Old-world decor & oak-clad walls give this hidden cocktail bar a sense of mystery & opulence

When  you think of a hidden bar, you probably don't think of it being in a mall.  But it really works well for this place and it is among my favorite places to have a cocktail in San Diego.  Heads up though - you might be able to get a spot if you walk in, but I completely recommend making a reservation on Open Table.  You may have to plan ahead by making a reservation at least a week or two in advance, but I promise it will be worth the wait.  The decor, atmosphere, and cocktails are amazing!  No wonder it has been named to Esquire Magazine's "Best Bars in America". 

Find someone who loves cocktails, but has never been to this place.  Perhaps a visitor from out of town.  Let them know you might stop in for a drink somewhere after a stop at the mall.  Once there, take them inside the store front which looks like a 1920's liquor store.  While they are browsing the assortments of whiskeys and fine liquor, quietly check in with the host or hostess (assuming you made reservations).  Once your table is ready, they will have you both sit down next to the fireplace.  Then the fireplace and your chairs will slowly rotate and before you know it, you are inside the hidden speakeasy known as Raised by Wolves.  

They spared no expense when designing and decorating. It was designed by Paul Basile of BASILE Studio who is also responsible for the San Diego iconic restaurants of Born & Raised and Craft & Commerce.  The idea is to transport guests to early 1900's Paris or London.  The cocktail lounge sits under a massive stained-glass gazebo structure with LED lighting that mimics sunrise to sunset.  The bar itself is a 22-foot African Gold marble bar which is surrounded by "claw and ball" bar stools imported from London.  

A place that went to this extreme on the decor and experience should absolutely have some of the best cocktails.  And they certainly do.  I've been twice now and I've made an effort to try something different both times so I could see how pretty and good some of their concoctions are.  When I go to a speakeasy, I tend to steer toward the classics like an Old Fashioned, one of my favorites.  Raised by Wolves has several on their menu to choose from.  Most recently, I ordered the Island Old Fashioned which included Irish whiskey, coconut infused banana liqueur, pandan, and aromatic bitters.  I was a little worried how the coconut banana liqueur was going to taste, but I loved it.  The banana wasn't too strong, but just enough to make this a unique drink that left me wanting some more.  

We also wanted to order a "pretty" drink, so we asked our bartender to bring us the prettiest drink on the menu. So he brought us a Mild Sedative (pictured below). The drink should probably be illegal just for the number of calories one consumes.  But I loved every calorie.  It was similar to a Painkiller.  It includes aged blended navy rum, creme de peche, passion fruit, coconut butter cordial, orange, and lemon.  It was served with mint and beautiful orchid.