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If you dig deep enough, I imagine every hotel has a story to tell; however, few are as intriguing as San Francisco’s Sir Francis Drake. Centrally located on the cable car line in Union Square, it was the ideal place to stay today, but even more so during prohibition.

Lobby of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco California
Take a look at the lobby of the Sir Francis Drake. Can you spot where the secret prohibition room is hiding?

From our Arrival . . .

Doorman at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel
Legendary doorman Tom Sweeny greeted us. He is the most photographed man in San Francisco. (Tom Sweeny retired at the start of 2020)

Passing through the doors, the Sir Francis Drake Hotel captivated my imagination. It’s a classic.

Grand staircase at the entrance to the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco California
A long, elegant staircase led us up to the sophisticated, yet somewhat eclectically furnished lobby.
Lobby bar and reception at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco California
We headed to the reception desk for a smooth and easy check-in.
Staircase leading up from the lobby of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco California
I love the ornate detail of this staircase leading up from the lobby.

⇒ Check availability at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel

A valet escorts us to our room. As we enter the elevator bay, not a word is spoken of the secret prohibition room that is situated right over our heads.

Bullet Holes in the Ceiling of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel

It’s only later that we are told about the bullets still embedded in the upper lobby ceiling following a late 1920s wedding. “Was it a shotgun wedding?” I had to know. It turns out it wasn’t nearly that interesting. Rather an excited and happy father celebrating the marriage of his daughter during a strange era that revolved around organised crime and hidden alcohol.

Bullet holes in the ceiling at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco California
Bullets still embedded in the ceiling following a late 1920s wedding.

The Secret Prohibition Room in the Sir Francis Drake Hotel

Finally, it was a slow hour, and time for our private tour of the purpose-built prohibition room that isn’t found on any blueprints of the hotel. Constructed in 1928, the Sir Francis Drake is the only San Francisco hotel built during prohibition, and its owners recognised the opportunity.

Using a hidden keyhole on the original 1928 elevator, our guide took us up (effectively taking that elevator out of service for a bit). As we entered the prohibition room, he set the mood with an old record player and “speakeasy-style” music from the era. He explained the process that brought booze from Canada via bootleggers to the Moss Beach Distillery.

Booze was stored in suitcases in the secret prohibition room at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco California
From Moss Beach, it was hidden in luggage and brought into the hotel through the underground garage.

Using the same elevator that we had just been in, it was brought up and stored in this room. A few of the current lobby sprinklers cover the old peepholes that allowed the bellman to keep watch.

A secret prohibition room at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco California
“Word around town was that if you stayed at the Drake, you’d receive a bottle of booze when you checked in.”

The bellman also delivered the booze through small hollow doors that open on both sides, in the same manner as room service orders or dry-cleaning was sent up.

Historical information in the secret prohibition room at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco California
One more shot of some of the history displayed in the secret Prohibition room.

Our Room in the Sir Francis Drake Hotel

In case you are wondering, we loved our stay at the Sir Francis Drake. Our room was tastefully decorated and overlooked Union Square. We were located on an allergy-free floor, although like all Kimpton properties it is a pet-friendly location. We had a Grand Guestroom, and in similar fashion to the Kimpton properties we stayed at in Seattle and Portland, there was a bathrobe and yoga mat in the closet, interesting items in the mini bar, a fabulous hour-long wine reception at 5 pm nightly, a gym, and staff that treat everyone like they are special. The only downside was our bathroom that lacked a place outside of the shower to hang a towel, and barely had a counter large enough for our toothbrush.

Grand Guestroom in the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco California
The L-Shape of our Grand Guestroom made it difficult to photograph. I used the mirror to reflect the bed.

Practical Information on the Sir Francis Drake Hotel

  • The Sir Francis Drake is at 450 Powell Street in the Union Square neighbourhood of San Francisco, right on the cable car line. If you get a CityPASS, not only will you get into many of the classic San Francisco destinations, you will also get unlimited access to the cable cars.
  • For reservations, visit their official website or check for deals at Booking.com.
  • Be sure to join the (free) Kimpton Karma Club. Once a member you get free internet, accumulate points towards free nights, and can raid the mini bar to the tune of $10.
  • We try to stay in Kimpton properties whenever we are in the states.  If you want to get into the prohibition room, just ask nicely. It’s off the grid, and won’t be offered, but it’s not a secret anymore.

⇒ Check availability at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel

Sir Francis Drake Hotel Entertainment and Food

  • Scala’s Bistro, the attached restaurant severed a delicious breakfast and decent coffee.
  • The Starlight Room on the top floor is open for “cocktail culture, retro swank, and a buzz-worthy ambience” from 5 pm Tuesday to Saturday, closing at midnight during the week and 2 am on Friday and Saturday for dinner and dancing.
  • Sunday’s a Drag is a hilarious drag show complimented with a delicious brunch. The Starlight Room is the perfect setting to spend a few hours. Get there early for the best seats.
Drag Queen at Sunday's a Drag in the Starlight Room, San Francisco California
At “Sunday’s a Drag” comedy drag queen show.

Have you stayed at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel? Did you know there was a secret prohibition room? Have you had your photo taken with Tom Sweeney?

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Lobby of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco California A secret prohibition room at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco California

 

Disclaimer: As media guests of the hotel we were provided with a few extra benefits. However, the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

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Comments

    • I lived in San Francisco for 15 years, and the Sir Francis Drake was always the place I thought I would stay at if I came as a visitor. It lived up to all my expectations.

      Reply

  4. David would love this place. He is fascinated by the history of prohibition. As someone who loves wine he just can’t understand how a country could have banned alcohol, even having read about all the clever political tricks which the pro-prohibition lobby employed. I like the idea of an allergy free floor. D is seriously allergic to dogs making pet-friendly hotels a real problem for him.

    Reply

  7. San Francisco is my favorite city (so far), but I did not visit the Sir Francis Drake nor any other hotel. I stayed with my daughter. The hotel looks as if it must be a fun place. Perhaps I’ll return and visit it.

    Love,
    Janie

    Reply

  9. I was there. With you and your husband. We so enjoyed the hotel and the secret prohibition room. What a great slice of San Francisco history. I didn’t get my picture taken with the most photographed man in San Francisco though. Two out of three isn’t bad. Thank you for letting us be part of the secret prohibition room. We had no idea.

    Have a fabulous day. ☺

    Reply

    • I was so happy to finally meet you, after years of on-line sharing. I am glad you were a part of all of it too. Sorry you didn’t get your photo with Tom. You can keep my copy as you were there that weekend, so it’s almost the same thing.

      Reply

  14. Hi Rhonda – what an amazing place to stay at .. with such interesting history – gosh how wonderful you were able to see the room … and thanks for sharing with us … pity about the bathroom – I too get frustrated if there isn’t place for my washbag or space to swing a cat!

    Cheers Hilary

    Reply

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