The Willow Den is a great place to have your next party. Myself and several friends have had recent birthdays here and everyone of them were fantastic. They blocked off the back room for mine and ha champagne waiting for when I arrived. For another party they let us completely decorate a whole section of seats for our party. The entire staff is very accommodating. I would also recommend coming here for a fun night out... There is often live music/dj/karaoke etc and super cheap drinks. read more

THE DEN!!! This is a really fun bar that hosts great bands and other events. It has a relaxed neighborhood feel and a mixed crowd of older/younger people. The drinks are strong and cheap - so nice to not pay $14 for a vodka/red bull. ;-) Tons of TVs make it a great place to catch a game with friends, too. The staff is great and I always have a good time here! read more

An amazing bar, with an amazing vibe, with an amazing owner. I have never had any issues here, good vibes, with good people. The owner and staff really care about their customers, the girls working made sure they followed covid guidelines and the owner came around to every table to light the propane and make sure we were comfortable and warm. I have never been to a bar were I feel this at home and this comfortable drinking at. read more

Went to hear The Workhouse Poets playing "songs from the heartland." The lead singer, Jim Manganello, writes much of the music they play and sing. This is a talented group that has been together off and on for about 40, local to San Jose, and hanging in there pretty darn good. It was a fun evening, drinks were very reasonable at about $4 and that includes the entertainment, no cover. For more info on the group go to: www.workhousepoets.com I give the Poets 4 stars and The Willow Den 3 stars as it is a bit of a funky hangout. read more

my roommate said this place was dope so we checked it out. the bouncers were cool and the bartenders gave us what we wanted, with no hassle. the place had a few pool tables for people to use, and music starts after 10:30 pm. the crowd was good, but no one really liked to dance so once again it was up to me and my crew to get it started which we did. overall it wasn't a bad place, it was OK. read more

I'm in love with this place... I'm a big fan of dive bars. Lets just say that right now. =) Okay..so ya gotta be lookn for this place because it's not in an obvious spot. Which is a good thing...when looking at it from the front you have a liquor store on the right & a tattoo shop on the left...PERFECT. I parked in the back & walked in through that way...and rr's were on the immediate left following a stage with a drum set following a large open dance floor complete with stripper pole. Followed by 2 large pool tables...and to your right....ahhhhhhhh the bar. The bar here is in the shape of a U. Its awesomenessly huge! I loved this place. Def a place to chill out & relax~I was here on a Sunday afternoon/evening. It had 5 TVs with the World Series on the main 3 & football on the remaining 2. I hear this place also has some rockn Saturday nights as well. read more

Our new hangout! Drinks are decently priced - not cheap, but not expensive. $5.50 for a vodka tonic. I hope they don't get rid of the bumper pool table. We love to play! This place gets busy on Fri/Sat nights. I like to go early before the crowd. Free popcorn! read more

Willow Den is our spot! It is our go-to for a midweek night. I have only ever been during the week and there is never a huge crowd and the atmosphere is pretty chill. Especially during the week, the vibe is very much the locals who are just coming to sip some brew and catch up with friends. It's very spacious and good for big groups. Something for everyone... shuffle board, pool, darts. Vinyl records on the wall for any music gurus! Love me some Willow Den. I give it five stars for what it is--the perfect venue to get some good and cheap beer and play shuffle board. read more

On January 13, 2018 decided to have some drinks with a friend at the Den. Sitting at the bar we come up with some young girls very intoxicated...causing trouble. Starting fights with whoever they came across with. A fight was broken. Security Guard John was AMAZING...Putting a non sense fight to and end...The person in charge was VERY RUDE....Wish I had taken his name. If your trying to relax and have a drink this is not the place to be. Staff are very RUDE!! read more

You know what?!?,. This is a dive bar, and a great one at that. Get over it. Wtf do you expect?!? They have two pool tables, shuffleboard, jukebox and a dead-sexy pack of bartenders, yo Tony! I just pounded a 1/2 dozen $4 buck ipa's and going with 5 stars. SUCK IT BITCH! read more

This place is your typical dive bar. They usually play good music, the drinks are good, the bartenders are ok, and the bathrooms are gross. Basically everything you'd expect there to be. The crowd is just people hanging out and having some drinks. If you're looking for that, then this is your place. read more

Hottest Tuesday night bartender in town. Happy Hour prices are OK, but Bud is $4 after 8pm. Premium beer is still competitively priced. Stripper pole, 'nuff said. Distinct odor of dirty kitty litter, but I'm sure that's not a regular thing. read more

Went here to meet some friends and play some pool. Me and my girlfriend joined them, we are both 21. Never had to show our ID's once even when going to the bar to collect the drinks, had a few beers and some shots and played some pool. Overall had a really good time and we planned on going back again. Bartender was cool. Went back recently mainly just to play some pool as knew it would be quiet at the time we went. As soon as we walked in was asked to show my ID by the bartender which I had on me, my girlfriend then was asked to show her ID which she didn't have on her as she wasn't planning on drinking. The bartender came across as condescending thinking we were too young or something then said she had to ask her manager who was the guy from the first time we were in there if we were allowed to stay. I thought he would be cool with it as we've been in before and we said she wasn't planning on drinking. Nonetheless we were asked to leave, he even said that he recognized us from when we were in there before but she needed her ID. I understand he was just doing his job and probably trying to set a good example for his employee if he actually was the manager, but don't be condescending if you've served us before without ID. Wouldn't recommended this place if you're close to the age of 21+ read more

Bartenders do not serve minorities!!!!!!! I've been meaning to leave this review for a while now. I have been here on several occasions with different groups of friends. At first I thought we weren't getting served because the bar was too busy. We went on an off night where there was plenty of space to sit at the bar or even stand there and wait for drinks. I waited for 30 minutes with my money in hand, every bartender made eye contact with me and kept walking. A Caucasian man stands next to me and within a minute he is approached and is asked if he needs any help. The same thing happened to every single one of my girls (both black and Latin) who came with me. At first I thought it was just horrible service but the bartenders just play favorites with white/Asian patrons. Won't be going back to this place ever again. read more

If you want a great place to get good strong drinks with a great atmosphere and all at a reasonable price. This is the place. Outdoor seating is amazing. They also have a great selection of games, so it's perfect for large parties. The bartenders are awesome, Justin is always the guy to help out and give great selections, he will make you anything you want based on what you like. Ask for Justin to make you complicated drinks. 10 stars out of 5 for this place. read more

A Big Cool, Dark dive right next to a liquor store and the freeway with stuff to look at while the fairly loud jukebox and talkative drinkers means it's already one of my favorites. read more

The Willow Den - Bars Near Me - San Jose, California

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The funnest place around willow glen by far! Best bartenders and events, fun DJ's, even bottle service with excellent cocktail waitresses if you please. Everyone loves drink specials and pool too! PLACE TO BE! read more

This place is incredibly racist. I brought a group of my friends-predominately Asian-to the seemingly great dive bar with great music; however, there was one female (guess her ethnicity) that had a problem with us. We ignored it as much as possible, but she was actively persistent to ask the staff and bartenders to kick us out. To our unbelievable surprise, they completely provided her support. We felt completely alienated and out of place in a city that we have all grown up in. Avoid this place like the plague if you're a person of color. It's not worth it. read more

Love this place always. Well poured strong drinks, fun atmosphere, and great staff. They did a great job renovating as well.

Willow Den has been great since covid-19. Social distancing. Mask wearing. There's a liquor store that sell masks next door. Outdoor seating. Still wear your drinks truly come true!!!!!! read more

I come here at least once a month. Sometimes I feel like they rob you when you leave an open tab but that's what happens when you have too many drinks. But seriously the DJ tonight really fucken sucks!!! read more

Went out to willow den to celebrate my 21st birthday and the bouncer wouldn't let me in because he said they were closed... it was 12:45 they're open till 2am??? My friends were right in front of us and they let them in. Thanks a lot maybe ill try again on my next 21st birthday... read more

Part 3 Sean then said both the security also beat him up as well this was outside the Den and believe it or not, they stopped him again and beat him up again. I will have Sean contact the Gen Mgr / Owner . I hope the woman and the security we're not from the Den The words Security was worn upon their shirts and is why Sean knows that they were Security personal. He did not know the Female being he never met her before. I Know Sean and the fact that he was sober I know that because he had left my home late to go to his Apartment at the San Jose Veteran Center. I told Sean that the Police should be contacted but that the Gen Mgr/ Owner should be contacted first to confirm if the woman and the Security personal came from The Den . Being it was closed and we suspect they went in search for the person who broke her window. And came back to the Den why again we suspect being the woman to get her car and the other security to get his car If these two security personal and the woman came from the Den. The woman said just before she hit Sean " That's Him that's the Guy who broke my car window while I was in it." Again Sean has no clue except what was to have happened on thec Den's property .Sean did say" that he did see did see the Bartender ( guy with a beard) doing his close out side work inside the bar before the assault and Battery was committed upon him. Sean will be contacting the Mgt/Owner. read more

Scary, dirty. Did not feel safe here. I saw two fights happen in the hour that I was there. I would not go back.

This place is sketch. I've been drugged here and I know other people have as well. Police couldn't do anything and the POS manager never called me back about the matter, probably cause they are involved in stuff this on the daily. Not everyone here sucks, there are some good apple's, but I do hope this place gets shut down read more

Great service still open during covid comfortable atmosphere. Reasonable prices good place to grab a drink.

I went to this shithole after Dancin' on the Avenue in WG, and for some reason, because they were lucky enough to get all the leftover people from the event, this sad excuse of a bar, felt like they had the right to charge people cover, because of the convinient location they were in... bad start. The line was TOO long to move, once inside, they were way above capacity, you just couldn't move, no matter where you were in the place. It was way too hot, you couldn't move, the drinks weren't cheap enough for the dive bar this place really is, the band playing there wasn't entertaining at ALL, just made it hard to talk to someone, and their bathrooms were filthy and smelled like piss at least twice as strong as your average gas station. No pluses for this spot, everything is absolute shit. Avoid at all costs. P.S. After Dancin' on the Avenue, TONS of people were complaining about their tabs, including a friend of mine! She ordered two beers and a shot of tequila to start it off, then later on added 2 more beers. Her tab was $20, then all of a sudden when she tried to close it, it said $50. Be careful of Hans, the bald-headed racist prick who owns this spot. He's after your money, with no regards for any good service to patrons of his disgusting dive bar. read more

I am born and raised in San Jose and went to San Jose State University, worked in countless bars and clubs for over a decade promoting bands and performing as well. About 2 years ago, I went to the Willow Den to check out a new place and was not let in because I had a "Knitted cap" I thought he was pulling' my leg but NO, they were serious. I said i would take it off and they said, NO, we don't want any problems..hahaha, what? then 2 years later (the very next time I attempted to go here) last weekend a group of 8 of us (4 couples) went on my girlfriends birthday, ready to spend (lord knows how much) on drinks to celebrate. As we walk up one bouncer in a skin tight shirt (2 sizes too small) says "hey your shirt is too baggy" again, I thought he was joking. He said "your gonna have to talk to this bouncer "he says, "your shirt is too baggy, we don't allow Baggy clothing. His shirt was literally two sizes too small as well. I don't judge people or care how they look, when I looked around there was people with Raider Hats, Flip Flops, Shorts, tight shirts, baggy shirts, etc..Basically this place is a FUCKING SHIT HOLE. They have ZERO skills in the area of deciding what is or isn't appropriate for their club and I was highly offended. The people I was with were dressed very well and we are a respectful group of couples that were extremely obvious that we were their for a great positive time. DON'T SUPPORT THIS PLACE. UPDDATE: came back here on a date last night, dressed sharp in a red dress shirt, pants and red Guess shoes with gold trim my date looked amazing and classy, they denied me entry to the club because you Can't wear an outfit with "matching red" read more

Let's see, I went here and got punched in the face for no reason. On my way out I said goodbye to some guy who I was playing pool with and he just sucker punched me . Security here sucked too. In fact there is nothing good about this place, it should be shut down. read more

I actually saw Jose G.'s incident just a little while ago and my goodness!! A guy with sweats and and a dirty ass sweater got in and he couldn't get in. My jeans were probably a little big baggier and I got it! But, after seeing that discrimination I had no need to give them my money. Goosetown here we come! read more

Apparently it's challenging to find non-asshole bouncers in this area. I don't appreciate how one bouncer at Willow Glen treated my boyfriend, with disrespect and physical assault. My assumption is that having the title of bouncer makes one feel empowered, and with that comes an attitude of importance and, worse, cockiness. The way a situation was handled this weekend was terribly disturbing, yet this doesn't seem like the type of establishment that gives a shit about the way patrons are treated, given this employee's behavior. Total shame that Willow Den employs men like this guy, whose behavior gives them a HORRIBLE reputation. read more

Went here with a couple friends on a random Thursday evening around 6pm. There were about 6 other people in here. The black bouncer gets in my friends face and yells,"no hats!". My friend replies, "what about the old guys 3 seats down with the hat on?" bouncer screams at my friend again. Friend says," i just want it to be fair, I'm not trying to argue." bouncer continues yelling and says nothing to the old guy next to me with a baseball hat. I will never go here again, or recommend this place to others based on their "security". I hope that bouncer gets cancer in his soft cock. Only gets one star because 0 wasn't an option... read more

This bar has identity problem. The Den thinks it is a night club where people dress to the 9s with great food and ambiance. I didn't see that when I went there Saturday night. I did see a BAR. In a seedy part of WG. I was told that I could not where my hat. What? " This is a BAR is said" As I looked over to the bar there was a gentlemen wearing a cowboy hat. "What's that he has on. Doorman said "Thats a cowboy hat" I thinking what the hell is going on in WG! I can go to Santana Row and wear a HAT in any of the NIght Clubs without hassle. Not at the Willow Den. Not sure what has sparked this dress code,but not down with it.. I am a local business owner. The Owners should and want to foster a BAR that will attract people in WG not drive them away. Maybe they should change the name of the BAR to" Men without Hats." read more

Well, first off...this dive bar apparently has a dress code. You can wear hats but you can't wear a beanie. I immediately was told at the front door to remove my beanie even though we're in mid February. I'm all for dress codes but really? You're a damn dive bar. I walk up to the bar with my roommate who says "hey I think I know you" to the bartender. I kid you not, she responds with "so what?" The list could keep on going. What I can quickly tell you is that within 5 min I decided I would never return to this bar again. I Love dive bars, but I also pride places that respect their customers. This place is not it. Go somewhere else that values you as a customer. read more

The music was great! The crowd was ok! The women were cute. Its a great place to go of you wanna be Racially profiled by bouncers/staff. The first time i went i wasn't aloud in. Then the door guy came outside after me and told me it was ok. The 2nd time the door guy had me spin around, i guess he wanted to check out my jeans. He took a second before he decided to let me in. I'm Latino so i noticed there were 4 or 5 Latinos there and 2 black guys. So if your interested in goin to this bar make sure you wear "skinny jeans" read more

Service sucks. Race is definitely a factor. Great place to be sober. It's also a great place to get stabbed or get into a fight. You're better off at an Applebee's..... Atleast they don't post fake reviews so people don't know what a real dump it is read more

I used to like this bar until I went here the Saturday of Dancing on the Avenue. It was the most unorganized thing I have EVER seen. First off, we were on the guestlist and had a hard time getting in even when the bartender came to get us. Secondly, I went to buy a pack of smokes next store and got a stamp and confirmed with the door girl and security guards I could get right back in. It took 30 mins for them to let me back in even after I explained my tab was open and I was heading back to San Diego tomorrow. Then when I finally got back inside to close my tab, they owner claimed they had lost my credit card when the guy next to me had the same thing happen to him. I have heard many complaints about the owner(s) of this bar and will not be going back. Learn some PR especially if you are the OWNER! Can't wait for that new bar to open up in WG. read more

The worse bar I have ever been to. They treat there patrons like crap and act like this is the greatest place to be. It's dirty, loud and badly lit. I can't believe this place has anyone still going. You couldn't pay me to go back. read more

No hats? Cover charge? This place would be great if they dropped the "night club" attitude.

I was there last night with friends to hear the Pimp Sticks who are fantastic..my friend brought her instrument so she can sing as a guest..The owner didn't care for he style and asked her to step off the stage!!! what a jerk, never gave her a chance.. I requested some popcorn and was told they had ran out!!! (I suspect a lie!) a young couple played darts for most of the night...again didn't have a chance to play..the atmosphere was nice, gilrs had a good time dancing..as for me? well I think that wwould make my first and last time there, just because the owner (the younger one) was high on somthing and paces and hovered over everyone... and sat up his disco when the band was still playing I guess he couldn't wait to show off!!! read more