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where we eat
Amigo's Mexican Restaurant
Friday Night Favorite!
This "unofficial" Friday night gay hot spot offers killer margaritas and great food at reasonable prices. The gay-friendly staff makes this restaurant a favorite spot for the gayborhood. Order your margaritas by the pitcher and enjoy the crowd. Lunch & Dinner ($)
[Gay Friendly] 1076 E Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, Ca 91106 (626) 577-1307
Barney's, Ltd.
Wow...This was a surprise. My husband and I eat there often and we'd venture to say that there are usually 2 or more gay couples in there. I know, it's a sports bar, but who knew? We cycled into Old Town, grabbed a great sidewalk table and dined on some pretty good food and scenery! There are over 100 beer and ale choices and a small selection of wine. Lunch & Dinner ($)
[Gay Friendly] 93 West Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, Ca 91106 (626) 577-2739
Cafe Verde
We go here because it's a fabulous little find that oozes local charm. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, everything on the menu is amazing. This place is nestled on Green Street, just a block east of Lake Avenue. Bring your own bottle of wine. There's no corkage fee! ($$)
[Gay Friendly] 961 East Green Street, Pasadena, Ca (626) 356-9811
The Corner Bakery
Ok, it's a chain but the atmosphere is why I included it in the list. There's an outdoor patio that makes it a great people watching venue and the boys are always here for breakfast. Open for lunch and light dinners too! Stop counting carbs and try the coffee cake! ($)
[Gay Friendly] 345 South Lake Avenue, Pasadena, Ca (626) 578-1281
Juanita's at La Casa Blue
Open Sunday & Tuesday – Thursday: 8:00 am to 11 pm.
Fridays & Saturdays: 8 am to 1 am Mondays: 5 pm to 11 pm.
La Casa Blue is more than a gay-owned hot spot. In addition to the free Wi-Fi and full assortment of Cocktails, Beers and Wines they offer a full menu & coffee drinks as well. Check out the Monday night Football & wii bowling on the big screen with friends. on Wednesday and Thursday and the Comedy Night, each Friday. Stop in and say "Hello" to Scott & Miguel. (Straight Friendly) ($)
[Gay] 5930 York Boulevard, Highland Park,Ca 90042 (323) 257-0089
New Listing-Happy Hour Spot! Now open for Lunch!
LaGrande Orange (LGO)
LGO is an amazing space, located inside the former Sante Fe Depot at the Del Mar Station and I have to give props to the designers for preserving the interior and creating such an inviting space (and hiring some hotties too) The food is outstanding. I recommend the Dixie Pan-Fried Chicken (trust me, it's worth blowing your diet on this) and Brussels Sprout Salad. We had a chance to sample a few other items and each was fabulous. They make their own margarita mix from fresh-squeezed juices and have a half-price happy hour, Monday through Friday. Patio Seating. Full service lunch served daily. Full service dinner from 5:00pm to 10:00pm, Monday through Saturday, 4:00pm to 9:00pm Sunday. Reservations accepted. Oh...No corkage on your own wine! ($$)
[VERY Gay Friendly] 260 South Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, Ca 91105 (626) 356-4444
Larkin’s
Larkin Mackey & Joshua McBride, owners of Larkin’s in Eagle Rock opened this cozy restaurant with hospitality and down-home cooking in mind. Located in a historic Craftsman bungalow, Chef Larkin Mackey combines traditional Soul food with Latin and California accents. The décor is warm and inviting and the service is prompt and attentive. The Gayborhood highly recommends Larkin’s and we are glad to have them in the community. This is the perfect place for “comfort food”, a satisfying lunch or romantic dinner. Although they do not yet have a liquor license, they do allow you to bring your own wine and charge a minimal corkage fee. Lunch, Dinner & Sunday Brunch • Reservations accepted • entertainment ($$)
[Gay]1496 Colorado Boulevard, Eagle Rock, California 90041 (323) 254-0934
Le Pain Quotidien
The original opened in downtown Brussels and they bring that charm to Old Town Pasadena. To the best of my knowledge, there are only a handfull of these bakery/coffee houses in the U.S. and we are fortunate to have this one in town. No wi-fi, just great coffee, breakfast, lunch and lite dinners, including a fabulous assortment of baked goods and handsome boys to serve you. I recommend the sidewalk seating and let your eyes roam wild! ($$)
[Gay Friendly] 88 W Colorado Boulevard, CA 91105 (626) 396-0956
Marston's
You cannot find a better breakfast anywhere which makes this a Pasadena favorite. Known for great service and the best Corn Flake French Toast in the USA. Lunch and dinner are also highly recommended. Check out the crowd when USC or UCLA are in town...That's got to get your appetite going! ($)
[Gay Friendly] 151 East Walnut Street, Pasadena, Ca (626) 796-2459
The Raymond Restaurant
I love this place (and not just because it's where my husband took me on our first date). The Raymond is located in an historic little bungalow, just off Fair Oaks and offers an amazing selection of gourmet cuisine. This is the perfect place for that romantic date! There's a full bar, fantastic wine list and a several beautiful men to wait on you. Brunch & Dinner ($$$)
[Gay Friendly] 1250 S. Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, Ca 91105 (626) 441-3136
The School Cafe at the California School of Culinary Arts
Le Cordon Bleu on a budget! Discover this hidden jewel, in the heart of the Playhouse District. The School Cafe is staffed by students of the Le Cordon Bleu Program and features the most amazing creations in town. (Remember, after graduation, these guys go on to the world's best restaurants.) Breakfast, lunch and dinner are featured here as well as daily gourmet specials, fresh baked bread, espresso, pastries and desert. Best of all...There is nothing priced over $10.00! The "Gourmet Specials" change daily and never disappoint and all of it served by and in the company of some of Pasadena's most beautiful men! After all, is there anything sexier than a man who knows how to cook? ($)
[Gay Friendly] 561 East Green Street, Pasadena, Ca (626) 683-7319
The Spot
Local Realtor, Greg Stanton, recommends this place, telling us it's a neighborhood favorite. Check out the website -- It lists a full menu as well as catering services. There is also live jazz at night and a Sunday Jazz Brunch! ($)
[Gay Friendly] 2032 North Lincoln, Pasadena, Ca (626) 296-3320
Zona Rosa Coffee
A cozy spot, right next to the Pasadena Playhouse. The gayborhood is here before a movie at the Laemmle and during the theatre season. There's a nice assortment of coffee, tea and fresh pastries. The outdoor seating makes this a relaxing stop for your morning fix. ($)
[Gay Friendly] 15 South El Molino, Pasadena, Ca (626) 793-2334
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where we drink
The Bar
Located at The Langham (The former Ritz Carlton, Huntington Hotel & Spa) The Bar is an amazing place to people watch and lounge in the luxurious surroundings. Known for it's volumous martinis and impeccable service, The Bar is the perfect rendezvous spot or place to decompress from that hectic day and is highly recommended for that "First Date". ($$)
[Gay Friendly] 1401 S. Oak Knoll, Pasadena, Ca 91106 (626) 568-3900
The Bodega
Located in the Paseo on Colorado Boulevard, this is a fabulous wine bar in a comfortable setting. The Bodega features a limited but tasty menu, wide selection of wine and sake as well as soju cocktails. ($$)
[Gay Friendly] 260 East Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, Ca (626) 793-4300
The Boulevard
It's been here forever and there's a reason for that. Other bars have come and gone but the Boulevard remains a local favorite. A small, neighborhood bar that also features karaoke. Full bar.
[Gay] 3199 East Foothill Boulevard Pasadena, Ca 91107 (626) 356-9304
The Chalet
Aspen meets Los Angeles in this unusual bar. Located on Colorado Boulevard, just west of Pasadena, this place is like a ski lodge trapped in a time warp. The drinks are hard and fast and the jukebox eclectic. Gay and straight mix as well as an Appletini here. The crowd also includes a number of the Oxy boys too. ($)
[Gay Friendly] 1630 Colorado Boulevard, Eagle Rock, Ca 90041 (323) 258-8800
New Listing - Happy Hour Spot!
LaGrande Orange (LGO)
We have a new Happy Hour spot! The bar at LGO is fabulous and with half-priced drinks, Monday through Friday, why go anywhere else? Located in the former Santa Fe Depot at Del Mar Station, this is the place to wind down after a long day. LGO makes its own margarita mix from fresh-squeezed juices and they rival any other you've had. Oh...No corkage on your own wine! ($$)
[VERY Gay Friendly] 260 South Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, Ca 91105 (626) 356-4444
Le Petite Vendome
This is one of our favorites. Not only do they offer an amazing selection of wine and hard-to-find spirits (Effen Black Cherry Vodka!) but they also host wine tastings that are far from ordinary. Thursday and Saturday nights are Dollar Night but don't be fooled by the cost. They pour 1oz. tastes from bottles that range from $30 to $100! Saturday night's tastings are also accompanied by an assortment of nibbles! This is a great place for your small group or memorable date. There's a deli here too. ($ to $$$)
[Gay Friendly] 906 Granite Drive, Pasadena, Ca (626) 396-9234
Magnolia
Cool vibe and sophisticated clientele make this a must in any bar hop. The comfortable setting, full bar and menu is amazing as is the atmosphere. I recommend the Key Lime Pie Martini or Pomegranate Mojito but why limit yourself? Magnolia boasts an extensive wine list as well as a number of Sake choices. They open at 4:30 and offer Happy Hour specials through 7:30pm. This is a great place for small groups. Drink Up! ($$)
[Gay Friendly] 492 S. Lake Avenue Pasadena, Ca 91101 (626) 584-0596
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