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“a glimpse back into the 1920's”
Bourbon & Branch is a glimpse back on the 1920's and the era of Prohibition when the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverage was outlawed. You'll experience the ambiance of that time in an actual speakeasy that operated illegally at this location from 1921 to 1933. From 1921-1923 our address is listed in the San Francisco Telephone Directory of the day as "The Ipswitch - A Beverage Parlor". In 1923, an industrious young man by the name of John J. Russell purchased the business as a "going concern" with it's solid base of customers. With his connections to the most notorious bootleggers from Vancouver, BC., he operated his bar under the guise of "JJ Russell's Cigar Shop". He did not sell many cigars. The speakeasy managed to avoid the attention of the governments Prohibition Agents for the remainder of prohibition. History was on JJ Russell's side, as it has been documented that a bar has operated at this Jones Street location since 1867. Our name comes from Branch Water a term first used in the 1800s referring to pure, clean water from a tiny stream called a "branch". An order for "bourbon and branch" is a nostalgic request for bourbon and water.
Twas awesome. The library portion is public and doesn't require a reservation, the other portions of the building require a reservation. Great service and drink selection. Read more
We were out to dinner when a friend recommended we move the party here. While parking in this area can be difficult, do whatever you can to come out here because it was very very worth it. The... Read more
Cute little place you might just miss if you don't know what to look for - Make reservations on Yelp - then open email for the hint to be let in the front door... Cute, dark, mysterious... Read more
Bourbon & Branch
Hours
- Sun - Wed: 6:00 pm - 12:00 am
- Thu - Sat: 6:00 pm - 2:00 am
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Parking
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Pets Allowed
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Restrooms
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Wifi
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
- Reservations
- Takes
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Bar
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Coffee
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Dinner
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Drinks
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Waitstaff
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Outdoor Seating
Parking, Dining
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