The Blind Donkey

I have been to this place several times, and every time a different experience awaits cause it invites a crowd on the weekends, and crowds can often change. And when crowd change, the people defining it change too, and sometimes in this natural rotation I hit the gong that vibrates to what makes me giddy, seen, respected, uplifted and made to feel alive!. But before we get to all that, let us start with a ski ball moment that can only be described as a coincidence that is worthy of becoming a lore that proves that bar magic is real. Like when Barney got a pencil in his nose when him and his friends were bouncing pencils of tables using the rubber erases as the launch pad. Where are my "How I Met your Mother" fans at? Probably at Blind Donkey this place gets packed.So I walk over to my friend who is playing ski ball. I take him a tequila drink. He takes it. I take my turn, and just with wild abandon-- in the name of fun-- I throw my first ball, recklessly, like I was just playing an inconsequetial game or something. And boom! It lands on the 100 hole. The hardest hole to get the ball into. I was tipsy, I was rushed, I was just shooting without thought and skill, and I effortlessly make the score! Proof that magic is real. Nah, I know I am being silly. But those are the types of moment that happen when you are happily drunk, with a bud, in a bar that has much to entertain you. That is what happens when you go out and are lucky enough to live in the moment.I am not much of a drinker. So when I do drink, I have to put tequila shots into sprite so I do not feel the burn of liquor. So I gravitate toward super sweet drinks. I told this to the bartender and she made me a blueberry drink that I absolutely love. As I was walking, dancing, and seeing I get recognized by my bartender of choice, the bartender of my local watering hole . Yes the same night where I made the ball without trying and he asked me for the recipe after I gushed to him about my drink. I don't know, I do not get recipes when I order drinks. But I wanted the blueberry drink anew, so I went to the bartender of the Blind Donkey-- one of many--- and she typed the recipe into my phone. She made sure that i liked the drink before she put the recipe in my phone. That was kindness. That was service. That was me being seen, heard and respected, because.... well I am not sure, just cause I was someone having a good time, and she maybe knew that a no would stop me from vibing and celebrating a typical Friday night. She really played along and made me feel like what I said matter. I should have gotten her name. I hope she sees this review for what she did mattered. I now have the recipe that I can take to my regular bartender. When I showed him the recipe he said "I could do that." We shall see. But I am excited to see if he can match the love of first sip I experienced. This same night, I saw a young man who was white, a bit pale, and kind of cute with har that was messy by intent. I stopped him, he bend over to hear my words. Are you a fan of twilight, I asked? He said not really, but I know of the books. He said something close to that. I said, you look like a Cullen. He said those are the vampires? I said yes. He said thank you I guess. I pulled him again and explained that the Cullens are predators and they are beautiful to attract their prey. He heard me. He thanked me. He understood and he made me feel like my words were well placed for the night. I flattered him with clear and concise language that i used to explain a concept he was familiar with on a base level but not really. The place has dancing. This same night, Dancing Queen came on. I got lost in the moment. I was, in a way, the dancing queen. I danced. Not in the middle of the dance floor. I danced in my own little space. I did not care. I got lost in the vibe. I danced like no one was looking. I was another member of the blob. But I was another member of the magic. I was not seen, I was seen, all was allowed by the crowd. There is also pool here. I have met people playing pool. I have been engaged by them. I have been made to feel like my presence at that bar added to the experience of others, only for that night though cause I have not met anyone at the bar and seen them outside the bar another day. This place offers possibility. If you are willing to take it. I mean at the end of the day, we are all responsible for making our own magic, not just depending on the universe to give it to us. This place helps-- you know cause of the crowds.

Very friendly staff and a nice dive bar. Had a weird dingy smell, but you kinda expect it. Wouldn't call this place a high end cocktail bar.

I can't believe I haven't written a review for this place yet! lol! Wow!!Ok, so I think I came here, for the first time, with a bunch of friends during Covid. It's been years, babes! So, I fell in love with this place and the bar tenders because once you become a regular, they remember your drink of choice. Woohoo! They have a pool table, Photo Booth, the bowling thing, arcade thing, full bar, great music on different nights.My faves are karaoke nights: Sunday and Wednesday nights. Can't compete with other karaoke bars! Trivia night is Tuesday nights. I went with a friend and we won for our first time here on Trivia night! Haven't made it to a happy hour here but maybe someday! Lol! Security is great! Love those guys! So cool! So nice! Drinks are awesome! It's known as a Whiskey bar so try their Whiskey Sour and other drinks! I tend to get vodka soda with pineapple juice! For a few months this year, I quit drinking for 90 days and they were so cool about it! So it's friendly to people who don't drink in the group. I ordered soda water and pineapple juice. Still tipped them! Great for parties, great for singles, great for rockers, hip hop music, country, anything you want! Thanks Blind Donkey! Shout out to V and all the bar tenders and DJs! Love you guys!Oh! Btw... I heard they shot "La La Land" down here... near the last part of the movie. So cool!

A Long Beach staple. They have a good happy hour and themed music nights. Staff were friendly and we didn't wait long for our drinks. It's a cool vibe there They have some games but most were out of order. Parking can be rough.

Going down to a basement bar doesn't sound great but this local bar knows how to craft cocktails. My friend and I had an Old Fashioned and a Dirty Martini. Both excellent and served it old school glasses ie not huge monsters of drinks. You can bring food but don't forget the napkins and silverware!

Great spot to hang out and play a bit of shuffle board...or sing karaoke! Great local spot...underground. Parking can be a bit crazy...as long as you don't mind walking a bit...

I'm a fan of this hip, cool, and dim lit bar! Such cool vibes as soon as you arrive. You have to go downstairs to get to the bar, kind of a speakeasy vibe. The drinks are good and I can recommend their old fashions. There is a security guard at the door checking id's, so make sure you have it. You can play games, take photos at the photo booth, or play pool! Unique bar to say the least!Tip: Parking can get a little tricky since it is downtown LB so make sure you park at one of the structures down the street just to be sure.

My best friend and I went here on a Friday night. Security checked us at the front and then we walked down some stairs to the bar. It was pretty packed. We were able to finally order some drinks after a seat at the bar opened up. We ordered a lemon drop and, I believe it was called the master and the margarita, and the bartenders were pretty quick with it. The bartenders seemed really nice as well. The drinks here are pretty cheap from what we noticed. They have a small photo booth and some games to play like pool and skee-ball. After a bit, we noticed that this bar attracts more of an older crowd and we didn't really vibe with the music either. We knew about 3 songs if I had to guess. The music sounded mainly early 2000s or 1990s. We were there till almost closing and the Dj stopped playing music before then.

I've been here many times, and I'm surprised I didn't write a review yet. This is a great place to meet friends for drinks and it's a chill place to be! Drinks are reasonably priced, and they have drink specials. I was not able to make it out here for happy hour yet, but I included a picture of the happy hour menu!The service is good, and the bartender will get to you as soon as they can. They can be busy but they are working hard. This is one of my spots I would check out whenever I am in town!

Valdez was the man, helped us out, saved our dog. Really appreciate your service sir. Please give this man a raise.