Oculto 477 — Restaurant in San Diego

I SAY THIS UP FRONT SO THAT YOU ARENT DISAPPOINTED. Any post 3 or months older capturing the amazing elaborate drinks with photos or videos is no longer an accurate representation since they no longer do the same drinks.

Feel free to continue reading if you like but the above it the most important aspect of this post. I should start with the fact that I had been here once before about a year ago and absolutely loved it. I talked it up to everyone I knew who like me, loves a good speakeasy. I finally made it back about 2 weeks ago and it was to be the highlight of my friends bday. I planned it so that it would be the final stop! The whipcream on top! Unfortuently, big disappointment. The elaborate show stopping drinks are gone. Gone are the whimsical drink vessels and smoke show drinks (the ones that everyone has posted about) that heightens the intrigue of having to search for a reservation in advance. Gone is the beaitfully outlined atristst menu. BTW not only was the drink presentation when I first visited outstanding, so was the drink itself. This was not one of those all show crappy drinks, oh no the drinks were fantastic. Now it's a plain one sheet menu, the kind that is highly disposable that you might get at a pop up bar. And while yes, the drinks are well crafted, it isn't anything you can't find at a good cocktail bar. The staff was a bit hit or miss. We got sat and it did take a while to get asked for our order which was okay, we get it good drinks take time. However no one really walked us thru the menu and engaged with us at first. We sat for a very long time with empty drinks before we finally got someone's attention and right before we order we are told "we'll it's last call so". Naturally we were confused since it says 2 drink minimum so why are you pushing us out and well you did just have us sitting here waiting for you to serve us? However, I will say things turned around a bit. I engaged what I believe is the bar manager since I was so shocked that the fabulous drinks I recall were gone to inquire WHY? He was very nice and walked us thru why they changed their approach etc which I appreciate. However let's be real they changed it for cost and time efficiency. LOL Again I respect it just massively disappointing. He did however offer us an additional drink each both carefully crafted by him which was really nice (not free though lol) but again with the sincere attention i was seeking when we ordered the first drink. He also allowed us to stay a bit after closing as to not rush us as we finished our last drink and also offered us a shot in celebration of my friends bday (free). Overall it was a disappointing experience given the expectations set from the first wonderful experience. Yes the cocktails are good and the staff is friendly but it no longer sets itself apart from any other good cocktail bar. And it certainly no longer rises to the level of hype it did before and the need to search for a...

Celebrated my 49th birthday in 2023 with friends and beverages at Oculto 477. I'd been interested in visiting the venue for a while and took the opportunity for my birthday to do so. I made a reservation because I always make reservations. If I can't I won't go to a place. When we arrived we were stopped at a confessional style door where we had to confess a sin to enter. If the host didn't approve of your sin you had to come up sign another one. I had to try three apparently I'm not sinful enough. HAHAHAHA We entered and were sat at a half booth with a small cocktail table and a chair. The intimate venue was extremely authentic and made me feel as if I was in Mexico or South America. It was lovely! Our server came over and greeted us. Explained the menu and the seating time. We checked out the menu and were pleasantly surprised to find so many mocktails available and crafted. My mom doesn't drink. We got our first round of cocktails and we were pretty happy. The presentation for all were great and the flavours were good. Funny enough we all preferred Mom's mocktail the best. I know! It was crisp and refreshing and perfectly crafted. Round two was also good but yet again the mocktail was mocking us booze drinkers. LOL Round three, I didn't like my birthday cocktail that the venue bought me but they did change it for my first cocktail which I did enjoy. I will say if I do go back I will definitely stick with the mocktails just to switch it up. They were just perfect with fresh fruit and juice in every one. While we did like the venue a lot and the presentation of all of our drinks, I will say the service was lacking. We had two people waiting on us but watched them off to the side and inattentive to our table and others they were handling. Please note the venue is small and was not full on the random Monday we ventured in. Of all of the speakeasies I've been to this is not high on my list of places. If you go do so for the ambiance and then you won't be...

A couple of things you must know before going. There is a two drink minimum, and reservations are limited to an hour and a half. Lastly drinks may take a while before they come out.

Now with that out of the way, and you are still reading this, you are in for a treat. This place features not just bartenders, but mixologist, who put time, thought and precision into their drinks. Its different from a high volume cocktail bar designed to pump out classic cocktails (they still have them), and instead they make drinks that are crafted with quality and care.

There is a cocktail renaissance happening all around the world, even though places like polite provisions helped paved the way, it definitely feels dated. Granted, this isn't your double chicken please or limantour, its a step in the right direction especially for the "small town" of San Diego. I hope they continue to innovate and try new things that the cocktail scene of San Diego is craving for.

Tips: Before entering, prepare to "confess" a sin to gain access. I usually go with gluttony. Room is dark, make sure your flash is off, dont be that guy who takes a photo with flash. No food, so come with your belly full. Next Door is Tahona, where you can pregame with some tacos or even some mezcal. Or even better, head over to Tuetano Taqueria to get some good birria tacos.

My Personal Favorites: Clarified Tea Punch - its a clarified drink which is rare here in SD. Flavor is great, and gives me a sweet dried fruit taste. Calavera - For that boozy drink that gets the job done quickly.

Not a fan: No zero proof drinks. Old Town Parking Dealers Choice - A novel idea, and puts the bartender on the spot, but this...