Bourbon & Branch

What you need to know

How It Works

The building housed an actual Prohibition-era speakeasy, operating as J.J. Russell’s Cigar Shop while selling booze through the back from 1921 to 1933. When the bar opened in 2006, the owners kept the bones and added the theater. Book online, pick a room, and receive a password by email. Show up, ring the buzzer, say the word, and the door opens.

There are four rooms in one building. The Main Bar is the primary reservation space. The Library is a walk-in bar you enter with the standing password “books,” no booking needed, open 6pm to 2am seven nights a week. The Russell Room is a private bookable space named for the original cigar shop. Wilson & Wilson is a detective-themed speakeasy within the speakeasy with its own entrance, its own password, a 90-minute time slot, and seating for 28. It operates Thursday through Saturday and requires a separate reservation.

What to Drink

The cocktail list runs deep into classic territory. Sazeracs, Manhattans, Old Fashioneds, and variations built by bartenders familiar with the history. The main menu is organized by category: Lighter Fare, Spirit Driven, Free Range, Ice Breakers, and Fresh and Fancy. Wilson & Wilson runs its own experimental menu and offers a three-course tasting format (aperitif, main, digestif) or a communal punch for four served in a silver teapot.

If you don’t have a specific drink in mind, describe what you like and the bartender will build something.

The Rules

No standing. Speak quietly. No phone calls. No photography without permission.

Getting In

Reservations open several weeks in advance. Weeknight early evenings are easier. The 90-minute limit keeps tables turning. Rideshare is the easiest way in. Powell Street BART is a ten-minute walk.

Without a reservation, walk to the Library at 501 Jones, use the password “books,” and check for space.

What to drink

Sazeracs, Manhattans, Old Fashioneds — classic cocktails made with precision by knowledgeable bartenders