Best dive bar in San Jose, and best bartender in Vanessa

Drove all the way from Sunnyvale to San Jose with my girlfriend and some friends to see our friends band play. We both had our ID's and we are both over 21. I showed the security guy my ID. He gave me a stamp, my girlfriend showed him her ID, and he said that she could not go in because her ID had the blue 18 year old line even though that she was over 21 and the ID said "Age 21 in 2011" and its 2012!! We had to wait around in the ghetto part of San Jose for our friends that were allowed to enter the venue see the show and come out. Bad night, Stupid venue! Make sure you ID doesn't have a blue line, or they wont let you enter. read more

Genuinely cool bartenders, not that annoying fake friendliness. Free punk, rock or metal shows multiple days a week. And reasonable, even cheap, prices. As a flight attendant who seeks out dive bars around the country, I'm happy to say that one of my favorites in the entire USA is in my hometown! read more

when i was younger i had a dream that dream was to find a place that was a skeezy dilapidated pile of crap where i could just let my hair down where everyone is too drunk to remember your name (or where they are at) where even if you dont smoke, you will likely breath in about half a pack due to the air from outside wafting in where you dont have to dress up or really even to wear pants at all for that matter for people to accept you as you are this is that place and my dream has come true oh except for the part about this place being cash only that part sucks a dream deferred, perhaps? read more

good place to just hang out, see some dope ass bands, drink strong ass drinks, and watch some killer fist fights. Hooray for drunk douches!! read more

I went because of friend of mine was performing and it's ok. The way it looks on the outside and the location downtown gives you a particular impression but it was ok considering. I'm not gonna be a frequent visitor or anything but it was fine. Nothing was sticky and I didn't fear for my life so it was ok by me. Lol read more

I love this place! Cheap beer and friendly bartenders. This place was voted the most sexy/dangerous place to drink. (well I added the Sexy part) Still a lot of fun. The live music every thursday - Saturday night is hit and miss. (mostly rock) There's never a cover unless there's a cover. Pool table is free to all. So grab some hearing protection and a Tallboy of PBR and have a good time! read more

My favorite dive bar in San Jose. Good live music every time I go, I love exploring new local bands here. Drinks are super cheap during happy hour too. read more

it was one of my friend's bdays and she wanted to everybody to get together and watch her friend's band play live. the bar is a block or two off of almaden. (the opposite direction from sabor) i felt so outta place in my ed hardy tee and designer jeans! but none the less i had a great time here. they don't charge cover and there is live music. it was odd hearing rock music for me, but everybody here is really chill and the drinks are super cheap. i bought a round of 4 beers and a hennessy and coke and it cost $18. the hennessy alone at other places would have been $10-$13. drinks weren't watered down and made right! only drawback was that they take cash only! the place is a little far away from the other bars and clubs in downtown, but its not a bad walk and for the drink prices, i wouldn't mind starting the night out here before hitting the club! read more

Everything a dive bar should be. Friendly staff, super-grungy atmosphere, inexpensive drinks, live music. Great to know SJ has places like this. Doesn't seem to attract the student crowd, but instead has a loyal following of locals. Definitely a place I will come back to. read more

This place is pretty cool. It's filled with Skins Drunks and Punks just like i like it, and there is live music. It could be a little cleaner, when I went it smelt like sour towels or something it was pretty gross. Other than that, not a bad bar to hang out at. read more

This place came recommended by some of the locals. Supposedly, similar to Cinebar. I didn't think so. Live music, yeah they had a band there playing punk, metal music about 10 times louder than this small joint needed it to be. Music sucked unless that's what your into. The Cinebar's music was awesome and at level that you can still have a conversation. The crowd at caravan was typical punk, black t-shirts. Just not my thing, to each his own.I will say the bartenders were nice. Overall, I wouldn't go back there. read more

what i like : 1) the atmosphere. as a huge fan of dive bars, this place has character to spare. 2) the jukebox. if you have a jukebox in your bar, you've already won half the battle with me. 3)no cover, live music. as far as i remember thursday and friday nights there is live music. once i took in a two piece instrumetal--that's right---not instrumental, instrumetal duo who, for being only two dudes, were rocking the fucking socks off the place. 4) the strong, cheap drinks-'nuff said. what i don't like: as of late, it has become quite the hipster hangout, and i'm sorry if i don't have enough tattoo's , and my hair isn't died black enough, and i'm not wearing what you think i should, but i came to drink and get fucked up just like you, so quit with elitist staredown! read more

Great place to catch up with old friends & check out some great local music. Cool vibe. Cool people that were cool before cool became "hip(ster)". read more

So this is where all the Rockers and Hipsters go in sanjose...I liked this place,The security/doorman was helpful and friendly and kept telling us to "go in and check it out for ourselves". When we went in it seemed to be full of punk rockers which was okay,There was no cover charge so that was good and their was two guys playing guitar. Pretty chill:) read more

It's a dive, no doubt. Reading these reviews I was expecting divy-er, but it'll do.

great little dive bar to stop by in between clubs love the jukebox and the crowd very diverse from old biker to young pin -up read more

Here's a cool place to drink with friends and catch some real concerts. Just been there last friday. That place kick ass. Silver Medal, right after Cinebar... read more

This place is pretty darn awesome. Bars are meant for drinking and thats all you can do here lol. There is a pool table but its always taken by the regulars. Sometimes they even have live bands which is sweet. The drinks are strong and decenlty priced. If you ask for something super fancy, you might have to tell them how to make it so I stick with my Jack 'n' coke on my visits. They do not accept credit cards but they do have an atm near the exit. This place is worth a try:-) read more

Small bar with some live bands. Good local spot if you want a laid back night.

along with Cinabar this is a great place to drink and chill. Its a good place to go if you aren't interested in the typical pretension.

Amazing dive bar! Dont go in thinking its a fancy club or santana rowish, you take the place for what it is.....a great place for fun times with friends and killer music! Perfectly mixed drinks, best bartenders in town and they always have something going on....Love the place! read more

I've been going to the Caravan since 2004.. I'm always really comfortable there. The prices are decent and the bartenders are generally good, unless you catch them in a crabby mood. Some of the live bands on weekend evenings suck and try to make up for their lack of skills by cranking up the volume, so be aware of that. Nice, usually quiet place during the day and on weeknights. Not always an attractive crowd but it does have its moments. I suggest you pay a visit and check it out. read more

oh the caravan. i used to drink here when i was underaged. back then an i do mean waaaaaaay back then. i thought it was one of the coolest spots. it was darkish, had a pool table and was more or less no frill. when i was in college id meet friends here after long family ridden holiday dinners to get drunk and talk about the good old days. one year we met there and when we walked through the door there was a drum set. sitting at the drumset was some dude who was all hair. i was like "are they serious with having a band in here?" we went around the side door and came in to find out that in fact they were serious. like really serious. i was shocked. its too fucking small for bands. since then ive gone back very few times. i get really tired of shouting over crappy metal bands to my buds and even more tired of douchey bartenders too worried about their "look" to bother to pour a drink in a timely fashion. drinks are cheap though. so i guess that's good. all in all it's sort of a skeleton of what it once was, at least for me. read more

Cool venue and one of the few rock/punk scene bars left in San Jose.

This is by far one of my favorite dive bars! There is usually plenty of room for my friends and I to spread out. You can play pool, listen to music and drink. And then when it is time to leave remember to stick a quarter in the gumball machine. This gum helps cover up the booze on your breathe! Note: This is a cash only bar! read more

Caravan is fantastic. Anywhere I can have live music for free, tall cans, stiff drinks and Miller High Life on tap, I'm IN! But seriously, it's a great place. Nice bartenders and cheap drinks. It's small, it's hot, don't expect any flare. But, it's fun as hell. read more

Love this bar. Fun diverse crowd and there is usually live music. Rachel and Matt are great bartenders and the place gets pretty busy on the weekends. A few bands I know have played here and had positive experiences with a staff and the crowd. Highly recommended! read more

Dude! First time going and this place is freaking awesome! My bf and I loved it. Awesome atmosphere and the live bands are kick ass! I'm like where the hell have I been! Lol. Definitely going back! Just needs to have more space. read more

The thing that stands out most to me is how loud the speakers usually are. I've been here a few times, and the bands are fun, but don't expect to be able to have a conversation or catch up with friends you haven't seen in a while while the band is on. Good value drinking. read more

I know the bev who work in 5th quarter bar before long time and she moved this place!!

I sort of found this place by accident. I was going to the Blank Club (which has been well-reivewed on Yelp) and when I parked and got out, the first thing I heard was some serious Death Metal, courtesy of a band called "Ragweed". So I detoured into the Caravan Lounge to jam. This band and the two after it were really good. (If you like heavy/Death metal). The bar is really cool. Cheap, stiff drinks, very down to earth clientele, and HEAVY music. If you're a poser, stay away - this is the real deal. Loud, heavy music. There was everyone there from 21 y/o college students to a 65 y/o gentleman who was very cool. I only gave it four stars because as the reviewer "David K" stated, the bar service was a little slow and disinterested. I will definitely be back if for nothing else that it's my kind of music and there are NO posers/pretentious pricks present. read more

Among the best dive bars. A local hang-out with a variety of boys and girls. The bathrooms are clean and the graffiti is funny. I was there, first time, to hear an out-of-town friend play music. I learned that the bar was founded in 1964, and was recently inherited by the manager. The loyalty is strong here. The night started with early patrons enjoying first drinks before moving on. The inexpensive strong drinks seem to be a big draw. More people began showing up around 10:30, and by 11pm the small room was full. The crowd was friendly and accepting -- even though I was dressed like a "hippie chick" (unlike anyone else) nobody made me feel out of place. I was the target of several friendly conversations. The neighborhood is very safe. I would go here alone, no problem. read more

For me a large part of the experience of going to a bar is getting a good drink at a good price in a reasonable amount of time. The overall vibe emanates from the staff, which in turn sets the tone for the clientele to a great extent. Bartenders like those at Caravan set the ideal tone for good times. The crowd is edgy but friendly. Drinks are cheap, cold, and served with a smile. There is usually good music, whether a live band or a jukebox selection. Pool table and a historic place-- from what I understand, Caravan was once a chain of bars attached to Greyhound stations in the three-martini-lunch era of the 50s. This one still is, and may be the last one around. An awesome antique Budweiser clidesdale lantern over the bar. read more

Caravan is a nice bar... I love it.. Sundays are hella fun.. Butch is a great bartender. He is hilarious and will have you peein your pants.... They have live music there they got pool its a great place to kick back and chill!! read more

this place is great, people of all ages go here, which is cool. but there are almost no unaccompanied women. and they only take cash. the bands are great. read more

From the point of view of a performer at that place, I could not be more outraged at the sound guy, who is actually the security guy/bouncer. The jukebox was still on through the speakers while my band was performing on stage. Will never play there again. read more

The place is compact, but the energy literally could not be more comfortable for those who are uncomfortable with that high class bar feel. This place even has awesome music to listen & dance to and good drinks. The events this place has are also awesome for socializing and energetic fun. I look forward to going back for more events! read more

really I have tried. but everytime I go there I get stuck sitting next to a bum who smells like he ate a shit burger with a shit shake. and the bathrooms don't help the score out much. help me out here I wanna try to like this place so I can raise the rating score... read more

This is the best punk rock dive bar down town. There are bands here Thursday through Saturday and between that and the mobs if regulars that come by, there is always something going on. I've been coming here for ten years. It's part of the pentagram I make when I go down town. Caravan, Blank Club, Cinnabar, Johnny V's and The Old Wagon. Those are the only places to go down town. (I only go to Cinnabar and wagon for five minutes each). read more