Bourbon & Branch is a speakeasy themed bar located in San Francisco, California. The bar illegally operated as a functional speakeasy during the Prohibition from 1921-1923 under the name “The Ipswitch - A Beverage Parlor.” In 1923, a young man named John J. Russell bought the speakeasy and continued operating the bar under the front “JJ Russell’s Cigar Shop.” The speakeasy was never under suspicion by the Prohibition authorities.
The new logotype for Bourbon & Branch features hand-done typography inspired by their rich and unique history. The lettering features a serifed font influenced by the typography of the 1920’s and 30’s found on alcohol bottles, cigar boxes, etc. The form of the logotype was inspired by old cigar bands, again tying to Bourbon & Branch’s history as a faux cigar shop. The shape resembles a seal of sorts, lending a sense of elegance and prestige, tying into the interior decor, while the grunge texture conveys the long history and story of the bar.
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