The Vesper Cocktail Bar Campbell CA Sat 3/12/22 © When's the right time to update my review? Why, when the mannequin changes its clothes and no one notices, of course! Laughing! When the food & cocktail menu changes, so does she! Or is it my imagination? You figure it out, I'll describe the ambience for ya! Oh, the mannequin! The lady up in the attic alcove! Have you noticed that she's got a change of outfit? I liked her so much more back last Fall, when she was dressed in leopard and red heels! Now she's in Grey LOL & nobody notices her any more, patrons don't even know that she's there! ;-) Nope, I have nothing to do with it! So now she's more modest, famed mannequin lady that used to wear seducing off-shoulder leopard dress and red stilettos, lounging in the overhead alcove niche. She's now in Grey top & black bottom, with matching black shoes. Ha-ha, what does it all mean? Today on the twelfth day of March in the year 2022, the restrictions are lifted, masks inside are no longer required, and people are out to celebrate! Sounds are loud, bar is crowded, bartenders behind the counter look like laborers of another trade LOL and all together, it feels festive, the truth! That calls for the Vieux Carré in Cajun Creole style with the single ice cube. Rye Cognac, Sweet vermouth, Bénédictine Bitters, 14 bucks. Happy hour is 4-6pm, I came past that mark. Vieux Carré is a classic straight from '30s New Orleans, a fascinating drink! A short, slow sipper that begins with equal parts of rye whiskey, cognac, and sweet vermouth, gets you in the mood! I'd say it was a little different and lip smacking good! Yes, Ryan M. the Bartender who makes the best drinks, still here, thankfully. Last fall I asked him for food recommendations and advice, so glad that I did. Everything turned out to be spot on! I've been back several times since, posted photos from each visit. Always go for warm Potatoes & Raclette - hot cheesy roasted fingerling potatoes and salami, garnished with pickles, I have to tell you it's one of the best dishes here! Today's reincarnation contained Italian Pancetta Coppata salume, pickled Cauliflower, Cornichons, and Brussels. You have to try these! Charcuterie plate with cornichons, yes, and the best part is the warm fingerling potatoes raclette covered in cheesy yumminess that goes so well with a Bloody Mary! It is the best drink to go with this plate. You know how Bloody Mary's could be a completely different drink depending on the establishment? The one at The Vesper that Ryan mixes with unique house-made bloody mix is phenomenal! Bloody Mary will take your stuffed olives, with pickled scallions or garlic, a string bean or German horseradish so well! I do have to tell you that Street Corn Salad is gone from the menu, regrettably, no more, and is greatly missed! Ryan enlightened me on this dish last year. Initially I assumed that Street Corn Salad would be simply a blend of mixed greens base, typically sprinkled with corn kernels, oh boy, was I delightfully surprised! It was a bowl of warm corn with Cotija cheese, Chili, Micro Cilantro, Tajin seasoning, a unique blend of mild chili's, topped off with Pickled Onions and Kewpie, which I learned is a smoother, creamer Japanese mayonnaise, because it's made with rice rather than distilled vinegar. This dish was so fantastic, I considered ordering seconds last time! The Reverend & The Drifter cocktail for dessert! Yeah, go ahead and laugh! Stiggins pineapple rum, add Oftd rum, Spiced pear liqueur, Orgeat, Lemon, & Cherry juice! O.F.T.D. Rum if you're ain't sure, is Old Fashioned Traditional Dark Rum, overproof! Burnt sugar and Carribean spices aromas, perfect for tiki-style! Served in a Tiki mug! With fresh mint and purple orchid flower! 14 bucks! Yum! *Scout Vesper Softly falls the rain today As our campsite floats away, Silently each Scout should ask, "Have I brought my scuba mask? Have I tied my tent flaps down, Learned to swim so I don't drown, Have I done and will I try, Everything to keep me dry? P.S. Peter Pan woulda loved that chandelier! Cheers! [ *1 of previous reviews Vanished on Mar 18, 2022 @5:00 PDT & Count reduced to #687 ] [ *Update Review, posted as #698 with 10 pics on March 17, 2022 ] Bloody Mary 11 @The Vesper Campbell CA Sat 3/12/22 Warm Potatoes & Raclette Salami Cornichons Onion 13 @The Vesper Campbell CA Sat 3/12/22 The Reverend & The Drifter Stiggins pineapple rum Oftd rum Spiced pear liqueur Orgeat Lemon Cherry juice 14 @The Vesper Campbell CA Sat 3/12/22 Vieux Carré Rye Cognac Sweet vermouth Bénédictine Bitters 14 @The Vesper Campbell CA Sat 3/12/22 Bar wall! @The Vesper Campbell CA Sat 3/12/22 Bar scene! @The Vesper Campbell CA Sat 3/12/22 Pretty chandelier! @The Vesper Campbell CA Sat 3/12/22 Boys making cocktails! @The Vesper Campbell CA Sat 3/12/22 No More! Street Corn Salad Kewpie Cotija Pickled Onions Chili Tajin Micro Cilantro 12 @The Vesper Campbell CA Sat 3/12/22 read more

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My first time here and I had high expectations. They were met! Gorgeous, large display of liquor spanning the entire wall. Drinks are carefully crafted. Large variety of drink options for every pallet. The smell of flatbread toasting was so enticing. Customer service here is top notch - I am talking very attentive, attention to detail, and all 3 bartenders said goodbye and thanks for coming in. I can't wait to go back and pair food with the drinks. read more

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Located in the heart of downtown Campbell, they had great service and strong cocktails. We ordered a couple of snacks and they were good too, not much of a wait on a Saturday evening at 7:30. Again want to call out the service, it was stand out!!Would come back if in the area! read more

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After the great experience we had a few weeks ago with Lonnie me and a couple of friends decided to head back to Vesper on a Friday night. Unfortunately it must have been slow because the hostess told us that Lonnie had been cut. So we got sat in the section of a brunette young lady that looked like a grown up Punky Brewster. When I mentioned to her that we had, had such a good time with Lonnie on our previous visit and that she had big shoes to fill she got offended and got an attitude that ruined the rest of the night. I was ready to leave but we each ended up getting 1 drink. She basically took our order, brought us our drinks and we never saw her again until we were leaving. So that's 3 times I've been to Vesper and only 1 experience was good. So I would say that if you're going to Vesper make sure you get Lonnie or the evening is probably going to suck. read more

I love this place. Its got a very cozy vibe in downtown campbell. The drinks are always delicious and I tend to savor them instead of chugging. My go to are always tequila based drinks but they have something for everyone on the menu! I seem to get much better service in off-peak hours. When its busy the staff looks like they are scrambling. Thats why I prefer to come in off peak hours. read more

The Vesper - Sleepwalker - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Campbell, California

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Have been here a few different times now, sometimes on a Friday or Saturday night and someones during the week on a slower night. It's really fun on the weekend when they have the upstairs open. The upstairs is much more chill than the downstairs and they have couches and more lounging type areas for you to sit with your group. Downstairs is more of a typical restaurant feel with tables and chairs. The bar is pretty cool to look at and of course you can sit there as well. They have a great drink menu, mixed and spirits. I think that anyone would be able to find something to drink here. Food menu is interesting. You definitely need to appreciate food and flavor to understand their menu. Not your average joe looking for a typical burger will be happy here. However, for you foodies, you will likely appreciate it! It does change from time to time as well to keep things interesting. Staff are friendly, though some nights there may be only 1 server... which isn't necessarily the best! A good place for a fun/chill time or a date. read more

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Been here a few times over the years, and continue to come back for drinks and light bites. Interior ambiance has got character. Friendly service every time. The menu changes from time to time, but in general all the drinks are yummmo. One of my favorites for a smoky selection is THE SLEEPWALKER. The pineapple and smokiness and beautiful blue hue does it for me. Ainsley Fix is great, I would recommend this if you like egg white drinks...don't be thrown off by the bourbon, it blends well. I like their ribs and slaw dish, it's not necessarily the best ribs ever, but just being there, ripping meat off a bone with a side of really good refreshing slaw...makes it a great time. The flatbreads are also a good selection to pair with your cocktails. There are lotsa new drinks I want to go back and try...like the Dosa Theory...I love me some cardamom and cilantro. The FRESH GREYHOUND is nothing special, but if you crave it, it'll be fulfilled here. KENTUCKY BUCK (can't really taste the apricot though) on their happy hour is also a great option as well as the PIMM'S CUP (refreshing). read more

Came away a little mixed on our last visit. Nice atmosphere and ecclectic vibe brings us back, but depending on the bar tender, drinks can be mediocre. I had a Vesper and it was nearly undrinkable, and I rarely say that about boozy cocktails, but just tasted off. You'd think they could do a proper Vesper at Vesper!....it's a pretty simple drink. That said, for Campbell, a pretty nice cocktail destination given few choices nearby. Also some pretty good bites of food, flat breads, and other gastro pub fare. Lively spot, variety of seating options from loungy couches to tables and the bar. read more

3.5 stars I've been excited to try my yelp namesake restaurant, but never made it here until last night. Date night was a long time coming and this place truly is a saving grace in the South Bay. The artsy and lively environment combined with good craft cocktails is something that they really have going for them. Another plus is the affordable price of their menu items. Nothing was over $20 for dinner. Say WHAT?! SF's (and PA!)highly overpriced dining scene can be such a turn off sometimes. We caught the tail end of happy hour, but was bummed to see that cocktails were still $9. Also, they listed the Burrata and Focaccia bread on the happy hour menu, but it has the same exact price on the regular menu (?) hmmm .. Hubby loved the Kentucky Buck with its fruity and refreshing qualities. I found the Pimm's Cup to be lacking in (ahem) alcohol, but it's typically a drink that's not supposed to be boozy anyway. I did notice that there was a lot of ice in both drinks, but that could just be the way they make it for happy hour. Of course, I had to try The Vesper and it was served exactly how I liked it: cold and strong. I adore the pretty vintage cocktail glass it was served in! Food recommendations: brisket marbled potatoes (you must love BBQ sauce as it is DOUSED in the whole thing) and their burrata and focaccia. The olive oil it comes with is robust and deep flavored. Skip the dry ribs and the equally dry ceviche. I'd definitely come back for another stiff cocktail, but would probably avoid their weak happy hour drinks. And maybe 10 more plates of that amazing burrata! read more

The Vesper - Pimm's Cup and Kentucky Buck ($9 at Happy Hour) note: a lot of ice in our drinks :( - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Campbell, California

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Chic bar in a cute little downtown. The ambiance is fun, with interesting art on the wall. Even the menu felt sophisticated to bar food and was surprisingly good. We had pesto gnocchi, focaccia bread and wrapped dates. All tasted good but felt warm not hot, as if it took a few minutes to be served and started to cool down. Still very good flavors. I suspect it gets busy during night time so if you can make reservations, I highly recommend doing so. Overall my vote is to come back! read more

If you're coming to downtown Campbell this is the place to go. I feel like Campbell has a lot of "upscale" bar restaurants that are actually just overpriced items I could literally make at home. Vesper did not have that boomer out of touch vibe whatsoever. Vesper has a nice open inside with lots of seating. My husband and I sat at the bar, I was quite hangry looking for a dish that would satisfy me without feeling heavy on the stomach and my pockets. Our waiter was Roy and he was a literal sweet heart. Really nice, happy guy. He was attentive while I was indecisive with the menu. I went to the bathroom and came back to my husband ordering deviled eggs and a Pilsner. The eggs were SO YUMMY. I'm an egg girly, any type of egg I'm eating it. They were smooth and vinegary and the cabbage was the perfect touch of crunchy. The prices you cannot beat and the pilsners on tap were awesome too. read more

The Vesper - Deviled eggs - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Campbell, California

Second time visiting here (outside happy hour this time) and had another great visit! Was seated in the upstairs area which we all loved the vibe. Drinks and food were all outstanding. Food was all delicious! Deviled eggs Meat flatbread Edamame Pesto gnocchi Hero sandwich Drinks are always so spot on. They don't mess around. Our server Dolly was so amazing!! Thank you babe! read more

The Vesper - Upstairs! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Campbell, California

I haven't explored Downtown Campbell as much as I would have liked, but Vesper's is truly a great spot to hang out. I love the interior -- it feels a little antique, and they have an impressive display of spirits. I stopped by after dinner with a friend on a weekend night, and the atmosphere was lively but still fairly laid back. Didn't get a seat at the bar but there were a few tables available. They also sometimes open the upstairs area which has really unique furniture and interesting trinkets. The bartenders here are so friendly and nice. They really like getting creative with their drinks, so they made a few drinks for us. I really liked the Tiki one they whipped up. They clearly know what they're doing so it's definitely a respectable spot when it comes to its cocktails! read more

The Vesper - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Campbell, California

cute, but they need more in their happy hour menu is just my honest feedback. but cute!

One of my favorite eateries in Campbell . I love the vibe of the pub - the interior transports me. Food wise - I LOVE their olallieberry scones with Devonshire cream and raspberry jam. It's HEAVENLY. I also always get their corned beef hash. The quality has gone down a bit over the years but it's still delicious! read more

This cocktail bar has impressed me everytime I go! Great spot for date night or girl night. Fun atmosphere, fabulous cocktails and good food. Highly recommend every gin drink and the tacos, hummus, ribs. Will continue to return! read more

I've been to Vesper a few times in the past year and each experience has been amazing. It's become my favorite bar in the area. The interior is bright, modern, and comfortable. They have a good collection of liquors, especially whiskey, but they're known for good cocktails as well. The drink I usually go with is the Ainsley Fix - Buffalo Trace Bourbon, citrus, sugar, pineapple, Peychaud's, rose water, and egg whites. It's like a more complex version but of the whiskey sour. As for food, you can't go wrong with bar nuts and grilled cheese sandwich. If you're a part of the SFWBSS, the bar manager Jimmy has some of the group's bottle picks available for ours at the bar. They also have the top notch names (when in stock) like Pappys, Stagg, Wellers, EH Taylor etc. Overall, Vesper is definitely a place to visit if you're in the Campbell area. read more

Inspirations libations inventions. Attentive bartenders and warmly welcoming staff. Be it a decently frothed pint to an old favorite or experimental cocktail - this is where you should be. Savory snacks and inviting desserts beckon. Oh, I can hear their siren songs even when I'm miles away. My favorite is to sit outside and people watch on a weekend evening. There's a lot of action on this happening street. Restaurants and pubs dot the busy E Campbell Avenue. Close to Light Rail Station. This is a perfect place to imbibe and return home using public transportation. read more

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This is the first place I went to when I moved to Campbell. Wow wow wow! Upon arrival, we were greeted by literally the nicest host ever. We were offered the coolest seating area with a bunch of neat mis matching sofas and sofa chairs. The music is so good in there, but not overwhelmingly loud that you can't have a conversation. The decor inside is super cool. Okay, let's get to what matters; the drinks. We enjoyed every single drink we ordered. They come in some funky looking cups that are a bloggers dream. Our server was super cool and consistently came to check on our group, they took the time to talk to us and joke around while also being so attentive and equally as friendly to the other patrons. The bar is so cool with awesome library ladders to help reach the enormous amount of bottle options they offer. We will continue to come back over and over again, as we have had the same experience all 4 times we have visited. As someone who values customer service, I have to say this place is the bar! read more

The Vesper - Sofa area with drinks. Funky cups. Group that visited. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Campbell, California

Food is super tasty (kid and adult approved). The staff is incredibly kind and helpful. I took my mom and sisters here for a special occasion and everyone was impressed by the ambiance (casual but nice). The bar is impressive and the bites pack great taste. I can't say enough nice things about this place and ALL of its staff. I'll be returning as often as I can. read more

We met up with some friends on a Sunday afternoon for a couple of cocktails. We were able to get a table right away and were immediately helped. I got the "Everything Nice" cocktail which tasted like I was having a dessert - think espresso martini but with a coconut and chai twist. It was absolutely delicious and I'm craving it again just thinking about it. My grandmother got the "East of Eden" which was so refreshing and you really get a nice hint of the thyme. They have an extensive menu with innovative cocktails to suit whatever your heart desires! read more

The Vesper - East of Eden - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Campbell, California

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I've been to The Vesper a handful of times. It's a great place for low key meetups with friends over some cocktails especially with its chill vibe and vintage looking interior. Recently I went to the Vesper around 6:30 on a Wednesday evening. The place was super busy. Would've been nice to snag one of the couches, but they were all occupied. My friend and I were able to grab a table with no issues though. We didn't get cocktails this time, but we did order a cheese and charcuterie board to share. Specifically we ordered the Antipasta platter that consisted of 3 meats, 3 cheeses, and accoutrements. I believe the 3 meats and 3 cheeses were chef's choice as I don't recall having made any selections ourselves. The board had salami, coppa, pecorino romano, roquefort maybe?, pickled veggies, and a couple of fruit jellies. It wasn't the most impressive assortment, but it was still a decent board. Customer service was great during this visit. Our server was very friendly, and I found him to be attentive and helpful. read more

The Vesper - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Campbell, California

Roy's take on Black Manhattan, using 1776 Rye as the base spirit. The Great Gal went with an Old Fashion using Blanton's. Superb service from Roy and Katelyn. The GG enjoyed a pear and straccino cheese flatbread for a little nosh. Frankly I was still stuffed 0from our earlier experience at Be.Steak.A. The Flatbread was quite tasty. Yep, I had to do a little nibble. Camera misbehaved while trying to load photo of flatbread. read more

Located in downtown Campbell, this great bar serves good eats-- mostly appetizers, salads and small plates that you can "share, or not". The salmon flatbread was out of this world. The wrapped figs were sweet and savory, and the meatballs had just enough spice to it to give it that little kick. You can sit at the bar, or at the few hightops, outside, or at the tables. If you're in the mood for a cocktail, there are plenty to choose from with common names such as John Colins, Daquiris, or ones that are original and unique to the place. This establishment is fit for a first date (which was my case), or a night out with the guys or the girls, or a place to hang. If you come on a busy night, there is limited parking, so plan ahead. read more

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This place is great! They're always trying out new beverage recipes. The bartenders are fun. Best drinks: Handshake Agreement (bourbon and smooth) Bare Necessities (rye and fruity) Crimson Kiss (gin and refreshing) Ainsley Fix (whisky and tart) And if they have pesto gnocchi, it's a must order. read more

The drinks were well made and balanced. We only tried one appetizer, which was the hummus and puta bread. They were equally delicious. Our waitress was fantastic and friendly. I'm not sure if they switch up the seats for dinner service but I was definitely expecting to see more seating than what was available when I came. I think it deserves a second chance at a non-peak hour level so we'll be back soon. read more

Great service, fun energy! The food was overpriced for what you get. The space was a little cramped where we were sitting.

I've been to The Vesper about two times pre-pandemic and enjoyed the cocktails a lot, though didn't get a chance to write a review. We ended up going last night and had such a great time, and were very happy with the drinks, service and social distancing practices! We had a reservation for 5:30 pm, but we arrived 30 mins early and they were gracious enough to seat us. They have more outside seating than before the pandemic, and the indoor seating has been spaced out with at least 6 feet between tables/parties. We were seated upstairs, far away from the bar, but the wait staff was VERY attentive and we never felt like service suffered because we were so far from the kitchen/bar. We had the charcuterie board (pretty good) and two rounds of popcorn (lol) and quite a few cocktails between us. I definitely loved the Seven Deadly Sins and Sticks and Stones - both tiki style drinks, and from someone who doesn't like overly sweet drinks, these were really great with many layers and amazing fruit flavors. My husband really liked their namesake, The Vesper and the wait staff were all very knowledgable about the drinks as well as providing really great recommendations. Always one of our favorites for cocktails, we'll definitely be taking the hike back down here again. read more

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Came here for Happy Hour and what a delight. We were the first to sit inside and it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. Felt very safe as well inside as the tables were spaced out by more than 6 feet, all ordering is done by QR code, and the servers all wore masks. I noticed quite a few people ordering the ribs and decided to try it as well. It was delicious! The meat came off the bone quite easily and was cooked well. The sauce paired quite well, slightly sweet, tangy, and had a slight kick to it. What was a great surprise was the slaw. It looks kinda plain, but had a nice punch of acidity and was quite refreshing which counter balanced the ribs. The food was good, the drinks are where it's at though. Both drinks we got were unique and yummy in their own way. The sleepwalker had an nice beautiful teal color to it and the mezcal provided a nice Smokey taste with a pretty smooth finish. The Ainsley Fix was lighter, creamier, and smoother. I've been here a few times and always enjoy coming here for some drinks and bites. Check em out if you find yourself in the campbell area. read more

The Vesper - Sleepwalker - blue drink Ainsley Fix - white drink - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Campbell, California

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I came back here to get the tacos I had last time, but they were no longer on the menu #sad I got the hummus to share instead. I asked for a gluten free alternative to the pita for dipping, and the server was nice enough to provide celery. I ordered the elderflower soda which was really good, and overall I had a good time. Still upset about the tacos though :/ read more

The Vesper - Left to right: house Shirley temple, Pancetta flatbread, chicken tinga tacos, elderberry soda with vodka - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Campbell, California

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Vibey, clean, amazing staff. Drinks/ mocktails were on point. We had deviled eggs, hummus, ceviche, chicken tinga tacos, all dishes were properly excuted. Make a reservation!! read more

Friday night, 7:45pm called for 45min wait so we decided to take the side bar seats. Best decision of the week! Great view of the bar, fast and attentive service, scrumptious food, and beautiful cocktails that melted away all of the bullshit accumulated during the week. The tomato & stone fruit salad was so perfectly balanced between the sweet, tart from balsamic, and creamy from burrata. The smoked brisket & cambozola grilled cheese was phenomenal! The mustard was the bow to wrap everything up. Wonderful experience overall and we'd love to be back soon! read more

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This place is so cool. Came here after some swirls and drinks...for more drinks with a group of friends. We arrived on a Friday night around 11pm and were quickly seated upstairs in some comfy couches around a small table. We decided to split a punch bowl since this was our last stop of the night. Our waitress was very sweet and helped us decide which punchbowl to get. She was very attentive and refilled our water glasses quickly. When our punchbowl arrived, I was surprised with how nice it looked compared to come other punch bowls I've gotten from other places. We each had our own little glass cup. We had a wonderful time just chatting and drinking and will be back for more! read more

The Vesper - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Campbell, California

One of the best bars in the South Bay! Decided to check it out today, but it was a war zone because of Octoberfest. Had no idea it was happening today! Luckily, this place had just opened and there was a place to sit outside. Service was great, and the drink menu is EXTENSIVE. I mean huge! I couldn't believe how many drink options they had! They also have food, but nothing too large in portions, which is perfectly fine as this place is mainly for drinks. I've had a few good drinks in the South Bay, and this place is on top of that list. Downtown Campbell is a great place to visit, and I really hope I can come here again. Just hard to get out when you have a young child. read more

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We went here for dinner one night and absolutely loved the ambience and service. We got the pesto gnocchi, squash blossom quesadilla, veggie flatbread, hummus and pita. Everything we ordered was delicious. The staff was very courteous and the ambience was very relaxing. My wife got the dosa theory cocktail and she loved it. We would definitely recommend this place for a dinner or a date or a casual night out read more

Love coming here for drinks and apps! I have only had a couple things on their menu but it's always been good! Drinks are top tier. Service can be a little slow unfortunately read more

The Vesper - Bacon wrapped dates - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Campbell, California

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Outdoor dining is available due to covid-19. Smokey and the bandit : fruity and strong, my two favorite adjectives. 10/10 would order again Old fashioned: a classic, strong, but slightly sweet. 10/10 Kentucky buck: bourbon, apricot, lemon, ginger beer -- refreshing like a lemonade 10/10 strong, but not in your face like it's going to mess you up. Doctor doctor - black licorice, sweet and citrus-y 8/10 Wouldn't mind drinking one of these Chicken deluxe flat bread : pretty small, only 4 slices. I wish it was more oblong and had 8 slices, but tasted good. It was a good appetizer. I would come again and hang out in chill downtown campbell. read more

Went to the Vesper last night. The waitress recommended Smokey and the Bandit and the Old Fashioned. They each arrived with a huge ice cube (artisan ice?) which was a nice touch. I absolutely loved my drink, Smokey & the Bandit. She mentioned there was a bite to it and there was. Definitely quite a bit of alcohol (and very good quality), yet the ratio was perfect. The Old Fashioned tasted good as well. My only gripe, and this is huge, are that the tiny wooden chairs are totally uncomfortable. If you are a big guy this will not work for you especially. Even for me. it makes me not want to bring a date here. I miss the comfy chairs they used to have in the sitting area. read more

Was able to make a reservation here at on a Saturday night for 7:30 pm. We were seated indoors and upstairs. The ambiance was really nice. They play good music, it can get kind of loud if you don't like that type of environment. Our server way Roy and he was fantastic. He had a lot of tables but was extremely attentive and friendly. All the food we ordered was delicious and the perfect amount to pick over while we tried cocktails. We ordered whiskey cocktails and tequila cocktails and enjoyed all of them. I will definitely be coming back due to good food, good drinks, and excellent customer service. Thank you Vesper! read more

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On Friday night I was home, had just finished dinner and was relaxing with a neat pour of Four Roses Private Barrel Bourbon in my glass when Stephen hit me on FB Messenger. He was going to meet up with our friend Jon at the Vesper later for some drinks. We are all whiskey nerds and know each other from a group dedicated to the potent brown elixir. The Vesper is the unofficial clubhouse for many in our South Bay group and very close to home. I hadn't visited yet so this seemed like the chance. "LMK when you arrive and I'll come meet you," I said and finished my glass. A nine minute Uber ride took me to the front door. (Don't drink and drive, kids.) Friday nights are poppin' in downtown Campbell and the Vesper was absolutely stuffed with happy people getting their drink on. I found Stephen at the bar making fast friends with a few of the regulars. He has that gift. He introduced me to them and the manager who is the nicest guy you will ever find behind a bar. His friendly, upbeat energy permeates the place. All of the bar staff, the hostess, the wait staff all have that same energy, and it seems to be transferable to the patrons. Bars tend to be like that. The staff sets the tone. This place is elevated because of the people running it. I was handed a menu. I had already eaten, so I didn't try the food. I gave their cocktail menu a read through even though I knew I would just be having whiskey neat. I'm hanging with my bourbon bros, I don't think I would get away with anything different. Stephen knew the Vesper had their own private barrel of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof bourbon and suggested I start with that, so I did. Elijah Craig is a favorite of mine, made by Heaven Hill Distillery. Among other things, they release three seasonal batches of barrel proof (high proof, full strength from the barrel, not watered down) bourbon each year. I have 6 open ones from various releases in my collection at home. They also recently started letting bars and liquor stores pick their own single barrels from a lineup. For a nerd like me this is fun. I get to taste the unique qualities which come from one barrel which would normally become part of a bigger batch. Each wood barrel has it's own characteristics and where it is stored in a building (the ones near the ceiling get hotter, ones near the floor are cooler) affects expansion and contraction of the wood, changing the influence of the wood on the distillate greatly. The Vesper's private barrel is tasty. At close to 130 proof it didn't burn the nose or palate and gave me a distinct graham cracker note and some cherry. They picked a good one. Jon arrived right as I was ordering my second pour, Michter's Toasted Barrel bourbon, a popular annual release I've had trouble finding. This was something I really enjoyed, and getting to taste it scratched my itch to have a bottle of my own. Jon is a Scotch guy but recently started trying high-end bourbons and wanted to experience all the Van Winkle Family expressions at once so he ordered the Pappy flight and marveled at every sip. I forget what he paid for it, but remember Stephen saying it's the best price he has seen for this flight. For a capper I took a pour of Elmer T. Lee bourbon. The suggested retail price for this bottle is just $45 but its limited availability and cult-like following have it selling for up to $900 a bottle on the secondary market. It's a unicorn which they had right there on the shelf so I had to get it. It was every bit as good as I hoped it would be. All the time we were sipping and comparing notes on our drinks we were also chatting with the regulars we met when we arrived. They were incredibly nice people to spend an evening with and I hope I run into them here again. This may seem like a small detail, but the bar staff gave the whiskey drinkers in our group tall glasses of water without asking and kept them full. Hydration is key. When it was time to go I asked for my tab and it came back with one drink missing. As much as I would have loved to get the freebie I informed the bartender and he said one of the friendly regulars picked up one round for me. So I paid it forward and boosted my tip to the bar staff to $20. With tip I got out for $48. This is incredibly reasonable for the three pours I had. I would have paid more at many other places. The Vesper has a great selection of bourbons. Their cocktail menu looks interesting. The staff brings a light energy which will make your visit quite enjoyable. Maybe I'll see you there. read more

The Vesper - On my third whiskey, woo! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Campbell, California