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    The Fountainhead Bar

    3.8 (104 reviews)
    ModerateCocktail Bars
    Closed 12:00 pm - 3:00 PM

    The Fountainhead Bar Photos

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    THE FOUNTAINHEAD BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - The Fountainhead Bar

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    Pandan vodka so good
    Amanda N.

    -Ambiance - My bartender Angelina was very attentive very sweet and she gave me all the details regarding the drinks and she was very good at making the cocktails. They had so many exotic flavors on our menus and they change signal a so the drinks don't get boring. My visit I had a pandan vodka cocktail and then a Cinco de Mayo inspired drink which had mango parade and chamoy it was so good. I highly recommend coming here there's plenty of seating weight service it's a cozy bar for sure

    Kanpai ($14), Cheers ($17)
    Elena N.

    Date: Wednesday, June 19th, 2024 Time: around 3pm What: Drinks *Kanpai ($14) *Cheers ($17) *Henhouse IPA ($8) A friend and I were wandering downtown looking for a place to dink. Happy we found The Fountainhead Bar since most places didn't open until 4pm. I think there was only one other person when we got here, so we easily grabbed two seats at the bar. I'm a manhattan / old fashioned kinda girl, so I decided to try the Cheers cocktail. It's definitely more of an old fashioned with an herbally hint to it. I did like how the drinks are named after ways to say cheers in different languages. I actually have a weird fascination with learning how to say cheers in different languages so it was like this menu was geared towards me! Lol! The vibe here is chill. It was a rather quiet Wed afternoon so I was able to catch up with my friend. The bartender was also great! Friendly and attentive. Thing to note, we grabbed food from one of the stalls and brought it here, so you can eat at the bar as well since they only serve drinks. Glad I stumbled upon this spot. REVIEW #3472

    Drank menu and my gorgeous ring
    Jasmine C.

    Inside of the SoFA market, which has solid food all around, came just before the last call for The Barragán and The Aalto - both delicious but not mind blowing. Would we return? Probably to check out the rest of the dranks. We appreciate the architecture themed drinks and the ambiance of the bar

    Benny H.

    Located in the SOFA market, where there are a ton of places to eat, but not a ton of places to get a good ole drink. Service here was pretty quick and they do offer a happy hour. Drink I had was pretty good, but tasted a little watered down. Still, it was good. I did have a weird experience, as the entire bar was completely empty and some dude decided to sit next to where I was standing and was literally an inch away from me. The bar was completely open dude! Still, I enjoyed the drink and the service was good. I'd give it another shot.

    Grace N.

    This is a great bar to hang out in this busy food court. I got the pineapple cider, it was delicious!! Plenty of space to sit and space out. The bartender and owner are super nice and so friendly. They can also recommend drinks to your liking, if somehow what you want ran out of they happen to not carry them. The bar area is very spacious and they have plenty of TVs for all the sport enthusiasts. They are also at the back end so if you want to do outdoor, you can go outside using the door at the place. Would definitely recommend!

    The Postmodern
    Justin K.

    Nice bar inside the back of SoFA market! Heard pretty good things about their cocktails, especially the presentation of The Postmodern cocktail. So of course I ordered that drink! Came on a weekday at the end of the workday (5pm). To our group's luck, that meant it was happy hour! Which if from 5-7pm (M-F). I believe happy hour was $2 off for their cocktails if I remember correctly. Overall, great service! Our bartender had to remake one of our drinks because she knew she messed it up and didn't want to serve us a wrongly crafted cocktail. I really appreciated her honesty! Trendy bar with some good drinks for reasonable prices! Plenty of seating. And not too far from a parking garage for downtown SJ. Also, there are many food options within SoFA market, so you can definitely get something to munch on while drinking with friends.

    Green green (too sweet, barely tasted the whiskey and bitterness of green tea) + stout
    Jodi H.

    Just an average bar located in a modern/attractive newer space in SoFA district of SJ. Drinks aren't spectacular, but overly dressed and look nice in photos. They have food options, but because it's located in the Market, why eat at a bar when you can have other options like pizza, poke, etc. It's basically a space just like San Pedro Square Market. Came here to meet with a girlfriend after dinner time, and we were hoping to get some beautiful and tasty drinks. Instead, we got some beautiful drinks that weren't that good. On paper they look so interesting...I particularly was drawn to the green tea and whiskey one "The Greene and Greene." My bf joined us later and got the "Post-Modern" which was gin based and basically a G&T with blueberries. We both looked at each other after one sip and agreed that both drinks were way too sweet and tasted like soda. The idea for the drinks seem really yummy and creative, but they weren't made well...maybe the proportions are off or the ingredients aren't as fresh as those used at Paper Plane or Haberdasher? Not sure. I do like how they have a variety of seating from long bar tables for groups to smaller duo tables for couples or solo patrons. There weren't many people there on a weekday night, and we weren't even approached by anyone at the bar once we took our seats at the long bar tables. We basically just looked around, gazed at the bar, then looked at the menu before walking up to our bartender gal. Service was just not there. The bar itself is pretty and clean-looking, which is a relief since the Market is on the newer side. Restrooms are shared with the entire space, which are very clean and easy to access. If I were to go to SP2 Market or SoFA Market, I'd still go to San Pedro Square. Their bars in the market actually make tasty drinks with personality, not overly dressed and dive-bar-status drinks.

    The Prairie: Tanqueray Limited Edition, fresh lime, mint, passionfruit.
    Shanna K.

    Totally great. I've been here a few times and although the drink menu doesn't seem to change much, if at all, it's solid and there's something for just about everyone. The bartenders are nice and I like the whole vibe of the SOFA market anyway. Everyone can choose their own adventure. No arguing or debating over who wants what to eat or worrying about everyone's dietary restrictions. A win all around.

    Nidhi P.

    The drink here was on point. I got the prairie which was delicious. It was just right. The staff is super friendly. Would highly recommend this place. Great ambience.

    Post-Modern
    Colby D.

    It's a bar, and it serves alcohol. It's a bar that serves alcohol in a market in the SoFA district. It's a bar that is pretty hip and serves pretty drinks. The drinks are good, and they are pretty. Pretty good, pretty pretty drinks. There's not much else to say. If you're in or around the market, stop by for some pretty, pretty good drinks. I ordered the post-modern, and it was very crisp and delicious. The ice had a flower frozen inside of it! Neat. After moving to the SoFA district, I've made a point to explore the bars in the area, and I must say that this is my favorite.

    The Greene & Greene
    Crystal C.

    From the awesome bartender (I think his name is Dave), to the super delicious, very smooth, carefully crafted and tasty drinks, I give this place 5 stars. It's so refreshing to visit a bar where you can see the bartender taking care of the pours and taking time with making a yummy drink. The recipe for each drink too are pretty unique. The ambiance in this place is still pretty mellow since it is tucked away in the back of SoFa Market, but the drinks this place gives you will wake you up real quick! We ordered the Prairie (Tanqueray Limited Edition, Fresh Lime, Mint, Passion Fruit) and the passion fruit was FRESH! Awesome. We also ordered the Greene & Greene (Nikka Japanese Whiskey, Ginger Liqueur, Fresh Lemon, Green Tea) because we wanted to taste the Nikka Whiskey, and that was equally delicious. It went down very smooth and this may be one of my new go-to drinks. Lastly, we tried the Julia Morgan Paradise (Pitu Cachaca, Fresh Lime, Barenjager Honey LIqueur, Muddled Strawberries). This was a little on the sweeter side, and the strawberries added the fruit twist to it. This is my new go-to bar (even though I've only been here a couple of times) but I feel like I need to get my visits in before more people hear about this awesome spot and I get kicked out of my regular bar stool! Definitely recommended. Two thumbs up, Five stars, this place is about to be the next hot spot in the area, for sure!

    The Allto ($13) horchatta infused vodka with cream and cinnamon stick. The Barragan ($13) citrus infused tequila with rosemary.
    Ryan J.

    My sister treated me to some drinks here after dinner and I'm definitely a fan! The place is in the back of the SoFA Market with plenty of seats/tables and some large TV's. We shared The Barragan & The Allto which looked amazing and had a taste to match it. The Barragan was a Tequila mixed with citrus and ginger beer garnished with fresh rosemary. The Allto was a horchata infused vodka with cream garnished with mint and a cinnamon stick. Both of these tasted great with just the right amount of alcohol to pack a punch. Pricing is somewhat pricey for the quantity, but hey you get a quality drink! Overall, if you're looking for a not so crowded place to grab a beer/drink, you should give this place a try!

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    The second visit went much better. the lady at the counter was cordial and served us in a timely manner.

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    Alter Ego Cocktail Club & Still OG

    Alter Ego Cocktail Club & Still OG

    4.4
    (304 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Pet friendly

    I was confused at first by the setup, but it seems to be 2 bars in 1 location. I started out with…read morehappy hour at Still OG Listening and got the $5 drinks and some appetizers like the chicken skewers and fries. The music was really loud and I couldn't hear the conversation of the person with me so the Asian bartender helped us turn down the music a little. It wasn't until mid evening that I realized there was another bar in the back. The bartender told us the cocktails at Alter Ego were more fancy. Definitely instagramworthy! Tried two of the cocktails at Alter Ego. Overall, both have different vibes. Alter Ego is good for a more intimate dark setting date vibe. Service was pretty good at Still OG! The Asian bartender checked in several times and was really nice as well as provided some recommendations on which happy hour specials were most popular which helps since I'm indecisive. The back does seem like a more classy environment and I'd choose this setting over a dive bar any day. The music at still OG that they were playing at the time wasn't my cup of tea, but I'm sure they mix it up from time to time. I would love to hear some oldies!

    Came here on a Saturday night for some pre-dinner drinks. I wasn't really sure how it works with…read morethe two businesses in one, but Alter Ego is the speakeasy in the back, with reservations recommended, and Still OG is the walk in bar in the front. The front was pretty full so we checked out Alter Ego first, but they were also full with nothing available until 11pm, so Still OG it was. You grab a spot yourself and then order at the bar. All cocktails are on tap, which actually ended up being great because I was between a few of them and the bartender was able to give me samples of them. We also ended up getting an order of the Chicken skewers, which were super tender and juicy. We were too late on our visit, but they do have a daily happy hour that includes some of the skewers and fries, as well as some drinks and shots. Service was super friendly and vibes and music were great! Cocktails, weren't the best since they were on tap, but still good enough! I would absolutely come back here for a drink and snack though!

    Photos
    Asteroid Blues
    Asteroid Blues
    Silk Sheets and Sweets $19
    Silk Sheets and Sweets $19
    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)
    0.0 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.

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    Kentucky Buck
    Kentucky Buck
    Back bar
    Back bar
    Their bathrooms fit the theme very nicely.

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    Their bathrooms fit the theme very nicely.
    Blossom & Bourbon

    Blossom & Bourbon

    4.2
    (703 reviews)
    6.0 mi
    $$$

    We had such a wonderful experience celebrating our anniversary dinner here. From the moment we…read morewalked in, Serene made us feel incredibly welcome. She was warm, friendly, and genuinely hospitable, setting the tone for a fantastic evening. The food was excellent and arrived surprisingly quickly, which we really appreciated. Throughout our meal, Serene checked on us regularly to make sure everything was perfect, and her pleasant demeanor made us feel truly valued as guests. The atmosphere was great, the food was delicious, but what really made the evening special was the exceptional service we received from Serene. Her kindness and attention to detail turned a great dinner into a memorable anniversary celebration. We can't wait to come back!

    I came here for weekday dinner and had no wait…read more The pizza was surprisingly unique and very tasty, and definitely the standout of the meal. The diavola pasta had a great texture and a flavorful sauce, although it felt a little simple since there weren't many other ingredients mixed in. The crispy brussels sprouts weren't for me, not very crispy and a bit hard. The gelato was much better than I expected and ended up being a nice way to end the meal. The service was great though and the lighting inside nice! Overall, the meal was a bit hit-or-miss, but I'd come back to try more of the pizzas since those were definitely the highlight

    Photos
    The far left side of the restaurant- bar is directly in the middle.
    The far left side of the restaurant- bar is directly in the middle.
    Fries that come w/ the French Dip
    Fries that come w/ the French Dip
    Mexican Coke®($6)

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    Mexican Coke®($6)

    The Fountainhead Bar - cocktailbars - Updated July 2026

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