Bourbon and Branch Team Opening a Berkeley Bar

Inside Bourbon & Branch. [Photo: ZagatBuzz/Flickr]

The guys behind Bourbon & Branch, Tradition, Swig, Cask and Local Edition have long been plotting an East Bay bar, and now, they've confirmed they've got one on the way in downtown Berkeley. Inside Scoop reports that Brian Sheehy and Doug Dalton's Future Bars group will be taking over the 4,000-square foot former Beckett's Irish Pub space and transforming it into Tupper & Reed by spring 2014.

The name Tupper & Reed springs from the location's 1910 incarnation as a music shop of the same name, and continues Future Bars' interest in establishing venues in historical locations (Local Edition's home in the former Examiner and Call printing room gives it its newspaper theme, while Tradition draws inspiration from nine different types of historical bars). Given its history, the new spot could incorporate some music-themed embellishments like sheet music and instruments, but only time will tell. Much like Bourbon & Branch, the new space will offer table reservations and tableside cocktail service, and will include a Berkeley outpost of Bourbon & Branch's popular Beverage Academy classes.

· Bourbon & Branch guys to open Tupper & Reed [Inside Scoop]
· All Bourbon & Branch coverage [~ ESF ~]