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    Selva

    4.3 (52 reviews)
    Open 7:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 2 months ago

    Selva Photos

    SELVA ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Selva

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    Reviews With Photos

    Katelyn K.

    As part of the bachelorette trip for my friend, we stopped by Selva after dinner. This place is trendy, but small. It is popping on a Saturday night and there is a live DJ. I believe it was DJ Nelly. He was playing all the hits and the vibes are immaculate. There were two tables celebrating birthdays and two brides that night. I thought it would be nice if the DJ gives my friend a shoutout since she's wearing a bride veil and all. He didn't, and that's ok. But it would have been really cool. Personally I wish it was more inclusive. Only Latinas were getting a shout out, but clearly there are others in this space dancing together. Just a thought.

    Kavi T.

    Got attracted by the interior photos and came to check out this place with friends. Love the bar and starry ceiling so great ambience from that perspective. They have a DJ at night, but the music is too loud to have conversations. Wouldn't recommend as a spot to hang and have solid conversation with friends. With respect to the drink offering, their menu is quite limited and nothing in particular stood out. Would come for the vibes but maybe elsewhere for better drink options.

    Restaurant
    Chayden B.

    Solid little place to grab a drink with normal prices. Bartender was super friendly. Really what I enjoyed about this place was the jungle theming. They definitely went all out to where there's even a little waterfall type thing with a bridge to walk over. There's also a small little upstairs area with seating that is nice. Only downside is I wish they offered something small to snack on.

    Menu
    Kristen B.

    Super cute spot inside (as you can probably tell from the pictures). It was a little loud, but that's not really out of the ordinary for a bar. We went on an early Thursday night and it was actually pretty quiet/not crowded, which I appreciated. Made it easy to hang out and chat without feeling rushed. The cocktail menu is fairly basic, but the drinks themselves were good, so no real complaints there. Nothing super inventive, but solid. Note that they are only open a couple days out of the week.

    This is what it looks like if you're a glass sitting on the bar top.
    Rick D.

    The world out there on Almaden Avenue is a meat grinder. Concrete, exhaust, people with deadlines and clean shoes pushing each other into early graves. You walk around Downtown San Jose long enough and the asphalt starts to look like a permanent solution. Then you find Selva. It's dark inside, the kind of dark that hides the lines on your face and the mistakes in your head. They've built a damn jungle in there, green leaves and shadows, a truce with the city outside. I didn't want a scene; I wanted a drink. The bartender looked like she'd seen a few things herself. She didn't give me a lecture; she gave me tequila. Neat. None of that sugar-water other places serve to the tourists. It hit the throat like an honest word--hot, sharp, and true. If you aren't drinking agave neat here, you're missing the point of having a mouth. If you must have a cocktail they have those dialed in, just to keep your feet on the ground. Early on, the place has a quiet tranquility. It's a lounge for survivors. You can sit under the fake canopy, look at the water, and feel like you've escaped the whole damn century. Later, the lights drop lower, the bass starts to rattle your ribs, and the DJs turn it into a different kind of animal. But if you catch it right, when the room is still breathing easy, it's one of the few spots in this valley where a man can find an honest glass and a corner to forget his name or roll in with a crew and really send it. Five stars. Or whatever the hell matters to the people who count these things. Selva does it right.

    Lizzie S.

    This place just opened and my company rented it out for a party. Service was attentive and wonderful. They were so accommodating and welcoming, going above and beyond for patrons and attendees. I love the decor and vibe. It feels cozy yet spacious. The stars, plants, and water fountain aren't overly kitschy, but just seem fun. Would be a great place for date night or girls' night out. The bar is stacked and they can make anything, even if it's not on the menu! Cannot recommend Selva enough!

    Carajillo + 2 palomas
    Ms. Lala L.

    It's the best vibes here and I love this place. If you want an intimate and not too loud experience with dark and sexy lighting inside, this is your place. I came on a Saturday and whatever dj that brought the late 90s/2000s vibes, keep him in rotation! The bar is beautiful and I love all the different bottles of tequila. This is perfect spot for date night if you don't want to go out dancing but want to have conversation with good music or just hanging out with friends and catching up. The hostess is very nice and always smiling. All staff here are very nice and seem happy to work there. I wish they had Bailey's because I love creamy carajillos with just a small touch of Baileys but their caraillo is decent and hits the spot. I also came here for the grand opening and they had a very simple drink menu so I would love to see new or seasonal cocktails, and craft cocktails added here in the future, but I know, baby steps as this place is brand new. Selva has a lot of potential, I love how people dress up here and want to look good and I love the photo booth.

    Shelby S.

    If you're in downtown San Jose and looking for a spot that blends elevated vibes with a fun, high-energy atmosphere, Selva Tequila Bar is the move. From the moment you walk in, the ambiance hits -- the design is absolutely stunning. The ceiling gives off a starry night sky effect that instantly sets the mood, paired with a modern, jungle-inspired aesthetic that feels both luxurious and immersive. It's the kind of place you can dress up for but still feel completely comfortable letting loose. The tequila selection is seriously impressive, whether you're into smooth sipping tequila or creative, well-balanced cocktails. The bartenders clearly know what they're doing -- every drink feels intentional and elevated. Music and energy are always on point, making it perfect for a night out with friends, a date, or celebrating something special. It transitions effortlessly from a chill lounge to a lively nightlife scene without ever feeling chaotic. Service is attentive without being overbearing, and the entire experience feels polished from start to finish. If you're trying to upgrade your usual night out in downtown San Jose, Selva is definitely a spot you'll keep coming back to.

    Mary N.

    Selva just opened in Downtown San Jose last weekend and it's a full-on immersive tequila bar experience. Think lush jungle vibes, handcrafted cocktails, and a space designed for both chill lounge energy and late-night turn up. The venue is HUGE with two floors. Downstairs is more standing, dancing, DJ vibes. Upstairs is a little more intimate with seating -- and don't skip the free photobooth (yes, it's actually free). Perfect for date night, girls' night, or your next birthday pregame spot. I had a good experience here and plan to return in the near future!

    Inside
    Andrew T.

    The service here is good and the workers were friendly. The interior was nice, beautiful and spacious. There is some street parking and a parking structure nearby. I liked how I was still able to hear my friends even though music was playing. They did not sell food here and only sold drinks. The drinks were decently priced and didn't taste too strong. My favorite drink was the El Diablo because you can taste the alcohol less in that one. Definitely a chill spot, that I would come back to again.

    Anthony I.

    Selva is an absolute gem. Great service, stunning ambiance with a dreamy starlit ceiling that sets the perfect mood. The cocktails are incredible, both creative and perfectly balanced. A truly unforgettable experience from start to finish. Thank you, Anthonyxibarrax

    Emily Miranda

    Me & my boyfriend are freshly getting into bars. as 21 year olds we were confused, we asked Janet if she would help us out as to how this works, she glady walked us through it without making us feel out of place 10/10 recommend such a beautiful venue.

    Bar area
    Ananya N.

    Really cool bar with a great ambiance! The drinks are good, although on the pricier side. -1 star because there was a very strong, strange smell.

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    4 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    3 months ago

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    6 months ago

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    2 months ago

    10/10 beautiful and amazing ambiance. The bartenders are super sweet and very helpful!

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    6 months ago

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    6 months ago

    Such a fun new spot! Good drinks, great music, and friendly bartenders. Perfect place to hang out with friends.

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    3 months ago

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    6 months ago

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    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - Selva

    Two questions is there a cover charge to get in and do they serve other drinks besides tequila?

    There is a cover charge. The girl up front was charging $20 per person but then the bouncer told us it was $10 per person but the girl up front wanted to up charge it to $20, and from what I saw from reviews it's mainly tequila

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Selva

    They were so accommodating and welcoming, going above and beyond for patrons and attendees.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    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.

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    Haberdasher - Prohibition style speakeasy here we come! Hee

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    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.

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    Selva - lounges - Updated September 2026

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