Room 56 — Restaurant in San Diego

My husband and I are big into Tiki, Speakeasies and Craft Cocktails. We planned a fun weekend for 8 of us and found Room 56 had just opened and wanted to check it out. Since the group we were showing around the Gaslamp District were either in the industry, or also into the same things, we are always looking for new places to try that none of us have been to before.

My husband and I made a reservation for 6 and for 2 at the same time so we could get our whole party in and it worked out well. I love the puzzle part and the process of making reservations was easy! When we arrived we went up to the library and grabbed our book. This was fun and we all enjoyed it as we have not yet been to a speakeasy where you enter this way. We all enjoyed the creativity.

When it was our time to be brought in, we entered through a "secret" door, as you usually do and entered into a small dark room and proceeded down a spiral staircase. Totally awesome and so fun! Now because we were hopping around and had other reservations at other places, our moto is "one and done". Sometimes if we are really impressed we will stay for just one more. It was cozy and very small. We did not order food, as dinner was going to be at Trailer Park After Dark. We all ordered drinks that were similar to those we usually order, such as a Sidecar, Old Fashioned or a French 75 to name a few.

We were excited to try our drinks and as usual we let everyone take a sip. This is normal for us since we go to a lot of these places and want to try a little bit of everything. The drinks, were not that great. It seemed like they are trying to put their own twist on classics that are not mixing well. My friend who ordered the Sidecar usual has a fine sugar on the rim, her drink came with chocolate on the rim. Not a great mix. I ordered a Public Spectacle, which looks similar to a French 75 with a twist of violette. This too was not a great mix and hard to drink. Others with us too, mentioned that the drinks were not very good.

I am not sure we will be back, or maybe we will try again during Comic Con as they will have been open longer and may be able to work on the drinks a bit. We love the concept of the place and location. But I think things need to be a little more perfected. Sometimes you just don't mess with a classic drink. Also keep in mind, you cannot split checks and they only take cards, so someone in your party has to foot the bill and hope that everyone in their party will pay them accordingly, not just the cost of your bill, but tip and tax too! Just keep that in mind when going here. If you are going with someone that you may not want to usually share a check with, don't bring them here (we all...

Cool concept, moody vibes, but too rigid to feel truly welcomed.

We were the first ones there, literally standing outside before the doors even opened. Staff was immediately on point, super friendly, got us excited right away. Grabbing the red book to gain passage behind the bookcase? Very cool detail. We got seated as soon as they opened, and man, the space is exactly what you want in a speakeasy, dimly lit, intimate, and tucked away like a secret you don’t want to share.

There were nice little touches: chilled water and a sip of wine waiting for us at the table to open the palate, plus a deck of cards with questions to spark good conversation. Great start.

The menu looked good! Not too long, not too short. Just enough to keep it interesting. But here’s where things took a weird turn.

I asked the waiter to surprise me with something in the Old Fashioned or Manhattan family but mentioned I wasn’t into Rye Whiskey. His response? A whole interrogation on why I don’t like Rye. Like bro, I’m here to relax, not defend my taste buds. He pressed me again: “Is it too punchy for you?” Honestly, I didn’t even know what that meant in cocktail terms. Yo, I just don’t like Rye. Period.

Ended up ordering the Boulevardier, which was solid. No complaints there.

Then we got a text from some friends who were nearby and wanted to join. We’d already let the waitress know more folks might swing by, and she said it shouldn’t be an issue. When I flagged her to ask about moving to a bigger table, the vibe shifted. She seemed annoyed but moved us anyway. Ah-aight, cool, we’re settled again, good vibes all around.

Until one of our friends asked for the simplest drink imaginable: vodka tonic with lime. She didn’t want sugar in her drink, and the place pushed back saying all their drinks had sugar, but they could sub in stevia. She agreed, but when the drink came out it was not it. Sent it back and re-asked for just the vodka tonic. They brought it, but again, with some clear reluctance.

Bottom line: if you go off-menu here, they don’t like it. And that’s a miss. We’ve hit almost every speakeasy in SD, and never felt this kind of pushback on basic, respectful customizations.

To be fair, the service was attentive. They were present, checking in, and the aesthetic is on point. But hospitality isn’t just about being visible, it’s about being flexible too. And that’s where this place lost me. Also, no food options and they tack on an automatic 22% tip, which would’ve been fine if I walked away feeling taken care of. I didn’t.

Would’ve been a 4.5-star spot easy, but between the drink drama and the attitude, 3 stars is all I can give. Still a cool stop, just not...

My first experience with speakeasy space Ø, Shhhhh !

This located in prime location of Gaslamp and plenty of parking options around. This is a hotel bar, but atmoshphere is like a uber cool bar.

As you enter you will see the lounge downstairs bar. Also there is upstairs lounge/seating areas and you will see Harry Potter doors, the fun through a secret door to Room 56. I don't want to break the fun to others, so not going to write all about the Room 56, it's a speakeasy space Ø Room 56 is awesome, Ø. Period!

Down stairs at the bar has great bartenders Marcus, Kevin and Valerie were awesome and spoiling us with great cocktails. This lounge has beautiful open space with a square bar and lot of seating areas around. Also lot of board games available. I cherished on lot of Old-Fashioned cocktails, each one was great in its own way. Also, we were treated with charcuterie, and a seared tuna appetizer.

Full menu of dinner available too. Flatbreads were standing out from the menu, especially Pork and Peppers and S'mores Naan, very different. Also, the chicken and Bahn Mi sandwiches were great.

One of the kitched, which closes very late at 2pm, wow. Big shout to Val, she manages the bar and...