BOURBON AND BRANCH

HOTEL DIVA IS A TOP CHOICE AMONG SAN FRANCISCO HOTELS WHEN YOU WANT TO BE NEAR GREAT PLACES FOR DRINKS LIKE BOURBON AND BRANCH.

About Bourbon and Branch:

To call Bourbon and Branch modern “reproduction” of a Prohibition Era speakeasy is a bit of a misnomer since it resides in an address that was not only a bona fide 1920s hideaway hooch joint, but has been the site of various watering holes since 1867.  It doesn’t get any more authentic than that.

According to records, in 1921 a business was listed at this address called The Ipswich which was “a Beverage Parlor”. In 1923, 501 Jones Street changed hands, maintained its clientele, and operated with a cigar shop as a front called J.J. Russell’s Cigar Shop.

As a speakeasy, Bourbon and Branch features a secret room called The Library where you can sample different cocktails and you are required to state the password (which is books) to gain entry. Once you say the secret word, you will be escorted in.

During Prohibition when it was J.J. Russell’s, one would enter the shop, request a certain cigar, and then a trap door in the floor would open to the speakeasy below. If that wasn’t secretive enough, the location featured 5 hidden escape tunnels, so patrons could get away in the event of a raid by the Feds. Luckily for the patrons, this never happened at this particular bootlegger joint.

If the fascinating history of Bourbon and Branch isn’t enough to get you to give it a try then go in for the top shelf aged spirits. This uncommon establishment serves bourbons like Rittenhouse 21 Year, and hand numbered Noah's Mill. Scotches include Balvenie 1971 and Glenmorangie Margaux Finish.

So when you want a drink during your stay at Hotel Diva, unassumingly make your way down to Bourbon and Branch just a five minute walk from our San Francisco Hotel.