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    The 1894

    4.5 (72 reviews)
    ModerateWine Bars
    Closed 1:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    The 1894 Photos

    THE 1894 ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Intimate
    Moderate noise
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - The 1894

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    Sadel S.

    What a cute tiny wine bar!!! I was hosting a small book club meetup here since we all just read 1984...1984 seemed too perfect, especially since it's inside a beautiful book store. Our server let us sample a couple of wines before making our selection and they were so good. I'm obsessed with how the drink names are based on books or authors! The bread with brie and honey was yummy and the ambiance was too cute. I'd absolutely go back!! The bookstore itself has SO many options and 2 floors. It's all worth the visit!

    Outside
    Te-see B.

    This is my second time here and I gotta say, I just love this place! It's so quaint and the staff are awesome. Located towards the front end of Vroman's book store, they offer wine flights, wine by the glass, unique wine cocktails, beer, hard cider, mocktails, and small bites. Great place to meet friends! *Opened *Wednesday & Thursday 3-9pm * Friday & Saturday 1-9pm *Sunday 1-7pm *Happy Hour *Wednesday-Friday 3-5pm *Plenty of free parking in the lot behind Vroman's

    Amanda H.

    I've been coming to The 1984 since I've moved into the area and I'm so happy I found this gem nestled into the bottom floor of Vroman's. With great wine, snacks, and service, this is a perfect spot to get together with your book club, have a casual date, or read your latest book! Win not your thing? They have a few mocktails to choose from, as well!

    Charcuterie!
    Aurora L.

    Another great experience at this wonderful bar. My friends very much enjoyed the ambiance, drinks, and snacks. The dusk to dawn fleet is still my favorite. I recommend the cheese and meat charcuterie - the jam is really yummy. As always, the bartenders were so nice :)

    Cold Brew Espresso Mocktail
    Usman P.

    Really enjoyed 1894. Located in a large independent bookstore called Vroman's, this was a nice surprise to come across as I was navigating my way around not exactly in search of bevs or a bite. The ambience was nice and classy, and the uniforms the staff were wearing was reminiscent of the late 1900s era true to the name of the bar. Service was very friendly, running me their personal choices on the abundant list of mocktails present on the menu. I'd ended up settling with a cold brew espresso drink I can't recall the exact name of, and a warm baguette with brie and honey. The cold brew espresso was incredibly refreshing and unique, paired with a dried orange slice garnish and swirly golden straw for an aesthetically appealing touch. It had the kick necessary to wake me up a bit as I was lacking proper sleep. The baguette had amazing texture. It was pillowy and paired perfectly with the brie/honey, as well as the side of generously-seasoned seeds.

    Entrance is inside the bookstore
    Hannah S.

    A wine bar in back of California's oldest independent bookstore?! What an idea!! Everything is literary themed of course - from the menu to the drinks!! Drinks are delicious, staff are all fantastic, and the vibe is perfect for a relaxing chat with friends! Met up with some awesome Yelp gal pals for Friendsgiving Friday and had a blast! The theme of this spot is so cute - the menu is inside a book and everything is so decorative and quaint. I loved that they even have a mocktail section! The drinks are all just beautifully presented. My friends tried The 1894 and also the Pride & Pearjudice and loved them all. I tried the Floral Spritz mocktail which is lime juice, agave, grenadine, and rose water - very light and refreshing- probably one of the nicest mocktails I've ever had! We also shared the warm Brie with baguette and honey and it was SO good!! Very comforting and complimented our drinks so well. The Brie is very soft and absolutely lovely with the honey - and they also give you some nuts to put on top if you'd like. The baguette is super soft and warmed - just excellent - highly recommend! Staff were so friendly and extremely attentive - my water never went empty and they made sure we had a lovely time. Everything was very clean. It was pretty empty when we arrived around 4pm on a Friday but had completely filled up by 5pm so it gets very busy and the space is limited. They have bar seating and tables as well. Views are of the bookstore and they have books laying around for you to read if you'd like. They offer wine flights and all sorts of unique and fun cocktails. You'll find The 1894 in back of the bookstore - can't miss it. They have a parking lot out back and also street parking in the area. Very cute place for a girl date or just to relax!

    Guaps G.

    The food is good, the ambiance inside of a book store is very unique. Some mocktails are better than others but it's worth trying them

    Warm Brie and Baguette with Honey. Yum!
    Michelle M.

    Oh, how I waited for this one! What's better than sipping wine and reading your favorite book. Better yet, you can browse the vast collection of books at Vroman's, buy something fun (you must buy the merch before sitting down to read! The public library is on Walnut.), then sit and relax with some wine and a snack while you read! The service is A+. Nice wine selection. You can do a tasting of 4 for $20. They have a small snack menu of which I've tried the Brie/bread/honey and the Meat and Cheese Box. The Brie/bread/honey was nice and filling to drink a glass of wine with, but the Meat and Cheese Box was so-so, mainly because the cheeses were so bland and the crackers tasted stale. The rest of the fruit, nuts, olives, pickles accompanying the cheese and crackers were very nice. It was enough for me to split one box with a friend which is better at the price of $25. The scene can range from quiet and easy to read to loud, happening, and very social depending on the day/time you visit. All in all, a great addition to the neighborhood! (There is also a coffee shop in Vroman's, if you want to read and have a latte after your glass of wine and before you drive home.)

    Pomegranate lime-ade
    Tony L.

    [ Background ] July 2024 on a Sunday at 1:00 PM My knitting and crochet group decided on The 1894 as the spot for our weekly meetup. It's a tiny wine bar located inside Vroman's Bookstore. I entered through the front entrance located on East Colorado Boulevard. But if you park in the lot behind the building and walk south, you will encounter stairs leading to the back entrance of the bookstore, and the wine bar will be inside. Because our group congregated right when this wine bar opened, it was basically empty except for a party of two who were reading, so the ambiance was quiet. Throughout our two-hour stay, other patrons eventually trickled in until it was pretty packed; the mood shifted to a pretty lively vibe with most of the other customers meeting up with friends. The noisy conversations combined with the music playing in the background made it a bit hard to hear my acquaintances, so this location may not always be the most appropriate place to sit down with a book. [ Food ] The 1894 has a decent selection that includes boxes/plates (basically a charcuterie board), snacks, wines, beers, ciders, cocktails, mocktails, and other beverages. Their menu is conveniently located on their website: https://vromans1894.com/menu/ I ordered: * Pomegranate lime-ade ($7.00) This blood-orange-colored mocktail contained "house lime-ade, grenadine, pomegranate float over ice". It had an aesthetically pleasing presentation and came in a hurricane glass topped with ice, real pomegranate seeds, and a cute mint sprig placed on top along with a metallic gold and white striped paper straw. The beverage was refreshing and not too sweet. I did think it was a bit pricey given the volume, especially since it was a mocktail, but I suppose I was also paying for the location. [ Service ] The staff were extremely accommodating. Our party consisted of seven people, so they pushed two tables together. They made sure our water glasses were always full. One server came over to ask if I wanted a refill when I finished my mocktail. And they even made an exception of splitting the check for each person, which they said they don't usually do. [ Tips ] There is a parking lot north of The 1894 with 90-minute parking ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/KBUYbPCFqgwYkvYs5 ). The time limit doesn't seem strict since I parked for two hours and didn't get towed (but park at your own risk). You can enter the lot through the entrances located on Union Street or North Oak Knoll Avenue. Although the lot is shared between multiple businesses (Vroman's Bookstore, Total Wine & More, and The Atrium), there were still plenty of open spots when I was trying to park. The suggested tip was calculated pre-tax, which I always appreciate.

    Cheers
    Catalina T.

    I was so excited when I saw that one of my favorite bookstores was getting a wine bar inside. Books and wine are just perfect. This bar is located inside of Vromans. They not only serve wine but also serve cocktails such as The 1894 with sake and sparkling wine, martinis, a few selection of beers and ciders and even a mocktail! Their cocktails are also literary themed which is cute. They also have a charcutier board *(the Half N' Half), popcorn and mixed nuts for snacks. The charcutier board is a bit limited and not as filling for 3 people. I do love that they have red, white, sparkling, rose, and even orange wine. Their wines seem to change but their selections are great. When I went they had the Lion Tamer Cab which has become one of my favorites. They sell their wine via flights ($20) , per glass or even per bottle. Friendly staff, it can get crowded at times especially around happy hour Hours are different than the bookstore: Tuesday-Saturday 3-9pm Sunday 1-7pm CLOSED Monday Happy Hour: Tues.-Fri. 3pm - 6pm (flights are then $15!) Great spot for a catch up with some friends or even a solo date by yourself and a book. I've seen dogs around in Vroman's but no dogs allowed in 1894.

    Ariel C.

    Such a cool spot! Super hipster, chill, relaxed, and a great vibe. Nestled in the corner of the bookstore, this little bar is an absolute oasis. They have a cool happy hour, wine flights, beer, cocktails, and finger foods. The ambiance is what I truly love. It's got speakeasy vibes mixed with a coffee shop vibe. Great place to chill for a bit, read a book, hang out with a friend, or even get some work done. Service was super friendly. Innovative cocktails that taste delicious. Good wine selections. I highly recommend coming here if you're in the area. Have a glass of wine. Buy a book!

    Pomegranate mock-tail and wine
    Lauren C.

    I love this vibe! Book store with a wine bar inside! What more is needed? Chill vibe for sure. A place you can come alone, with a date, or with friends. Drinks are great and appetizers are good. 10/10 guys!

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    A.C. V.

    We were so happy to host you Te-See! Hope to see you again soon <3

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    8 months ago

    Very cute small wine bar tucked inside the bookstore. Love the ambience. They sometimes have live music which makes for a special evening.

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    10 months ago

    Such a fun little wine bar! The service was so good and they had a guy playing blues music who was amazing! Definitely plan on coming back!

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    Thanks for visiting us, Shelby!

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    The 1894 Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The 1894

    What is the re-opening menu of foods? also: are you serving liquor now?

    The cocktails were wine based. They also had craft beer and ciders. A selection of cheese plates, nuts, olives, and other snacks was available.

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    The Cellar - A Wine Library - Another one of our favorite servers/ sommelier

    The Cellar - A Wine Library

    (603 reviews)

    $$

    This was a fabulous special date night and makes you feel like a rockstar. From the velvet rope to…read morethe speakeasy/literati vibe, this place feels swanky and sophisticated. You can almost imagine a 60s beatnik, decked out in a black beret and turtleneck, sitting in the corner, reading Thoreau. The charcuterie board was delicious and the wine lovely. Great for special occasions...or a last minute surprise, like it was for us!

    Waiter Manuel. This…read moreis a review reflected on you, solely. Being kind is the moral of the story, from the beginning you were passive agressive with your comments and tone. Being in a party of 4 girls coming from high tea, we were dressed in elegant dresses, first comment was asking if we were coming from church, followed by eye flutters, short "okay" with an upward inflation to a joke about the day, an impatient comment about hurrying up and trying the wine while we were talking, asked for water when we were out, were left to pour the rest of our wine, didn't ask how the food was all the while was attentive to the table behind us, the cherry on top comment was when we were discussing the bill at the end, he was hovering at the table behind ours, then when we were ready, we asked to split the bill into 2, my portion on mine and the rest on another card, he then said "this isn't like a drive through, we can't do it that way" so I asked him to explain his comment, cause it was passive agressive and rude. After he wasnt able to becuase he wasnt expecting me to call out his rude comment, I had to then break it down and specify what I had ordered, he then sold "okayyyy....so how much, cause we don't itemize?" I had to again express for him to specify how they do it cause he has still yet to explain where his attitude is coming from and explain how they do their check splits, from my understanding it just felt like he wanted to play dumb and make me to the math, one I did he was like "ohh, okay" should have asked for the manager but we paid and left, I hasnt had this experience before being a returning customer, but he needs an attitude adjustment as his attitude was completely out of pocket. Do better Manuel, you alone got your place of work a 1 star. The rest of the staff was kind, facility beautiful and food and wine was good. This restaurant is not reflected in the 1 star.

    La Cave - Wine glasses.

    La Cave

    (19 reviews)

    Oops, forgot to post this from my drafts... What an experience! This all-vegan wine bar is next to…read moreits sister establishment, ID-Eclair, and lives up to the family reputation. The food pairs perfectly with the wine, and everything is genuinely mind-blowing to the tastebuds. The decor is meticulously and intentionally placed and makes the place feel so cozy. Whoever designed this restaurant is a true genius and perfectionist. They have a comprehensive multi-page wine menu that lists taste profiles and origins. I know nothing about wine, but if you're a wine snob, I'm sure you'll find great joy in choosing the right wine for you. The highlight of the experience was the staff working there. Emily and Alfredo are so very welcoming and kind. It's probably the best service I've received at a restaurant and I truly cannot overstate just how phenomenal they are. They went the extra mile to make us feel at home. On top of that, even though we've only been there a handful of times over the course of a year, they remembered us and even where we were visiting from. Thank you Emily and Alfredo!

    Stumbled across La Cave Wine Bar while waiting for our dinner reservation and I'm so glad we did…read more I've never really been a wine drinker, but my group and I wanted to learn more about different wine types and what pairs best with meat or seafood. The service was incredibly friendly and our winetender was very knowledgeable. She walked us through five different wines and explained the flavors and pairing suggestions in a way that was easy to understand. There was also a customer at the bar who was very friendly and showed us pictures of her wine adventures. She even recommended visiting Sonoma or Temecula for future wine tasting trips. We ended up choosing a red wine to bring to dinner and it was perfect. We would love to come back again the next time we are in Pasadena.

    Purple Vine & Bloom

    Purple Vine & Bloom

    (31 reviews)

    $$

    I had no idea this charming little wine shop was here, even though I frequent the Sushi restaurant…read morein the same strip mall. I was searching for wine bars in the area and this place came up. I was intrigued by the concept of a florist & wine bar combo, so I stopped in to check it out. The place is quaint. There's a section with unique bottles of wine for sale in addition to potted plants. An area where Gabriel works his magic creating artistic floral arrangements, and a cozy little wine bar where you can sit and enjoy a glass or two. There was a group of friends chatting it up at the wine bar, and they were kind enough to offer me a seat. Raymond, the wine expert and owner along with Gabriel, poured me a lovely glass of Spumante Brut Rosé. It was perfectly chilled and a delight on the palate. I had a wonderful conversation with Raymond & Gabriel. They are both darling and welcoming. I look forward to returning with friends or to attend a tasting. I'm also happy to have a new spot for ordering beautiful floral bouquets. *HH Mon - Thurs 4 - 6 pm $10 Select wines by the glass. *Private parking lot.

    Such an adorable spot. Great place to stop for a glass of wine. Inside it is romantic and full of…read moremagical vibes. With all the beautiful loose flowers and bouquets you can't help get swept up in the layout of this quint wine bar. Highly recommend stopping by for a glass of wine and having a chat with the sweet owners. You can tell this is a true passion of theirs. They are going a marvelous job. I would love to come back soon for a visit on my next day off.

    Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery - Fried Cheese Curds

    Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery

    (720 reviews)

    It had been a while since my last visit, and it was just as incredible as I remembered. I can't get…read moreenough of this place. We ordered the Gruyère poppers, scallops crudo, beet salad, braised cabbage, and steak, and finished with the strawberry trifle. Every single dish was outstanding. We almost added another protein, but our server wisely advised against it, and she was absolutely right. I truly love this restaurant and will definitely be back to work my way through the rest of the menu.

    Alright, so I was a big fan of Agnes and I'm surprised I haven't written a review simply on the…read morefact that they have deep-fried cheese curds that rival some authentic Wisconsin spots. But this past weekend I sort of had a bit of a bummer of an experience. I ordered a small cheese platter for my wife and I to pick up for an at-home date night. I added some cheeses we loved when we were there in December - I dropped them in the notes of the order AND sent an email to confirm. When I didn't hear back I tried calling, which went straight to a recording. So, of course when I picked up the platter it wasn't what we wanted. I was told emails aren't answered on the weekend, they don't pick up the phone and they're still working out the system. Thwarted by three modes of communication. Pretty disappointing. And for the $120 price tag, I was a little underwhelmed. I probably would have been better off just buying the cheeses from them, and getting the crackers and the accoutrements somewhere else and assemble it myself at home. I'll probably still eat here because there are some solid dishes, and the back patio is a beautiful spot to bring the family (pup included), but I just won't be ordering a cheese platter again, unfortunately.

    The 1917 Wine Bar & Bistro

    The 1917 Wine Bar & Bistro

    (81 reviews)

    $$

    Lincoln Heights

    We came in for brunch on Sunday as a party of 9 celebrating a birthday, and everything was…read moreabsolutely amazing! The food was delicious, fresh, and beautifully prepared. Even with a larger group, everything came out great and the service never missed a beat. Our waiter, Garrett, truly made the experience even better. He was attentive, funny, and made sure everyone at the table was taken care of. His great attitude and sense of humor made the celebration feel even more special. It's not always easy for a restaurant to handle a larger group so smoothly, but they did an incredible job. We had such a great time and will definitely be coming back!

    We had a good time on our double date outing thanks to Belle who made our visit to the winery…read moreabsolutely wonderful. She took the time to ask thoughtful questions about our preferences and made excellent recommendations based on our feedback. What really stood out was how knowledgeable she was, and how she took the time to explain everything in a way that was engaging and easy to understand. You could tell that she genuinely enjoys what she does. On top of that, Belle was just so sweet and friendly throughout our visit. She checked in at the perfect times without ever making us feel rushed and made sure we were enjoying everything. Her service truly elevated our experience, and we would absolutely return because of her. Highly recommend asking for Belle if you visit!

    Ladies and Gentlemen - Snacks for drinking

    Ladies and Gentlemen

    (245 reviews)

    $$$$

    If you come here expect to spend quite a bit more than you would at a standard cocktail bar, and be…read moreprepared to spend at least a couple hours. We made a later reservation and would have stayed longer but didn't know just how much of an experience it would be. Vibes here are dark and moody, and it would be a great place for a unique date, just maybe not the first one. We got the beef tartare and spicy tuna crispy rice to munch on. The spicy tuna crispy rice was worth it, the beef tartare not so much. Also decided to do the drink omakase because they make the single drink prices so expensive it still feels more worth it to do the omakase so you end up getting that instead. You tell the server what you do and don't like or are looking for in your drinks and the bartenders will make them for you. Some might be already on the menu, some may not. If there is something you really don't like and you tell the servers, they will be kind enough to replace it for you with something you do. Overall they did a good job with making mine but didn't quite hit it for my friend. The omakase is at least 3 drinks, so be prepared to have transportation after, you may be a little drunk Overall would come back or bring other people here just for the unique experience, but it is pricier than just grabbing a cocktail at a normal bar.

    Ladies and Gentlemen was a sultry speakeasy experience for themed cocktails and light bites in a…read morebasement. It wasn't difficult to spot, as there was a sign at the Indiana Colony Market. Just look for the Wanderlust and go towards the back of the building! We were then greeted by the doorman who had a series of questions. After that you are led to the bathroom, which then leads you to the space. Their cocktail names are catchy, due to the names being irreversible binomials. For example, we ordered the Beauty and The Beast cocktail (delicious and pretty drink btw!) and Friends and Neighbors cocktail. Other ones include Day and Night, Born and Raised, and Rise and Shine. They even have an omakase experience if you really wanted to try the bartender picks. For a bite, we ordered a steak tartare. It was a light-handed portion, enough for a small bite between two people if you just want something to eat in between sips. It was decent, however, not filling and I would get food elsewhere. This is a great speakeasy in the heart of Old Town Pasadena, I'd recommend it if you're looking for tasty and innovative drinks! I loved all our drinks, and the service was excellent from beginning to end.

    The 1894 - wine_bars - Updated May 2026

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