How Searching for hidden bars in san francisco led me to The Beacon Grand Hotel

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my love affair with hotels and bourbon led to an unbelievable discovery of Weller Single Barrel, the Orange Label, while searching hotels with hidden bars in San Francisco.

Updated May 12, 2024

The search for hidden bars in San Francisco


Ahhh…bourbon. I have a love affair with bourbon, and while on a business trip, I was on a mission to find hidden bars in San Francisco with good bourbons. This affair started with migraines. I began gravitating to bourbon whiskey because it didn’t contribute to them. How does this connect with The Beacon Grand Hotel and its hidden bar in San Francisco? Bare with me a moment. I’ll get to that.

I do not confess to being a bourbon expert. However, I am an expert on what I like. One thing rings true—I love Weller, any Weller.

W.L. Weller is part of the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky. Think Blanton’s and Pappy Van Winkle, who are also part of this family—and excellent bourbons.

My first intro to Weller was the Green Label (I tend to call them by their label colors), Special Reserve. My husband had picked up a bottle of Weller 12 Year for a friend, and for the trouble, this friend gave us a bottle of Weller Special Reserve in return. But our friends’ interest in Weller made me wonder what it was all about, so thus began my Weller adventures.

Fast forward to my second bottle of Weller, the Red Label, Antique 107. I loved this more than the Special Reserve. It was intense and bold. They bottle it at 107 proof! I needed to include an ice cube in my glass. But that ice cube opened it up for me. It had more flavor and more aroma.

For my birthday, remember that bottle my husband picked up for his friend? Well, he found it for me. It was the Black Label, Weller 12 Year. It was the finest bourbon I had tasted so far in my bourbon journey. I could drink it neat, sipping, sniffing, and observing its beauty. I loved it.

As I travel for work, I always look for Weller, any Weller. Sometimes I put it in my Old Fashioned. Sometimes I drink it neat. Sometimes it’s on ice.

I stayed at the Beacon Grand Hotel on my recent trip to San Francisco. While I was searching for a hotel online, their website said that they had a “special room” called “The Hidden Library” with “rare bourbons.” What?! I’m searching for unique hotels and hidden bars in San Francisco and came across both? That was it. I was staying here.

After checking in, my colleague and I dropped our bags in each room and made a beeline to The Library, thank goodness my colleague shares my fascination with bourbon too. The Library has a small chamber with many bourbons displayed in locked cabinets. Among the many different bourbons stocked, they also had the Weller Special Reserve (Green Label), the Weller 12 Year (Black Label), and an Orange Label! I’d never seen an orange label! What the heck was that?!

As we sat at our table, our waiter said we could taste ANY bourbon in that room. I confirmed, “any?”. The answer was yes. Out came the glasses and that Orange Label Weller. It was Weller Single Barrel. And was it ever tasty. I savored every sip.

A bottle or orange lable Single Barrel Weller with two glasses on the table from the hidden bar in the Grand Beacon Hotel
a glass of bourbon sitting on top of a menu at the hidden bar in San Francisco at the Grand Beacon Hotel
at the hidden bar in San Francisco with rare bourbon Weller Single Barrel and an Old Fashion

Discovering these sometimes hard-to-find bourbons on travels, even locally, is an excellent way to try and taste bourbons without having to buy a bottle.

I have a Blue Label, Weller Full Proof, sitting on my bourbon shelf, waiting to be opened. A few of his brothers are also there; a tasting flight is in the works—Special Reserve, Antique 107, Full Proof, and 12 Year. I’m missing the White Label, Weller C.Y.B.P., and now, of course, the Orange Label, Weller Single Barrel. But maybe one day. I’ll settle on tasting while traveling, a little here and a little there, for now. What can be better?

The hotel

After enjoying some Weller whiskey at The Post Room, the primary restaurant at The Beacon Grand Hotel, I made my way to my room. The room was luxurious and comfortable, with hardwood floors adorned with area rugs, a cozy bed, and custom wallpaper. I fell in love with the wallpaper that had streetcars and Golden Gate Bridge etchings on it. It was a unique detail that you might miss if you’ve had too much whiskey downstairs. Nevertheless, it added a special touch to the room that made it even more charming.

“The most remarkable feature of the hotel is undoubtedly its grand entrance. I wonder if the name “Grand” comes from this entrance because it is absolutely breathtaking. The ornate railings, beautiful woodwork, and the ceiling are all stunning. However, I was slightly surprised to see that the ceiling had been painted white. When I stayed here years ago, it was still the Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel, and the ceiling had ornate paintings. Nevertheless, I think it was a good decision, as it makes the space feel more fresh and airy while still being extravagant. It’s a new life for an old hotel.”

Bottom line

“I discovered this hidden bar in San Francisco that led me to a luxurious hotel experience. Not only did I have a great night’s stay at a luxury hotel, but I also had an amazing bourbon experience. If you’re like me, looking for a fantastic bourbon, great hotel stay, and an overall fabulous experience in San Francisco, then look no further than The Beacon Grand Hotel.”

If you like this, you may also enjoy A Boutique Hotel In Indianapolis, IN and Best Boutique Hotels In The US.

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