If you love books, wine, and that cozy intellectual vibe, 1894 is an absolute must-visit in…read morePasadena. This bar is tucked inside Vroman's Bookstore (already one of the most charming and iconic bookstores in the area) so the entire experience feels like stepping into a warm, literary universe. You can browse for a new book, take in the bookstore's atmosphere, and then walk straight into the bar. Honestly, it's the perfect outing. What makes 1894 truly special is how intentionally it celebrates literature. Everything in the bar pays homage to the bookstore. The drink menu is full of clever, book-inspired names. You'll find cocktails like Pride and PearJudice Pride, Fifty Shades of Earl Grey, and other fun literary twists. Every drink feels like a little wink to readers, writers, and book lovers, and it adds such a unique charm to the experience. The vibe is super quaint and warm, dim lighting, and a creative atmosphere that makes you want to stay for hours. The wine is on the pricier side ($19-$21 per glass), but the quality delivers. Customer service was excellent. One of the bartenders spent time chatting with us. He pointed out a chalk artwork behind the bar a dramatic portrait he drew himself featuring expressive, literary-style faces, like Edgar Allan Poe, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, etc. It fits perfectly with the creative, bookish aesthetic of the bar. If you're into books, wine, and unique experiences, 1894 is a spot you absolutely can't miss. Perfect for a date, a solo unwind-with-a-book moment, or a fun night with friends who appreciate a good story and a great drink.

Cute little place inside Vroman's to get a glass of wine and read! I saw that they have live jazz…read moremusic on Thursdays sometimes so I hope to check that out. Good ambiance!

I love coming to the bar at the back of the wine shop on a Sunday afternoon. The vibe is friendly…read moreand the wine is good. It feels like a neighborhood spot to me. Love it.

We're still fans of Monopole and visit regularly, especially before a show at The Pasadena…read morePlayhouse or when they host a special wine tasting event. Our experiences have always been good. It's a quaint wine shop with a nice selection of varietals, blends, and even a few craft beers. There's a small tasting bar in the back which usually features a flight of whites and reds, along with several other selections by the glass, as well as charcuterie boards, olives, nuts, and truffle popcorn. Lucy (owner), Pattie, Nina, and the rest of the staff are friendly and accommodating, making you feel like family. On occasion, they'll also have live music. We really enjoy Monopole and recommend you check them out when you're in the area.

First time here, and cuisine was excellent. Fresh pasta and authentic Italian dishes! I had the…read morepesto ravioli and some amazing prosecco. Came for Sunday brunch to hear the live music of Sharon Marie Klein, I will definitely return!

Wonderful food, music and ambiance again at Visionarium Live Italian in South Pasadena, and now…read morethey've added home made gelato! Check it out. You won't be disappointed!!

Great wine selection. We went on a Saturday around 5:30 p.m. before the evening rush and ordered a…read morecheese and fruit charcuterie board along with several glasses of wine. We ended up staying until about 9:30 p.m. and never felt rushed or pressured to order more. The staff was very friendly and made excellent recommendations, especially considering we were a bit picky -- one vegetarian, one pescatarian, and the other only likes dessert wines!! Definitely coming back with less picky people

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.

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.

Closed Mon and Tuesdays but cute coffee shop and wine bar with complimentary popcorn! Chill vibes…read more There is a small lot or street parking available. HH runs front 4pm to 6pm I believe Wed- Sun on select wines (one white and one or two reds) and beers $5 plus tax. They serve pizza from next door and they have salad options as well. Wish they were open a little later!

Upon entering on a Sunday afternoon, I was surprised by the number of people! It was packed, which…read moreis impossible to tell as you approach the nondescript, quiet building. The chatter of people, live music, and mismatched furniture all evoke a feeling of comfort. I ordered the Sauvignon Blanc and was given a complimentary cup of delicious popcorn. As I sipped my wine and listened to the live jazz, I couldn't think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

We walked in the restaurant on a Friday night and were seated right away (party of 6). The inside…read morerestaurant is small but they have a back patio area that allows you to forget you are next to a parking lot. We ordered six wines, calamari, truffle fries, Mac and cheese, scicillian arracini and the pepperoni and pig pizzas! All of it was delicious and we actually ordered the truffle fries twice. The fries weren't the crispiest but they had were seasoned well and you tasted the truffle oil with the cheese. The pizza had a delicious crust and the toppings tasted fresh. The pig pizza was spicier than I anticipated but it was still enjoyable. The vibe of the place really feels good for having a drink of wine before your meal. The area is surrounded by brick walls and nice comfortable chairs. Our waiter (I forgot his name tbh) was also helpful when we asked for our wine preference. We will definitely return to this place. I would definitely recommend.

Came here for the happy hour. The deals are pretty good. Would come back again…read more Ordered 2 pizza and a charcuterie board. The pizza was well seasoned and decent size. Definitely would recommend the mushroom pizza, one of the best I had. Wine selection was good. Waiter was helpful and knowledgeable when it came to selecting wine.

We were walking around downtown Pasadena after dinner and this place looked so good that even…read morethough we were absolutely stuffed, we still went in anyway. We were seated immediately, which was such a nice surprise, and the vibes in here are immaculate. You can actually see them cooking with fire, which makes everything feel extra cozy and a little fancy at the same time. Also, random but important, the bathrooms were beautiful and the soap smelled amazing. Even the water was good with that elite crunchy ice. We only got the banana pudding because we physically could not eat more, but honestly it was so good. I just wish the portion was a little bigger and that there were more crunchy cookie bits for texture because that was my favorite part. We wandered around the attached market afterward, and it was actually so fun to browse. There were so many canned fish options and other fun specialty goodies that made me want to come back when I'm actually hungry enough for a full meal.

2nd time here: Greeter with the curly hair is extremely rude. Asked if we could sit in the back and…read moreshe gave me a death stare and said we only have the sidewalk patio open. Afterwards, didnt even smile or make eye contact when giving menus. We were sat for at least 10 minutes, ready to order. but they are so incredibly understaffed with one guy running around, that we just decided to leave. The first time it was actually the same waitress and she was unhelpful about the menu as well because my friend has a food allergy. Food was also super mid and overpriced.

This is one of my favorite places in Pasadena for a great spicy margarita! Last time I was there,…read moreArturo H did an amazing job! His recommendations and service were on point!

We stopped by Granville on our way to an author meet-and-greet at Vroman's Bookstore up the street,…read moreand it did not disappoint. We were seated quickly on the roof, right by the fire as the sun set, which created a warm and relaxed atmosphere perfect for a memorable visit. Sammy, was our server she had the best recommendations and delivered attentive, friendly service that made the experience extra special. We started with cocktails, all fantastic, with the White Lady and Gran Sour standing out as favorites among the group. For starters, the Brussel Sprouts, grilled cheese dippers, and the bread with whipped duck fat butter were all delicious, the bread and butter being especially indulgent. For entrees, the Stroganoff was amazing--comforting and perfectly seasoned, and served in a cute Dutch oven. The pork chop with mango chutney was also outstanding, pairing well with Cajun spices. I'm already planning a return visit to try the miso brown butter chicken and to explore the dessert menu. Overall, Granville offered a superb combination of superb service, strong cocktails, and standout dishes, all enjoyed in a stunning rooftop setting. I'll definitely be back to see Sammy again and to continue exploring the menu.

Cute but very busy place! Came here after I found out the…read moreoriginal coffee shop I wanted to try near the area is closed on Sundays. Republik is pretty big inside, with lots of outdoor space and seating as well. It was very busy when we arrived, and there was a line, but it moved pretty quickly and I got my order in a decent amount of time. I saw they had an Ube latte, so of course that is what I ordered, and it did not disappoint. Very flavorful and delicious. Service was good, and the baristas were all busy but took the time to greet everyone and thank them as we all picked up our orders. There is lots of free street parking in this area of Pasadena, so that was a breeze.

The ambiance and store decoration is really nice and cozy. Staffs were friendly. And they have many…read moregreat specialty espresso that are unique but also is the price, which tend to be on the higher side especially consider the portions and quantity that you are getting of the price that you pay. I saw the sign that said bakes good happy hour 50% off after 3 pm. Well that was misleading. So everything that I ordered, the cookies and cake are not part of the sale. I wish they were more clear about that. I thought it was 1/2 off which is why I ordered so many to start out with. The taste of the bake good, however, are good and not too sweet which is great. The chocolate chip cookie was meh, there are better ones in Pasadena. The pistachio cooking was good. And the green tea cake was amazing. I just wish there sign for the discount was more clear and things were so pricy.