Jeff B.
Yelp
(Shopped 03/03/23 FR @ 6:00pm): Beverages and more, indeed!
In a frantic search for Hendrick's Gin's latest limited release gin, Flora Adora, I ended up at BevMo!'s Pasadena location because all of my usual alcohol haunts were sold out of this product. The Hendrick's brand was my favorite gin while the BevMo! Brand was one of my go-to places when I needed to stock the home bar or grabbed a random beer I'd never tried before. Recently, Total Wine & More (specifically their Pasadena location) has taken over their place. I figured BevMo! had a location in Pasadena but honestly never bothered to check until now. At the very least, did I find the beverage and maybe more of what I was looking for during this first visit!?
PURCHASE
Hendrick's Flora Adora Gin Limited Release 750ml Bottle ($41.99): As a marketer, the labeling itself was reason enough to buy this product, but if you were a fan of this brand and their products, you wanted to add this to your collection (yes, I collected their bottles, too!). With a floral garden aroma, this Scottish gin flourished within your nasal passage and calmly buzzed along your tongue with hints of herbs and a dash of green pastures. Casually sip on its own or simply mix with a flavored sparkling water, calm and refreshing was how you felt after a tasting. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=Uv_5O-2t05X64fFQgWgVkw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Próspero Blanco Tequila 750ml Bottle ($34.49): During the recent COVID pandemic lockdown years, I stocked my home bar with an immense assortment of liquor in order to create/make any drink I wanted, and in the process, I also tried other brands I wasn't familiar with which was the case here. Another eye-catching label, this was a relatively standard blanco tequila with hints of citrus and sweetness with a clean and fresh finish. Enjoy as a sipper, a shot, or in a cocktail. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=yFL-mkkV8CHnvbVmULmUUA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
SERVICE
Although I'd never been to this location before, the general layout was usually the same across all stores, so I intuitively went to the gin section, found what I wanted, did a quick casing down all of the aisles for any impromptu items (tequila in this case), went to the cashier to settle up, and I was out quickly enough. No assistance except for the cashier which was fine with me - thank you!
PARKING (FREE)
They had their own private lot with both above and underground parking (I went underground). Otherwise, there also appeared to be free parking along the main drag of Foothill Blvd. - 'nuff said.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
A seemingly medium warehouse with aisles after aisles of anyone's alcohol desires all perfectly and easily labeled and organized from the floor to the ceiling along with a tasting area, and oh so much more! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=o0omX4eJx13W70hCvcwWzg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw However, it seemed smaller than other locations I've been to. Generally an uncluttered store, it had the requisite marketing promo displays of various vendors. A decent amount of natural light came in through the front large glass windows and doors while bright electric ceiling lights and those from the parking lot and street filled the rest. There were no TVs, but music played in the background. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=d13gf7ra4bbmT4saphNIKA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
Pasadena's BevMo! location was truly every adult's and drinker's wet dream that tantalized and teased you to buy and try everything, and it was a nice competitor to the nearby yet larger Total Wine & More along Colorado Blvd.. The selection was very good, the prices highly competitive due to economies of scale, and I trusted their customer service was very good. I wasn't sure if they were able to do special orders for items they didn't carry. And, if you joined their free membership, you earned points with every dollar spent towards future discounts. I found total value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $84.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 5.0 STARS