The Jack Rose Libation House was rooted in literary and local tradition. But it lived on the cutting edge of the craft-cocktail movement.

That five-year run ended this week. The popular bar and restaurant has closed, making way for a housing development on the rustic Highway 9 site known for decades as La Hacienda Inn and Restaurant.

The property, which was located in unincorporated Santa Clara County and held a Los Gatos address, was annexed in 2018 by Monte Sereno.

“Jack Rose is now closed,” a note on the website reads. “We wish to thank all our loyal customers for their patronage as well as the incredible team of employees which helped us garner awards such as Best Craft Cocktail bar in Silicon Valley for 4 years in a row. Thanks for the memories!”

The bar’s namesake cocktail was the Jack Rose, a potent and pretty drink known as the favorite of John Steinbeck, who once lived (and wrote) a half-mile from this site.

“We like to think that the writer, whether true or not, used to stroll down to the bar for a drink or two before going home to compose on his Hermes Baby typewriter,” the website says.

Besides making the Jack Rose, bartenders here became known in the South Bay as master mixologists who held classes on craft cocktails and made their own syrups and bitters. The bar itself was filled with literary memorabilia and its walls lined with quotes.

The list of special springtime cocktails read like a forecast of the Jack Rose bar’s fate: The Ides of March, Don’t Think Twice, Road to Nowhere, Trail to Riches.

On Instagram, fans posted “Noooooo!!” and “Sooooo sad!” messages and implored Jack Rose’s owners to reopen elsewhere.

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LETTERS: Facing fate of La Hacienda Inn with sadness One customer, Muse426, said: “Moved to Sacramento a year ago but made a special trip down 2 weeks ago for a farewell signature Jack Rose.

“Hope you uber-talented peeps find a new spot. The talent needs to carry on!!!”