Best Pasadena happy hours for BCS fans, Part 1

Mai Kobe a great Old Town Happy Hour

So, you're in town for the Alabama-Texas National Championship game.

That's great, but since you blew your wad on flights, hotels, tickets, etc., it might be nice to save a little money when eating and drinking, right?

There are a ton of happy hours in Old Town Pasadena, but I'm going to focus on two great ones to get you started. Likewise, I'm picking these two for the food and drink specials.

In Old Town (just south of Colorado on Fair Oaks), MaiKobe is possibly the best food and drink happy hour. Yes, it's Japanese food, but it's not just sushi, and the beer is really cheap. Likewise, the bartenders are great. Befriend them and they will take care of you, even brew up some special shots for you, but you have to be cool. And you have to tip.

Possibly my favorite happy hour in the Old Town area, however, is the YardHouse at Paseo Colorado - just two blocks east of 'Old Colorado'. The happy hour menu is extensive, varied and well-priced. The beer isn't the best deal, especially if you only drink Lite beer. However, if you like to try new beers, there are more than 100 on tap. For my favorite IPA's, such as Racer 5, the happy hour prices are a great deal.

And, the YardHouse offers a nice crowd, as its a very popular stop for those that work in the area, because of its happy hour.

Stay tuned, I'll be covering more of Pasadena's best happy hours, etc. for BCS visitors. Also, have any questions, desires, etc.? Leave a comment, and I'll respond. Shoot, I might even provide a guided tour if anyone is really interested in drinking the best of Old Town.

50 cent wings at Buffalo Wild Wings in Burbank, CA

Getting my wing on at Burbank's Buffalo Wild Wings

As a big fan of buffalo wings, I consider myself an expert on this great bar food. Consequently, I have pretty high expectations for a restaurant built on the appetizer that made Buffalo, NY famous. Unfortunately, I don't think Buffalo Wild Wings could survive in Buffalo.

As it's Tuesday, wings are just 50 cents apiece. Not bad. Even better, I arrived after 4:00 and before 7:00 - happy hour - and all 23 ounce drafts were a dollar cheaper. So far so good.

I like my wings hot, so I sampled the 4 hottest sauces on my wings. None really stood out in terms of flavor. Sure, the sauces had zip, but I'm not a fan of just hot wings, I want hot and tasty wings. Unfortunately, these wings just weren't that tasty.

Service, however, was fast and friendly.

Thus, if I go back, I'm going back on Wednesday for $2.00 domestic beers. After a few cheap drinks I'm sure the wings will taste better.

The Bodega Brew Pub

Mmmmm, good

I'm in LaCrosse, WI off and on the next couple of weeks. My damn Sprint card isn't working, so I had to find a good wifi connection.

Thank god for cool places like the Bodega Brew Pub. Rate your favorite happy hours

High roller happy hour at the 35er

The king of Wednesday happy hours?

All day tomorrow Old Town Pasadena's 35er is running a special on 2.00 glasses of Miller High Life. That's not just a happy hour special, it's a happy day special.

The 35er is just a few short blocks from the Metro Goldline's Memorial Park station for all you Metro riders in search of a good deal. And there's free popcorn!

The first person in that mentions this post gets a free High Life. Just tell Deb YT sent you.

Best happy hour on the Red Line - Snow White Cafe

34 ounces of Stella for 7.00

Damn, just spent 7.00 for my last pint of beer. Of course, I didn't compain. This is Hollywood. Still, if only I had checked out the Snow White Café first.

I've been to the Snow White before. Its one of those odd places just perfect for Hollywood. Pictures of dwarfs and Snow White everywhere. Even the bar makes you feel like a dwarf.

Still, im not here for the godamned décor. Im here for 34 ounces of beautiful happy hour. Any 34 ounces of beer that Snow White has on tap for only 7.00!!

How can you go wrong? Plus, that happy hour is offered from 1 to 7, SEVEN days a week.

And if you're a Metro rider, then the Hollywood and Highland Red Line station is only a block away. So have two, take the train home, and call me in the morning.

Lunch at uWink, happy hour later

A glimpse of the cocktail future?

I'm here at Hollywood and Highland - kicking it like a tourist. But, lets get real for a second. If you coordinate your life around the Metro, then Hollywood and Highland is pretty cool, even if you're not a tourist.

Anyway, I've got some shoes to find, so I thought I'd stop by uWink, located on the fourth floor of the mall, for lunch.

OK. I'm lying. I'm here for a quick one, but I've not yet had any luck finding shoes.

Anyway, you can't get a whole lot closer to the Red Line, and there are screens everywhere for you to order food and drinks, to watch the big game, or to play games.

I was not the big zillionaire winner today.

Even if you come by yourself you can still play group games. I know. I'm here and it still sounds corny. Yet, a few drinks are the perfect goggles for such elitism, especially if a few hotties are drinking next to you.

And, they have a happy hour, where almost everything is 4.00. Sure, it isn't the greatest happy hour ever, but this is Hollywood.

Anyway, YT and Wong Will have to come back for a happy hour trip to see what the crowd is like then.

Malagueta at happy hour

Almost happy

Stopped by Malagueta's for happy hour, but it wasn't really that great of a happy hour. Its not bad, especially on Monday and Tuesday, when Malagueta offers happy hour all day. Still, there are better deals to be had throughout Pasadena.

So, after a beer, YT and Wong made a quick exit for a few 2.00 beers at Mai Kobe's happy hour. Oh yeah, and before that we stopped by La Grande Orange for the infamous 1.00 first beer with a Metro pass.

Ill probably stop by Malagueta's again in the future, but it will definitely be on a Monday or Tuesday before any other happy hours get started. But I'll be going to that happy hour more for the food, not the drink specials.

Irish pub fun in Pasadena for the U2 concert

YT and Wong at Dullahans

Ever since Wong returned from his trip back home to Ireland, he's been particularly, well, Irish. In fact, he returned back to Pasadena on a mission, to turn Dullahans into more of an Irish pub.

Wong hasn't had much luck yet, but he's still a regular there nonetheless. Why? Friendly service and the best overall happy hour in Pasadena.

Still, as part of Wong's desire to help Dullahans find its Irish religion, Wong is trying to set up a YT and Wong Irish Special at Dullahans in honor of U2's concert in Pasadena.

Even better, Dullahans is just a short walk from the Metro Goldline, the closest Metro rail stop to the Rose Bowl. So, an Irish pub, near the Rose Bowl and on the Goldline? Are you kidding me? What more could you possibly want?

I know. A YT and Wong drink special. Stay tuned on that one, but I guarantee there will be some special in honor of the U2 concert in Pasadena.

Futbol in Pasadena: Dullahans

F Barcelona

YT and Wong went out to catch Barcelona knock of United. Enough said about that.

Nonetheless, there is a nice little crowd here at Dullahans, another great spot off the Metro Goldline in Old Town Pasadena.

Dullahans offers one of Pasadena's best happy hours. When it comes to Happy Hours, this is an Old Town Pasadena, Metro Goldline top spot.

BRIX 42 - Another Old Town Happy Hour

Can it survive?

After YT and Wong finished our MaiKobe sushi and $2.00 beer happy hour, we decided to check out Brix 42.

Unfortunately, this location on Delacey has been the home to many pubs and breweries. None ever seem to last. Like MaiKobe, Brix 42 is a pretty short walk from the Metro, so we thought we'd check it out.

For $3.00, during happy hour, you can try a glass of one Brix's own beers. I tried the Pale Ale, which wasn't bad. Still, I'm not quite sure the glass actually contains a full pint of brew.

More interesting than the beer, however, is the extensive happy hour food menu. If you're in Old Town for happy hour, and you're really hungry, Brix is worth a visit. We didn't eat this trip around, but after having seen some plates of food others around us were eating, I'll definitely be back for a try.

Happy, happy hour at Mai Kobe in Pasadena

Pasadena's Best Happy Hour?

Alright. MaiKobe isn't a really a bar, although this Japanese restaurant does include a small bar. Of course, there is only enough seating for about 7 people, so how happy can you really get?

Nonetheless, if you're a little hungry, then this happy hour is definitely worth a stop if you are in Old Town Pasadena. Even better, if you're a Metro rider, MaiKobe - located on Fair Oaks - is just a short walk from both Goldline stations. So, it's very Metro friendly.

Happy hour prices on sushi and a number of other items are very fair. The sushi was good, but certainly not the best in Pasadena. Still, it was worth the price. The $2.00 bottles of beer, however, are about as good as it gets in Old Town.

There were a few others with YT and Wong when we stopped by MaiKobe and everyone enjoyed their food, especially when the cost was factored into the equation. So, don't be afraid to try the pizza or some of the other interesting items on the menu. 

If you're looking for a cheap beer and a small, healthy bite to eat, check out MaiKobe in Pasadena for Happy Hour.

Happy hour at McCormick & Schmicks

Ok, if you're hungry

Stopped by McCormick & Schmicks for happy hour after the Yardhouse. Cool building, but the specials aren't all that special, especially if you are looking to drink.

However, the half pound cheeseburger and fries for 2.95 is one hell of a deal. So, if you are seeking some cheap happy hour food in Pasadena, then McCormick & Schmicks might work for you.

La Grande Orange rules the Goldline

A great stop for Metro riders

Wong and I heard a rumor about cheap happy hour beer at La Grande Orange, which is located right next to the track on the Goldline's Metro station.

Until further notice stop in with your Metro pass and your first beer or glass of wine is just ONE dollar.

Come in for happy hour which is almost all the time for 3.00 beer. Limited beer selection. Anyway, check out these happy hour times.

Monday - Friday 3 - 7, 9 - 11; Saturday 9 - 11:30, Sunday 5 - 9.

For goldline riders, La Grande Orange is a must stop. Shortest happy hour walk from the train on the Goldline. This is a YT and Wong Best Pick for Goldline travelers.

Happy hour at 5 stars bar

Down and dirty on Main Street

YT and Wong stopped by the 5 Stars Bar on Main Street in downtown LA. They have a happy hour that runs from noon to 7, 7 days per week.

We'll be back.