3.5 Stars.
When we arrived at 1886 on a recent Saturday night, we were going to valet the car but the attendants told us to pull forward to the lot as there was plenty of self parking. Maybe we were blind, maybe we just didn't drive far enough but there was no lot. There was plenty of parking next to a PWP substation though. We headed straight for the bar where it was already completely full. The bartender greeted us warmly and let us know that he wasn't going to forget about us behind all of the patrons already at the bar. After about 10 minutes we got our expertly made cocktails and made our way to the patio. Â Patio was packed but not uncomfortably so. They had the fire place going, which was perfect for a cool summer night. As the evening went on, more and more smokers began to congregate out there which was not fun. So we decided to head on out of there before we got lung cancer.
tl;dr - strange parking, attentive & fun staff, delicious drinks, smokers paradise patio
A fun, small, classy bar tucked away in the back of the Raymond Restaurant. The cocktail list is interesting and very good. There's a nice outdoor seating area with a big fireplace that makes for great ambiance. I will say though that their cocktails are not cheap. A bit on the pricier range, but overall a good bar with good atmosphere.
Review Source:1886 is a speak easy style bar that can be found inside the Raymond Restaurant...if you can find the Raymond Restaurant.
The best route for parking is to find a spot up along Fair Oaks, which is not only convenient but actually rather great because there are no parking meters so you don't have to worry about sticking around for too long.
The bar itself is small and may irritate those who can't stand being in confined places. It definitely starts getting crowded after 9 or so, but you're golden if you can find a spot at the bar. Otherwise, there are several tables and booths that are available, but again, you'll be sharing elbow space with people who are merely standing around. Or waiting in line to order a drink, yes the place is small enough were you'll be unable to tell whether someone is waiting to order a drink or is hanging out.
You can forget about finding a multitude of crappy flavored Vodkas here. What you will find are drinks ranging from $12 to $16 that are dependent upon the old style of mixology. That's all fine and good because a good drink is a good drink. However, things start getting a little shaky when the menu states that they offer a burger and fries and what you get in return is a slider and a handful of shoestring fries.
A slider isn't a burger...it's something you find packaged in a Lunchables tray.
Kids make sliders with their Playdoh sets. A burger is a burger...a slider is not a burger.
1886 is essentially a place to consider if you want to grab a drink and then head elsewhere. Otherwise, be ready to have your patience put to the test.
I went here for happy hour on a Thursday and they have a beautiful outdoor patio. We sat outside and it was perfect! We sat in the corner and enjoyed the comfy couches and shade. I had the gindonesian bottled cocktail (this wasn't on the happy hour menu, $14) and it was definitely a fun drink because of the packaging but not worth $14. It was also a little too sweet for me and had a peppery aftertaste. I had a taste of their bourbon drink with honey and lemon and that was good. I'll probably get that next time. For food, we shared the battered mushrooms. WOW! I've tried fried mushrooms at numerous places and this was by far the best! The batter was extra crunchy and wasn't greasy at all. The fresh ranch dip was also amazing. The perfect sauce to dunk hot portobello fries in. Overall, a great place for a fine cocktail, excellent food, and good service. I believe the happy hour cocktails are under $10 and $2 off food.
Parking: We parked in the lot in front of the restaurant (very few spaces) but I think after a certain time they have valet ($4).
The drinks are good, and I like the backstory behind the drinks in the menu. Â However, I was extremely dissatisfied with the service.
We tried to get drinks from the bar, and we were encouraged to have a seat before placing our orders. Â We did, but it took a while to place our order and then finally get our drinks. Â For example, we were there for one hour but only had one round of drinks (and left as soon as we could).
Although I don't think I've found a perfect speakeasy-style place for drinks, I would probably recommend the Edison over t1886.
Decided to check out this place for Happy Hour & glad we did!  I was kind of confused because we walked through this restaurant that looked like a cozy home, however were led to towards the back to a really cool, oakey bar.  They even have a small outdoor patio, and it was a gorgeous  LA day so sat outside under the canopy of greenery.  Very laid back and chill and great for friends or a date.
HH drinks were about $6-$7 and food was reg price. We had the rum punch HH special and it had a kick and was yummy. Definitely a drink to slurp for awhile. Â My friend had the daiquiri and silly me for thinking the Hawaiian type. This one was sophisticated with a punch and super yummy!
We indulged in the potato chips which are a must! PLus they come with yummy onion dip and a spicy ketchup. You won't regret the order.  Also had these toasted shrimp sandwiches  with a coleslaw. Small portion BUT YUM!  We partook in the fried fish dish which was tasty and not too heavy.  We also ordered the fried mushrooms - they were okay.  A little too much batter but came with yummy ranch that we dipped those potatoes in.
Service was good and the waitress checked in on us. Some Yelpers have said it's slow but I would probably call it more chill. Our server was helpful and stopped when we called her and she checked in. Just probably not a faster pace as other places but that's the charm of this place as you kind of just sit and sip your drink.
This is the Bar located in the Raymond Restaurant so it is tucked away, however a very nice gem.
It's quiet and cute. They have a little outside patio where you can hang out with lounge chairs. The ambiance is not snooty or anything.
Had the Fried Pig Ears and I was gonna die from having so much awesomeness. It is not overcooked, with the skin getting soft that it melts in your mouth. =D
Pretty good. Definitely will come back again.
This is my favorite bar. Â Ever. The setting is gorgeous, romantic and secluded. Â You feel like you are at a secret club or in a friend's backyard. Â The cocktails are fresh, innovative and wonderful, and the bartenders, despite an intense devotion to their craft, are not hipster dbags. Â
Please don't go. Â Don't ever go here. Â Let's keep it a secret.
This review is dedicated to Corrie B. because he loves to be such a sarcastic arsewipe on Yelp.
Anyway..bf and I decided to give this place another chance on Monday evening.
We walk in, and we were greeted..yay!
Since it was a nice warm day, the setting of place was perfect. Doors and windows were open, nice comfy seating available..and us plus 2 other parties were there. We had the bartender's undivided attention. :D
I loved the fact that he brought us some bottled water, and poured it in a glass for us. It was great!
Looking through the menu (which I should've taken a picture of..because I don't remember the ingredients or anything. :/ ) I decided between two drinks. First one, I forgot..and the second one was the Molly Pitcher. It has pineapple somethin' in it haha. Since it was somewhat of a sweeter drink, the bartender said he could add a bit more pineapple stuff to make it sweeter. It was perfect actually. Perfect mixture of everything.
I forgot bf's drink as well, but it was Rum based. VERY strong, and a big portion! He was definitely sippin' slow.
Since they don't have the prices on the menu..I assume that every drink is $14.00
I think it's best to go in the early evenings when not many people are there.
Oh, and they were playing the JAAAAMS yesterday! All old school love songs. Props 1886, props.
This hidden treasure is cozy and classy, a great place for a date night or small group outing. We arrived about 10:30pm on a Friday night, and it was PERFECT, not crowded at all, which makes for nice conversation. Â Old standards play in the background, taking you back to an era of glamour and romance. Â The drinks are pricey (we spent $22 on a cocktail and a beer) but the atmosphere and experience are worth the occasional splurge.
Review Source:Food/Cost: (3.5/5) *This review is for drinks only* Drinks are well-made, but pricey. Â I got the Blood and Sand ($13), and it was good and well-balanced, but guess I'm just not big enough of an alcohol lover to want to spend that amount of money for a drink. I tried some of my friend's Old Fashioned served with this cool piece of oversized chipped ice that fit perfectly in the glass and so large as to not dilute the bourbon. Personally, I've never been a bourbon drinker, but my bourbon-loving friend stated that this was one of the best Old Fashioneds around. I also tried another friend's Huckleberry Sour ($14), which was actually my favorite -- the most sweet :P Â If I come back, I'll just stick to that one :)
Ambiance: (5/5) The ambiance was actually my favorite part of is place. It's old school and luxurious, yet rustic and cozy. The interior is pretty dimly lit, and it actually a really good place for a date. In fact, the first thing I saw walking in was a couple in the seat closest to the door making out. Oi. The room is actually pretty small, but they make the most of the space with lots of stool seating and cushioned bench seating along the wall. There's also outdoor patios for people to lounge about under heat lamps and twinkling, string lights. Â Beautiful.
Location: (3.5/5) 1886 is in Pasadena, a bit south of the hubbub that is Old Town, in a residential-ish area. There's a private lot (perhaps valet, but they were off when we got there) and some street parking.
Service: (3.5/5) Service was a bit slow, but I suppose it's due to the care with which they make your drinks. However, I can't imagine how long it would take to get food and drinks during peak times if we already had to wait a good while when this place was emptier. The server was very nice though. Other than the speed, it was a good service overall.
Overall: (3.5/5) Because this is a bar, I'll round up to a 4 stars as this place has great ambiance and well-made drinks, which is what a bar is all about, but just be prepared to shell out for it.
I really liked the drinks here. Â They are seriously skilled. Â I don't like the price of $14 bucks for a drink. Â That hurts a lot! Â So much! Â
But after you get past the sticker shock...(actually, no sticker shock because the prices are listed. Â I asked after our first round.) Â You realize how amazing this place is. Â An old house built in 1886 with romantic rooms and outside area. Â Definitely a place to meet a hot guy and make out in the later eves. Â But if it is earlier in the day, go for happy hour and sit outside and enjoy the beautiful socal weather with the ladies.
Since I am married to a hot guy, I just brought him and made out in a dark corner. Â Not really...but I would have if I wasn't so stressed about our bill.
Ok loves...that's it for now.
I have half a mind to do what Dominick S. did and say to stay away from this place, just so we don't have to wait so long for drinks when we come here! The staff is beyond friendly and accommodating and the bartenders are super creative and clearly enjoy what they do. This is the perfect place to go any night of the week just to relax on their patio or in the bar and catch up with friends over drinks.
Review Source:I've lived in Pasadena two years and I've been to this place maybe fifteen times. The speakeasy ambiance and isolated locale ensure a welcome improvement over the typical Old Town "dredges of the San Gabriel Valley" vibe.
The food, although a bit more imaginative than typical bar fare, is over-priced and prepared in lackluster fashion. Emphasis seems to be placed on exotic-sounding dishes such as pork belly, lamb's neck, yellowtail collar, and octopus rather than in the quality or original production of said  items. It seems that the food in this instance is a bit more of an afterthought than anything else.
In regard to the cocktails, the bartenders tend to be as knowledgeable and imaginative as can be expected. Unfortunately, the bar itself is situated toward the back and is rather small, which makes communicating directly with the bartender tedious and awkward. The drinks are pretty much what one has come to expect from this genre of bar, although the ones here tend to be about $4 more than they would cost at similar establishments in Downtown.
Lastly, the service is the weakest aspect of the experience. As other reviewers have noted, I've often waited a good amount of time before being acknowledged by waitstaff. Recently a friend and I sat for over twenty minutes without anyone taking our order, although the barmaid did manage to glance at us awkwardly several times. The lack of attention was legitimately confusing, and rather than be confrontational we left without ordering anything. In my experience, the servers tend to have a rather minimal education in the production of cocktails, necessitating an order directly from the bartender. To be fair, however, the waitstaff do seem to get spread thinly when the place is busy.
Thus, 1886 isn't a terrible place to go if you live half a mile from it like I do. I would compare it to a reliable and super-convenient booty call that you regret a little bit after sobering up in the morning. Ideally, if you are planning your night out in advance, I would recommend driving the ten minutes to Downtown and going to one of the several similar but better places there.
This place is awful, stay away. Â The bar is too small. Â The atmosphere is way too cozy and too inviting. Â The crowd or lack there of, is too relaxed and jovial. It is far too awesome inside and the music is too exceptional. Â The drink and food concoctions are too complex and amazing. Â I mean, when I say I want a grilled cheese, don't surprise me with something that isn't Wonder Bread with melted Velveeta! Â They brought me some sort of bread stuffed with quality cheese and a little spicy jam that made me want to order more...so stupid. And whatever you do, DO NOT throw beer into my Manhattan! Â Don't you understand, I like the confines of a recipe and don't like my mixologist taking liberties with my palate no matter how fantastic it is! Â The drinks can take up to 10 minutes, how hard is it to make a craft cocktail the right way?!?! Seriously, just use the store bought mix next time and give me my drink in under 2 minutes, no TLC, I want you to treat me like the bottom of the barrel alcohol I like in my drink!
It is too far off Colorado and too nice a place to bring a date...I swear, if you bring a woman here she might go home with you and do things that are reserved for women of ill repute. Â Do your best to not avoid this place, it is the best decision you could make. Â I will be back to make sure and give these people a piece of my mind...several times...and I am bringing friends for back up just in case things get out of hand. Â
I know, this review probably got old, I don't care...
Ah my hidden gem in pasadena. THis place rocks. The bartenders rock. Everytime I have ordered something its been insanely good. They are knowledgeable and even suggest stuff relating to what I have ordered that I would like. It is a bit pricier than other similar spots but the quality definately shows, as does the skill and expertise. I recommend coming early since the bar is quite small. Just a few tables and they do tend to fill up quick. They also have outside seating incase the inside gets filled up. THey have some bar bites but I have never had them so cant rate them. If you havent been here do try it out. Its part of the Raymond restaurant and the bars in the back of the restaurant. My one pet peeve would be that when they are a little busy it does take a while for them to get your drink.
Review Source:I have been here a couple times..... Once while waiting to have dinner at The Raymond and another time just for drinks.
It shocks me that so many fellow Yelpers have cited service issues with 1886, I have had nothing but great service. The first time I was in there the bartenders were very friendly. I ordered an Old Fashion with Jameson instead of bourbon, asked if they were ok with making the change (some bars are way too fru fru to make a change like this.... cough cough, Father's Office)
I didn't wait too long for the drinks and both times sat outside on the patio. I feel that this bar as well as The Raymond are super romantic and I would recommend to anyone looking to impress a date with the beautiful ambiance of the whole property.
all the cocktails on the special drink menu are $14.5. The price isnt listed. Â
My friends and I sat at a table and service was disappointingly slow. We ended up placing our order at the bar and even so it took them a while to bring the drinks out. Â The environment is kind of neat if you want to come to a dark moody place and chill. Â If you wanna get wild just go to yardhouse or something. You can be as loud as you want without people staring at you.
Amazing and unique cocktails. Mouth-watering food served in small portions. What a tease. But super cute and romantic place for a date. Not a really good place to go to if you're just with a friend of the opposite sex; things can feel awkward.
The customer service definitely could've been much better, but they all seem to be very knowledgable about their drinks. My friend and I enjoyed a cocktail, a few other drinks here and there, and a few appetizers.
Let's just hope your date is hot enough to distract you from your hunger, and that you yourself look hot enough for your date to happily cover your gigantic bill, especially if you two come here absolutely hungry and/or thirsty.
Nice atmosphere, good drinks, pretty good music selection as well.
So if I'm not mistaken their drink menu used to just be a list of names and ingredients. Well, somebody stepped up their game - they have interesting little blurbs now. Very well done. We spent several minutes, not just deciding which among the many delicious cocktails we would drink, but reading the enjoyable menu.
As for my initial drink order. I recently went through a break up and i am a fan of Murakami (see the last great book I read on my profile) - so The Wind-up Bird was a no brainer. Whereas the book will kick you in the feels, the drink will not. That's not to say the drink is bad. It's actually great. But the book is about loneliness, being alone, alienation/isolation, making connections with others, etc. there's nothing in the drink to evoke that. The drink is a light, refreshing, summery drink. It could possibly bring to mind May Kasahara at the beginning of the book. (Relevant: <a href="/redir?url=https%3A%2F%2Flh3.ggpht.com%2F-E0NEgA6w8Ak%2FThPpq1JMh9I%2FAAAAAAAAAJA%2FQ9yDo4ZFwDs%2Fs1600%2Ftuesdaysgirl.jpg&s=5f8cf7d7a47fa2a9127e8b334f1d1106c8d6ac2ebf6910c1c49985fa866d4dde" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://lh3.ggpht.com/-E…</a>) But because of the flower floating in the middle of the drink (carnation?) it really brings to mind this: <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FwRCY0BCEDjc&s=f500e5c40eaf5690899feed1549c90ef8c72a1a842730dccb8b5b2de5551cf39" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://youtu.be/wRCY0BCE…</a>
The Rye Reverse was also imbibed. It was great, but as always, that iceberg-cube - magnificently clear as always- makes it damn near impossible to actually drink it. It packs a bit of punch, but is essentially an Old Fashioned, so it's not exactly a nut-kicker.
Walter's Last Sip. Here's a drink that really gets you in the yarbles, if you've got any yarbles. High class bathtub hooch served in a chilled glass flask, in a paper bag. You take a pecan and a swig together to get the full effect. (Also relevant: <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FhpqJ4WZrKRI&s=1c6de4bae5d054c6586b5a6bf4e2b3f8d1602af5818c7f64c4eab6a344028408" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://youtu.be/hpqJ4WZr…</a>)
All in all, 1886 is the kind of bar that can kick you in the yarbles. In a good way, thou jelly eunuch.
So, looks like Mixology is the new thing. Fine by me! I love a well crafted drink with subtle flavor combos and bits of fruit and herb and other surprises.
The problem is that even at these bars and lounges known for their mixologists, the drinks are often a disappointment....an small, expensive disappointment.
I'm giving three stars, even though my drink tasted like one mushed up star, because I've only been here once and the atmosphere was absolutely gorgeous. So I'll be back to try a few more drinks and snacks, and hope to be able to upgrade my rating.
I might take me a while though to get that La Brigada debacle out of my mind with its lighter fluid taste (maybe I should stick to Tequila), its bits of chewy coconut, and its huge soggy crouton on ice. Ew. Is an alcohol-sopped crouton ever good? Well, my drink looked nothing like a picture of it I found on line, so maybe they just made it wrong that night.
Still, I'll look at some of the drinks you Yelpers liked and not be led astray by my desire for all things spicy.
Holy beautiful decor! Â That is if you're into 1930's subtle damask, tin ceilings, edison lights, and gorgeous craftsman architecture. Â
Cute, smallish dining room(s) that reminded me of a dining train car. Â And ditto goes with the actual bar in the back. To make up for space there are 3 beautiful outdoor spaces to drink/dine in, and an additional long room with 2 tops - like a pantry or porch at some point in time.
We went for happy hour from 5pm - 7pm when they offer handcrafted cocktails for $6 - $7, red & white house wine for $5, and some beers. Â Apps start at $4, and there are also some decent looking entree-type items for about $10+.
We ordered the happy hour cocktails - one was gin, one was rum. Â Both were great, but it did take exactly 20 minutes to get the drinks though - so be forewarned about that! Â We also ordered the homemade chips (big hot bowl of flash fried potato slices) which were great (but they were not easy to order, since the server barely looked at us- see below). Â They came with onion dip, and spicy ketchup, which were 'eh'.
Service was really so-so. Â A hurried server seemed too busy to ever check in on us, or to even let us know our drinks are coming (I personally think 20 minutes is a very long time for 2 drinks).
good: Â atmosphere to die for, great product
bad: Â Â unnervingly slow service
I love this place and wish there were more places like this in the SGV!
You can tell the staff which spirits and flavors you enjoy and they bring you a yummy cocktail! The Pimm cocktails are my favorite, but I like to try something new each visit.
I love the outdoor seating area and the fact that it shares a building with a fancy smancy restaurant. There isn't tons of space, but that's what I really like about the atmosphere. You don't feel like you're at just another bar.
Pretty nice place with interesting drinks. Â Happy Hour is 5-7pm and you'll get a $2 discount on food and a few cheaper drinks.
They were super slow when I arrived at 5:15 and they were having a team meeting or something and working on dry ice, making a lot of noise and not really giving us that much attention. Â Kinda ruined the ambiance a little. Â Service overall was average.
I had the brown derby and a smoker's jacket as drinks, both were good and the quality overall is above average. Â I'd recommend the brown derby.
For food, I had the olives, pork belly and yellowtail coller. Â The pork belly was pretty good, but needed to be a little crispier. Â The olives were pretty spicy and seemed a little hard. Â The yellowtail was pretty good, no complaints.
Overall, good drinks and pretty good food for not too much money.
1886 is truly a hidden gem in Pasadena.
Located inside Raymond Restaurant (which looks like a pretty house), the dark-lit bar is tiny but worth everything because of its intimate feel, chill atmosphere, and killer cocktails.
You can easily get lost the first time around, but once you arrive at the place and find your way inside the restaurant, you will see a little, cozy room with a couple of tables and seats near the bar area. There are also some tables outside near the fireplace and several more at the patio. Â
As far as cocktails are concern, they are very upscale and the expensive prices ($12) reflect that. However, despite of the prices they are well worth the money. What I can easily recall is the fact that the cocktail menu changes every so often. Â
Overall, 1886 certainly raises the bar in terms of artisan cocktails and mixology. So if you are feeling adventurous and wanted to drink something new with a friend or significant other, definitely check out 1886.
Nice little hidden treasure that is part of the Raymond Restaurant. I never been to the Raymond and thus had never known about 1886. First off, its kind of hidden, so hopefully you have a good gps to find it. You can park in the 4 dollar valet, but if you want to save money or don't care about impressing your date you can park on Fair Oaks or by the gate past the valet.
After parking you have to follow a trail to the back of the restaurant where theres both an indoor/outdoor area where there is not enough room for a small intimate date or a large group (which we were).
Drinks are on the pricey side, but a real good size and mixed well. Just ordered your regular black and cokes. They also have specialty drinks which my friends said are good, but I wasn't feeling too adventurous nor too fruity. Also had their tots, which can be quite addicting, because you cant just have one.
Anyways want to try it again, maybe impress a lady friend and such.
This bar was recommended by the bartender at Tony's Dart Away in Burbank, so my girl friends and I decided to make a stop at 1886 for a girls night. It's a very small, but cute little bar that's attached to the Raymond Restaurant in Pasadena. Lighting is very dim and romantic, which is probably why everyone there was paired off (aka on a date).
The cocktail menu changes by season. The drinks that we read on yelp weren't offered when we went because it was their winter menu. The Prims Cup No. 2 was very refreshing and not too strong tasting. I would definitely get this one again if they have it. My other friend ordered the hot chocolate with ancho chilies & tequila with homemade marshmallow. It was really sweet, chocolatey and thick. You couldn't really taste the alcohol, which is a plus in my book.
Overall, it's a good place to bring a date. The cocktails are good. The bartender is friendly and the waiter is helpful.
In my quest for a bar that served up quality artisan cocktails during my last SoCal visit, I came across 1886 (strangely, one of the few of its kind in the area, unless I searched wrong). Having finally found a locale, I eventually met up with a high school friend that I hadn't seen in almost a decade, along with her new fiance.
Sadly, I no longer remember what I ordered, but the two cocktails I got were both excellent. Something a bit more simple and smoky, and something fruity, smokey, and spicy. If I had to categorize, most of their cocktails very neatly fall under the umbrella of Prohibition-style drinks, focusing on your darker liquors - the name of the bar certainly backs this theory too.
Despite having gone on an off-night, the bar inside was still quite crowded, so we took our business into the much larger patio area outside, which had a few overhead heaters scattered about. Unfortunately, these only helped if you were directly under them, as the cold outside was still too overwhelming if you sat anywhere else. So, either dress warm, drink more, or come during warmer weather if you're not a fan of crowds.
Dreamy little place for artisanal cocktails thematically inspired by the year 1886, when the building was constructed. Â Tin ceilings and a charming ivy-covered outdoor patio, relatively inexpensive bar treats and creative bartenders make for a pleasant evening of indulgence with a few friends. Â
If you're feeling adventurous, ignore the menu and ask the bartender to make you something special. Â I have no idea what they served me, but it was delicious and a beautiful creamy purple.
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,607 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,970 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,306 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,904 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,983 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
