Carlo is a hidden gem of a speakeasy with an atmosphere that immediately pulls you in and doesn't…read morelet go. The drinks were outstanding--creative, balanced, and clearly crafted with intention. I had the "Trials of the Gods" and ended up going back for more; each one was better than the last and kept me wanting another round. Great service, great vibe, and easily one of those places you don't forget. I'll definitely be back.

Swanky lil speakeasy in Mission hill, delivering solid cocktails with deeply complex yet balanced…read moreflavors. You can reserve ahead via Resy, no deposit. The only issue is the location is so busy, there's ever any available street car parking space. Located inside the mother restaurant, hidden discretely until the host lets you in. We tried their clarified milk punch variant, Phoenix rising which is their take on spicy marg, and a dessert drink - think tiramisu but with thai tea and coconut foam. We loved them all. Service is impeccable, space is immaculate. Overall 10/10.

This is my absolute fav spot in North Park! We've been coming here for years! Always love the vibe,…read moreambiance and well crafted cocktails. This stylish whiskey lounge features pool tables, darts, and live entertainment. It's always a good time here! Early birds are highly recommended, long lines of people form outside towards the end of the evening. There's definitely a trick to getting a drink- it's called push your way to the front (it's all part of the experience). For the most part, bartenders are quick, fast and efficient! Making great recommendations for first timers. We made a late night stop with friends after dinner. First round of cocktails- the legendary Old Fashioned! Because why the hell not? It's a classic- Bonded Bourbon, Aromatic Bitters, Sugar, Citrus Zest. Very smooth! Unfortunately, I did not take pics of our drinks (sowey), just enjoyed livin in the moment with great friends and good conversation! No doubt we'll be back soon and I'll post some pics of some their signature cocktails. Till then, cheers my friends!

Great whisky cocktails. If you're a whisky lover, this is definitely a place you'd want to check…read moreout. It's in the main stretch of North Park, but easily missed because of its muted external decor. The service is alright. I've had times when they're friendly and others when they're more standoffish (but not rude). It doesn't bother me. I'm there to spend time with a great glass of whisky and that's what I get every single time.

Pretty good place, lots of open air so it doesn't get too stuffy. Helpful staff and good music…read more(lots of early 2000s and today's pop). They did run out of water cups pretty early on in the night though.

Very fun spot with a great layout. I love coming here for hickies and dry humps (it's been my fav…read moreevent since the el Camino days) but the last "day party" was a bit of a bust in my opinion. The bathrooms were covered in throw up and the staff solution was to just close the door - I'm talking my multiple stalls and sinks. There were a lot of college kids who couldn't hold their liquor unfortunately. I think event maintenance could use a lot more work as they typically draw large crowds here now that the downtown scene has declined. Lines can be very long and wrapped around the building so if you're one of those people who waits an hour after an event start time to head over (like me), be prepared to wait again. Parking can be rough so be prepared to circle the block a few times unless you get lucky :)

Nothing beats a beautiful dinner followed by a nightcap at Georgette's, the hidden speakeasy tucked…read moreinside À L'Ouest. The atmosphere is dark, moody, and undeniably sexy, with a cozy scent that makes you want to linger. The mixologist crafted cocktails so good that one nightcap quickly turned into two. We grabbed seats at the bar, where the service was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. If you're looking to end the evening on a high note, Georgette's is the perfect place to settle in, sip an expertly made cocktail, and soak in the ambiance.

We had high hopes for this speakeasy after dining at their sister restaurant A'Louste (which we…read moreloved). There was a singer/pianist who played/sung beautifully. Our server was kind but we felt like she barely knew the cocktails when we would ask her questions. It was a busy night, & she took awhile to check in on us. For a speakeasy, you expect quality cocktails without the hassle of feeling rushed with the server, but this was not it. This felt like a regular bar & the cocktails were overly priced & nothing fancy.

Such a cute wine bar! Located right off the main street you would never guess this cozy little…read moreplace is there until you walk by. The interior is pretty tight so it's best for small groups. They have a few small tables in their outdoor patio too. We came for their Sunday happy hour from 2-7 where they had $7 glasses. Since our visit I saw this increased to $10. There was a choice of one white and one red. I went with the red. Very smooth and easy to drink. I will say I was a little disappointed that I looked up the wine after and it's something you can buy in a local store. We also got a round of spritzes and they were tasty and refreshing. Service was friendly and they were doing their best for quite a busy afternoon. It was just the owner and one other waitress helping. I'd definitely come back and try some other options.

I've been stalking this place for months on social media ever since I walked past the building and…read morefound out it was going to be a wine bar -- exactly what North Park needed. This little spot sits right next to Our Story, the cute boutique the owner also runs, which makes the whole corner feel extra charming. They're in their soft‑opening weeks, and we were so excited to finally come in. We stopped by with our pup Enzo on Valentine's Day right when they opened and were seated on their small outdoor patio. Our waitress was friendly and helpful, and we were immediately obsessed with their wide selection of natural wines -- our go‑to style. We each sampled two options and chose from those. Their list features wines from all over, and we were thrilled to see bottles from Valle de Guadalupe, our favorite wine region. The glasses were beautiful, the pours were amazing, and we loved hearing that many of the bottles are available to purchase to‑go. This is absolutely going to be our new spot for grabbing a great bottle on the way home. We were lucky enough to meet the owner, who was so kind, approachable, and clearly passionate about this space. You can feel how much love went into creating it. The interior is beautiful and intimate -- high‑end, thoughtful details everywhere, and it even smells lovely inside. Rumi, we are so excited to have you in the neighborhood. Us -- and our pup Enzo -- can't wait to become regulars.

The five stars is solely for the cocktails! The vibe, service, music, and food is also good but I…read morewould 100% come back for their drinks. So damn good. Their take on an espresso martini and carajillo is the best version of an espresso martini I've had in San diego hands down. Do not sleep on it if you are an espresso martini girl. Ugh I was no joke dreaming about it. Food portions are small so definitely the type of place where the cocktails are the main star and food are the supporting actors.

The theme of this place was so fun! I loved seeing the anime references and the cool art for each…read moredrink in the menu. The interior design was beautiful, but they also have a little outdoor patio. I appreciated the warm lighting inside and the cozy color scheme (greens and maroons). The Heads Will Roll drink was delicious! I don't like drinks too fruity. This was a sweet drink but it was very balanced, not overpowering, and strong compared to the taste. The server was nice. But it took a while after we finished our drinks to get the check and pay. There were lots of other guest there though.

I been wanting to come here for the longest! Finally made it here, and a time was sure had!!…read more The menu is super confusing but we just said mommies without children on a time crunch before they get off school! Lol. $38 mimosa tower with 3 bottles. Count us sold! The Brussel sprouts were crispy and not overly sauced, def a bar food to order and pick on while drinking!

We were looking for a quick bite to eat before going to grab drinks and decided to stop into 619…read moreSpirits North Park. It wasn't too busy so we were able to walk in and seat ourselves. - PARKING - North Park is always tough with finding a parking spot but we just circled around until we got one walkable distance away. - SERVICE/ENVIRONMENT - We were greeted promptly after sitting down and since we were waiting on friends to join, we delayed ordering but the staff was very attentive the moment they came in. After ordering we got our food pretty soon after. It's dimly lit inside but you can still see one another across the tables. They also have sports playing on the TVs. - FOOD - Honey Brussels Sprouts: Pretty crispy but it was slightly overly honey-ed for me. Some clumps had way too much honey and I felt like I was just getting a spoonful of sweetness. Wings: Standard chicken wings, but the Lemon Pepper Seasoning was way too heavy, so it was pretty salty for some bites. Fried Chicken Sandwich: Loved the tater tots - super crispy just like I like them! The chicken sandwich was just OK for me - the chicken itself was a little dry, but the seasonings were good. - OVERALL - Just an OK spot for bites and drinks. I don't know if I'd come back but if everywhere else was too busy, I wouldn't mind stopping in.

I plan to come back to San Diego every few months, and since I'm a creature of habit, I'm looking…read morefor something that I can do every single time. I'm really glad that I found Oculto because it has been one of the highlights of my San Diego trip. First of all, the concept of the seven deadly sins is really cool. The space is absolutely moody, intimate, and thoughtfully designed. It has an atmosphere that makes you want to slow down and enjoy your drink rather than rush through it. And since I don't really drink, I was definitely going slow. And I was alone, but the good part was I found myself just taking it all in instead of reaching for my phone. I started with an espresso martini-style cocktail that was smooth, balanced, and the perfect way to ease into the evening. For my second drink, I asked for the bartender's choice, and it ended up being one of my favorite cocktails I've had in a long time. It featured lychee, strawberry, and cardamom, and was garnished with a beautiful little rose. It was creative, elegant, and every flavor worked together perfectly. The cocktails were outstanding, but what really made the experience stand out was the service. Devin was an excellent bartender and an amazing conversationalist. He was warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely engaging, making me feel welcome from the moment I sat down. He took the time to craft a drink based on flavors I enjoy, and it was clear he cares about creating a great experience, not just serving drinks. If you're looking for a cocktail bar with incredible drinks, a gorgeous atmosphere, and exceptional hospitality, I can't recommend Oculto enough. I'll absolutely be back the next time I'm in San Diego.

The self-appointed king of speakeasies is back at it with another one. I stopped by Oculto 477 on a…read moreWednesday evening an hour before close. Located in Old Town San Diego, we had dinner at a restaurant within walking distance from Oculto. I parked for free on the street and made a reservation day of. It's a pretty small speakeasy so if you're going on a weekend, you're probably going to have to make a reservation in advance. Ambiance (4.5/5): Oculto has the seven deadly sins theme going which is pretty cool. I've been to a similar speakeasy in St. Pete, Florida. Once you arrive at the mezcal bar that houses Oculto, check in with the host, and he will bring you to a "confessional." There, you must confess one of the seven deadly sins before the door to the speakeasy is opened for you. Naturally, I went with "lust." Once you get inside, it's a charming speakeasy. Service (2.5/5): This is one of the areas that leaves a little to be desired. There was only one bartender working when I was there. Since speakeasies have elevated cocktails, service was quite slow. They definitely needed two bartenders there to speed up the process. They also have a two-drink minimum which I was annoyed about on principle. I often have multiple drinks at a bar, but I never feel like I'm forced to do it. Food (N/A): I'm not sure if they have food, I don't believe they do. Regardless, I was on a liquid diet. Drinks (4/5): Pretty interesting menu of craft cocktails. When I'm at a speakeasy, I look for unique drinks that have an interesting combination of ingredients and flavor profiles. In addition to a nice list, they also have a dealer's choice cocktail where you can tell the bartender what you're into and they will craft a custom cocktail for you based on your taste. Another cool thing about Oculto is that it's located next to the cemetery in Old Town. That adds to the spooky theme.