The Branca Room

Tucked away behind Chimichurri Argentinian Bistro & Bar in the Bishop Arts District, The Branca Room is a hidden lounge that celebrates vermouth, amaro, and creative cocktail storytelling. To reach it, guests pass through the dining room and wine cellar, then slip through a discreet door. After 10:30 pm, there’s also a back-alley route (between W 7th and W 8th Street) marked by a glowing red light above the door. Once inside, the space feels small and cozy, with walls adorned in Argentine art, vintage posters, photography, and lighting that encourages whispered conversations. The drink philosophy leans heavily on vermouth, fortified wines, and bitter spirits. The menu is compact (about 12 cocktails) but inventive, blending house-made vermouth, amaro, port, floral liqueurs and spirits in theatrical presentations. Examples include Seven Society (rum, amaro, blueberries & sage), Amaro Transfusion (vermouth, port, jasmine liqueur, rye in an IV bag presentation), Rosae Crucis (mezcal, amaro, lavender) and Knights of Pythias (vodka, sake, yuzu, marmalade) among others. Though small, the vibe is energetic and intentional — music plays lightly, bartenders move with purpose, and the atmosphere feels alive but not overwhelming. Patrons often praise the quality of the cocktails, the ambiance, and the sense of discovering something special. In short: The Branca Room is a hidden, artful cocktail lab with a focus on vermouth and amaro, wrapped in an intimate atmosphere and built for those who delight in depth, discovery, and drink as narrative.