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.
Laurel A.
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.!
Han G.
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!
Cielo R. Ruiz
I liked the cozy, old timey ambiance. Good drinks, too.
Atmosphere: 5
Victor T.
Just came here to post an updated January 2024 happy hour menu picture. Cool vibe with nice staff and good drinks.
Jason Boyd (Linktreats)
Great vibe and drink options. The bartender was very pleasant and helpful.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lynn L.
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.
Evan Bray
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),
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Garlic Parmesan Fries
Matt Matt
Excellent bar and staff, well
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Phillip Wears
Food was great; cocktails were ok. I think we caught them at an off-hour as the place was pretty empty.
Came in on a Sat afternoon and the two bartenders were doing everything. Friendly welcome, attentive service. Both women were making quality drinksKid-friendliness: Not really it's a bar
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Jen R.
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
Alex Persons
This is the best place ever. I’ll never stop going
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rich McMichael
Great vibe, classic design and friendly service!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Petey P C.
I think this is the best chill bar in Pasadena ,it's nice ,dark and they make a good cocktail .
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.
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.!
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!
I liked the cozy, old timey ambiance. Good drinks, too.
Atmosphere: 5
Just came here to post an updated January 2024 happy hour menu picture. Cool vibe with nice staff and good drinks.
Great vibe and drink options. The bartender was very pleasant and helpful.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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.
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),
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Garlic Parmesan Fries
Excellent bar and staff, well
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was great; cocktails were ok. I think we caught them at an off-hour as the place was pretty empty.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Garlic Parmesan Fries
Restaurantji Recommends
Came in on a Sat afternoon and the two bartenders were doing everything. Friendly welcome, attentive service. Both women were making quality drinksKid-friendliness: Not really it's a bar
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
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
This is the best place ever. I’ll never stop going
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great vibe, classic design and friendly service!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
I think this is the best chill bar in Pasadena ,it's nice ,dark and they make a good cocktail .