This was a fabulous special date night and makes you feel like a rockstar. From the velvet rope to the 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! read more

Waiter Manuel. This is 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. read more

It's a fun place to hang out with a gracious staff. You can sample some expensive wines here, but you're essentially paying a lot more for the atmosphere. It's not a hidden speakeasy, just a basement wine bar. To sit on a couch, you have to buy a bottle, which is at least $75. The pricing is twice market value. The food is fun finger food, but again, very pricey to cover the overhead. I found the self-playing piano a little odd. Glad I did it once, but it's not a place I would frequent. read more

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Wow how cool is this wine speakeasy. Wish I got a video of the entrance door opening- so much fun. Lots of seating but it's very very wise to make reservation. As fyi it's a 2 bottle minimum if you sit on the couch. We got the biggest most delicious charcuterie board I've ever had the pleasure of consuming. The sommeliers are fantastic. It's only a little loud. I wish I came to Pasadena more often but 100% when I'm back I'm returning- especially for the charcuterie. read more

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In the heart of Old Town Pasadena, this is a hidden speak easy. I have passed by this place many of times and have never known it existed! There is a bouncer in the front that will check your ID and guide you to the entrance of the library. The elevator is a great place to take a selfie! Upon exiting the elevator, you're greeted by wine barrels and interesting decor. The door to this library will shock you, so I won't give that away! There is a piano that is playing classical music without anyone present. The ambiance of this library is very relaxing, intimate, and casual at the same time. They have regular tables and some couches that guests can enjoy sitting. Their food selection is plentiful, but the price of some of the items for the size of the entree is a little on the higher end. Some say, "look where we're at", others may say "using higher quality ingredients", I just think it's too much for what it was (pepperoni flatbread). There are 3 pieces of the short rib sliders, which I think was worth the price. They're known for the charcuterie platters. Amazing display and a variety of everything. Their wine list is immense! The whole room is literally filled with wine bottles on the bookshelves! It was an amazing sight to see and such great table service! Our server, John, was very attentive to all of our needs. Our bottle of waters have always been refilled and poured into our glasses by each staff that came by to check on us. I really enjoy their moscato! I was contemplating whether or not to purchase a bottle to take home for me to enjoy on days where a glass of wine is needed. I enjoyed every minute of being in this fine establishment! It was very classy and casual at the same time. It is a great place to have a date, or simply to catch up with friends. It can get costly if it's a small party, but if you're there for drinks, it's not bad, about $$ per glass of wine. They also have non-alcoholic wines too, both red and white! read more

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This place is the ultimate cozy yet romantic hidden spot. You have to wait in a line outside but even on busy nights, we never seem to wait more than 20 minutes. And the doorman makes the time fly. He's always super nice and talkative. The elevator down is a cute spot to take photos and the entrance door sets the ambiance. Great wine selection, desserts, and appetizers. If which we've tried several and never been disappointed. Our favorite is the chocolate temptation cake. It's VERY rich but the raspberries and raspberry coulis help cut that richness. Service for the most part is really good. We've only had one time that felt excruciatingly slow. Perfect spot for girls night, date night, birthday, whatever. There's a large parking lot just around the corner so you don't have to walk too far. Been to a few wine bars and I have to say this one has one of the most reasonable prices, especially for the quality. read more

The Cellar - A Wine Library - Wine Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

Loved the place absolutely fantastic! Very cozy feeling. We didnt get to sit the sofas but sat at tables. The server was very helpful and pleasant! The ambiance is fantastic. The drinks were great. We didnt get to try any food but I will definitely be back! read more

The Cellar - A Wine Library - Wine Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

This place was the perfect spot for a nice celebration. Wine was impeccable and the staff was phenomenal in suggesting wines for the group. Great sized pours and such a lovely variety. The food was rather tasty and the boards are a must. read more

The Cellar - A Wine Library - Wine Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

Super good food with amazing service! This place has a rustic jazz vibe, especially with the piano playing in the background. Their charcuterie is a must try!!! read more

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After trying to get to Griffith Observatory, we came here instead to wind down, enjoy a glass of wine and just talk. I had seen this place on social media a couple times and had wanted to go for a while. When we got there on Saturday night, about 7:30-8, there was a bit of a line but it wasn't that bad. Parking was around the corner and the first 90 minutes is only a buck. The hallway leading up to the actual bar is actually really cool, with thousands of wine corks on either side of you. I really liked the concept of having to go down an elevator and waiting for the door to open. The wine list is quite extensive, and the interior is stunning with books and pictures all around the walls. Its a great place to grab a glass of wine and just talk with your loved ones! read more

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I adored this place. Books and wine! With an intriguing curation of portaits on the wall. The vibe is so indulgent and comfortable. The staff treats you like a VIP and the wines and noshes are wonderful. Highly recommend. read more

Amazing experience from entering the elevators that go down to the cellar and walking through the secret entrance to the cellar restaurant. The inside looks like a library with a wine cellar. The food was such a unique experience with the wine! Everything we ordered was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. The wine selection was excellent and paired perfectly with my food. Definitely a must!! read more

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Best place for dating and gathering. I took my girl here for our anniversary and we had a wonderful experience, the service was on point, the food was so tasty and well decorated. The atmosphere is relaxing, romantic and joyful at the same time. Definitely recommended, and it is worth the wait! Trust me read more

This place was excellent! Wine selection was very I Pressure, hubby enjoyed the Beethoven Board and I the oysters and some bubbles. We will definitely be back soon read more

I get so happy thinking about this place. It's the perfect date spot. Bring your girl here and enjoy the vibes. It's kinda expensive but all the cheese plates are cool. read more

The Cellar - A Wine Library - Wine Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

Super cute wine bar. I brought the bf here for his birthday. It was quite interesting how to get in. There is a 'bouncer' like guy outside letting you in. He is probably getting info from below on how many spots are available. Then you are led into a long hallway to an elevator at the end of the hallway. The Cellar is located on B1. The elevator doors open and you find yourself in a small space with no entrance then the wall just opens up into the super secret space known as the wine library. It is true to its name. It has books on the shelves for you to read (which no one does). There are games to play and art for sale all around you. The ambiance is so nice. Feels like you are in a mansion enjoying a party at a socialite's house. I enjoyed the experience. On to the food... we steered away from the entrees and stuck with the charcuterie board. This seemed like the safest way to go. The board was good but odd that you cannot do both cheese and meats on a smaller sized board. There were only 2 of us so we didn't go too big. The wine selection was broad and different. I was okay with my pick but I prefer bold cabernets which I feel like the list wine by the glass lacked. Overall a decent experience. The birthday boy had a great time and that was what was important. read more

The Cellar - A Wine Library - Mozart - Wine Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

Very different wine bar. Nicely done inside with low lighting, couches, some table, books, and candles. It's like you stepped back in time. Old photos on the wall and a player piano. The wines by the glass are fine - nothing too interesting however. There are many more wines by the bottle. Food was iffy - pizza seemed like a frozen one and very small for $15. Like a small child's pizza. The smoked salmon was better. The player piano was a bit much. Loud, and music from the early 1900s. I think if they got rid of that and just played jazz it would be much more enjoyable. The atmosphere is cool, the music should reflect that. Adding a few more interesting wines by the glass would be nice. Only one Pinot Noir for a wine bar is odd. Also Paso isn't known for Pinot Noir. Sonoma or Santa Rita hills or Oregon would be better. read more

The Cellar - A Wine Library - Entrance to wine bar - Wine Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

Nice location, quiet and cool. We had wine and a snack ....all good! We definitely will be back

Absolutely loved this place! Everyone was very attentive and friendly. The space and ambiance were great and the quality of the food was so good. We ordered the simplest board bc it didn't include Meat or cheese, the hummus board (w/o feta) and a bottle of Albarino... for a total of $100.58 before tip. Pros: *great service *food and extensive list of wines *piano music *parking structure around the corner isn't too pricey *aesthetic Cons: * street parking sucks read more

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3.5 stars for great vibes and good service. Food was just okay, and I only liked 1 out of the 4 wines that I tried. It was about $200 after tax and tip for 6 glasses of wine and 2 food items. *** My bf took me here on a Saturday a few minutes before opening. We joined the line and waited until the bouncer gave us instructions for reaching the elevator. When the great keg door opened, it felt like we were entering a Disneyland ride! We were seated immediately, and the room quickly filled up by 7 pm. INTERIOR Intimate and dark with Victorian-ish decorations. It looked nice, but smelled kind of old and musty. The self playing piano was also a touch loud. I had to raise my voice to talk, but at least we weren't yelling at each other all night. The dress code wasn't too fancy, but baseball caps, sports attire, shorts, and slippers were not allowed. Tables were good for parties of 2-4. The lounge couches could probably seat 6, and at least 1 order of wine was required to sit there. Chess, checkers, and decks of cards were available for anyone to play with. Restrooms were located outside the front entrance. The host had a camera, so they knew when to open the door to let people back inside. SERVICE Service was slow, but courteous. We liked the sommelier, who went into detail about our wine origins. The server who took over our table was more attentive and super nice. WINES ORDERED - Bailly Lapierre ($16 - Sparking Rose from France). This drink was tasty: light, fizzy, and sweet with notes of grapefruit. - Lucien Albrecht ($15/glass - Riesling from France). I was disappointed that I didn't like this! The chilled drink tasted clean, with a light body and slight effervescence. It was on the sweeter side, but the finish was bitter. It tasted strongly of lemon and reminded me of cleaning products. - Somm's Choice ($24/glass). The choice of the day was a red wine with a light to medium body. It tasted somewhere between dry and sweet. I thought it was just okay, but I liked it better than the other red that we got. - Podernuovo a Palazzone Therra ($16/glass - Super Tuscan). This medium bodied red was savory, acidic, maybe more sweet than dry. FOOD ORDERED - Chopin's Cheese Board ($28 - petite size). This was more of a high quality fruit board than a cheese board, in my opinion. We were shocked by the generous assortment of fresh fruit, dried fruit, marinated olive, cornichon, and pistachio. I enjoyed the ripe blackberries and chewy dried cranberries. Between the seed crackers and baguette, I preferred the warm, thick-cut baguette. The bread was soft yet chewy, with a crisp crust. The actual cheese was not memorable because there was so little of it to pair with the accoutrements. I remember liking the manchego more than the port wine cheese simply because I preferred more salt to balance out the sweetness of the ample fruit. I greatly appreciated our server, who was able to help us substitute 1 out of 3 cheeses for a meat option (prosciutto). - Short Rib Flatbread ($22). It tasted alright. The shredded short rib was seasoned simply, and it was neither dry nor juicy. My bf said the flavors reminded him of Filipino bistek. read more

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This place is great for a date night or a girls' night out. The atmosphere is lovely, and I love the decoration--it really fits with the theme of the place. I also love how it's underground; you'll be surprised by how it looks. The place is spacious, and they have a wide selection of wines and drinks. They also offer a variety of food options. The charcuterie board is my favorite. It comes with 3-4 different meats, mixed nuts, fruits, dried fruits, crackers, and warm bread. The charcuterie will definitely fill you up. We also ordered the short rib bread, but I didn't like it. The taste was bland and needed more seasoning, and it wasn't warm. The staff are friendly and check on you regularly. It's a bit of a downside that they don't offer parking validation. read more

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Came here with a party of six on Saturday around 9 PM, and there was a 15-minute wait. When it's your party's turn, the staff will let you know which elevator to take, and from there, you'll be transported to an underground speakeasy/wine cellar. Keep in mind, this place only serves wine, making it a great spot to sip and relax while enjoying live piano music in the background. We were given the option to sit at either the couch or the table. Choosing the couch requires a minimum order of two bottles, while the table has no requirement. My party and I opted for the table and actually ordered three bottles of wine. Most bottles cost more than $70, so the total can definitely add up. In between our wine, we also got the Petit Mozart's Charcuterie Board ($28). Since it's petite, we had to choose between meat or cheese - we chose meat, which came with three types of meat, three-four slices each, along with other typical charcuterie items. Overall, I thought this place was nice, relaxing, and a great way to spend the night. However, the service could be better. Our server repeatedly and somewhat passive aggressively tried to pressure us into buying more wine when all we want to do is drink it peacefully. Additionally, one of my friends was told - three hours in - that he wasn't allowed to wear a hat, even though we noticed another customer wearing one without issue. Regardless, I don't think it's a bad place to spend the night, and I would love to be back. They don't offer parking validation, and since it's in Pasadena, you can find parking in one of the nearby structures. read more

The Cellar - A Wine Library - Mozart's Charcuterie Board Petit - Wine Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

A great spot to try different wines with friends, with a great dimly lit atmosphere and lounges in a library vibes. The entrance is on Colorado and someone lets you in, go down the hall and the elevator to enter. Huge wine selection with various pricing which can be per bottle or glass. Also charcuterie board to enhance the wine experience; the board is pretty but sometimes lacking in certain meats and cheeses. Service is not bad, they were attentive and careful with the wine pouring, but not the best in that they were occasionally aggressive and brash during ordering or walking by. read more

The Cellar - A Wine Library - Charcuterie - Wine Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

cool lil spot to chill and unwind and hangout with friends or even go on a date! it's definitely a different vibe with the $$ wine and charcuterie board read more

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Super good food and the wine was delicious. Such a cool place to hang out. Highly recommend. Elegant service. read more

The Cellar - A Wine Library - Chorizo bruschetta - Wine Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

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It was our first time here and love the speakeasy feel of entering the room. The piano playing in the corner brings a nice soothing feel to the library look of the cellar. I love how the bottles of wines are within the bookshelves. The charcuterie board was a good snack for the four of us. Would definitely go back again. read more

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I absolutely loved this place. We went for a date night and enjoyed it so much. Super cute and enjoyable. The wine and dessert were very good. They have a lot of options and the staff is very knowledgeable on the wine they offer. My only suggestion is to have the waiters/waitress be a little more attentive. Ours went missing for about 45 min and it was a little annoying. read more

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The doorman kills me every-time. He reminds me of a young Keanu reeves in his ditzy funny days. I ordered the full charcuterie and bottle of wine as they had a special . It was just me tonight and killing time but I enjoyed myself. Service was lovely and the redhead was my favorite I forgot her name but she kept me company and even grabbed me a great book to keep me entertained. read more

What can i say, if's one of our favorite spots. Vibey speakeasy with a great wine selection, and the food is good too. Tony (doorman) is always friendly and personable. John (head sommelier) always has great wine selections and caters to your palate. Leo (owner) was very welcoming. Dimly lit ambience with a ghost piano player (skip the patio). Would recommend, one of a kind. read more

Great, intimate spot for a couple friends or a date! The vibes are immaculate. You walk down to an elevator and they'll greet you at the door. There's books and wine bottles everywhere. We got the Beethoven's Board which was quite large with 3 meats and 3 cheeses with a large assortment of fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts, and more. I wish it had more meat, but otherwise it was very filling! It was so huge that it fit the small table diagonally. The wine pours are generous. They also have a live pianist playing classical music the whole night. read more

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Back again to celebrate birthdays and Galentine's day. The ambiance of this place makes it perfect to sit on a couch with your girlfriends, drink wine, and snack on charcuterie board fixings. I was so excited to see familiar faces among the staff who are really the soul of this great spot. The staff is always so friendly, helpful, and go above and beyond to make sure you have a great experience. Shout out to Brian who is absolutely one of our faves and simply fabulous! If you are going in a bigger party, I highly recommend that you line up 30 minutes before it opens. Maybe 45 just to be safe. While there are many great places to sit, it's nice to have options. What makes this place great is its consistency in both food and service. Sliders were great, pizza was good, charcuterie was on point, hummus board was delish, but most importantly the champagne was bubbly and paired perfectly with everything. Overall, this is still one of our favorite spots and we look forward to coming back soon! read more

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Good: food Bad: service We were second in line to enter. The bouncer "wanna be Fabio" in a loud voice for all to hear told us that the $ minimum required to spend and asked if it was ok, how rude!!!! The waitress did not put in our order and after 1 hour, yes, 1hour, we called her because she didn't bother to come to our table, and she asked again what we had ordered!! SHE FORGOT That WE HAD ORDERED ALREADY AND DID NOT PUT IN OUR ORDER!!! She did not apologize. We spoke to the "manager" and we requested to change waiter. What a shame! Such a beautiful place and such a lousy service! Never going back! read more

The seller is a super hidden and cute little wine bar that you have to know about in order to find out about it. We ended up going for a Christmas party and the girls ordered a bunch of wine and food. We chose a sweet wine which was actually pretty delicious. It was called a Moscato. We also got the grande cheese and charcuterie board and tri-tip sliders. The food was good, but definitely don't show up on an empty stomach because it's not that kind of a restaurant. It's more so for drinking and snacking while catching up with good friends. Inside it was very cutely decorated for Christmas and there was a piano playing. Ambiance 5/5 Wine 5/5 Food 5/5 Price: expensive but worth trying once! read more

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A true hidden gem and one of my favorite spots in Pasadena. Tucked away in a secret corner, this place offers the perfect blend of cozy library charm, shelves of books, and an elegant selection of wines. If you're in the mood for a classy, intimate atmosphere, this is the place to be. Just a heads-up -- it fills up quickly, so be sure to call ahead for a reservation. An absolute must-visit! read more

I've been here several times and it never ceases to please. A very chill vibe, great people and the wine and service is exceptional. The Doorman, Tony is fantastic! Great personality, professional and really does a great job at setting the vibe! You can forget everything else about The Cellar and Tony would still make the vist a memorable experience. read more

One of my absolute favorite date night spots - the ambience is elevated yet cozy. It's the perfect place to get a glass of wine, enjoy some music and bites, but also still be able to talk to your date. They do not take reservations unless it's a large party of 10+ which you have to email for - for smaller parties you arrive at an unassuming entrance where Tony the door guard will very helpfully guide you with options: sit outside on the patio (usually plenty of seating) or wait for a table inside (worth the wait!!!). Once he gets the OK that a table is ready, he will let your party in, you will walk inside all the way to the back elevator and take it down to the basement where the wine library is. This place is best for a party of 2 imo, and a little longer wait for a party of 4. If you get couch seating, I believe you must buy 1 bottle minimum. I would skip most food but their charcuterie boards are excellent with great variety of meat, cheese, nuts, and fruit. Their team is very helpful in helping you with wine recommendations. If you are between a few wines they may also give you samples before you commit to your glass. I like their Pinot Grigio! read more

Very unique spot! Kind of speakeasy vibes. We stopped by for a drinks and apps before dinner. It's quite dark inside so it's a bit hard to read the menu so definitely need your phone light! Our waiter was very well versed and had great recommendations. We shared a bottle of wine, oysters, burrata, and cocktail shrimp. Everything was fresh and delicious!! The burrata looked simple, but with the crispy prosciutto and fried spinach made perfect bread bites. read more

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I've been here a few times and I've always enjoyed it! If you're looking for a place away from the busy and rowdy bars, this is the place to go to. They have a piano playing. It's cutely decorated with a fun entrance. The staff was so nice and helpful. I was between a few options and our server gave me some tasters to decide. I ended up choosing the moscato and it was so delicious and refreshing! read more

The Cellar - A Wine Library - Inside - Wine Bars Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Great intimate vibes with smooth piano music in the background. It's a place you would imagine a cozy wine lounge to read a book by yourself. How you enter: Pretty much, there will be a man standing with a red rope. After that, you go through the hallway and to the elevator. Food: Small light meals and snacks to eat while sipping on wine. And alcohol choices are wine only. Moscato, Piedmont, Italy- sweet bubbly wine. Highly recommend, you won't get too much flavor or scent but it tastes great! Viognier, Pasco Robles, CA- fruity fragrance, slightly tart, no bubbles. This is great with cheese and crackers! read more

Books, wine, and live piano? Yes please This place is a combination of everything I love. There's live piano music, an amazing wine selection, and the whole space is filled with books and vintage portraits. It felt like walking into a secret speakeasy. You take an elevator down to the restaurant, and even the elevator is beautiful with Art Deco details that set the tone right away. The vibe is moody and cool, perfect for a date night or grabbing drinks and small bites with friends. We ordered the hummus platter, which was warm, creamy, and packed with flavor, and the shrimp cocktail, which came with big, fresh shrimp and a lemon wedge over greens. I had a glass of red wine and everything hit the spot. Our server was Brian, who I immediately recognized from Sushi Roku, also in Pasadena. Small world. He was just as great here--super friendly and made the experience even better. What I really loved was the whole atmosphere. The music, the library feel, and all the portraits and paintings on the wall. We kept trying to figure out the theme of who was pictured. It just felt like such a hidden gem. Definitely one of my favorite spots in Pasadena. read more

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