Bar inside Opsek Post 354 (Photo: opsek_post354)
Son Lam, a 41-year-old retired U.S. Marine gunnery sergeant and USC Marshall School of Business graduate, has transformed part of Buena Park Post 354 into a modern hidden speakeasy, as reported by Brock Keeling of The Orange County Register.
Located in the heart of Orange County, California, OpSek Post 354 offers a unique experience for Veterans and their guests. Taking inspiration from the phrase “operational security,” the speakeasy is unrecognizable from the street or sidewalk. There’s no signage, and the building’s plain stucco exterior conceals the swanky interior within.
“Veterans of my generation and younger see these buildings as outdated, so we’re discouraged from going inside,” Lam told the reporter.
To enter, at least one person in your group must be an active American Legion member or a Veteran. For Veterans who aren’t yet Legionnaires, a 24-hour day pass is available for $5 inside the speakeasy.
Guests enter through a side door off the parking lot into a dimly lit antechamber decorated with wallpaper featuring newspaper headlines from U.S. wars. Guests announce their presence to the bartender at a door with a steel grill speculatorium, which isn’t really a door. The real entrance is behind a framed digital artwork of generals James Mattis and Douglas MacArthur.
Lam, who served two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, designed the interiors with military figures of the past and present, such as Harriet Tubman, who served as a nurse and Union spy during the Civil War; Chuck Norris, an Air Force veteran; Elvis Presley; and Zack Bryan, a modern country music star and Lam’s favorite artist. A hidden door disguised as a bookshelf leads to the Buena Park American Legion Post’s main event space.
For Lam, bringing together younger and older generations through expertly mixed drinks and a stylish setting is personal.
“What inspired me to create this place is that, since retiring from the Marine Corps in 2016, at least 20 Marines I know personally have died by suicide or substance abuse,” he explained.
To combat the isolation and mental health struggles many Veterans face, Lam began hosting events and gatherings. He wanted a permanent space for this, which led him to The American Legion.
Besides providing a place for Veterans to connect over drinks, Lam also helps them access the benefits they’ve earned. He hosts events to assist Veterans in signing up for these benefits, offering laptops, free drinks, and coaching.
Lam hopes OpSek will be a place where people, young and old, can bond, bridge generational gaps, and connect to life-saving resources—whether through human contact or mental health assistance.
OpSek Post 354 is open Fridays and Saturdays from 5 pm to 11 pm and welcomes everyone, from every branch, rank, and age, including civilians.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.