Restaurant Reservations - Free • Instant • Confirmed
Learn More
Restaurant Reviews
Find Restaurants in Your Area
Select a Location
Reserve now:

Nihon Whisky Lounge Reviews List

Nihon Whisky Lounge

Nihon offers contemporary Japanese cuisine with a sophisticated twist on the traditional Japanese Izakaya (Japanese version of tapas). The cuisine also offers a wide array of fresh sashimi and sushi rolls. If you are a whisky lover, Nihon also offers the largest single malt selection found on the west coast with over 400 selections all available through bottle purchase. All bottles purchased can be stored in a private locker in the premises for future visits. Nihon is renowned for amazing house made creative whisky and champagne cocktails.
See more Nihon Whisky Lounge details
52 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall 
3.9 / 5
(Very Good) 3.9 / 5
(52 Reviews)
Open Ratings Snapshot
Rating Breakdown 52 reviews
5 stars
(13)
4 stars
(25)
3 stars
(12)
2 stars
(1)
1 star
(1)
Food 
3.9 / 5
(Very Good) 3.9 / 5
Service 
3.8 / 5
(Very Good) 3.8 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
2.5 / 3
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
  • vibrant bar scene(26)
  • fit for foodies(25)
  • neighborhood gem(20)
  • special occasion(18)
  • good for groups(16)
  • hot spot(11)
Nihon Whisky Lounge Reviews List
Review 1 for Nihon Whisky Lounge
Overall rating 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Ambiance 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Noise Level
4 / 3
Energetic
"Looking for sushi and cocktails with my 60 something in laws after a show in the Mission, we hit it with Nihon. The drinks were inventive and delicious, and so was the food. It may not have been the best choice for our mixed age group, however, as the hearing aid in our group was challenged by the volume of the music, and conversation was a little difficult. We were ignored upon entry, and had to seek out help to be seated at our reserved table, but the table service was just fine. The upstairs lounge area could use some sprucing up, in particular, the bench cushions and the fabric covering over the cool illuminated wall."
Dined on 6/15/2013
 2012
Special Features: good for groups, vibrant bar scene, late-night find, hot spot
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 2 for Nihon Whisky Lounge
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

Great Food

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Ambiance 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"I had a great time at Nihon this weekend. I went there for dinner to start out a friend's bachelor party. He loves whisky and the selection they have is unbeatable. The whisky cocktails were excellent, and the sushi was fantastic. Great ambience"
Dined on 6/14/2013
 2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 3 for Nihon Whisky Lounge
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

Don't let the exterior fool you!

OpenTable Diner
Dined on 6/04/2013
Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Energetic
Energetic
"Although I was unimpressed by it's outside appearance, inside is a cozy, energetic ambience. Downstairs is an energetic whiskey bar with more than 100 scotch and whiskeys. Upstairs along the balcony is a quieter setting for dining. most tables are for 2-4. Service was excellent. They serve somewhat pricey, but tasty, Japanese tapas. Mixed tuna and cucumber served in a cocktail glass was flavorful. The tempura shiitake mushrooms stuffed with chicken was simple, with nice texture. The delicious crab salad was a large portion. The grilled salmon belly was a light, small dish, but flavorful. I enjoyed the drier of their two unfiltered sakes, dry and sweet. I definitely will be returning!"
Dined on 6/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, hot spot
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 4 for Nihon Whisky Lounge
Overall rating 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Long Varied Menu and All Hits.

Food 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Service 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Ambiance 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"Great variations on Japanese dishes, don't let the "Whiskey Bar" in title fool you, the real attraction here is the small plates food. It can add up, but worth the splurge on some items."
Dined on 5/29/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 5 for Nihon Whisky Lounge
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

Customer Avatar
OpenTable Diner
Dined on 5/03/2013
Food 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Noise Level
Energetic
Energetic
"The cocktails here are excellent: creative, strong and numerous. The food, I found, was hit or miss. The mars attacks was so, so good while the pork belly was the texture of chicken. Overall, though, a very cool place with cool people working there."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, special occasion
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 6 for Nihon Whisky Lounge
Overall rating 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5

My friend and I ordered a

Food 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Service 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Ambiance 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Noise Level
Energetic
Energetic
"My friend and I ordered a variety of things. Mars attack-fried octopus was a little too sweet. Uni on a spoon, oysters, and butabara were okay but not great. Kobe hangar steak had good flavor and was cooked perfectly but it was hard to cut with the serrated knife that was provided because it didn't cut through it really well. We also ordered a variety of spicy rolls but none of them were spicy. One of the best things we had was the tempura sweet potato. The waitress was nice but the service was slow."
Dined on 04/13/2013
 2003
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 7 for Nihon Whisky Lounge
Overall rating 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5

The service was erratic although

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Ambiance 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Noise Level
Energetic
Energetic
"The service was erratic although friendly."
Dined on 03/20/2013
 2012
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, hot spot
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 8 for Nihon Whisky Lounge
Overall rating 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5

Average food & overpriced scotch!

Food 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Service 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Ambiance 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Noise Level
Moderate
Moderate
"Great scotch list but extremely over priced. Can get a lot of the same for a lot cheaper at other bars."
Dined on 03/15/2013
 2008
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 9 for Nihon Whisky Lounge
Overall rating 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5

Sushi was fair. Loved the

Food 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Service 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Ambiance 
5 / 5
(Outstanding) 5 / 5
Noise Level
Energetic
Energetic
"Sushi was fair. Loved the cocktails and decor."
Dined on 03/15/2013
 2011
Special Features: good for groups
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 10 for Nihon Whisky Lounge
Overall rating 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5

Great Izakaya type atmosphere

Food 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Service 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
Energetic
Energetic
"Great Izakaya type atmosphere with little "tapas" style dishes with a Japanese sensibility. Great for groups of 6 or less. Anything more than that and it is hard to have a single conversation."
Dined on 03/08/2013
 2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 11 for Nihon Whisky Lounge
Overall rating 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5

Appetizers came out last.

Food 
3 / 5
(Good) 3 / 5
Service 
2 / 5
(Fair) 2 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
"Appetizers came out last. Fried squid was cold. Signature cocktails were good."
Dined on 02/14/2013
 2012
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Ratings-Only Reviews for Nihon Whisky Lounge
Based on the average of (41) ratings-only reviews
Overall 
4 / 5
(Outstanding) 4 / 5
12 out of 13 recommend this product
Food 
4 / 5
(Outstanding) 4 / 5
Service 
3.9 / 5
(Very Good) 3.9 / 5
Ambiance 
4 / 5
(Very Good) 4 / 5
Noise Level
2.4 / 3
Energetic