50 Best Cocktail Bars near South Pasadena

“Outstanding experience dining here. Our server was incredible, super knowledgeable, confident, and clearly not their first rodeo with gluten-free dining. They knew every single dish inside and out, proactively pointed out shared fryer cross-contamination details, and clearly walked us through which items were fully gluten-free outside of regular soy sauce (super helpful for anyone with different tolerance levels). Finding a spot where the front-of-house understands dietary nuances that well without making it feel like a hassle is rare. Fantastic food, top-tier service, and total peace of mind. We will definitely be back.“

“Nice romantic atmosphere which you can actually hear others talk to you. Deep fried whole catfish is a spectacular dish! Great attentive service by staff.“

“I’ve been going to Towhey’s for over 20 years. I love their breakfast. I love their cheeseburgers. My daughter Micaela used to be a hostess in Alhambra. It’s one of my favorite go to restaurants. I love sitting at the bar. Also when they’re busy it’s a fun place to have dinner.“

“While looking for a new place to have dinner with friends, I stumbled upon Girl & the Goat. They had great online reviews, so we decided to give it a try. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was fantastic, and the service was impeccable. The roasted oysters were so good that I even ordered a second helping.🥳🥳“

“Was awesome to find a restaurant with my two favorites…GF and Southern!“

“whipped feta app was incredible, it's been almost a week and I'm still thinking about how good it was! the drinks were all memorable as well. was super busy when we went but worth the wait. can't wait to go back for dinner!“

“Amazing, always come here before the Kings games!“

“The little plates are yummy. I love the pita bread that came with the hummus (Salatim plate). The other plates were good also. I loved the bread pudding (I think it's better than the best cake). What I like the most about Bacari, besides the beautiful ambiance, is the friendliest staff.“

“The set-up (ordering food), can be confusing initwllly, but the server explained and made it simple to figure it out. Iris (our server) was OUTSTANDING! Very informed and helpful with ordering suggestions and wine picks. She was also kind and fun to talk to. Each dish we ordered was delicious. The sardines in butter, arugula salad, the mini margarita pizza and the spicy branzino crudo was so fresh and the perfect amount of heat! We can't wait to come back.“

“Just tried MIRATE Restaurant the food was amazing! Definitely worth checking out if you love great flavors.“

“One of my favorite places in the world. I met so many friends there❣️🍹🗿🔥🤩😎💖ALOOOOOOHAAAA💋“

“สนุกสนานอาหารอร่อย บรรยากาศดีมีระดับ“

“I recommend Botanica to everyone. They use fresh hand picked ingredients and the food is delicous! Their cocktails and desserts are so yum. I picked up some chile oil and pickled local veggies for gifts for my friends! Chef Zarah and the staff are best. Will definitely be returning soon.“

“Being from out of town, I had been driving around for hours trying to find a place to eat late that wasn’t a dive or a loud party spot. I finally found Big Bar and ordered a salad and an old fashioned. It was busy and late, but the bartender didn’t seem to know how to make an old fashioned (there was no cherry or muddled orange) and the dressing in my steak salad seemed mostly oil and not much flavor. I think it was supposed to come with a roll I never got. I didn’t complain because I was just happy to be in a cozy spot and out of my car! The ambience was nice though, and staff were friendly enough. Not very impressed by other stuff. I would give it another chance if I’m in the area later.“

“This place has been on my list for a while now and I finally got to try it out last night! Ultimately, much ado!

Couldn’t get a reservation so showed up with a couple friends and waited at the bar for about 45 minutes for a table at 7:30 on Wednesday. So I would say be prepared to wait, as it seems like is a well-known thing (one reason I delayed trying it).

At the bar, we were able to get the Vandell martini which was super good and fresh and tasty. standing at the bar was kinda odd cause you’re kind of in a busy hallway of sorts. However, the bar is super beautiful and the art is really cool and all the glasses were very pretty stacked up; decor was awesome.

We got to the table and it was a very beautiful wooden booth and that’s kind of where I just felt like it wasn’t ultimately worth the wait. generally for a place like this I guess I just thought the service would be a little different or faster in terms of like cleaning dishes away or just being friendly but definitely wasn’t that kind of energy. oh and everything was just super loud. I don’t know what the deal is with the space, but it was just really hard to hear and was just a very high volume.

We got some more drinks which were all excellent including the old-fashioned and another martini and the vesper - the drinks were definitely the highlight. We got the fries, the crudo, a citrus salad and a pea hummus. and in terms of what was best it basically went in that order. The fries were super thin and crispy and excellent, and the crudo was very fresh and delicate. The citrus salad was good at first, but it got kind of soggy because it was just a lot of fruit in there and the pea hummus was something that if I made it at home, given the texture and flavor, I would think I messed up the recipe but still, it wasn’t super bad per se.

Altogether it was all fine and it would be fine to go there and eat and have some drinks but just the wait was pretty wild and then paired with the service in terms of bartenders and servers (dude at the front desk was super nice and helpful) and the lackluster nature of food served at many spots across LA, I just felt like it doesn’t add much to the landscape in terms of the revolutionary hype around it, and probably won’t go back unless a friend really wants to go.“

“Endroit hyper typique ! Bonne musique, cocktails d’un excellent niveau et à un prix tout à fait honnête, tous les classiques sont dispo et le barman tient la corde niveau cordes vocales !! Excellente carte de dîner ! Nous n’avons pas testé le grill … seul regret de la soirée. Il faut qu’on y retourne, absolument“

“loved! Ho see the boys working behind the bar!!“

“🐅🐅🐅🐅 yum yummy.. crying tiger so good“

“We visited El Compadre to celebrate my uncle’s birthday, and overall it was a good experience. One of the highlights was definitely the famous flaming margaritas. They were fun to watch, very flavorful, and a great way to kick off the celebration.

I ordered the enchiladas, and they were rich, tasty, and very filling. The portion size was generous, and I couldn’t finish the entire plate.

The service was decent, but it took a while for the waiters to come and take our order. Also, the complimentary chips and salsa brought to the table at the beginning were disappointing. The chips tasted like old oil and had a strong oily smell, which wasn’t the best first impression.

The food and margaritas were the stars of the visit, but there is definitely room for improvement with the service and the quality of the chips.“

“Amazing cocktails in a cozy environment“

“recommended momed 💜️ hotel“

“Such a vibe! Had an amazing experience. Highly recommend.“

“amazing food, service and ambiance!“

“The food was delicious and a great place to dine. Next time bring some friends and enjoy the food“

“I came in for lunch to grab a quick snack and get some editing done on my phone. I just ordered a sake cocktail that they made delicious! And i also ordered the chicken meatball skewer, which came paired with egg to dip and I loved that sweet with salty combination so much! I would say I couldnt really get any work done on my phone as I don’t believe its a work friendly place although the tables are great to do so. They dont have outlets anywhere near the tables so if you need to charge your laptop or phone here is impossible to do unless behind the bar.
I just ready a book for a bit and enjoyed my cocktail and snack. I do think the atmosphere is more of a come in with friends and share a meal and gossip a bit. Or for dinner I think its also a great spot. I loved what i tried although it wasnt much. I would come again with a friend to have some cocktails and some snacks as the food and drinks were really delicious!“

“Bring your dates and loved ones to the BEST mocktails in town! All the unique flavor creation (each drink’s appealing naming in alphabetical order, and only $9) made by the bartender/co-owner Arleo. And Chef Amber runs the all the magic in the kitchen. My favorite dish is “Bone Marrow” - fried king mushroom oyster!

We discovered this non-alcoholic bar through hosting boardgames there, so we’re inspired by the journey of this power couple putting their hearts and souls into running this business and creating their dream community.“

“Great analog music and excellent drinks. The bartenders and dj's are top shelf.“

“Amazing food and atmosphere“

“I recently had the chance to dine at Sama Handroll in the Arts District, and it exceeded my expectations. The quality and freshness of the fish were outstanding, and every hand roll was prepared with great attention to detail. The menu offers a creative mix of traditional Japanese flavors and unique dishes that set it apart from other sushi spots.
The staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the entire experience enjoyable from start to finish. The atmosphere is modern, welcoming, and perfect for either a casual dinner or a night out with friends.
A few standout items were the hand rolls, grilled dishes, and the excellent presentation throughout the meal. It's clear that a lot of care goes into both the food and the guest experience.
I highly recommend to anyone looking for high-quality sushi and hand rolls in Los Angeles. I'll definitely be back.“

“Recently celebrated my partner's (surprise) birthday at The Goldfish and the night couldn't have gone any better. We had EXCEPTIONAL service in their new private party space. I was able to order food in party sized platters and my custom requests (they personalized a Happy Birthday sign!) were all executed with perfect attention to detail. The ambience and food I already knew is a 10/10 as I frequent Sticky Rice. Bar, food, arcade games, billiards, they truly have everything you could need for celebrating a special occasion or just for a great night out with friends. Highly recommend. BIG FAN, thank you The Goldfish!!“

“We've been meaning to go here since it opened and finally made it with a family member visiting from Michigan. Everything was fantastic including the drinks, seafood, and chips/guac. We plan to visit more frequently! The best part of our dining experience was when the staff reminded to go outside at the perfect time to view the lunar eclipse!“

“Best cocktails in LA, beautiful space with matching beautiful people. Loved this place in New York for years, and this place brings an LA vibe to that legendary bar!“

“Sawa is easily a top-10 restaurant in my opinion. The chef deserves a star. The entire experience went beyond my expectations, truly outstanding. I had so much fun dining there; the environment is friendly, and every bite was delicious. The host was spectacular, especially for suggesting we split the sake pairing, for someone who doesn’t drink much, it was more than enough. I’m already looking forward to coming back.“

“Absolutely loved this place. We will definitely be coming back. We got Citrus Salad, Carne en su Jugo & Carnitas Wow, just Wow!!!!!“

“A great place to be in Los Angeles‼️“

“Spicy jalapeño cocktail 🍸💕“

“In April, 2026, I was staying at a neighboring hotel and decided to go to Cabrillo, which is located inside the Proper hotel, for breakfast. I got a seat immediately after I arrived. The service was pretty good. I ordered oyster mushroom omellette, which is rarely found anywhere else, and toast. The food came pretty quickly and was awesome. The omelette had just the right amount of oyster mushroom. The toast, somehow, was extremely tasty. The food was plentiful as well. I took some of the toast with me and ate later in the day. The total bill was somewhat on the high side (at about $40), but I thought that the food was worth it. I would gladly go back there again.“

“Great Food, Great Service...“

“The spot had a cool speakeasy vibe with modern touches—surprisingly cozy for the neighborhood. The host was super friendly and gave great recommendations. Food was flavorful: mentaiko pasta, crispy rice, and tasty cocktails. Portions were generous for the price. Not too busy when we went, so we didn’t wait. Parking was easy nearby. Maybe tweak the seasoning on the pork ribs next time—they were a bit dry.“

“Great music!!!! Great hang!!!!“

“Since moving from the East Coast over five years ago, my partner, our friends, and I have been coming to the Drawing Room almost every week. This bar is truly such a delight to be at! I have been coming every other day now that we are in the NBA finals!

The bartenders are always on point with the drinks and do an incredible job of making not only us, but all of the patrons, feel welcome and comfortable. I have never had a bad experience with any of the bartenders at this place! We always seem to stop by when Ashley is working, and that's no coincidence. She greets us the moment we walk in, offers snacks during major sporting events, and creates such a fun atmosphere that we never want to leave.

Ashley remembers our drink orders every time, is incredibly charismatic, and has a way of making the entire bar excited to be there. You can tell how much people love her—customers walk in, immediately give her a hug, and are genuinely excited to see she's working. It's wonderful to see such a strong local community gather here.

We can't wait to spend the summer at the Drawing Room. Thank you for being one of the most amazing neighborhood bars in Los Angeles!“

“I stopped by Drugstore Cowboy on Wednesday evening and had a solid time, despite some initial hesitation due to its reputation. The bartender was knowledgeable about craft cocktails and expertly mixed my Old Fashioned. What stood out to me, though, was the live jazz music – they had a talented saxophonist playing during my visit around 9 pm. Overall, it's a great spot for drinks if you're in the area after dark.“

“Love this place, such a wonderful neighborhood gem. I'm so glad they're still here. Love the daily pop ups, especially my Triple Beam pizza! Cocktails are fantastic and love the wine selection. This place is on repeat for a reason. 🧡“

“The Angeleno Spritz was just what I needed after a long day of minor disappointments, that and the genuine smile from the tattooed guy working the bar this evening who was refreshingly upbeat and worked the room like a pro. So glad I stopped in!“

“Omg I spent my birthday here, and they were so amazing, attentive, helpful with the menu. The staff were absolutely delightful, plus they gave me a birthday card signed from them. I was so impressed by the presentation of the drinks and the quality of the food. My friends and I will definitely be going back!“

“Fun bar. Great drinks and great prices. I read comments that some people think it’s a racist bar, believe me, it isn’t. All are welcome. No predujices here.“

“We spent a few hours here on New Year's Eve. Everyone was welcoming and friendly. The owner greeted us and offered us snacks.
They have a live DJ spinning turntables, bumping music from the past to present. There's an outdoor patio in the back.
The drinks were tasty and affordable. Try the Adios MthrFckr. Bomb!“

“Prank Bar is a fun and energetic spot with a lively atmosphere, creative drinks, and great food options. The vibe is welcoming, the service is friendly, and the setting makes it a great place to unwind with friends. Whether you're stopping by for a casual evening or a night out, Prank Bar delivers a memorable experience with plenty of character.“

“This rooftop bar is an absolute gem! The space is stunning, with beautiful views, an amazing atmosphere, and the perfect vibe for a night out. I’ve already visited five times, and it never disappoints.

The entire staff is incredibly friendly, welcoming, and attentive, which makes every visit feel special. The cocktails are delicious and expertly crafted, and the small bites are just as impressive. The pizza was especially outstanding—fresh, flavorful, and honestly one of the best I’ve had at a rooftop venue.

Whether you’re looking for a fun night with friends, a date spot, or just a beautiful place to relax with great food and drinks, this is the place. The combination of the gorgeous setting, fantastic service, and delicious menu keeps me coming back again and again. Highly recommend!“

“A great place to hang out in the afternoon and evening! The patio in the back is awesome when you just want to step away from the bar with your drink and chill. The staff goes out of their way to make sure everyone is well caken care of, so thank you Kiana, Ani, Nichole, Josh, and Daniel. You are the reason we keep coming back. Thank you Jordan and Marcie for your continued creativity in making the bar better for your patrons!“