If I could give it zero if I could. Over priced. And it skinks in there.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Marla June
The B- Side compared to the new B-Side is like night and day. Not only is food definitely not in the same category as the original. The feel of the place is a lot different. The menu advertised is not current.I removed my original post because it reflected The B-side with the entertaining manager of past year.The new B-Side has hard-working bartenders. Will I stop going inside? Probably not because it is the only place that you can wet your whistle before the show. I'm sure changes will be made in the near future, it will just take a little time.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Kimberly Paternoster
What did you guys do??? This place used to be a lovely little bistro with excellent food and service. We walked in before a concert a couple days ago, and it's not the same place. Short "Venezuelan" menu, overpriced, all fried. Order at the bar. We left and went around the corner where the food restaurants are (Absinthe, Hayes St Grill, Doppio). Bring back the old B-Side. Super disappointed!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
David Parker
In a prime location, with popular shows every night b-side is surrounded by Excellent restaurants, some Michelin starred.b-side has:No reservationsNo one answering the phoneA thoroughly disinterested counter person just points at a QR code, " ... it's Venezuelan"Fried pupusas or fried plantains. Not as much variety or quality as a food truck.Go around the corner to the Hayes Street Grill or Absinthe.I hope SFJAZZ shuts it down and tries again.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 2
Zak Long
I don't know whats going on with this place, but the menu is way different now. The food was kind of expensive for what you end up getting. Also super rude bartender. There's better places to go in this neighborhood.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
David England
We had a delightful pre-show (SF Jazz) drink and appetizers here. My Cabernet Sauvignon was very good, as was my wife’s sparkling Rose. Hers was an especially generous pour. We split an order of chicken skewers, which were delicious - tender and juicy (so difficult with chicken) with a tasty chimichurri sauce. Our second choice was slow roasted pork fritters, which were also delicious. We have tickets for SF Jazz on Thursday night, so we will definitely come here first.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Grace Werner
I didn’t actually order here before leaving. The male bartender with the facial piercings and tattoos - I didn’t catch his name - was unreasonably harsh and patronizing in speaking to an older couple who had asked for a reasonable adjustment to their drink. It was discomfiting enough that we decided to go down the street for a drink instead
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Sankofa B.
the menu as shown, displaying burgers, Brussels, chicken sandwiches, salads etc. is not what is offered. they have no more than 7 items available and they are advertised as “Venezuelan” food. Yuca for fries, which to me were yucky— lazy shocked skewers that were very green but offered limited flavor. And if felt like being at a college football game by the way that they served everything. Also— I arrived earlier to take advantage of a two-for-one drink special and the cashier informed me that I could only get half off my drink as they didn’t start until 8:30p. It was roughly 8 ‘o’clock. soon after a line began to form behind me and others asked about the special and I noticed from my seat that she honored them—at this point it’s about 8:15p. I paid $40 for fries a few bland chicken skewers , ice cream( which was the best thing) and a beer. would’ve been worth it had there been any flavor or tact behind the meal. however, I would’ve preferred to have had fast food given the quality and experience. For the price of the tickets and caliber of artists to come to through SF Jazz you’d think it would be a better vibe. also, I wouldn’t have been as disappointed had the menu been updated to reflect the lack of food. I planned my entire evening around the venue based on what their website showcases and was gravely mislead. False advertising at its finest.
I have been coming to this place for so many years but lately I haven’t been able to come for personal reasons and what a surprise or better yet what a nightmare, this place is not the same anymore I don’t know what exactly happened if they tried to upgrade or downgrade but it’s bad I do not recommend this place at all might as well just go to Mc Donald's lol whoever is in charge of this place just bring the old B-side back please service is bad, food is worst, ambience terrible.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Scott Bauder
What an utter disappointment! We have enjoyed B Side before a performance on many occasions. The only thing I was even tempted to try tonight was the chicken skewers. There were three spindly skewers that were prepared somewhere else and reheated. This for $14.00. Whatever the management had in mind is an utter failure. Please rethink what you are doing. Putting a taco truck outside would be a huge improvement.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
vinsanto1231
Incompetent and idiotic bar staff. The "manager" this evening was utterly unprofessional and downright useless. I had to leave the bar after he threatened me, compromising my physical well being. Distinguishing , dirty place, with staff that seem like they are ex-convicts. Stay away.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Jeff Dornbusch
This review is of the newly changed, and much for the worse, B-side. I have been a regular at SF Jazz and have had dinner at B-side before a performance probably 12 to 15 times a year. When I walked in, I noticed that this previously pleasant place had been stripped of all personality, and no longer had table service. There’s sort of a strip mall vibe or maybe a little nicer than that. You order at the counter. Some of the same staff were there and I imagine they were embarrassed. They have a nice bar and very capable bartenders and used to have a full dinner menu with good food. Now the food is snacks, and I would never come here for a drink;, there is no atmosphere at all. They brought my food to my hightop table with disposable utensils and bowls, but never checked on me otherwise. I paid $12 for arepas, which consisted of three approximately 2 inch disks without any dough that did not have much flavor. A Caribbean being salad was pretty good. I will not be back. I am so glad I didn’t bring a friend or a date to this place which used to be inviting and pleasant, but has nothing to recommend it now.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
Felice Mancino
Everything has changed. This used to be a fantastic spot, an elegant and quality bar we have always looked forward to visit before every concert. Now feels like a cafeteria with buzzers to go fetch your own food from the kitchen and drinks in plastic cups, all in terrible lighting and not a lot of warmth in the service. B-side used to be a gem. It’s now just an average cafeteria.
Awesome venue!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Awesome venue!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If I could give it zero if I could. Over priced. And it skinks in there.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
The B- Side compared to the new B-Side is like night and day. Not only is food definitely not in the same category as the original. The feel of the place is a lot different. The menu advertised is not current.I removed my original post because it reflected The B-side with the entertaining manager of past year.The new B-Side has hard-working bartenders. Will I stop going inside? Probably not because it is the only place that you can wet your whistle before the show. I'm sure changes will be made in the near future, it will just take a little time.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
What did you guys do??? This place used to be a lovely little bistro with excellent food and service. We walked in before a concert a couple days ago, and it's not the same place. Short "Venezuelan" menu, overpriced, all fried. Order at the bar. We left and went around the corner where the food restaurants are (Absinthe, Hayes St Grill, Doppio). Bring back the old B-Side. Super disappointed!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
In a prime location, with popular shows every night b-side is surrounded by Excellent restaurants, some Michelin starred.b-side has:No reservationsNo one answering the phoneA thoroughly disinterested counter person just points at a QR code, " ... it's Venezuelan"Fried pupusas or fried plantains. Not as much variety or quality as a food truck.Go around the corner to the Hayes Street Grill or Absinthe.I hope SFJAZZ shuts it down and tries again.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 2
I don't know whats going on with this place, but the menu is way different now. The food was kind of expensive for what you end up getting. Also super rude bartender. There's better places to go in this neighborhood.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
We had a delightful pre-show (SF Jazz) drink and appetizers here. My Cabernet Sauvignon was very good, as was my wife’s sparkling Rose. Hers was an especially generous pour. We split an order of chicken skewers, which were delicious - tender and juicy (so difficult with chicken) with a tasty chimichurri sauce. Our second choice was slow roasted pork fritters, which were also delicious. We have tickets for SF Jazz on Thursday night, so we will definitely come here first.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I didn’t actually order here before leaving. The male bartender with the facial piercings and tattoos - I didn’t catch his name - was unreasonably harsh and patronizing in speaking to an older couple who had asked for a reasonable adjustment to their drink. It was discomfiting enough that we decided to go down the street for a drink instead
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
the menu as shown, displaying burgers, Brussels, chicken sandwiches, salads etc. is not what is offered. they have no more than 7 items available and they are advertised as “Venezuelan” food. Yuca for fries, which to me were yucky— lazy shocked skewers that were very green but offered limited flavor. And if felt like being at a college football game by the way that they served everything. Also— I arrived earlier to take advantage of a two-for-one drink special and the cashier informed me that I could only get half off my drink as they didn’t start until 8:30p. It was roughly 8 ‘o’clock. soon after a line began to form behind me and others asked about the special and I noticed from my seat that she honored them—at this point it’s about 8:15p. I paid $40 for fries a few bland chicken skewers , ice cream( which was the best thing) and a beer. would’ve been worth it had there been any flavor or tact behind the meal. however, I would’ve preferred to have had fast food given the quality and experience. For the price of the tickets and caliber of artists to come to through SF Jazz you’d think it would be a better vibe. also, I wouldn’t have been as disappointed had the menu been updated to reflect the lack of food. I planned my entire evening around the venue based on what their website showcases and was gravely mislead. False advertising at its finest.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Restaurantji Recommends
I have been coming to this place for so many years but lately I haven’t been able to come for personal reasons and what a surprise or better yet what a nightmare, this place is not the same anymore I don’t know what exactly happened if they tried to upgrade or downgrade but it’s bad I do not recommend this place at all might as well just go to Mc Donald's lol whoever is in charge of this place just bring the old B-side back please service is bad, food is worst, ambience terrible.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
What an utter disappointment! We have enjoyed B Side before a performance on many occasions. The only thing I was even tempted to try tonight was the chicken skewers. There were three spindly skewers that were prepared somewhere else and reheated. This for $14.00. Whatever the management had in mind is an utter failure. Please rethink what you are doing. Putting a taco truck outside would be a huge improvement.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Incompetent and idiotic bar staff. The "manager" this evening was utterly unprofessional and downright useless. I had to leave the bar after he threatened me, compromising my physical well being. Distinguishing , dirty place, with staff that seem like they are ex-convicts. Stay away.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
This review is of the newly changed, and much for the worse, B-side. I have been a regular at SF Jazz and have had dinner at B-side before a performance probably 12 to 15 times a year. When I walked in, I noticed that this previously pleasant place had been stripped of all personality, and no longer had table service. There’s sort of a strip mall vibe or maybe a little nicer than that. You order at the counter. Some of the same staff were there and I imagine they were embarrassed. They have a nice bar and very capable bartenders and used to have a full dinner menu with good food. Now the food is snacks, and I would never come here for a drink;, there is no atmosphere at all. They brought my food to my hightop table with disposable utensils and bowls, but never checked on me otherwise. I paid $12 for arepas, which consisted of three approximately 2 inch disks without any dough that did not have much flavor. A Caribbean being salad was pretty good. I will not be back. I am so glad I didn’t bring a friend or a date to this place which used to be inviting and pleasant, but has nothing to recommend it now.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
Everything has changed. This used to be a fantastic spot, an elegant and quality bar we have always looked forward to visit before every concert. Now feels like a cafeteria with buzzers to go fetch your own food from the kitchen and drinks in plastic cups, all in terrible lighting and not a lot of warmth in the service. B-side used to be a gem. It’s now just an average cafeteria.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 2