Oak & Iron

Oak & Iron can be described as a unique treasure hidden in plain sight on Thousand Oaks Blvd. When you step into Oak & Iron, the ambience embraces you like a long-time friend. It induces the deep exhale you have been needing all week. Every square foot has been designed with thoughtful intention.It captivates your senses and relaxes you all at once. The bartenders meticulously measure and mix fresh, high-quality ingredients like mages of craft cocktails in front of a glamorous display of spirits softly glowing like a shrine to living in the present. 

Looking around, you can see memories being created right before your eyes. Among the crowd, old friends catching up after way too long, a group celebrating a milestone birthday, and two people awkwardly navigating their first date.It’s a vision come to life for co-owners, brothers Jason and Jared Logan, and Drew Pletcher. The Logan brothers were born and raised in Thousand Oaks. They longed for a unique gathering place in their hometown that felt both intimate and welcoming to all, and that valued high quality ingredients and explored adventurous recipes. They ultimately decided to take matters into their own hands and do it themselves.

The Logan brothers and Pletcher set their sights on Thousand Oaks Blvd to locate.The City’s Thousand Oaks Blvd Specific Plan (Specific Plan 20) was adopted in 2011 to provide visionaries like the Logan brothers and Pletcher with greater flexibility to bring creative and innovative businesses to the Blvd to enhance its overall economic vibrancy. The flexibility of the Thousand Oaks Blvd Specific Plan provided was exactly what was needed to bring Oak & Iron to life in Thousand Oaks. Oak & Iron opened its doors in 2018.

Five years later, it has built a reputation as a go-to place in Thousand Oaks for delicious drinks and memorable experiences. Among the local small business community, Oak & Iron is viewed as a valued partner and ally. They take great pride in sourcing their produce and spirits from local regional vendors, including Apricot Lane Farms in Moorpark, and Ventura Spirits. They have collaborated with Newberry Candy here in Thousand Oaks for candy and bourbon tasting; and paired up with 805 Quesa Birra Tacos out of Simi Valley to bring some Ventura County unity simultaneously to your plate and your glass. 

In addition to sublime ambiance, high quality products and local partnerships, Oak & Iron’s success can also be attributed to its agile and innovative approach to its business plan and operations. During the pandemic, they quickly pivoted to offer cocktails-to-go to keep revenue coming in while adhering to public safety measures. They also leveraged the City’s pandemic business assistance grant funding opportunity to soften the financial hit. 

After the pandemic subsided, Oak & Iron began offering bartending lessons to business and social groups. “People have really missed being together, and hybrid work schedules are more common now.This unique opportunity gives groups a chance to laugh and bond again. They also learn something and get to enjoy delicious drinks,” Pletcher stated. 

In addition, Oak & Iron adopted a gift card program to enable customers to gift the Oak & Iron experience to their loved ones and continued hosting corporate and private events in their downstairs speakeasy for some of our area’s larger employers. Currently, they are developing an online store where enthusiasts can purchase ingredients and make Oak & Iron recipes at home, and recently added a mobile cocktail trailer to their roster: “It’s a mobile bar. Now we have the capacity to bring Oak & Iron to you. Customers can hire us for weddings, other celebrations, and corporate events,” Pletcher says.

The City of Thousand Oaks would like to congratulate Oak & Iron as our latest Business Recognition Award Recipient. We thank you for your contribution to enhancing the vibrancy of Thousand Oaks Blvd., and for your ongoing commitment to cultivating a thriving local business ecosystem through your partnerships with other local small businesses.