Yabani Cocktail Bar Opens in San Francisco's Mission District
Yabani, a new cocktail bar fusing Arabian and Japanese flavors, opens November 6 in the former Nihon Whisky Lounge space, starting with weekend service ahead of a full launch in January 2027.
Yabani Cocktail Bar opens Friday, November 6, in San Francisco's Mission District. The new venue, blending Arabian and Japanese influences, takes over the former Nihon Whisky Lounge space at 1779 Folsom Street. It will launch with Friday and Saturday night service before a full grand opening scheduled for January 2027.
Cocktail menu fuses Arabian and Japanese flavors
Yabani's signature drinks combine spirits like Arabian arak with Japanese ingredients including sake, yuzu, and Japanese whisky. The menu is described as an Arab bar concept, with the name Yabani derived from the Arabic word for Japanese. Four confirmed cocktails show the fusion.
Other featured ingredients include yuzu kosho and damask rose. The bar also serves traditional arak and water accented with cucumber and lemon peel.
Customizable highball experience with cultural twist
A central offering is a customizable highball program. Guests select a base spirit and a flavor profile to create their drink. Nonalcoholic versions are available on tap, aligning with growing consumer interest in alcohol-free options.
The highball menu is built from two selections.
Beverage director Mohammed Zagha, who previously worked at Bar 821 and Tsunami Sushi, oversees the program. He employs techniques like adding specific minerals and acids, such as malic acid in fruity mixes, to enhance flavors.
Cultural design emphasizes community and peace
The interior design moves away from kitschy decor, drawing inspiration from street-style bars in Jordan, Lebanon, and Egypt. A prominent wall features a collage of about 50 movie posters acquired from a defunct cinema in Jordan during a 2019 trip. This mural and the overall decor aim to emphasize themes of community, peace, and freedom, intentionally avoiding imperial symbols to create an inclusive space for all cultures.
Full grand opening planned for January 2027
Initial operating hours are 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays only. The planned expansion in January 2027 will introduce DJs to establish a lounge vibe and full weekly service. A food component is expected to begin around February, developed in collaboration with the chef from Tsunami Sushi. The Arab-Japanese menu may include items like grilled halloumi cheese with white miso and a Japanese-style hot dog with wasabi mayo and za'atar. Sake bottle service will also be introduced.
The bar is owned by Khaled Dajani, a Palestinian entrepreneur whose Dajani Group has had a dining presence in the Mission District since 2009 through ventures like Tsunami Sushi and the former Nihon Whisky Lounge. The full grand opening in January 2027 will feature DJs for a lounge vibe.
