The Riddler was a champagne-focused bar in San Francisco's Hayes Valley neighborhood (528 Laguna Street), opened in 2017 by founder Jen Pelka and run by an all-women team. It was known for an extensive list of Champagne and sparkling wines by the glass, playful snacks like caviar and potato chips or tater tot waffles, and a stylish, intimate atmosphere suited to celebrations. The bar permanently closed in August 2020 amid pandemic-related financial hardship, so it is no longer operating.
I attempted to look this up, but I don't have reliable, verified information about a specific bar called "The Riddler" in San Francisco, and my search tool isn't returning results right now. I don't want to guess or conflate it with a similarly named business elsewhere, so I can't confidently confirm details like its exact location, ownership, menu, or hours. If you can share more context (neighborhood, cross streets, or what you already know about it), I can try to help further, or I'd recommend checking Google Maps/Yelp for current details like hours and reviews.
The Riddler was a champagne-focused bar at 528 Laguna Street in San Francisco's Hayes Valley, known for its extensive Champagne and sparkling wine list, caviar, and playful upscale snacks in a stylish, intimate setting run by an all-women team. It opened in 2017 under founder Jen Pelka and became well regarded for celebrations and wine-focused evenings out. However, the San Francisco location permanently closed in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and is no longer operating. ([sf.eater.com](https://sf.eater.com/2017/1/13/14265924/riddler-champagne-bar-open-photos-menu-hayes-valley-san-francisco?utm_source=openai))
The Riddler, a champagne bar located at 528 Laguna Street in San Francisco's Hayes Valley, permanently closed its doors on August 21, 2020, along with its New York City location. The closure was attributed to financial hardships, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Before its closure, The Riddler was known for its chic and cozy atmosphere with a black, white, and gold interior, offering over 100 varieties of champagne. Its menu featured items like caviar with potato chips, cheese and charcuterie, and its popular tater tot waffles. The bar also offered self-serve popcorn and even served Miller High Life as its sole beer option. The Riddler was noted for its all-female funding and a playful, unpretentious approach to champagne.
The Riddler was a **champagne bar** located at **528 Laguna St** in San Francisco’s **Hayes Valley** neighborhood, known for its **Old Hollywood interior**, **100+ champagne selections**, and signature dish: **tater tot waffles topped with caviar** [1][2][3]. Owned and operated by an **all-women team** led by **Jen Pelka**, the bar opened in **2017** and was named after the champagne-making process of *riddling* [2][5][11]. However, The Riddler **permanently closed** in **August 2020** due to financial hardships exacerbated by the pandemic, shutting both its San Francisco and New York locations [7][9][10]. Some sources from 2026 suggest a potential **reopening toward the end of August 2026**, but this is stated as a rumor in a Yelp comment and not confirmed by official channels [1]. As of now, the business is **closed**, and consumers should verify any reopening claims before visiting.
The Riddler in San Francisco is a small, champagne-focused bar in the NoPa / Hayes Valley area on Divisadero. It's known for a large list of Champagne and sparkling wines available by the glass, along with small plates like oysters, caviar and potato chips, and french fries. It's a stylish, intimate spot that's popular for a special occasion drink or a casual glass and snack.
**The Riddler is a champagne bar in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley (around Laguna Street) that specializes in sparkling wines and Champagnes by the glass or bottle, with a playful, riddle-themed atmosphere and small plates/snacks.** It is known for a lively, celebratory vibe suitable for groups or special occasions, a curated list of bubbly options, and a stylish, Instagram-friendly interior. Hours, reservations, and current menus can vary, so checking recent listings is advisable for a visit.