Since it was on our way home.... The hubby and I tried the speakeasy Forbidden Cove. Great service (they were able to squeeze us in). It was such a great experience. The drinks were top notch. The kahlua pork sliders were yummy. The atmosphere was super chill. You need a miniature tiki totem pole to enter the secret door. That was EXTRA cool. * Hawaiian Mai Tai * Lychee Moon * Banana Chi Chi * Krunky Punch * Kahlua Pork Sliders w/ Macaroni Salad & Sunomono Salad #DiningWithTheAndersons #Speakeasy #ForbiddenCove #AdultShenanigans #TryingNewPlaces read more

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Be prepared to bring multiple forms of ID if you want to go here. I had been here once before few months ago where I had a good experience. I came here again last night with friends and began to check in for our reservation with the bartender (the same bartender who had let me in the last time I was here). He spent a long time inspecting my CA REAL ID before going into the back. He returned and said he can't let me in since he doesn't trust my ID. He said store policy is that they have to be able to feel the imprint on your license's signature, which even he admitted that he could, but it was too faded so he wouldn't let me in. I showed him matching credit cards, Costco membership, and CA DMV mobile drivers license, but he still refused and pleaded ignorance. He gave me my driver's license back and said I'm lucky because he normally keeps fakes (thanks for the empty threat). In reality, he knew my license was legitimate and didn't want to have the cops called on him. This place really needs to update their policies and train their staff better on how to identify legitimate IDs. I'm definitely not gong to bother coming here again and will make sure I recommend others not to come here. read more

What a fun night. Met up with some friends and we all had a blast They give you a tiki key that opens up to a secret door and opens up into a fun tiki lounge. This place is super cute and fun. The decor is funky and cool all at the same time. Our waitress was super sweet and knowledgeable. She definitely contributed to our fun night. The drinks were fun and tasty. My favorite was the Banana Chi Chi. Thank you Forbidden Cove for your hospitality, fun drinks and night. read more

Forbidden Cove - Outside - Tiki Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Really fun experience. The are itself is on the small side so don't think you're going to spread out on a table. The food was really good as well. read more

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The Forbidden Cove is a great place to stop for a drink and start you Saturday night off before heading over to the Convoy distract. Lots of great drinks to choose from on the menu there and services is excellent. Do yourself a favor and add this to your itinerary for a great night read more

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Decided to try a speakeasy for Valentine's Day and went to Forbidden Cove. We had to go to the bar of the restaurant to get our "key" for the speakeasy. It was a small tiki statue. As we entered, I found the ambience to be really nice. The lights added a nice touch to the Hawaiian theme. Wifey and I both got the Keawakapu Old Fashioneds. We love our traditional no frills Old Fashioneds but we also love when they put a little twist on the classic and we were both happy with them. As far as food we got the Teriyaki Ckn nachos, the pork tacos and the pork sliders. All 3 were acceptable food fare. All in all we had a very nice experience at Forbidden Cove read more

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Such fun. We were allowed access immediately upon check in. It's a small place so reservations are almost always needed. The four of us had a blast. Our server was on top of things and made sure we had a good time. They even gave us a complimentary order of nachos! The drinks were superb. The atmosphere is fun and the vibe is chill. 100% go here kinda place. read more

Forbidden Cove - Tiki Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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I came here once years and years ago and due to licensing, all they were able to serve was beer. Fast forward to now and, apparently, they sorted out the license stuff because although Forbidden Cove is hidden behind the bar at Kilowatt, there isn't a single beer on the menu. Great decor, friendly service and you need a tiki key to gain access. Fun stuff. Yours truly had a Navy Grog and a Zombie and there was enough rum between them put Captain Jack Sparrow into a coma. Perfect. Plenty of parking in the Kilowatt lot which is a bit of a rarity in this hood. Full bar at Kilowatt too now, not just beer. Although I didn't try any, they also serve food. I'll be back. read more

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Services here is exceptional. The ambience is real fun like your at Disneyland. this is one of our favorite places. read more

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Cute little speakeasy inside of Kilowatt Brewing. I got the Royal Hawaiian and the description is exactly what I expected - not too sweet but also has hints of a pastry. Making reservations is a must and totally worth it. Also, they serve food - a huge plus, especially when you're drinking strong cocktails. read more

Forbidden Cove - Royal Hawaiian - Tiki Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

I hosted my retirement/60th bday here and it was fabulous! The staff and management went above and beyond to make the event special. I truly had the time of my life! The drinks are strong and tasty! We had around 25 people and it never felt crowded nor did we wait very long for drinks despite there being just one bartender. She Rocked!! The vibe is just fun!! To top it off the pricing was reasonable. Hard to find these days! Highly recommend for your next event. read more

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Cute speakeasy. So easy to miss when you are inside the brewery. I love how you need a tiki to open the door. Cool vibes, bartender very attentive and good menu is creative. read more

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I could sip on Forbidden Cove's banana chi chi all night long - where else can you enjoy a coconut creme, falurnum and cachaca delight garnished with a bona fide banana dolphin?! This immersibe tiki themed speakeasy can be a challenge to access when Kilowatt is busy, as you have to flag down multitasking bar staff to furnish the key. However, once you arrive you're transported to a completely different realm decked out in island and nautical themed components everywhere you look. Service was very kind, the drink menu has many Rum-forward concoctions, and there are some simple yet interesting looking food menu items that we didn't try since we ate beforehand. After doubling up on the chi chis, I was in tropical paradise for the rest of the evening. read more

Forbidden Cove - Tiki Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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My friend and I came to Forbidden Cove for the first time tonight. We had an awesome experience! We thoroughly enjoyed the company of the bartender and Kilowatt's owner, who were both down-to-earth and having a good time. The cocktails were really good. We tried a few different offerings, plus some off-menu drinks that were fantastic. Everything seemed well-prepared and mixed, and the taste was balanced and delicious. The bar itself is purposefully kitschy, not something ostentatious like you might find at a Consortium Holdings bar. It's spacious, well-curated (in a fun and friendly kind of way), and has a homey feel that doesn't exude any pretension whatsoever. This is a real-deal, down-to-earth tiki bar that brought back memories of ex-pat bars in Vietnam and southern Thailand. Kilowatt's owner was exceptionally friendly and welcoming, offering my friend and I some sips of limited rums he had. They were some of the best rums I've ever tasted. He also gave us a rundown of the contexts surrounding the rums which was very cool, to say the least. I highly recommend trying this place out. I'd even go so far as to say that it's more fun than some of the more well-known Kearny Mesa speakeasies like 52 Remedies and Convoy Music Bar. While those places are great and excel at what they do in their niche, they're not nearly as down-to-earth, welcoming, and spacious as Forbidden Cove. read more

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Forbidden cove is a speakeasy with a tiki bar vibe. Upon arrival, we encountered a hostess who was not flexible with us being late, even though we did call ahead to notify. Instead of finding a solution, it did give us a frustrating feeling. Thankfully, Jorge (chef) truly saved the day and uplifted our moods and experience. He assured us that we could still continue with our reservation. He was professional, kind and good fun! We were celebrating a birthday and Jorge surprised us with an Ube cheesecake. Delish. This was a Saturday evening and surprisingly there were a couple of tables. read more

Forbidden Cove - Tiki Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Tucked inside Kilowatt Brewing, Forbidden Cove is a hidden gem with a seriously immersive vibe. The ambiance alone is worth the visit with its trippy island escape meets glowing tiki dream theme. The lighting, decor, and atmosphere totally transport you. The food was a standout. We tried the pork nachos and sliders and both were absolutely delicious. Perfectly portioned and packed with flavor. We also shared the Scorpion, a glowing, fruity cocktail that's as fun to look at as it is to drink and definitely made for sharing and Instagram-worthy FOMO pictures. We visited for a special birthday, and while you have a chance to indicate the occasion, the servers don't really do anything for the occasion for you, so you're on your own. Definitey not looking for freebies, but even a "Happy Birthday" to the birthday girl would've been sweet. Also worth noting: it was on the pricier side, and it got pretty hot and stuffy inside, which made things a bit uncomfortable at times. That said, between the ambiance, unique drinks, and solid food, I'd still come back. Forbidden Cove is a cool experience overall, especially if you're looking for a fun, vibey night out with something different from the usual bar scene. read more

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I don't really write reviews but I feel like this is warranted. I went in last week with my boyfriend 5/16 and had an amazing time here. We went to Forbidden Cove, then after hung out in the brewery side for a bit because my boyfriend wanted to have beer. I still got a cocktail! The atmosphere was great, drinks were on point, and the service really stood out. I especially wanted to mention the bartender on the brewery side. I watched him handle a situation with a customer whose ID wasn't valid, and the guy gave him a really hard time about it. Even with all that, he stayed completely professional, kept a positive attitude, and never let it affect how he treated anyone else. It's easy to be friendly when everything's going smoothly, but seeing someone stay calm and respectful under pressure says a lot. Huge respect for the professionalism and hospitality. Definitely looking forward to coming back. Wish I remembered the bartenders name or I would definitely mention it. read more

It was very easy to make a reservations same day on a Saturday. When you arrive at Kilowatt we checked in with the bartender. My bf and I wanted a place with food and drinks. I would say come for the drinks and the vibes but the food was mid. When we first got there at 730pm it was dead but started filling up around 8pm. Drinks- I started with the Lapu Lapu and then second drinks was the Jungle Bird. If you like Campari , I enjoyed the Jungle Bird more. Food wise got the plate with the pork - not much flavor. We got the spam nachos which I liked more between the two. read more

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The cutest neon tiki bar-speakeasy in the Clairemont Mesa area. The servers were very friendly and the drinks were strong. It was pretty empty the day I visited, and the reservation system was straightforward. Even the yuzu cheesecake was great as well. read more

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I'm a big fan of speakeasies. I enjoy a nice cocktail in a low-key location that is not overly packed. As soon as I showed up at Forbidden Cove, I knew it was my vibe. It's a little difficult to find, but nothing I wouldn't expect from a speakeasy. The staff is extremely friendly. The drink menu is robust. If you don't see a drink you like on the menu, they can customize orders based on your interest. Personally, I tried the Jardin Rojo and the Mardi's Hot Honey. I recommend the Jardin Rojo. The music and ambiance were fantastic. They played songs from the last 10-20 years but put a twist on them as if they were made during the Prohibition Era, which fits perfectly with the bar theme and vibe. I haven't seen too many speakeasies with a tiki theme but I liked the setup of this spot. I did not get a chance to try the food as I ate dinner before arriving. But the menu looked good and the food delivered to people around me looked delicious. I would absolutely return to try other drinks and to taste their food. read more

Forbidden Cove - Views - Tiki Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

The decor here is pretty cool/fun, but I wasn't impressed by the whole experience. It was insanely loud with the music they played and with how close we were sitting next to other people. The drinks are annoying. 90% of them are similar to one another in their ingredients and I assume, the overall flavor. I get having a tiki theme, but you can come up with more creative and not overly complicated drinks. I tried their X-15 (Saturn) and was not a fan, though it was pretty to look at. The little origami birds they have for the drinks are insanely adorable. Very cute, small detail. I also got their Chocolate Mousse to try (added blackberry puree to it). Holy cow this was soo good! I gave an extra star for this dessert alone. I would come back here for this and skip the drinks next time. I'm curious about the food as well, so I'd be willing to try something next time too. read more

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Forbidden Cove has a fairly strong first impression. The decor is great, and the speakeasy-style key and entrance setup is a fun touch that sets the mood right away. Once inside and seated, though, I noticed there were two lighting modes. One is a standard intimate low light that works well. The other is a much darker black-light style that makes it surprisingly difficult to read the menu or even to clearly see the food. You can spot this in some of the photos people have posted. It looks cool, but it is not always practical. The food was decent enough, and the drinks tasted good overall, though they do use a lot of ice, so the bang for buck isn't really there. Service and presentation were good, and the theme is clearly something they put effort into. My biggest critique is the music. I have been to another speakeasy in San Diego that had a similar issue, where the playlist just did not match the environment. Here, instead of tiki or laid-back island-style music, or even contemporary tracks that fit that relaxed vibe, the music leaned heavily into club and hip-hop. There is nothing wrong with that music on its own; it just does not match the atmosphere they have created. read more

Pineapple strawberry and homemade ginger syrup with vodka.. this was a drink that we had and it was amazing! Service was amazing!! The ambiance is so fun when they turn on the storm lights and effects. Absolutely love this place! read more

Forbidden Cove - Tiki Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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This place was super fun! We walked into the surfer themed bar, told the guy at the bar that we were looking for the speakeasy, he went to check in on the availability, and then got us the key and told us how to use it. We walked over to the spot he told us to go to, and spent a good several minutes investigating how to use that key to get into the speakeasy. When we walked in, it was like we were transported to a different universe - a super fun tiki themed party. The waitress directed us to a table and gave us the menu. She was kind enough to answer questions and explain several drinks. The drinks were great and quite strong, which, in my experience is typical for a tiki bar. So everything was up to expectations for me, though one of my friends had a hard time with their drink , just a heads up for those who are lighter drinkers. read more

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I've not had good luck with food at speak easy until Forbidden Cove. I loved every aspect of my meal. I had the kalua pork plate and I practically licked the plate clean. They give you a choice of three sides and I swear next time I'm having the chips and salsa for all three. I loved that salsa. I came here with my Tiki Lady group so we took over the entire place. You get an hour and a half. Didn't seem to be enough time as we were all enjoying ourselves so much. Go check it out for yourself. read more

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My husband and I went to Forbidden Cove a few weeks ago. We made a reservation online and arrived on time. We were confused at first, because we happened to get there right as a large group was already walking into the secret area near the main entrance. Not knowing better (we didn't realize the door was supposed to be locked), we walked in behind them. We waited inside the speakeasy area for about 10 minutes before an employee noticed us. We told him we had a reservation, and he brusquely asked us if we had a key. We didn't know what he was talking about. He tersely told us to leave and get a key from the Kilowatt bartender. When we went over there, it was difficult to get the bartender's attention. She was very nice but kept disappearing into the back between taking other people's drink orders. Once we eventually got her attention, she said our seat in the speakeasy wasn't ready yet. We waited for 15-20 minutes before we were given a key to open the secret door. We walked back over to the speakeasy and waited another 5-10 minutes before being seated. The same employee who had been brusque with us earlier seemed less annoyed this time. We didn't have to wait long to order food and drinks, and the service was reasonably quick. The food and drinks were good but not amazing. After we were seated, we had an overall pleasant but not particularly memorable experience. The part before we were seated felt a little confusing and stressful. Some of it was just unfortunate timing, since typically people wouldn't have access to the speakeasy area as soon as they arrive. However, the experience would have been more enjoyable if the staff didn't initially seem so curt and inaccessible. I'm guessing they were understaffed. We felt bad for bothering them. Nothing was really anyone's fault, but the vibe felt awkward. Maybe it was a bad day for the employees. read more

We made a last minute reservation this Friday night and wasn't aware that it was a speakeasy! One of the employee checked us in and handed us the key to speakeasy. The door was near the entrance (nearby the restrooms) behind the giant fridge. Inside of the speakeasy was pretty cool, lots of ambient lighting with tropical rainforest sound. We tried the Jardin Rojo and Banana Chi Chi. I liked that the drinks weren't too sweet, I could taste the alcohol but not too strong. We had a late reservation (11pm) so we didn't get to check out the whole place too much but I think there was also an upstairs section. read more

Forbidden Cove - Tiki Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

The decorations were fun, drinks were good and fairly accurate tiki bar drinks, the outdoor seating was fun. Parking was painful, we got lucky with a handicap pass. read more

Great little tucked away spot with free parking. For food we ordered the Poke Tapas which were really good! To wash it down we drank a Keawakapu Old Fashioned and a Lapu Lapu. The Old Fashioned had that classic taste but with a chocolatey finish- hard to describe but still very good. Lapu Lapu is a sweet drink that barely tastes like alcohol. Overall experience was wonderful with even better service! read more

Forbidden Cove - Keawakapu Old Fashioned & Lapu Lapu - Tiki Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

I came here during happy hour. This place honestly has a really fun vibe. David who was serving us was really great! I was actually impressed with his service. He made the drinks really good! All of the staff here are really nice though. But David indeed made a lasting impression. The food was good. The drinks were good. A lot of different options. Even the menu items have a good set of choices. Place I would say is well maintained, was clean. I would definitely come back. Parking is not an issue. Is definitely a spot to check out. I recommend putting it on your check places out list. read more

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Forbidden Cove is your quintessential tiki bar! Everything you can think of that is needed for a tiki bar, they got it! A lot of cocktails and food options. Pretty standard prices leaning slightly on the upper side but I like the variety. I got the missionary's downfall blended which I enjoyed and would get again. Came on a Friday night but was surprised that it wasn't too busy. No reservation and they were able to take my gf and I easily. Service was solid and we got our drinks and water pretty quick. Water was ok and they give it to you in a small class so I kept getting refills. The entrance to the speakeasy is fun and hidden somewhere inside Kilowatt Brewery. The speakeasy itself isn't too large but saw multiple groups of 4-6 people while we were there and didn't feel too crowded. Heard it can get packed so maybe just got lucky! Overall, if I wanted tiki bar vibes, this is a solid spot! read more

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If you're looking for a cute Hawaiian theme speakeasy this place is the place to go. Their drinks are super strong and super delicious. Also, they have some small bites that are also Hawaiian theme highly recommend this place for anyone who is looking for A cute place to grab some drinks read more

Forbidden Cove - Mai tai - Tiki Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

You walk into a brewery and you're supposed to ask for help getting into the speakeasy which I didn't read the instructions so that was my bad I was just acting like it was an escape room trying to enter pressing random barrels lol and it's much more simpler if you ask! The inside is so cute and decorated nicely. There's some sound effects of like a thunderstorm that occasionally goes off. The service was great he was very attentive and checked in frequently! The food was good we ordered the tacos with Mac salad and cucumber salad. The drinks were okay.... Not very tasty... and I feel like that's important. It felt like a slushie like with syrup. I feel like the drinks were low quality for the price and at that price point they should be using higher quality products! read more

Forbidden Cove - Drink - Tiki Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Tucked away behind an unassuming door, this speakeasy tiki bar is a real hidden gem. From the moment you step inside, you're transported to a tropical paradise with black light neon, nautical décor, and tropical island vibes. The ambiance is intimate and feels like a well-kept secret--perfect for a date night or a night out with friends looking for something different. The Drinks: The cocktails are undoubtedly the star here. The bartenders take their craft seriously, mixing up elaborate tiki drinks with fresh ingredients and unique twists on classic tropical cocktails. Expect potent drinks that pack a punch (some served in quirky mugs) with layers of flavor--sweet, sour, spicy, and smoky all in one. While the prices are on the higher side, you're paying for the experience and the care that goes into each drink. I'd recommend any of the rum-based concoctions--they're top-notch, or even the rum flight. The Atmosphere: It's a small space, so it can fill up quickly, but it adds to the exclusive feel. The staff is friendly, but the service can be slow, especially when it's busy. The Downside: The lack of attentiveness led to a longer experience than we were planning on. It is not pleasant being told we would be taken care of then waiting and waiting with the staff chatting up each other then many other customers. Unfortunately this led to us cancelling our order for rum flights. We were excited to try them and learn more about rum as well. Also, it can get loud when it's packed, so don't expect a quiet night if it's peak hours. Overall, if you're a fan of tiki cocktails and love the thrill of discovering hidden spots, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be ready to spend a little extra and have patience with the service, and you'll have a great time. We enjoyed our first but what also is our last visit. There are many other speakeasy's to visit in San Diego. We just have to find them. read more

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Loved the ambiance and the Mai Tai was great! Definitely will be back with some friends!

Super fun, cozy atmosphere with lots of cool tiki vibes and decor. Mai Tai (no pineapple juice version) was good. Hawaiian hot dog (with pineapple and a siracha sauce) was pretty tasty and a fun change from traditional pub fare. The cool entrance is worth the visit. Server/bartender was friendly and helpful! read more

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What a sweet find this place was. Great customer service, this place is beautifully decorated, the music was great and food was delish! Fun cocktails! read more

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I love this speakeasy. I've gone several times and the atmosphere is amazing. It's a tiki vibe and the artwork is super fun. It reminds me of the Disneyland Tiki Room area. You get in with a special Tiki key. When you enter through a hallway mirror you wait for the staff to seat you. You need to reserve to enter. I've always had a wait staff that are friendly and helpful. Our favorite drink to get to share is the Scorpion Bowl. It's close to $40 but it's a really fun drink to get. Yummy tropical flavors with lots of pretty decor on it. Fun to share with like 2-3 people. I've had the Ahi Poke bowl as well. The poke always tastes fresh and delicious. Generous portion that two people can share. I will come back again and again to this fun hidden bar. We've gone here for birthdays and just for the heck of it. I wouldn't recommend a large party it is a small space but a small party would be ok like around 6-8 people . read more

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I wish I could give it five stars- but they were out of poke and that was so sad to hear. The poke is all over the menu so it definitely made me have to rethink my order, I had checked it out before hand and was looking forward to a specific dish. The speakeasy is so fun to find, the staff were all friendly and warm. The waitress gave great recommendations on drinks, I had two and both were excellent. Fun theme and such a fun date night spot. The chicken teriyaki was soft and perfect balance with the rice and cucumber salad. Although not my first pick- I enjoyed my meal and would go again! read more

Portions: 5/5 Atmosphere: 5/5 Cleanliness: 5/5 Customer service: 4/5 Speed: 4/5 Price: $$ ADA access: yes Restrooms: yes, unisex Dogs: no Kid Friendly: no Ambiance: casual, date Pros: fun atmosphere Cons: we originally had 3 tables for a large group and they ended up taking one table away to give it to other guests who came in. It made our experience cramped read more