The Speakeasy

Cozy and nice place for a date. You need to guess the password at the door or send an email before hand. You could take pictures but with no flash , People were friendly Drinks are great. Ordered a snack(mozzarella sticks) It came cold and a little past their prime.

You need to email The Speakeasy to get the password of the day. Jeremy, the manager, has created an amazing cocktail list with creative drinks. His friendly demeanor during the evening set the tone for his staff to provide top notch service and drinks. We will be coming back soon!

I entered this establishment, at 6:00pm - right at opening time. The front door was open. A person who identified himself as, "security", escorted me and my date out. He told us we could reenter, in three minutes. Needless to say, we did not reenter. Neither will we return.

Secrecy is the name of the game here, as gaining entry requires requesting the passcode on the day of your visit. And let me tell you, finding the entrance is an adventure in itself. Once inside, the atmosphere crackled with excitement and anticipation. The self-serve tables added to the laid-back vibe, allowing us to find a cozy spot to enjoy our drinks after placing our orders. However, I must admit that The Speakeasy didn't quite live up to its name on the night of our visit. The lively ambiance, perhaps fueled by the energy of a Friday night, was accompanied by music that bordered on deafening. While this detracted from the speakeasy mystique, it didn't dampen our spirits entirely. The drinks, on the other hand, were a highlight of the experience. Crafted with care and precision, they offered a delightful array of flavors to tantalize the taste buds.

The good: Emailed (nicely) and got the password in about two minutes. Email has instructions that were just good enough to find the place. Email tells you the vibe to expect and the dress code, and honestly, I love the ambience. I had a mint julep (fresh mint! I'm volume!) and really enjoyed it, compared favorably with the best mint julep I've had. There's an extremely well stocked and intimidating wall of liquor, complete with a rolling ladder. The bad: my second order was a sazerac (off menu but an entirely reasonable request for a craft cocktail bar). And, sorry not sorry, the drink in front of me is not a sazerac. It has ice in it. There was no absinthe or herbsaint rinse. It does not smell or taste like any sazerac I've been served. I'm grading harshly but I'd rather you tell me "I don't know how to make that" than for you to serve me...this. My advice: come here for the vibe and stick to ordering on menu. Beware coming here for a craft cocktail experience as the menu is quite limited.

Great chill relaxing atmosphere, and a great spot if you just want to have a drink and relax, or if you want to take someone on a first date. Jeremy definitely knows how to make good drinks. Make sure to email them to get the password in advance. Even though the security at the door will help you figure out the password, if you don't figure it out, they won't let you in. Not strict with dress code, but at the very least, dress casual nice.

A great place to relax with a craft cocktail in a bar that doesn’t feel like the ordinary bar in Pasadena. Chill vibe, not too loud. The cocktails are truly unique as well.

This bar had such a great vibe and amazing decor! Hidden in plain sight, this is not a bar that you can just walk into on a whim. You must reach out ahead of time to request the secret password to give to the doorman. Once inside, they have a great list of cocktails plus moonshine shots that are delicious. This place is not for the pretentious, and is a great bar to take out of town visitors for a good low key time.

Atmosphere: it's very red inside, it's as red as all the pics you see. The vibes match a speakeasy vibe Service: they are nice Food & Drink: didn't try any of the food but the espresso martinis were good as expected. They have cocktails there that are also pretty yummy Tips: the speakeasy part (where you go through the back) starts after a certain time but if you arrive before 8 pm you just enter through the regular door. Email them to get the code (you can do it on the way there, they respond very quickly)

The experience getting in was pretty cool. But other than that this place has no business calling itself a speakeasy in my opinion. None of the rules were followed by the crowd, no one was dressed up, music was EDM - in other words, this place does 0 things to transport you to the prohibition era. And I believe that is the whole point of going to a speakeasy, at least for me. Put that aside, it's a decent bar, music is not too loud so you can have a conversation, the interior has a nice atmosphere and decorations.

The best bar experience in LA we ve had! Amazing service and the finding of the passcode in order to enter became the highlight of our LA experience! Great atmosphere, great drinks!

I came here a Saturday night what i really enjoyed that it was not súper packed like some other places. When I read the email i was concerned for the music but i actually loved everything they were playing. I got the kitten killer and it was delicious. I'm not a heavy drinker so it was good for me I'm not too sure how strong it should be but it did hit. I also enjoyed some of their butterflied shrimp. I enjoy eating I guess if they had some artichoke dip I would have liked that too. They also had calamari but it was just me so I didn't want to order too much. I loved the ambiance the dim red lights made me feel relaxed and the music. I would enjoy coming back here again.

Love coming here with friends. Love the strawberry surprise and kitty drink (without coconut). All of the bartenders are so nice! Jeremy is always so kind and makes amazing drinks that hit the spot every time :)

Pro Tip: Going to www.speakeasypasadena.com in advance allows you to get the password for the specific day in which you intend to go. People here are friendly. Everyone in the staff is super professional, courteous, friendly and amicable. The vibes are impeccable. Definitely a place to check out on weekends.

We decided to visit this speakeasy last minute after dinner nearby and it's one of those hidden gems where the experience starts even before you step foot inside. After looking up the place online, I found that we needed to email them for a password for entry. I had to send a quick polite email explaining why we wanted to visit, and surprisingly we received a response back almost immediately with the password, a few house rules, and the specific location details depending on whether we arrive before or after 9pm. I won't spoil with too many details! It's a prohibition-style bar and seating is a first come first served basis. We had to knock twice to provide the password and walk through, entering exactly how a speakeasy should be. There's dim lighting, vintage decor and overall cool vibes. Drinks were also decent! It's a large full bar, but also cozy enough inside to chat without needing to yell across each other like your typical bars.

I love their secret code concept where you need to email them prior to going to receive a secret passcode in order to get into the bar. It makes the experience very exclusive and personal. Stepping inside feels like entering another world with the dim red lighting casting glowing crimson hues across the high ceiling. The environment creates an intimate, almost secretive atmosphere where the glow of the candles on each table invite you to be seated next to its subtle warmth. -Kitty Killer: a vibrant and sweet tropical drink reminding me of a berry fruit punch. The sweet berry and hint of pineapple take the center stage while a creamy hint of coconut balances the palate. The flavors are bright and refreshing compliment the floral smell of the dried Chrysanthemum on top. The cocktail is topped with a skewered berry assortment that I nibbled on after every sip. (9/10)

You pass a guy standing in front of a door. He asks for a password. He helps you get it. Then you're in. The atmosphere is dark yet engaging with a massive wall of booze behind the bar. As speakeasies go this is average and I wanted a little more intrigue. But the drinks are good ( I had a decent old fashioned). The password game is a bit lame, too. We went on a Saturday and it was not too crowded.

It's a fun experience. They make you say a password to go in and then you have to walk to an actual entrance. Once inside the atmosphere is great and the food as well as appetizers. Yes on this place for my birthday fun.

I really wanted to like this place. I'm a huge speakeasy/1920s fan. And it's not that I didn't enjoy myself on some level, but it was more amusement at how weird it was rather than a 5-star experience. First off the password. You have to send an email telling them you want to visit. Then you get back a big long explanation for why the owner does things the way he does things and the password is near the bottom. I was like, oh boy, if this guy is preemptively arguing about his choices, this should be interesting. We get there and tell the bouncer the password. I was expecting something other than a converted empty storefront. Maybe a basement like some of the other nearby places. But yeah, it's just a former restaurant or something with a long bar on one side and tables and chairs scattered about. It was decorated for Halloween, which was cool ambiance. But like many people have said in their reviews, and the owner tried to explain away in his email, the music was loud and didn't match the vibe. Just odd but kind of funny. The bar was filled with fresh herbs which smelled really nice but it looked kind of ridiculous. I mean it was like bouquets upon bouquets of herbs lining the bar. But at least you know they're using fresh herbs in the cocktails I guess. The drinks themselves were pretty good, but basic. A little sugary, too. The only food I ordered was some fries. They took a while to come out and they were steak fries, which was also an odd choice because there were like less than 15 pieces. I don't know what this place actually is, an experiment maybe, but it's definitely not a true speakeasy. Go if you're already drunk and dgaf or you just want to see it for yourself. Not my scene!

Overall: always find it tricky to review speakeasy but not this place! Easy 5* Ambience/Decor/Service: solve the riddle and you'll enter into this noir/burlesque kinda bar. Their October theme adds a little spooky feel with the fake cobwebs prop bats and spiders on the roof. Drinks: at the bar their selection is wide ranging for all kinds of enjoyers. Go with a lighter sweet drink or have something slightly spicy or go for a classic old fashioned kinda vibe. So good you'll go back for a second one!

This is such a fun experience, every detail is amazing! Drinks are so good and they play the best music. We celebrated my husband's 40th birthday over the weekend. The staff is all so nice and the service is wonderful. We had the best time drinking, chatting and dancing with our friends. Special shout out to the owner who went above and beyond for us. Definitely recommend getting table service so you can have an area for a big group and party.

I can be a compulsive planner, so it's complimentary that my boyfriend likes to be spontaneous. He convinced me to "wing it" to go to The Speakeasy one night. SO BRAVE. If it was up to me, I would have sent the business a request by emailing them at "info@speakeasypasadena.com" in advanced and request a password. Instead we went to the general area and asked around. We were lucky enough to stumble upon someone affiliated with the business and answered some riddle-like questions to solve the answer for the password. Password required to enter and it changes every night! Upon entering the secret entrance, we were welcomed and showed some rules to follow. It was pretty common sense, common etiquette, but it is probably stated since there must have been some silly patrons who were disrespectful of the business. Behind the curtains to their bar area, it was dimlit prohibition era speakeasy vibes with decor and posters from the 1920s. Most importantly they have a full bar. In addition to the drink menus, they offered snacks. We had already eaten prior, so we were just there for drinks, but it's good to know for the future if we want to come here before dinner. You order at the bar. Staff does not come to you at the tables. It was a long bar area and decently staffed, so you shouldn't have to wait too long to order your drink. There were a lot of seating areas and we saw a few tables to choose from even on a late Saturday night. My boyfriend had the Afghani Mule ($14) which comes with meili vodka, ginger beer, lime juice, cucumbers, lime and mint. Not sure what made this afghani, but it's great for anyone who enjoys the classic Moscow mules. I went with the Old Fashioned Temory ($15) which comes with Makers Mark bourbon, 2 way bitters, zested orange, and demerara sugar. Pricing is reasonable for the area but I thought their drink menu was on the basic side, nothing innovative or craft-cocktail-like. Overall come for the ambiance, but don't expect too much from the cocktails. It was good for a drink, but there was nothing to linger around for any further than that.

Great drinks and late night after hours feeling due to lighting and entry password. This is the second speakeasy I've been to in Pasadena and it was nice. For sure more of a cocktails and beer type of bar. Not sure if you actually need the password or not but if you want to be safe go to their website and email them asking for it for the night. My favorite drinks were the afghani mule and the my lillet. Extra points for the abundance of fresh herbs they had along the bar for drinks. It smelled so freaking good

my friends and i forgot to email them for the password so we stepped right up and had to solve the riddle. once you get inside the ambiance is really nice albeit a little loud with the dj and everyone talking. menu is definitely roaring 20s/gatsby themed items. kitty killer was amazing as expected and so was the strawberry tequila! not too many food options tho

This place is a vibe and getting in is fun with the passwords and whatnot! Drinks aren't the strongest but they do taste good! A good place to consider if bar hopping in Pasadena!

Came here with a few cousins and we Loved the energy in the place and how the staff didn't break character. Drinks were alright. Not the widest tequila options. Would definitely come back to try the food.

Pros: *It's a Speakeasy *Fancy *Empty *Fast Service *Unique drinks Cons: *Expensive *Drinks not strong at all

Not a speakeasy ! This is literally just a bar and that's it shouldn't be called a speakeasy Drinks are horrible as well

We were looking for a fun bar to hang out at and happen to find The Speakeasy. After fumbling around for the password, we were given access to the hidden bar. Once inside we were impress with the amazing Halloween decor. It's very dark inside but it's all the vibe! They also serve food and the drinks are delicious! Definitely a fun place to visit and I highly recommend!

Very cool spot! The concept is creative and fun and the bar itself has great vibes. Music wasn't loud and there were many tables available. Perfect place to go in Pasadena with a group of friends!

One of my favorite bars in Pasadena! We typically try to get here before 11PM to avoid any crowds. So far we've always been able to get a seat. Some nights they have a DJ playing! Bartenders are cool and know how to make good drinks.

Cool atmosphere but really loud and crowded on a Saturday night. They have a huge bar area which was pretty awesome. Tables were hard to find since its first come.

Excellent vibes. 5stars. Only get menu drinks. Espresso martini, gimlet, and old fashioned were solid/excellent. 15.47 Jameson. 0 stars for shots. Would come back!

This place is really cool. It's a fun experience from the start. They have really cool drinks and it's always packed in there. It is sometimes hard to find a table but the ambiance and the vibes are worth it. If you're looking for a chill but also a bit energetic night out, check out The Speakeasy. Everyone I've taken there has really enjoyed themselves, and it's also cool you need to go in through a secret entrance, it adds to the whole experience.

Great vibey place! Not super speakeasy-y in terms of finding it, but it is fun emailing for the entrance and password. If you don't have that, the bouncer will create a riddle for you to figure it out. Drinks are very fruity and sweet, if you like those this will 100% be your place!! Ambiance was dark and great to talk but the music got very loud around 10pm. We ended up leaving because we couldn't hear eachother even after shouting over the music. You can hear the music from outside. Would otherwise recommend! Maybe earlier in the night when it is still quieter.

Probably one of my favorite bars in old town pasadena! The vibe is so cool! Place to go and have some handcrafted cocktails they have an array of herbs which they use as aromatics for there delicious drinks. All bartenders are very friendly and have a touch that makes the drinks different then a basic bar Management always there to assure a smooth night . Like I said the vibe is just right ! It is a must if ever in old town ! One more important thing! No fflashh

Really nice vibe and great drinks! You need a password to get in but they are real responsive on the email. Otherwise, the bouncer at the door will give you a hint. They take their time to make your drinks right and they're really friendly! Fair priced drinks for Colorado ~15 for a drink. Good selection.

what a disappopintment! This place is only a bar. I was expecting prohibition era vibe, but they WAY OVER DECORATED for Halloween so no speakeasy vibe at all. The drinks were only fair and you didn't really get a welcoming feel from the bartenders. Music was WAY too loud. The welcome email with the secret password gave the impression that this was a very fancy establishment. Not even close :(

Such a cute bar!! My hubby and ibwent for sta Patty's day. It was slow due to it being a Monday but we had a ball. Great drinks and customer service!!

We visited The Speakeasy to celebrate my girlfriend's mom's and grandma's birthday, and Jeremy, the bartender, went above and beyond to make it special. She had walked up to the bar to ask him about the ingredients in an espresso martini, and he was so kind and patient with her. Later, he stopped by our table with a thoughtful comment that made her feel so special. Thank you, Jeremy, for your kindness--it really stood out. We'll definitely be back!

Place is fun and they have this secret entrance, find out for yourself. The place itself is fun and young crowd. Drinks are reasonable

I came by on a Saturday night around 7 and there was no wait to get in. You need a password to enter where you could find on the website or email. They have lots of seating and service was quick. The ambiance was nice, the whole bar was lit up red. They have a menu with different drinks and I ordered the strawberry surprise cocktail. The cocktail was sweet and not too strong. I also tried the new bee's knees and it came in a super cute bear cup. It has a strong citrus flavor but it wasn't too bad. Overall, this is a nice speakeasy to visit if you are around the area.

We ended up coming here after we found out that they yassified Der Rathskeler (big old bummer to be playing hip hop with full lights on in a weird, creepy basement like why??) Anyways. It wasn't hard to find because you really just need to ask the bouncer who is standing outside of the exit. He will give you a riddle to the password and then tell you where the entrance is. The entrance is cool and you walk through the kitchen to get to the bar, but honestly that's where the experience stops being "speakeasy". We went on a Friday and it was loud and EDM-y, with a mixed clientele. The seating was really weird, it was like restaurant seating which doesn't give off speakeasy vibes. No cute nooks or booths, it didn't feel intimate at all. The drinks were lackluster and it was just an overall MEH experience. This place could use a facelift and dress code.

the vibes were there !!!! my boyfriend & I loved the drinks & service. The bartenders were super nice & quick with our drinks, we're definitely coming back !

A password is required to enter or get hints from the bouncer. The inside atmosphere was reminiscent of a prohibition vibe because of the red lighting and decor. I ordered the Kitty Killer as it seemed like it would be a nice, fruity, smooth drink

My friends and I were out and about for the night and we came here. The doorman was super friendly and helpful with the code. Inside was decorated for Halloween, which was neat. We were lucky to find a table for all of us. I order a smoked oil fashioned and it was trash. I've made better ones at home without wasting $15. I also bought the chicken tenders, which were good except there was probably 20 fries on my plate. Not worth the $18 spent. Go here for the experience, go somewhere else for the drinks.

Great Gym. Great energy, and vibes. Close by and opened during great hours. Great staff too, I'd recommend coming here!!

"This place is like a dive bar disguised as speakeasy" I had high hopes for this Speakeasy. Unfortunately it fell short in all aspects besides the ambiance. Food - we ordered taquitos and a side of fry's. Tasted like store brand frozen food heated up. Drinks-The Killer Kitty, a whisky sour, and their strawberry surprise . Honestly wasn't what I was expecting out of a speakeasy the ingredients weren't fresh and could barely taste the alcohol. If you're in Pasadena and want to enjoy a good speakeasy I'd recommend going down the street to "ladies & Gentlemen"

Music was really fun and changed vibes throughout the night. Wasn't a fan of the cocktail menu they had out right now since it's all Irish/St Patty Day themed. However, if you let Kenji know what spirits you like then he'll make something you're sure to enjoy!

Good vibes at this speakeasy. Workers here were really cool melly at the front desk was awesome.

We walked in here by surprised and it was a very good surprise nice bar , nice music and good service

jeremie thank you so much for good espresso martini I love the place. It is eden I love the lights. I love the design.

Love the vibes of this place. Password at the door. No wait staff so order at the bar and find a seat. I detest the name for this drink because I adore cats but kitty killer was the most delicious of the 4 I tried. My friend ordered the mojito and old fashion and we also got the strawberry lemonade drink. Overall it was a nice chill place. The drinks were a tickle.

This is my first time going to the speakeasy my best friend's first time ever experience a speakeasy. We had a great time. Nice quiet atmosphere drinks were delicious. Everybody was so friendly.

The password is... Well it changes... In true hidden fashion The Speakeasy is a speakeasy that's outside appearance doesn't match the in. A red light special worthy of a 90s TLC video remake with candle lit tables, intimate ambiance and exceptional music... "We're so young, boy we ain't got nothin' to lose, oh, oh.... It's just principle"... Find a table first and then order drinks or eats at the bar. The signature cocktails are perfection though you can also enjoy some craft brews on draft or tap (like Julian's Cider for starters), alcohol free beverages including Voss, Perrier, Redbull, Sprite, Coke and I believe Ginger Beer. The Miss Mint Julep is by far a perfect Julep beverage with Toki Japanese Whiskey as the main base. Highly recommend Pablo's Poison (tequila with elderflower, oregano, lime, strawberry and jalapeno) in semi reimaged tiki drink style fashion. Classic well drinks are available (of course) and reasonable)... You can vibe out and take in the seduction of this well stocked den of souls. Great place for a date night, friend hang or a birthday excursion (as it was tonight for my friend Ozelle). We got here around 9:30ish and found some seating right away as a party of three (Ozelle, Matthew - one of my best friends and Ozelle's main squeeze, plus moi). We could've definitely managed a bigger table with a bigger group as well (early is best). The food is very bar style with fried comforts: fries, mozzarella sticks, tenders, taquitos, chips (no salsa) and some seafood. Not the best selection if you have any dietary restrictions for food like this guy, but some snackable options for all... Chips are good. Eating beforehand for a full meal is a great idea and there's an ample amount in Old Town Pasadena, including dessert. The bartenders were all top tier. It got really busy as the night went on and my last drink got botched (a well cocktail) but they offered to remake it and/or comp me a shot, which was amazing. Parking in the area isn't terrible and there's a few garages nearby. You're also not too far from the LA Metro Gold Line as well. The doorman was pretty friendly and helpful. I forgot to change my hat before leaving home as they do have a semi-restrictive dress attire. Next time I'll throw on my round brim or newsies cap and dress up even more (though it's more on the casual to dressy casual side) which would have been perfect... Especially when they play Fever... Speakeasy vibes times 100. "Never know how much I love you... Never know how much I care..."

Pros : Lighting and decorations were great for Halloween Going through the kitchen to get to the bar area Tasty drinks Cons: Never got the password even though I sent an email 8 hours prior. Had to try and ovehear others who somehow got it. Music was way too loud for a Speakeasy. Felt more like a dance club. Won't be back. I loved this place when I first visited back in 2018. Never again.

My first speakeasy experience in Pasadena! We actually were meaning to go to their sister location (the cellar) but they were full. Luckily the doorman there gave us instructions on how to find The Speakeasy. The outside is supposed to look like a New York Deli, but it's more comedic than realistic with a few posters with pictures of subs on the windows. Once you guess the sub of the day, the doorman will let you inside. The ambience is very cool - dim red lighting with some candlelight at the tables. We ordered the My Lillet and Strawberry Surprise, both were fruity and delicious. The bartenders were friendly and prepared our drinks quickly. Once you get your drinks from the bar, you just head over to the tables and choose a seat. Minus one star because the music is REALLY LOUD - my friends and I literally had to yell at each other while sitting at the same table. The line for the restroom can be long too as there is only one stall per gender. Overall, a really fun experience and I'd definitely come back with some friends for a night out!