It takes a lot to induce an LA beach dweller to venture east of the 405 during rush hour. But I recently took on this challenge, visualizing nightmarish images of horns blaring, timid Priuses merging into traffic while bug-eyed sunglasses-clad youths text behind the wheel instead of inching along the fiery soul sucker that is the freeway. Oh the horror. But the pot of gold at the end of my GPS’s blue line was well worth the trip.

Nestled in the town of Pasadena is The Raymond Restaurant, home to 1886 Bar. From the exterior, it appears you’ve arrived at a friend’s house for a dinner party. Which is fitting, since the Raymond Restaurant was once the caretaker’s cottage of The Raymond Hotel that was built in 1886 and burned down in 1895 only to be rebuilt and then razed to build residential development after the Great Depression. Today, the Raymond Restaurant encapsulates this history by mimicking the cozy ambiance of a home, complete with food and drink that warms the body and soul.

1886 is tucked in the back of the restaurant in a low-ceilinged, dimly lit room filled with textural wall coverings, craftsman chairs and dark wooden tables that vary in height. Soft lighting emanates from behind rows of seductive bottles waiting to be shaken, stirred and poured by the masterminds behind the bar. Danny Cymbal is one of 1886’s liquid artists. Alongside his co-workers and with the guidance and influence of Tello Demarest Liquid Asset’s Consultant, Marcos Tello, a winter cocktail menu was born.

Built around a theme of “beer and smoke” this menu encompasses everything that is cozy, comforting and causes immediate disinterest in ever getting up from your seat. In fact, after a few drinks I began to wonder if this refurbished cottage actually offered guests a place to crash after over-imbibing.

Just returned from a two-week hiatus and am clearly in no condition to write. So I asked Stan (pictured), the homeless guy who picks through my dumpster every morning, what he feels will be the hottest trends and most exciting new developments in the adult beverage world in the coming year. Here's what Stan came up with:

Boone's Strawberry Hill will become the #1-selling wine in cash-strapped America (see video)

A Kardashian will endorse Watermelon Jell-O Shots made by some company that will be out of business by July

More and more people will be handing out change to the less fortunate outside of bars (Stan's an eternal optimist)

There will be a noticeably diminished interest in speakeasies and pricey craft cocktail bars

Real dive joints are BACK

Stan's liver will fail (again)

People will finally wise up and stop ordering Stella. Because Stella sucks

Pilsner Urquell gets trendy again... and with good reason

Aged rums will be all the rage

Aged tequilas will not

Look for a reality show about bar fights hosted by Snookie