This Speakeasy In Old Town Sits On The Edge Of A Cemetery!

Oculto 477 in Old Town, a project from Be Saha Hospitality Group (Tahona, Wormwood, Botanica), is the only speakeasy in the world known to be located next door to a cemetery – one of the most interesting and unique environments you’ll find to have top-shelf cocktails in San Diego!

Oculto 477 Speakeasy in Old Town San Diego — Photo credit: Arlene Ibarra

Spooky cocktails with stunning presentation

Hidden within the bar area of Old Town mezcaleria, Tahona, Oculto 477 has an extensive cocktail menu offering creative takes on classic cocktails and often reminiscent of Prohibition-era drinks. But the drinks are anything less than ‘typical’.

Oculto’s collection of cocktails includes several libations that pay homage to its unexpected location on the edge of Old Town’s historic El Campo Santo Cemetery, which dates back to 1849 and where 477 bodies are buried (hence Oculto 477’s name).

Oculto Zombie | This blend of four rums with Falernum liqueur, mole grenadine, cinnamon syrup, grapefruit juice, fresh lime and angostura bitters is finished with a dash of absinthe.

Garden of Death | Mezcal mixes with Alma Tepec chile liqueur made in Oaxaca, lemongrass, ginger, fresh lemon, serrano and mole bitters.

Fire in the Cemetery | Smoky Laphraoig single malt scotch whisky meets made-in-California Argonaut brandy, alongside amaro, D’Aristi Xtabentun liqueur, demerara and angostura bitters.

Calavera #2 | Mezcal Cupreata and Mexican corn whiskey, smoked Amaro Montenegro, saffron-infused Strega liqueur, Lapsang (smoke-dried black tea) demerara and angostura bitters.

Deconstructed Painkiller | Appleton Estate Jamaica rum and Paranubes rum from Oaxaca mixed with fortified cream, roasted pineapple, dry-hopped kumquat oleo, fresh lemon and tiki bitters.

Several more new cocktails have also joined Oculto 477’s creative menu, like the highly visual Manzanita which is served in a miniature bathtub, an assortment of shims (low ABV cocktails) and mocktails, and CBD-centric, Gin & Chronic.

And for those who like surprises, Oculto 477’s Dealer’s Choice invites guests to choose their preferred spirit and style, then be surprised by the bartender’s creation. Alternately, bar-goers can opt in to the Risk It All and roll three dice to determine the fate of their next cocktail.