of spending. Many guests spend in the 21 – 40 $ range, but there’s also a notable group opting for a more premium experience, with some tabs going well over 70 $.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 43 most recent reviews.
How this Bar & Pub stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco for value.
Given the city and the type of establishment, we think the pricing feels pretty fair. There are options for different budgets, from a casual bite to a more indulgent evening.
Customer Reviews: what people think about El Lopo
Price per Person
- $51–$60
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Excellent Sherry Bar with Great Food and Service
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic. I loved the great small plates, the genuinely friendly service, and the pleasant atmosphere. They specialize in sherry and also have a good selection of wine.
I highly recommend trying the horchata with sherry.
- small plates9
- friendly service10
- pleasant atmosphere9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Delicious Food, Great Atmosphere!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I loved the food and the style. I had a front-row seat to the kitchen, and the crew was super friendly.
The perfect sized plates allowed me to try a bit of everything. I definitely recommend ordering the crispy potatoes.
- food10
- style9
- crew10
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Group Type
- Family
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Amazing Food and Service at El Lopo
My experience at El Lopo was absolutely delicious! The service was amazing and warm. Mitch was particularly outstanding, guiding us through the menu with expert detail and even providing a list of recommendations for our upcoming trip to Napa Valley.
My mom and I left raving about both the food and the staff. I'll be headed straight for El Lopo when I return to SF.
- meal10
- service10
- menu10
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Exceptional Staff and Food!
My experience at this restaurant was truly wonderful. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable about both food and drinks, and their invitation to Spain to learn more is a testament to their passion. The food and service were both rated a perfect 5, and the atmosphere was also excellent, rated 5.
It's a quiet place, making it easy to have conversations. They have a large vegetarian selection and are highly recommended for vegetarians. There was no wait time.
- staff10
- food10
- drinks10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
9
Super Cool Sherry Experience!
My experience at the restaurant was SUPER cool. It was a great way to learn more about Sherry, thanks to the super knowledgeable staff and their amazing selection!
- Sherry9
- staff10
- selection9
What El Lopo offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Popular for
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Restroom
Offerings
- Food at bar
- Happy hour drinks
- Food
- Wine
- Beer
- Happy hour food
- Cocktails
- Private dining room
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Table service
- Seating
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Paid parking garage
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Romantic
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere can you expect at El Lopo?
At El Lopo, you can immerse yourself in a unique blend of atmospheres. You’ll find it to be romantic, cozy, casual, and trendy all at once, making it ideal for various occasions in San Francisco’s Polk Gulch. It’s a welcoming spot where you can relax and enjoy yourself.
What entertainment and beverage options are available at El Lopo?
El Lopo offers a fantastic array of entertainment, including live music, live performances, and engaging bar games. You can also enjoy a great beer selection, an extensive wine list, and a variety of cocktails and happy hour drinks, alongside food at the bar.
What is the overall dining experience like at El Lopo?
El Lopo generally offers a good dining experience, reflected in its overall restaurant score of **8.3**. Guests particularly appreciate the excellent **Service** (8.9), good **Food** (8.2), and pleasant **Ambience** (8.2), though **Value** (5.6) is considered average.
What do guests particularly enjoy about El Lopo?
Guests frequently praise the friendly and knowledgeable staff, often mentioning specific individuals for their excellent service and recommendations. The unique, cozy atmosphere with ‘Madrid taverna vibes’ and a great selection of wines and sherry are also highly regarded.
Are there any common concerns or drawbacks when dining at El Lopo?
Some common concerns include the perception of high prices, especially for wine and sherry, and small portion sizes for food items. There have also been occasional mentions of inconsistent food quality or items being unavailable.