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Playhouse Village

The artsy Playhouse Village is home to the renowned Pasadena Playhouse along with museums, galleries, eateries, and a smattering of independent shops.

Pasadena Playhouse Plaque photographed by Jessica Yeh

HISTORIC ARTS DISTRICT

Playhouse Village

The Playhouse Village also serves as a canvas for an eclectic and robust public art collection. Visitors love the splashes of color in the form of painted utility boxes and wall murals that span across the sides of historic buildings. Creatives, writers, performers, and artists all flock to the Playhouse Village to spark their inspiration.

Places to Eat

Urth Caffé and Tender Greens serve budget-friendly wholesome fare. El Portal Restaurant is another solid choice for sit-down Mexican cuisine. Try Tarantino’s Pizzeria for old school Italian or Settebello for Naples-style wood-fired pizza. The flavors of Hawaii inspire both the poke bowls at Pokenoya and the upscale fare at Roy’s, while Ginger & Spice is a family-run, fast-casual Vietnamese café.

El Portal mexican restaurant
Playhouse Village Arcade Alley Sunset

Shopping

Canterbury Records was founded in 1956 and continues to carry a vast selection of new and used vinyl spanning all genres. Collectors also frequent The Battery Books & Music to scour their inventory of used books, music and movies. For more than 40 years, Aarnun Gallery-Fine Picture Framing has been a resource for fine art paintings, prints, photography, and pottery. Mimi et Cie carries a refined selection of covetable timepieces and jewelry. Wollhaus Artisan Yarn & Tools is a cozy crafter’s paradise. And you can find nearly every style of hat imaginable at World Hats Mart.

Things to Do

Catch a performance at the official State Theatre of California, the Pasadena Playhouse. Laemmle Theatres’ Playhouse 7 art house cinema embodies the ethos of this creative neighborhood. The impressive USC Pacific Asia Museum is one of the few institutions in the country dedicated to the arts and culture of Asia and the Pacific Islands. Founded in the late 1800s, Vromans Bookstore is Southern California’s oldest and largest independent bookseller; they regularly bring in renowned and rising star authors and guest speakers for talks and signing events.

Pasadena Playhouse Sign
monopole wine

Nightlife

The Mixx is a classy restaurant and bar with an ongoing line-up of live music. Monopole Wine—equal parts wine shop and wine bar—boasts a dynamic events calendar of tastings, pairings, and musical entertainment. T. Boyle’s Tavern (37 N. Catalina Ave.) is a local sports bar in a hideaway alley. Or if you’re looking a lowkey night, check into The Ice House Comedy Club for a good laugh and a drink.

Book Alley
Shopping

Book Alley

About. Pasadena's independent and used bookstore, Book Alley was founded in 1992 and originally started in an alley way in old town Pasadena, California. Book...

Boston court theater
Performing Arts

Boston Court Performing Arts Center

Bold Programming. Boston Court Performing Arts Center is dedicated to presenting works that are creative, bold and daring. Striving to challenge the audiences...

El Metate Cafe mexican food
Mexican

El Metate Café

El Metate Café. El Metate Café is an family-owned authentic Mexican sit-down café located in the Playhouse Village. It is great for breakfast, lunch and...

hotel constance
Hotels

Hotel Constance Pasadena

Hotel Constance is a colorful boutique hotel situated a block from South Lake Avenue District, the central business area of downtown Pasadena. The hotel is...

Ice house comedy club
Landmarks

Ice House Comedy Club

Legendary Comedy Club. Since opening in 1960, many well known comedians have graced the Ice House Comedy Club stage. The intimate 200-seat room has also been...

Pasadena Playhouse
Architecture

Pasadena Playhouse

State Theatre of California. The Pasadena Playhouse was established in 1917 and is the official State Theatre of California. In recent years, The Playhouse...

Settebello Pasadena, pizza
Italian

Settebello Pasadena

Neapolitan Style Pizza. Settebello is an Italian restaurant in the Playhouse District that specializes in Neapolitan style pizza, they use fresh ingredients,...

Southern California Childrens Museum
Things To Do

Southern California Children’s Museum

Interactive Play. Southern California Children's Museum is a family-friendly museum that offers high-quality educational exhibits and programming. Hours....

sushi of naples
Japanese

Sushi of Naples

Sushi Pasadena. Sushi of Naples offers traditional sushi and Japanese spirits, the most popular items here are their signature sushi boats (pictured),...

The Mixx
American

The Mixx

Contemporary Chic. The Mixx is an American cuisine restaurant located in the Playhouse District. The Mixx is a blend of flavorful food with fresh ingredients...

Whistle Stop
Shopping

The Original Whistle Stop

The Original Whistle Stop is Pasadena's retail model hobby shop for model trains, brass trains, railroad locomotives, rolling stock, parts, buildings, scenery,...

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