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Nihon Whisky Lounge

Nihon Whisky Lounge

Whisky Bar, Sushi Restaurant, and Japanese Restaurant$$$$
Mission District, San Francisco
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8.0/10
480
ratings
  • Stars
  • Tips
    Abhishek G.
    "Suntory is awesome"(5 Tips)
    Christiana
    "This was my favorite place for whiskey cocktails."(3 Tips)
    Michael D.
    "happy hour for half"(3 Tips)
    Elissa S.
    "Get the salmon belly and the fries during happy hour."(16 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon109 Tips and reviews
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  • happy hour
  • good for dates
  • suntory
  • hour for half
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  • devaheart icon on user image
    devaJanuary 26, 2015
    One of my favorite bars in SF. Great food and very friendly staff. If you're not in the mood for one of the hundred or so whiskeys, the mixed drinks are awesome too. Can't recommend it highly enough!
  • Ken v.heart icon on user image
    Ken verbMay 17, 2016
    Been here 10+ times
    Although the whisk(e)y selection is staggering in size and quality, this is one of the few places where you can get Suntory beer poured from a Japanese-style tap, complete with a velvety-smooth head.
  • Ken v.heart icon on user image
    Ken verbMay 17, 2016
    Been here 10+ times
    If there's a non-trivial sum of money burning a hole in your wallet, then a) lucky you, and b) consider purchasing a bottle, which can be stored in the locker upstairs and enjoyed later. Kanpai!
  • Nima E.heart icon on user image
    Nima Elyassi-RadJune 20, 2018
    Truly extensive whiskey menu. Also very expensive compared to other spots. Somewhat limited food menu. This said, good service and if you’re willing/can afford to 💸 then it’s a really good place
  • Tinna H.heart icon on user image
    With 450 bottles of whiskey at display there's a lot to look at if you sit in bar. The staff knows what they are talking about and are very friendly and helpful. The whiskey cocktails are amazing too!
  • Patricia L.heart icon on user image
    Patricia LeeFebruary 20, 2017
    Awesome whiskey selection and good takoyaki. I wouldn't eat dinner here given the great option next door. Only complaint is they were out of several of the whiskies we tried to order.
  • Cherrie C.heart icon on user image
    Cherrie CNovember 26, 2014
    Food is tapas-sized; I rec getting many plates and sharing! Bacon wrapped prawns: yes! Uni on a spoon: MUST! The Abnormals: not all that crackin'. Japanese wings: yes if you like fried chicken.
  • Alexander K.
    Alexander KhadiwalaJanuary 30, 2013
    Been here 10+ times
    Amazing selection of single malt scotches. Half pours so you can try plenty of stuff. And knowledgeable bartenders to make good recommendations. This spot is one of my new favorites.
  • Kirk H.heart icon on user image
    Kirk HerlitzOctober 28, 2015
    Of course, it's an amazing whisky selection, but the food is great, too! The pork belly skewers, sashimi and kurobuta sausages were standouts!
  • Caroline J.heart icon on user image
    Caroline JackMay 18, 2015
    Lively & heaps of ambience. Have to shout at each other if it's busy :) Soft-shell crab roll and the tempura sweet potato fries need to be on your order list.
  • Ro M.heart icon on user image
    Ro MdqSeptember 2, 2012
    Been here 10+ times
    Best whisky selection in the city, great way to get introduce to the whisky world... just do tastes until you find D" one, mine is Glenfarclas 17 yrs.
  • Ming M.heart icon on user image
    Ming MingDecember 7, 2014
    Great selection of whiskey, the food is good too. A little pricy. if you are sitting at the bar, make sure you find out how much each tasting is before you commit.
  • Christel Q.heart icon on user image
    Christel QuekAugust 7, 2014
    Fried chicken is mind blowing. Pork belly was orgasmic. Enough said. Looks nondescript but the selection of beverages and food are amazing.
  • SFGate M.
    SFGate ManagerJuly 16, 2012
    With more than 400, lovingly curated and served, and a handful of super-serious whiskey drinks that pay tribute to the city's neighborhoods, this is paradise for brown liquor lovers.
  • 板津 魁.heart icon on user image
    板津 魁彦July 4, 2017
    Nice place nice fusion Japanese dishes. Toro avocado tartare, Kumamoto oysters and grilled cod filet were good.
  • Ken v.heart icon on user image
    Ken verbJanuary 29, 2016
    Been here 10+ times
    The aged belevardier is a great alt. to a negroni, and is often served with a "sculpted" piece of ice. Top notch service and drinks.
  • Cheapism
    CheapismMarch 5, 2011
    At the popular Izakaya happy hour spot for 50% off all appetizers from 5:30-7pm. Try traditional Japanese style bottlekeep, buy a bottle from their whiskeys and they store it in a locker for free. Read more
  • Frank D.heart icon on user image
    Frank DieboldAugust 30, 2015
    Dark exposed wood, dual-level interior with a robust menu. Ask about the whisky specials on the small board by the bar
  • Susan L.
    Susan LohJuly 28, 2011
    Classy and intimate spot in the most random part of the Mission. Great selection of whisky, superb happy hour, and get the agedashi tofu with a side of rice.
  • Tim B.heart icon on user image
    Tim BradshawMay 6, 2017
    Tasty but pricey: they seem to serve doubles by default which when you're talking about $18 for a single (like this Suntory Chita) can get unexpectedly expensive quickly.
  • heidi h.
    heidi harmanMay 14, 2015
    Amazing sashimi and heavely water sake. Weekdays are better than weekends in termos of getting tables.
  • Christiana
    ChristianaAugust 25, 2018
    This was my favorite place for whiskey cocktails. The premade batches for happy hour I tried was disappointing and their food quality was low. Barely cooked bacon, tiny chicken wings, etc.
  • Pete I.
    Pete IppelDecember 19, 2011
    Come with friends who know their whiskey lounge and you'll leave enlightened. Bar staff is also well educated. Fun place to relax and chat.
  • Jess T.
    Jess TaiFebruary 27, 2012
    Crowded, but all the servers are really nice. For a whisky cocktail, I recommend the Green Tea Man (but it's not part of the Happy Hour offers)!
  • JTheart icon on user image
    JTApril 30, 2016
    Lots of whiskey selections obviously. Bartenders will kind of help you pick if you don't know what you're doing
  • SF Weekly
    SF WeeklyMay 24, 2011
    SF Weekly’s Best Of 2011 Winner – Editorial Pick – BEST WHISKY COLLECTIONNihon beats them all with a staggering 450 different bottles, about 330 of those being single-malt ScotchRead more
  • Rob O.
    Rob OwenAugust 7, 2014
    It's a whiskey bar that also serves sushi. Really good sushi. And exceptional list of bourbons!
  • Nima G.heart icon on user image
    Nima GardidehOctober 20, 2015
    Been here 5+ times
    Best Japanese whiskey menu in town.
  • Scott A.heart icon on user image
    Scott AndreasApril 22, 2018
    Great whisky selection, but the cocktails have started to stumble over the past few years.
  • Michael D.heart icon on user image
    Michael DempseyOctober 31, 2015
    Go for happy hour for half off solid Japanese cocktails and great appetizers.
  • Eli H.heart icon on user image
    Eli HickoxFebruary 22, 2016
    Great whiskey selection, particularly scotch
  • Elissa S.heart icon on user image
    Elissa ShevinskyMarch 24, 2013
    Get the salmon belly and the fries during happy hour. Starred menu items are half price, downstairs seating only. 5:30 - 7pm.
  • Duck E.
    Duck EJuly 19, 2013
    Try the Glenfiddich: Cask of Dreams. It has a interesting background to the cask and is a one of a kind.
  • Chloe C.heart icon on user image
    Chloe CondonFebruary 19, 2016
    Great lounge area- try samplers if you're unsure what to get!
  • Donald
    DonaldJanuary 31, 2012
    Love the Japanese food and whiskey combination. I could live in this place and die happy (4 of 4 petals via Fondu) Read more
  • Idan B.
    Idan BenaimDecember 4, 2011
    Great service, amazing food an good atmosphere, that suits a well made whiskey cocktails. Try the Hamachi Shitake
  • Domheart icon on user image
    DomApril 5, 2014
    Everything is great here and Sybelle makes me always feel right at home!
  • Maxheart icon on user image
    MaxJuly 3, 2016
    Expect to pay about 50%-75% more for almost everything but the sheer size of the spirits collection might make up for that.
  • Josh W.
    Josh WNovember 12, 2016
    Crazily wide selection of whisky, but terrible service from bartenders that don't pour what you order, mishear your food orders, and charge you incorrectly (and don't fix the bill properly when asked)
  • rich m.heart icon on user image
    rich masioMarch 15, 2015
    Octopus and all sushi is a+. Great cocktails
  • Eric P.heart icon on user image
    Eric PanNovember 30, 2015
    Go for happy hour for half off some items but know that HH is only does raids
  • Michael P.heart icon on user image
    Michael PachosApril 17, 2016
    Whiskey, atmosphere except when dj is playing (Fri sat?)
  • DSquirrely
    DSquirrelySeptember 24, 2014
    Super overpriced whiskey markup to the point of insanity. Good happy hour on good though.
  • Eileen Q.
    Eileen QJanuary 18, 2015
    Nihon offers whiskey tastings so you don't have to pay for a full pour.
  • Stephanie Y.
    Stephanie YSeptember 9, 2014
    1/2 off numerous items on their food and drink menu during happy hour.
  • Lisa M.
    Lisa MKayNovember 17, 2013
    Come when Label is DJ'ing. Wonderful music! Perfect vibe.
  • Kevin S.heart icon on user image
    Kevin ShayJuly 8, 2015
    Very knowledgeable staff, get the hakushu heavily peated
  • Kim N.
    Kim NguyenMay 16, 2013
    Go for happy hour because it's quality food and drinks at half the price.
  • Jessica C.
    Jessica ChanNovember 27, 2011
    pork belly skewers are amazing. the whiskey sour cocktail also delish.
  • Amy B.heart icon on user image
    Amy BSeptember 24, 2015
    Nice decor and a great happy hour.
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