Bar Nua

We stumbled here because we needed to kill some time before our Beach Blanket Babylon show around the corner. The bartender was really friendly and ended up chatting with my husband about all their different whisky selections. Inside was rather empty, but I thought that was nice because we could actually hear each other on a Sunday afternoon. The décor was simple with blues and white, but comfortable. We especially liked the whisky barrel tops extending from one of the walls — neat! Everything seemed clean, orderly, and nice overall.
We didn’t eat here, but I’d be interested in their selections in the future.

Incredibly slow service. Need more staff. After first drink order never saw server again — waited 30 minutes on check after flagging him down several times.

this spot was okay. but i dont think it’s an irish pub like the description says…
came in saturday night with a party of 5 and there was plenty of seating. well maybe not seating per se, but the place is very spacious so it felt really comfortable. we got a corner booth and were very cozy! service is pretty slow though and our waitress was pretty forgettable in terms of water orders and whatnot.
we ordered beers, whiskey mule, spicy margaritas, spicy calamari and the sweet potato fries. the FRIES were amazing. everything else was pretty forgettable… well except the spicy freaking margarita. SO SPICY that it was hard to drink — so dont get that. meh. probs down to come again for beers and sports but not much else.

I am not certain what the old restaurant used to be, but I really like this new Irish bar & restaurant in North Beach. I also liked the vibe and ambience from this place too.
I sat at the bar and get a choice of 12 micro-​brews on tap including Guinness. An Irish bar must have Guinness. But I chose Bend, Oregon’s Deschutes IPA for $ 6.00 a pint. The bar also has $ 3.00 Budweiser on tap at all times.
From the kitchen, I had the «Cottage Pie». For $ 14.00, I get ground beef and vegetable filling with a mashed potato topping in a ramekin bowl. Technically it is a Shepherd pie. But whatever the dish is, I liked it. The interior filling is very flavorful.
While enjoying your meal or beverage, you get to choose from four live events on TV. You damn right, I was watching «The NBA on ESPN».
Dave, the bartender and server, was very cool and performed a great show in making the blended cocktails including the Irish Coffee.
The restaurant also served «the Bar Nua» burger. As a burger-​consumer, I will definitely try that burger on my probable future visit and hopefully try the other brews too.

We had a «BarNua good time here!!» Or was it a «Blarney good time!»?? Either way this place knows how to make a person comfortable! We came in on New Years Eve when the temps got frosty and found such warmth and fun inside!
We were sorry we had already eaten becuz the food looked great too!
Thanks so much for helping us bring in the new year in a most festive way!
Hope 2016 for Bar Nua is the BEST ever!

The Moscow Mule was strong and the Pimms Cup was yummy. The bartender was a nice guy, and the inside of this place is really awesome. For now, while it’s new and less crowded, I’d say this is a good place for a date. Once it gets more popular, it’ll be a great place to come with a group of friends!

Happy hour ends at 7:30pm which is perfect since I can come here next time right after work and won’t have to rush to miss happy hour!
I came here with a few people on a Thursday night when we stumbled across Bar Nua. We were walking down North Beach but wasn’t sure where to go to since we wanted to look for cheap drinks but with a crowd. We ended up here because it seemed like there were more people in this bar than any bar nearby.
I can’t recall what else was on their happy hour menu, but i had a few Moscow mules for $ 6 each. Drinks are made quickly and the place itself is spacious. We stayed here for a couple of hours until around 10pm and more people come in throughout the night. I can say for Thursday night, this is where the crowd is. I’m coming back!

Rarely give 5 stars but this place earns it. It is a contemporary irish bar. The staff are super friendly. Good selection of beers (wine & spirits). The veggie black bean burger makes it into my top 3 burgers in SF. Trivia on Tuesdays. No Happy Hour or brunch at the moment (only been around for 4 months) but will be coming 2016. Cheers to a new option in North Beach.

This is my go-​to bar after long weekends of work. I’m a industry worker so I prefer quiet bars on a Sunday night. Bar Nua provides that on a Sunday night. So far, I have interacted with Dave and Fiona. Both great bartenders. They have a great sense of humor. I would recommend it to anyone. Especially locals.

Got the fish and chips and a grapefruit IPA. The f&c came with a tiny side of peas, which were really delicious. Not your traditional Irish pub, very modern.

Nice enough I suppose but nothing that makes this stand out. 12 beers on tap, limited food menu and room for maybe 60. Friendly staff though, so that’s a plus. We will see how they evolve.

Seriously yummy menu! With the fewest words Bar Nua is surprisingly delicious and comfortable for food or drinks! We are foodies and this place was perfect for us watching the 49er game, having a few and not bar food but great food! So great!

New place in North Beach, why not give it a try. First glance at the menu, you have Smithwicks, at this point, happy even if the food will be bar food, then I see a Guinness corned beef Reuben on marble rye bread, their bangers and mash have stewed onions, chicken pot pie topped with gravy and they say «pastry puff», they have a cottage pie and fish and chips with mushy peas, my spidy senses go off and let me know that this going to be some really good and true Irish food… fingers crossed. My fish and chips and arrive and I don’t say this lightly but this is THE BEST fish and chips I’ve had in SF (born and raised Bay Area. I’ve been on a mission for the last few years to find the best fish and chips in SF) 3 strips of beer battered cod, not oily, a good crispness on them, the cod doesn’t fall apart and no mush, the cod and the batter marry nicely for some good flavors, I really don’t need the tarter sauce but that could mean mutiny right? It’s accompanied with mushy peas on the side and equally de-​lish french fries, salted to perfection with parsley, golden brown with (BONUS) the skin… can’t wait to come back and try everything else. Cheers to the chef! I owe you a pint.

Great bloodies, Dave the Irish barkeep is everything an Irish barkeep should be, place is not a North Beach tourist trap. Try the fish and chips. Delicious.

Good place to stop for small bites and a drink. Check it out if you can. The bar is clean and the bartender looks like he takes pride in the appearance in the bar.

Great addition to the area, friendly staff and nice selection of beer, wine and drinks.

Happened to walk by and on a whim went in for a drink. Good beers on tap and decent selection of wines by the glass. We were not going to eat but gave in and ordered the chicken skewer appetizer. It was simply delicious. Tender pieces of chicken that were well seasoned along with a peanut sauce on one end of the plate and onions on the other end. Quite possibly the best chicken skewers we have ever had. We will be going back soon to test some other menu items. Burgers and traditional Irish faire on the menu.

I really like it here so far. It looks great inside and I love the cute little white chairs. The fish tacos were just what I needed! I can’t wait to try the fish and chips another day :)

Time: 1:21pm/73°F sunny
Purpose: Came here the first night it open. At the time David bartender said just drinks for now. No food/​snack just yet. Cool, I’ve no problem with that, I just wanted to drink and watch some baseball. I’ll wait till food is available then do a review.
Ambiance: Barnua replace a old time favorite «Volare». It sure made a difference from restaurant to bar transition. Place begins with a twelve person bar seater with four television. Couple of plush white cushion lounge chairs hidden almost out of view near entrance way. A repurpose wooden stand alone counter for people watch sits about 4 – 5. Three loose end high table/​chair for solo or couple dining set up in middle. Running along wall to inner back high back plushy cushion seating with five close-​together table. I wouldn’t say a sports bar feel yet as the place is kinda divided. One side feels more like going on a date while other side for drink and watching local sports team. Soft vocal music playing low volume calm vibe during the day time by night its opposite.
Staff: One older lady and a younger girl both had Irish accent. Young girl was my waitress and older lady bartender. No difficulty understanding either one of them. Menu was handed to me and told that I can CYO plate. Didn’t want to be sophisticated so, I went ahead place order.
Cleanliness: Grade A, spic and span clean. No complaints nothing points to any problems. Just open under a month so its expected.
Eats/​Drinks: Guinness Corned Beef Reuben $ 12 and two Ballast Point Sculpin Grapefruit IPA draft $ 7. This should be a good afternoon snack or, that’s what I hope for. The fries were a little soggy didn’t have that crispy hot fries look. Although it was seasoned, it didn’t wow me at all. The reuben fare better as a good amount of corned beef were stack high. Swiss cheese melted perfectly stretchy and gooey. Thousand island dressing and sauerkraut gives it a tingling taste with no regrets. Marble rye bread was just ok, I find it a little on the near soggy, but still holds well. I prefer my bread always having a slight crunch. It may have been the heat from corned beef and cheese that traps hot air in bread building condensation effect. Next visit I might go for it again or the Barnua burger sounds good too.
Main Features: Barnua Burger, Irish Mule, and Guniess Corned Beef Reuben.
Products/​Services: Refer to posted pics for menu and drinks. Charges 18% gratuity for party of 6 or more.
Punch Lines: Décor leaves something to desired, pleasing flavors, drool-​worthy, average seating, personable staff, light bites, lively atmosphere, hip crowd, can’t go wrong, high back plush bench, after work drinks and appetizers, satisfactory.
Tradeoffs: Not like O’Reillys on Green street before. It’s more into the modern side of things. With limited Irish eats/​drinks.
Final Thoughts: It’s one of two newest bar to hit north beach area. Place has a conservative feel, but yet a missing theme. Since its Irish own and operated theres not much Irish theme here. For those that never heard of it, they won’t know. A theme makes a person feel more at home setting. Place is in a good loation and all. With traditional Irish cloverleaf or Guinness ad will put a shine on this place.

In what seems like no time at all, Volare closed down, BarNua came in, completely renovated, & opened up for business. I mean, it was fast.
And WOW, BarNua looks amazing!
They officially opened on Friday. The kitchen isn’t ready yet, but we’re told she should be in a couple weeks. So only drinks for now.
The owners are the same group of Irishmen that own Martin Macks on Haight. David warmly greeted us & gave us the skinny. I can’t stress enough how great the transformation is. What was once a closed off, cluttered, busy, & dark space is now an open, airy, & light one. The aesthetic is a surprising mix of neighborhood establishment mixed w boutique establishment. It’s a fabulous combination. Elegant yet casual. Posh yet simple.
Overlooking Washington Square Park, w picture windows galore, it’s an awesome location.
What a great addition to the nabe.
5 stars.