Extreme dive bar, but also really homey and intimate. You can smoke in there, hang out with the regulars at the bar, play some cheap pool, throw plastic darts, or play the video games. Say hi to Sergio for me when you're there! Be warned however, that you will come home smelling like you've smoked a carton of cigarettes. read more

Yes...LA and its neighbouring communities are polluted and disconnected. And yes...it is easy to criticize Southern California for its drive-thru culture and obsession with donuts and burgers. Having grown-up in Vancouver with a Draft Dodger dad from San Gabriel, I have learned to look past LA's obvious flaws (that Canadians so love to target) and to really appreciate the unique culture of SoCal. One of the things I truly love about LA (and the States in general) is the plethora of taverns. They are windowless, cheap, comfortable, and designed for drinking. Canada is so conservative and set on serving food with liquor that it is refreshing to enter an establishment that not only lacks a menu but downright looks down on food. Taverns are for liquid calories only. R Place was recommended to us my one of my dad's old friends who is an aficionado of dive bars, and this is indeed a dive bar. Having said this, our bartender was polite and attentive, the bar was clean and organized, and you can order cocktails here if you feel so inclined. There are numerous TVs as well, in addition to a pool table and jukebox. We ordered a beer and a Jack n' Coke, and were offered some bar snacks with our drinks. The one thing we did notice was that it was a *bit* more expensive than you would expect a place like this to be. If I lived in Pasadena, I would definitely be coming here on a regular basis. read more

This is a bar, plain and simple. The kind of place that opens early for alcoholics to drink the day away at a lonely stool or corner booth. Couple of pool tables, a jukebox, parking out back and on the street. Friendly bartenders, Average Joe & Jane clientele. Not really for hipsters looking to slum for the night. It's a hardcore neighborhood spot and pretty much anything goes. It get's rowdy, I have seen some near fights. But as they say...."if you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen." Don't expect anything when you come here like special service. Or as one reviewer expected, for any so-called "undesirables" to get kicked out of the joint. These kinds of places make their own rules. It doesn't conform to you, you conform to it. Know how to hold your own or don't bother going. Many people go to R Place to drink and get drunk. End of story. read more

This is probably one of the best and least frequented dive bars in the 'Dena. My friends and I have been coming here for years, though our attendance recently has dropped off as our alcohol intake has dropped off. Drinks are cheap and strong. They've icreased the prices a bit now that they take credit cards and serve Fat Tire, but its still about $12 for a pitcher of domestic. Most nights it's pretty empty except for some regulars. Sometimes service can be a little slow. They almost always have just one bartender, and Sergio, the normal bartender, has a tendency to wander away from the bar and do stuff in the back, so you just have to wait for him to wander back at times. The main draw for me - two pool tables. Most local bars only have one, which means there's a wait, or you got the 'Rado where they have two, but there's still generally a wait. We get here early and play the back table, which is usually empty except for groups or couples, while the front table is typically the challenge table. This changes as the bar gets crowded, but again, it's not usually crowded. The jukebox used to be limited to some tejano music and some classics, which was part of the charm, but now they went all internet jukebox, so the country crowd has a lot more annoying options, but then again, so do I. It's a smoking bar, like most of the good dive bars in Pasadena, so you will come out of here smelling like you spent an hour rolling in an ashtray. That's really the only reason that I give it a 4 star rating. GET A BETTER AIR FILTRATION SYSTEM! read more

As someone who makes a living going to clubs in Hollywood, I so appreciate a good dive bar. R Place is the ultimate dive! .Yes, they have everything you expect from a local watering hole... cheap drinks! Darts! 2 pool tables. Jukebox. Lottery. Snacks. WiFi. Hell they even have menus of local eateries to have food delivered! Friendly patrons!... anyone off the street will feel welcome! But what make this a 5 star neighborhood dive bar is the ' tenders... Cat, Suni , Adam & Meg will keep you entertained from your first step in till you stumble out a few hours later! If ever in Pasadena this is a must " pit" stop. !!! Tell them Stephan sent ya! read more

R Place - Dive Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

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R Place starts out with 5 stars because it's walking distance from our house. The bartenders are great, the drinks stronger than one would even need, and most of the customers are salt of the earth folks. We love to go to Old Town and frequent the establishments there, but sometimes you just need a break from the trendy- and that's what R Place is for. We've been in there a few times, and trust me when I say either drink beer or have a DD (or be able to walk like us). The mixed drinks are crazy strong. There are definitely some unsavory characters that venture in there, and like other posters have said, they don't seem inclined to kick anyone out. I like a good dive bar, though, and R Place hits the spot. read more

I've passed this place and always wanted to stop in. So, one day after pissing some cash away at the racetrack, we stopped by for a beer. Initially it looked nice and divey, we got our beers and sat down at a booth. [Btw, unless you're a regular, expect to wait a while to make eye contact let alone order a drink]. The thing that really pissed me off: Some cracked out bum came inside and asked us for change, then sat down at our booth, then after we told him to get lost he sat down in the table next to us and smelled up the whole place. Kept asking people for money or beer or whatever, with no intention of buying anything. I kept telling him to take a hike, but no one working there said a word. So we said fuck it. Shitty service and the inability to kick people out that shouldn't be in there are two things that grind my gears. Good riddance R PLace! Enjoy your out of work truck drivers and non-paying, smelly homeless people! read more

This place has a great feel, nice comfy dive bar feel but very clean. Every night I went here it was on a week night and the place was full of apparent regulars, not a hipster in sight. The second time I came here was with a group of friends, one of which didn't have her license, just the paper temp permit from the DMV. They nixed us and sent us on our way, the only thing that i found odd about that was someone was smoking a joint in the back of the bar. I guess the pseudo-id is more unwanted then getting high in the bar. I would go back just because it wasn't crowded, and it felt authentic. Authentic what, i dunno... read more

A REAL dive. I had no idea you can smoke indoors until I read the other reviews and with that I'm even more impressed by the place. They have 2 pool tables, darts, LCD TVs, and cheap drinks. Something about the area remains unknown. It's in an area of Pasadena (southeast maybe?) where everything shuts down around 10pm, including Alcapolco's down the street. Kind of weird for LA county. So if you feel like venturing out there, do it! read more

Greeny is the best!!!! Is makes the best Cadillac margaritas and best michelads ever I have had!!!! You have to come down and see and experience the best of the best!!! I love this bar. Best dive bar especially when greeny shes the bomb!!!!! Jackie the owner is a doll!! Makes you feel right at home.. Alex will have you laughing the whole time your there you can't get any better than this!!! read more

This bar gets 4 stars for nostalgia. I've been going here for a long time, and ti's the first bar I ever received a phone call at. There's nothing quite like the moment when the barkeep answers the phone, turns to you, and says... "It's for you." Used to catch the old high school football coach knocking back a few, enjoyed hot dogs from the crock pot for Monday Night Football games, and learned to love a game of darts. A place where the barkeeps have been there so long they have their names etched in wood on signs that are hung on the nights they're in. I once read a review in a travel guide that said R Place is "a great place to get your a-- kicked." I've never had mine kicked there, and never done any kicking myself, so if you're into old school dive bars, with cigarette machines and vinyl booths, then come check out this place on 'ole route 66. read more

My Dad used to come here all the time way back in the days. (There are still some pictures of him on the wall.) He passed away recently, so I decided to stop by and check it out. It's a nice little spot. You can play pool play music on the jukebox and hang out, have a drink and some good conversation. The bartender Tawny was fantastically nice to me, and listened to my story. I've been back a couple times since and had a blast each time. I'll definitely stop by and have a cold one whenever I'm in the area. read more

R Place - Dive Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Alright, bumping it up a notch after coming here several more times with friends. Drinks are strong, pool tables rock, and the jukebox still bumps. Be warned, when selecting a playlist ($5 gets you 16 songs) people can go in right after you and if they have deep pockets, can bump their song(s) over yours by paying an extra .25 cents per song. It may not seem like much, but it does suck when I've got my clasic tunes on there and some douche comes in and pays the extra quarter several times over and pushes my stuff back. Other than that quibble, R Place is tops. read more

It's a bar. Just a bar. Enter at your own risk and don't expect much. If you come at the right time you'll be served by a foul mouthed female who you'll find out back having a cigarette when you arrive. Be patient, her cigarette brand takes an especially long time to burn. Not to worry, however. She makes up for it by being the best bartender in Pasadena. As in BAR. Not gastropub or Barney's Beanery or whatever. This place makes the 35er look like the Russian Tea Room. The main bar area is fairly small.. Pool sticks will hit people sitting and standing at the bar. "Room" needs to be made for passing not just at the bar but also around a big ass pool table right behind it, which is on the way to the men's bathroom and rear exit. So even with a small crowd things can get tight. They have a dart board facing the main entrance door. So when you walk in you may get blinded by a dart flying into your face. No worries, though. I find they pour a strong drink here that will ease any pain. There is a "backroom" with another pool table or two, and a few small booths. It's roomier back there but further from the bar. And don't expect to get served back there. A couple of small booths are also at the entrance of the bar. These can fit perhaps four people comfortably. More if sitting tight. There is a bench outside the front and rear of the bar for smoking. Should you smoke. A lot of the patrons here smoke. Including the bartenders. I don't smoke, I vape. So fuck you R place, I want my own section. Nothing personal but your cigs stink. Nothing to "pick up" here usually. Except a drink. So if that's your thing, go somewhere else. No food, either. R Place doesn't need that. A Jack 'n The Box sits just a half block away. Bring enough tacos back for everyone, okay? You'll find a mix of young and old(40+) customers, usually. Maybe even a tourist or two. They have a couple of TV's and a loud enough "jukebox," and peanuts and chips. If you come in a group you'll be addressed as "bitches" by at least one employee. It's okay. It means she likes you. It's a bar. You can get as loud and as wild as you want here. Keep your hands to yourself, your mouth in check, your interactions positive, and its all good fun. read more

This is the best place I have ever been. Jackie is a hoot and a genuine love. Very down to earth with people from all walks if life.

Nice bar, pool tables, good people, and really friendly bar tender. I don't know if they serve food or not, but next time I'm gonna ask.

This is a pretty seedy bar. You feel like you're in the Twilight Zone, because if you look to the upscale neighborhoods around less than a mile away (Hastings Ranch and Arcadia), it doesn't really make sense to have this bar here. It reminds me of the seedy downtown bars in NYC. But it makes for interesting times, to see hookers, lesbian bikers, all sorts of strange people come through. Biggest complaint I have with it is you come out smelling like an ashtray. There is no enforcement of the California smoking laws here at all. Otherwise the beer is really cheap and the jukebox selection is pretty neat. read more

The two times I have been here, staff has been incredibly friendly. Jacqueline was awesome and made sure that my friends and I were well taken care of (and fully informed on the magical world of Nashville!!) This bar is a quiet little dive in the old stretch of Colorado Blvd east of Rosemead that is a no-frills, local-centric watering hole. The first time I showed up I was asked if I had just been evicted from The Colorado (an apparently popular story). You've got a few booths, a long bar and two pool tables. What more do you need? Oh, homemade pickle brine for some quality pickle-backin? Sure they have that, too. Do you need a drink? "Come to R Place... It's YouR Place now." (Owners: you're welcome, you can go ahead and keep that slogan, just give me free beer) read more

Adam is the worst bartender ever!! I've never had a bartender threaten to throw somebody out for simply asking what is in the drink? And smelling what was served to them because they they don't like certain liquors?!?! Not just once but several times throughout the night!!! I've never had a bartender threaten to throw somebody out unless they were being unruly!! Idk if I'd ever come back to this bar...?!?!! read more

Place is OK, just watch out for some tatted fuck dark short hair excon who hangs out front, asking for your phone, or money, take your insurance, you may need it. read more

One of the best dive bars in LA / Pasadena area. I have been a regular for 8 years. In the last 3 years the owner has hired 2 of the hottest and best attitude bar mistresses around. A Dive Bar with Happy Attitude read more

The drinks are decent but the fact that the bartender by the name of Adam has no sense of humor that he has threatened to kick me out just by playing with him(which isn't hurting him do his job in the least) says a lot, you are willing to throw away business just because you can't handle someone being playful? I guess I'll stick to places that know how to take a joke that doesn't effect your job... read more

So I was on my way to Palm Springs and when my car alerted me that it was going to take over 3 hours to drive less than 100 miles due to traffic I decided it would be better to just find a place to chill a bit. So I googled and found this great dive bar right off the road. Nice little spot with friendly locals and good music. Had a drink and used their very clean restroom which can be a rare find in what they say is a dive bar. I recommend a stop if you want to get off the road while you wait for traffic to clear up. read more

Just moved to area seeking dive bar with locals. Well it's here and cool place to hang out good bartender "Apple" nice people and pool tables. read more

Finally, I stumbled upon a biker bar!! Yay!! Though, I didn't know it was a biker bar when I went. I was meeting a long time college friend and we love places like this. I've been looking for motorcycle hangout since I moved from WA, but I don't know anyone that rides here yet - but now I know where to look. Awesome! read more

I decided to try out this place after seeing it win best dive bar in a local newspaper. Wasn't sure what to expect but I was pleased when I got there. The place is very clean and well kept. The juke box is great, drinks were stiff, and the bartender (I think his name was Adam) was on the ball. Very come as you are attitude there. Pool tables were in good shape as well. No food so eat before you get there. Will be back! read more

Terrible bar. Waited 20 min for a couple beers, bartenders are too busy chatting with the old regulars. I will never go back to this bar.

Too bad...cool dive bar but bartender served drunk patrons that were obviously cut off at another bar. Obnoxious. Then preceded to pour them doubles. Fighting almost assured. read more

Annalee is the best!! She can easily handle a busy bar and she is so nice !! Love playing pool here too. Service is great and vibe is awesome. read more

Pros - WIFI, Spacious seating (when available) Decently priced goods / Cons - Cliche hipster vibe, complete with the dead faced, robotic "I exist, but I don't want to be here, I'll make your order because its in the agreement I made to work here" employee that wants a tip on top of it. Sometimes I think computers have more personality than humans; manners too. read more

My husband, myself and a couple friends ended our night her Monday around 8:30. It was my first time here and I was surprised how friendly everyone was due to some of the reviews. 2 pool tables with a lot of seating area. Pitcher of beer was $18. Meg the bartender was so sweet and attentive. If your looking for a chill atmosphere this is the place to come. read more

I'm probably not the average guy who hits up a place like this, but there is a lot to be said about this out of the way bar that will make you immediately comfortable, and very happy if you smoke. R Place always comes to mind when a friend is visiting and wants to play pool. Great drinks, good pool tables and a great atmosphere if you like smoke, and still pretty good if you don't. read more

It's a dive bar, yay no kids, suni will kick your ass, Adam it's Bart. ..lol good times. .. drinks it's a dive bar. ....r place, not ur place bitches read more

This place is amazing. The people that work here are super nice. The air conditioning is great and the bar smells nice. They have awesome beers on tap and they are resonably priced. I walked in for the first time ans it felt like I have been here every week. I would definitely come back. Not only did the bartender introduce her self she turned on the tv to what we wanted to watch. read more

Love this place, very nice because I'm local in Pasadena, great beer choices and a full bar. Bartenders are all really nice, Jacqueline took care of me the last couple times I was there, she's very friendly and helpful, amazing service. I would suggest this place to anyone especially if you're in the area. read more

Bartebers are great, wonderful mix if people, taco truck and 7-11 within walking distance. I LOVE THIS BAR!

So....I took 10 or so friends to this bar lastnight for my bday and someone bought the first pitcher. Then I went up to the bar with 2 other girls to do a shot, the shots were poored then the bartender says the credit card machine was down and we need to pay cash. We did'nt have cash so he pour the shots down the drain and said sorry but i cant give them to you then! He should have said sorry the machines down and it's your bday so the shots on the house! Cant believe he poored them down the drain!!! Then my friends wanted to close out their card and could'nt so he kept the cards and ID's untill they got cash! Could'nt he have written the #'s down and ran it the next day? So we ended up going to the little strip club across the street and drinks were CHEAPER! $9 pitchers instead of $14 for bud light! SERGIO THE BARTENDER IS GRUMPY,BORING,RUDE AND TO OLD TO BARTEND! TIME TO RETIRE! read more

Great place too chill The Bar Tender is fantastic, great dude. Excellent selection of alcohol. Friendly atmosphere, highly recommended. read more

You want a dive bar? This is your place. Beer, pool tables, darts, tv with sports, a bartender that looks like Moe's uncle (I like Moe. He's a badass) People came here to drink and leave their troubles at the door. Working class folks! read more

Crazy bartender bitch doesn't shut the fuck up! But we love her!.............................................................................. ...... read more