> (Hint: go ahead and start interviewing and have semi-serious job leads before this talk)

I think this bit of advice is at odds with OP's statement: "I don’t think I’d come across very well (or as sharp as I usually) in interviews at the moment without a break."

I was quite burned out at my previous job, as well, and decided (against most people's advice) to quit without an offer. I had similar "I'd rather give it a shot at being a bartender than write more code" thoughts. I was unemployed for a few months, but ultimately ended up with a few good offers. Leaving without a backup was definitely the right choice in my case.