Matrix Lounge Reopens in Napa with Wellness
The Matrix lounge, which closed in San Francisco in 2018, reopens in Napa on September 4 with a new focus on functional cocktails containing ingredients
Matrix, a lounge that closed in San Francisco in 2018, will reopen in Napa on Friday, September 4. Owner Dante Javar, who also owns 1331 Cocktails, is leading the revival alongside co-owner John Truchard of Uptown Theatre and Napa Music Hall.
Javar aims to create a space for musicians and artists in Napa to gather. The venue features moody rooms with dark red velvet banquettes, dramatic chandeliers, gold lamps, and hyperdramatic lighting. Music will be provided by a DJ with a high-quality sound system, but there will be no dance floor to prevent the DJ from becoming the focal point.
Functional Beverage Program
The beverage menu at Matrix is designed for both the health-conscious and non-drinkers. Javar told the source he has noticed an increase in active, health-focused patrons. Instead of typical non-alcoholic options, the lounge offers functional wellness drinks that can serve as pre-gaming options or sober alternatives.
Key cocktails include Beat That Nut, which contains black tea, beet juice, coconut water, agave, vitamin C, B12, and electrolytes. Another, Temple of Gains, mixes dark chocolate, peanut butter, organic banana, and agave with 24 grams of protein and creatine. An alcoholic version called Forbidden Gains adds añejo rum and banana liqueur to electrolytes and creatine.
If you're going to sit here all night and have cocktails, listen to music, and enjoy yourself, let's promote vitamins, minerals, whatever's legal we can do, Javar said. He highlighted an activated charcoal martini that includes two grams of creatine.
Traditional Cocktails and Wine
Alongside the functional drinks, Matrix will serve traditional cocktails. The Matrix Old Fashioned uses Maker's Mark and a reduction of Olde English malt liquor for richness, infused with turbinado sugar, Angostura bitters, and herbs. The menu also features three versions of an espresso martini, one combining vodka with coffee, chocolate, and pistachio liqueurs, plus espresso from Ohm Coffee and vanilla tahini.
The Better Believe Margarita mixes tequila with mango, orange liqueur, agave, Thai chile pepper, and yuzu kosho. The wine program, overseen by a sommelier, focuses on Champagne, sparkling wines, and local reds and whites.
Late-Night Filipino-Influenced Menu
On Fridays and Saturdays, a late-night menu called Duwende will be run by Cassan and Alex Macaraig of Winston's Napa. The menu features Filipino-inflected items like adobo popcorn and pork belly lumpia, alongside other dishes such as Hong Kong chow mein, crinkle-cut fries with chile crisp queso, and scallion-ginger chicken wings. Matrix will also offer its own branded caviar made with Tsar Nicoulai Caviar to pair with Champagne.
On other operating nights, a smaller menu provided by Andaz Napa will include items like a smash burger and charred shishito peppers.
Events and Atmosphere
Beyond drinks and food, Matrix plans to host events like charity fashion shows. Javar emphasized creating a curated space that is not solely about drinking. Even though we're a bar and a lounge, we wanted to make a place that, even if you didn't drink, he said. The lounge is located at 1045 Franklin Street in Napa.
