Serious cocktails in a former 1920s speakeasy

Noteworthy for: Bourbon & Branch was once a bona-fide Prohibition-era bar that operated illegally between 1921 and 1933, listed in the telephone directory as ‘The Ipswitch – A Beverage Parlor’.

Word to the wise: The sister venues, Local Edition (691 Market Street) and Rickhouse (246 Kearny Street), have the same standards with less hassle to get in.

Enter via a shroud of secrecy with a password whispered at the door into this speakeasy-style bar harking back to the days of prohibition. Luckily, it’s no longer illegal to consume alcohol, so you can enjoy the expertly mixed and complex beverages of rare bourbons and scotches without looking over your shoulder.

The decor is deliciously old-fashioned, with weathered wood, antique bar stools, ornately carved ceilings, brick walls and a separate library lined with faded books. Observe the house rules in this reservation-only bar: no cell phones, no photography and don’t even think of ordering a Cosmo.