Great local hangout with good service and friendly atmosphere. Drinks were generous and on point. read more

The Blind Donkey - Solid Old Fashioned w/Old Overholt Rye - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

The service was beyond amazing! Our bartenders - both pretty Rachels - were so considerate and so professional- we can't wait to come back to the Donkey! read more

Great whiskey bar. Of course other spirits ate available too but the main draw is the whiskey. I'm having an Old Fashioned tonight. It's a blessing that they still open to 12 PM. They also got some great tunes playimg on the PA...they did the sidewalk setup right. Kudos to the management !! read more

The Blind Donkey - Streetside setup at the Blind Donkey in Old Town Pasadena. - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

This is one of my favorite places to drink. The food and drinks are good. My husband is an Old Fashion snob and he loves it here! Good place to stop by if your hanging out in Pasadena. They have so many new restaurants in town to visit! read more

See all

Cute whiskey bar across from Barneys in downtown Pasadena. I love the Pasadena area because all the bars have an old-town feel, and this one is no different. Capacity of about 100, cute and intimate lighting. There's standing room inside when it gets chilly outside. Garage parking is best unless you can find street parking. I can't advise on whiskey but it seemed very good because Gio drank 3 of them!!!! I drank two of the Pear Necessities cocktails and they were sooooo delicious, top tier tasty and everyone knows gin is hard to mask. I could have drank 5 more (and I would have). Very close to other bars which is a plus (Barneys, etc) Ratings: Ambiance: 9/10 Ease of seating/ speed of service: 7/10 Vegan options: 6/10 Gluten free options: 6/10 Low carb options: 3/10 Overall deliciousness: 10/10 Pricing: $$ Parking: garage, street, allow 5-10 min Liquor License: yes read more

See all

Thick binder menu of Whiskey and bourbon selections. Other drink selections available of course. This Monday had exceptional music, like from my CD carousel collection. (Only 10% of readers will know about this!) "What is a CD and what is a CD Carousel?" .... I digress! A more intimate dark cozy bar. Very friendly and quick to serve bartender! read more

The Blind Donkey - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

My friends and I go to Wednesday night trivia and always have a great time. I usually get the chicken sandwich and The Hatchet Job (a mezcal drink) or a gin and tonic, and I'm always happy. The bartenders are all friendly and fast as well! read more

Local bar in old town Pasadena that will make you want to go and grab a drink. It is a small place and looks like a typical small hole in the wall. However, their drinks are ridiculously delicious. The prices are a bit high but considering the area, I'm not shocked. But the cocktails are worth it! It is creative, delicious, and unique. read more

The Blind Donkey - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

Olde Town Pasadena or however you spell it. I remember it being a mishmash of shops and offices. And then BAM!!! It has a makeover and little hipster bars like this pop up. So my chef friend told me check out this place. He really enjoyed it and wanted me to make sure it was still happening. My older cousin was a bit skeptical because it didn't look "happening." But that's because she likes to follow crowds. We walked in and majority of the tables were full but were able to find a corner table. There weren't any servers; just bartenders. You had to order at the bar and carry your drinks to your table. Only food got delivered to you. Since it's a whiskey bar, I got an Old Fashioned. My cousins, who aren't alcoholics got lemon drops. My drink was nice and smooth. Their lemon drops were alright but I'm not a lemon drop fanatic. While the lighting was on the dim side, I found it alright. My cousins were not fans. They played 90s music and the crowd was a good mix of people. Parking is on the street, but that's why there's Uber. I'll definitely return, but maybe with my chef friend so I can enjoy the place longer. read more

The Blind Donkey - Old Fashioned and a couple of Lemon Drops - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

Went for trivia night with friends and had a great time. I am expecting so I asked the bartender for a mocktail and she made me a delicious pineapple gingery juice that made me feel like I was participating in the fun with my friends. I am very grateful for them accommodating me!! Also the food was decent -- I got the Buffalo chicken fries. It had a strong kick. I will definitely back when I can partake because the drinks look great. Thanks Blind Donkey for a great night. Great casual spot for drinks and fun. read more

Great cocktails and cool vibe. I've been meaning to come here for a long time because I like whiskey and I heard great things. Allow extra time to find parking on a weekend. It's busy but doesn't feel too crowded. Spacious inside. Daisy made our drinks and she did a fantastic job! The Old Fashioned is really good and not too sweet. I really enjoyed the "For What It's Worth" cocktail, with Old Forrester whiskey, Aperol, Benedictine and lemon. I want to return again soon. read more

Fun cocktails and friendly staff. Bartenders are friendly and actually acknowledge you! Sat outside and enjoyed the downtown vibe. Tip: park across Colorado at public lot. read more

Perfect bar to get high quality cocktails at a affordable price! The drinks are about $10 each for regular price. Compare to other bars in the area.. this is hands down the best for good quality drinks! The environment is very chill and perfect for hanging out or a place to start the night! read more

See all

Love this place. They have great drinks for a great price, especially compared to other bars in Old Town Pasadena. The bar tenders were friendly and never rushed us even though the place was packed. This is my go to spot, and I can't wait to return! read more

Damn, sometimes you just find the right bar. Great tenders to chill with and talk horror movies. Quality food to keep me standing up. I lucked out picking this one. read more

See all

Didn't get an opportunity to try the food at this bar. The bartenders are great and very attentive. Lighting is a bit dark for my taste but I'm assuming that's the theme. Full bar but didn't have my go to, Jameson. read more

My friend CW and I came here for drinks and food last Monday and we had a great time. One of the street lanes on Union is closed down so that the restaurants along the street can have outdoor seating. The Blind Donkey therefore has several large tables available outside, although I think they can seat you indoors now as well. Service was excellent. I only like sweet cocktails, so our server made custom cocktails for me and I loved both cocktails that she made. They were fruity and sweet and delicious. If you don't like sweet cocktails, you can just order off their menu because she said their menu cocktails aren't very sweet (hence the custom cocktails). My friend ordered off the menu and liked her cocktails so I think it's safe to say that the cocktails here are good. We got their Carne Asada Fries to share and those were just okay. I've gotten their Garlic Parmesan Fries before and really liked those so I would probably get that again next time instead of the Carne Asada Fries. And there most likely will be a next time since my friend and I both liked the cocktails here! read more

The Blind Donkey - Carne Asada Fries - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

I came for happy hour on a Friday evening with a friend. Unfortunately, due to COVID, they were not offering any happy hour specials, but we still decided to stay for drinks and a grub. This spot is known for their expansive selection of liquor and I can see individuals with particular taste in their alcoholic beverages returning for their specific drinks. Chicken Sandwich (comes with fries): 3.5 out of 5 The fries were really tasty with the right consistency. I'm not sure what they used to season the fries, but it works! The chicken sandwich itself didn't stand out, but it wasn't bad, though underwhelming. Just to emphasize, people come here for their drinks, not their food menu. And, I must add, that the food menu is limited here. We considered grabbing drinks here only and grabbing dinner elsewhere. For experience, I'm glad we chose to dine here, as well. Drinks: 3 out of 5 I got the Nick of Thyme and a Moscow Mule. Both drinks were bland with an underwhelming ensemble of the ingredients, minimizing the overall taste of the beverages. Service: 4.5 out of 5 The servers were friendly and were welcoming in their demeanor. They definitely give off a homely vibe. In fact, I even saw one of them greeting one of their patrons by name and poured their drink as soon as they walked in. I can imagine regulars returning many times over and, perhaps, the service had something to do with it. Outside/Location: 4 out of 5 This bar is located a block from the hustle and bustle of Colorado Blvd in Old Town Pasadena. I parked two blocks away in a parking structure and walked my way over. The walk in this area is always a pleasant one. There should be a public parking structure less than a block from here, as well. Inside/Ambience: 4 out of 5 There were a couple tables outside by the main entrance for those who choose outdoor dining. A portion of the street is blocked off currently to accommodate for the outdoor seating. Though the weather was nice to be dining outdoors, I chose to dine indoors. I just didn't feel comfortable being so close to the street with plentiful passerbys. Inside, the tables were spaced apart to honor the proper public health guidelines. The interior decor gave an old traditional bar vibe. The ambience went with the aesthetic. read more

See all

Cool establishment to come for a quick drink and meet people. It is next to Slater's 50/50. There are available street and structure parking in close vicinity. This is a whiskey and cocktail bar. There are few selections of food such as Fried Donkey Pickles, Chili Burger and Triple Fried Fries. There is a security guy in the front, he gives you a quick overall glance and let you in. This place is super small, there are very few tables and some bar seating. You are lucky if you could get a table. I see most people just standing around I came for drinks on Saturday night. Ambiance was dark/romantic. Service was ok and it probably could improve. Overall I was happy with this bar. I would be willing to come back for a quick bite. read more

The Blind Donkey - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

Marvelous dark and serious whiskey bar. Great place to unwind. Quick and attentive bar service. Lots of seats to canoodle or discuss. The windows have a foggy look that create an atmosphere that keeps you hugged in this darkened embrace of a good bar. read more

The Blind Donkey - Fog City Animal House - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

Came by for a quick drink and to check out the place. Drinks were yum and strong which I like. Dining area is roomy and spaced out nicely which gives you some privacy and not feeling like you are a part of the next table's conversation. I forgot what the other drink I ordered was but one one them is the pear necessities. Would definitely come back again to try the other cocktails! read more

The Blind Donkey - Pear necessities (I forgot the name of the other cocktail, sorry) - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

I went here on a first date and really enjoyed the experience. The bartender (I believe his name was Gabriel) was really friendly and a pleasure to interact with. The ambiance was pleasant; calm vibe with darker lightning for a cozier atmosphere. It's not a large spot, but we had no problems getting a seat at the bar on a Tuesday evening. I've heard the whiskey selection is good although I only tried the beer. I'd definitely recommend and plan on going back. Parking is a bit tricky, but there is a garage that is right across the street. It was $9 for several hours, which isn't great but also far from terrible. read more

Cool atmosphere, excellent cocktails, and yummy pub fare, but I'm writing this review for the whole staff. They are SUPER COOL!! Shout out Daisy, she is a delight with dope style and a welcoming vibe. Thanks for making our night!!! I would definitely recommend to anyone looking to enjoy beautiful Pasadena nightlife, and I will certainly be back with my friends. read more

The Blind Donkey - Great bar!! - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

If you're looking for an excellent whiskey bar in Pasadena, look no further! This place is by far one of my favorite spots in the city. One of my favorite things about this bars (other than their whiskey selection) is their pour amounts- you can either get a 1 oz. pour or a 2 oz. pour, depending on if you're trying something new, or enjoying an old favorite. They also have great whiskey cocktails including an Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Kentucky Mule, etc., so definitely take advantage! If you're not a whiskey drinker, you're still at the right place because they have all of the other spirits to accommodate your needs! I actually just went there last night and my girlfriend ordered a Casamigos Blanco Margarita and she loved it! And I can't forget to give a shout out to John because he was awesome as well! read more

I popped in on a busy Wednesday trivia night. Place was packed. Had about 3 bartenders behind the bar but only one waitress for all the tables, so service was a bit hard to come by. Bartenders were on point though. Their menu online was not updated so what I came in wanting wasn't offered. I wound up ordering their burger/fries but turned out to be a big mistake. The bun was much larger than the actual meat patty. Cheese had no flavor and the baby meat patty wasn't very juicy. The onion was supposed to be grilled but turned out to be totally raw - unless they threw it on the grill for 3 seconds. The lettuce was chopped super fine and looked more like cilantro. Came with one tiny tomato slice 1/3 the size of the bun. Incredibly disappointing. At least the fries were thick and potato-y. Beer and wine selection is rather sparse, while the whiskey selection is robust, but since I'm not a whiskey fan, I can't see myself coming back. Lively vibe inside but the lackluster food really turned me off quickly. read more

The Blind Donkey - Give their burger a hard pass - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

Really good place for wonderful drinks at a great price. We tried Moscow mule, old fashioned and scotch at this place and loved it. We went to their trivia nights it is always joyful for being part of that. read more

Definitely a cheers vibe here. It is a whiskies bar. We stopped in during a pub crawl bartender was very helpful and made a great old fashioned. Your gonna wanna add this to your list read more

If you're a whiskey and/or Scotch fanatic, this dark bar is a great place to get lost in. They also offer a craft cocktail menu for the layperson, as well as beer and wine. Tuesday evening was pretty mellow with a couple of small groups and every spot at the bar spoken for. Our group of 3 hunkered down at a window and checked out the menu via QR code, then ordered at the bar. Nick of Thyme (Buffalo Trace, honey thyme, lemon, ginger beer) was light and refreshing. Manhattan was excellent. Bartenders may not be the most personable, but they're efficient and know what they're doing. Good bar food options as well, from salads to nachos to burgers. Appreciate the Beyond Burger for us vegetarian folk. It definitely hit the spot, and the fries were really good, too. On my list to return to. read more

The Blind Donkey is neat little bar with a great variety of different whiskey, scotch, and mix drinks. They also have a small food selection that you can choose from if you want something to munch on while drinking. My party had a couple of different things; old fashioneds, Moscow mules, and whiskey sours to name a few. We also tried their garlic fries, carne asada fries, and a burger. The food was really tasty as were the drinks. We came in early on a Saturday so it was pretty easy to find somewhere to sit, but the later the night went on the more packed it got! If you're a fan of whiskey, I recommend coming in and checking this place out! read more

The Blind Donkey - Carne asada fries - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

I've lived in Pasadena for more than a decade, and this place has been a social cornerstone for me, members of my family and friends for just as long. I've played trivia here, had work meetings here, seen comedy shows, met very cool people and have imbibed in their well-crafted old fashioneds and carne asada fries for a long time. The vibe is generally chill, the food has been a guilty pleasure and the service, for as long as I can remember, has been outstanding. The bartenders are on point and responsive ... I actually witnessed one shut down the attempts of a couple of clearly underage goofs (saw them "strategizing" just outside of the bar, barely able to hand over their hack job of a fake ID courtesy of the trembling hand, and then try raise hell on the way out ... pseudo-McLovins were big mad). Moving on ... this is low-key a great place to watch sports-related stuff if you want to avoid the "sports bar" vibe and focus on the game. Trivia can be the highlight of your week (find seats early) and even on packed nights, people bust their butts to try and take care of you. There's a reason this spot has a loyal following and gets full on weekend nights. read more

Great bar! The bartenders make the drinks right and the beer on tap is refreshing. This is a regular hangout for me.

Great reliable bar in Old Town! It is our go-to place for quality drinks at very fair prices. (i.e. $10 for a vodka soda) Nice atmosphere in one of Pasadena's historic buildings. The limited food menu is also quite good! read more

The bartenders were deliberately ignoring me and my boyfriend. When they were clearly not dealing with any other customers, they were just huddled amongst themselves. read more

Place was still under construction and not open. I walked two blocks for nothing. Perhaps a blind Donkey is posting their hours. I was there last Monday and the entire place was closed. Construction workers said it wasn't open yet. read more

No donkeys here but plenty of whisky and cocktails! I've had this place bookmarked because of its prime location in Old Town Pasadena and decided to check it out for some pre-dinner cocktails. First, this is not a fancy type bar where you need to glam up. Instead, this place is completely chill and relaxing. We walked in and made ourselves comfortable in the open floor plan with an impressive display of liquors and some top shelf bottles. They also serve a limited bar food menu if you're absolutely starving. The bar tables and chairs were tall which gave us a good view for people watching. They had a shuffle board closer to the window which was always occupied. After ordering a vodka cocktail, the crowd began to increase as it was their trivia night. We decided to participate but only in a non-competitive nature because after a drink, I knew my trivia skills might be tanking. It was very lively, and the crowd really got into the spirit of the game. Known for their whiskey collection, The Blind Donkey is a great choice for whiskey enthusiasts and those looking for a mellow out bar scene. read more

The Blind Donkey - Vodka cocktail - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

First off I have to compliment our gorgeous and friendly server Nesha (Nisha?) as she was very good to my buds and me. Our orders were accurate, she was very friendly, and when I spilled my drink from being an idiot, she went ahead and gave me another shot of what I spilled. That's what I call service. :) The drinks were also very good. I had the Hatchet Job and it had a nice smoky flavor and clean finish. There was also another drink where they added wine, and it was good, but the Hatchet Job was more to my taste. Also, you have to get the Carne Asada Fries. SOOOOOOOOOOO good. The Buffalo Fries were also good, but the Carne Asada Fries IMO is better. My friend got the burger and he said that it was good too. Great atmosphere, beautiful/ friendly servers, and great drinks/ food. What more can you ask for? read more

See all

I went with my two other friends. The place was little crowded and I Like the drinks and environment.

I've been coming to Blind Donkey for a few years now. Their Old Fashioned's are the best in town, but they also have craft beer and over 80 different whiskies and bourbons from all over. Their food is pretty good considering the small menu they have. It doesn't have day hours, but the night crowd and trivia nights totally make up for it. If you get a chance to visit, try Red Breast 21. It's $50 for 2 oz, but totally worth the money. read more

The Blind Donkey - HAPPY HOUR OLD FASHIONED - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

The worst establishment I've ever been to in my life. It's known for its 3-5 regulars who adore it. It's a great spot to go when you're in high school. Manager Michael Spector rarely cards, and minors love it. I know I did in high school. Wait up to 10 minutes for a drink. Try ordering a drink and wait for the management to finish giving their friends free shots. Get cursed at by a manager. As a Black person, I did not feel welcome and was even called a slur. I would rather go on a Spirit Airlines flight with no AC than return to the Blind Donkey. read more

It's strange how a place can be so foreign to you when you're taken there as opposed to finding it on your own. I went to the Blind Donkey after a wedding about 5 years ago. I enjoyed the vibe of the space and the drinks they made but it remained a memory in my head until I recently returned on my own (thanks Yelp!). Now that I've come back I have plenty of thoughts of The Blind Donkey. This whisky bar is located in beautiful Pasadena. The location is gorgeous with a classic, clean feel all throughout the neighborhood. Once you pass the doorman and step in you're in a world of blacks and wood. One corner has seating against the wall partnered with square tables and chairs while the other side has longer, high top tables for community style seating. A mini shuffleboard is also located on that same side which encourages competition after some fire water in the belly. The lighting is low and mysterious and the bar is fully stocked. It is a good space for dates or catching up with good friends. The selection of whisky is also abundant with more than just the standard well drinks and top shelves. They also concoct their own cocktails which is always nice. It's great to see creativity at work. The prices are pretty standard with most drinks around the $10 mark. Overall The Blind Monkey is a fun place to be on any kind of night or celebration. Take in the atmosphere, start some great conversations, and let the drinks pour. read more