The Obscure

Tucked behind the façade of normalcy at 1356 Palmetto Street in L.A.’s Arts District lies The Obscure—a cocktail experience like no other. Guests enter through a hidden entrance, checked in at a neighboring café before being transported into a dim, candlelit realm of ancient ruins, lava-lined walls, and ethereal waterfalls. Once inside, the bar’s dramatic design unfolds: flickering lanterns, moss-covered stones, crystalline formations, and cascading reeds create an atmosphere where magic feels tangible. Stories come alive as mixologists present six curated libations—three bespoke spirits distilled in-house and three imaginative cocktails—each paired with its own narrative steeped in myth and lore. The experience is intimate and theatrical, blending immersive storytelling with high-caliber mixology in a way that defies the typical bar outing. Guests are encouraged to don all-black attire as they embark on a two-hour tasting ritual filled with sensory pleasure, whimsy, and a sense of travel to another world. Patrons and journalists alike rave: “Harry Potter-style speakeasy,” “mixology meets storytelling,” and “magical realm … candles, stories, spirits.” It’s described as immersive, emotional, and wholly unique.