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    St James Gate Bar and Restaurant

    3.7 (440 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 1:45 AM (Next day)
    Updated 2 months ago

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    ST JAMES GATE BAR AND RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Casual
    Loud
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - St James Gate Bar and Restaurant

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    Electric X on Friday Night
    Denise D.

    What a hidden little gem in Belmont! Now you know I love a good dive bar. Give me a little element with grit, some colorful regulars, and a potential for nearly anything to happen and I'm a happy girl! This bar was pretty packed on a cold, rainy Friday night. I came for the live music, but was drawn to the promise of tiki drinks. When you first step inside this place, it's got the great energy of Winter's Tavern in Pacifica: very pub forward, tons of seating and screens, lovely chatter from friendly sports voyeurs. Outside is a whole other vibe: cozy firepit seating, tons of tiki bar places to lounge, and a wonderful place to host parties. It was so packed outside, I didn't dare wander around to play photographer. But when I made my way to the bathroom I was surprised to see pool tables (being used), active games of darts, and strangers becoming close friends. The crowd was mixed: barely legal bar goers enjoyed some Taylor Swift on the dance floor, while folks who likely had grandchildren at home also showed us some lovely moves in the front of the bar while listening to Electric X Dance Band. And just as promised, the night ended with a gaggle of Sheriffs to clean up the after effects of intoxication, probably drug use, and a group brawl of some sort in the street. I will say security was quick to respond, and so were the Belmont Sheriffs, and all was handled in a friendly manner. So, not a boring way to kick off the weekend before Christmas. I'll definitely be back.

    Sheila E.

    Great ambiance and friendly staff. They have large enclosed patio area that's mostly covered but gets some sunlight with a full bar and lots of TVs. This could be good for large groups. Had the cowboy burger and it tasted as expected. The onion ring stayed crispy in the burger and the veggies were fresh. French fries stayed crisp as well. I wouldn't mind coming back and trying more on their menu.

    Haiyang H.

    My friend brought me over to listen to a live band. This seems to be a popular spot around town with a lot of traffic. Food is overall good bar food. Service was great. My fish tacos were alright. Live band was nicely set up and glad that my friend enjoyed her show. It is a bar... so there are people that are drunk and bother folks around. It is okay if you just keep ignoring them. Lol

    Ryan F.

    I'm a born and raised san mateo resident, of a whopping 23 years. The swinging door, Antoine's, Steamies, blah blah blah. This place mogs the rest. Why go to disney land when you can come here? The attention to detail is unmatched. String lights in trees, leis on wooden bears, and even the occasional thursday cougar. 10/10 would recommend this place is awesome.

    My firned's birthday
    Jocelyn C.

    I had a good time here. My friend was performing, so yes, they have LIVE Entertainment. They have a bar & food. She was able to bring a cake for her birthday performance. They also have a pool table & outside seating; tiki theme. Good size place! Our server, Randy was great. Very cool guy; helpful. I had onion rings & shrimp tacos. The tacos were really good! My husband had a burger & beer. We shared tator tots. Yum. If I recommended someone a bar/restaurant to go to in Menlo Park, this is the one. Ask for Randy!

    Gary P.

    I've visited St James several times over the years, usually to hear friends playing live music. The place is huge with lots of great seating areas. Great bar, tasty food, friendly staff. Tonight I ordered the Cowboy Burger. Hearty and satisfying. The fries were nice, although the temp was lukewarm. I had room for dessert and made a wise choice with the decadent Chocolate Lava Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream. I walked around (inside) and realized "I need to organize a group event here for friends!" It's on the ToDo List. I especially love it at night (after sunset) because it's so festively lit up.

    Menu
    EM H.

    Auntie Ligaya was in town during her birthday and the Santos sisters planned a night of dinner and dancing to celebrate her special day. They chose to go to ST. JAMES GATE BAR & RESTAURANT, a spot to where Auntie Sol had taken them before. Mom encouraged me to join their night out on Friday, April 25, 2025, to celebrate my birthday, too. Z and I decided to go. $10 entrance fee kicks in after 8, so reservations were made for 7:30 PM. Z and I found parking right in front, arriving at around 7:25 PM. From the front, the venue appeared quite small. Once we were inside, though, I realized that the bar was pretty substantial in size with a small main dining area, stage and dance floor to the right of the entrance and a big bar and pool table on the left. There is also an outdoor bar and patio that looks about the same size as the building. Slowly, the place got busier with patrons of all ages. On the night of our visit, St. James Gate was fairly clean, including the women's restroom. Upon entry, we quickly found the table where most of our party was seated. They were UNHAPPY because the staff could not find any record of our reservations for a table against the wall, next to the front door. This was strike 1 of the night. Below are most of the food items that we ordered that evening: Parmesan Truffle Fries ($12.95/full basket) - Very good; served piping hot and perfectly crispy. Basket French Fries ($9.95/full basket) - Another basket of golden crispy fries that were tasty even without the parmesan and truffe flavour. Good Morning Burger, substituted French fries for tater tots ($18.95 + $3.00 for sub tater tots) - Both Sisa and Z ordered this and gave the dish two thumbs up. Honey Bacon Cheeseburger, substituted French fries for onion rings ($18.95 + $3.00 for sub onion rings) - This was Auntie Ligaya's order which she enjoyed. Skirt Steak ($28.95) - Auntie Selvy, Marialucia, Mom, and I ordered the Skirt Steak. When our plates were first served to us, all of our steaks were overcooked. Mom and others also said that their side of grilled brussel sprouts tasted burnt. There was much back and forth over the brussel sprouts, the steaks, and even the A1 sauce bottles (the first was empty, the second tasted really off) that really upset Mom. Initially, our waitress pretty much just told us to deal or order something else because there was "nothing that could be done" to fix the plates. After at least twenty minutes, an off-duty manager came to our table and resolved the matters, but it was a bit late. That was strike 2. The Marshall Law Band was playing live music that night. They didn't seem to be able to read the crowd well because quite often, they would quickly empty the dance floor with song choices that no one wanted to dance to. Due to this, Auntie Ligaya was not having much fun. Neither was Mom, so we left some time after 11. Strike 3. I have never left a bar so early before. Not the best first impression, but not the worst. St. James Gate appears to be a spot that packs with locals who don't want to go all the way to San Francisco or San Jose to dance and drink. I can appreciate that. The fact that they also serve food is a plus.

    Interior
    Paul C.

    I want an Irish pub I want a tiki bar Congratulations, you have both in one here Located in an industrial area of the city th is is a locals place They have food ... and we are so many of the bar snacks that we never made it to a main course but the lumpia are awesome!!!!! We were here to drink and the bar fills up quick. In the back the train runs along the rear wall and it is awesome when it goes by!!!!

    Pasion de Mezcal
    Stephanie F.

    I went to St. James Gate for the first time on Saturday to celebrate a friend's birthday. I've driven by this unassuming place a million times, but never went inside. To my surprise, it is actually very cute inside! They offer live music and dancing on the weekends, and they even have a tiki bar with fire pits /in the back outside. I had no idea how cool this place was! They offer a variety of drinks...beer, wine and cocktails. I tried 3 different drinks while I was there and I liked them all! *Bamboo (Suntory Toki Japanese whiskey, fresh pineapple juice, orgeat, tiki bitters, and lime juice) It came in a beautiful green tiki glass with a slice of fresh pineapple juice. It was very refreshing! *Pasion de Mezcal ( El Silencio mezcal, passion fruit puree and fresh lime juice with a tajin rim) I'm a sucker for passion fruit so I had to order this margarita. It was sour and spicy from the tajin...delicious! *Kiwi Sour (Cane Rum, kiwi syrup, lime juice, Midori, egg white) I'm not a rum fan, so I substituted Suntory Toki whiskey. The drink was perfectly balanced and had a beautiful presentation! I told my coworkers about this place so we're planning to have a happy hour event here. I also want to try their food since I didn't consume any!

    Bacon wrapped tots
    Tiffany R.

    Irish pub meets neighborhood bar meets Tiki Bar. I've been here twice. The first time I came for their Tuesday night trivia. Fun trivia and bacon wrapped tots which are fantastic. The second time I came with a group of people and we sat outside in the Tiki Bar. This time I had the nachos, bacon wrapped tots and a Pina Colada. Great for groups. It's actually quite big outside. Great vibe. Service was great even thought they were busy the service was great.

    Outside
    Annabelle R.

    This restaurant and bar has such a lovely setting, well two settings actually, since the outdoor space has a totally different feel and atmosphere, more like a tiki lounge with the decor and lighting. The inside area has a bar with TVs, a pool table, a stage area with a small dance floor surrounded by tables and seating, an ornate ceiling, and photos of musicians lining the walls. There was no cover charge when we came to dine in on a Saturday evening around 7:30pm. And at 9:00pm, we were entertained by live music on stage, Paper Thin playing a range of rock, rnb, and soul tunes including Doobie Brothers' Listen to the Music, Cake by the Ocean, and even some Santana, sounds of the keyboard, guitar, flute, saxophone, and vocals. The food and drinks were so tasty. We got the skirt steak with grilled brussel sprouts and steak chimichurri with shishito peppers, and both plates came with fries on the side. The steak pieces were juicy and flavorful, no sauce needed, it was so satisfying. And the sides and veggies were delicious as well, especially those brussels which weren't too salty. We also got the gin-toki and strawberry basil lemonade, a nice sweetness that I enjoyed. Service was great too, friendly and attentive to our needs during our visit. Overall, we really liked this place.

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    10 months ago

    I didn't realize there was a giant tiki bar with live music so close to Burlingame. Good burgers, sandwiches, salads, and onion rings.

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    Page 1 of 11

    Ask the Community - St James Gate Bar and Restaurant

    Will there be music Saturday night?

    Yes! First band starts at 6 and "The Deep Fakes" start at 9.

    Is there music nightly? Specially this Friday night (1/18/19)?

    Yup!! This Friday is live music. Dr. mojo band will be playing 🙂

    View All 8 Questions

    Faith & Spirits

    Faith & Spirits

    4.0
    (114 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    We stopped by for pre-dinner drinks and stayed longer than we anticipated. The drink menu is…read moreextensive and interesting. They have happy hour from 4:30-7 pm. We liked everything we tried. Open sesame was my favorite. Lots of seating, friendly bartender!

    Okay okay okay. So. Listen. San Carlos. Little town. Little sleepy little town on the peninsula,…read moreright? It's 9pm and I'm just walking down Laurel Street, which by the way has some REALLY good spots, they really do, and then. THEN. I hear it. Pianos. Two of them. Are they fighting?? No wait, they're DUELING. Two guys absolutely going at it on the keys, taking requests, and the crowd is just vibing. I mean really vibing. The cocktails are flowing, people are singing, and somewhere in the back of my head a little voice says "this is going to be a late night." I did not listen to that voice. No regrets. The whiskey selection is, and I say this with complete authority and only slightly blurry vision, "surprisingly incredible". The cocktails are also dialed in, they've got concoctions on the menu that you may have never heard of, or just pick the vibe you're going for and trust the process. I trusted the process. Multiple times. I used to go to Savannah Jazz back in the day. RIP, still not over it, but honestly?? This place might actually be BETTER. I said what I said. The music hits different when it's right in the middle of the whole room instead of tucked in the back somewhere. Oh and there's an outdoor area too for when you need some of that cool peninsula night air to... recalibrate. I used it. It helped. Briefly.

    Photos
    Faith & Spirits
    Faith & Spirits
    Dualing pianos (fun!)

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    Dualing pianos (fun!)
    Molly Os

    Molly Os

    4.5
    (122 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    Nice Irish pub downtown San Carlos. Many tempting items to choose from…read more I got the regular fish and chips with 3 Fillets steak. Fries cold slaw and I also got a Diet Coke Service here is wonderful They have upstairs and downstairs dining. I sat downstairs Food was delicious. There is street parking and a parking lot down the street

    There's a reason people from all over the Peninsula make the trip to this Irish pub on weekend…read morenights. it's become one of the few places in San Carlos that truly feels like nightlife. By day, it's warm, welcoming, and family-friendly. You'll see families enjoying dinner, friends catching up over drinks, and locals stopping in for great food and hospitality. But once Friday night hits, the entire atmosphere transforms. The lights dim, the music turns up, the dance floor fills, and the energy becomes something you'd expect to find in a much bigger city. Friday nights bring a fun mix of crowds; from younger groups looking for DJs, dancing, cocktails, and nightlife energy, to older guests enjoying the live music, atmosphere, and social vibe. Honestly, I'm a little older myself and still absolutely love the younger, high-energy scene here. It's fun, welcoming, and never feels out of place no matter your age. That's what makes this place so unique. Everyone fits in and everyone has a great time. Then Saturdays bring a completely different experience with live artists and an incredible variety of music. One weekend you'll hear young country performers getting the crowd singing along, and the next you'll find authentic Irish fiddlers creating that classic pub atmosphere everyone loves. That variety is what keeps people coming back..every weekend offers something different and memorable. The food is outstanding, the beer and cocktail selection is excellent, and the hospitality is second to none. I finally had the chance to meet Molly, the owner, and it's easy to see why this place has built such a loyal following. Her passion for creating a place where everyone feels welcome shows in every detail. From the amazing service to the live entertainment and unforgettable atmosphere, this isn't just another local pub. It's become a destination spot and one of the true nightlife gems in San Carlos. Highly recommend checking it out, especially on the weekends.

    Photos
    Pull up a stool and let the good times flow at our lively bar - where every drink tells a story!
    Pull up a stool and let the good times flow at our lively bar - where every drink tells a story!
    Our mouthwatering Irish Nachos - a crowd-pleasing favorite!
    Our mouthwatering Irish Nachos - a crowd-pleasing favorite!
    Weekend bliss: Brunch vibes and bottomless mimosas!

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    Weekend bliss: Brunch vibes and bottomless mimosas!
    Chris' New Harbor Bar

    Chris' New Harbor Bar

    3.8
    (70 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $

    Good service and fair prices. They also have plenty of TVs, so it's a good spot for watching sports.read more

    I have never experienced customer service this bad at a bar. The bartender working Friday night,…read more8/21, was unbelievably rude and had an attitude from the moment we interacted with her. She had blonde hair/extensions and was working behind the bar. What really stood out was how openly she complained about the customers. It was a Friday night, the bar was busy, and she was actually complaining out loud about how she "didn't know why it was so busy on a Friday night" and wondering where all these people had come from. She also complained about having been working since 10 AM and having a child at home. I understand having a long day, but that is not something customers should be made to feel responsible for. If you don't want to deal with customers on a busy Friday night, don't work on a Friday night. She was also cussing at our group, which was completely inappropriate and made the interaction even more uncomfortable. Customers should not be subjected to profanity or hostility from someone representing the establishment. Then came the bill. We were overcharged TWICE. Three ciders somehow came out to $90. When we questioned the charge, instead of handling the mistake professionally, she was rude and even questioned whether we could afford the drinks. Seriously? You overcharge us and then question whether WE can afford it? That was incredibly insulting and completely unnecessary. The entire interaction felt like we were inconveniencing her simply by being customers. We weren't demanding anything--we were trying to understand why three drinks were charged at an outrageous amount. A simple billing mistake could have been corrected in seconds, but her attitude, profanity, and disrespect turned it into a completely unpleasant experience. Management needs to seriously address this. A bartender representing your establishment should not be openly complaining about customers, complaining that the bar is busy, cussing at a customer group, repeatedly getting the bill wrong, and then making insulting comments when customers question the charge. Three ciders for $90. Overcharged twice. Cussed at by the bartender. Then questioned about whether we could afford the drinks. That combination of incompetence and disrespect is unacceptable. I'm not going to spend my money somewhere I'm made to feel like an inconvenience for simply being a customer. Management should be embarrassed that this is the person representing their bar.

    Photos
    Pineapple Upside Down Cocktail
    Pineapple Upside Down Cocktail
    Chris' New Harbor Bar
    Chris' New Harbor Bar

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    St James Gate Bar and Restaurant - tradamerican - Updated August 2026

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