The Obscure: An Enchanting Cocktail Experience

For quite some time, I’ve heard talk of The Obscure distillery in Los Angeles. I caught sneak peeks and teasers on social media but had yet to visit the place for myself. The head distiller, Theron, was gracious enough to extend an invitation to me and I recently spent an evening at this mystical spot. While I had a mere idea of what to expect, what transpired was truly magical.

The Obscure is a rarity for various reasons. It’s the first cocktail bar in California to be operated by a distillery, which allows the spirit makers and bartenders to work side by side to create concoctions. It’s also more than a bar; guests don’t come here to just have a few drinks, socialize and leave. The establishment delivers an exquisite experience, serving libations with fascinating tales to go along with them. It’s an elevated cocktail experience that transports patrons to different times and parts of the globe.

The Obscure is a secret gem nestled in the Arts District. From the exterior of the building, there’s no way to tell there’s an ethereal realm contained within the walls. There is a connecting patio café called The Rising Sun where attendees check in. Once that was done, we were led to the inner sanctum.

I left the broad daylight of the outdoors and stepped into a space that enveloped me in nighttime reverie. The large room was softly lit by faux candles and hanging spheres that resembled full moons. Everyone was given a Tarot card upon entering, which comes into play later. I was handed The Empress. My husband and I were taken to our table and waited for the festivities to commence.

There was a stage at the front showcasing a live art demonstration. That night, comic book artist Scott Benefiel was dazzling us with his illustrations. I love the live art element, and the venue rotates the different local artists it features. In the connecting room, there was a waterfall, and a dazzling wall filled with faux candles.

When the master of ceremonies and head distiller Theron emerged, he addressed the room and hinted at what awaited our senses. During this time, the wall behind him opened, revealing an elegant bar where mixologists were crafting exquisite beverages. I think everyone in the room gasped with delight when that happened.

The tasting experience is the main attraction. The Obscure has developed programs that are titled Season 1 and Season 2. The main difference is the types of spirits that are served. I attended Season 2. The menu highlighted the distillery’s Harbinger Jakarta Rum, Rites of Fall Rye (American Chestnut) and Three Fates Génépi Liqueur. It also included separate cocktails that incorporated each spirit. They were Philosopher’s Punch, Darling 58 and Serendipity. Every person had a set of three small glasses placed before them so they could sample the alcohol in its pure form before imbibing in the accompanying cocktails.

What was really interesting were the insightful history lessons and narratives Theron shared about each spirit. He revealed fascinating facts about the origins of the alcohols and the process he goes through as a distiller to get his products made. It was all paced nicely so we could absorb the details we were told and enjoy sipping on the fruits of his labor.

Now, I must admit that I don’t drink alcohol. I stopped a few years ago, so one of the major reasons I hesitated to check out this event was because it’s presented as a cocktail experience. I thought it would be pointless for me to attend. However, I was proved wrong. The Obscure offers zero-proof beverages to substitute each of the three featured alcoholic brews. All I had to do was notify my server.

My non-alcoholic drinks were delectable. The first and last had botanical notes and tasted so refreshing. My second libation had hints of dark chocolate, which I died for. I’m a huge chocolate lover, so that mocktail touched my soul. It was apparent that the mixologists took just as much time, if not more, crafting my zero-proof cocktails and I greatly appreciated it.

I will say that my husband imbibed in the alcoholic refreshments and was in awe of the quality, both when tasting the spirits in their pure form and the cocktails. I did take a whiff of them, and the aromas were invigorating. His favorite was the Harbinger Jakarta Rum.   

The presentation of the third and final beverages happened in a different part of the venue. This is where our Tarot cards came into use. They summoned us by group, so when they announced The Empress, we followed our host to the area with the waterfall. Guests were told to grab a spirit off of the wall, then we entered a hidden chamber. It was another bar within The Obscure. It was bathed in blue light and had a large, hypnotizing clock on one wall that reminded me of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.  Once everyone was served their third cocktail of the night, we were able to retreat to the upper level to sit and enjoy our drinks. This sitting area exuded Victorian vibes.

Before I knew it, it was time to depart. The Obscure has such a way of transporting you that when I exited the building, I was a bit disoriented. The cold air hit me and I realized I was back in LA. I had the opportunity to meet and express my gratitude to Theron for the invite. He also informed me that Season 3 was to commence the following day, so there is plenty more to explore and I plan to return.

The Obscure is open Friday through Sunday, and time slots for the experience are divided into two-hour increments. Memberships are also available and come with perks. Bottles of their spirits are available to purchase. There is convenient paid parking on-site and you can grab a bite to eat at The Rising Sun Café. Whether you decide to come solo, with a date, friends or family, you’ll have an entrancing time.

Where to Stalk

The Obscure official website