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Category: Lounges
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin""Sparkling or Still?" Why pay for your water? Amelie serves complimentary still or sparkling distilled water on the house. It's the little…" read more »
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What's the password? Ambiance. This is a real San Francisco speakeasy, with its unassuming gray walled exterior, heavy wooden doors, deep red wallpaper, dark booths and corners with crooked tables, and secret library room (just beyond the old dusty bookshelf). You're transported to a slick, sexy 1920s era once you walk into this hush-hush establishment. The waitresses in sultry black dresses, the waiters in suspenders, ties, and caps.
Most of their syrups and fruits are freshly made in house. Upon being seated at our reserved booth, water glasses and shots of fruity alcoholic spritzers were awaiting our arrival. Little did we realize that this was merely the amuse-bouche of drinks. In addition to its cool and stylistic vibe, this place is a anti-prohibitionist sanctuary - they are serious about their liquor. They serve pages full of various bourbon, whiskey, vodka, gin, and other alcoholic concoctions.
Merely one cocktail later for our group, which represented: a Democrat, Devil's Advocate, Pomegranate Ginger, Death before Sunrise, and The Millionaire - we were ready to call it a night. Yes, it really was that good and that damn strong.
I followed all the rules, and ended up in the library, along with everyone else. It was like a cattle car, but if that's what prohibition was like I guess would have had to put up with that.
What's disappointing is that I didn't follow the yelps and make a reservation. Had I don't that, I'd have had a great seat at the bar and we'd have been looking a 4 or 5 stars!
Cool join, weird speakeasy rules and such, but that's fine, the history perhaps makes it worth it.
Ummm... very cute and different. I felt like I was watching grass grow when the bartender was meticulously placing each ice cube into the glass.. Stacking one cube on top of another. Then throwing out one because it didn't look right. Then slowly pouring the don julio. (are you still awake for this review?? cuz I'm not.) Then making a stink face when I also asked for a Vodka Collins.. Yes I understand that you're famous for your fancy drinks and excellent customer service but I kinda just wanted a drink. Nothing to fancy shmancy. Just a drink.
I did find it funny watching all these dudes walking around with pink martini glasses.. Pinky up. Just kidding. But seriously, lots of dudes with cute colored drinks.
Grab a seat when you can, this place gets packed fast.
I'm not a fan of passwords and hidden bars and all that bullshi-ite. It reeks of L.A. snobbery and I hate it.
EXCEPT...when the bar can actually live up to the hype. And Bourbon & Branch certainly does live up to it. In fact, it royally exceeded the hype.
I brought my fave Brooklyn resident here for a few drinks. We got the VIP treatment in the private upstairs balcony. The music was a little loud up there, but the service more than made up for it. We had our own personal bar hostess the entire night to refill our drinks...practically on cue. It was awesome.
Everything else about this bar has definitely already been touched on by other reviewers. The drinks are sophisticated and incredibly well-made (Pisco Sour + Manhattan = yum, yum). They have artisan cocktails and they're priced accordingly. Their juices are fresh. They hand make their ice cubes.
Seriously? Hand made ice cubes?
I tried the same thing once, but I just used the heart shaped ice cube tray I got from IKEA. Mine were artisan, but of a different level.
About the 3rd grade level.
Let's just say, I feel decidedly UNCOOL in this bar and I like it.
It's a must try for everyone and a great place to bring out of town friends. Snazzy, classy, sexy.
Definitely make a reservation if you want to go here. It will be worth it. The drink menu is almost overwhelming, but beautiful. You feast your eyes on page upon page of tantalizing creations, and are served a complimentary shot. Ours contained champagne, and it was a very refreshing beginning to our evening.
Our drinks were served to us by a beautiful, friendly young woman. I tried the Pomegranate Ginger (a bit too sweet), the Whiskey Apple Cider (cinnamon-y and an absolute delight), and the Devil's Advocate (tart, but tasty). Although expensive, everything was absolutely incredible, and I will visit again.
Pros: complimentary water served throughout the night, amazing drinks, friendly service.
Cons: booths are small, service is a bit slow, and bartenders "shhhh"ing people every few minutes.
A REAL speakeasy? You have to give a password? Cool! We went for a friend's 29th B-day party, so she could go out in pure 20's fashion. So we were all dressed up in 20's fashion (yes, I even finger-waved my hair and dug up my grandmother's jewelry from the 20's) and off we went! We rang a buzzer by the windowless building and waited. Once we gave the password the attendant said, "Oh, you're here for the party." So she leads us in and pushes a bookcase on the WALL to lead us into a secret room. Sweet!
Cool stuff -- the decor, the secrecy of the location, (it does NOT say Bourbon & Branch outside) and the staff was really nice and very attentive.
Uncool stuff -- despite my digging on the internet for the lingo and what drinks they actually made during prohibition, they didn't know half of the drinks I tried to order. I'm pretty sure in 1925 they didn't have a drink called *the Day at the Spa*, but it was on the menu. I was happy that I didn't have to drink moonshine all night, but I really went out of my way to stay in that era. So it's nice that you aren't stuck drinking gin, so I can't ding them for that.
WARNING: This bar is not for the faint at heart!
1 drink = 2. Just remember that. Not that I'm complaining of course, you're definitely paying a pretty penny for these deliciously intoxicating cocktails.
I have officially found my new favorite cocktail from B&B. The Eva Paron. I can't quite recall all the ingredients...in fact all I can remember was the main ingredient, Fernet. There was a citruis kick to it that made this drink really come alive. If the service was a little faster I would have downed 3-4 of these within an hour, easily.
There's not much I don't love about this place except their slow service and the ridiculously small booths they cram you in to (unless you're 5'5" and under of course).
Over all I love the attention to detail in this place from the moment you walk in the door. Plus, most of the cocktail waitresses/bartenders are super hot!
Awesome awesome drinks. After having drinks here, it actually makes me need to suppress my gag reflex when I drink a cocktail made at a whatever club, since the club's drinks taste so much more like rubbing alcohol. Truly recommend getting a reservation, but they are kind of Nazi-ish about showing up and leaving on time, but you have an organized group you get a free aperitif, full menu and seating! They can also give you a free private room upstairs for parties greater than 6 (I believe seats up to 10ish), and the room has a bunch of couches and fatty chairs. Bar area, it takes a long time if there's a crowd, but they are pretty fast. I love this place and will look for any excuse to go down there for a cucumber gimlet.
It's pretty awesome. I suggest going there with an experienced patron for your first time so you don't miss any of the coolness. Or read all of the yelp reviews and be well informed.
Password, whatever...cute gimmick. What counts is that the drinks are great and that the interior is sweet. A trick door gets you into the awesome library. Waitresses were great.
I don't think it's comfortable for groups over 4 unless you reserve a space for yourselves.
Got smoked here on Sat. Three Whiskey Sours and several free shots. Don't even think about bringing a camera or a cell phone. If your found making a call or shooting pictures, your politely asked to leave! I am 6'3 and the booths were so small I had to stand. Take a taxi. The parking, while available, is sketchy. The homeless and druggies gather in droves! SFPD? I observed them observing a homeless psycho put a street sign through a cars tail lights. What they do? Nothing.
Incredible ambiance, hand crafted high end drinks, hidden passages, a must see! Highly recommend getting a reservation and be sure to order your next drink well before your done with the first, I love love love this place!
Stick a fork in this place. Been there many times since it opened, but the sheen has worn off.
Last night (Saturday) had a reservation and went about midnight. It was practically empty, which was strange. Anyway, rude host and hostess didn't let my friends in because they had one extra person in tow, even though there was room and practically every other table in the place was wide open, with no incoming reservations left for the night. Is that good business? I was told "its the rules", which they are generally nazis about.
I've noticed it before, but the staff take themselves and their establishment way too seriously, and it corrodes the vibe of the place.
Its drinks, people!
Who wants to go to a speakeasy that feels like boarding school? I am certainly not looking to rage at a place like this, but "the privilege" of being here should not overshadow what I'm there for - to ENJOY drinks with my friends.
Besides, although this place may have been a forerunner of premium whiskeys and cocktails, many other places now specialize in drinks just as good as here, without the hassle or snobbery.
This bar is ridiculous. Ridiculously awesome, that is. I love that there is no identifying sign outside and that there's a doorbell you have to ring and give a password to whoever opens the door to get in. Yes, the password can be found on their website, but it's still fun!
As only a recent cocktail enthusiast (former beer girl here) I was a little nervous about the drink selection and what to order but I really had nothing to worry about. Their menu was plenty large wtih choices for everyone....my drinks of choice for the evening were Pomegranate Ginger, the Devil's Advocate, and the Democrat.
All of them were very fresh and flavorful - the Pomegranate Ginger was my favorite. I wasn't sure if I liked Bourbon so the Democrat was a gamble, but it turned out well. And if you like absinthe then the Devil's Advocate is a good choice!
Some people might be turned off by it, but I actually liked that it wasn't too busy. My friend and I had a booth and before we left switched to the bar and chatted with the bartenders for a bit.
Staff was friendly and helpful and prices were very reasonable...I had some lame cocktail at Top of the Mark earlier in the night for the same price as these hand-crafted beauties!
Freakin' cool. Drank way too much in 90 minutes. B&B gets 5 stars because, not only is this place off the hook in so many ways, it has my favorite drink of all time - the Aviation. But from the looks of it, every single cocktail is made with love.
Can't wait to go back!
My boyfriend had heard of this place and wanted to take me here. I really really really like the place itself. All the old mirrors and the booths with the skinny tables and the chandeliers!!
OF COURSE the cocktails were amazing. I would steer away from the champagne cocktails only because they weren't nearly as interesting as the liquor cocktails. I had a cucumber gimlet, which was SO GOOD, tasted sweet and the cucumber as well. French 75 was so smooth, you could barely tell that there was rum in it!!
I had fun but i would say next time this would be more of a group dressing up ordeal. Wasn't as intimate as i thought it might be.
Slow down and enjoy a drink or two. But only two, because the max reservation is two hours, and they take their time making those drinks. Each one is made very carefully (very, very carefully), and while they aren't super-strong, they are fun, unique, and very often classic. The menu is huge, the lighting is dim, and the seats are cozy at best. They have no food at all, not even peanuts, so eat beforehand or immediately afterward. The password for entry is a nice touch, mostly the first time you go, but it's fun when you bring a friend who has never been there. Lots of hidden rooms behind doors that double as bar shelves. Recommend trying at least once.
Definitely will be back---when I'm in SF. Thanks for putting us in the Mezzanine room. An extravagant night for our entire party. (Follow the house rules to the dot and you'll be loved. Don't, and you'll be hated)
Truly a cool place. Their drinks are excellent and that is all that needs to be said about that. It can be a bit hot, particularly if you choose to drink in the library because you've stopped in on a whim and don't have reservations. There is a cool mezzanine as well if you have a group of more than 8 people, which I have found to be a particularly nice spot to hang out and have a couple of drinks. Unless you move to the library, don't plan on staying all night as reservations are timed and they will be strict about it! The service is very good but it can take them a while to whip up their wonderfully tasty concoctions so plan for that.
It's a little pricey but not ridiculous ($12-14 a drink or so) but it's worth it at least once for the experience of being in a place that really brings you back in time with the decor and the available cocktails.
"It's like there's a party in my mouth and everyone is throwing up." My reaction to a house special-one of the old time cocktails from the 1920's. I applaud their large menu but there is a reason some beverages aren't popular anymore. Because of their vast selection it's tempting to try exotic things, but play it safe and ask the bar tender for advice-he knows his stuff.
Overall a swanky place with an impressive bar. The 1920's decor is entertaining although the "password" at the door bit is a little hokey for me. You definitely go for the experience, take your time, sip your drinks. It's fun, young and sophisticated but not too "officey" or douchebaggy. Still it was a little bit pretentious at times but that comes with the territory. This is fun place to go once in awhile when you have the time and money sto spend.
I don't know what it is about them, but I love these places. Ok, I do know. It rewards people who plan ahead and make reservations, and then allows you to drink without having to shout to be heard or to fear that a drink is going to be spilled on you any minute.
Made the reservations online, got the password, came at the allotted time, rang the bell, said the password and was admitted. No problems.
We were instantly seated at a small booth (it was just the two of us). Definitely set the mood and impressed the girl. The menu is HUGE. Plenty of choices plenty of things to think about. I looked it over and decided to go with something described as "smokey" and containing a bunch of stuff including whiskey.
Everything was very leisurely, so don't expect to rush. But the whole time the service was super friendly. The drink came out and was absolutely delicious! Yes, it's expensive, but you're also paying for the pretension and the atmosphere and the friendly service and for a drink that can't be made by many people and you can't get in most places. At least that's what I tell myself to justify it. Plus, it really was smokey!
When we were ready to leave I asked about the "library" room. Since it was a Monday and the library is only open Wednesday through Saturday, they opened up the secret wall and let us take a look. The books are real and some of them from the prohibition era, so that was a cool touch. Definitely would want to stop by again and check it out when its in full use.
Seriously, this place transports you to another time with all the books and candlelights all around. I felt like I was in one of those fancy libraries you read about or watch in movies (beauty and the beast anyone?). This is definitely a speakeasy - almost felt like I was going to see guys dressed up like they would in that era with the 3 piece suits and all. Scared me half to death, but one of the walls opened up revealing another room -- one that requires a password (or rather a reservation on http://www.bourbonandb...). The drinks are strong here... I guess that's how they liked it back in the day! Definitely a special venue.
Blast to the past! I love this place with the secret passwords, dim lighting, and secret passageways. Definitely not your typical loud bar with weak drinks. The drinks here are top notch-- I'll never forget the chartreuse swizzle I had my first time here. Unfortunately, I can't find any other bar that serves it.
If you're entertaining out of towners give this place a try. It is a truly unique experience.
Single-malt heaven. So the tenders are truly mixologists and I'm sure their Sazerac and Democrat are really tasty, but their sheer selection urges one to to taste-test their array neat.
Pricey and I do think you should have some food before you decide to partake. I went there on an empty stomach, got smashed, stumbled around the loin for twenty to forty minutes while babbling with the full spectrum of the city's finest citizens. . . and then inhaled a burger at Pearl's from the side of my mouth.
I usually don't get excited over cocktails but the drinks at Bourbon & Branch are WONDERFUL. I don't know how they do it.... all beautifully crafted, interesting, and YUMMY.
Love the ambiance too. We sat in one of wooden booths and enjoyed sipping on our drinks while chatting without having to yell. Service was wonderful and helped us sift through the extensive menu.
Bourbon and Branch is my favorite bar to take out of towners to. Especially my buddies that live in small midwestern towns. I like to boast to them how urban I am, that I get to go to a sweet whiskey bar with millions of fancy drinks, that you need a password to get into and that I had to make an actual reservation for, where I can bash republicans with my liberal and gay friends while I sip my complicated, delicious concoction. To show them how elitist I really am. The only problem is it is smack dab in the loin, where almost every time we go my sweet naive friends are verbally harassed by the down trodden lost souls of San Fran. Oh well, guess even that lives up to the stereotype.
ive started writing this review several times and everytime i find myself at a loss for words.
B&B is every bit as amazing as i thought it would be.
Its dark and moody and feels like another world. perfect. and their menu! holy hell. my friend and i kept trying to think if ways to smuggle it out just as a piece of art. we realized very quickly that it would take more then one visit to try everything that caught our eye, even on a first flick of our eyes over the pages. something i loved was that many of the drinks on the menu cited their creators, showing them as the artist they are. it added a sense of pride and passion that i have yet to see anywhere.
traditionally speaking, i stick to vodka or whiskey, but B&B took to on a ride over to gin. a rare accomplishment. every drink was exquisitely mixed, and went down as naturally as breathing air.
i plan on returning next time in back in the city. and if you have any love for your palet (and maybe not too much for your liver), you will too.
Being escorted in by a polite young man in suspenders who offers to take your coat as your seated and then immediately meeting your charming server with a cocktail amuse bouche on a cloth napkin is probably the best way to start an evening of beverages. I just love the atmosphere. Staff and patrons were dressed to the nines, next time I am so wearing something with feathers on my head. Music wasn't too loud and the conversations were lively. You could tell everyone was having a terrific time.
I had 3 cocktails, one from the specialty Indian Summer menu that featured Mescal and absinthe along with some other spirits that i certainly don't get every day, one of my personal favorites the Marmalade Whiskey Sour and a tart champagne cocktail featuring lime and ginger. Soon to be hubby ordered 2 different types of whiskeys and loved them both. He ordered on the rocks and the ice came separately which I thought was neat. Apparently so did he because he ended up drinking them neat by the end of the night.
I am happy that I waited and got a reservation for a booth to try this place out. We were starving and wanted to save something new for next time so we did not peek into the library on the way out. Also, we had an 1.5 hour reservation and I figured we'd be rushed out the door but not the case. We asked for our check, it came and by the time we wrapped up it was a little over our 1.5 slot.
Drinks came pretty quickly, our server was super attentive and knowledgeable. I learned a little about whiskeys and Mescal. So yes we will be back with another reservation and hopefully to check out the library.
Had never heard of this place before last night when a friend wanted us to go meet him for drinks over there.
We get there early and ring the intercom. It rings and rings and no one answers. We wait for 10 minutes. Then we find a door ajar and start to step in. That is, until a patron gently scoots us out the door and tells us to ring that intercom and say the password, "You HAVE to know the special password."
Ok, fine douche. I know it, but the intercom isn't working.
So we ring it again, and wait and wait. A patron comes out through the intercom door closely closing the door behind him like he's trying to keep a skittish cat from escaping. And he tells us.... "No, you can't go in unless you know the super secret password."
So we knock. And we wait. At this point there's about a crowd of 20 outside, all of us trying to get it but we can't when the intercom doesn't work and no one's answering the door.
Your place isn't seeming so secret now that there's 20 people outside, now does it?
So FINALLY a worker comes out, checks our id like any other bar and let's us in.
No password.
We walk straight to the bookshelf, open the door and enter the library.
Seeing as drinks are a pretty penny and we don't have much money we only ordered 2 each. We made it a point to always order something different.
Considering the place has "Bourbon" in the name, I was a bit disappointed to only see 2 drinks on the mini-menu (9 items) that had some sort of whiskey or bourbon. Though, I'm sure the big menu houses a lot more.
We had the cucumber gimlet, pomegranate ginger, elderflower, and the revolver. I think my favorite by far was the cucumber gimlet, with the revolver coming in second. Get the revolver if you like whiskey and the taste of whiskey. It's fairly strong tasting, actually it tasted reminiscent of coffee. The elderflower was the one I liked the least.
I'd suggest making reservations well in advance because then you can sit and have a lot more to choose from.
All that being said, the place is pretty awesome. I'd give it a 4 stars if their system were better, like let's say... the intercom worked. Oh, and if their patrons weren't tools. Their drinks are really good, and their bartenders pretty friendly. The drinks do cost quite a bit, but you're not coming here to get drunk. You're coming to sip on something delicately hand crafted.
And ladies, you might want to a wear a dress, especially if it's been a warm day because that place gets HOT.
Intimate wooden booths, red silky wallpaper, dim lighting, and a secret door in the back disguised as a bookshelf... I love it!
The pomegranate ginger with vodka was great. We also got some complimentary champagne cocktails.
STILL crazy about this place.
Went last night with a group of friends from New York. Kudos to the blonde server who was so well versed in the menu and all the alcohol they carry. She was absolutely charming.
Drinks are amazing.
Love.
This place rocked it.
I was really excited to go to Bourbon and Branch. I had made a res a month…
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Dare I say eh?
After a few cocktails elsewhere, Jenny W has the bright idea that we should go to Bourbon and Branch. She calls to make a reservation....
Jenny: Can we make a reservation for 30 minutes from now?
Hostess: The password is futz
Jenny: The password is FUCK????
Maybe that should have been sign #1 that this wasn't the night for Bourbon and Branch.
We arrive, we knock, we give the password (correctly...f-u-T-Z), we enter, and we're seated in a booth in the back near the bathroom. Jenny orders The Last Word -- gin, green chartruese, lemon, and marachino. I do believe she enjoyed it. I do not prefer gin, but I sacrificed myself for the sake of the Big Eat SF List and ordered:
#26: A classic gin martini at Bourbon and Branch.
It tasted like eucalyptus, because that it what gin tastes like to me. To salvage my view of Bourbon and Branch, I also ordered the Pomegranate Ginger with vodka. This one was delicious, though it took about 20-25 minutes to arrive. I had thought my order was forgotten and we were pretty much ready to go by that point.
We took a few pictures and the server informed us that flash photography is not permitted. What is this, the Louvre? I really wanted to get pictures of the menu to remember what was in each drink we ordered, so we snuck just a couple more. There really is no sneaking with a flash though, so we were scolded again and told we'd have to move to the Library if we couldn't stop. Ok, I understand the flash in a dark classy place is quite annoying to other patrons, but with my drink order taking 30 minutes, I was getting antsy.
And as nearly everyone else has noted, it's hotter than Hades in here. Especially in the bathroom. It's like peeing in a sauna.
So yes, Bourbon and Branch is a classy spot, but I prefer to spend my time in down to Earth places with more ventilation and fewer arbitrary rules.
I highly recommend getting reservations to have a drink here. Although it is not strictly necessary to have a reservation to get into the library or general bar, these areas are packed, loud and you only get to choose from about 9 drinks from the chalkboard. Going to Bourbon & Branch without a reservation is pretty much like going to any other bar except the drinks are better and the decor is cooler. It was hot and sweaty and I can only imagine how long it takes to get a drink at the tiny bar.
However, if you do get reservations you will be treated to the full Bourbon & Branch experience. They have a book of drinks - 1 page of champagne cocktails, 3 pages of classic cocktails and another 3 pages of new cocktails. With about 6 drinks a page it's a lot to look through and choose from. The book goes on for at least another 20 pages but it's all just a list of different liquors.
Also, if you get reservations you should try to seat no more than 4 people per booth. The booths are plenty wide, however, the two facing seats are very close together. Two small girls can fit without knocking knees, but I was getting bumped and stomped on all night by my friend across the table (not on purpose mind you). I had to sit straight up without moving my legs for the entire the time. Not that comfortable (maybe that's the point to get you out of there?) when I couldn't stretch my legs or change positions in 3 hours. The booth "holds" 6 but I recommend only 4 so you can set offset from one another and have enough room.
My notes on the drinks we ordered:
* Democrat - light, refreshing, like a summer fruit punch but not too sweet
* Clermont Affair - looks fruity but tastes like a classic cocktail
* Devil's Advocate - fruity, very sweet with anise
* Laphroig Project - citrus front with long peaty/smokey aftertaste, very strong Laphroig flavor and not for everyone
* Naughty Sundress - twist on La Perla since they were out, okay if you like sherry
* Trilby Too - a twist on Blood & Sand which was okay but not as good as the Blood & Sand at Rye
* O'Farrell Fizz - looks like a root beer float, tastes good but is a heavy drink (allspice) which is more wintery
Other drinks we ordered but I didn't get a chance to taste were the French 75, Black Manhatten and Marmalade Whiskey Sour. Those who ordered them were satisfied. Except for the cucumber gimlet which my friend did not like at all despite liking gin.
Overall I enjoyed my cocktails was I wasn't really wowed. I might go back and try more of their classic cocktails since we mostly ordered from the new cocktails list. But currently I like Alembic better for cocktails.
A couple of years ago I visited Bourbon and Branch after having just returned from enjoying some of my favorite drinking holes in NYC. I unfairly compared B&B, which was quite new, to these established meccas of mixology. Last night, I returned for the first time and was greatly impressed. Our server was incredibly knowledgeable and an obvious devotee of cocktails...She very much reminded me of the excellent wait staff of Little Branch and Milk and Honey. The music was present but not loud and we were able to have a normal conversation without ever having to yell.
All of my cocktails were fantastic. I started with an Old Fashioned, then went to a Michter's Manhattan. I put the bar through their paces a little by ordering an off-the-beaten-track classic, the Preakness, and was greatly impressed. And then I ended the evening with one of my favorites, a Rye Flip. All were obviously made with care and attention to detail and, most importantly, tasted wonderful.
Highly Recommended and I can't wait to return.
I'm sorry to report that for all of the effort that obviously went into re-creating the enforced… Read more »
Warm was the night.
A password is what you need.
Hot was the atmosphere at B & B.
Sweat beads on my forehead. A cold drink is in order.
Intense was the stare of the bartender, as I took my first sip of his creation. A classic gin martini with a fresh lemon twist.
A brief nod then a sweet smile to send my approval.
Sweltering was the heat, as bodies move about the library.
Leather bound books. Tin carved ceiling.
Beautiful company. Smooth drink.
This is my moment.
How I loved it.
If you're looking to get super trashed, don't come here unless you plan on dropping doll hairs upon doll hairs on drinks. Even then, the library only offers so many drinks. I even forgot what I had. As delicious as the drink was, it hardly got me inebriated. Before I keep sounding like a complete drunkard, I will say that the concept of this place is really unique, all the way down to the music. The speakeasy/password has a nice touch, but then the attendant at the door didn't even ask us for a password. I hesitated and said books anyway, but it didn't matter.
One of these days I should show up in a mobster outfit like some sort of Al Capone and carry some sort of Tommy gun. OK maybe not the Tommy gun because I could easily get escorted and arrested. If you're going to a place like this you might as well dress the part right?
As far as the library is concerned, it was way too packed. Hard to get around when your martini glass is filled to the top and people around you are likely to bump your arm, causing you to spill part of the drink. Rude folks sometimes, I swear.
Just come back with a reservation.
I love speakeasies. But Bourbon & Branch did little more than disappoint.
Though I didn't mind having to make reservations and writing down a password, I knew right then and there that it was not going to be like The Varnish that I so crave and love.
Walking through a door in the Tenderloin District, I felt trendy and posh with my memorized password, small group of friends, and somewhat fitting clothing. The lights were dim, the colors roared the 20s, and the bartender was shaking away. So far, so good. A party of six, we were seated in a booth, table narrow and knees touching. As we fell into our seats, so did our beads of sweat. There was a group realization that we had just walked into a sweatbox.
We were given a small "amuse bouche" to start, and were already reaching for items to fan ourselves with. As fanning became second nature, we began to realize the pretension of our server. She had a sultry drawl, unstudied mannerisms, and a beacon red pair of lips. The room was "dewy," the drinks were "lovely," and every time the room got a little loud, she responded with an exaggerated, long-winded "sssssssshhhhhhhhh!!!!!" This ridiculously literal take on a stereotypical classy cocktail hour ended all chances of having a friendly and enjoyable night.
With a drink list reaching the hundreds, I was unsure of what the drinks would taste like, but I still had hope. I tried the Blackberry Bramble (too much blackberry liqueur), Democrat (overrun with ice that melted almost immediately), Revolver (good and strong, but warm), Marmalade Whisky Sour (a good drink with the right amount of sour, but warm), Pomegranate Ginger (not much on the ginger), Liberal (the special of the night, which tasted like a watered down Jack and Coke), Cucumber Gimlet (a really great cocktail, even when served warm), and La Perla (lots of alcohol and not much else).
Overall, it's pretty clear that the "dewy" environment had a negative effect on every drink. Warm drinks were the standard, which inevitably led to watery drinks. Temperatures aside, for a bar that serves classic cocktails, I have to say that, generally, I have had better at The Varnish and Rivera.
Though the server joked about ordering more drinks to cool down with, they did just the opposite. It was only later in the night when the doormen decided to leave the doors open for ventilation. Some of us even had to take a step outside to dry our sweat.
The night was more punishment than pleasure. I guess it was fitting as drinkers in the prohibition-era were also punished.
Reservations, pretension, and previous experience withstanding, I'm looking forward to trying Bourbon & Branch again on a much, much colder night.
GET: Cucumber Gimlet
This is a great place for a couple (such as a first date or anniversary) but also extremely fun for groups. We went for a birthday party and had about 12 people in the small room that overlooks the bar. Very private very classy and the best cocktails EVER.
I loved the O'Farrell St. Fizz and the Champagne Cocktails. One of a kind handmade drinks that are sure to dazzle your taste buds and make you begging for more, despite the price tag. That I think is well worth it! Definitely go if you have a passion for fine liquor
I've been hearing alot about it, always thought that this place was a super mixology place, but turned out not really.
5 of us sat at a table, and our cocktail server lady was gorgeous and graceful. Especially loved and adored her necklace/choker and the way she wore it. Her service earned all the stars this place received.
The special of that night: chipotle infused cocktail was way too spicy and not balanced. My death in the afternoon came very warm first (sparkling wine cocktail served warm), and came back slightly colder but still warm after we sent it back.
So I settled for a plain simple aviation. From "THE" place for drinks supposedly, I really expected better. Aviation straight just tasted like lemon juice and nothing else.
Really? I'm not that of a better bartender than any of those guys, but I know not to serve sparkling wine warm or mix maraschino and gin and lemon juice and little bit of something on top of it.
This place is really not there, especially not even close to its sister location Rick House, which is super amazing. For cocktails I guess I'll be sticking to: Rick House, Alembic, Berretta, Absinthe.
The limited drink menu here ensures that any drink you order on the menu turns gold. All of 3 cocktails I had were individually made with accurate measurements and great care. Each was equally delicious and deserved a prize.
This place gives a nice example environment of what it would be like back in prohibition and offers a nice hot sweaty room in the back to make it all legit. I'd recommend taking the boyz or out of towners here. Just think, how cool would you look going into a place that requires a password to get in.
I really, really don't like gin. This might be because the first time I tried it, it was a friend's gin & tonic, and all I got was slightly sweet, slightly fizzy gin. Yech. Though I love my vodka (and my vodka-tonics), gin has always been that hard liquor I avoid at all costs.
So, I was a little worried, going into Bourbon & Branch. A speakeasy-themed bar just screamed "we only make gin cocktails!" How relieved was I when I walked to the bar (no reservations, so we were in the Library, but luckily, were there early and managed to stake out a table and some bar stools), and saw that the famed cucumber-gimlet was available with vodka or gin.
My friend and I decided to order the cucumber-gimlet, and of course, the bartender (who was pretty cute too), asked, well, do ya want that with vodka or gin? Get vodka, I told my friend. Gin is disgusting.
Well, that didn't please the bartender too much. "Vodka has no character!" he said. He then offered a suggestion: a blind taste-test, he would make two cucumber-gimlets, one with vodka, one with gin, and we would see which we liked better.
After some impressive drink-mixing, two martini glasses filled with a light green liquid and topped with a slice of cucumber were slid in front of us. We tried them both. One was more citrusy, the other more cucumbery and, slightly herby. It was the latter I preferred, and much to my chagrin, the drink containing the gin. I acknowledged gin's superiority (at least in this particular drink--very crisp and refreshing, by the way), while my friend decided the vodka was more to her liking.
Unfortunately, neither of us enjoyed the Aviator. That cucumber-infused gin, yes. Gin with anything else? No. But thanks to the very friendly and skilled bartender at Bourbon & Branch, I can admit that, maybe sometimes, gin is acceptable.
Other than that? The atmosphere was decent, it wasn't too hot (but we were also right near the door, and fan), and the books lining the walls added a nice touch. Too bad only a few of the specialty drinks are available in the Library, though considering the major lines that developed at the bar, that's probably for the best. Between my friends and I, we tried pretty much everything available, and while two of us thought the cucumber-gimlets were the best, others enjoyed the bourbon and tequila-based drinks.
Major points for friendly bartenders. I was so entertained watching them mix drinks, I didn't mind too much while the guy in front of me order eight different drinks (especially because some were lit on fire--oooh). Next time, I am definitely making a reservation. I want to see what kind of magic can be whipped up with vodka.
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