Openings

Local Edition, From the Bourbon & Branch Guys, Opens Thursday in the Hearst Building

Swanky new downtown digs.
Swanky new downtown digs. Photo: Urban Daddy

Grub Street broke the news about Local Edition last summer, and though we’ve been trying to get an update out of the Bourbon & Branch guys recently, Urban Daddy and Tablehopper beat us to the punch with word that the bar is opening way ahead of schedule this Thursday, April 12. As reported earlier, the bar replaces what was formerly The Manhattan Lounge in an underground space below the Hearst Building at 691 Market Street — the room was historically the printing room for William Randolph Hearst’s Examiner and The Call back in the day, thus the name Local Edition. And rather than a speakeasy theme, this time the retro theme will the 1950s, and the cocktail list from bar manager Ian Scalzo uses names of people and events from that era.

Much like Bourbon & Branch, there will be formal cocktail service, well-mixed drinks and reservations available. But Local Edition is much bigger than Bourbon & Branch or Rickhouse, with room for about 100, and thus they’ll be taking reservations for a dozen of the tables but allowing for walk-ins at the rest. (At the moment, the website says “no reservations required.”) Also, the bar is in the same building as Cask, which is also owned by the same team, Future Bars/Destination Bars.

Another fun fact: There are tables topped with marble that came out of Hearst Castle.

Look for them to be open on weekdays at 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. on Saturdays, with the possibility of a 4 p.m. happy hour starting next week.

Local Edition - 691 Market Street at Third - 415-795-1375 - Opening Thursday, April 12, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.; 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturdays.

Local Edition [Urban Daddy]
Local Edition Opening in Downtown This Thursday [Tablehopper]
Earlier: Bourbon & Branch/Rickhouse’s Latest Bar Project Has a New Name

Local Edition, From the Bourbon & Branch Guys, Opens Thursday in the Hearst