Trials is a cozy anachronism of a pub, given the gangsta-dominated nightlife of the rest of Downtown San Jose. They offer a pretty impressive selection of Euro beers on-tap and a chill atmosphere of creaking wood and fireplaces. Probably best to get here early because it can get crowded fast. Or else, sidle up onto the impossibly narrow bar backed up a few feet from the wall. You're sure to meet someone new each time you return. read more

Order CHEESE FRIES!....it's a pub so of course the beer rocks, what's dope is they carry board games and have a playful setting in the back. There's a digital dart board too... read more

One of my new fav places to hang out. They have great beers on tap, pretty good prices. Too legit to quit.

Our Canadian group went back to Trials pub, after a long break, and what a difference! Maybe we just hit a good night, but the service was super friendly and accommodating. I called in advance to see if they could set up a few tables for our large group, and even though we almost took up all of their back tables, they had it all set up before we got there. All the staff was friendly. And, I love getting the Poutine of course, and it stuffed me, and likely clogged my arteries, as I expect it to ;) I don't think we'll wait as long to get back there! I'm very impressed with the difference in service since the past. read more

Favorite place to drink in SJ. Relaxed, casual, and full of locals. LOVE that they offer 3 different cask ales (Monks is my favorite). The food is fantastic too. Great traditional pub offerings, with shepherd's pie, fish and chips, and curry dishes. Try the fries with the curry on the side. No TVs, so don't come here to watch a game. And the place is very small, so be prepared to wait for a table or eat at the bar. Monday night is trivia night, which is always a good time. read more

Very cool bar and GREAT food. I got Shepard's Pie and it was excellent.

Why is it so hard to find a good bar in the bay area that serves some quality beer? I had gone to at least 5 other bars looking for Chimay Blue and I always end up buy it at Trader Joe's and drinking it alone at my place. Luckily my friend told me about Trial's Pub and I can spend my hard-earned money in this cozy bar. Cozy being a nice way of saying small and crowded. Anyways, I love it here, the bartender was nice and attentive. I'll definitely be coming back. read more

great little place.. not much room on the weekends, but when you get a seat, you can talk, and hear your self.. not quite, but not like the other places where you have to yell the entire night.. read more

Pub food that's a cut or two above standard pub food; smallish but good beer selection, including cask ales; a remarkably nice bartender; and an interesting, quirky crowd. I'll be back if I get the chance. read more

They have cask conditioned ales, which is quite cool. Plus the Shepard's pie was pretty damn good.

Discovered this place while looking for fish n chips in San Jose. It's on the OTHER end of First Street, away from the downtown core. I just assumed it was near the other bars on First Street. Anyway, I tried the fish n chips and I believe it was about 13 dollars but it only came with one piece of fish. It was good but I feel the portion was a little lacking. I didn't try the other entrees but if you like British food like Curry Chicken, this place might be worth your while. Also, there's a German restaurant next door that might be worth a look see as well. read more

first time! cozy fire and company. friendly service. I think I found my new go to comfy pub. great atmosphere and not too crowded on a Thursday night at 10pm. great for an introvert wanting to step out! read more

Of the bars I've been to in SJ, this is one of the few that I would visit again. The scene was totally chill and relaxed--no one appeared to be there to pose, just grabing drinks with friends. We came in too late to try the menu out but the options looked tasty! I would totally reccomend this place to the person who comes to SJ and doesn't want to have to deal with greasy guys in wife beaters and everything else that comes with that. read more

I like the shepards pie here a nice little place everytime Ive been here its been pretty quiet the way I ike it but I only had 2 beers with my meal and after tip came to 30 bucks dont really have that kinda dough but I did like the food. read more

Love this pub!!!!! The best employees work here. Dave is awesome!

Cask conditioned, low key bar. It's like I'm not in San Jose, but I am. Sold.

San Jose needs more places like Trial's. I am moving away soon, and this is one place I will truly miss . Warm, pub atmosphere with no TVs and good conversation. Excellent selection of UK brews. Try the curry-fries... read more

even though it is a tad pricey it still gets 5 stars. i love this place. the only pub in san jose that has mellow afternoons where you can get a pint and sit out side where it is quiet (until light rail goes past). i come from santa cruz for that at times. i think i have had more parties here than any where else (birthdays, graduation(s), goodbyes) love that they carry cask ales. love that they have a dart board. love that there are no tvs. love that they have good food. love that they have a nice array of taps. love that it is like my dream living room / den / study. read more

This place is pretty damn cool and me being a Pilsner connoisseur, I discovered Trumer Pilsner here. A brewery from Austria that started brewing in Berkeley. It's got the Pilsner bite that I love so much from the Czech pilsners. That, combined with champions league conversations with the bartender, makes it a really cool spot. read more

Great place - definitely coming back. The drinks were reasonably inexpensive and the food was plentiful and tasty. Good for chilling on weekdays, although it is a bit small and I'm not sure how populated it gets on the weekend. read more

If you wanna go where everybody knows your name, I suggest you become a regular here! As of right now, this is the closest i'll get to visiting a pub in the uk. My friends invited me here a while ago and I am HOOKED. You really have to go to find out what Im talking about. The bar is pretty narrow but there are really comfy chairs up front near the windows thats next to a little stove which is awesome when its cold out. I usually try and get there when they open so I can snag a big leather chair and put my feet up:-). They like to keep it simple, I stick with a jack n coke or a gin and tonic which is worth every penny. The food is out of this world. I almost died when I had the shepards pie....and the english bangers....so go on now, get over there! read more

Thus is the real deal ... The best pub in the bay area. I only count off a star because the service can be "iffy".

The atmosphere is quaint and charming and the beer selection is good. The service could be better. The bartender was kind of aloof. Maybe he was having an off day. Anyway it doesn't make me want to go back. Nobody likes to feel unwelcome. read more

It is a great hole in the wall place to go to for a drink. Lots of awesome character and personality is found to be here which makes it a unique and great local neighborhood hang out spot! read more

One of the few places in SJ downtown at night that doesn't blast music. Go here if you want to be able to have a conversation. Get there early though, as the place is small and seats go fast. Nice drink menu, nice chairs, and even some board games and darts if you're in the mood. read more

Great beer selection, delicious food, and board games! The staff is knowledgeable and friendly and you'll come to call them friends after only a few trips back. Trivia on Mondays is a staple in my life; the crowd is made up of regulars and has a homey feel. The music is always enjoyable and I love that there are no tvs to distract from conversation. read more

Trials is the Cheers (or Bull and Finch) of San Jose. It's a comfortable place where you'll find mostly locals relaxing with friends. The menu is honest pub grub and could be a little more extensive. I don't recommend the current offering of salads..too stingy with the chicken. read more

Hands down, the bar with the most character in Downtown San Jose. Most of downtown is prone to get a 'thugish' element in it, but I've never found that here. Good beers and good vibe. read more

This is the closest you can get to dive bar in San Jose. The crowd is always very friendly and approachable, especially on Tuesday nights when the Los Gatos Scooter Club comes in. If I ever feel like going out in San Jose, I make sure to spend most of my time here. read more

I come here 5-6 times a year, mainly in the winter for some good greasy sausage rolls. I love the variety of beers here that you can't get at a typical bar. This place is old school, no TV's, just bring your gift of gab and play some darts with your friends. Cheers! read more

Wonderful and cozy! After yet another rainy Saturday this winter we sat next to the fire and ate curry fries, bangers and mash, and chicken curry. Others on yelp have recommended the Monk beer here, but we found it to be a bland brother to Guinness. Monk is cask-aged or something, I'm not sure what that means. Maybe I'm too uncultured to appreciate it. Probably. We loved the Dragonslayer. I then ordered a Hoegaarden because it was a Belgian beer and I like beers like Delirium and Chimay. The Hoegaarden was really not my style at all. I couldn't even finish it. It has a reallly strong flavor of.... licorice? But that won't keep me away. I will gladly return and order the Dragonslayer and of course Guinness in the future. The food was really great and we enjoyed listening to their playlist and playing connect four by the fire, even if some of the pieces were missing. :) read more

Worst Shepherd's pie ever had maybe not the right thing to order in a British pub? Weird I tought that was the diet. Take you by the surprise their curry is awesome !! great place to just hang out .. Great people around !! read more

A nice bar/pub is sort of rare around san jose. This place is really nice to grab a few friends and just relax and have beers. Enough seating, no loud music; I didnt happen to notice if they had TVs. This place just had a good atmosphere. Looks nice, kind of like an English pub. There's really no busy places around so you don't get a crowd outside. The staff is really friendly and knowledgeable about beer. Speaking of beer, they also have an excellent selection. I love me some ales and brown ales and they have enough to choose from. I tried one of their cask conditioned beers ( monks brown ale ) and it was one of the best beers I have ever had. Try it! The only star i took off was because it was 10:30 and I tried to order some food, but the kitchen was closed. They didn't close until 12 so I thought it was still early to shut down the kitchen. Overall it is a great place to go and I will probably visit more often now. read more

My type of place. If you like classic pub food like shepherd's pie, bangers and mash, or fish n' chips this place is top notch. Great selection of draft beers and the atmosphere is very low key and relaxing. Great for mellow evening hanging out with friends. read more

Awesome place, friendly people and the hobos that line the stoop are top notch!

This place is one country away from the "Reagle Beagle". If ever there were a place that was like Jack, Chrissy and Janet's best watering hole, this is it. Love the neighborhood vibe, the UK influence, the food and the prices. This place gets jam packed, but it only adds more to the fun and energy. Best place to have a drink, by far, in the St. James "Historic District"... read more

One of my favorite places to bike to downtown. A few cold beers, curry fries (with extra curry and cheese!), and a game of trivial pursuit with my hubby makes for an awesomely chill evening. Get there early to avoid the crowd and get a seat! read more

Great pub for a pint. Best combination of beer selection and atmosphere in San Jose. Old world charm sans television and the modern distractions and noise of other bars. Trivia night on Mondays gets really hopping. Service is average. read more

Cute little place. Not a lot of room, but cozy. The Irish BLT was so good! Unfortunately, the kitchen closed @ 10 pm & it would of been nice if the bartenders would of done a last call for the kitchen so the rest of my party could of ordered food. read more

Went in for a bite with my mom and sis... We had.. of course.. Fish and Chips, Pub burger with a potato bacon soup and a veggie appetizer patter. Everything was really good!.. The burger was great, we got it med. well and it tasted hot and juicy also the bacon and cheese mmmm!!!.. The fish and chips were great too, they were steaming hot when we got them and the chips are big and fat!.. The veggie patter was good too, except I'm not a big fan of mushrooms. The customer service was great!.. We were greeted with a smile by a very handsome bartender who told us we could sit anywhere, once you're ready, you go up to the bar and order... IDK how they do it on a busy night, but it was great for us. Since it was a Sunday evening. Overall, i would def recommend and comeback to this place really good food and nice and pleasant eye candy at the bar! I've lived in SJ my whole life and this was my first time here.... Loved it! read more