The Blind Donkey — Restaurant in Pasadena

Came in with the wife to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Wanted to try something different, and thought visiting a whiskey bar would be fun. Ordered the reuben fries and donkey pickles (both were good, albeit a little on the greasy side). We also had a couple draft beers which worked well with the fries.

I ordered a whiskey, which they were out of. So I ordered my second choice which they had. Being out of the whiskey wasnt the problem, it was the guy behind the bar. He wasnt welcoming at all. I grew up in the service industry (family owned/run restaurant). I wasnt greeted with a smile, a hello or any welcoming gesture. I placed my order, he entered it. I asked about the first whiskey and he said they were out and that he had mentioned to the owner to order more. When I ordered my second choice dram, he got the bottle asked if I wanted it neat or on rocks...I said neat and he poured. No pleasantries or anything. In a bar, I have always at least had the impression the barkeeps are happy to see patrons, this guys demeanor did not suggest that.

We got our food, which was fine (good even). I went to order a second whiskey, and when I started talking to the same guy, it seemed like I was bothering him. He wasnt warm, it was just a transaction.

As a patron, I choose where I want to spend my money, and as someone who understands service in the food industry I was a bit disappointed I was spending money here. It wasnt particularly busy, so it wasnt like he was stretched thin, his attitude was just really unwelcoming.

It was nice to go to my first whiskey bar, but I will find another to visit before...

I've been here a couple of times for Happy Hour, it is located in Old Town Pasadena. Their specialty is Whiskey but they also serve beers and cocktails. I came here with my friends on a Friday, around 5pm, it was fairly empty and quiet. Towards the evening around 9:30pm it started to get busy. The lights were dimmed, music got louder but the ambiance was still casual. My friends and I also had fun playing with the Shuffle Board that is located by the front entrance. This is one of the bars that my friends and I enjoy going to.

Food I've tried the Triple Fried Fries and Garlic Parmesan Fries, nothing special about it. The Green Goddess Chicken Wrap is stuffed with lettuce, dressing, pieces of blue cheese and chicken; it also came with a side of fries. The chicken was tender and the wrap was soft.

Drinks My favorite drink would be the Nick of Thyme. It has Buffalo Trace, Honey-Thyme Syrup, Lemon, Cock and Bull Ginger Beer. Another drink that I like is the Moscow Mule , it consist of Figure Vodka Kings Ginger, Bundaberg ginger beer and lime. If you like beer try the Ten Fidy by Older Blues. The flavor is a combination of chocolate and coffee.

Rating ~Drinks/Ambience: 4 Stars / Food (based on what I've tasted): 3 Stars

Notes ~Happy Hour is from Monday thru Friday, 4pm- 7pm Saturday and Sunday, 1pm-5pm ~$2 off select draft beers and $4...

My friend CW and I came here for drinks and food a couple months ago and we had a great time. One of the street lanes on Union is closed down so that the restaurants along the street can have outdoor seating. The Blind Donkey therefore has several large tables available outside, although I think they can seat you indoors now as well.

Service was excellent. I only like sweet cocktails, so our server made custom cocktails for me and I loved both cocktails that she made. They were fruity and sweet and delicious. If you don't like sweet cocktails, you can just order off their menu because she said their menu cocktails aren't very sweet (hence the custom cocktails). My friend ordered off the menu and liked her cocktails so I think it's safe to say that the cocktails here are good.

We got their Carne Asada Fries to share and those were just okay. I've gotten their Garlic Parmesan Fries before and really liked those so I would probably get that again next time instead of the Carne Asada Fries. And there most likely will be a next time since my friend and I both liked the...