Shh! Speak Easy!

Prohibition, or the Noble Experiment as it was once known, marked one of the saddest times in American history. Why the f*ck would you ever prohibit the consumption of alcohol? How dumb is it that out of the 27 amendments to the United States constitution, two have been devoted to the ban of alcohol (amendment XVIII) and its repeal (amendment XXI)? One positive result of the era was the creation of the Speakeasy.

San Francisco is home to Bourbon & Branch, a "Speakeasy" that has been open since 1867.
As is the case with other establishments of its kind there are several house rules...

1)Please speak-easy

2)No cell phone use

3)No standing at the bar

4)Don't even think of asking for a "cosmo"

5)Smokers, use back door

6)No photography

7)Please be patient, our drinks are labor intensive

and

8)Please exit Bourbon & Branch quietly

We clearly broke rule six. But you know what they say... RULES ARE MEANT TO BE BROKEN! Just two small complaints from this happy patron. Why is it located at the corner, yes, I said CORNER, of Jones and O'farrel? If you aren't really paying attention, you might miss the door. But at night, there are tons of people who go and as a consequence, a queue, albeit a small one, forms. So it is obvious that it is there... So much for secrecy. AAAAANNNNNNND, what is the point of making reservations if you have to wait???? I am also sad that there is a menu at B&B. That my friends is what I am holding above. Accustomed to Sasha's Milk & Honey (okay, I have only been once), it would have been nice if the cocktail waitresses could actually recommend something NOT on the menu. I was like SERIOUSLY? I can read! I am not feeling any of it. So what else can you reccomend?

After several attempts, I gave up... and ordered one of my perennial favorites, a Pimm's Cup. It was good! With fresh blackberries and all! On the menu, notable drinks include the Chartreuse Swizzle, Drink Without a Name (hella strong), Democrat, Amuse Buche, and some kind of Apple Soda thing. Overall the drinks were good. With the exception of this one drink. It was brown and thick. So if you get it, don't drink it.

The one great thing about B&B is that you can just go if you ever find yourself in the area. If for whatever reason you don't have a reservation, just tell them "books" at the door and you can go to the library for some standing room only fun.

Bourbon & Branch 4/5