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    Nova Downtown San Jose

    2.6 (83 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 1 month ago

    Nova Downtown San Jose Photos

    Business Info

    NOVA DOWNTOWN SAN JOSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    DJ
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Nova Downtown San Jose

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    Mallory H.

    Came here for my birthday back in November, probably would never go back just because how small it is and how you can just go across the street to loft for free

    Bruise by security guards at Nova.
    Edith V.

    I would never come back to this place. It was the worst place to go last night. The security guards are assholes and have no respect for their customers. Management are uneducated people with not respect either. I would highly recommend you stay away from this place! I got pulled by a security guard and got home bruised, this is totally unacceptable and unethical.

    Outside
    Daphne M.

    Came here with a group of friends to celebrate a friend's bday and this was all our first time here! The outside looks nice and there's a huge sign so you won't miss it. The lines were a but confusing since there were two with no indication of which one is for bottle service and one line just to get in. We finally asked and got in a line to get in and the admission was $20 each. Inside the club was nice and whatever drinks my friends got were good. Most of the space inside the actual place are for bottle service, so the space to walk and dance is very small and narrow. So when it gets later in the night, everyone is like sardines and it's hard to navigate through when half the place is reserved for mostly bottle service. The music was okay, when they played good songs it was usually a remix. Overall this place was alright, I personally wouldn't choose to come here, only if someone were to invite me.

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    2 years ago

    This place is too tiny and crowded, security guards are horrible. Save yourself the $20 entrance fee and go somewhere else

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Nova Downtown San Jose

    Is this an 18 or 21 club?

    21+ only

    Is there a cover fee? If so how much is it?

    Usually $20

    Are masks and gloves required?

    Not required for guests if you are fully vaccinated. Staffs do wear masks here, if that's what you asked!

    View All 8 Questions

    Review Highlights - Nova Downtown San Jose

    I remember when this spot was Tres Gringos (RIP), and though that spot was also poppin Nova is bringing a new and more refined vibe to DTSJ.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Alter Ego Cocktail Club & Still OG

    Alter Ego Cocktail Club & Still OG

    4.4
    (301 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Pet friendly

    Alter Ego and Still OG might just be the most cleverly conceived bar concept in the city. Small and…read moreintimate, yes -- but every inch of it is intentional. Let's start with the drinks. The cocktail menu is inspired by records, and you can feel the creativity in every sip. These aren't your standard bar pours -- they're clearly thought out and crafted with personality. If you're someone who appreciates a drink with a story behind it, you'll be in your element here. The live DJ on weekends takes the whole experience to another level. The music isn't background noise -- it's part of the atmosphere, and it hits right. What makes this place truly special is that you're getting two completely different vibes under one roof. Walk into Still OG up front and you get a casual, laid-back energy -- easy conversation, good company, no pretension. Then slip into the speakeasy in the back and the whole mood shifts. Alter Ego is a proper intimate lounge with their full bar, and it feels like a world away from the street outside. The transition between the two spaces is surprisingly seamless and genuinely fun to experience. And they're open late, which puts them in a rare category of places actually worth staying out for. Whether you're there for a chill night out or a proper evening, this place delivers both without making you choose.

    Vibe: A Had to make…read morea quick pit stop before a show that night and wandered into OG. Haven't been to this location in a minute. Can still remember the gourmet dogs and duck fat fries back in the days... Awesome what they did to the place. The new set up with the dim lights and neon menu is noice. Ended up chilling at the front bar. Definitely will return to explore the back at a later time. Food: A We got to sample a variety of goodies and drinks from the menu, which definitely hit the spot. The skewers were cooked just right with a kiss of smoke from the grill. The takoyaki were good as expected--yum. We ended the excursion with the milk bread; it was surely a crowd-pleaser. It was fluffy goodness, topped with furikake, and served with a side of decadent house butter. Drinks were perfectly crafted and refreshing. Service: A We were chilling at the bar and got to hang with staff. Cool folks, will be back. - John

    Photos
    Silk Sheets and Sweets $19
    Silk Sheets and Sweets $19
    Asteroid Blues
    Asteroid Blues
    6/21/2024 symphony in black (mocktail of kyushu coffee) SO GOOD BEST BLACK SESAME COFFEE EVER wish i could drink this every morning

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    6/21/2024 symphony in black (mocktail of kyushu coffee) SO GOOD BEST BLACK SESAME COFFEE EVER wish i could drink this every morning
    Haberdasher

    Haberdasher

    4.5
    (755 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    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.

    My friends and I went to several bars down the street and none really stood out but we saw…read moreHaberdasher and needed to check the place out. There was about a 10 min wait. And they don't allow outside food in even if the food was leftover in Togo bags from dinner. The place was busy when we finally went inside. But the bartenders were fast and we got two rounds of drinks as far as we could order. The dim lighting did look reddish. The large tables were reserved but there plenty of smaller high tops around. Memorable drinks were the perfect pear and the Andean Ascent. Perfect pear was not fruity at all and had a nice aroma and spice to it. The Andean ascent was a nice drink to start with, refreshing with a bit of fizz.

    Photos
    Prohibition style speakeasy here we come! Hee
    Prohibition style speakeasy here we come! Hee
    Back bar
    Back bar
    Their bathrooms fit the theme very nicely.

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    Their bathrooms fit the theme very nicely.

    Nova Downtown San Jose - lounges - Updated July 2026

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