Swirl on Castro

Have I mentioned lately that I am a bad influence on my friends and I like to make them do things they don’t want to do, know better than to do, and all out shouldn’t be doing? I haven’t? Here are some examples: after work pedicures always turn into out-til-2 drinking binges, complete with dancing on bars, coyote-ugly style. On weeknights. A couple of hours at a karaoke bar turns into an after party at a stranger’s house til 5 a.m. On a weeknight. A “quiet”, quaint Sunday brunch turns into a morning hike up and down Castro, solely for the purpose of drinking. And drinking more. Damn, I am good at making people bad.

This time, and the time before that, and the time before that, I have had a lot to thank my pushover friends for. Swirl consistently ends up being one of the best bad decisions I help them make! Sure they make excuses about how they need to get work done, clean their house, go to the gym. But instead I plant their asses comfortably in a stool at a darling mosaic mini bar at the back of this well-stocked and well appointed shop/wine bar. The owner is amazing, as are most of the employees, and the tasting menu is pretty expansive, considering the size of the tasting area and the fact that the focus really seems to be on retail, space-wise, anyway.

I’m a huge fan of the current white flight but whatever they have on the menu is generally good, too, and you can pick and choose from the tasting list to put your own flight together. Or just drink a glass. Or four. Or five. Or a half glass or a bottle or a Belgian beer or any combination that will keep your friends drinking instead of being productive members of society. Whatever you do, call me on your way. I’ll meet you there, with my friends, who should likely be doing something else.

Wow…I had no idea what I was missing. I never even knew this place was soo big and the selection was amazing!

We were just walking around the neighborhood and checking different stores we usually miss while driving or riding the muni. Once inside I was amazed. She immediately greeted us and asked if she could assist us. I told her I was looking for some Pauillac and she went right to it. Also wanted some Foggy Bridge wine and she was able to put me on a list as soon as it arrives she would call me. What other stores will do that for you unless she wants a returning customer base? I’m hooked.

They have a beer selection that is huge! Already chilled and ready for your party. If you’ve got a wine related question or want to order a certain wine…it will happen here. Stop by and check out their selection and you will find yourself coming back quite often.

They have wine tasting from 5-8pm on Wednesday and 2-6pm on Saturday. With different featured wines each week. Amazing!

this review is for the atrium area tuesday nights.

RN74 atrium, perfect for:
– bros
– people who want to be bros and need to do some recon work on bros
– bros who have hos
– bros who want hos
– hos who have bros
– hos who want bros
– anyone who doesn’t mind being ripped off on drinks

if you are not one of the above, you will probably not like this place. i don’t think i saw a single person in there who didn’t look FiDi. what is a place like rn74 doing in this location? it’s like the marina launched an offensive attack. not sure the premium here is worth what you get food/drinks wise, but you get your money’s worth in people watching.

michael mina…epic fail.