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Trader Vics

3.3 (182 reviews)
Open • 6:00 am - 8:30 pm

Trader Vics Photos

Business Info

TRADER VICS ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual

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Recommended Reviews - Trader Vics

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Trader Vic's at the airport, who would have thought it would be this good!
Gracie C.

This review is strictly for the bar and drinks since I did not order food. I had just left Tiki Oasis and was still in a Tiki high. I saw Trader Vics and it was perfect! I found a seat at the bar and sat down and since I had a couple hours before my flight, I decided, let me continue the fun! Can I say that the service was amazing and the drinks were spot on! I was worried because it was an airport 'bar' but nope! They lived up to the Trader Vic's name. I will visit every time I am flying in or out of this place, especially when I have a layover!

Koana puffer and sea dreams
Megan A.

For the convenience of being at the airport - 5/5 But given it is at an airport, this location meets all the airport parameters. You get lesser versions, smaller quantities for a higher price point. The food is aiiight. Filling savory dishes that do the job. I think the breakfast may not be their strong point. The loco moco turned out to sadly be on the bland side. The gravy was nearly flavorless. The eggs were decent. The drinks are wonderful and fun. This is the real reason to go. Very fun, tons of variety so you can make choices to align with your preferences within the tiki wheelhouse. The fun tiki mugs are one of my favorite parts. Lots of seating of a variety. Nice spot to chill while waiting for a flight. Would def recommend for the drinks!

Spam Musubi
Stephanie C.

service was incredible. good spam musubi but unfortunately found a black hair in my soda. Overpriced airport food to be expected. nice quick spot though.

The good vibes restaurant with a rude manager
Cj

Shoutout to Dominic Augustine for personally ensuring my birthday airport experience included watching my small dogs sit on the floor while other identical dogs enjoyed first-class seating on nearby chairs. Apparently my dogs were pioneering a new "ground-only" policy that did not apply to anyone else within eyesight. Revolutionary stuff. Dominic was kind enough to wish me a happy birthday before enforcing this selective gravity mandate, which I appreciated. Nothing says celebration like public rule inconsistency. Five stars for confidence. Two stars for consistency.

The Original Mai Tai
Tan P.

In normally don't rate airport restaurants this high, but this restaurant is worth the visit. The menu is different and fun compared to a typical airport restaurant. The food and drinks are creative and good. The prices are a little high, but on par with other airport restaurants. The service is quick and attentive. The ambiance is great and offers a good tiki bar experience.

Katie R.

Had some time to kill before a flight so stopped in for a drink. The tables were closed off and they were doing bar service only, but luckily there were multiple seats open at the bar. They have a great variety of tiki drinks, I wasn't feeling something super sweet so I went with a glass of Prosecco. My mom ended up getting the keoke coffee, which I took a taste of and really enjoyed - would definitely order this in the future! There was only one bartender working so service wasn't the fastest, but our bartender was very friendly. Not the best stop to make if you're in a hurry, but if you have time, this is probably the best place to get a drink in the airport.

mongolian short rib bowl
Jessica R.

Food was delicious and memorable. Ordered the mongolian short rib bowl over a bed of rice. Service was warm, attentive and consistent, though not too busy on a Tuesday at noon. Clean, good atmosphere and smooth experience. I left thinking "I would bring friends here".

This was their watered down Cosmo with HALF a lime.
KC C.

The WORST bar in and outside of the airport. DO not go here. They cannot make a drink to save their lives. If you are desperate and have no choice, stick to a beer or wine/champs; they can't mess that up. We ordered a cosmo that not only didn't come in the proper glass, but it tasted like water. $22 for WATER. The 3-sipper Mai Tai overfilled with ice was not good. And service was horrible. First and last time I will be having a drink here.

Kailua pork panini
Amber G.

My crew member and I really enjoyed the Kailua pork panini! It was pretty good for airport food. We doctored it up some, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED- we put the chips they bring on the sandwich, asked for the garlic "sauce" they have.... Dumped that on there, and sriracha sauce. That combo made the sandwich They serve it with fresh juicy pineapple slices. Salmon bowl across the table looked good but we asked the couple and they said they were awful. So glad we got the pork Also the bread was so good! Perfectly buttered and grilled! Excellent

Ryan L.

It's fun to have a Trader Vics in the airport. The drinks are awesome. The food is very meh.

Breakfast
Katharine A.

The first time I came here, I had the salmon bowl and it was delicious with great customer service. This time, not so much. It was early morning and they were very slow, but still took about 10 minutes for someone to take my order. When she came over to do this there was no greetings, just "are you ready? What do you want?". I don't need cheer with my breakfast, but at least a decent greeting would be nice. Totally different experience from the first time. (October 6th). Food arrived, and she plopped it down in front of me, didn't ask if I needed anything just grabbed salt and pepper and walked away.i had ordered spam eggs and rice instead of potatoes. I received undercooked bacon and dry scrambled eggs. Definitely not impressed like the first time, would not return for breakfast.

Sea Dreams
Leslie C.

I got to the airport way too early and wanted a drink. I got to sit next to the window and watch planes taking off and landing as I sipped. I am normally really frugal, but sprung for the Sea Dreams cocktail. The drink was super strong and just what I was looking for! They were cool with me not getting anything to drink and weren't pushy at all. Perfect place to sit, relax, and wait before my flight.

View from inside

If you're looking for a little island escape without leaving town, this Hawaiian-themed restaurant totally delivers! The atmosphere is fun, laid-back, and full of tropical charm--from the decor to the music to the friendly staff who make you feel right at home. The rum tiki drinks are a highlight--creative, flavorful, and just the right amount of strong. Served in fun mugs with great presentation, they really add to the experience. I tried one of their house specialties and loved every sip. The poke here is incredibly fresh and flavorful--easily some of the best I've had. Perfectly seasoned with high-quality fish and delicious toppings that complement without overpowering. Pair that with a cold draft beer, and you've got a perfect combo. This place nails it with both food and drinks. Great for a casual night out, a fun date, or just satisfying your craving for island-inspired eats. Can't wait to come back!

Tuna poke bowl

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2 years ago

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5 years ago

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3 years ago

Outstanding drinks in an airport! I didn't try the food, so can't speak to that, but the Mai Tai was truly excellent.

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5 years ago

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

Food was mediocre, but the service was outstanding! Shoutout to Blaire for taking great care of us!

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

Breakfast sandwich was pretty bad. Felt factory prepped. Really, potato chips on the plate? Would not go again.

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5 years ago

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

Blair was awesome. Super nice and accommodating. A great surprise - especially compared to typical airport joints. Really great experience.

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

Blair greets each person with a smile and great information

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Ask the Community - Trader Vics

Is the kitchen open until 9? We have a layover at SJC and land at 8:30, so I'm not sure if we can…

yes the close at 9 pm. Same time all week.

Do i need to buy an airplane ticket to go into the restaurant?

Yes. It is through security near the gates

Any hot food served?

Not right now. Only pre packaged food.

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Los Gatos Soda Works

Los Gatos Soda Works

4.5
(398 reviews)
10.5 mi
•$$

My fave cocktail bar been visiting since they opened pre-Covid deserved an update to my original…read morereview. 24 visits and counting at the time of this review's post and have paid it forward recommending it to my friends and them to theirs. Food: 4.5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 4.5 Cost to worth it rating: 3 Opentableable: no but toast tab Return worthiness: yes Eve award: best quality cocktails in taste and presentation Highlights: - Cocktail quality: everything is top notch and fantastic - Cocktail uniqueness: drinks are truly their own creations you can't find elsewhere. Love the creativity. - Fun glassware: for some they have great receptacles to go with the personality of the drink - Theatrical ones: those are the creme de le creme and so much fun. I've had them all. Faves of those: -- Dead men tell no tales: pirate themed comes in a chest you can open and the drinks are in diamond shaped glasses. But it's not just a fun show. The drink is amazing. A smooth, complex, clarified bunch. 5 stars -- Magic carpet one: when they had that it was one of my faves I'd order regularly. 5 stars -- Rinse and repeat: one of their classics which comes in a bathtub complete with foam and a rubber duckie. Refreshing and not sweet. 4.5 stars - New for the summer. Tried a few -- Bear necessities: little honey bear with cantaloupe, white miso, and sauvignon blanc. Quite delicious and summery. 4.5 -- Open container: artsy clear version of a paper bag. Interesting ingredient mix with Havana club rum, fermented pineapple, almond milk, and others. Little bit sweet. 4 stars - Their now more standard drinks are still some of the ones I still rely one. Faves of those: -- Studio 54: vodka based with lemongrass and bubbles served in a shiny colored disco ball glass 5 stars -- Man and his mule: peppercorn version of a mule and love the peppery kick. 4.5 stars -- Grand larceny: punch of a spirit forward cocktail my husband loves. 4.5 stars - Rotate out cocktails ever so often to maximize the fun - Halloween and Christmas they go all out with their unique menus and decor: no generic national pop ups for them and I look forward to it every year. - Food items: high quality as well. Some of my go tos -- Crab toasts: 4 little pieces of lovely toast with a dollop of avocado mousse and a heap of dungenous crab topped with lemon beurre blanc. My fave snack I always have to get. 5+ stars -- Grilled cheese: wonderful combo of white cheddar, monterey jack, and provolone with a bit of truffle flavor--not too much--on a nice fluffy roll. Served with soup to dip it in--often times a nice tomato. 4.75 stars -- French dip: solid version on the same type of roll. 4.5 stars - Can make reservations now online which makes it a lot more convenient - Wines: have a fabulous wine by the glass list but I can't ever pull myself away from the cocktails - Bourbon/whiskey: have a stellar collection and knowledgeable staff to tell you about them (but again never get to it) - Staff: friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable - Atmosphere: relaxed yet fun Midlights: - They used to have a nice nut mix I enjoyed but not on the menu anymore Lowlights: - Books up for the holidays so grab those reservations when you can

Not sure why we never got around to trying this place before. Came in with some clients and was…read morehonestly pretty impressed. The service was great, the drinks were delicious, and the light bites were surprisingly good across the board. We had the Kobe "Eye of Ribeye" Steak Tartare, Prime Rib Beef Dip, Heirloom Tomato & Burrata, Lobster Roll, Black Truffle Deviled Eggs, Dungeness Crab Toast, and the Hamachi Crudo. The only thing that wasn't really our favorite was the deviled eggs, but everything else was solid. Overall, a great spot for a drink and a few bites. Definitely one of those places I'll be coming back to, especially since there are still quite a few things on the menu I'd like to try.

Photos
Indoor/outdoor seating
Indoor/outdoor seating
Rinse and Repeat
Rinse and Repeat
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SLG Art Boutiki & Gallery

SLG Art Boutiki & Gallery

4.4
(46 reviews)
2.6 mi
•$

I'm in love with this venue for a multitude of reasons. First, let's give respect where respect is…read moredue: this is not just a venue, this is an intentional community of artists. And not just musicians, but there are local artists items for sale in the front shop; there is a podcast growing out of this location; and there is lots of mentoring, growth, inspiration, and the what every artist looks for, great after hour hangs with like minded folx. I'm a fan of the space because the acoustics are always just right, and the lighting is vibrantly cozy. There is no bad seat in the house, and I can always find a place to slink into the back drop of events, even though it's hard to show up here and not engage in some friendly conversation with the regulars. It's the way my artist friends rave about this place that also makes me recommend it to anyone looking for a new venue to hear local music, or tell visiting artists about it. I feel confident that you are going to watch a quality show, have a good time, drink some REALLY good beer, and if you like tater tots, order The King Tut tots (they always hit for me). But in all seriousness, this is a venue that is more than just an establishment. So I'm curious if it also serves as a meeting place for community groups. I'd love to see this place used to really bring all walks of life together, not just those who are musically inclined, artistic, or a consumer of the two. Because there is something magical about the history behind SLG Art Boutiki & Gallery's inception, and the walls are full of tales that need to be told to keep its story alive in San Jose. Please check out a show here in 2025, visit the gallery, listen to the podcast, and tell me if I'm wrong for having a fond attachment to this place. I bet you'll find a new hidden gem to gush about, too.

So sad this place is closing! Great bands, great vibes, plus food and comics…read more I have great memories - thanks Dan Vado for years of local entertainment!

Photos
Tuz & The Sound and Social Justice Collective
Tuz & The Sound and Social Justice Collective
Stage
Stage
SLG Art Boutiki & Gallery

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Trader Vics - tikibars - Updated July 2026

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