What’s our FAVORITE reception venue for a meal after your San Francisco City Hall wedding? There’s nowhere better than the Wayfare Tavern!

Located between the Financial District and Chinatown, Wayfare Tavern is a timeless San Francisco tavern featuring authentic American dishes inspired by local cuisine at the turn of the 20th century. 

Think: Barbary Coast-speakeasy-meets-British-pub. 

This popular upscale eatery is hands-down our favorite event space for post-City Hall receptions. In fact, it’s a beautiful space to hold your entire wedding event if you’re looking for an all-in-one indoor wedding venue in downtown San Francisco. 

Wedding meals being served at Wayfare Tavern, San Francisco
Wedding meals being served at Wayfare Tavern, San Francisco | Photo by Zoe Larkin Photography

If you’re looking for a classic American dining experience with a modern twist, the Wayfare Tavern for your wedding event is well worth a peek!

This restaurant is ideal for couples who want to enjoy their wedding events at a private, elegant location in the city. This space has indoor settings where couples and guests can enjoy an intimate, warm atmosphere with delicious cuisine amongst family and friends.

In this article, I’ll take you through everything you need to know about these relaxed event spaces, as we’ve photographed countless wedding receptions here over the years. 

If you’re looking for other venues to have your reception after getting married at San Francisco City Hall, check out my 23 best SF restaurant recommendations below:

READ MORE  23 Top Restaurants After San Francisco City Hall For Wedding Receptions

Let’s dive in!

reception event in the Sequoia Room
Fun reception event in the Sequoia Room, Wayfare Tavern | Photo by Zoe Larkin Photography (associate photographer)

About the Wayfare Tavern

The Wayfare Tavern is Chef Tyler Florence’s flagship restaurant. Ranging from classic comforts to rustic delicacies, the menu also features California wines by the bottle, quality draft beers, organic draft root beer and classic Victorian-era cocktails.

The atmosphere is elegant and upscale, yet still manages to maintain a laid-back vibe that makes you feel right at home. The restaurant is housed in a historic building, complete with brick walls, hardwood floors, and vintage light fixtures that give it a unique charm. 

The menu at Wayfare Tavern is full of delicious, high-quality dishes that are designed to satisfy. The fried chicken and popovers are their house specialty for private dining. 

History runs shoulders with modernism at this place. It was rebuilt after the San Francisco Earthquake and Great Fire of 1906. Remnants of its history show up today with the beautiful bank vault room that’s part of one of the rental spaces (more on that in a bit!)

The Wayfare Tavern is outfitted with vintage maps, paintings and an array of taxidermy on the walls and pewter service plates on the tables.

Wedding speeches in the Bartlett Room, Wayfare Tavern
Wedding speeches in the Bartlett Room, Wayfare Tavern | Photo by Zoe Larkin Photography (associate photographer)

Private Event Spaces at the Wayfare Tavern

There are three private event spaces to choose from: the Billiards Room, the Bartlett Room, and the Sequoia Room. All rooms offer warm, inviting environments that invoke a home-like yet sophisticated feel, with pictures on the wall or shelves full of books and knick-knacks.

All indoor private event spaces are just that – private! They offer four walls and a door, meaning no randoms walking into your wedding. For larger parties, rooms can be combined, though be aware they are different floors due to the layout of the space. 

The Billiards Room 

This is such a cool little room for small groups – with a hard limit of 14 guests for dining! This room is housed within the cozy, wood-paneled library on the second floor.

Yup, you can even play pool here by request with a 4-hour rental. The pool table actually converts to a dining table, so it’s either pool or dining here (works great paired with one of the other areas).

You can even book the room for just for a game or two of pool with no formal meal served for groups up to 8 people!

Capacity10-14
LocationSecond Floor
Features• Can be rented as a pool room or dining room.
• Antique tin ceiling.
• A vintage red felt pool table.
• Double-paned glass doors.
• Flat-screen TV with major sports channels.

The Bartlett Room

The Bartlett Room of the Wayfare Tavern
The Bartlett Room set up for a wedding | Photo by Zoe Larkin Photography (associate photographer)

A versatile event space with dark walls and a striking wine bar taking up one side of the space, the Bartlett Room has a lot to offer. It’s perfect for small-mid size events and has windows lining one of the walls. 

The comfy couches are great for photo opps, as is the stylish new bar. 

Capacity (seated)20 – 50
Capacity (standing)65  
LocationThird Floor
Features• Barbary Coast elegance.
• Mahogany paneling and hardwood floors.
• Five large tables arranged either end-to-end for a kings table, or ‘school room’ style.
• Sound system and large flat-screen TV.
• Wine room and bar.

The Sequoia Room 

The sequoia room of the wayfare Tavern
Wide shot of the Sequoia Room with a wedding reception in full swing | Photo by Zoe Larkin Photography

My recommendation is for the Sequoia Room – created by Ken Fulk in 2017. It’s spacious, light-filled yet cozy and impeccably designed. You’ll find leopard-print carpets, cognac-colored leather banquettes, custom game tables, and antique-silk-fringed lampshades recall a 1930s speakeasy vibe.

The Sequoia’s standout feature, though, is its bank vault turned whiskey vault, a leftover from when Wells Fargo moved in following the 1906 earthquake that razed much of the city. 

The Sequoia room is perfect for larger events but it also feels cozy enough for more intimate groups that would like a bit more space or that would like to hold your wedding ceremony here. 

Capacity (seated)20 – 50
Capacity (standing)80
LocationFourth Floor
Features• Skylight view of the Transamerica Pyramid.
• Designed by renowned interior designer Ken Fulk.
• Secret seating area in old bank vault.
• Sonos surround sound and TVs for presentations or sporting events.
• Bar 
Views from the Sequoia Room, Wayfare Tavern | Photo by Zoe Larkin Photography

Outdoor Area of Wayfare Tavern (not private)

There’s also the outdoor area for smaller bookings, though this isn’t fully private. You would have your own section and some privacy. Note that outdoor areas are rain-or-shine bookings – and it can get chilly year-round here, like really cold! There’s a reason why al fresco dining isn’t super popular in San Francisco😅

outdoor space at Wayfare Tavern
Outdoor area of the Wayfare Tavern | Photo by Zoe Larkin Photography

The outdoor spaces range from 8 – 15 guests to larger parties of 16 – 40.

Rates and food options at the Wayfare Tavern

Prices are reasonable considering the prestigious location, beauty of the space and quality of food and service. Pricing entails set food and beverage minimum, plus certain extras including service fees, SF mandates, taxes and gratuities. 

There are different rates based on whether lunch or dinner, the day of the week (Sunday – Wednesday or Thursday – Saturday) and whether it is a holiday.

For lunch or dinner bookings, rentals are subject to a 4-hour maximum, unless you opt for a full-day (8-hour) booking which gives you the space from 11:30 am- 10:00 pm. 

Only the prix-fixe menu is served in private rooms. Group size dictates which menus are available with ‘plated duet’ meals (two entrees served as a sort of combo plate for each guest) is possible for groups of 30 or fewer only. 

Food is usually served family-style (or as a buffet if preferred) and can be customized according to you and your guests’ preferences. Menus are seasonal and change every 6-8 weeks.

Examples of dishes from wedding menus include that famous organic fried chicken, pappardelle, devilled eggs, burrata-wrapped potatoes (they are absolutely heavenly – the best whipped potatoes I’ve ever eaten), butter lettuce salad, vanilla bean panna cotta and their famous crowd-pleasing brownie.

Their popover is absolutely delicious and is included with all plated and family-style menus. 

vault room of the sequoia room
Vault room of the Sequoia Room (left) and a candid wedding shot | Photo by Zoe Larkin Photography

Amenities provided

Wayfare Tavern offers the following services at the current time:

  • Chairs
  • China
  • Flatware
  • Full bar
  • Glassware
  • Premium
  • Private entrance
  • Private restroom
  • Tables
  • Valet parking

Please check with the venue for the most up-to-date amenities. 

Can you bring a dancefloor into the Wayfare Tavern?

You can bring a dancefloor into the Sequoia Room if desired, just not the Bartlett Room.

Photos from Wayfare Tavern weddings

bride and groom outside the Wayfare Tavern, San Francisco Sequoia Room wedding at Wayfare Tavern wedding details from Wayfare Tavern wedding wedding couple canoodling in Sequoia Room bride and groom cutting wedding cake at Wayfare Tavern wedding the bar set up for a wedding at Sequoia Room, Wayfare Tavern wedding reception set up photos at Wayfare Tavern cake table in Sequoia Room, Wayfare Tavern bar and canapes served at Wayfare Tavern wedding outside the Wayfare Tavern, San Francisco wedding tablescape and wine room in Bartlett Room, Wayfare Tavern cake table at Bartlett Room wedding at Wayfare Tavern evening wedding at Bartlett Room at Wayfare Tavern, San Francisco bride and groom with their friends at Wayfare Tavern, San Francisco wedding big group of wedding guests posing at the front of Wayfare Tavern, San Francisco wedding details set up at Sequoia Room wedding at Wayfare Tavern wedding decor at Wayfare Tavern, San Francisco wedding big wedding reception at san francisco restaurant venue wedding ceremony at at Wayfare Tavern bride and groom in bank vault room at Wayfare Tavern wedding venue for reception after san francisco city hall wedding Bartlett Room set up for wedding at Wayfare Tavern bride and groom dancing in Sequoia Room, Wayfare Tavern table details at Bartlett Room wedding at Wayfare Tavern, San Francisco lush tablescape set up at Wayfare Tavern wedding LGBTQ+ Bartlett Room wedding at Wayfare Tavern lesbian wedding in Bartlett Room of Wayfare Tavern, SF simple restaurant venue set up for after sf city hall wedding Wedding photos from Wayfare Tavern by Zoe Larkin Photography

I (Zoe Larkin Photography) would be a great photographer for your Wayfare Tavern wedding! 

I have photographed there on countless occasions, have a good relationship with the venue’s events lead Andrea and love pushing myself to get the best out of the spaces for both candid and posed moments, indoors and outdoors!

Photographer

Zoe Larkin Photography – photos on this page by both Zoe and team members (associate photographers)

Planner

About Joy Events

Floral design

Nigella 

Ampersand 

Wedding cake

Butter And

Susie Cakes

Rentals

Unica Party Rentals

Bright Party Rentals 

AV

Everything AV

In conclusion

The Wayfare Tavern is a stunning San Francisco venue for your reception and even your wedding ceremony, too. 

It’s easily the best and most popular local reception venue to pair with your San Francisco City Hall ceremony.

The food is delicious, the service is attentive, and dealing with their events team prior to your booking is a breeze.

They allow flexibility and little things like you can plug in your wedding playlist to the stereo system!

The spaces are exquisite (particularly the Sequoia Room, my fave!) and versatile. The ambiance is perfect – not too stuffy, not too casual! There are ample spaces dotted around for romantic portraits throughout, particularly the show-stopping facade of the building on Sacramento Street. 

Overall I can’t think of a bad thing to say about this place – book the Wayfare Tavern now for your rad San Francisco wedding! To book your wedding there, reach out directly to the venue via their website as all information conveyed here is subject to change.

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Everything you need to know about getting married or hosting your reception at The Wayfare Tavern, San Francisco’s best restaurant wedding venue! As a wedding photographer that’s photographed many weddings there, I’ll guide you through how to use the space as well as introduce you to the different rental areas and provide inspiration photos, too. #wayfaretavern #sanfranciscoweddingvenue #zoelarkinphotography
Wayfare Tavern Weddings – The Ultimate Guide by Zoe Larkin Photography

Zoe Larkin

I’m Zoe, a wedding photographer based in San Francisco! My style is candid, capturing authentic moments for my couples all over the Bay Area and Northern California. Creating content is my passion! Follow along the blog and Insta!

Wayfare Tavern Wedding - Info and Photos

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Wayfare Tavern Weddings – Complete Guide (with photos!)

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