Bar Sprezzatura
A Venetian Cicchetti Bar
Andémo Béver Un'Ombra
Andémo Béver Un'Ombra
Inspired by the casual elegance of coastal Italy, Bar Sprezzatura is a bustling lunch spot by day and aperitivo and cicchetti bar at night. Located in the heart of San Francisco’s Financial District.
Opened November 21, 2022
One Maritime Plaza, 300 Clay St., San Francisco, CA 94111
Designed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio
THE BACKSTORY
Set within the One Maritime Building, Bar Sprezzatura transformed a previously underutilized outdoor terrace into San Francisco’s first true Italian cicchetti concept. Designed to reconnect building tenants and the surrounding FiDi community with a sense of vibrancy, the space was envisioned as a daily escape; elevated, intimate, and unmistakably special.
THE CHALLENGE
The project required creating a craveable culinary experience without a hood-vented kitchen, forcing ingenuity in equipment, technique, and menu execution. At the same time, the bar needed to attract guests into an off-grade office building location with almost no natural visibility or street-level exposure.
OUR THEORY
We believed that if we delivered a Venetian-inspired jewel box—beautiful, transportive, and unmistakably singular—paired with a deeply craveable food and beverage program, Bar Sprezzatura would become a destination. As FiDi emerged from the pandemic, our goal was to create something magnetic and memorable enough to draw guests back into the neighborhood
THE DESIGN
Working within a fully glass-enclosed footprint, the space took shape as a Martin Brudnizki–designed fantasy—opulent, intimate, and layered with refined details. Venetian influences anchor the aesthetic: jewel-tone palettes, shimmering textures, sculptural lighting, and an atmosphere that immediately lifts guests out of San Francisco and into a room that feels discovered rather than designed.
THE MENU
The culinary approach embraces the lively spirit of Venice’s cicchetti culture. Fun, elegant, sharable, and highly craveable. The menu is built around small, tapas-style bites crafted to work within non-traditional kitchen constraints while still delivering depth, texture, and indulgence. Behind the bar, cocktails lead a sophisticated beverage program complemented by a world-class wine list and an impressive vintage spirits collection.
The Results
Bar Sprezzatura has become one of San Francisco’s most celebrated gems, a destination defined by atmosphere, hospitality, and a sense of discovery. Years after opening, it remains one of the most buzzed-about and sought-after reservations in the city and across the Bay Area, consistently drawing both locals and visitors for its unique blend of beauty, energy, and effortless Italian charm.