Rancho Bar

2485 Lake Ave, Altadena
(626) 798-7634

Recent Reviews

Syamber B.

Kim needs to be let go immediately. I have heard multiple accounts of her rude remarks and overall attitude towards paying customers. People that are regulars don't like going if she is there. Her whole presence brings down the chill environment that most enjoy weekly. At this point it's clear the owners just don't care about the satisfaction of the same people who keep their lights on. I am disappointed that she is still there and will tell all I know not to be a patron at a place who hires such a rude and snappy person.

Anthony B.

Disappointing Experience Due to Unprofessional Conduct I reluctantly rate this bar with only 2 stars, largely due to my encounters with one particular bartender. Having been a regular patron of the Rancho for many years, I've built rapport with every bartender except one: Kim. It pains me to leave this review, as this establishment holds significant personal history for me. However, I cannot overlook the consistently appalling attitude displayed by this one individual. Despite my efforts to avoid her, every interaction with Kim has been distressing. While I understand that managing a bar alone during quiet hours can be challenging, her behavior is unacceptable. I've been snapped at numerous times for simply requesting a drink, even when the bar was deserted. On several occasions, she expressed outright dislike towards me without any justifiable reason. Consequently, I actively avoid engaging with her due to her negative demeanor. Kim's treatment of customers she favors is starkly contrasted by her disrespect towards others. I've witnessed her cutting off my friends after just one drink, citing baseless reasons to deny us service. Once, despite the bar being nearly empty, I waited an excessive 20 minutes for a simple beer. Meanwhile, Kim was seen socializing and even taking shots with select patrons, leaving me feeling neglected and unwelcome. Moreover, I hesitate to bring race into this critique, but the discriminatory behavior I've observed towards people of color, including myself, is deeply concerning. Such conduct does not reflect the values of the Rancho as a whole. Nevertheless, Kim's presence makes it increasingly difficult for me to justify spending my money here, especially given her persistently negative attitude. In conclusion, while the Rancho Bar holds sentimental significance for me, the presence of a bartender like Kim undermines its appeal. Her unprofessionalism and discriminatory behavior tarnish an otherwise enjoyable establishment.

Anissia J.

I love the rancho but I can't take the disrespect anymore. I know I'm not the only one to experience this. So please speak up and get her out of there. The bartender is constantly left alone by herself. She is terrible at managing her stress and is rude to me especially when I sit and wait patiently for her to attend to me. And the security trying to back her sits there idly while he knows that's not ok. If she needs a break or to take time to relax it's ok but she doesn't and I feel like the target of her frustration. Please help me get her customer service training or she needs to leave.

The Inner A.

5pm and she asked if I was drinking. I was honest and said yes and got kicked out. I walked out without any complaint because I was not drunk. I've been here many times, always proper and dressed up. This is why I get shit treatment. This place is all about its regulars. Been trying to be one but got kicked out. Altadena's finest shit place. Enjoy!

i feel better about this.

Bartender was rude very very hostile quick to temper extremely poor customer service. Gives the bar a bad name.

Atmosphere: 1

Service: 1

J. C.

Classic dive. Great prices. I loved it.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Beer Beer and Beer

Joel B.

This is only hilarious because anyone who loves Rancho bar has never read a review about Rancho bar. 10 out of 10 need I say more?

Darrell K.

Very average with rather bitter gay women that often wreck your night. Very cliquey and strange clientele and far too much nasty gossip for me.

Ash S.

I LOVE, love this place. I started coming to look at the old signage and kept coming back because Kim (and most of the other bartenders) were so kind to me a few summers ago when I would come in for the AC, the wifi (RIP), and to pretend that I was the scientist version of Charles Bukowski :) It's so far from a normal bar because there are amazing patio chairs, an uninterrupted view of the mountains abutting Lake Ave, and a historical memory of the Altadena of yesterday. There is also a little lending library (but please don't take the good books home because I like looking at them). I've stopped in there every day at this point so I know which days I'm welcome and which ones still have old holdovers from a time when my kind wouldn't be welcomed in a place like this. I'm just glad that the owners Chis and his wife and the people they've hired don't behave like this. They want you to feel like this is your own little production of "Cheers" where everybody knows your name. As long as you are also respectful and pay your bill. Not sure how much longer I'll be coming here but I wanted to leave a glowing review at some point because I've made some lasting friendships here. Thanks! xx ash P.S. Don't go on Sunday or Wed afternoon (or on Monday if Kim isn't working - she's a protector) if you look and dress like a little skater punk or have loc'd hair, or if you're alone and female embodied, you're better off going next door to ACE (grab a nice seltzer or topo chico and chat with Jacob) or to Unincorporated Coffee Shop/Roasters at the corner of Lincoln & Altadena Drive, until the sun sets then you can head to the Rancho because the crown will change around 5:30/6pm in the Winter. Saturday's get busy but I rarely go on Friday or Sat because I'd rather hang with my actual friends. If you like pool or darts you can do that here. If you want to watch a big game, it's usually on. Most customers are respectful, but there are a lot who are not, so just keep your eyes and ears open if you're alone. Ladies (and some men), get some bear spray or an expandable self-defense baton if you're walking to your car alone after leaving the bar at night. I also have a carbon fibre cross-bow because you never know what people can get up to if they're gooonnne off the Titos. Anyway, I hope Chris lets me design a t-shirt or hoodie for the bar one day!

Chana Swope

Nice hometown bar to hang out occasionally. If you're from the Dena area, you'll know just about everyone there. It's a cool vibe and peaceful familiar faces you've grown up with. The Kings taco, burrito, and quesidilla stand outside is absolutely scrumptious. It's a must try! I promise you won't be disappointed. ?

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Nate D. Suppanade

Probably my favorite local watering hole. Been meaning to come here for years and glad I finally did recently! Everyone here is so friendly most people are regulars that come all the time. I've already been back several times and it's nice to see/talk to some familiar faces already. Drinks here are standard dive bar drinks at really affordable prices. There's often a food vendor in the parking lot. This place gets PACKED on the weekends so come early and order in bulk cuz it might take awhile to get more drinks later!

Atmosphere: 4

Service: 4

N. Danny S.

Probably my favorite local watering hole. Been meaning to come here for years and glad I finally did recently! Everyone here is so friendly most people are regulars that come all the time. I've already been back several times and it's nice to see/talk to some familiar faces already. Drinks here are standard dive bar drinks at really affordable prices. There's often a food vendor in the parking lot. This place gets PACKED on the weekends so come early and order in bulk cuz it might take awhile to get more drinks later!

Jack Grair

I love the Rancho Bar. Friendly atmosphere. It’s definitely a place that makes you feel at home. Awesome people who work there and when they get to know you, you’re family. Gotta go on the night when food is being served. All local vendors along with the crowd who are also locals. I definitely recommend coming here for a relaxing night with friends.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Anthony Griffin

Kim the bartender is very rude, and very disrespectful as a hostess and a server to the community. Not a friendly place for handicappers and person with disabilities. Was harassed for parking in handicapped parking. She came to the sidewalk to take my picture. Pressed her KAREN button to the max.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Darren E.

I'm giving it 2 stars for the very few people that I like their. I was recently 86 because a regular patron tried to bully me into chugging my drink right when the Bartender gave me my drink. From my understanding he does NOT work there. He's just there everyday. They lied to the owner and said that I was yelling at a few bartenders. That's a lie because I respect all the bartenders there and would actually help them out when they were busy. A few days prior to me getting 86 this same regular patron told me a really racist joke. The joke was this, "I'm so racist that I hate my own shadow for how black it is." The joke was not funny to me, so I stayed quiet. He repeats the joke to others around him and he went on to say that he told that joke to some other African American and that guy got really upset. I went to explain to him that the guy got upset because that's a pretty offensive joke. He's response was, no, he just too sensitive. I didn't respond to him when he said that. The next day I was in a conversation with the security about racism. This same guy just randomly start blurting out, "I'm racist and so what" he said it about 3 times. I said ok cool thanks for being honest I don't care really. And then during closing time that's when he was trying to bully me into chugging my drink when the bartender called last call. There was actually some other African American who was yelling at the bartenders and I helped de-escalate the situation. The security was present when it happened. They 86 that guy, but the regular patron, because he was made at me was saying that I was 86 as well. Told his bartender friend to 86 me too so they made up this lie to the owner and 86 me for good. This is really sad to me because I actually really enjoyed going there and being with the people who are actually good people. There are a few people who are passive aggressive racist and they get upset when I call it out. I would give names, but I have respect for the owner still, which is wild. I just want people to know the truth because I hate when people lie on me to justify their decisions. Just be honest and stand on it. If you're African American and you're reading this just be observant you'll see the truth and just let them talk and you'll hear the truth as well.

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