Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Carlo

    4.2 (26 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated a few days ago

    Carlo Photos

    CARLO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Romantic

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Carlo

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Inside
    Keri W.

    What a great speakeasy! We made a reservation for before dinner and it was so nice! The drink list is great, the drinks we all had were good and the place is dark lit with great ambiance. The server was nice and we really enjoyed ourselves. I believe you have to make a reservervation so be prepared. It's worth it.

    Lillian W.

    Marina and Reuben are AWESOME!! To start, ambiance was dark, intimate, and intentional - on par with many of the high quality SD speakeasies. Music fit the mood and furthered the experience as well. Service was great from check in to check out. We had a great time getting to know our bartenders (Marina & Reuben) who were super personable and knowledgeable, so we're glad we snagged seats at the bar to watch the magic happen. Drinks definitely ranged on the pricier side, but we've come to expect that in these settings. Having come a month after the opening of Carlo, we are excited to see how things grow and expand here! Coming here on a Wednesday night gave us the energy to get through the week!

    Amongst the Cosmos
    Jen N.

    We went on a Friday evening. They were ready right on time with our reservation. We went behind the secret wall and were sat at a table. It was very pretty in there, but the tables aren't very comfortable. The seats are low, and some are just tiny stools with no back. The tables are very small and hardly have enough room for everyone's drinks and waters. Our server was nice and helpful with suggestions. I ended up trying two of their signature cocktails - the Celestial Being and Amongst the Cosmos. The preparation did take awhile. I know with people throughout the space all getting different drinks, it can be hard to be fast. The Celestial Being had beet in it, which I was a little worried about, but our server assured me it was balanced. She was right. I did enjoy the drink, and the beet was not overpowering. As far as the Amongst the Cosmos, I wasn't overly impressed. I think I would rather just have a traditional Cosmo. The other 3 with me all felt kind of the same. The drinks were decent, but expensive. While the space felt private and unique, it's not high on my list to return to at this point.

    Grace C.

    Carlo Speakeasy in Mission Hills is such a cute, intimate spot. It's located inside a restaurant and tucked behind a wall of wine bottles -- super cool hidden entrance. Great selection of drinks, nice and attentive staff, and the music was good without being too loud. The atmosphere is cozy and perfect for a date night or low-key night out. I would definitely go again and would probably eat at the restaurant before or after next time.

    Myth and mist  Thai Tea cocktail
    Ryan B.

    I am a sucker for a speakeasy and after a great dinner at Cardellino this was a great decision. The myth and mist was excellent and I loved the foam. The Thai tea cocktail was excellent and I missed the picture for the Rum coffee cocktail but I loved that too. It's a classy, intimate little environment and was great for an afternoon dinner night extender

    Medusa
    Lorraine M.

    Loved my first experience at Carlo! Made reservations and snagged seats at the bar which is the best experience to watch the cocktails be made and learn from the bartenders. Both were very attentive and helpful as we decided what to order from the menu. Everything was quite unique and inspired in part by Cardellino's menu. I first tried the Medusa cocktail which was a clarified funky drink that went down so smooth. Then I ended with the acihilles which is a vegan spin on a carrot cake. The space itself was a classic speakeasy - cozy and dark with enough light to see who you're conversating with. I'll absolutely be back to try other cocktails!

    Entrance
    Smitha A.

    The service and quality of the cocktails are definitely 5 star. The bar stools and the price points - yikes. Let's start with the stools. I am an average size human and was falling off the stool. They are stiff and small and just weird. The drinks range from $18-30. I usually get Negronis but $30 here! The space is beautiful as are the cocktails. We started with the Medusa's Medallion which has a rare rum from Haiti called Clairn. It's a little funky but in a good way. I had the Achilles Heel for dessert which was made with geneveer. Tasted like carrots cake. My girlfriend tried the Devil's Whim. Think espresso martini. Both were a little rich to finish. I'm not sure I'll go back but I love that it's in the neighborhood.

    Ambiance
    Kelli O.

    Great date night spot! Make a reservation for the restaurant about 1.5 hours after your slotted time for the speakeasy. This way you can eat and have a guaranteed table. Barcelona was an amazing host at the speakeasy and was very knowledgeable and friendly. Can't forget a name or person with his hospitality.

    Jennifer V.

    This speakeasy bar is so cool. The hosts led us to the entrance. What a gorgeous atmosphere. The heavy burgundy velvet curtains leading to the seating area. And every detail was nicely done. I love the theme. The bartenders were super warm, pleasant, and attentive as well. The drink prices were starting ~$20. This was a fun evening. Make a reservation.

    Cornstar and Tequila/Bell pepper
    Bridget B.

    We absolutely loved Carlo! The speakeasy nestled inside Italian restaurant Cardellino was so much fun and the drinks were soooo good! Going into it not knowing anything, I was super interested to try the restaurant as well. It was gorgeous. For those of us that enjoy less alcohol forward drinks, this place is for us. While you could definitely still taste the alcohol it wasn't so overpowering. Each ingredient was still able to be tasted and enjoyed. I really liked the p*rn star drink which was grapefruit, lime, vanilla and vodka. Really great! Our bartender was super cool too. Would definitely return.

    Alicia L.

    We were excited to check out this new speakeasy and we made reservations over a week in advance for the second day that Carlo was open. Carlo is tucked inside the Cardellino restaurant and has an elegant ambiance! Service was great! Our favorite was the godfather which had a delicious smoky taste. The Trials of the Gods tasted like a fancy apple juice and was too sweet for my liking. Overall we thought the drinks were mediocre with steep price tags. Unfortunately the bar seats were also pretty uncomfortable and unstable as well.

    Trials of the Gods
    Felipe G.

    New speakeasy in Cardellino's Restaurant. Opening is hidden door along the wall of wine. I had reservation so was seated immediately. Immediately welcomed by bartender with explanation of two different sections of the menu. Service was excellent and they had excellent recommendations based on your likes and dislikes. My favorite was the prophet. Ambiance is chic.

    Jose P.

    Checked out Carlo, the new speakeasy in San Diego, and honestly I was a little disappointed. I had high expectations, especially knowing it's owned by Trust Group, who usually never miss. The space itself is cool, but the drinks were just okay nothing bad, just nothing memorable. It kind of felt like a spot that was put together because they had the space. That said, service was great attentive, friendly, and definitely a highlight of the night. I'll for sure give it another shot down the road once they've had more time to work out the details, because the potential is there. But as of now, it's a pass for me.

    As you enter the wine door small black room and this emblem is to your right.

    See all

    23 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Marcie L.
    428
    699
    1629

    1 month ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    14 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kelli O.
    100
    57
    27

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tom W.
    0
    98
    2

    2 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jose P.
    3
    127
    520

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Winnie L.
    32
    31
    14

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Yumi B.
    498
    300
    1041

    4 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Cj J.
    2
    80
    90

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Drinks were great. Atmosphere was great. Service was top notch. The bar stools were horrible - small and very uncomfortable.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Carlo

    Do i need to have a reservation to get in the speakeasy?

    It's always good to have one . Enjoy

    Do they serve snacks?

    Unfortunately, no.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    False Idol - Isn't it gorgeous?!

    False Idol

    4.4(1.4k reviews)
    2.1 miLittle Italy
    $$

    My False Idol experience was memorable, albeit blurry toward the end! My boyfriend and I had been…read moreon a half-day tour beforehand, but I saw that False Idol was near our hotel and I insisted we stop in for a cocktail before calling it a night. I knew it was a speakeasy but he did not. I was trying to double-check on my phone that Craft & Commerce was the right restaurant its housed in (yes) when he tried to jet set off down the block "to keep looking" rather than listen to me. I yelled, "MOTHER!" by accident and then he did truly leave me hahaha. He resurfaced a few minutes later, and then we walked in. It was 5:15 at the time, so 15 minutes after opening. I had NO IDEA how popular this spot was, nor anything about its nation-wide reputation. I actually didn't know that until two days ago when a Yelp-friend at home here in Richmond, Virginia, exclaimed excitedly when I told her we stopped in. The host who greeted us was kind, informed us there had been a line to get in that day, but that they had one barrel left; we jumped on it of course. It was happy hour, so the first cocktail I ordered was dirt cheap at $9. It was the Imperial Hawaiian with gin, rum, lemon, pineapple, and orgeat. I really shouldn't have ordered a second drink after that one, but I did have the classic Saturn later on in the night and it was absurdly good! Definitely my favorite of the two. The moody tiki vibe was so cool and fun. They even had frogs you could play on the tables. We had some fun neighbors too, which livened up the experience even more. We had a great time and both walked out heavily buzzed. We were asleep by 8 that night, but it was worth it!

    Stopped by Falls Idol this past Saturday on our way back from Panda Fest, and it turned out to be…read moresuch a fun, spontaneous experience. We arrived about 10-15 minutes before opening, let the staff know we were walk-ins, and they were super accommodating--they gave us about 60 minutes at a table despite reservations coming in. The space itself is very small and tucked inside another venue, but that honestly adds to the charm. It's dimly lit with a unique, immersive vibe--think jungle-inspired with eclectic decor. At one point, there were rumbling sounds and subtle vibrations through the chairs, which made the whole experience feel interactive and different from your typical bar. The drinks were creative and fun (one of my friends even kept the drink garnish as a collectible), and the staff was friendly and welcoming throughout. It's definitely more about the ambiance and experience than anything else. I'd come back again--especially around the holidays to see how they switch up the decor. If you're looking for something a little different and don't mind a cozy, darker setting, it's worth checking out.

    Photos
    False Idol - Tiki themed decor

    Tiki themed decor

    False Idol - Rum barrel

    Rum barrel

    False Idol - Back bar rum selection

    See all

    Back bar rum selection

    Realm of the 52 Remedies - Clouds over Thailand

    Realm of the 52 Remedies

    4.4(868 reviews)
    5.5 miKearny Mesa
    $$

    Realm of the 52 has been on my SD bucket list since I've moved here. So pretty hyped to get to…read morefinally go! Its located inside Common Theory. The entrance is pretty cool but I'll let you experience it :). The interior is definitely a vibe and intimate. Its definitely for smaller groups. They actually recommend to stay in your seat unless you need to use the restroom, which I appreciated. The service was all around very good! I got the Saigon Dreamer and it was so good! It had such a good mouth feels with the clarified milk. Highly recommend if its still on the menu. For food, I got the charred gai lan and the KFQ. The gai lan had a nice smoking taste and very tender. KFQuail was succulent and was fried to perfection. The only downside would be it was pretty expensive what you get. Will definitely be back for the cocktails but may get food somewhere.

    A hidden speakeasy tucked inside Common Theory Brewery in Convoy -- such a fun concept. They have…read moretheir own parking lot, so no stress there. The entrance experience is really creative (I won't spoil it!), and our host was incredibly enthusiastic, setting the tone for the whole night. You do need a reservation, and they charge a per‑person deposit. There's also a time limit, which is a bit of a bummer, but understandable given how popular the place is. The space itself is gorgeous -- dark, cool, and atmospheric with tons to look at. Anime is projected on the wall, and the décor is super detailed and immersive. Each table has a QR code so you can browse their extensive drink menu. They do serve food, but our group of six came just for drinks. The cocktails are unique, beautiful, and definitely on the pricier side, but there's something for everyone. You can only order one drink per person at a time, and there can be a bit of a wait, but honestly the presentation makes it worth it. I tried the Kasato Maru and the Seoul City Hipster -- both vibrant, refreshing, and stunning. A cool, quiet, moody speakeasy with memorable drinks and a fun reveal. A great spot for a special night out.

    Photos
    Realm of the 52 Remedies - Sitting area

    Sitting area

    Realm of the 52 Remedies - Main dining area

    Main dining area

    Realm of the 52 Remedies - View from my table

    See all

    View from my table

    Noble Experiment - Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail

    Noble Experiment

    4.5(1.9k reviews)
    2.8 miEast Village
    $$

    My brother-in-law and I were looking for places to drink....And we just wanted somewhere chill. We…read moreknew that any bar by tacos el gordo would be too wild for us, so we walked a couple blocks and approached Noble Experiment. I would say this was probably our highlight of our trip in San Diego. Garrick, the bartender there, was super accommodating. Not only was he and the other bartender were making damn good drinks, they would legit talk to you. The ambiance of the place is cool too. Felt like I was going inside some continental room like John Wick. Definitely my vibe and definitely coming back. But if you ever get Garrick as your bartender, you're in for a treat!

    The Noble Experiment: 9/10…read more Aesthetic & Ambiance: 9.5 - This place gives "speakeasy haunted mansion" vibes. You walk into the barrels, down the mirrors, and into the skull room...IYKYK no less. The waits to get very deadly so make sure to put your name on the list early. Service: 9/10 The host was chill, and we had Quintin as our mixologist. There are no menus he told us, he just went off of our flavors, and palate, so I can't really speak for how to order the same drink. First drink: 9/10 (profile) Vodka bases with cucumber and strawberry. Second drink: 8.5/10 (profile) Smokey, deep old fashion. Overall a MUST-GO to if you're in the area stopping by!

    Photos
    Noble Experiment - Spiced banana flip! Delicious!

    Spiced banana flip! Delicious!

    Noble Experiment - Bartenders creations.

    Bartenders creations.

    Noble Experiment - Skull wall

    See all

    Skull wall

    Carlo - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...