Charlotte 33 Speakeasy at Odd Birds Opens
ST. AUGUSTINE, Florida (November 12, 2024) – It wasn’t long ago that most cocktails offered in St. Augustine were your standard two-ingredient classics like a rum and coke. Then something special happened: Ice Plant Bar opened in 2013 and transformed the local drinking scene into one of the most elevated in the country. This was due in large part to their bartenders, who created handmade, small batch cocktails with crazy creativity and skillful techniques — one of whom being Cesar Diaz. Diaz came from Venezuela by way of Miami, and was known at Ice Plant for his complex and well-balanced cocktails. In 2015, Diaz wanted to channel his creative forces into a concept all his own, and opened a tiny pop up bar at 33 Charlotte Street. It became wildly popular.
“People came to the bar curious about what liquors we were using and what ingredients went into each glass,” shares Diaz, owner of Odd Birds and the new Charlotte 33 Speakeasy. “As bartenders, we became not only ambassadors but educators. We were offering a curated experience; a work of art satisfying to their taste buds specifically.”
Diaz’s success encouraged him to make the pop up permanent, branding the bar Odd Birds. He eventually started serving food, hosting dance parties, and expanding into the space upstairs. But then the building owner wanted to do something else. “We needed a more permanent location, and so we moved across the bridge to the island, and we’ve been blessed ever since,” Diaz says. Odd Birds has a parking lot, full food menu, and a much larger space to welcome patrons. In classic Diaz style, he decided to open another pop up this past summer — this time, inside his own bar.
“We have a back bar hidden behind a bookcase in the wall, and I thought, ‘Wait! We could really offer something special back here,” Diaz shares. He wanted to bring people back to that first feeling they had drinking their first craft cocktail. “I wanted to remind people of the original location where we created such an amazing vibe and feeling of togetherness.” Charlotte 33 Speakeasy at Odd Birds is an intimate bar redefining what it means to create, and enjoy, a cocktail. “Our focus is introducing new spirits to our guests, like Sochu from Japan, Baijiu from China, Cocuy from Venezuela, and rare rums and bourbons from Odd Birds’ special collection. We really strive to bring new concepts and experiences to our bar program as a way to keep our guests as excited as we are about what we do.” During Nights of Lights, they’ll be hosting Tiki Santa and a Whoville & Grinch inspired evening. In January, they’ll partner with Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy to create a 4-part cocktail experience based on stories of the famed poet. The speakeasy is available for weddings, parties, and events.
ABOUT CHARLOTTE 33 SPEAKEASY – Charlotte 33 Speakeasy is hidden behind a bookshelf inside Odd Birds Cocktail Lounge and Kitchen, 200 Anastasia Boulevard, St. Augustine, Florida. This intimate speakeasy offers a personalized and curated sensory experience by blending ingenious ingredients with unique spirits. Photos can be found here. Make a reservation at oddbirdsbar.com, and follow along on Instagram @33charlottebar
