Went here with advance knowledge of the place during our PHX to SD whirlwind vacation to see Bob…read moreDylan at the Rady Shell. Had to put in our names, as there is only so much space on an early Saturday evening. Took all of 10 minutes before entry was granted. Led inside to a standing room-only table. Lady friend got the Saturn, myself the 151 Swizzle. I probably did the wrong thing and didn't allow the ice packed on top of the swizzle to melt thoroughly enough into the drink to dilute the 151 overproof black Demerara's rum. Nae worries, brah. It was delicious. Affordable tiki-theme cocktails, decor(!) and atmosphere is why this place will remain popular and a must visit when in Sandy Eggo. Top notch!

What a fun nightlife spot! If you're looking for a fun place to grab cocktails, this is definitely…read morea spot worth checking out! **Located inside Craft & Commerce Walking into False Idol honestly feels like you've been transported somewhere else. It's hidden behind Craft & Commerce, and once you step inside, the immersive tiki atmosphere really sets the mood. The decor, lighting, and sound effects all come together to make the experience feel fun and memorable. Just know, if you are hoping to sit down, good luck! A lot of reservations are made in advance. However, at the bar, if you see a reservation sign and they're not there yet, staff will let you sit down once it's time to get up for the reserved party. DRINKS: 9/10 The cocktails were creative, well crafted, and definitely strong enough to make you feel like you were getting your money's worth. I also loved how much attention they put into the presentation. Every drink looked like a piece of art and added to the whole tiki experience. SERVICE: 9/10 The staff were friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. They took the time to answer questions and made great recommendations without making us feel rushed. AMBIANCE: 10/10 This is easily the highlight of the experience. The entire space is beautifully designed, and every little detail makes it feel like you've escaped into a hidden tropical bar. It's cozy, intimate, and unlike any other place I've been to in San Diego. Reservations are definitely worth making since the space is on the smaller side and fills up quickly. The only reason I'm giving 4 instead of 5 stars is that, while the experience and ambiance were amazing, the drinks are definitely on the pricier side. I understand you're paying for the craftsmanship and atmosphere, but it's probably not somewhere I'd visit regularly because of that. It's common for tiki bars to be pricey so it was to be expected. Overall, I'm really glad I finally got to experience False Idol. If you're in San Diego and enjoy creative cocktails in a one-of-a-kind atmosphere, I'd definitely recommend checking it out at least once!

Realm of the 52 Remedies is one of the most unique speakeasies I have ever been to. As soon as you…read morestep through its unique entrance (if you can find it!), it's like you enter into another world. 12/10 for ambiance. They have super creative cocktails, most of which are Asian-inspired. My favorite is the 13 Assassins - it has a deep, smoky flavor. I recommend having a reservation especially if you come on a weekend. Drinks range around $20 each. The bathroom is also unique!

Such a cute concept! I've been to common theory several times, and didn't even notice there was a…read morespeak easy inside. It was pretty easy getting a reservation. The entry experience was enjoyable. The decor inside is nice and trendy. There were a few menu items that were sold out. We were told that the liquor is sourced from small batch distributors so it's understandable. Drinks are very unique and "spirit forward." Our server was great. He warned my friend about the espresso martini not being what most people expect it to be, and offered a different cocktail when she didn't like it. It was a good experience, but I'm not sure if it's for frequent visits.

WOW i was so happy with this speakeasy !! finding the entrance was a bit tricky at first, but we…read morewalked into the bakery with 2 other parties and we all helped each other LOL. so cute that it's in a bakery though - definitely wanna come back to try the bakery goods and drinks! we had a reservation for 2 @ 8:45pm, and we got seated at a table. loved the ambiance, dimly lit but still a good amount of light, the japanese decor - it was all so great and immersive. our server Moe was so kind and explained the concept + menu to us, and she also helped me with choosing a drink after i told her i like sweet flavors :) food we ordered: - korean cucumber salad: smashed cucmbers in a korean chili sauce that was yummy but pretttty salty. i do think though that it paired really nicely with my sweeter drinks bc i love a sweet & salty pairing - alone though, it def could've been a bit much - nagoya karaage: delicious, crispy & tender chicken pieces! the flavor gave orange/citrus-y chicken to us, and we really enjoyed it drinks we ordered: - ao ichigo: this drink was sweet, light, and tart. the strawberry flavor really came through, and i thought i wouldn't feel anything after drinking it but the reposado/vodka/vermouth combo sneaks up on ya haha - sesame old fashioned: my fiancé is a new old fashioned drinker, and he enjoyed this one. he did say it was pretty standard in its flavor and he wishes he could've tasted the sesame more, but that being said it was one of the better old fashioneds that he's had - white lover: i think this drink was my favorite! a perfect ending drink since it was creamy from the calpico. it comes with a little circle scoop of some type of sweet ice cream that pairs PERFECTLY with this drink - you can either lick it as you sip the drink (which i did at the beginning), or just drop it into your drink (which i did at the end). it definitely enhanced the flavor so i really enjoyed this drink overall a great experience, can't wait to come back sometime so try more of their omiyage cocktails! :-)

Bar Kamon is a speakeasy hidden inside of Asa bakery in downtown SD. Fantastic ambiance with a lot…read moreof Japanese-inspired decor and drinks. My party ordered a whiskey flight, the sojiros sprotini, the trash panda, and the ube cocktail. All had very unique flavors. Will be returning to try more drinks on the menu! I highly recommend reservations, especially on Friday evenings and weekends. I tried walking-in on a Friday night and was turned away because of how busy it was. Also - do not try to open the door yourself manually... My party was berated for doing so, oops.

I'm not an often a cocktail drinker. So when the bartender asked what I'm looking for I was ill…read moreprepared. From his view, it probably sounded like "I'm Ron Burgundy?" (It definitely did). His questions guided my indecision towards a Berkshire Old Fashioned that was fantastic despite my fumbling to get there. With the warm up round over and the old fashioned loosening up my creativity, round two was set to be a knockout. I love coffee (specifically strong espresso drinks), so I asked for a strong, coffee infused, punchy cocktail, but with a different base of alcohol from the old fashioned. What came out was the best cocktail I will probably ever have in my life. The bourbon cocktail with coffee liqueur (and a number of other garnishes I will never remember) hit the bullseye. Flavorful, strong, bold, delicious all at the same time. Unfortunately (?), this was a noble experiment so I'll forever be chasing the white whale of what this drink was. But that's the allure.

My brother-in-law and I were looking for places to drink....And we just wanted somewhere chill. We…read moreknew that any bar by tacos el gordo would be too wild for us, so we walked a couple blocks and approached Noble Experiment. I would say this was probably our highlight of our trip in San Diego. Garrick, the bartender there, was super accommodating. Not only was he and the other bartender were making damn good drinks, they would legit talk to you. The ambiance of the place is cool too. Felt like I was going inside some continental room like John Wick. Definitely my vibe and definitely coming back. But if you ever get Garrick as your bartender, you're in for a treat!

Convoy Music Bar was my first HiFi experience and it did not disappoint! CMB is an intimate…read morelistening bar situated in an alleyway with a dark and moody ambiance. Speakers and vinyls line the walls. Vibes are more elevated here than at your usual bar. I ordered the Nickel Fortune, which came out with a fun tarot card. It was a savory drink with a nice lingering of sesame oil after each sip. Seating is pretty limited inside, so reservations are recommended. CMB's website states that "cocktail attire is celebrated."

Pros: the entrance is through a dirty alley way so it gives a real speak easy entrance…read more Cons: being told multiple times when sitting down that your table is limited to 1/1.5hrs. The 20% automatic tip. 1 toilet. the couple sitting next to me recommending a "secret" drink multiple times when i opened the menu (unrelated to the establishment itself but they bragged about going often so look out) Ive been multiple times and this time was the first time ive dealt with bad service and the 20%. Drinks are decent but at $22 a drink with the added gratuity and empty space for more tipping it was just a wack experience and i wont return. Taking advantage of people drinking with the auto tip is wild and adding an empty tip space with it lol. Almost tipped them 40% on accident until i realized the scam.

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.

This was a serendipity find and it gives off enigmatic vibes, they had amazing selection of vegan…read morefood especially their scallion pancakes, loved the vibe and the place Menu is intriguing and has a speak easy kind of entrance, must try for vegan people! The server helped us understand the menu and they accomodate all dietary restrictions

Well if you want to not feel like you are in San Diego...and you love Star Wars this is your spot…read more You know the rules...one quick review, that's all: Food/Drinks: Never ate any food but drinks...creative, crazy and delicious Ambiance: this is why you come. Step through a non-de script door and you are in outer space. Go to the bathroom, real Star Wars empire vibes Service: attentive and good

Young Blood speakeasy was recommended by another friend so we visited earlier in the day (late…read moreafternoon) & made a reservation for 9PM, as it is very difficult to accommodate walk ins due to limited space. The speakeasy is located within Neighborhood bar, behind a false wall of beer barrels (there is a host for Young blood behind the barrel door) & the large refrigerator door which is the entrance to Young Blood. The menu features a choice of 3 courses of cocktails where the 2nd course is called Dealer's Choice where your mixologist will craft a unique cocktail for you based on your preferences. Service was outstanding & attentive & cocktails were beautifully crafted, balanced & flavorful.

This was our second time going to Youngblood. The first time was two years ago. Drinks were just as…read moregood as we remember, however they did change up the experience. Previously you got three custom drinks based on your preference starting with a starter, main, and dessert style. Now, they kept the starter, main and dessert, however the "bartender's choice" is only for the main. Both the starter and dessert are options. The starter is purely based on preference and intentionally they leave out the alcohol included so that doesn't sway your decision. Their bartenders explained that this change was to meet people in the middle of experiences they might get elsewhere at speakeasy's while keeping their originality. Honestly, both experiences were great so I can't complain. For my starter, I went with the Lush + Tropical Fruit + Citric. I was stuck between that and two others, but from talking with the bartender they help break down the drink experience further. It was super helpful. We heard that some people, forgo the main drink of bartendar's choice and instead just do two starters... that is an option, but I LOVE and highly recommend going with the flow and letting the bartenders make you a drink based on your preferences. They're great at their jobs. For my husband's starter, he went with the beeswax + barley + orchard. If you like honey, you will love it. The other he was choosing between was the herbaceous + bright + oceanic, and that one looked fun. Someone else got it, and it was Icey-like (in looks). Would want to try it. For my second drink, I explained my preferred drinks are margaritas, mezcalitas, or punch style fruity/floral, smooth, and spicy drinks. I got a drink that was mezcalita based with passionfruit and spicy pepper basically. It was yum and definitely like drinks I would normally have. My third drink I went with the strawberry fields.... Highly recommend. It was in an underrated, simple glass, but has a fantastic flavor. My husband got the lemon meringue pie (as did so many people in the bar), and I was slightly worried I would have liked his more. But the strawberry fields ended up being our favorite drink of the drink between everything we had. It was just great.