Young Blood — Restaurant in San Diego

I’ve been to Youngblood many times over the past few years—this was my sixth visit—and it used to be my go-to spot to bring friends and coworkers when they were visiting San Diego. The experience was always unique, personal, and absolutely worth the price. Unfortunately, after my most recent visit, I can no longer say that.

The biggest disappointment is the change in format. Youngblood now offers pre-set cocktails for the 1st and 3rd rounds, instead of the original Dealer’s Choice approach for all three. They promote this change as a way to showcase their “full range of cocktail expertise,” but in reality, it removes the personal, interactive element that made this place stand out. What used to feel tailored and engaging now feels more like a pre-packaged tasting menu.

On top of that, the price has jumped significantly—from $60 to $85 per person—with the only real addition being a few small snacks. The value just isn’t there anymore. What once felt like an immersive and personalized experience now feels rushed and impersonal. They now have a rotating cast of nearly six bartenders, with a different one serving each round. While the staff is friendly, the constant switching means you’re repeatedly explaining your preferences from scratch. It completely breaks the flow of the experience.

To be fair, the first & second drink of the night was excellent—creative and well-executed. But the palate cleanser between the first and second drinks was honestly unpleasant, and the final cocktail were fine but not memorable. It’s a far cry from the consistent excellence and personal touch I came to expect from Youngblood.

The ambiance is still nice, and the staff are welcoming, but if you’re coming back expecting the same charm and uniqueness as before, be prepared for a very different experience. There are other great speakeasies in San Diego that offer just as good (if not better) cocktails without the inflated price tag. Sadly, I can no longer recommend Youngblood...

This place used to be amazing! They really catered the experience to you and made each drink customized to your taste profile. The bartenders took their time discussing with you the drinks they could make for you. Now they have a menu, with only one of the three drinks as “dealers choice” made to your taste. With that being said, the drinks on the menu were unique, but part of what made youngblood stand out from the rest of the speakeasies in SD was its customization. Not to mention the cost is also 20$ more expensive despite the experience no longer being as personalized. Additionally, the service this time around was HORRIBLE. From the start, our bartender was abrupt and seemed uninterested in serving us. We asked her about certain drinks on the menu (if they were sweet, what the overall taste was like) and she was super rude, responding with “it is what is sounds like on the menu” and giving no extra details. Given the complexity of flavors in these drinks, it’s not easy to decipher what the drinks will taste like. She also rushed through the dealers choice drink and seemed annoyed when we were asking questions/describing our tastes. When asked about the free champagne they used to give, she responded “just enjoy the experience as is” in a very condescending manner. If you’re going to be a mixologist in a exclusive speakeasy, part of your job is to engage with customers and describe the drinks/experience. She seemed to be just annoyed with our presence, despite being polite to her and expressing admiration for mixologists in general. I am hoping this was just her and not reflective of the overall service and other bartenders there. However, regardless, we will not be going back here. It’s not worth the price and the overall quality and service has gone...

Young Blood is one of the most transportive cocktail experiences I've ever done. It is intoxicating in its atmosphere, attention to detail, and service. From the moment you step through the secret entrance, you gravitate between feeling like you're in a dream and being intensely present. You are waited on as valued and esteemed guests, not customers.

The menu is a polite suggestion, with the bartending staff really shining when you enter into a conversation with them about the flavors you're looking for. I can't express enough how different this is from every other cocktail bar that's trying so desperately to make a statement while stubbornly sticking to the same tired formula. The best I could describe their approach to ordering a drink is like the difference between buying ill-fitting clothes off the rack from a discount store versus getting a suit tailored to your exact specifications on Saville Row. Despite the clearly enormous amount of effort that went into this bar, Young Blood manages to be so effortlessly cool - completely eschewing any sort of growing pains or stutter steps. It seems like a gift from another time, another dimension, where bartending isn't just an art form but the national pastime. It's not so much a testament to what can be done with a total mastery and deep understanding of the craft, but goes beyond that, like being allowed to step into the innermost sanctum of the high (or low) ABV Vatican.

Thank you to the staff for exceeding our wildest expectations, from Jonas' warm and welcoming hospitality to Demi's impeccable service and Tony's unbridled and commanding talent behind the bar. Young Blood has arrived, and nothing at the corner of 8th and G or beyond will ever be the same.

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