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    John Sparr Tavern

    4.5 (345 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 1 month ago

    John Sparr Tavern Photos

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    JOHN SPARR TAVERN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Intimate
    Classy
    Casual
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - John Sparr Tavern

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    Our first time at John Sparr
    Suzy B.

    We went back to John Sparr because Carlos recommended the Wednesday fish and chips & he was right. I had a great cocktail of the week and my husband had a beer. We shared the fish and chips and jumbo shrimp cocktail, 5 very large jumbo shrimp and delicious cocktail sauce. Thank you Carlos

    Paper planes
    Samantha E.

    Amazing place! Went there after a movie for some drinks and nosh. The place was small and so cozy. It's had that neighborhood bar feel without feeling like a dive bar. We sat at the bar and the bartender was great. He served us and made polite small talk. He was just great AND makes a phenomenal drink! The drinks were on point. I had the paper plane and oh god was it delicious! I'm still thinking about it! My partner in crime also had a paper plane and then switched to a last word. That was fantastic as well. I had a shrimp Louie and my friend had deviled eggs. Both were really good. The shrimps were plump and not overcooked. I'll definitely be coming back!

    Tiki Cocktail menu
    Steve R.

    We went back for the special Mother's Day Brunch menu today and a What a treat! The food quality is amazing. We love the brunch menu and hope they continue to offer these items on the weekends. The potato galette is crispy and delicious. Of course we love the original Patty Melt! Don't miss the cocktails, either. The bartender is an amazing mixologist!

    Fish sandwich - Extremely tasty.
    Jason K.

    British pub in a strange place in Glendale. Even the people sitting at the bar were right out of central casting. Everything you would expect to see and taste. Very nice outdoor patio for larger groups, but the atmosphere inside would be hard to replicate any place else. The attention to detail at this place is amazing. Someone invested a lot of money. Worth the trip.

    As of 4/15/25
    Sandy P.

    Nice vibe. Similar to what you'd find in LES of NYC, complete with black and white penny rounds/hexes and a plated copper ceiling. And of course, a curated cocktail menu with an accompanying Happy Hour menu. Great Reuben burger sliders! Would get those again. Decent garlic shoestring fries. Guac & chips started to taste a bit bland after awhile. The taquitos were good but came with a spicy aioli that was more of a sauce. A creamy aioli would've really made the difference. Decent pour on the Guinness. They need to take the Polpette and Croquette off the HH menu as it sounds like they just don't make them anymore. Service was a bit spotty. We were there early for HH so most tables were still empty, but booths were already reserved for the dinner crowd. Had to flag down waiter after the initial order (not new for me as an east coaster) and it's understandable as they're still setting up for dinner service. They also joked with my kids a bit so that was fun. Parking was a bit challenging as there is a no dedicated lot. Small lots (8 spots) shared with as many businesses. A decent sized party room in the back (grieve or take 20 patrons) that's well lit with natural light. M & W bathrooms upstairs. Roomy and clean. Lastly, NO contactless payments here yet, though cc's are accepted. A toss-up between coming back here again and trying out other establishments in the area for a better stocked HH menu.

    Peppercorn/garlic crusted new York.

    Never had a bad experience at this place. You can come for just drinks or dinner with the family. Everyone is very friendly and welcoming.

    French Onion Soup
    G D.

    Best French Onion Soup in Town Hands Down! Melty cheese and delicious flavor! The service is great and the vibes are nice and intimate. Can't wait to try more of their menu. Look they have plenty of great options!

    Happy Hour food menu Dec. 2024
    Rebecca D.

    Still a cozy neighborhood spot. We came here at 4:30pm on a Friday in December to enjoy their happy hour. We hadn't been here since 2021, so it was time to return. Food was great, we had the Reuben sliders (the best), the onion rings (crunchy) and the Buffalo wings (tasty). Our favorite were the sliders and we'd like to try the meatballs next time. Service was great, prices fair - we paid @$60 including tip. Nice place to have nearby.

    Burger

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    2 years ago

    Fantastic food and cost of foid was not overpriced. I loved what i ate there. The waiters were very courteous and took good care of us

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    2 years ago

    Just a wonderful place to spend time with friends on Friday and Saturday nights. Great service will satisfy everyone!

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    2 years ago

    The double burger was not only delicious, it was borderline inexpensive. I will be stopping here often moving forward.

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    2 years ago

    Food, service and drinks were outstanding. We will definitely revisit this place. It may even become our place to get away to.

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    Page 2 of 9

    Ask the Community - John Sparr Tavern

    What time is happy hour?

    Tuesday through Friday 4pm to 6pm

    View All 2 Questions

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    The Famous

    The Famous

    4.3(672 reviews)
    4.2 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Luxury

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

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

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    The Famous - Happy Hour Menu!

    Happy Hour Menu!

    The Famous
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    Gold Rail Bar - Mai tais!

    Gold Rail Bar

    4.5(73 reviews)
    3.4 mi

    This local watering hole is an icon in the community. As soon as you walk in you feel nostalgic…read morewith the dark lighting, wooden bar and rustic decor. Met my beautiful sister Nikki here for a mid week happy hour cocktail per her suggestion. It was perfect! we sat at the bar for a quick meetup and then headed home before the sky turned dark... *Full service Bar *Neighborhood watering hole *Friendly service *Margarita was perfect ~Free street parking ~ and that's all I have to say about that ~

    You know the show Cheers--where you walk in and everyone knows your name? That's the vibe I got…read morefrom this place. Not for myself... lmao, since I was new here, but you can tell that everyone knows each other, and it's just a really friendly environment to be in. I felt totally safe, even though I was one of like three girls there, and honestly, everyone was super nice, super friendly, and sarcastic--just the way I like it. It was easy to feel comfortable and even easier to want to come back. They have a really solid beer selection, but the real winner is their cider--it's 8% alcohol, which is insane for a cider, but hey, I'm not complaining. They had the hockey game on, which I definitely appreciated, and they also have a pool table where you can write your name down to play. Not sure if there's a charge for that, but either way, it's a nice touch. They're open pretty late, and while the location doesn't have a bunch of other bars or spots around, the upside is tons of parking--which I totally love. Overall, it was a great experience, and I'd definitely recommend checking it out and maybe even making some new friends while you're there. (If you go in, tell the bartenders, I said hi)

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    Inside - the bar

    Gold Rail Bar - My margarita

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    The San Fernando

    The San Fernando

    4.4(332 reviews)
    4.5 mi
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    We were here on Tuesday afternoon and it was not busy at all. It was the tail end of happy hour so…read morewe got our food and drink orders in before that ended. The old fashioned was good as was their twist on the spritz. I loved the fried pickles (also from the happy hour menu). The server was great. She came by at the right times and was friendly and answered our questions about the menu. This is a great spot for happy hour and I'm glad to have discovered it.

    Their outdoor patio is the reason to come here! Lots of seating, enclosed shaded area, good tunes,…read moredog friendly, and cute decor. No parking lot, but there's plenty of parking along the side streets. Beef Sliders - Comes with two. The sliders were overall well done. Like done done. The beef itself was so well done it was hard. And the sliders as a whole were also hard, as if they had either been under a heat lamp for far too long, or were sitting on the grill waiting to be ordered. Even the bread was hard. The flavor was ok, but it was difficult to get past the texture. Comes with fries. Those were delicious. Flor Daiquiri - Made with the Nicaraguan Flor de Cana rum. Sooooo good. Literally couldn't stop ordering these. The alcohol was subtle but definitely there. Perfectly balanced cocktail. Pretty affordable for LA prices. Cocktails were all around 15 bucks, food was around 20. I want to give this place another shot because of how cute the patio was and how great the drink I got was, so tbd on the food! Maybe the kitchen had an off night.

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    The San Fernando
    The San Fernando - The best chicken sandwich ever

    The best chicken sandwich ever

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    Ombra

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    3.8(262 reviews)
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    Ombra at Americana is one of my favorite spots right now. Great vibe, good drinks, and just an…read moreoverall nice place to hang out. The service is what really makes it though--Sergio, Michael, and Roger always go the extra mile. They're super attentive, friendly, and make every visit better. Definitely recommend if you want a chill place with great service

    The pasta was good, indeed. However I'll say this, as a generality... Pasta is not expensive. The…read moremeat sauce could be a tad more expensive. So, $27 for an entree of Pasta seemed a bit overpriced expensive given the portions that could have been amplified at nearly minimal cost to the restaurant. I get it 'tho, rent is high and also strategically if you have small entrees then appetizers and other items would be purchased to get the average order size and revenue up as a smart business strategy. So the only comment I have is about the constructive criticism of the portions to the price. As it stands, it feels like what they served was about a $12-15 plate at most in "comps" value to what you might see at peer competitors, 'tho this is gourmet quality. If they doubled the portions served for $27, I wager they're profit margins won't get hurt on the cost of goods (food and portions) but I'm betting the customer care and satisfaction scores will bring back loyal customers with frequency. The service was friendly and atmosphere was nice with the outdoor seating. There's a sister restaurant, across the way with indoor dining.

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    Build Your Own Gin and Tonic (mocktail behind)

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    John Sparr Tavern - tradamerican - Updated September 2026

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