Noble Experiment

A spritz of bitters, a splash of soda, egg yolks, egg whites, cucumber, mint, lemon, cherries, blackberries, not to mention the actual hearts of gin, whiskey, but never vodka are all possibilities to wash over your tongue and warp your mind when you enter Noble Experiment. You might not be able to see it from the street, and if you can even manage to find it entry is not guaranteed without a reservation which are set via texts. This catacomb-eque room oozes elegance, from the a flickering red sign upon a deeply stained wooden wall in the oppressively small entryway, spooky gold skull wall first visible upon entry, mirrored end tables, only a handful of white vinyl booths, an overwhelming white and crystal chandelier dangling from a ceiling covered with gilded images of duchesses and the English countryside. Did I mention this was a secret bar?

It only fits 25 to 30 people at a time, and entry is not open. This month old aptly named Experiment promises to be one of San Diego's hottest new trends, and I'm predicting a major hot spot for impressing first dates. With drinks about $10 a pop, it's not a major steal that keeps tongues wagging about the mystery of the place, it's the ultimate hand-crafted cocktail served by true spirit masters that will keep the place as packed as it can be; with only 8 barstools, it proves to be an exclusive club indeed. A short menu is available for those mystery-seekers enjoying the experience and mystique rather than in search of a pre-Prohibition style drink, but with old methods with a new twist, I predict that within a month there will be a waiting list to attend the Noble Experiment. I'd recommend staying as close to the bar as possible- it was a treat and a delight to witness a true artist at work. I'm sure for a nice chat the booth would prove a cozy and intimate setting, but why go to a psuedo-chemistry lab and not observe?

I confess, I'm already guilty of diluting the secret, which I hope people are able to continue to enjoy despite the inevitable mystery being solved by the general population. Once the secrecy of the location and experience get completely overrun by the Gaslamp rats, at least the cocktails will speak for themselves. You can't knock any bartender that asks you if you have any allergies before hand-crafting a drink complete with impurity-free hand-cracked ice! To those interested in any standby drink served at a meat market in order to complete some sort of Friday night hopeful carnal fulfillment, don't bother. There's a fantastic beer bar in the front of the building. However, for any adventure seeker, liquor fanatic or not, looking for an exciting alternative to the standard PB or Gaslamp experience, don't be shy about trying it out. It will definitely leave you wanting more.