The best bars in Pasadena

Opened by Silverlake Wine alumni and the predecessor to the similarly-named Arts District bar, the Pasadena outpost makes waves in the wine community through its hefty selection of California, French and Italian wines, in addition to several other global offerings. Pours run for as little as $6 per glass, and there’s no shortage of events (and bottle pickups) to keep you busy and sipping.

A nod to the original hotel bar that opened just after Prohibition ended, the Langham Hotel’s Tap Room is a high-class joint with an elegant bar and pretty patio—and if that weren’t aesthetic enough, it’s all situated in one of the most beautiful hotels in SoCal. This is the kind of bar where live jazz and bossa nova drifts through the evening air, and all the while you’re sipping bourbon tinged with maraschino liqueur. The menu dives into floral and fruity notes, too, but we prefer to keep things classic with sazeracs and negronis—in this wood-paneled, tufted and leather-outfitted setting, how could we not?

This Pasadena establishment—with another location, Trappiste Pub, about two miles east on Colorado Boulevard—carries on the tradition of British pubs everywhere. This includes celebrating every drinking festival known to man: Belgian Beer Festival? Check. Oktoberfest? Check. IPA festivals? Yup, they’ve got those, too. You’ll be able to see any soccer (sorry, football) game you want here, all while indulging in the European-heavy list of roughly 70 beers on tap. The food includes classic U.K. pub fare—mostly meat and potatoes, and even a full English breakfast—which you can enjoy on the outside patio. Care to bring along a canine friend? Dogs are welcome, as long as you don’t mind them being spoiled by the pub’s friendly regulars.

At its alehouses in Pasadena, Long Beach and Santa Ana and the brewpub in Azusa, Congregation’s Trappist monastery theme (stained glass, wrought iron chandeliers and Old English script) provokes actual complaints of blasphemy. Undeterred, this seasoned brewery has perfected an eclectic list of appropriately named beers: Passion of the Kolsch, Praise On! Saison, and the popular “Forbidden Fruit” Blackberry Tart Belgian witbier. The OG Pasadena location’s twentysomethings crowd loves the outdoor seating, the sizable tap system with local guest beers and premium imports, its full food menu (order the house-made pretzel) and the explosive trivia nights.

Balancing a relaxed sports-bar vibe with seriously good pub grub, Kings Row Gastropub is perfect for nursing a pint or two with friends. Classics about here, both on the food and the draft list. Pair some fish and chips or a Creekstone Farms-beef burger with the expansive beer menu, which touts 24 brews from California’s own backyard. Drink through beers from L.A., Carson, Torrance, Escondido and even right there in Pasadena, or opt for cocktails that feature entirely house-pressed juice and house-made syrups. They even make their own spicy, cinnamon-y version of Fireball—they’re that committed to DIY behind the bar.