The Blind Donkey

What a great find! We stumbled upon the Blind Donkey while looking for a drink after a late afternoon dinner. The atmosphere was unique and the place had a good vibe in general. The bartender made the best old fashioned I’ve had in quite awhile and they were very friendly and efficient. Add in the fact that a few locals at the bar chatted us up and made us feel like we’re in our own neighborhood bar and you get an easy 5 stars. If you haven’t already, find your way here for a cocktail and good conversation. You’ll be happy you did!

This spot is pretty chill. I got the whiskey sour and it was only $13. The other drinks are good too. I came on a Thursday night and it was moderately filled up with people. They had karaoke and it seemed to be a popular spot in the area. It’s very dark in there which I like, and the ambiance Is good. I’d forsure come back on the weekend.

We stopped in over the weekend, late afternoon, to check it out. Great air conditioning, looks like a good place to hang out, but the music way too loud. No one is coming here to listen to music. We're hear to have a few drinks and talk with our friends. Music at this volume just comes off as desperate. It's not cool.

Misha and Allan were insanely sweet. they took good care of us and they made sure to make us feel welcome. If it weren’t for Danny, we wouldn’t have been able to come here, he was welcoming too and told us about the spot. The place is so chill and a vibe. Thank god for them.

A nice selection of bourbon and scotch. The atmosphere is cozy and relaxing. Gabriel was fantastic and had a well of knowledge and made the experience enjoyable.

Best bar I've been to in Pasadena as of yet. Good music, cool space, tasty beers, and clearly attracts a lively crowd. The bartenders were friendly and happy to help. Expect each beer to run you about $9-$12. -1 star because you are required to leave your card with the bartender. As opposed to getting your card back with the contingency that if you don't cash out, they will do it for you at the end of the night and auto-apply a tip, which is what nearly every other bar does (honestly a win-win for everyone),

Great little bar, drinks we're good and the atmosphere is completely something to experience, great for a hang out, catching up with someone, a date, or just to try a new experience or return for a great memory, definitely enjoyed this bar and would highly recommend to anyone, great location too

Great drinks, absolutely fantastic. Process have gone up but where hasn't it. The security guy is awesome, he's a character but very nice and sociable. Lots of seating but gets crowded on the weekends. Bartenders know the right mix ratio.

"Now I'm a flying, talking donkey!" - after a few of their amazing old fashioned cocktails! But we don't just come here for the delicious drinks and friendly staff, we come here for the best corn dogs and french fries in LA (at least at the top of my list). Plus I love the laid back, comfortable vibe. It's a great interior and is usually pretty chill (we tend to go in the early evening). My only suggestion: please add something to cover the outdoor seating. It really needs it. We always want to sit outside but mostly opt for inside because it's so bright and hot at the outdoor tables.

Came here with a friend of mine on a Saturday night. I've been here a few times before and knew it was the perfect spot for a nightcap. Situated off the beaten path in Old Town Pasadena, The Blind Donkey is a cozy little bar that caters to Whiskey connoisseurs. Of course, they serve other libations and their top shelf selections are impressive. Even though I'm a Bourbon fan I couldn't resist the Pear Necessities (Roku Gin, St George Spiced Pear, Elderflower, lemon, Angostura.) My friend ordered a Sazerac. He's more of a Whiskey & Scotch kinda guy and I prefer Bourbon, so we ordered a few shots of brands we were unfamiliar with and created our own tasting flight. Food mainly consists of burgers and fries, which is perfect for soaking up the booze. The cocktails are expertly crafted, the bartenders are friendly, the prices are reasonable, and the vibe is cool. Plus, they have Happy Hour on the weekends too! Happy Hour Mon - Fri 5 pm - 7 pm Sat & Sun 1 pm - 4 pm

I've been a couple of times when I'm in the neighborhood, and the drinks are good. You order at the bar. The whisky selection is extensive. However, it's really hard to get through to anyone there via phone or email even after SEVERAL attempts across multiple days. And I tried when I thought maybe they wouldn't be as busy, but oh well, the phone just keeps ringing, and even when you leave a message no one gets back to you.

This bar is small, but it has a fantastic vibe, they make a killer old-fashioned and it always has such great vibes. The staff is amazing.

Great local hangout with good service and friendly atmosphere. Drinks were generous and on point.

Union St. in Pasadena is a great place to stroll, eat, and drink. One of its charms is The Blind Donkey, a friendly, easy-going refuge for a cocktail. Our party enjoyed sitting at a table with excellently-prepared drinks: Manhattan, Old Fashioned, a Mexcal concoction, a Gin cocktail-- plus a bowl of mixed nuts. There's nothing pretentious here-- just an amiable atmosphere with servers who know how to mix their spirits well. Plus, they have a top-notch supply of your favorite libations. It's also a great stop before or after going to dinner at one of the restaurants along Union.

STEPH JUDGEMENT: A casual, comfortable bar with weekend happy hour FTW! We'd been to the Blind Donkey in downtown Long Beach a few times but had no idea there were other locations. We'd come out of an art show at the Armory nearby and wanted to grab a drink and a snack in the area before heading back. While wandering around, I happened to spot their sign down a side street and we decided to investigate. The ambiance was open and inviting, with many windows letting in the sunshine--very different from the Long Beach location, which is cool but underground. There were a bunch of fun and interesting signs and items on the walls, and they also had a parklet outside. It was fairly busy on a Sunday afternoon--the people perhaps drawn in by their weekend Happy Hour, but their prices seemed reasonable overall anyway. We decided to sit at the bar and I got an old fashioned and the hubby a whiskey sour, and we decided to share a grilled cheese sandwich. Everything was excellent, especially the sandwich, which was pressed panini-style and served with pickle chips that were an unexpected and awesome accompaniment--the little zing of acid really livened up the cheese and bread. The bartenders were cool, and it was a pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon. We wouldn't hesitate to return the next time we're in the area.

If there's such a thing as an upscale dive bar, then The Blind Donkey is it Don't worry! They have a host and Sargent at Arms at the entrance who checks your ID and makes sure we all behave Their top shelf liquor is impressive. Their well pour vodka is Sky and Tito's is the well vodka substitute- go figure They also serve snacks, bar food to be honest with their chicken wings and fries Cute place, great bartender, great upscale dive bar

4++ a very nice Pasadena wateringhole with a great selection and great people. Nice vibe for hanging out as well. It could get really busy at times. i've been here previously with some good friends just to meet up and drink. My latest visit, I was passing sometime while waiting for one of my good friends to get into town so we can grab dinner next door. I got some Stagg Jr - neat. I'm a big fan and the pricing was relatively reasonable for a whiskey that hard to get. If Definitely a great place to go to meet up with people and have a nice drink. If you are drinking, I would recommend ridesharing, but just as an FYI parking could be a little tough since it is the very busy area of Pasadena.

I travel to Pasadena frequently and the Blind Donkey is always a must visit. Great watering hole, solid drinks, excellent bartenders, good vibes from trivia night to karaoke it's a fun place to relax and have pint (or 2)

Love this place. They have great drinks for a great price, especially compared to other bars in Old Town Pasadena. The bar tenders were friendly and never rushed us even though the place was packed. This is my go to spot, and I can't wait to return!

if you travel to a town where you don't know anyone and you want to feel like a regular, find a place like The Blind Donkey! We were treated like we belonged there and we loved it so much we went back the next day. We were four, ahem, slightly older women traveling to Pasadena and the people at TBD made excellent cocktails, were attentive and the whole vibe was fantastic. AND, AND, excellent burgers! This place rocks.

Sadly, No fries (or any food) available exactly at 9 pm on the dot (boo!) but the whiskey sour was really good, so up a star for that! Late night service can be a bit slow but this no-frills type of bar is cool and casual, easy to stop by if you are local or just in the area.

Went for trivia night with friends and had a great time. I am expecting so I asked the bartender for a mocktail and she made me a delicious pineapple gingery juice that made me feel like I was participating in the fun with my friends. I am very grateful for them accommodating me!! Also the food was decent -- I got the Buffalo chicken fries. It had a strong kick. I will definitely back when I can partake because the drinks look great. Thanks Blind Donkey for a great night. Great casual spot for drinks and fun.

Affordable excellence is the essence of this bar! Very well-crafted cocktails all under $15 that taste better than a $20 one elsewhere. This is the hidden gem of Pasadena!

Absolutely love Blind Donkey! The drinks are reasonably priced and good quality. They don't do a light pour like lots of other karaoke bars! The bartenders are always really nice and fast and efficient. Pool and darts is always a good time here if you get here early ! Most importantly, I think this is the best place to do karaoke in Long Beach, the KJ's are always really good, especially the girl who does karaoke on Wednesdays. Crowd is always fun. 10 out of 10.!

Just came here to post an updated January 2024 happy hour menu picture. Cool vibe with nice staff and good drinks.

The Blind Donkey is undeniably a cool spot to visit if you're in the mood for a beer or a glass of whiskey. They have a talented mixologist who crafts delicious whiskey sours, which I found to be some of the best I've had in a while. The skill and attention to detail that goes into these drinks are truly impressive. My husband and his friends are regular visitors to The Blind Donkey, and I've accompanied them on a few occasions. From my experiences, I can confidently say that there is nothing that would keep me away from this place. It consistently delivers a satisfying experience. One of the standout qualities of The Blind Donkey is the ambiance is relaxed and inviting, and the snacks they offer are not only edible but also enjoyable. The affordability of the drinks is another positive aspect that adds to the overall appeal of the place. Furthermore, the service at The Blind Donkey is commendable. The staff is attentive and friendly, ensuring that customers have a pleasant time throughout their visit. In conclusion, The Blind Donkey is a hidden gem in Pasadena, offering an excellent selection of beers and whiskies. The whiskey sours are particularly noteworthy and the snacks are tasty. With affordable prices and good service, it's a spot worth checking out for anyone seeking a laid-back and enjoyable drinking experience.

The bartenders were deliberately ignoring me and my boyfriend. When they were clearly not dealing with any other customers, they were just huddled amongst themselves.

Cute whiskey bar across from Barneys in downtown Pasadena. I love the Pasadena area because all the bars have an old-town feel, and this one is no different. Capacity of about 100, cute and intimate lighting. There's standing room inside when it gets chilly outside. Garage parking is best unless you can find street parking. I can't advise on whiskey but it seemed very good because Gio drank 3 of them!!!! I drank two of the Pear Necessities cocktails and they were sooooo delicious, top tier tasty and everyone knows gin is hard to mask. I could have drank 5 more (and I would have). Very close to other bars which is a plus (Barneys, etc) Ratings: Ambiance: 9/10 Ease of seating/ speed of service: 7/10 Vegan options: 6/10 Gluten free options: 6/10 Low carb options: 3/10 Overall deliciousness: 10/10 Pricing: $$ Parking: garage, street, allow 5-10 min Liquor License: yes

Came by for a quick drink and to check out the place. Drinks were yum and strong which I like. Dining area is roomy and spaced out nicely which gives you some privacy and not feeling like you are a part of the next table's conversation. I forgot what the other drink I ordered was but one one them is the pear necessities. Would definitely come back again to try the other cocktails!

Our bartender, Daisy, was great! She made us several nice cocktails and was friendly and helpful. I particularly enjoyed the "For What It's Worth" from their menu. The space is really lovely too - high ceilings but still a cozy feel. We will definitely be back next time we are thirsty in Pasadena.

I'm a Pasadena local looking for a casual yet intimate bar, but I landed on whats now my now LEAST favorite bar. I took a date here after dinner. He recently moved to LA & wanted to explore. I was aware not many places are open at 11pm on a Monday night in Pasasena, but this one came up. Most whiskey bars have good vibes. NOT this one. It's not busy. I see 7 customers at most. Sadly we were not greeted as we approached the bar. Male & female bartenders barely gave eye contact or showed hospitality as we tried to engage in conversation and ask about the various whiskeys. I'm not a whiskey girl, but I wanted to try a sample of the whiskey that my date suggested. She gave him one but not me even though I asked. She probably just assumed we were a couple. When we began to ask about the flavor profiles of whiskey and scotch, she was very short with us and she even said "there's a lot of bottles here, so I'm not going to know ALL of them" in a way that def sounded annoyed, like she wanted to just go home. Pear Necessities was the one drink I had, Not too sweet or bitter. It was delicious, but prob the ONLY thing I enjoyed about this whole experience. My date didn't like his scotch. When the male bartender walked up and warned us about the last call at 12am, he immediately turned his back before we could give a response.  I called for his attention, and he didn't "hear me," I suppose. The female bartender didn't check on us to see if we enjoyed our drinks or ask if we wanted a last round. We just closed out. He gave a good tip, despite feeling unsatisfied with the service. We both agreed the bartenders didn't seem genuine or approachable. It's a shame that this local whiskey bar with good reviews turned out to be an unpleasant experience for me and my date. Not a good first impression. If I have to guess, they cater to regulars OR discriminate due to RACE or social class. Doesn't make sense. I'm giving one star because bartender didn't offer or suggest drink options, seemed ill-informed, overall lack of service, and unwelcoming energy. It's places like this that give Pasadena a bad rep. Sigh*

Definitely a cheers vibe here. It is a whiskies bar. We stopped in during a pub crawl bartender was very helpful and made a great old fashioned. Your gonna wanna add this to your list

Fun cocktails and friendly staff. Bartenders are friendly and actually acknowledge you! Sat outside and enjoyed the downtown vibe. Tip: park across Colorado at public lot.

We were in California last month for a dance workshop, and on the recommendation of a friend, my husband spent a lot of his time here while I was in my classes. Morgan raved about the quality of drinks for the great prices (much lower than Las Vegas), and so I joined him on a Saturday night for a drink. What a great spot! It was packed, but we were able to find a seat outside, where we chatted with their super friendly door guy. The bar staff were friendly and man, can they mix a good drink. I ordered one of their signature whiskey cocktails (I don't recall the name, but I know it had thyme syrup or something like that in it), and it was AMAZING. Morgan went with their old fashioneds, which were absolutely delightful. We both highly recommend the Blind Donkey for a quiet spot to read with a drink during the day, or a packed, fun spot to hang out and people watch in the evenings.

This is one of my favorite places to drink. The food and drinks are good. My husband is an Old Fashion snob and he loves it here! Good place to stop by if your hanging out in Pasadena. They have so many new restaurants in town to visit!

Great reliable bar in Old Town! It is our go-to place for quality drinks at very fair prices. (i.e. $10 for a vodka soda) Nice atmosphere in one of Pasadena's historic buildings. The limited food menu is also quite good!

I came for happy hour on a Friday evening with a friend. Unfortunately, due to COVID, they were not offering any happy hour specials, but we still decided to stay for drinks and a grub. This spot is known for their expansive selection of liquor and I can see individuals with particular taste in their alcoholic beverages returning for their specific drinks. Chicken Sandwich (comes with fries): 3.5 out of 5 The fries were really tasty with the right consistency. I'm not sure what they used to season the fries, but it works! The chicken sandwich itself didn't stand out, but it wasn't bad, though underwhelming. Just to emphasize, people come here for their drinks, not their food menu. And, I must add, that the food menu is limited here. We considered grabbing drinks here only and grabbing dinner elsewhere. For experience, I'm glad we chose to dine here, as well. Drinks: 3 out of 5 I got the Nick of Thyme and a Moscow Mule. Both drinks were bland with an underwhelming ensemble of the ingredients, minimizing the overall taste of the beverages. Service: 4.5 out of 5 The servers were friendly and were welcoming in their demeanor. They definitely give off a homely vibe. In fact, I even saw one of them greeting one of their patrons by name and poured their drink as soon as they walked in. I can imagine regulars returning many times over and, perhaps, the service had something to do with it. Outside/Location: 4 out of 5 This bar is located a block from the hustle and bustle of Colorado Blvd in Old Town Pasadena. I parked two blocks away in a parking structure and walked my way over. The walk in this area is always a pleasant one. There should be a public parking structure less than a block from here, as well. Inside/Ambience: 4 out of 5 There were a couple tables outside by the main entrance for those who choose outdoor dining. A portion of the street is blocked off currently to accommodate for the outdoor seating. Though the weather was nice to be dining outdoors, I chose to dine indoors. I just didn't feel comfortable being so close to the street with plentiful passerbys. Inside, the tables were spaced apart to honor the proper public health guidelines. The interior decor gave an old traditional bar vibe. The ambience went with the aesthetic.

Nice staff, good vibes, great selection of beer and whiskey and solid selection of everything else... what's not to like? Did I mention, the staff is nice?

I went with my two other friends. The place was little crowded and I Like the drinks and environment.

Place was still under construction and not open. I walked two blocks for nothing. Perhaps a blind Donkey is posting their hours. I was there last Monday and the entire place was closed. Construction workers said it wasn't open yet.

Cool atmosphere, excellent cocktails, and yummy pub fare, but I'm writing this review for the whole staff. They are SUPER COOL!! Shout out Daisy, she is a delight with dope style and a welcoming vibe. Thanks for making our night!!! I would definitely recommend to anyone looking to enjoy beautiful Pasadena nightlife, and I will certainly be back with my friends.

Local bar in old town Pasadena that will make you want to go and grab a drink. It is a small place and looks like a typical small hole in the wall. However, their drinks are ridiculously delicious. The prices are a bit high but considering the area, I'm not shocked. But the cocktails are worth it! It is creative, delicious, and unique.

The place always has friendly barkeeps and delicious cocktails. The ambiance is a plus. Lots of folks just sitting, talking, and having fun. Eavesdropped on what was clearly a first date once, good times. Would eavesdrop again.

This bar discriminates against Asians. We drink alcohol normally and it's not closing time yet. They asked us to leave within two minutes. We asked for the reason, which is because we used their towels??? There are still many people inside, just because we are Asians and drove us away, it's very garbage

I went here on a first date and really enjoyed the experience. The bartender (I believe his name was Gabriel) was really friendly and a pleasure to interact with. The ambiance was pleasant; calm vibe with darker lightning for a cozier atmosphere. It's not a large spot, but we had no problems getting a seat at the bar on a Tuesday evening. I've heard the whiskey selection is good although I only tried the beer. I'd definitely recommend and plan on going back. Parking is a bit tricky, but there is a garage that is right across the street. It was $9 for several hours, which isn't great but also far from terrible.

Perfect bar to get high quality cocktails at a affordable price! The drinks are about $10 each for regular price. Compare to other bars in the area.. this is hands down the best for good quality drinks! The environment is very chill and perfect for hanging out or a place to start the night!

Drinks were on point. A great place to visit before going to dinner in Pasadena. Always a crowd pleaser! Chill atmosphere.

I love this place. Excellent drinks, crafty bartenders, great mellow atmosphere. An excellent place just to come, hang out and have some crafted cocktails with an extensive scotch and whiskey menu. It's dark, mysterious and a great place to just have good drinks and good vibes

Dark and industrial vibes (almost gritty) with delicious cocktails, friendly staff, and lively music and atmosphere. Bartenders are welcoming and there is a bouncer at the entrance who checks ID and is great. You truly truly can't go wrong with any of their cocktails (strong!) and I had my first ever shot of Clase Azul here (100!!!). A solid spot for drinks and catching up. Volume level is 7/10 so speak up!

Best place in Old Town Pasadena for a delicious drink! Plenty of seating indoors; there used to be additional outdoor seating (I'm hoping that will be back soon!). Bartenders are very friendly and efficient!

Really good place for wonderful drinks at a great price. We tried Moscow mule, old fashioned and scotch at this place and loved it. We went to their trivia nights it is always joyful for being part of that.

Great whiskey bar. Of course other spirits ate available too but the main draw is the whiskey. I'm having an Old Fashioned tonight. It's a blessing that they still open to 12 PM. They also got some great tunes playimg on the PA...they did the sidewalk setup right. Kudos to the management !!

Just read through your reviews and there seems to be common theme there of very rude and confrontational staff. Seemed like an intriguing location at first until reading through others experiences and seems that the unsatisfactory reviews began to increase roughly a year back (new hire or management?) needless to say enough to give me pause to select this as a meetup date location now. Advice to owners you should probably read and take these seriously and investigate or your business is likely not long for the world unless you're regular clientele is independently wealthy.

Great cocktails and cool vibe. I've been meaning to come here for a long time because I like whiskey and I heard great things. Allow extra time to find parking on a weekend. It's busy but doesn't feel too crowded. Spacious inside. Daisy made our drinks and she did a fantastic job! The Old Fashioned is really good and not too sweet. I really enjoyed the "For What It's Worth" cocktail, with Old Forrester whiskey, Aperol, Benedictine and lemon. I want to return again soon.

If you're a whiskey and/or Scotch fanatic, this dark bar is a great place to get lost in. They also offer a craft cocktail menu for the layperson, as well as beer and wine. Tuesday evening was pretty mellow with a couple of small groups and every spot at the bar spoken for. Our group of 3 hunkered down at a window and checked out the menu via QR code, then ordered at the bar. Nick of Thyme (Buffalo Trace, honey thyme, lemon, ginger beer) was light and refreshing. Manhattan was excellent. Bartenders may not be the most personable, but they're efficient and know what they're doing. Good bar food options as well, from salads to nachos to burgers. Appreciate the Beyond Burger for us vegetarian folk. It definitely hit the spot, and the fries were really good, too. On my list to return to.

Damn, sometimes you just find the right bar. Great tenders to chill with and talk horror movies. Quality food to keep me standing up. I lucked out picking this one.

Thick binder menu of Whiskey and bourbon selections. Other drink selections available of course. This Monday had exceptional music, like from my CD carousel collection. (Only 10% of readers will know about this!) "What is a CD and what is a CD Carousel?" .... I digress! A more intimate dark cozy bar. Very friendly and quick to serve bartender!