Griffins Of Kinsale

This bar… There are some local places that provide everything you want for a chill night and a party night. This is everything and then some. From the absolutely incredible service by the staff to the amazing live performances, this is where you should be going every night. I have been going to this establishment for over 10 years and I’ve never had a bad experience having Guinness on tap as usual for an Irish bar but the food is absolutely to die for. I recommend this place to all my friends and hopefully you the reader will go there too. Furthermore, there is a band called The Drive that plays their quite frequently and they put on one hell of a show. The fact that you can see them for free is just yet another bonus of this incredible establishment. If you have not been I employ you to be there…any night of the week.

The pot of gold was the perfect comfort food. Tender pastrami on a bed of cabbage and roasted potatoes, it was delicious and also quite the large serving!

cool place with good food and drinks. staff was very friendly and attentive, checking on us multiple times and doing rounds of the place. nice atmosphere with interesting decor. they have live music pretty often.

I’m just a fan of this place, especially on Thursday’s! They have this amazing salsa band, and it’s contagious! But let’s talk about the phenomenal burgers with potato wedges, it’s the next best thing, so good…and please order them with bacon, crispy, salty and delicious, just like me! Cold brew, good music and delicious food, this is a must stop in South Pasadena!

Love the atmosphere, and had hoped to make this a local "spot" since it's the nearest pub to me. Unfortunately the staff is quite rude, and they have a habit of overcharging your tab with drinks you didn't order. Unfortunately after multiple bad experiences I know it wasn't a one-time fluke. I won't be back!

A place for some great fun with friends. Been going here with my friends since college. Family owned business that knows how to take of their customers. Irish themed with live music on the weekends. The live music is hit or miss but you definitely gotta check out their band the Drive. Absolutely fantastic and awesome. The Drive Band is very talented and plays great music. Drinks are great with good prices. The atmosphere is amazing. Would definitely recommend to my friends and others like you.

This is not a sports bar. This is not y our typical Irish bar with TV's galore. In fact there are no TV's. This is a great place to chill. To actually look at the person in front of you and hear them talk. The food is quite good too. The beer - especially the Harp on tap is amazing the way they add carbonation and how cold it is. I can suck down so many of these on an hot summer night. When they have bands it gets loud so you better like the music or move on until the band is done. Oh the wings, burgers, shephards' pie all amazing.

Real Irish Vibe from decor. Friendly staff. Kevin, bartender, was friendly, and happy to answer questions I had about the bar since it was my first time. They have musical performances toward the end of the week.

My favorite part about Griffins is living in the same building as them! From the staff (the Griffin family!), to the amazing food and music! You can never go wrong coming here! My go to is a black and tan beer with an order of lemon pepper wings and pub burger. But you can't go wrong with their pub sliders, smash burger, or pot of gold either! Oh yea! The make an amazing Irish coffee too!

So chillaxing at Gruffins an authentic Irish Pub with live music on certain nights. We ordered the Harp & Pot of Gold and Guinness & mini Wee Shepard's Pie. Flavor on point every time. Piping hot food ice cold beer. Great service in this mostly family run business.

Friendly service and ambient atmosphere and live music I will be back. I needed this today

I've been to this Irish pub three times now. It's family operated and owned by many of the owner's sons. I've been served by Danny and Kevin. This time I ordered what I did the first time, which was exceptional; the Kinsale brats in a rich buttery veloute with mash, grilled onions, red peppers and steamed green beans. Very rich and tasty; a well-balanced meal. My husband got the pub burger with potato wedges and he scarfed that down in record time. I ordered a "black and tan" (Harp's lager topped with their on-tap Guinness). Very fresh tasting. My husband ordered the Smithwick's which had a smoky flavor. On the days closer to the weekends and on the weekends they have live music in the back, starting about 9pm. I've tried their bangers and mash as well as the corned beef and cabbage and all of those items were delicious and hearty. Some of the best quality pub food you can have. It's located at a Metro light rail stop and there's a lot of vintage shops and boutiques surrounding it. I love how authentic the place feels. I even suggested they make the section in the front into a traditional "snug" which is where women in Ireland would usually drink separate from the men. Can't wait to try more items on their menu!

I've been meaning to check this place out for a while now. I went with two other friends during the Oktoberfest/South Pasadena flea market. We got a 12 Oz draft beer, an appetizer and a corned beef with cabbage and vegetables entree. You had to go to the front to order and track down the waiter to pay. The beer came out really fast, the food on the other hand took a while, think 25+ minutes. We had to keep asking on the process of our order. In hindsight we probably should have eaten elsewhere as we really needed to get out of there by a certain time. The service is nice if a little spotty. Prices are a little high, though the food is pretty good.

Cool pub vibe, a bit loud. Service friendly but inconsistent. Food was very good, very promising! All dishes were thoughtfully presented and nicely seasoned. The pepper flavor in the bangers & mash was especially yummy. The boxty arrived steaming hot and freshly made, with a nice rose shape for the salmon. Corned beef & cabbage also flavorful, though I wish it came with more of the white cream sauce. Paired with a Smithwick's, I was very happy overall and will return when in the area!

Stellar Irish pub. The owners and staff are amazing, know how to pour a Guinness properly, have a simple and tasty menu for food, and are just all around awesome. Come here for a pint, stay for the good will and company!

Great Irish family owned establishment! Very busy for the special holiday. Food was yummy! Everybody was easy to talk to and get our orders straightened out. Kevin and his sister were very customer service oriented. Made you feel at home. You can tell they are family! Thanks guys!

I feel like this establishment should be called Griffin of KIND Ale. The staff are very kind !! The patrons are nice. No pretentiousness whatsoever. Danny , Kevin , and Vanessa are great bartenders and so very attentive as well. These are people who clearly were raised properly and have etiquette. Just a great demeanor towards customers. The food is good !! It's not a huge menu , but I have had the sliders with the potato wedges and can attest that it tasted to my palate's liking.

Fun and the best of the Irish pubs! I particularly enjoyed the siders that they have that they switch out now and then. well the menu is not lengthy. It is definitely exceptional, especially for pug food! I happen to order a sandwich called, "The Cooley" which was corn beef on sweet bun and potato wedges. It was absolutely delicious and probably the best corn beef sandwich I've ever had.! Add the Golden State cider I had on tap and it was a lovely little dinner. Locals provided wonderful conversation and I will definitely be back with friends!

This is a great local pub. Service always comes with a smile. The food is excellent! From the Pub Burger to the Salmon Boxty, you cannot go wrong. It is a classic Irish Pub with its dark ambience and loud laughter.

(Tookout 11/14/22 MO @ 5:00pm and a couple times before): No need for griffins to protect this seemingly small touch of Kinsale in South Pasadena; I saw no harm to befallen this eatery. I was working in the surrounding area and made a concerted effort to finally "dine" at Griffins Of Kinsale. Of all the times I've been here, I've never tried their food; rather, it was always for beers and cocktails either on a beer crawl or simply to catch a band play. Well, the day finally came for their food to finally get into my belly! Generally speaking, I was a fan of Irish food and its heartier fare. Would I return for more than drinks next time!? PURCHASE Guinness Draught 20floz Draft ($8.00): One of my all-time favorite beers, this creamy frothy brew served up at an Irish pub with cooler outside temperatures while Irish fare was being prepared truly filled in all the boxes for a good time and meal ready to be had https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=5E11_Q4nWkTCOj43VBbuzQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw! 8pc Extra Hot Griffin Wings w/Veggie Sticks & Ranch Dip ($17.00): These chicken wings were of decent size, crispy, and tender, but certainly weren't hot nor spicy and rather standard with nothing that particular stood out https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=hCaN2Nlcnk47_FujxjT0Vw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. Sheperd's Pie ($21.00): Filled with plenty of carrots, corn, gravy, green onions, mashed potatoes, minced meat, and peas, this was a lovely hefty portion that lasted me for another meal. This was comfort food at one of its finest https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=fukkI3Dw_yeXhzW4vqm_RA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. Corned Beef & Cabbage w/Carrots & Potatoes ($23.00): A thick slab of meat that wasn't as salty as I expected (a plus!) but could've used more peppery seasoning, easily came apart as you cut it with a fork, and succulent throughout, it was a calming and satisfying piece of beef along with the provided creamy horseradish sauce. The plentiful and tender cabbage, carrots, and potatoes rounded out the meal perfectly https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=2oSp8EeXoMlpVQ3AQc_Oag&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. SERVICE Greeted by a young man minutes after I entered (I snuck by while he was outside chatting with a patron), I already knew what I wanted and easily placed my order with him. He served up a Guinness while I waited for my order as we chatted with a couple gentlemen who also joined us at the bar. About 20 minutes later and my beer was gone, my food came out all packed up and ready to go. All was perfectly fine and relaxing - slainte! PARKING (FREE) I honestly didn't see any designated lot, so I ended up parking on a nearby street about a block away and walked it. Otherwise, I believed there were spots along the main drag of Mission St. and other surrounding streets (make sure to carefully read any/all posted signs). ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE A roomy floorplan that consisted of several booths, chairs & tables, and barstools inside with a smaller dining area out front on the sidewalk, a long archaic-looking bar was the focal point https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=PheEUnk7SvroTtid7KOfYQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw, while a sparse stage area was tucked away in the corner for live entertainment https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=C5WVwRQ0OUBqtRMC82P95Q&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. Minimal displays hung on the walls and windows with the expected Irish decorations. Decent natural lighting came through the front large opening and windows while minimal dim ceiling lights filled in the rest. I didn't notice any TVs while there was an eclectic mix of music from classic rock, indie rock, Frank Sinatra, and of course Irish music played in the background. ATTIRE Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops. OVERALL I was happy to finally try the food at Griffins Of Kinsale and would consider them again especially on St. Patrick's Day. I liked that it had very much a local mom & pop neighborhood no-frills feel to it (patrons seemed to know each other and the gentleman behind the bar). The available drinks https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=TzjioPKBdSw0m3zrP5r4Uw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw and foods https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=QodA4M4u6wb7Wp7zr9SVww&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw were surprisingly limited which was fine. The food was very good sans the wings, the prices were comparable, and the service was fine; however, parking could be an issue. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $69.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 4.0 STARS

I had a great experience when I came here last Wednesday afternoon around 5:30 p.m. I wanted an Irish pub/restaurant experience but without the crowds, so opted to go before St. Patrick's day and invited 6-7 coworkers to join me. As soon as I stepped in, the pace slowed down and I felt that everyone was a regular (but me.) A man was reading at a table, and small groups were happily drinking their pints in low tones. I found an empty table and had an ale and ordered the slider trio (I believe I ordered a beef burger, corned beef, and BLT, but I may not have because I ended up receiving two regular beef burgers and one BLT), but each one was delicious. My friend ordered two corned beef and one BLT, and ended up ordering another plate of the exact same thing because he enjoyed it so much. The service is great, and we had the waitstaff regularly come by and check on us, as well as being available at the bar. I think I had 2-3 of the Harper Ales, as well as bought an order of what may be called "Irish drops," though formerly known with a more violent name. I don't believe there's a designated happy hour menu or pricing, but the prices are very reasonable as it is, so it doesn't really matter. Great food, good prices, and great service. Would recommend.

My wife and I went here for the first time tonight and had dinner and drinks. I opted to have our receipt emailed to us, and so when we got home, we were shocked to see that they added a 10.25% service charge. This wasn't for the tip, it was in addition to the 20% tip we gave. Very few restaurants do this sneaky practice of adding service fees we know nothing about until we get the check. What we see listed in the menu, is what the total cost should be. As it was, a sandwich was $21. That's very expensive, and then they had the nerve to add another 10.25%; that's ridiculous. I do not give business to restaurants that do this. It's very dishonest. Most restaurants fold all costs into their menu prices, but every so often you see a restaurant like this one sneaking extra fees in at the end. Shame of Griffins of Kinsale. Thankfully California passed a law saying that this practice is illegal, and so restaurants like this will be forced to stop this dishonest practice starting July 1st 2024.

Local spot in South Pasadena. It's fun, friendly, and the beers are great!! Live music on some nights.

Was a nice pleasant place to spend time there with a few friends had a late dinner Which was really good Id visit this place again soon!! Overall i give this establishment 5 Stars !!!

Live music, welcoming host and community, fun evening playing chess and listening to live music. Easy street and lot parking.

The atmosphere was amazing on a Friday night. Drinks and food were good at a reasonable price. And the owners are great people.

Was happily surprised by this spot last night. The bartender was super friendly, remembered my name, what I was drinking, and the band that was playing, High Flight, definitely did their thing! Just a great night!

Nice slice of a traditional Irish Bar in SP. I love how there are no TVs. Food was great from the burger, brats, and Shepards pie. Can't wait to go back.

I have always enjoyed coming to this Irish pub for drinks! Tonight we had the sliders and shepherds pie, which both were good! I was promised that my next visit they will have my favorite Irish whiskey Yellow Spot! The service was great!

Great pub in South Pasadena. Street parking available. Order at the bar. Food and beer/cider options. They pour the Guinness the correct way, as you would expect from an Irish pub. Tried the Shepherd's Pie, which was delicious and well presented. Potato wedges were tasty as well. Live music on Wednesday nights at 8pm. Friendly staff. Pay via credit cards on their tablet. No TV but music at a reasonable volume. Well decorated with a cozy, local feel. Definitely recommend!

Good music on Thursdays. Latin jazz with some hot players. Good food and atmosphere. Great service and lots of beautiful people.

Service is not efficient you have to go to the bar to pick up your food and place an order. The people that work there are nice but they are overworked. The food is just meh! The lagger was very flathead as well. I don't know if they are not experienced in getting a nice head on pouring anyways, if you like a small vibe that you have to get up and manage your service then this is the place for you they can get very crowded with the locals, we didn't stick around for the live music because they were supposed to start at nine but they didn't start till 945. As soon as they started, we walked out the door.

This place always comes in clutch! I go once a month or so for the LA Chess Social and my girl Michelle always knows how to make a great Moscow Mule. Last time I got the mini lamb pie and it slapped. The minced meat with the peas and mashed potatoes on top was perfect. This place is also really chill and the drinks are always affordable, no fancy stuff, but they don't need it.

We rode our bicycles to Mission St to grab ourselves a beer at this popular Irish style bar. It was busy for a Monday and the lone young waitress kept busy running back and forth getting the patron's orders. We ordered two beers on tap and a Cooley Special corned beef sandwich with potato wedges. The beer was spot on great and the sandwich was actually very good for pub food.

This Irish Pub is a great place to hang out with your friends and have a cold one. There are no TV's which forces you talk to the people you are with, and I like that. I like the American flag proudly displayed behind the bar, and the food here is really good. My favorites are the Shepherd's Pie, the Shannon Salmon and their Pub Burger. They have live music on certain nights which is pretty cool, and due to COVID-19, they now have outdoor seating on the street which is actually pretty nice. The service is really good, and all the employees are attentive and very nice. The owner, Joe Griffin, is super friendly and a great guy. On any given night, you will see Joe roaming around the pub and greeting everyone, making them feel welcome.

Service, food and drink are top notch. Great atmosphere and ambiance, lovely music and locals

One of the few gens left in all of LA COUNTY, been coming here for over a decade and I can't say enough positive things about this place, the vibe, the location, food and drink! It's a family ran and operated biz and it shows! The family vibe they send out is infectious and it's just the best! So I cannot recommend enough!!

Great atmosphere but when it gets busy it's difficult to get a drink but that's how it is anywhere. There's peanuts and pretzels! I forgot their names but the bartender brothers are nice guys.

Great craic! Best place to go on St. Patrick's or any day for that matter. Nicest staff and management. Fine pub food. Welcoming atmosphere. You might just break out in song... is é seo an teach ósta is minice a dtéimid chuige.

This is a really cool spot in South Pasadena. Being from the Boston area originally, I love a good Irish pub! With Smithwick's and Guinness on tap, I feel like I'm back in one of the many pubs i frequented in New England. Very friendly service and I love that it's a family owned and operated establishment. i did not try the food but probably will when I come back. Their menu features many traditional Irish dishes like bangers and mash. I also heard they have live music Weds through Saturday so that's a huge appeal as well. Inside is dark and chill; they have outdoor seating as well.

This is our neighborhoods go to bar. I feel like I could meet any one of our neighbors in here on any day. The beers are Irish, but also Californian. Best of all they are very cold and are served with a smile. People come to chat at this watering hole, so expect some friendly conversation. The menu is remarkably delicious, so order some food with those beers. The sandwiches are my favorites.

I would say this is a good representation of a traditional Irish pub but I am neither Irish nor in Ireland but, this is how I would imagine it to be. We stopped in to visit with some friends and the place was lively with music plenty of seating a great selection of Irish whiskey as well as other spirits. Will definitely be back to try the food. If you are looking for a pub experience... again at least how I always imagined it. Then this is worth you checking out.

Pretty cool little pub. Love the live performances. Bartenders are great & drinks are delicious you really only need one at least I do hahaha.

Service was a 1. Cleanliness 1. Food was a 3. Ambiance 3-4 depending on what you want out of a pub. I think Griffins is probably about expectations so don't have much in the way of expectations and you might be pleased.

I've been meeting here as a "happy hour" group for years and was a patron years prior to that and I've never had a bad experience. Some of the best drink prices in all of L.A., I've tried almost everything on the menu and haven't found a thing I dislike yet and the service (family owned establishment) is some of the best in town. Also, if you've never (attempted) to get in here on St. Paddy's Day then you're doing yourself a disservice! I really wish I lived closer so I could more often but since it's right next to the South Pasadena gold line stop it's still pretty convenient to get to and there's plenty of parking all around especially if it's after 7pm; that's when the Metro parking structure across the street stops charging.

Today my family and I came into this place with other family members not from the area. Service was so slow. We waited 45 min for our food before we decided to leave. I ask a waitress how much long for our food and she told me she would check and never came back, prior to that she asked "is everything ok here" (even though we didn't have food!) I said we were still waiting on our food. Then I asked another waiter 10 min later and he said he would go check then never came back to tell us anything. Both kept walking by us and said nothing. Waitresses seemed to have an attitude. Not a very kid friendly place or overall friendly place. I live in the neighborhood and will never go back or recommend this place to anyone. Save your time and money.

This pub was hopping and popping. Great environment. I went on a Friday night and it was busy. Cool bands playing that night. I really had a good time. The only reason I give it 4 stars, is because the restroom situation is not up to par. There's a male and female restrooms, but only one person can go in at a time. The line would get huge and I waited for a good minute. Other than that. It's a great spot.

SAY NO TO HOMOPHOBIA AND HOMOPHOBIC REMARKS BY THE MANAGER OF GRIFFINS OF KINSALE! Last Thursday, January 11th, 2024. I was refused service for over 45 minutes after ordering a pint of beer. The pint never came. The manager was the person who walked by me several times saying to me "just a minute" within that 45 minute time frame. Frustrated, I went to the bar to ask if my bill was squared up, and asked why I had not received my pint. The check was presented to me, and I asked for the bill to be comped because of the poor service. Another bar tender said he would take the price of a beer off, but I continued to ask why I did not receive the pint after 45 minutes. That's when the manager told the bartender "charge him double". I went to put on my jacket and satchel bag because I was shocked. That is when the manager said "take your purse and get out of here you faggot". I then said, "so I'm now a faggot"? The other bartender said "you don't have to pay for the bill". This is after he told me that now he was getting "pissed off" at me. A customer who was sitting close to the scene said something to me and told him to mind his own business. I was then escorted escorted out by the other bartender and that customer whom I told to mind his own business, and told to never come back. I am appalled at what transpired from the incompetence and insults from this manager, and the other bartender as well. I have never had a problem at this bar before, and have occasionally come in here for over 15 years to get tap pints from Ireland that are difficult to get. There is NO PLACE FOR HOMOPHOBIA, and the manager should be fired so no one should be insulted by this man ever again! He needs to learn that actions have consequence. This review is my testimony. SHAME ON THIS BAR!

Best local pub around! The staff is wonderful and friendly, the food is really really good (serves pretty late as well!), and the place draws a really vibrant, diverse crowd of people. Their Thursday night Flamenco band is what got me in the door and coming back weekly- what a vibe! Still also a great place when it's quieter to sit, eat, have a cider or drink, and work on my writing. Plenty of places to sit, and a great outdoor patio too. They book great talent and are an absolute South Pasadena staple. Not for: pretentious people who want to be waited on like they're at a fine dining restaurant. This is a family run business and yes, they cater to and have great relationships with their local patrons. You might have to wait to get attention when it's busy, or even if the staff are engaging in conversation with their patrons... but seriously y'all- this place is a pub- it's about slowing down and staying for awhile. Try immersing yourself and having a nice time interacting with the staff in a way that isn't entitled or pretentious and they're your best friends. The only negative reviews I've seen are from folx who clearly take it personally if they aren't the center of attention and have staff that wait on them like servants (or folx who come on live-music nights to eat late and are shocked that the music is loud and exists). To all those people: we love that you don't come back! More space for the real ones to spend time and converse in a real community space.

God bless this place , I love everything food , service , Employee's , Location . Supper highly recommended.

BEST Pub in town! What a great place to hang out and have a beer. I took my friends here and we all had a fun time not only with our group but the rest of the pub goers were friendly as well. I had friends of all races and back grounds and we ended up singing Irish pub songs with the rest of the patrons. The huge American flag was a huge ++++++++++++++++++ We all liked the food too Please support this wonderful establishment. We love you Joe!

We went here for St. Patrick's Day, and it was so much fun! They had lots of really good bands, and singers, and the bagpipes even made an appearance. It was very crowded, but we got a table downstairs and as hard as I'm sure it would be too serve on a day like Saint Patrick's day you wouldn't know it by how great the staff handled everything. Also, it is right off the metro Goldline literally like three steps away. They had a great choice for beer and cocktails. They have a nice outside area that they were serving drinks at as well which helped with the crowd. This might be our new place for St. Patrick's Day!

My friend and I found this place a few weeks ago on a Thursday Farmer's Market night! What a cool place to hang, owners are friendly and personable, beer is great and the food is also wonderful! Great find, and we'll be back there often!!!

GRIFFINS OF KINSALE in So. Pasadena. Crimson crowbar!! David Shelton with Greg Camp, John Avila from Oingo Boingo. Cisco De Luna, Nemo Knight & Mark Cervantes from Smash Mouth. Great place to see some music. The beer was great. We tried the food and yes. That was great to. I would recommend this place to everyone that loves a great night out and really good food, drinks, and music. Great music!!

Waitress can to our table after I left to try and collect on a tab that was paid in cash at the Bar. These were clients of mine. Not cool.

It's not everyday that you can write a 5 star review about a neighborhood bar but Griffins is the exception. The location is really nice. The service was outstanding & the beer was cold with a lot of selection. It was clean, friendly & nostalgic. Excellent place to watch a soccer game or have a beer after the Thursday farmers market which is next door. This is the perfect bar....

Recently discovered this Irish gem but already went three times in a couple of weeks. Discovered they have a fiddle player on Saturday, a Latin jazz band on Wednesday (seems random but it works), and other nights no TV or music so you get the real pub experience and actually talk to each other. It's cozy, intimate and the staff is very welcoming. Also the Wee Pie is delicious - don't leave without trying it!