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Category: Lounges
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin
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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!
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!
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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!
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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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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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I've been to Bourbon and Branch a few times, and each time is better than the last. This is the kind of place where you bring your friends from out of town. Before you even enter, it is like stepping back into the 1920's. This password bar is known for their unique ambiance and their art-like mixology. If you don't make a reservation, you can still enjoy yourself in the Library or one of the side rooms. Our first visit to Bourbon and Branch we did not have a reservation. The bar was very crowded, but they were able to accommodate us in one of their overflow room. The room was hidden behind a a bookshelf, and we entered through a secret door. Inside the room, we found that there was a trap door in the floor of the bar!
The drinks here are pricey and take a while to make, but the wait and the price are worth it. You won't find the drinks they make here anywhere else, as many are "invented" by the owner. I would suggest the cucumber gimlet; it has a refreshing, crisp flavor without being too light on the gin.
Parking is also not a problem. There is a parking garage adjacent to the bar, that charges a reasonable fee to keep your car safe from the Tenderloin hoopla.
The only reason I give Bourbon and Branch 4 stars instead of 5, is because of the steep prices.
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.
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.
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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. Maybe if my drink didn't take almost 30 minutes to arrive I wouldn't be looking for other ways to entertain myself...
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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I'm smitten! What an awesome place! The moment you walk in you are truly transported into a different era. And the drinks..well they are made with the best liquor around. You won't find low budget booze here nothing but top notch. The service is great. The waitress knows to let you enjoy your drink and not bug you every 20 seconds. I will say this DO NOT COME HERE TO GET WASTED. You would be really hurting your experience of this 1920s inspired decorated establishment. Price..well its a pretty penny but worth it. This is the kind of place that you can go to before a great dinner with friends. Enjoy and relax. The downside...you walk out and you are back to reality.
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So what can I add after the 1115 reviews before me?
They were able to seat us even though we arrived a little early. I was looking forward to the whole sliding door peep hole what's your password routine, but I guess the hostess wasn't tall enough. Anyway, a candlelit ambiance makes a huge difference generally speaking. So does good ventilation.
They started us off with an absinthe sparkling wine cocktail. Nice palate pleaser. I ordered the seasonal tradewinds (basil) and the famous cucumber gimlet. Both very refreshing in a room with inadequate ventilation. I was going to try the one with smoked paprika but they were out.
Come here for a serious cocktail experience. Next time, I'll get a flight and some whiskey education..
Consistently good. The staff is knowledgeable, charming, and qualified to make creative suggestions based on your tastes. Reservations may hamper availability, so queue up early enough.
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Another of my favorite watering holes, and this says a lot since I would also list Lucky 13 and Toronado under this category. It's good to be diverse. I love taking people here who have never been before. The atmosphere is totally authentic (at least I think it is. I was born in 1980...) and the drinks are so incredibly top-notch that you almost can't get something bad here. I've had everything from the Black Manhattan to the White Lady and the Aperol Sour. The drinks arrive amazingly quickly for as much effort as it takes to make them, and at my most recent visit, our lovely waitress made personalized suggestions about drinks we might like based on our first drink we ordered. She recommended a gin drink that wasn't on the menu (can't recall the name, sorry) and it was lovely. Not too sweet, light, and piney so I could actually taste the top shelf gin.
I really love this place, and it never fails to impress anyone who truly loves a good, stiff drink.
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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Love this place!
Russell's Room was perfect for our private event and the Event Coordinator, Jessica, was on her game and everything turned out wonderfully. Drinks are a little steep at $10/pop but this is without a doubt one of the coolest, most unique bars in San Francisco. Take someone here for an intimate drink and take your time.
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A temporary review, because I fully intend to go back for the real deal. I was looking forward to the Secret Password and ushering-in, but the Security was yelling, "Bourbon & Branch folks? Bourbon & Branch?" just under the Anti-Saloon League sign to the two lines, each of 15-people strong. We walked in and shimmied up to the bar before we decided it was too hot and crowded to enjoy any drinks. I've heard the drinks are delicious -- but not at 10pm on a Saturday night. Maybe 8pm. On a Wednesday? In any case, decor was great and I'd still go back. I recommend cabbing it for door-to-door.
Try to visit this place at least once! First of all, from the outside, this place looks fairly bland and unimportant....Once you get inside, its a beautiful, candle lit building with a memorable atmosphere...Their selection of drinks were amazing too! The drinks were around $10-$14 depending on what you get...I felt like this is a better place to enjoy with friends, instead of make them...Might have been the particular night I was there?
What are the perks of including B&B in your night? Its only a few blocks away from Union Square and China Town....The location of the bar itself is a little odd, but its not far from some fun stuff :) Give it a try!
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You have to love the sense of exclusivity. Passwords, cute door & bar boys in ties & hats, "labor intensive" drinks... all good stuff. But what makes the place even better is the decor- check out those ceilings and light fixtures!
Why are you really coming? For the booze. And that they have in classy, pricey abundance. I was a bit buzzed but the whiskey apple drink fit the bill at the time! And the cucumber gimlet was a refreshing twist to a classic. I'd like to try them all sometime soon.
The perfect nightcap, experiencing perfect cocktails; they are dedicated to providing the finest mixology creations.
Lots of fun, bring $$$, the drinks are $12 a pop!
If you're ready paying over $10 for a cocktail/ martini in the city, you might as well come here for them. The drinks are perfectly crafted and take a lot of care.
I was definitely impressed! The drink menu consists of a lot of classic drinks you wouldn't find anywhere else. That's another reason this place is special.
Although, I am pretty convinced this place is haunted. TWO times our glasses of water fell over onto the floor, not breaking, but spilling water all over the place when no one was near it. TWICE! I may have questioned it if happening only once, but after two times you get an eerie feeling there's someone sitting next to you whom you didn't invite.
This is the 1100th review, and this has numerological significance.
11.00 is the price of perfectly crafted, artisinal cocktails in the Library.
110.0 was the grand total of my last visit. Cucumber gimlets, ginger-whiskey combination, elderflower and vodka, are well worth the $$$.00 spent and the 1100+ Cals consumed.
0.1100 is the probability that there will be anything resembling personal space on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday night at B&B (in the Library). That's what 1100 (and counting) highly positive Yelp reviews will do to a place!
If bars (pardon me, speakeasys) like this were the norm during Prohibition, perhaps we should give it a go again?
People thought this was:
Serisouly, I've bee on the road and drank from coast to coast.
BEST COCKTAILS ANYWHERE...
A few reasons this place rocks:
1)The drinks are solid. I mean amazing. And at around 11 a drink, it's what I would pay in NYC at a shitty bar with no atmosphere. Best Manhattan I ever had and a lovely something called The Elderflower No. 10.
2) I had to say a password to get in ... I felt uber cool.
3)My server (word to Alexis) was not only beautiful but knew everything there was to know about everything. She was EVERYTHING. Chill, smooth, sexy. Just like my drinks.
4) Cloth napkins on the table. Check. Washcloths in the bathroom (which smelled surprisingly lovely by the way) instead of paper towels. Check.
5) Small booths and low lighting made my drink and I look gorgeous. I had no idea the boys sitting across from me were THAT good looking. ;)
6) No one pulled out a phone the ENTIRE time I was there ... I love a place with rules.
7) Would be an ideal fifth date I feel...
8) Best. Monday. Ever.
9) It's Chic honey. Just ... CHIC.
Not to be missed.
People thought this was:
Delicious whiskey based cocktails!!
Bourbon & Branch can be credited for developing my whiskey palate.
I love the selection (bourbon, scotch, etc from all over the world). If you're not quite a whiskey drinker, they do have other alcohols (gin, vodka, tequila).
I would recommend trying one of their seasonal whiskey cocktails - Especially, if you do NOT drink whiskey. The cocktails are genius & take around 20 minutes to prepare & come out. The waitresses are really nice & helpful! Their recommendations are key.
The bartenders are constantly changing the top menu so there is always something new. I also love the vibe of the place.
A cool place to sit down & enjoy alcohol.
Some bars are good but this is a revelation. By far one of the best bars I have ever been to. The bartenders take mixing drinks seriously. I appreciated the thought and effort that went into every cocktail I had. Their refreshment list is dedicated to the classics specializing in unique Gins, Bourbons, and Rum drinks.
A few drink recommendations:
1. The Rum Crawl which includes Flor de Cana 4yr., Velvet Folernum, lime juice, ginger syrup, whiskey barrel aged bitters, and orange zest.
2. Cucumber Gimlet which intricately mixes cucumber Infused gin, elderflower, lime juice, and orange bitters.
3. Bentley which is Calvados and Dubonnet Rouge.
All were worth five stars. Definitely get a reservation if you choose to go.
People thought this was:
I've been here twice - the first time was bad, the second time was good. Therefore, it's still just mediocre to me. I was here on a Saturday and it was so insanely packed that you couldn't enjoy the actual decor of the room, which is pretty cool. It was also impossible to get a drink. The second time was a Wednesday, and it was much more enjoyable. I didn't order the drinks so I can't comment on the staff, but the cocktails were delicious and it was not crowded so we could sit and enjoy the library at an actual table. Much more enjoyable for me on a weekday.
2009 - Went back not too long ago... drinks are still amazingly fantastic but yup... wooden booths still have that coffin feel. Sitting with your friends in the dark in a coffin is not really my thing.
I'm neutral about this place. I made a reservation through their website and they quickly responded… Read more »
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