Kamon is a craft cocktail bar inspired by the Taisho era of 1920's Japan. It's also a speakeasy hidden inside a Japanese bakery on a corner of San Diego's East Village. Reservations can be made on OpenTable if you are fast enough. We weren't... on our last trip to San Diego. So when I found availability for 2, I made a special trip down to San Diego just for this speakeasy. After 2 and a half hours of driving, I reached San Diego. I miraculously found street parking on the same block as the bar and made my way inside Asa Bakery. My friend was already waiting for me at a table. He, a San Diego local, told me that he took the bus to avoid the parking situation entirely. Smart man. We were still quite early for our reservation, so I had a latte from Asa Bakery while we waited. During this time, we were trying to figure out where the speakeasy was located. Then we saw a couple enter Asa and press a handicap assistance button near the door to the bakery. A big section of the wall opened up and revealed a swanky looking bar behind it, complete with hosts wearing sleek black vests, button ups, and bow ties - a complete vibe change from the modern bakery we were sitting in. Once it was our seating time, we also made our way over to the secret entrance. Kamon itself felt like a rift in time, as if we were stepping straight into the 1920's. The room was heavily inspired by the Taisho Roman era, the period when Japan was influenced by European romanticism. Decor featured visual harmony between traditional Japanese motifs, such as screen doors and woodblock prints, and influences of the Western Roaring 20's, such as glamorous Art Deco chandeliers, red carpet, and lounge chairs. We were seated next to a beautiful zen garden. The concept of the menu is "omiyage" or souvenirs from different regions of Japan. My friend started with the Tokyo Banana, inspired by the iconic Tokyo Banana cream pastry found all over souvenir shops in Tokyo and Haneda Airport. The spirits in this cocktail were Suntory Toki and rum. I started with the Yame Matcha, inspired by the city of Yame in Fukuoka prefecture, which is reveled among matcha snobs for producing matcha with nutty flavor. The matcha was prepared as a cream top, a nod to matcha lattes, and sat on top of a spirit base of mezcal, Mizu green tea shochu. This drink was so fun and creative. I would've never thought about pairing matcha with mezcal, but surprisingly, it worked very well. The smokiness of the mezcal paired well with the creamy, nutty matcha top and roasted genmaicha flavor.  Because of the amazing theme of the menu, we couldn't resist ordering a second round. My friend got the Ao Ichigo, featuring strawberries from the Tochigi prefecture. The spirit for this was a reposado tequila and vodka. This is good if you want a light, refreshing, sweet drink. My second drink was the White Lover, inspired by Hokkaido and its dairy and pastry culture. The spirit for this drink was Sotol, which was also quite smoky. The body of this cocktail was composed of kefir and Calpico, with notes of yuzu and croissant as well. This drink also comes with a "surprise," and to maintain the integrity of said "surprise," I won't tell you what it is! This was probably my favorite drink of the night. As an alum of Asian American college party culture, I have had many drinks mixed with Calpico, so this was my favorite drink of the night because of how close to home it felt. You could almost call it an "omiyage" of USC ahaha... However, I was not the biggest fan of the food here. We both weren't that hungry, so we just got some appetizers, but honestly, I don't remember the food menu being that big anyways. We got the tuna tartare cannolis and the karaage. The tuna tartare was a bit weird for me. I kinda expected it to be fresh and light and silky, as a tartare should be, but I would describe this as more of a... tuna salad? Heavier than I expected... and creamy. And strange. I think it's the mayo. I just didn't like it very much. And the cannoli presentation was fun, but I don't think it's needed. I think just a classic tuna tartare would have been more enjoyable. And the karaage was fine. Not good, not bad. I wouldn't get food here again though.The drinks at Kamon, however, are phenomenal. I love the theme of 1920's Taisho Japan. The ambiance is impeccable. The theme is even integrated into the menu's concept. There's a story behind each of the signature drinks, giving you a glimpse into what makes each featured region of Japan unique. I definitely want to return to Kamon one day. read more

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Such a fun speakeasy and the perfect way to end our date night! Bar Kamon is hidden inside Asa Bakery in East Village. The space is inspired by 1920s Taisho-era Japan, so the whole concept carries into the decor, Japanese ingredients and cocktails. Their menu gets pretty creative with Japanese whisky, shochu, sake, highballs, clarified cocktails and small bites. After bakery hours, finding the entrance wasn't difficult. Just enter through Asa Bakery and you'll see where to go. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends. We were able to grab one the night before for a Friday without any trouble. We had already eaten dinner, so we came for drinks with a small appetizer to share. We ordered the Karaage, Tokyo Banana and Yame Matcha. Service was incredible throughout the night. It took a little bit to get seated since nobody was standing at the host area when we walked in. Someone eventually spotted us through the curtain then quickly came over to help. From there, everyone was attentive. The Karaage came out first. I wish the outside was just a little crispier, but it was still really good. The slaw was actually my favorite part because the acidity paired perfectly with fried chicken, especially while sipping on cocktails. The Yame Matcha was so decadent. It had this beautiful matcha cloud on top with a deeper roasted flavor underneath, almost smokey, that lingered after each sip. Definitely not your typical sweet matcha cocktail. The Tokyo Banana was my favorite. The presentation alone was gorgeous. You get that banana flavor right away, but it still tastes like a proper cocktail rather than a banana dessert. It was definitely strong, so this was one I slowly sipped throughout the night. The hojicha mixed with the banana worked SO well. read more

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This speakeasy is so u assuming! Enter Asa Bakery, immediately turn right and the hidden door is straight ahead. But the host is on the other side of the wall. You must ask at the Bakery counter to be let in. HINT: look for the handicap button on the wall. Just push it and the door opens. You will be met by staff immediately inside and seated. Its a small interior with not so intimate seating. The lighting is on the brighter side. Service is superior!! The food is great and the drinks were mostly hit and some misses. But they will remake you a new drink if you let them know. Surprisingly the food was outstanding. The plates are large! We had Chicken Karaage which was cooked perfectly and the sticky sauce was delicious. The Nagoya Karaage Nagoya Style Fried Chicken, Sesame Seeds, White Pepper, Cabbage. The glaze was sweet and delicious! OG Haccho Chicken Sliders were more like full size sandwiches - Miso Glazed Crispy Chicken, Sumono Pickles, Sesame Coleslaw, w Yuzu Togarashi Mayo, on a soft Brioche Bun. The Ronin Fries were so good. All the flavors went well together. Shogoyaki Pork Belly, Mozzarella Cheese, Bang Bang Sauce, Green Onion, and Furikake Seasoning. The Umi No Maboroshi Oysters were a disappointment. Only 2 oysters at this price point is pricey! It was weird- the Edible Tuile Shell, Caviar, Yuzu Caviar, Sancho Oil, Wakame, Micro Greens on top were just too much. The flavors did not show while eating. Too many flavors made the oyster unnoticeable! Next the Drinks!! The White Lover!!! Hands down the best drink we tried. All three of us agreed!!! Its topped w a Sherbet- ish frozen Yuzu ball. Eat it or add it to your drink to change the flavor a bit. Either way the best drink we had. The Tokyo Banana was next best!!! The Yama Matcha was good but lacked matcha flavor. Was a good drink but to me was not a matcha drink. The Sesame Old Fashioned had a slight sesame flavor. However I'd like more sesame myself. But a nice twist on an iconic drink. Overall our experience was 5 stars. Our server was great and she is the one who recommended White Lover. Sorry cant remember her name. But had sandy blonde hair and was on the taller side. She actually jumped behind the bar to make a custom drink for all of us! The shooters were outstanding!! Highly recommend this speakeasy for the Asian inspired drink and food!! read more

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Excellent bar, centrally located downtown. Bartenders were lovely, attentive, and poured some wonderful drinks. I didn't try the food, but the ambiance was perfect - sophisticated, understated, dimly lit but not too dark. It's a quiet space, easy to have a nice chat with company. Classy spot to get a night cap or three. read more

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An awesome Japanese-inspired bar with a great cocktail menu. Sydney took care of us and was wonderful and we got to meet the head bartender, Amadeus read more

Bar Kamon - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Bar Kamon is a speakeasy hidden inside of Asa bakery in downtown SD. Fantastic ambiance with a lot of 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. read more

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*fun ambience *great tasty cocktails *fun customer service It was a downtown speakeasy kind of night ... This spot definitely gives date night or girls night vibes, so I highly recommend making reservations! The ambiance was fun, cozy, and such a vibe from the moment we walked in. We came for drinks and appetizers, and this place did not disappoint. The cocktails were unique, fun, and tasty I had the Matcha Croissant which was perfectly balanced and not too sweet, and also tried the Hello Pandan For appetizers we had the zuke tuna tostadas, Korean cucumber salad, and the mochi fries (my favorite). Everything was flavorful and fresh. Customer service was great and made the whole experience even more enjoyable. Definitely will be back! read more

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This little hidden Japanese speakeasy at San Diego teleports you to the Art Deco Taisho era of Japan. It is a time capsule back into Japanese Great Gatsby with unique cocktails and whiskey straight from the motherland. Each drink was phenomenal and the service was exceptional.The art deco maniac in me wanted to live inside this bar forever. read more

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Great pricing, unique drinks with Asian flavor profiles, and such an intimate vibe that transports you away from Market Street for a bit. Service is friendly, and I recommend reservations in advance. Last call for food is around 9p for weekdays & 10pm friday/sat. They were sold out of the matcha croissant, but some favorites were the Tokyo Banana and Hello Pandan, and their chicken karaage was filling for 2 people. Sojiros Sprotini was unique but reminded me of a spicy curry. It overpowered the drink towards the end. read more

Bar Kamon - Sojiros Sprotini and Tokyo Banana - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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A great whisky bar. Came here for cocktails and ended up staying for food and more cocktails. Really enjoyed the quietness (it wasn't busy) and the friendliness of the staff who put up with our bad jokes and shenanigans. I had a variety of drinks and eats and liked them all. Definitely coming back when I'm in San Diego again. read more

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Bar Kamon is a must visit in San Diego. It's a classy Japanese style bar with inventive Japanese inspired cocktails at an affordable price. Our server was super kind and knelt down to take our order which is i believe a custom in Japanese service. I got the Tokyo banana cocktail and I loved how it was not super sweet and did not have an overwhelming artificial banana flavor. The banana cream and sugar cookie on top cancelled out any bitterness of the alcohol. A must visit in San Diego. I'm already planning my next trip back for this bar read more

Bar Kamon - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

When we walked into the bakery, I thought, "Wait... where is Bar Kamon hiding?" Turns out, it was hiding in plain sight! The staff welcomed us so warmly and even accommodated our early reservation request such a lovely surprise. This hidden gem feels like a little escape from the city hustle, with such a calming vibe. The cocktails were fantastic Tokyo Banana was delicious, but the Yame Matcha was my favorite! Hubby had his whiskey, and we shared chicken karaage and fries. Such a fun, cozy date night and honestly, such a beautiful experience. We'll definitely be back! read more

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Such a beautiful speakeasy!! Located in Asa bakery, this bar has such a creative selection of drinks and a large variety of whiskey (it is a whiskey bar). Service was great, vibes were great, and the space was intimate. Definitely want to come back and try other drinks. I enjoyed that they classified certain drink so even if I didn't recognize half the ingredients, it made it easy to pick what drinks I did want. Definitely do not skip this place if you love speakeasies like me! read more

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WOW i was so happy with this speakeasy !! finding the entrance was a bit tricky at first, but we walked 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! :-) read more

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Set inside a bakery, Bar Kamon is a cute little cocktail bar serving the finisest Japanese cocktails. My old NY roommate was in town and highly recommended to meet at this spot. We loved a solid speakeasy while living in New York, and I judge a cocktail spot based on how they make their old fashions, and this place did not disappoint. We ordered Cocktails - Hibiki Old Fashion - LOVED it - the Stash - liked it - Hojicha Negroni - liked it - Umeboshi Sour - liked it - Ube Jungle Bird - liked it - trash Panda - LOVED it - Mojito - hubby's go to drink lol Food - Hokkaido karaage - average and wasn't as crispy - shiitake oyster mushrooms - good, and actually preferred this to the karaage - zuke tuna tostada - loved it and was a nice light bite! Our server was really friendly and recommended a variety of really good drinks Overall, it's a nice night out with friends for a solid cocktail in a swanky little spot! read more

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Made a reservation and got seated promptly. Love the vibe and it's a very chill spot to hang out with friends. Ordered their top three drinks and the white lover and honestly the white lover is our group favorite. The top three were alright.. a little disappointed by the Tokyo banana because I grew up eating that back and the drink didn't taste like the name suggested. Otherwise, very sweet server and was here for a good time! read more

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When you step into this immersive speakeasy, you feel far removed from the East Village in all the right ways. The entrance to Bar Kamon, inside Asa Bakery to the right of the front door, is one of the most hidden I've ever seen as the door blends seamlessly into the bakery wall. The 1920s Tokyo vibe here is pleasant. We sat by the zen garden, which was extra relaxing. As SD speakeasies go, I really liked the layout itself - high ceilings, ample space and just enough statement decor pieces to add visual appeal without looking cluttered. Service was extra friendly. The Tokyo banana cocktail was a delectable standout to me, the simple appearance of which belied the sophisticated depth of flavor within. The Hello Pandan, by comparison, was less successful but still hit the spot. The complimentary, house made chips provide the perfect savory bite to help soak up the alcohol. read more

Bar Kamon - Cocktails and Christmas lights - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Wow, just wow. Started the night thinking we were gunna go to Punchbowl Social but they were closed for an event. So my friend brought up Kamon Craft Bar. We didn't know it was a speakeasy so imagine our surprise as we were standing outside trying to get in. We eventually figured it out and went inside Asa Bakery. The bartenders were so nice! They were knowledgeable and helpful. I ordered a Tokyo Banana for my drink. The way the bartender explained what my drink order was, bartending is a true science. The drink was really good. On the sweet side and has a little kick that sneaks up in you. The alcohol really comes through at the end. Apparently the ice is flown in from Japan! Ask the bartenders to tell you about it. The bartenders told us we can order anything from Asa Bakery and have it in the speakeasy. I ordered a rice and pork belly bowl. We went around 6:30p and there were no tables available. Make reservations prior to coming. But the bar was clear so we sat there. 100 % Coming back read more

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LOVE ME A GOOD COCKTAIL BAR (5 stars) - SIPPIES/BITES: so good - PRICE: expect to pay for quality - SERVICE: average - AMBIANCE: intimate lounge The older you get, the more refined spaces you like! This place has got to be good for us to even come to downtown and hang. It's best to get reservations in advance - they open reservations two weeks in advance of the day you are inquiring. Originally our reservations were set for 2 but another couple was joining and last minute I was able to increase our reservations to 4. The bar is located INSIDE Asa Bakery, walk in and immediately take a right and there is another door to the lounge. The space is very intimate with a very chill mix of people crowd. :: SIPPIES :: TOKYO BANANA ($16) - Toki, Bacardi Ocho, Braulio, Banana, Hojicha, Banana Foam. The perfect drink, I think I can drink this cocktail forever. Will say it was the best of the three. I am a banana lover and this just hits the banana notes well - not too artificial tasting yet just an overall nice balance of banana. Presentation was also eye catching with a leaf designed wafted and one big ice cube which helps moderately sip on the drink instead of chug it. HIGHLY RECOMMEND CLARIFIED UBE JUNGLE BIRD ($16) - Pineapple Rum, Campari, Lime, Cinnamon, Ube Black Strap Foam. Allergens: Egg, Coconut, Dairy. I've been getting into clarified drinks (non-alcoholic and alcoholic) the past two years and will order any I see on the menu. Also, I'm Filipino so I'm going to try the Ube cocktail although I do feel ube is abused in so many levels LOL. This was good too, the ube was not too sweet and the clarified part of the cocktail made it lighter, cleaner, yet milkier... in basic terms "watered down flavor" lol. HIGHLY RECOMMEND TRASH PANDA ($15) - Coconut Infused Shochu, Creme de Banana, Durian, Lemon, Cinnamon. I only ordered this to be different because it said banana (which I love) but also durian (which I'm scared of). I wasn't too crazy over the cocktail as it was very citrusy with an after note of durian and a hint of cinnamon. :: BITES :: About this.. they change up their menu yet their own website can't keep up with current menu items. COMPLIMENTARY CHIPS - I love that they offered this because it is always nice to drink, have conversation, and nibble on something. The chip flavor was salty? Umami, and at the bottom of the batch there was some heat. I couldn't tell what kind of root they used if that be potato or taro or something else. MOCHI FRIES - whoops forgot to take a picture of them. They were about 5 big blocks of fried Mochi topped with Parmesan and served with the Japanese Curry ketchup. The Mochi texture was crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside and hard to cut into smaller pieces using your chopsticks LOL. Dipping it in the ketchup made it even tastier. Either I was hungry or I really liked this dish because I munched on it the entire time we were here. RECOMMEND Yes, I'd love to come back! My kind of vibe. Until the next sip.... read more

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Amazing speakeasy and it's currently my favorite in San Diego. It is located inside Asa Bakery and requires a reservation. Yes, you can buy baked goods from Asa Bakery and eat them inside the speakeasy which is what we did. Check out my Asa Bakery review for the tasty Japanese goods, but we grabbed a bunch and went inside. We had a reservation for 8 and was able to get the lounge room which was secluded and private, seemed much better than the open area and highly recommended. They even had our own record player and great selection of vinyls to play. It was much quieter in the lounge so we could converse with each other. I really enjoyed most of the drinks, they were not only tasty but looked amazing too. There was 1 drink I did not like, but it was because of personal preference, I don't like licorice and one of the drinks had a strong licorice flavor. In addition, all the food was amazing as well and pairs great with the drinks. read more

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Bar Kamon, "if you know, you know". This was our first time at this bar. We celebrated nye here. Small and intimate setting with lots of drink and food selection. This was one of the first few bars where we left with curiosity for other drinks on the menu. So what did we order? We started with Tokyo Banana and sugar Plum Fair (seasonal). For round 2 we got Hello Pandan and Trash Panda. We couldn't stop there for the night, so we followed up with Winter Melon (seasonal). Of these 5 drinks, the Winter Melon was my favorite, however its a seasonal drink. Runner up would be Trash Panda. The Tokyo Banana was a good start, but I wish it had more banana taste. I had a creamy and sweet preference for the night. We got Mochi Fries and the Mediterranean Harumaki. Both were good, but we really wanted the Katsu Sando instead. The bakery was out of bread for their sando. Oh well... We only had 90min to enjoy the bar, which was plenty of time to enjoy 2 rounds of drink. The staff are super friendly reminding you of the time. The entrance was well concealed sonreally fun. The decor was easy to enjoy and not overly the top. Overall, get yourself on their reservation list and give this bar a try. read more

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Behind the hidden door is a really cool Japanese cocktail bar. This is not a dimly lit speak easy. It is open and lit with high ceilings and a classy vibe. Our waiter Amadeus was the best. He knows his drinks and was so helpful and friendly. He is a pro at what he does and elevated the experience! I tried a few different gin drinks and my husband had a whiskey flight. All very enjoyable. The chicken Karage slider were our fave, on those milk buns, omg!! We splurged for the oysters (2 for $19). The presentation was amazing, but they were sadly tasteless. The tuna cannoli was a hit however. Only other downside was a wobbly table which isn't great with a martini. Spilled a bit but Amadeus made it right immediately and had a new one made. read more

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Cocktails are always fantastic! Service is always good and they are always attentive. This is my 3-4th time here and I took my sister for her birthday and she absolutely loved it! It's a nice & intimate place to come with friends, families, and significant others. read more

Bar Kamon - Fries, wagyu roll - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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I've been wanting to try this place for so long because the drinks intrigued me, and I absolutely loved this bar! It was cozy and not too loud where I can have good conversation. All the drinks that I tried were so good. We got the matcha croissant, hello pandan, trash panda and the ube jungle bird. My personal favorite was the trash panda and reminded me of a pina colada. We also tried the mochi fries that came with a curry ketchup sauce. The texture was very interesting and I personally enjoyed it. The server was also very helpful in their knowledge of the drinks and gave recommendations to our preferences. I can't wait to come back :D read more

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Good vibes and not too crowded or tight! Drinks were top notch classy. The food was tasty but we only ordered a small dish. Highly recommend this place for a night out! read more

Bar Kamon - Espresso Martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Japanese-themed speakeasy in the sense that it's hidden away but not very hard to find. Bar Kamon is located inside Asa Bakery and you can either ask the workers to open the door for you or press the handicap button. Be sure to make reservations on OpenTable because this place was packed the whole night! Located in East Village, the bar doesn't have its own parking lot. We had to find street parking a couple of blocks away. To check-in, speak with the hostess and if your table isn't ready, you'll be asked to wait in the bakery until someone gets you. It's not too dim inside and the music wasn't too loud. It's a really great spot to have an intimate moment or to catch up with some friends. Not fancy at all so don't worry about dressing up. They also serve food but we were here for the drinks and ordered a couple of rounds. I got to try the Umeboshi Sour, Tokyo Banana, Clarified Ube Jungle Bird, The Stache, and The Sojiros Sprotini. A lot of interesting flavors, where some I'd order again and some I wouldn't recommend. The entire group's favorite was the Ube drink as it was very creamy and smooth. Second was the Umeboshi sour, which was tangy and sweet, very refreshing! The Stache was a bit creamy and fruity, where the creaminess came from the cheese foam. We couldn't really taste much banana flavor in the Tokyo Banana. The Sojiros had a unique curry flavor but it really reminded me of a Chinese herb medicine drink. Overall, I enjoyed most of the drinks and I'd love to come back and order off of their food menu! read more

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Old school Japanese bar vibes and service with amazing cocktails. Went for after dinner drinks - had a couple high balls and a black sesame old fashioned. Everything was fantastic - continue to talk about the drinks a month or two since visiting. Would def come back when I'm back in town. read more

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Super cute place! Hidden inside the bakery, small place, super fun drinks, great service, and a nice ambiance! Stopped here after dinner and was treated to such a nice surprise! Got the matcha croissant cocktail and it was good! Def want to go back and try more! read more

Bar Kamon - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Located inside Asa Bakery with its doors hidden in the panels. We had to ask the bakery to let us in. Our party of 4 made a reservation for a Tuesday night right when they opened and they already had a couple of parties ahead of us. I highly recommend making a reservation since I see this place getting packed as the night goes on. As with any other downtown SD establishments, give yourself extra time to look for parking since it's only street parking. There were about 10 bar seats and limited 2-4 person tables. Our party was seated at the couch with two chairs. I enjoyed the Japanese-style environment inside! Great service by Sam and Demi who were both attentive and brought our drinks fairly quickly. They had many unique cocktails listed and we ordered the following: -Ube Jungle Bird ($16): ube foam; enjoyed this drink the most -Ubemoshi Sour ($16) -Sojiros Sprotini ($16): their take on espresso martini; strong Japanese curry flavor at first sip but it was surprisingly good -Jiro Dreams of Breakfast ($15): like a mojito -Tokyo Banana ($16): I enjoyed the taste thought I couldn't really taste the banana Our party only ordered drinks since we had a dinner reservation after and I'd love to come back to try out their food next time! read more

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Was able to grab a last minute reservation for 5 on a Monday evening. We also got lucky and got street parking outside. The bar was not busy at all, we were seated right away at a table with a couch and some chairs. The atmosphere inside was classic yet cozy. Our waiter went above and beyond with his explanations on each drink we asked about. I don't think I've ever had someone be so thorough with great descriptions. We really appreciated him taking the time to talk to us about the different drinks. I ordered the Clarified Ube Jungle Bird. The ube cream was tasty and the drink overall was delicious. Definitely one of the best drinks out of the ones we ordered. We had just came from dinner so we didn't order any of the food items, though I would love to come back to try some. Overall I had a great experience here. I definitely would recommend a try! read more

Bar Kamon - Clarified ube jungle bird - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Love this speakeasy! Their drinks are so good and the inside is super intimate and vibey. The bartenders are also super nice, would recommend! read more

Bar Kamon - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

Everything was exceptional. The server was so wonderful, food delicious, drinks lovely. Josh the head chef is incredible. This whole menu and experience was perfect. Thank you!! read more

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The drinks here are so good for a date night and/or chill place for drinks. Amazing and friendly staff that check in with you if you need anything like last minute food if you are indecisive. The Hojicha Negroni does have a hint of Hojicha and coffee liquor. The chocolate does also add in a velvet taste to the overall drink. 8/10 Ube Jungle Bird definitely has a bittersweet taste as well as cinnamon , making the drink a tangy but tasty drink. The Ube black strap foam is surprisingly good as well it adds a slight nutty flavor. 8/10 Intimate space in a "hidden" area of the Asa bakery, we will be back to try other drinks with food. read more

Bar Kamon - Interior decor - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Diego, California

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Love the ambiance, fantastic drinks. We came for the interesting cocktails and really enjoyed the care that went into creating each well-balanced drink. The goat cheese savory one was a particular favorite. We also loved our server who could describe each drink in beautiful whimsical detail. The food was also tasty and the setting is upscale and perfect for a speakeasy setting. read more

5/5 I have been waiting to come to Bar Kamon. Needless to say, it definitely met expectations and lived up to the hype. Super cute and secret way to enter in through a bakery. (Bakery is delicious too, FYI) Bar Kamon offers great craft cocktails of all sorts. It was so hard to choose just one. I wanted to try all! I started with their Umeboshi Sour and my friend enjoyed the Ube Jungle Bird and we both order their Hojicha Negroni. All were extraordinary. Food offerings were good too. I'll definitely be back to try more! read more

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I went to this place with my friend and she found it on special media when it first opened. It was located inside the bakery and very tiny. Most of the drinks are whiskey or Japanese inspired. It was pretty strong I think dude to whiskey being the main liquor there. Reservations is required so I wouldn't recommend going here on a whim. You would also need to reserve in advance if you have two or more ppl. This place is not ideal for more than 5 since it is so tiny, it's def set up like a traditional speakeasy but totally worth checking it out if you like Japanese whiskey! read more

Love, love this speakeasy inside Asa bakery! It is literally behind an unassuming wall. I have been here several times and it is consistently amazing! Great place for an intimate evening with your favorite people! Strong drinks and good food as well. My faves- the Oyster Mushrooms, Surf and Turf Roll, any kind of Japanese Whiskey, and the Ube Jungle Bird. read more

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Bar Kamon was a hoot. My office had our yearly Christmas Party here this last year. When given the location, my wife and I wandered the block unsure of where to go as the only business evident at the address was a bright French Bakery. It took a coworker arriving, verifying that we had the right place, to direct us to a flat wall in that bakery to open up, revealing a darkened backroom where our party awaited. I was handed a Melon Highball and ushered within. After years of watching documentaries on Prohibition, I never thought I would ever visit an actual, working speakeasy. Anyway, Bar Karmon is small, an intimate space made of finely carved wood and crystal chandeliers, furnished with small couches and low tables, and supplied with a fine variety of spirits. And there's a back room, suitable for small groups, replete with a lounge sofa and turntable. The whole of it was a bit cramped for our group of 50+, meaning most of the furniture was pushed to the sides allowing us to stand and mill about. And the whole time, we were well attended by the staff with good food and drink. That Melon Highball was mild, lightly fruity in flavor, and quite refreshing to drink. The Nagoya Chicken Karaage was coated in a very light, crispy breading and cooked until it was just done to keep it juicy; it was very good, but suffered from sitting in a serving bin, becoming a bit oily. And we also had Wagyu Sliders, which were well seasoned and very tasty. All-in-all, Bar Kamon has a nice atmosphere, a great gimmick, and is a very comfortable place to enjoy an evening that's free of your typical, rowdy bar patrons and populated by a nice and talkative staff. It's a bit far away, making it difficult to come back for a return trip. But, it's definitely worth a shot if you're looking for a nice spot to impress a date or a place to settle yourself after a long day. read more

We walked in after dinner on Saturday hoping they'd be able to fit us in. We were SO incredibly lucky they had availability and sat our party in the back private room. It was absolutely the best way to end my husband's birthday weekend! Big shout out to Ben and Moe for taking care of us! They were both so nice, very knowledgeable and just made our experience at Kamon top notch! We had 12 cocktails and each one was perfection. The Tokyo Banana, The White Lover, Sazerac and Matcha one were our favorites!! Thank you for an amazing way to close out the best day ever! read more

Bar Kamon is a charming place with creativity drinks, dedicated staff, and chill vibes. We tried 6 drinks between the 2 of us and they were all amazing. I especially loved the pandan one. If you enjoy smokey flavors, then The Fifth Element is for you. While their drinks were the star of the show, the food appeared to be an afterthought. The oysters were served on a plate of salt, while it's esthetically pleasing, they did not take into account how the salt plating would impact the flavor. The extra salt made the oysters salty, and the strong sauce they served on the oysters packed an additional punch that made it entirely too overwhelming. I would have recommended they used a milder, perhaps citrusy sauce to keep the plating esthetics. The buffalo cauliflower was overwhelmed by the sauce, which didn't compliment the dish. The mushrooms was definitely our favorite dish. It had just the right flavor profile with good texture. Overall, I very much enjoyed my experience at Bar Kamon and can't wait to visit again. read more

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