thrillist

From Willie Mays Plaza to Caesar Chavez, SF's named many places after noble men with whom you have nothing in common. For a spot named for a scoundrel, try Russell's Room, at Bourbon & Branch.

Just off the main entrance (directly behind the bar), RR's a hidden private room inspired by 501 Jones' former tenant, JJ Russell: an adulterous Irishman who moved to SF to ink a divorce, then in 1923 opened up a bogus cigar shop where patrons who requested the right stogie were escorted downstairs to daintily sip moonshine. With space for 30 max, the candlelit parlor's done up with an alternating leather/antique mirror wall treatment, velvet-upholstered couches/chairs, and pressed-tin ceilings that accentuate both the stool-flanked bar and now-empty cigar cases (because moonshine's one thing, but cigars are pure evil). Like the Library, RR serves a selection of eleven B&B signatures (Revolver/Whiskey Apple Soda/El Diablo/Elderflower...), but it one-ups its larger counterpart by stocking two daily market-fresh specials (Salmon-tinis? Maybe next year).

Though RR's available for private parties (where you'll customize your own drink menu), on any other night the password "cigar" gets you in, unless they're at capacity -- in which case you'll wander the Tenderloin with men you have one thing in common with: nobody wants you in their bar.

Make a reservation at BourbonAndBranch.com

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