If you're going to hang your hat on the speakeasy aesthetic--dim lights, hushed tones, whispers of…read moreexclusivity--then understand this: you're entering into an unspoken pact with your patrons. We expect a certain standard, a level of care that borders on obsession. So when I catch Evan Williams--respectable, questionable, but barely twelve bucks a bottle--making an appearance behind the bar, it feels like a breach of trust. A quiet betrayal under low lighting. The illusion only works if the details hold up under scrutiny... and that pour? It broke the spell. And then comes the real offense: discovering that your Old Fashioned--the crown jewel of any respectable cocktail program--are built on bottom-shelf, dust-collecting bourbon. That's not just a letdown, it's a slap in the face. A cocktail like that deserves reverence, not shortcuts. And as if to twist the knife, there it was--a massive can of red maraschino cherries sitting shamelessly atop the bar, like some relic from a dive that's given up on finesse. It wasn't just a misstep. It was disrespect. In a place claiming the speakeasy mantle, details like these matter. They're the difference between theater and parody. The cocktails did not warrant the $15 price tag. Moreover, I would have paid more had I know the class of bourbon upfront. What ultimately redeems the space is its ambiance. The low flicker of the fireplace, the soft embrace of worn leather sofas, the curated hum of music floating just above conversation--it's seductive, even soulful. The room itself is small, intimate--the kind of place where you're bound to recognize a face, or at the very least, feel inclined to invite a stranger to share the sofa and maybe a story. And then there's the setting--tucked beneath a historic relic, a basement bar built into the bones of old Americana. The building dates back to the early 1900s, echoing with a past that deserves to be honored, not phoned in. That's exactly why I expected more from the cocktails. A place with this much atmosphere shouldn't fall flat when it comes to what's in the glass. It's a mismatch--a beautiful stage, but a script that doesn't quite rise to meet it.

I absolutely cannot get enough of this place…read more The basement here is really the place to be. I love the ambiance, and the history on the walls. The cocktails change so it's always fun to come back! I always try to be there when this section opens. I love the calmness of the space and it gets livelier as the night progresses and it does get packed Always one of my highly recommended spots for people who want great drinks, fantastic atmosphere and delicious food. I'm looking forward to my next stop in!

Did happy hour a few weeks ago and forgot to add the review. Had a random weekday off and as I was…read moredriving home, this popped up on the search. Pretty solid deal for happy hour - 3 to close Tuesday -Thursday in the dining room and 3 to close every day on the patio/beer garden. The bartenders were amazing - I think Jessica or Jasmine and Mike or Stever? Quick, efficient, friendly, on top of it. food came out right and quickly. For me, the food was mediocre. 23 bucks for a burger and fries and the shrinkflation was clear. But the drink prices more than made up for it. I'd have to try a few more things to get a better picture of the food but if the burger doesn't slap out of the gate it's not always the best sign. That aside, I'd go out of my way to go back based on the service and the staff.

The Manhattan of Camarillo is a true gem. The service is excellent, and you can tell the staff…read moretakes pride in what they do. Everyone is friendly, attentive, and works hard to create a great experience. The atmosphere is fun, the music adds to the energy, and the bread and butter are absolutely delicious. The spaghetti and meatballs are next level and one of my favorite dishes. I also love that it's within walking distance of Leisure Village, giving residents a fun local spot to enjoy great food, music, and company. Keep up the great work!

I cannot rave enough about the great experience we had here. Let's start off with the ambiance…read more It's a real gem! As soon as we walked in I loved the speakeasy vibes it gave off. Felt like I was walking into a really classy place. I wish I remembered our bartenders name but he was just amazing. So helpful and knowledgeable about all things liquor. We had a great conversation with him and told him how we love whiskey and he whipped us up some delicious drinks we've never had. We will definitely be coming back.

Cleanliness: 5 out of 5 Service: 5 out of 5…read moreAtmosphere: 5 out of 5 Drinks: 5 out of 5 Reflection: I don't remember my order, but you know how you go to some-places and you can tell by the quality of the product that you are having an experience and that the people love their job???? That's exactly how I describe my experience at Oak and Iron! You can tell that you're experiencing a work of art and a person's labor of love. Erika was our host and she was phenomenal! I'm definitely looking forward to my next experience at Oak and Iron!

Great great food, ambiance is really different . And service was great. Live music and felt like I…read morewalked into a secret place. Dessert is a must!

Had a baby shower scheduled on a Saturday and left completely disappointed. Firstly, we scheduled…read morethis event and paid a deposit well over 6 weeks ago. The day before, the owner Michele couldn't seem to find the paperwork where we discussed menu, family style, decor, budget etc. Thankfully, we went in the day before to double check everything. Not only were we met with a misogynistic retort to everything we talked about but he did not clarify any details that we later found out would be important. The day of the event, we accidentally hit a bottle of wine bringing in the decorations. Total accident! During the party, we had to constantly find our server (super nice guy but terrible service) to take drink orders, to take food orders, and to clear the table and bring to go boxes. Drinks weren't refilled. We cut and served the cake we brought. Then our bill comes and surprising to us, we were charged a room fee (which I confirmed they DID NOT have prior to booking), charged a cake fee (just for them to store it in their fridge and NEVER told there would be a fee for bringing a dessert, despite Michele asking the day before if we were bringing our own or using them for dessert), and he charged us $50 for the bottle we accidentally broke. With all these extra charges, in addition to already paying a deposit, we were way over the previously discussed budget. I never would have agreed to his idea of everyone ordering individual dishes instead of family style plus his outrageous extra fees had I know it was going to blow the budget. He had every opportunity to tell us there is a cake fee (never have I EVER had to pay a fee to bring a cake- even our server said he felt it was in poor taste to charge us for that). We refused to pay the room fee because we already put down a deposit and were never told there would be these extraneous charges! The terrible ending happened when I slipped and fell (8 months pregnant) in the front of the restaurant RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE OWNER, who stood over me as I was on the ground, and said "you must have slipped on the wine you spilled." Never offered concern, never offered to help me and never apologized. A staff member from the kitchen ran out to help me despite Michel being an arms length from me, looking down on me. Such a disgrace. My dress was dirtied from their floor and I was left with bruises on my knees the next day. No wet floor sign, clearly the floor wasn't cleaned up properly or dried. We will never patronize this restaurant again. What was meant to be a beautiful event turned into a calamity met with a chauvinist owner who lacks customer service and compassion.

UPDATE! UPDATE!! UPDATE!!!…read more Club 14 Wine bar had moved!! Check out their new location in 1000 Oaks located in the speakeasy bar below Oak & Iron: ------------------------------------ "Well, well, well, How the turntables"... -(Micheal Scott) have turned, Club 14 went on a short hiatus But they're back; so no need to be concerned. They are in their newly set up space The word cozy describes it best, Just a few steps below Oak & Iron Where they will be serving you as their guest. You'll be greeted by Owner Charlie Owner Lauren is ready to give you a splash, And if you're a wine club member like me You might just get a taste from their secret stash. Wine is definitely in their blood But it's the people that make them do what they do, Spend an evening conversing with either of them And I know you'll feel the same way too. Come and have a glass of Chablis Or Chenin Blanc if that's what you prefer, Maybe a glass of twenty 05' Burgundy If you're a real wine connoisseur. No matter the rhyme No matter the reason, The wine will never stop flowing No matter the season. You cannot stop Charlie & Lauren Their following has grown entirely way too big, But don't you dare show up on Friday or Saturday As it's now only a Sunday through Thursday Gig. Come super early to snag a barstool Show up casually late for a high top table, Come chill on one of their comfy couches And order a bottle of their private label. Join me in raising our glasses to Charlie & Lauren Cheers to all the success that's coming their way, Whether you're drinking a Syrah, Pinot or a Cab Don't leave this place with trying a French Gamay. So now you know exactly what to do You better hurry before you run out of time, Go grab us two seats at Club 14 I'm about to end this epic rhyme. Dedicated to Charlie, to Lauren, & to Club 14.... Thank you for sharing your love of wine with us. Now let's go drink some Gamay!!

Finally found a wine bar speak easy. If you go to Oak and Iron it's downstairs. The ambience is…read moreamazing and the owner of the wine club is the nicest and very accommodating. We went to Oak and Iron, but because we didn't get the best service we went downstairs to see what was there and found a hidden gem in Thousand Oaks. Plus the wine selection was amazing. We got to try some delicious wines. It was awesome to talk to the owner of the wine club. Who knew everything about each selection and let us try various wines. Honestly, this is a hidden gem in Thousand Oaks and you have to check it out. I am seriously in love with this place. You have to check it out.

We had a beautiful wedding there last week. Everything was wonderful! The staff, service, rooms and…read morefood were fantastic! Everyone has such a great time! Thank you Monica!! You and The Glen Tavern Inn are top notch. Looking forward to hosting another event with you in the future.

Great stay at Santa Paula Inn! From the moment we booked, everything felt welcoming and easy. The…read morephone reservation was especially pleasant--friendly, courteous, and the owner/manager answered my questions directly (a hospitality level I haven't experienced in years). Arrival was smooth. The half-circle drive off Mill Street is easy to enter and was open when we arrived. The only tip I'd add is once you get past the front area, head toward the rear parking lot for the best flow. Walking up to the front door is charming--Swiss/German country cottage style with historic character, dark wood tones, and shingle siding (with white end units). The lobby setup is warm and inviting, with great lighting and multiple seating areas where you can relax or have a conversation. Check-in was quick and friendly. The staff explained the room ventilation controls and the split cooling system (new technology). The room stayed very quiet and comfortable--our third-floor room cooled to about 65°F each night. The stairs to the third floor were exactly as expected--no elevator--and they felt well designed with consistent tread depth and height. The hallways also have fun movie posters from the 20-60s, which adds personality. We stayed in Room 301, and it was roomy (about 300 sq ft). The room had a chaise lounge with an ottoman, plus a desk and chair. The bathroom layout is a bit old-school, with the sink just outside the bathroom area inside the bedroom, but it worked fine. There's a small step up (around 1 1/2 inches), and the tub/shower and toilet were comfortable and clean. The shower had plenty of hot water. The bed was a highlight--pillow-top comfort with very soft sheets and comforters. The king pillows were large, soft, and easy to adjust (even though I usually prefer smaller ones, these were great). Overall, the room and property felt quiet. It seemed like most guests were in by around 9:00, and we had a peaceful, restful night's sleep. Also worth noting: there are four EV chargers in the rear parking lot for electric vehicle owners. The restaurant looked amazing and smelled great, though we didn't dine this trip--we're planning to next time we fly into Santa Paula Airport. Finally, Monica, the manager, was wonderful--an absolute pleasure to talk with and genuinely kind. And a special thank-you for the complimentary morning coffee and muffins. Highly recommend for anyone who wants comfort, charm, and quiet peace.

I've been able to watch most if not all the FATC performances and all of them have been stellar…read more The originals are well written and hilarious. The actors have serious talent and when they integrate music, the musicians that grace the stage are overflowing with talent. FATC shows are always a great time, don't miss out.

Fractured Actors is so much fun to work with! Their pieces are brave, relevant, and exciting. I…read moreparticularly enjoy the annual Speakeasy Project which features new plays by local artists. I highly recommend seeing a show and/or getting involved!

Had a phenomenal 60 th birthday here. The band sang Happy Birthday to me Thank you Lester family ,…read moreespecially Elissa, for such a memorable experience. The band was great!

Great wine tasting experience and even better owners/patrons. They have fun events and good wine.read more