The newest bar from the Bourbon & Branch/Rickhouse boys just swung open its doors last night, in the middle of a rainstorm, and there was immediately a line down the block. It’s called Local Edition, and it’s an awesome, underground space in what was formerly the printing room for William Randolph Hearst’s Examiner, in the basement of the Hearst Building at Third and Market. It’s also a massive space, way larger than the other bars in the Future Bars/Destination Bars empire, and thus only one section of seating (twelve tables) will be reservable, B&B-style.;
The design team has covered the walls in heavy velvet curtains and decorated the place with vintage typewriters, and there’s a little alcove devoted to historical issues of the Examiner and The Call, with items like the newspaper from opening day of the Golden Gate Bridge displayed under glass.
The drink list includes a bevy of new concoctions named for people, events, and things associated with the 1950s, which is the era of imbibing from which this bar takes its inspiration. But, as always, you can expect things to be spirit-driven, classically inspired, and well mixed.
And you should know that the empire is still expanding: In a few weeks they’ll also be opening Tradition at 441 Jones, in the former 441 Club space that’s been referred to as Mr. Lew’s for the last year.
Local Edition - 691 Market Street at Third - 415.795.1375 - Open Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturday, 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Closed Sunday
Earlier: Local Edition, From the Bourbon & Branch Guys, Opens Thursday in the Hearst Building
Local Edition, a New Bar From the Bourbon & Branch/Rickhouse Team, Coming to Downtown
