Made In: San Diego Speakeasy Makes Three Course Cocktail Experience with No Menu
Tucked away in a beer bar in East Village, Youngblood is an experimental cocktail bar that crafts its menu by using the guests’ thoughts, desires, and feelings instead of a traditional menu. Guests chat with their bar team and discuss what they enjoy, then the bar team crafts a unique drink for each guest. At a set price of $67, this tasting experience is designed to be a multi hour tasting where you can sample unique spirits and flavors, all while enjoying their incredible ambiance.
The trio of cocktails we got at Youngblood
Once entering Neighborhood, the beer bar located at 9th and G, you check in with a member of their team and tradel through a hidden keg door in the back. You pass Noble Experiment, another speakeasy, before checking in again with their team. They give you a brief explanation of how it works and then escorted into the next room, a gorgeous intimate cocktail bar with less than 20 seats.
A wall of cool, rare, and interesting liquors and cordials adorn the space, candles melt and dance, and an extremely nice tape to tape player cranks out smooth jazz. As you melt into the seats, take a look at the carpet, its NSFW so we will let that be a surprise.
The dessert cocktail a play on a Brandy Alexander
Your bartenders for the night will greet you with champagne, before going over the experience and asking you about your likes, dislikes, and what to expect. The cocktail experience is divided into three drinks and are described like food. You have your “appetizer” drink, a lighter refreshing start. Your “entrée” drink is a little heavier, maybe more spirit driven. Then ending with your “dessert”, where you can expect something a little more decadent! Besides those very rough descriptions, the cocktails are very much up to what you enjoy.
Liza our expert bartender for the night
What surprised me the most was the bartenders ability to craft a unique drink based on what we chatted over. For example I said “I would love a drink that makes me feel like I’m in a bar in Mexico City, sipping on tequila as I eat mole tacos”. The bartender came back with a mole bitter infused, amaro and mezcal old fashioned — and it was exactly what I had in mind!
Ashley is always particular about her drinks, and most menu’s stump her, but the bar team was able to craft her a refreshing drink that impressed her! Another exciting item about Youngblood is that every time you come in, you know you will be getting something different. It really allows you to enjoy the moment and experience without being caught up in trying something you saw on social media.
The play on the old fashioned for the night!
The dessert drink was the course I was the most interested in trying. I am not typically a “sweet” person and the team at Youngblood was able to craft a drink that was incredibly well balanced and not overly sweet. Using a variety of creative ingredients, bitters, and garnishes they were able to make a play on a Brandy Alexander that was exciting and new!
If you are interested in trying this experience we highly recommend making reservations. They do have walk ins available, as well.
Another pro tip is that we definitely recommend getting dinner prior and Youngblood makes a great spot! We also recommend Ubering, as three drinks will get you pretty toasty! Make you reservations here.