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Take a Trip Inside the Beehive, a Mad Men Era Lounge Now Open on Valencia

Minus the indoor chain smoking

by Caleb Pershan
Photography by Patricia Chang
Patricia Chang

The Beehive, a followup to trendsetting restaurant and cocktail bar Range in the same space, is now open and ready for swarms of patrons at 842 Valencia Street. ’60s style hairdos will fit in nicely with the Beehive’s decor, a throwback designed by Floriana Interiors and Beehive partner Steve Werney. They’ve touched up the 2,300-square-foot bar and lounge space with Jonathan Adler sputnik chandeliers, copious mirrors and wallpapers, walnut paneling, and even a vintage fridge full of soda pop.

The Beehive opens onto a 13-seat bar area with high top tables for 20. Beyond that is a back lounge with low-slung couch seating and room for 50. A VIP back booth, dubbed the Honeycomb Hideout, has capacity for one lucky party of four (behind a velvet curtain for privacy) and can be booked out in advance.

The back lounge area at the Beehive
Patricia Chang

Along with Werney, partners Phil West and Arnold Eric Wong opened the Beehive, which features era-specific food like Swedish meatballs, pigs in a blanket, and fondue. Those bites, from West, Wong, and executive chef Byron Gee, complement contemporary cocktails with old-school flourishes from lead bartender Emilio Salehi and Carlos Yturia (of the Treasury and White Cap). There’s a dedicated highball menu for ‘60s verisimilitude plus more playful cocktails like a Tang-based slushy spiked with vodka and manzanilla sherry called the Gemini.

A Bikini Drifter (Havana Club Blanco, Mount Gay Black Barrel, coconut, pineapple, Anchan Chamomile Falernum)
Patricia Chang
The front bar area at the Beehive
Patricia Chang
Rising Sun (Dewar’s 12, Pear, Vermouth Blend, Licor 43, Amontillado)
Patricia Chang
Wallpaper with a three-dimensional touch
Patricia Chang
A booth with honeycomb inspired wallpaper at the bar
Patricia Chang

Cheddar and piquillo pepper mezcal fondue with potatoes, broccoli, carrots, and bread for dips
Patricia Chang
Another view of the front bar area
Patricia Chang
Roasted beets with pistachio dukkha and farmers cheese
Patricia Chang
Walnut features and mirrors in the back lounge
Patricia Chang
A working vintage fridge
Patricia Chang
Ipanema Gold (Avuá Amburana Cachaça, mango, makrut leaf, lime, yogurt)
Patricia Chang
A sputnik chandelier
Patricia Chang
The back lounge has room for around 50
Patricia Chang

The Beehive is open Monday to Wednesday, 5 p.m. to 12 a.m., Thursday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., Friday and Saturday from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., with the kitchen closing an hour before the bar.

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The Beehive

842 Valencia Street, , CA 94110 (415) 306-8209 Visit Website

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