True Cup, a Neighborhood Sake Bar, to Open in Hayes Valley

Sake is on its way up in the American beverage market, though Hayes Valley's sake shop, True Sake has been a neighborhood staple for years. Now the retail shop will expand its reaches in the form of a sake bar. True Cup, the new bar from owner and sake enthusiast Beau Timken plans to open in the bottom of 8 Octavia, the shiny new condo development at Octavia and Market, serving a menu of bar food and curated selection of Japanese beer and sake.

According to Hoodline,Timken and business partner Stephen King have teamed up with fellow Hayes Valley regular, Michael Black, to create the bar menu. Black, who was previously chef-owner of the now-shuttered Sebo (in the space currently occupied by Souvla), will create menu of "experimental Western" food served in sake cups, intended to complement Timken's expertly curated beverage selection. The bar will include a chef's counter, lounge area, bar seating and tables for dining. And while the Bay Area has a particular fondness for the often misunderstood beverage, the partners hope to expand the True Cup concept to other locations beyond San Francisco.

And taking further advantage of sake's growing popularity, Timken and King have another Hayes Valley retail project in the works, selling sake-related goods such as ceramics and sake-based makeup. Right now, True Cup is aiming for a summer opening, while the retail component is planned for July. Stay tuned for more details.