A Neighborhood Lounge That Hits the Spot

Spearheaded by a superhero bar team and chef, Magnolia House offers specialty cocktails to pair with elevated small plates. – Courtesy photo / Magnolia House

By Emily G. Peters

Walking up to Magnolia House in Pasadena has its own allure: a hideaway not immediately recognizable as a converted home. Comfortably situated outside the hectic Old Town orbit, the lounge offers something owners Chris and John Bicos saw lacking in the area: comfort, craveable food, and cocktails all within walking distance of their own homes.

“Both Chris and I lived walking distance from Magnolia and purchased our homes prior to owning it. We remember constantly saying how we needed a relaxing place nearby to grab drinks—something that was outside of the hustle of Old Town,” said John Bicos. “Then this little Craftsman house on Lake Avenue opened up, and we had the perfect opportunity to finally create the ideal cocktail lounge that we’d had in our heads!”

Chances are you’ve dined with the Bicos before. Their father Steve Bicos owned the original Tops on Colorado Blvd. (which the brothers still operate today) and Gus’s Barbecue in South Pasadena is also a Bicos spot. Yet Magnolia House, with its comfy leather chairs, small plates, and full bar fills a different neighborhood need.

“We offer some of the best cocktails in the area, and it’s always changing! The warmth of the space, from the couches around the fireplace to the softly lit back lounge, make for a different bar experience,” the brothers said. “You’re not crowded around with standing room—there’s a cozy seat for everyone, and you know you’re going to get incredible service and something a little different from the usual fare.”

Hospitality runs in the family for John and Chris Bicos, brothers and co-owners of local favorite, Magnolia House cocktail lounge. – Courtesy photo / Magnolia House

The bites are notable—particularly their “drunken nachos” and fantastic house burger—but the cocktails have attracted impressive accolades, like “one of the best cocktails in restaurant hospitality.” That was won by Notes from Granny: a blend of gin, granny smith medley, chicory, and a blue cheese garnish. It’s just bonkers enough to work.

“We’ve got an incredible team behind the bar, including Dan Garvin who somehow whips up something delicious and fresh every week for our happy hour cocktails and even makes his own shrubs to build into recipes,” said the brothers. The drinks are designed to pair with their menu.

Showcased in a converted 1912 Craftsman home, the Bicos brothers’ Magnolia House boasts a cozy lounge area, covered patio and bar to suit any occasion. – Courtesy photo / Magnolia House

“Chef Mitchell has this knack for making the exact food you crave while you drink, but also elevating it with really fresh ingredients and making it all out of what is possibly the world’s tiniest kitchen,” they said. “It’s incredible what he can create out of a 15-foot wide kitchen.”

Luckily for guests at Magnolia House, what’s tight in the kitchen feels cozy in the lounge. Four years in, the restaurant has become increasingly popular with locals—swanky enough for special occasions, but casual enough for a midweek tipple. As Lake Avenue continues to develop as a dining hub, the Bicos brothers use the increased attention as motivation to stay on top of their game—with two words as their motto.

“Hospitality first,” said John and Chris. “It seems simple, but often missed. We grew up with that—and it’s the cornerstone of running a successful restaurant.”

Magnolia House is located at 492 S. Lake Avenue in Pasadena. Learn more at www.themaghouse.com | (626) 584-1126 and check out new additions to their summer menu and bar program on Instagram and Facebook @maghousepasadena and Twitter @maghousepas.

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