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Founders Ale House
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Founders Ale House
8.1
Vibes:
Brewery & Beer Garden Republic
Sports Bar Central
Happy Hour Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
A craft-beer gastropub that pairs a deep tap list with sturdy New American bar cooking. It’s best used for game nights, trivia, and burgers that lean indulgent rather than experimental, with a friendly neighborhood energy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Founders burger, Beer-battered fish and chips, House wings
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: One of the area’s strongest craft-beer hubs with solid pub food.
Who should go: Beer fans and groups watching games.
When to visit: Evenings, especially on trivia or game nights.
What to order: Burger, wings, fish and chips.
Insider tip: Ask what’s new on tap; the rotations are the point.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Pico and adjacent residential blocks; can tighten significantly on game nights. No dedicated lot.
Dress code: Casual and sports-friendly; jerseys and jeans are the norm.
Noise level: Loud during major games and trivia; moderate on off-nights with pockets of quieter seating.
Weekend wait: 15–30 minutes, longer during big sporting events.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; easy walk-in.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — salads, veggie burger, and several sides work well.
Vegan options: Limited — a modified salad and a couple of sides are possible.
Gluten-free options: Some options available (grilled mains, salads), but cross-contact is likely in a pub kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you want a casual, sports-forward vibe; it’s lively and fun but not intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s primarily walk-in, but arrive early on game nights to secure good seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Early evenings are fine for older kids, but the energy becomes bar-heavy later; no dedicated kids menu.
Best For
Better for: Large beer selection, game-day energy, and casual group hangouts outperform nearby pubs.
Skip if: You want quiet conversation, elevated dining, or a polished cocktail program.
Founders Ale House
7.9
Vibes:
Late Night Legends
Brewery & Beer Garden Republic
Group Dining Gatherings
Happy Hour Hotspots
A neighborhood ale house where burgers pair naturally with a deep beer list and a relaxed late-night dining rhythm. The kitchen does a sturdy, well-balanced pub burger with quality toppings, best enjoyed when you want a slower hang instead of a quick counter hit.
Must-Try Dishes:
Founders Burger, Bacon Jam Burger, Beer-Battered Fries
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Solid pub burgers with one of the zip’s best tap lists.
Who should go: Beer people and burger-for-dinner crews.
When to visit: Late night for a mellow hang.
What to order: Founders burger, bacon jam burger, fries.
Insider tip: Sit at the bar and ask for the best burger-beer pairing.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly street parking on Pico and side streets; it’s manageable before 8pm but can get tight later in the evening. No valet, no dedicated lot.
Dress code: Casual to pub-casual; jeans, tees, and light layers are the norm. No need to dress up unless you want to.
Noise level: Moderate—there’s bar energy, but you can still hold a conversation without shouting.
Weekend wait: 15–30 minutes for a table during peak late-night hours, especially when sports are on.
Weekday lunch: No lunch service; early dinner hours on weekdays typically have no wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—there’s usually at least one veggie burger and customizable build options.
Vegan options: Limited—some sides and modifications, but no dedicated vegan burger.
Gluten-free options: Partial—gluten-free buns are sometimes available, but cross-contact is likely in a pub kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Solid for a low-pressure first date—casual, beer-focused, and relaxed enough to talk. Not ideal if you want something upscale or quieter.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it's first-come, first-served. Showing up before major sports games or after 10pm increases your odds of immediate seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Mildly—kids are fine earlier in the evening, but the vibe becomes more bar-forward later, so families should aim for before 8pm.
Best For
Better for: Pairing burgers with a strong tap list and enjoying a slower, low-key pub hang instead of a quick grab-and-go burger run.
Skip if: You want a fast-service burger, a budget meal, or a quiet dining room—this leans bar-driven and social.
Founders Ale House
8.3
A neighborhood sports bar with a real kitchen behind it, Founders nails the after-work lane with well-run drink deals and comfort-forward small plates. The room stays lively without feeling chaotic, and the tap list plus cocktails cover both casual and craft-minded crowds.
Must-Try Dishes:
Smashburger, Pretzel with beer cheese, Chicken wings
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Happy hour built around a strong draft list and legit bar food.
Who should go: After-work crews and game-day locals
When to visit: Weekdays early evening before peak crowds
What to order: Smashburger, wings, pretzel board
Insider tip: Grab a bar seat for fastest happy hour ordering.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly street parking along Pico and adjacent residential blocks; it’s manageable early evening but fills quickly after 6pm. No valet.
Dress code: Casual and relaxed — jerseys, jeans, and hoodies are all common; no need to dress up unless you're coming from work.
Noise level: Moderate-to-loud during games; conversational early evening before tipoff or first pitch.
Weekend wait: 20–35 minutes during major games; quicker on non-game nights.
Weekday lunch: No wait — it’s typically quiet until late afternoon happy hour.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Solid options — pretzels, fries, salads, and a couple of veg-friendly starters.
Vegan options: Limited — a few sides and build-your-own modifications, but not a highlight.
Gluten-free options: Some GF-friendly items like salads and wings (sauce-dependent), but no dedicated prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re aiming for a casual, game-friendly vibe — it’s fun and social, but not ideal for deep conversation on busy game nights.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s walk-in friendly. Arrive before major sports events for the best seating, especially if you want a booth.
Is it kid-friendly? Mostly during earlier hours; families pop in for casual bites before the night crowd. Gets too loud for younger kids during big games.
Best For
Better for: Game-day energy, strong happy hour deals, and bar food that’s executed with more care than typical sports bars.
Skip if: You want a quiet dinner, vegan-forward options, or a spot where conversation is the main event.
Founders Ale House
8.3
A high-energy neighborhood sports bar where wings are a core order, not an afterthought, with a well-run happy hour that pulls in locals after work. The wings lean classic and saucy with solid fry discipline, and the beer list plus big-screen setup make it an easy game-day or weeknight hang.
Must-Try Dishes:
Buffalo wings, Lemon pepper wings, Loaded fries
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: A true Pico sports-bar happy hour where wings and drafts are the main event.
Who should go: After-work crews and game-day locals
When to visit: Weekdays early happy hour or during big games
What to order: Buffalo wings, lemon pepper wings, a rotating IPA
Insider tip: Sit near the bar screens for faster wing refills.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Pico and adjacent residential blocks; generally manageable before 6pm but can tighten during big games. No valet.
Dress code: Casual—jerseys, tees, and jeans are the norm; no need to dress up.
Noise level: Loud during games with constant screen action; conversational but energetic during early happy hour.
Weekend wait: Usually a 20–35 minute wait during major sports events; off-peak weekends can be walk-in friendly.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; midday hours stay relaxed.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—salads, fries, and a few non-wing bar snacks cover basic needs.
Vegan options: Very limited—primarily fries and simple sides; not a strong vegan destination.
Gluten-free options: Some wings and sides can be made gluten-conscious, but cross-contact is likely in a sports-bar kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re both into sports-bar energy—fun, casual, and lively, but not ideal for deep conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it's walk-in only. Arrive before major games for the best shot at bar seating or a high-top.
Is it kid-friendly? Kid-tolerant during early hours, though mostly adult-oriented; not ideal during late-night games or rowdy matchups.
Best For
Better for: Game-day wing runs, budget-friendly drafts, and a lively, communal sports atmosphere.
Skip if: You want quieter dining, vegan-forward menus, or a more polished cocktail setting.