DJs were killing it, staff was beautiful, and they had a great drink selection. This was a great…read morespot if you want to have a good time or just chill. However, it might not be the best place for an intimate conversation because the music was a bit loud.

Cool spot! Bring your friend or hit the bar solo…read more The bar is fully stocked and we received friendly service. I enjoyed the great decor with all the vintage set up of two seater booths & photos of women smokers from the 60's & 70's. I hope to revisit this location again for happy hour & weekend hangout.

A long time ago I walked into this place and couldn't believe how nice it was. I always said that I…read morewould bring my significant other to enjoy it with me and the day just happened to be my birthday. We sat at the bar where they had one of those old fashion Italian beverage fountains running. I decided that I was going to off course and ordered a Manhattan which i instantly regretted. Didnt taste as a great as the first one I tried in my life, but i dont blame anyone for its taste. Dont get me wrong, it was a beautifully put together drink, but it was a struggle to finish. A special thanks to the guys for the birthday drink. I really appreciated it. My wife had a Paloma which was very nicely made and looked good just sitting there. Its a very pretty place and during the late nights, it takes on a club feel. During the day they were playing old school European jams and i really enjoyed the overall ambiance. I suggest you give this place a try one day or night. Great date spot.

Arroyo Club? More like Arroyo Flub. Bartenders are nice but the doorman is an absolute prick. Get…read morehim out of here! He didn't let me back in because I was "being weird". Please elaborate my brother. Anyways, will never go back. NEXT!

I love neighborhood bars like this. It has style, is unpretentious, and draws people in because it…read moreoffers a classy retreat to spend time with friends. I met here with some other fans of the band Cannons the day before their show at the Hollywood Bowl. We had a great time and had some special cocktails curated by the band. We stayed late into the night and had a great time together while sipping some delicious cocktails. I recommend meeting up with friends here for a great time. The bartenders were super personable and took care of us all night.

Arrived at 7:30 on a Saturday night, plenty of seating available. If you aren't at the bar, there…read moreare small low tables with short little upholstered stools to balance on. Note for ladies, not flattering to be wearing a mini. The vibe is nice, but it was a bit too dark to be able to ready the drink menu. Expect to pay $17 a drink. The music was a tad too loud to have an intimate conversation. In a party of 5 couldn't hear the person across the tiny table, which after a hour I had a headache and left.

Highly recommend! Classic Glendale establishment!…read more The Famous has been under new ownership, a lovely woman, who has great new ideas for the bar. Lots of themed nights and engaging activities to really bring the community together. I love the creative and fun cocktails. Lots of asian themes but also traditional tiki drinks. Unfortunately parking may be a bit tough (you'll need to walk) - either street parking (paid in front), free street parking in the residential, or parking at the mall

(Drank 03/28/26 SA @ 6:00pm): How famous was this bar in Glendale?…read more After a late-afternoon film at the nearby AMC The Americana At Brand 18, my friend and I walked around a bit and eventually found ourselves at The Famous Bar. With the seemingly ever-changing landscape along Brand Blvd. in downtown Glendale, this establishment has been around since 2012 (which I believe was the first and only time I came here). Primarily known for its inventive craft cocktails and a killer whiskey selection, it was a nice place to sneak away into before or after your main event... or, maybe this could be the place to spend an entire evening. Would this bar famously make an impression on me to remember to return in the future!? PURCHASE(S) Fremont Brewing Dark Star Double Oatmeal Imperial Stout Beer 8.00% ABV 16floz Draft ($6.00 HH; Reg. $9.00): Dark brown color, coffee oatmeal roasty aroma, medium body, chocolate coffee oatmeal roasty toasty flavor, mouthfeel smooth finish, and coffee oatmeal roasty toasty aftertaste. This was a really tasty brew and my favorite of the two! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=ad_C9YTJYF9lVr2FOEQLkg 12" Margherita Pizza ($20.00 HH; Reg. $26.00): A simple pizza with a somewhat thin crust that was kind of cardboardy, the flavor was rather pedestrian with chewy mozzarella although the basil was fragrant and fresh. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=kdkvUttCLmMOAGQ1nyp5tg Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. Danish Red Amber Lager Beer 5.50% ABV 16floz Draft ($5.00 HH; Reg. $8.00): Dark amber red color, malty allspice aroma, low body, malty sweet flavor, clean smooth finish, and malty sweet aftertaste. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=QQjsTWce5Lstcxj5PowrYw Steak Fries ($7.00 HH; Reg. $9.00): This was an impulse buy as something to pair with my second beer. A decent portion-sized snack, each spud stick was hot, steaming, and thick and came with a side of ketchup. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=GVoy0nzxFUL6rHWaxNdG7Q SERVICE We were warmly greeted by a sole young woman behind the bar who handed us a menu and directed us to sit anywhere. After a few minutes of reviewing the menu, we each placed our order at the bar, our drinks were delivered quickly while the food took mere minutes to arrive at the table. We had to approach the bar each time we ordered something, but any empty glasses and plates were collected at the table. Once we closed out our tabs, we were thanked for coming as we headed out into the night. Everything was chill and easy - thank you! PARKING (Varied; FREE this instance): I parked in the nearby original Glendale Galleria parking structure and simply walked over first to The Americana then to this place. Otherwise, there was limited parking along the main drag of Brand Blvd. and other surrounding side streets, the nearby Glendale Galleria II parking structure, The Americana parking structure that offered validation, numerous public transportation options, and rideshares - 'nuff said! ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE A dark cavernous speakeasy-like place with open space, various tables and couches strewn about, and a large long somewhat decorative bar with an impressive whiskey selection displayed behind it. I appreciated the exposed brick walls which gave it that old-time feel with a few framed pictures hung on them. Minimal natural lighting came through the front doors and windows while minimal electric ceiling lights filled in rest. There was at least one projection TV where we watched the Dodgers game while music played in the background. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=SomLKsk1KVcemeOCHGOZfg ATTIRE Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops. OVERALL It was nice to slip into The Famous Bar for the first time in over a decade, and if I found myself spending time in downtown Glendale again, I'd consider another visit. Sadly, I try to avoid the highly congested area as much as possible. I loved the fact that they had a daily happy hour (4pm-7pm) and late-night SU-TH happy hours (10:30pm-close), so there was always a deal to be found. The drinks were the main reason you came, while the food was just an add-on. The prices were elevated, but you had a good menu selection of libations (nice local craft beer list) to choose from. The customer service was easy, friendly, and straightforward. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $42.00 BEFORE any discounts/tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 4.0 STARS

I don't think I've read a review where a dive bar is only reviewed for the photo booth! HAHA so…read moreI'll be the first to say that was my only reason for stopping by, I'm on a Photo Booth hunt and found out this place had one. Loveeee that I was able to locate it quick - I got to explore the place a bit and it's definitely a place I'd come back to with friends as well. Seems like it's a place that locals love!

It's Pliny the Younger season and Verdugo Bar came through again! Year after year the team here…read morealways has everything organized and gets through the line quickly and with a smile. Lines were long and the staff moved quickly to get through everyone even with special requests for cocktails. They tapped their first keg of Younger 45 minutes in and didn't skip a beat on moving the line with the next keg. Thank you again Verdugo Bar for an awesome release! Cheers to another year of Pliny the Younger!

Good house keeping bar. Nice view. Bar tender terrible…read more I asked him what type of vodka can he create as the menu did not have but 2 options. His response was this is a bar and we have liquor. Didn't suggest. Usually the bar tender suggest item but he has rude They had a photo booth that was neat but their service was horrible

I like to have the choice to sit indoors or outdoors, drinks were good and averagely priced for the…read morearea. I got a glass of wine and felt like the bartender could have given me a LITTLE bit more. Would come again and try the food as I hear it's very good!

Definitely speakeasy vibes. You will need to message ahead of time for the password. There will be…read morea bouncer outside that'll ask for it. Inside is a surprisingly large space. So much seating! I've never seen the venue overcrowded. Large menu so many drinks to try! Great spot whenever I have guests visiting

The bartender with the winged eyeliner is an absolute queen!! I love how decked out it was for…read moreHalloween and the drinks were delicious. I've gone twice this week while being in town on a conference and it was a fantastic atmosphere. The bouncer at the door is so kind and wonderful. My one fault is the other bartender who sat on his phone both times and did not help my girl out. Rude.

We came in for happy hour and they have good deals on food and drinks. We got a couple of cocktails…read moreand the chicken strips, as well as the guac. Everything was delicious. We ordered at the bar. It wasn't that crowded but there are definitely better tables than others. Since it was the late afternoon, the sun was streaming in and could be disadvantageous depending on the table position. That's not the bar's fault. It's nice and dark otherwise inside, and the interior is a cool vibe. I look forward to coming back for happy hour again.

This place has a great aesthetic. The decor and outdoor seating is so cute, and their menu is…read moretypical Californian pub food. My carne asada fries were good, but the chili dog stole the show. Although the food was alright, the service here is enough to keep me from returning. My friend and I were sitting on their patio at around 7:10 when a worker placed a "Reserved: 7pm-10pm" sign on our table without even batting us an eye. We got the vibe that we weren't welcome, so we left as soon as we could.

After reading all the reviews, you've probably already gotten the point, the food here is amazing…read more And it really was. Unfortunately, I don't have any photos because we're trying to get better about actually enjoying our meals instead of always taking pictures of everything, but man, everything was so delicious and the portions were nicely sized. For a party of two, we started with the baba ghanoush, which was so good. The bread was warm, fluffy, and perfect with it. We also ordered the Brussels sprouts. They weren't my favorite dish of the night, mostly because they were pretty tart and saucy, and I'm personally not a huge sour or tart person. But we still finished them, so that should tell you something. If you like saucier dishes with a more tangy flavor, you'll probably love them. The rice was amazing. It had different types of raisins, nuts, and so much flavor. It was honestly beautiful. We also ordered the branzino, which was really, really good. For our first time here, I think we did a pretty good job ordering, especially because we had no idea how generous the portions would be. We are two full-grown adults and we were stuffed. We even had to take some of the rice and branzino home, and we definitely did not have room for dessert. The service was great too. It was surprisingly busy for a weekday, but everything still felt organized and well handled. The staff was friendly and attentive, and we never felt forgotten even with how packed it was. This place is perfect for sharing and would be amazing for a bigger group. The space itself is also so beautiful. It has a historic and eclectic vibe and it would be perfect for a date night or catching up with friends. There's also so much to do around the area before or after dinner. I'll definitely be back. Easily one of my favorite spots on the Eastside.

My soon-to-be sister-in-law Rhian M. just turned 30, and her parents invited our family to a Labor…read moreDay birthday dinner at Checker Hall. We were a party of fifteen, between the ages of two and 69, and we occupied the entire back wall of the main dining room. It was a fun, festive, memorable gathering. Checker Hall is a happening place, in the heart of downtown Highland Park. It had been a minute since I'd been in the neighborhood, and boy has it fully gentrified. This restaurant is across from both a Jeni's Ice Cream and a Mendocino Farms. Checker Hall has plenty of character, though, and it seems popular with young people, maybe because it's attached to a music venue. It's probably the nicest restaurant I've been to of late where I'm above the median age. The space is beautiful, on the second floor of a lushly restored masonic hall. Rich wood floors, green patterned wallpaper, an attractive bar in the middle of the room. Several ceiling fans, much admired by my four-year-old. My boys also dug the live music, provided by a three-piece band playing near the entrance. Service was great, the staff well equipped to handle a large dinner party. The menu was pre-set, though we were allowed to order a la carte for the kids (this was unnecessary, as there was plenty the non-picky ones could eat, and we brought food for the picky one). We paid corkage for a couple bottles of wine, and ordered some cocktails, too. I liked my Carmen #6, a spicy tequila drink with pamplemousse, lime, yuzu, agave, jalapeño, sumac, and Angostura bitters. Ditto my husband's The Screaming Parrot, a tropical highball with Singani 63, Bacardi Reserva Ocho, orgeat, eucalyptus, makrut, citrus, pineapple, walnut bitters, and nutmeg. The food was delicious and plentiful, starting with a trio of house spreads and a mountain of hot, fluffy za'atar-dusted pita. There was hummus with crispy chickpeas, green zhoug, and tahini; baba ghanoush with grilled eggplant, seasonal peppers, tahini, and pomegranate molasses; and whipped feta with caramelized honey butter and urfa chili. There were three kinds of skewers, all superb. My favorite was actually the maitake mushroom, perfectly cooked with chili garlic glaze, salsa verde, and tahini. The spiced chicken was tender and juicy, with brown butter, lemon, chickpea, and herbs. And the glazed pork belly was a sticky, crispy throwback to the 2010s, with aromatic shoyu and pickled daikon and rhubarb. For veggies, we had halloumi fattoush salad with arugula, radicchio, strawberry, cherry tomato, red onion, cucumber, crispy pita, and sumac. Then brussels sprouts with pomegranate, lemon, and petitas romesco and sticky Japanese sweet potato with garlic glaze, hazelnut, harissa oil, and aji verde. The sweet potato was especially good. The two entrée dishes caught me by surprise, mostly because I was full of food and they were truly enormous. There was chicken schnitzel with spiced honey, herb lettuce salad, citrus slaw, and a trio of sauces: tahini, harissa aioli, and chili jam. Then the steak frites, New York strip with levantine au poivre and frites. I didn't eat that much of either of these, but they were solid, if not as impressive as the smaller dishes. We brought our own cake and, at one point, took the children across the street for ice cream, mostly to give them a field trip. I have no doubt, though, that the house desserts would have been top notch, and appreciated the flexibility. We live pretty far from Checker Hall but I'd love to go back. It's a wonderful restaurant, great for a special occasion or just a lively night out, with music and atmosphere and excellent food and drink.