Solid 3 stars. This…read moreplace seems to believe one employee can simultaneously bartend, take food orders, clean tables, and start a dramatic fire. The drinks were expensive, but that's hardly shocking. It's Santana Row, where apparently every cocktail comes with a small surcharge for the privilege of being seen holding it. The seating situation was particularly frustrating. There were plenty of open seats, yet somehow one person managed to occupy an entire table meant for our party of six while staff looked on as if this was an unsolvable diplomatic crisis. We spent more time watching empty chairs than enjoying our drinks. Not terrible, not great. Just an exercise in patience with a side of overpriced cocktails.

Cielo at Hotel Valencia in Santana Row had a winter-wonderland-style setup that was definitely…read morecute, but overall the experience felt underwhelming. When compared to the APRÈS VILLAGE experience at the Four Seasons, it doesn't come close. The food menu is very limited, and food took quite a while to come out. There's also no option to make reservations, which was disappointing and made the experience feel less organized. That said, it's aesthetically pleasing enough for a few social media photos. Beyond that, it's nothing to make a big fuss over, and I can't say I'd go out of my way to return.

Me and my co worker did the happy hour in the front which is Still OG…read more This place is for those that dig the vinyl era because they play the albums and place the cover in front of the turntable. The drinks are named after actual songs which is which is cool. I really enjoyed the So fresh So clean which was refreshing and not so sweet. Each drink is made with fresh ingredients. Their food menu is small but still has enough to choose from to snack on. The bartenders are knowledgeable about the drinks they serve and willing to help you pick the best drink for your taste. We did not get a chance to try the Alter Ego which is behind the curtain but next time.

Wow, I don't think I've written a review of a bar/lounge in like 10 years lol. Aging + having a kid…read morewill do that to you. Anyway, I met up with some friends here last weekend and we had a reservation at Alter Ego. I guess it's technically 2 places with Still OG. I have to say, I have really fond memories of Original Gravity from back in the day (ah, the days of my youth...) so it's nice that it's still sort of around though.. technically completely different since there's no more craft beer or duck fat fries lol. We hung out at our table for the whole night, like 4 hours. We all ordered cocktails off the menu and later on ordered some stuff off the menu based on the bartender's suggestion. I first ordered a Calabrian Spritz from the menu which hit the spot for me. Personally, I am not a hard alcohol fan but I enjoy wine and fun lil cocktails that are slightly sweet/not super strong lol. So this drink was nice because it wasn't too sweet and had a lot of volume (I like just sipping on stuff in general and it sucks when you order a cocktail that's like 3 sips of liquid and the rest is ice). The next cocktail I ordered was off the menu and called Like This or That (I think). I think it was some sort of passionfruit + vodka mix and very delicious! We also ordered the cold soba noodles and fries. Fries were crinkle cut and nicely crispy, no complaints. Soba noodles were also good, though some component of it was really spicy, I think the cucumbers. Overall I had a good time here and look forward to coming back, though given how little I go out, who knows when that will be haha.

Vbar is a great spot at Santana Row for drinks and a night out. The atmosphere is stylish and…read moreupscale but still relaxed, making it a nice place to meet friends, have a date, or unwind in the evening. The service was friendly and attentive, and I really enjoyed the lively Santana Row setting. A fun place to stop for cocktails and enjoy the ambiance!

I had a great time at VBar and had amazing service all around on a slower Tuesday night. The red…read morelighting is very comfortable and the drinks were delightful. Everyone was kind from the bartender to the bouncer. Definitely a nice place to get a classic cocktail made well.

This was my first time at Kaizen Bar, and I can definitely see why my friends always recommend it…read morewhenever we're downtown! They had hyped it up quite a bit, so I came in with high expectations--and it lived up to them. We went on a Friday night and didn't even have to pay a cover, which was a great surprise. The inside had beautiful Japanese-inspired decor that gave the place a unique atmosphere, and even with how busy it was, everything felt well-maintained. The bathrooms were clean, which is always a plus. The staff were incredibly attentive and worked hard to make sure everyone was taken care of, even though the bar was absolutely packed. The DJ was amazing that night too! My friends and I spent most of our time on the dance floor because the music was so good. Overall, the energy, service, and atmosphere made for such a fun night out. Kaizen has officially become one of my favorite downtown spots, and I'll definitely be coming back whenever I'm looking for a fun night with great vibes and good company.

It was a good vibe! Nice open floor plan so there's space to dance and talk. Nice outdoor area and…read moresecond floor. Only thing is they have a $10 cover from the second they open which I think is kind of lame, like hey we got here early we shouldn't have to pay.

I've been to 7 bamboo dozens of times throughout the years. It's the closest I've even been to…read moreworld peace. You have people of every race, gender, creed, etc just trying to belt their lungs out on the stage. It's where everyone can be the weirdest version of themselves and no one cares. I do miss the days when rapper Johnny and the guy that brought his own bongos would be out, but I'm sure there will be a new generation of those folks soon. The bartenders are mostly ok but the drinks are kind of inconsistent (a friend and I ordered the same drink and they were totally different). They do check id but it's annoying because I'm clearly a much older demographic lol. They don't serve food (I know they did at one point in time, but idk why they don't anymore).

It's a great place to have a fun place to be silly in costume and wigs, and sing your heart out…read morewith lots of encouragement from the crowd. Our group of 6 arrived at 8PM to get on the virtual queue early. Wait was about 30-45 min even that early in the night. There were many regulars there ready to sing already. We were fine with waiting and enjoyed a round of drinks. Getting a table at that time was easy but within a couple hours, the place was crowded. The bartender was attentive even as more people came in. She got us our drink orders pretty fast. Drinks were ok, but we were there for karaoke not a cocktail experience.

The Jameson shot mixed by Ariana might have saved my night, it was crisp and cold like Jameson…read moreshould be served Perfect pour 10/10

Absolutely love this new venue! It use to be called 386 lounge which was nice but this new lounge…read moreis such a beautiful upgrade! Very spacious! Nice high ceilings. I absolutely adore the chandelier in the center of the lounge. Cute seating areas. Friendly staff. Nice place for a date or to celebrarte any occasion.

NOW OPEN: NEW LOCATION HOOKAH MASTER…read more115 N 1st street, San Jose If you used to go to 40 Thieves, come here now. Best hookah in the bay. Top quality and experience, as always.

The ambience of this lounge reminds me of the beauty of the Middle East with a post modern and…read morecasual vibe touch to it. The music and atmosphere definitely set me back to that one Dubai nightclub hookah bar I got to enjoy back in 2021! And Man, was this such a great experience! Shout out to Yosuf ! Yosuf's hospitality and kindness definitely made me feel at home! Great service and attention to detail around comfort and service too! He definitely leads the team and has the best recommendations for first comers! Check in with him since he knows what's always up! ( I believe this gentleman was the manager or in some place responsible as he oversees the cashier!) After checking out few hookah lounges in the bay, I found myself asking this man so many more questions I never thought about getting answered for ! The selection of flavors and drinks definitely stood out to me compared to other spaces. Now, knowing this space closes at 2am for sure! Made it the most desirable to go to after the bars, to settle down and catch some more drinks! Definitely will come again since the music was good enough to dance and the flavors were enough to ask for seconds !

Here is one of the coolest gems in Downtown San Jose. This…read moreis not your standard bar this is the place to get drinks made properly. Every ingredient is fresh not pre made unless you get the on tap cocktails. When you walk in it has an inviting atmosphere and the Kaylen who is the bartender is welcoming to both regulars and those who are new to the bar. I had a drink called the Macintosh which is so refreshing but not overly sweet which I enjoyed.

Walking into haberdasher always makes me feel like I'm going back in time. It's beautifully…read moredesigned and has amazing staff. My husband and I had a baby free night out to celebrate my birthday and haberdasher did not disappoint. We went soon after opening so there was no line but I know they tend to have one later in the evening. We were greeted warmly at the door by the attendant who checked our ids. I was even wished a happy early birthday. When going into the bar, you walk down a staircase into a space that makes you forget you're in downtown San Jose with beautiful reds and burgundy decor. The staff is all smartly dressed; the bartender and bar back were both sweet and funny. I ordered a jack rose (my all time favorite), their seasonal watermelon waltz (this may be a new favorite for me, nice and refreshing) and one of their zero proof cocktails called a Mariposa which was soooo good as well. My husband ordered a couple old fashioned and a watermelon waltz for himself. We had an amazing time and look forward to coming back in the future.

Five stars for Joey's! We had the best experience from the moment we entered and were offered…read morecomplimentary sparkling white tea. The Japanese Gyoza, cheeseburger, margarita, and red wine were all excellent. The ambiance was great, the restrooms were pristine, and they even treated us to a complimentary dessert! Darcy, the manager, and the rest of the staff offered phenomenal hospitality. We will definitely be back! Rowina B

The food was amazing but the help from Darcy & Angel really made the meal worth it! A definite…read more10/10 experience thanks to their service!

We had a team dinner at Straits in Santana Row with a group of about 15 people. The space is lively…read moreand works well for larger gatherings, which made it a convenient choice for a team event. That said, the food didn't quite deliver. I ordered the spicy basil chicken curry with coconut rice -- it was decent, but nothing particularly memorable or worth going out of your way for. The calamari leaned heavily on batter, overwhelming the actual seafood, and the Brussels sprouts were overly dressed to the point where the flavors felt unbalanced. Overall, it's a solid spot for group logistics and atmosphere, but from a food standpoint, it felt average. Not bad, just not something I'd prioritize for a return visit.

Absolutely the worst service! My advice: cross the street and go to Pizza Antica instead…read more When we arrived, the restaurant was about 90% empty, yet we walked up to three hostesses and not one of them greeted us. When I asked for a table, one of them grabbed three menus, walked right past us and started heading outside without saying a word. I literally looked at my kids and said, "I guess we're supposed to follow her to our table." Unfortunately, the service didn't get any better. Our waiter had the same dismissive attitude and actually walked away before we had even finished giving our order. And to top it all off, the food was mediocre. I could keep going, but honestly, I think I've said enough. For the price and the experience, there are much better options. Save yourself the frustration and go somewhere else.