The Nose Wine Bar

I came here on a date night wanting some tasty cheese and wine. The location is a little hard to find. we came on a sat night expecting it to be busy… Nope We were literally the only people in the place. I didn’t know if that was a good or bad thing. After sitting down and ordering the cheese plate I saw why we were the only ones there. I picked up better cheese at the farmers market!
There are better places in pasadena.

When it comes to wine, I am a self-​confessed wine naïve. My visit was the first time at a «wine bar», so I had little expectations. My wife and I came to The Nose to watch a friend perform with her jazz-​trio.
The atmosphere was nice, and even though there was a large birthday party in the back room, it was partitioned well enough to not distract from the performance in the front area.
The wine selection on the menu was not very extensive, but I imagine they do this to reduce the amount of left-​over wine at the end of the night. They did seem to have a large selection in the back area, which I wasn’t able to browse, on account of the aforementioned party.
I don’t really have anything negative to say about the bar, but probably would go back, save for another performance there by our friend.

I absolutely adored the atmosphere here! My friends and I were kind of wine bar hopping and we stumbled upon the Nose Bar since a patrson had recommended to me. I thought they were closed because it was pretty dead for a Saturday night, but at least we got to sit in the comfy couch. The wine was okay (I wish they had a wider selection), but I loved the music that night. Either I was a little buzzed, or just plain dumb, but I didn’t notice the live music so I was complimetning the sound system until my friend told me there was live music. Needless to say, I was quite suprised and embarassed, but if I need a nice place to get a way and relax, I will be visiting the Nose Wine Bar.

This place seems to get great reviews on their live-​music nights. Unfortunately, you may want to consider another venue if it isn’t such a night.
We walked in on a Wednesday around happy-​hour time, and the place was nearly empty. Two people enjoying large bottles of Chimay in the main room, and another couple taking up some area in the back room. No music, and very close seating. Typically, you’d like to have a tiny bit of privacy while enjoying a glass of wine and having a nice conversation here. It just feels a little awkward, having both workers standing behind the bar just a few feet away from you, able to hear every single word of your conversation, the same way you can hear every single word of the one at the table right next to you. Maybe they just realized I’m not much of a wine drinker, but the «generous pours» some people seemed to have gotten wasn’t what I got. Mine was more like a first-​pour-​when-​you-​order-​a-​bottle-​at-​a-​restaurant pour.
The «tapas» weren’t at all tasty, including the mac and cheese, which the server seemed to recommend strongly. In the end, I had to text the person sitting right next to me that «this place is awkward, let’s get out of here». That’s how awkwardly un-​intimate this place makes you feel.
All in all, it’s an okay spot if you’re really into wine and just want to check it out. But if you’re looking for a place to disappear into a glass of wine and a sexy-​time conversation, this isn’t it. Especially on a weekday evening.

Bro, this place is HARD to find. Why? You can’t see it from the street. It’s like you have to go past the sushi restaurant, discover that there’s a world behind it, then bust a left.
Crowd: It’s not young. But, what brings it to life is that the place is owned by a husband and wife. The wife is front of the house and the husband is behind the counter-​house (you’ll know what I mean).
Music: LIVE BOSSA NOVA, LEGIT. For those who like bossa nova music, SIT in the front.
Food: Eat before you come here. I thought there was actual food food here, which was my mistake, but they’re just wine food pairings.
Wine selection: Decent, they have bottles everywhere, along the walls, in a small cart, just everywhere.
Cost: Not too shabby. $ 8-​$ 12 per glass, the usual.
Date Place? Yes. You’re isolated from the outer world. You’ll walk by the sushi place thinking, what the hell are these people eating sushi outside for?
Parking: Park on the side parking lot. If there’s street parking, hit the streets.
Atmosphere: Relaxing, it’s not overly crowded or busy like Bodegas.

I have been to the Nose regularly now, after trying close by Wine bars such as Bodega or the Wine Detective. By far the most relaxed and nice wine place in Pasadena. If you’re not happy with the wines that are on the little flyers, just ask super nice Graham for a recommendation and he will happily pour a wine that you, for sure, will enjoy.
As for the food, I find the Cheese plate so much better and cheaper than the tiny portions offered at the Wine Detective. The Brushetta is super tasty as well.
And if you like music, then, that’s the best. Live bands yes, but also great music tastes.
And I forget: 50% on all glasses until 7 pm!
Now you know, vive The Nose!

I will start off by saying that I am a wine novice. I’ve wanted to get over to the nose wine bar since I heard about either a change in ownership or management. Most reviews since then have been on the positive side.
I saw a
coupon for the place picked it up and went decided that I was going to venture over. Now I went on a Monday or Tuesday I forget which so the place wasn’t very busy but it still has about 8 – 10 customers that day some sitting inside other outside on the patio.
Given that this was my first time here I decided to go with a wine tasting (4 glasses of the red wine). For the most part I liked all the wine, I wish I had more of a vocabulary to describe the wines but I don’t. In talking to the bartender (winetender) he let me know I tended to like the less expensive wine. My palate will improve I hope.
There was one guy working and although at times it seems like he was very busy, he still made time to welcome you and spend some time chatting about the wine and what type of wine or drinks you liked so that he could make a more knowledgeable suggestion.
I’m not exactly sure what I’m looking for in a wine bar but I think a smaller venue and a knowledgeable staff are high on the list as well as a place that is more or a wine bar than wine shop.
The nose seems to fit the above description and I will definitely be back to try some of their food and different wines.

Came here about 2 weeks ago on a late friday night and I loved every minute. I got to try some good wine, desserts that included chocolate and strawberries. I couldn’t tell you what the desserts were, but i finished them. There was live Spanish music playing with a couple of women doing some dances.
We were in the back room with the cozy couches. It’s not the best place to hold a conversation unless your sitting right next to them due to the music, but maybe your just suppose to drink…
I have to come back again and try some different wines. My date seemed very knowledgeable on the subject of wines and I’ll just have to pick her brain. Thanks!

The Nose knows!
Small place, intimate… unless it’s full of people right next to you… Fun local wine bar… Hidden in an alley near the Pasadena Playhouse next to El Portal and a delish new dessert bar.
Friday was the second time I had been here. The first was with a Unilocal event. The back room is a cool place to have a small group. It’s like you are in a wine cellar.
Not a lot of food selections. Don’t come here if you’re hungry… appetizers will not be enough. But if you do get the appetizers, they make a great bruschetta. I tend to get at least two. The other appetizer with olives is too salty.
The wine options aren’t extensive, but are nice selected wines with good flavor. They didn’t have a Riesling (I like sweet wines), but pacified me with a Gewürztraminer… which is not just fun to say, but really good.
They had live music when I went last Friday night. Be careful if you sit outside, they might forget about you; but I liked being out there so I could talk and catch up as well as enjoy the music.
It can get a bit pricy if you are sitting for a while drinking wine and snacking on light appetizers, but there’s a
coupon that can help. Absolutely will go back.
Cheers!

Whether or not you will like this place depends on what you like in a wine bar. What kind of atmosphere are you looking for? Trendy or laid back? Do you want to feel like you’re «out,» or have some privacy? Looking for just wine or food as well?
The wine list is not particularly long, but the choices are interesting. They were offering two wine flights the day I went, a Spanish and a French. I went with the Spanish. The waitress (or sommelier?) really knew her stuff when it came to the wine and was very generous with the pours. She showed me the bottles, talked about the regions and what to expect from each wine. The first wine was a little disappointing, but the other two were fantastic. I meant to write down the names, but alas I forgot.
Mi amiga and I decided to have dinner here, so we ordered practically everything off the menu (small plates)! We started with the cheese plate, and I’m sorry to say it was probably the saddest cheese plate I’ve had. It’s never good when the cheese comes in squares like American singles. The sweet potato fries are less like fries and more like baked strips of sweet potato. You dip them in tartar sauce, and it’s actually pretty good. The duck confit is not so good. The dark chocolate panna cotta is good. That’s really the best I can say about the food, which in itself should say a lot.
The Nose feels a little lonely all tucked away and empty. I felt like I was there before they actually opened. This was a Friday night around dinner time and there was only one other table with a couple of ladies. I’d say this is a good place for a glass of wine by yourself (with a book, perhaps), or if you’re looking for a place where you can have a private conversation. Prices are very reasonable for both the wine and the food, but I say just go for the wine.

96 bottles of wine on the wall, 96 bottles of wine, take one down, pass it around… ok so the 96 bottles of wine they have on the wall is just ONE wall, it’s definitely a neat way to decorate their wine bar. The Nose Wine Bar is a hidden gem in Pasadena, sandwiched in an alley between Colorado Blvd. and Green Street. There’s a private lot on Green Street or street parking all around.
The atmosphere is welcoming and intimate. We came last night to check out some live music, guy with his guitar. It was definitely a treat for a Wednesday night and definitely a nice for during casual conversation. The staff are really friendly and were great about taking our suggestions of different beers that they should consider carrying.
This is a cute place to come with a small group or friends for a nice glass of wine or to share their ginormous bottled beer. When I say ginormous, we’re talking 750ml varieties! A glass of Viognier was $ 13 and a 550ml bottle of oatmeal stout was $ 9 (sorry don’t remember the brands). Aside from the wine and beer selection, they have food and dessert on the menu.
Definitely a place to check out if you’re in Pasadena, especially since it’s NOT in the heart of Old Town Pasadena so you won’t have to pay for parking!

Great «Hidden Gem» in Pasadena.
My wife and I were trying to find a good spot to have a drink which had a cool and upscale feel and away from all the chaos that is Old Town. A friend recommended «The Nose». Its down an alley across the street from Vromans Bookstore on Colorado, just a couple blocks up from Old Town. The wine and beer selection is excellent and the menu of food accompany the wine selections perfectly. They had some great live music while we were there and the back room gives you the feeling you are drinking in a fancy wine cellar/​library.
I also spoke to the owner who is great and seems very into continuing the improve upon the place and make it a true go to spot in Pasadena. I prefer this place to Bodega because of the atmosphere being less «mall-​like» and more what you would want from a wine bar.
I can’t recommend this place enough if you want to get a local vibe to your night out. Great job guys! Keep up the good work!

For a non wine guy, they have some good beers for sure.
They are not the run of the mill bud, miller, and coors is what I’m saying. It’s no Lucky Baldwins but with offerings like Anderson Valley Boonts Oatmeal Stout, Framboise, Chimay Grand Reserve Blue, and St. Bernardus, to name a few.
Small and cute is a word to describe it. I came here first as the after party for a CMYE but then I came back on a friday night after work for a celebratory beer and glass of champagne (my partner prefers to beer). We has some meat and cheese platter which was tasty too. Not the best price in town I must say but it was chill and cute.
I could tell that it was about to get wild with some Latin dancer entertainment about to perform before we left. The girl who helped us was very sweet both times I visited. I am not too fond of the bar stools since they are too close and not comfortable but over all I might come back another night.
3.5 stars

Quite possibly my favorite wine bar in Pasadena.
Good friendly service, great wine selection, and fair enough prices.
The ambiance is EXCELLENT. The Nose is wonderfully hidden in a gorgeous little alley behind Maison Akira. It has a secluded and stylish vibe without being at all pretentious. They had some wonderful Spanish guitar playing, which just added even more to the already awesome feel.
The wines my group of four sampled were of good quality and acceptable price. I have to say that the one low light of the evening was the food. We ordered a cheese and charcuterie platter that was among the more pathetic ones I have had. Why? Cheeses were of basic mediocre quality, and not at all interesting. If I ordered the platter 5 – 10 years ago, it may have been OK, but there are cheese shops opening around now that are showing people that there is more to life than Bel Paese and Asiago. The meat selection consisted of two meats, or generic roast beef and a mediocre salami. The nice girl who presented them did a weak job at describing it as well (we had to ask).
But everything else was great. I’d go back… probably just for wine.

VERY, VERY cute small wine bar in cute little Pasadena. I enjoyed the wine display collection in the back room which covered from wall to wall, ceiling to floor. As I am not a drinker, I cannot comment on the wine here, but the selection looks quite complete and the atmosphere is nice.

I was contacted by someone working at The Nose to request I modify my review. Apparently, The Nose has reopened under new management. I have not visited The Nose, so I cannot verify the service under the new management.

This place blows.
Totally disorganized (if you look behind the counter, there’s a fax machine and piles of files and junk). The dude who runs it has an attitude of superiority that comes from god knows where. They should just close up for good. It’s clear from this site, people don’t really like them + their regulars are a bunch of losers too.

This quaint little Wine Bar is hidden in Pasadena in between a little alley of shops on Colorado and Oak Knoll… There is free parkiing in a lot under a building attached to it…
Service is great… Wine selection is great…
I went here for a party actually so it seemed like it was a private event and the Wine was all pre-​chosen by the hosts.
The interior is setup beautifully sorry I didn’t take pics but there are already some here on it’s Unilocal page!

Why do I get the feeling that «Tedd» works at the Nose? Something fishy going on there…
Stef’s been gone from the Nose for a few months now to a place no one really knows other than a select few, and the place has nosedived horribly since his departure.
There are two areas where Stef’s absence are most felt: service and wine expertise. The sweaty, boorish bulldog who now runs the place is long on self-​congratulations and devoid of tact or humility. It’s almost as if in order to get marginal service, you have to suck up to him first.
Of all the people who have worked at the Nose, Stef was the only person who could make a recommendation that would be on target more than 50% of the time. No matter what description you give them now a days, you’re pretty sure to end up with a glass of what they want or need to sell. I just hope you like middle of the road wines with a strong vine and mineral aftertaste to them bc that’s all I ever get outta them since Stef left.
I didn’t care much for the Nose when it opened a number of years ago (left too much to be desired), but Stef worked at it and eventually turned it around a couple of years ago. I have spent many long and fruitful nights there, but now I’d never set foot in there again with the current staff. If there’s one thing that chaps my hide is bad bar service from ignorant people who abuse the privilege of running a bar. Unfortunately, those are two things that will likely color your palate when you leave the Nose.

I’ve walked by this quaint wine bar many times, but usually during the day when I’m just not ready to throw down on a couple of glasses yet. But after a great dinner just right around the corner, we decided to drop by for a bottle. It was pretty full, but luckily we found a great spot towards the back in the cellar.
The sommelier and co-​owner, Geoffrey, came by to help us pick our wine. We just described what we liked, and wah-​la, he picked out a great bottle within our price range for us! A Sol Rouge 2006 Cabernet from Lake County. I browsed the cheese and charcuterie menu, and I saw that they had manchengo, my favorite! I didn’t feel like a lot, so Geoffrey was kind enough to just cut a few pieces for me along with a few baguette slices. He even sat and chatted with us for most of the night with exception of helping other tables, of course.
We had such a great time, because of the personalized service, cozy ambiance and of course the delicious wine! Can’t wait to go back for more fun times!