Cocktail Bar
Unclaimed profileKamon Craft Cocktail Bar
San Diego, CA · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Kamon Craft Cocktail Bar is a Japanese-inspired speakeasy hidden behind a secret door at Asa Cafe and Bakery. The cocktail program showcases 17 craft drinks with clarified techniques, infusions, and highballs, using spirits like Toki, Nikka, and shochu. Standouts include the Hojicha Negroni and Clarified Tokyo Banana. A customizable mocktail option and a Japanese whiskey selection round out the program.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Clarified Tokyo Banana, a Toki-based drink with banana, hojicha, and banana foam. The Hojicha Negroni offers a smoky twist on the classic, while the Sesame Old Fashioned brings black sesame and Montenegro. For a non-alcoholic option, the Dealers Choice Mocktails are tailored to preference.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts seeking Japanese-inspired creativity and technique will find much to appreciate. Those interested in Japanese whiskey flights or a well-curated spirits selection will also be pleased. The speakeasy ambiance and skilled bartenders add to the appeal for those seeking a refined, intentional drinking experience.
- When should I go?
- Evenings are ideal for the full speakeasy experience, with the hidden entrance and intimate interior. The bar's relaxed atmosphere suits after-work drinks or a slow, contemplative cocktail session.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- Kamon's 1920s-inspired Taisho Roman theme, secret entrance, and Japanese-focused cocktail list set it apart. The menu's use of ingredients like hojicha, shishito, umeboshi, and shochu, alongside clarified and infused techniques, demonstrates a distinctive approach. The Japanese whiskey selection and customizable mocktails add further uniqueness.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
A creative, technically adept cocktail program with 17 Japanese-inspired drinks. Features clarified cocktails, highballs, and infusions, using premium Japanese spirits and housemade components.
Menu strengths
- — Menu showcases innovative techniques like clarification and infusion, with drinks such as Hojicha Negroni and Clarified Tokyo Banana.
- — Uses high-quality Japanese spirits including Toki, Nikka, and shochu, enhancing authenticity and flavor depth.
Standout selections
- — Tokyo Banana: Toki, Bacardi Ocho, Braulio, Banana, Hojicha, Banana Foam - a clarified, layered drink.
- — Hojicha Negroni: A smoky, roasted green tea twist on the classic, using Japanese ingredients.
- — Ao Ichigo: Don Fulano Reposado, Nikka Coffey Vodka, Mazzini Blanc Vermouth, Shishito, Acid, Strawberry Soda - savory and sweet.
Nonalcoholic
Provides a 'Dealers Choice Mocktails' option with NA spirits, housemade syrups, and sodas, allowing for custom non-alcoholic drinks. This thoughtful offering supports a diverse range of guests.
Menu strengths
- — Uses NA spirits and housemade syrups, suggesting quality ingredients.
Standout selections
- — Dealers Choice Mocktails: Custom non-alcoholic drinks made with NA spirits, housemade syrups, and sodas, tailored to guest preference.
Spirits
Specializes in Japanese whiskeys, offering flights and a good selection. The cocktail menu also incorporates a range of spirits including shochu, mezcal, gin, and vodka, showcasing breadth and expertise.
Menu strengths
- — Japanese whiskey selection is appreciated by reviewers, with flights available.
- — Cocktail menu integrates diverse spirits like shochu, mezcal, and Nikka vodka, indicating a well-stocked bar.
Standout selections
- — Japanese Whiskey Flights: A curated selection of Japanese whiskeys, allowing comparative tasting.
- — Ume Noir: Nikka Vodka, Nankai White Oak Shochu, Lapsang Tea, Umeboshi Cordial, CO2 - a sophisticated blend.
How it sits with the food
While food service is noted as decent, the cocktail menu's Japanese flavors like yuzu, matcha, and sesame suggest pairings with light, umami-driven dishes. The zuke tuna tostada and mochi fries, mentioned by guests, could complement the cocktails' savory and tea-infused profiles.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
Community reviews
Anyone with a free Inebrious account can rate the drinks here. Community ratings are kept entirely separate from the Inebrious editorial score above.
No community reviews yet. Be the first to write one.