As far as "lounges" go this one has to be my least favorite. I mean if you get there early, then there's no problem getting in without having some doorman hassling you for your ID or holding you from getting up to the empty lounge. I mean I used to work at clubs, I know how it works. You hold the line to make it seem like the inside is popping. But everyone knows how it works too... I wish the club management would get that thru their heads and stop holding lines, and just let the people in. You would get a better response from clients if you just let them in and didn't hold them out in the cold to get into an empty spot... Drinks are okay. Price wise... But they are weak as fuck... Give me a damn 4 or even a 6 count of gin instead of a 2 count... read more

Came here for a drink around midnight, the line was short and you take an elevator up to the third floor. The place is pretty small, and it was very crowded (went on a Thursday night). Some of my friend were able to grab a table and a couple of seats so we were able to chill a bit and just enjoy. Drinks were average for Santana Row, nothing special and price was as expected. The line for the bar was way too long, and the bar area in general is just too crowded. They have all these bead things everywhere that makes it hard to find your group as well. It seems like they have a really nice pool area but they don't let you go out there, this place would be so much better if they allowed access there. Overall, a cool place to grab a drink. I'd get tired standing in line and then standing around after a while though. The music is a bit too loud just like any other night club/bar scene, as we had to yell to communicate. Try the scooby snacks though, yum! read more

The V Bar was cool when they first opened but after going there this past weekend in a long time I can see why I don't go there anymore. This place is a sausage fest. The ratio of guys to girls is 3:1. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit but it always seems there are more guys than girls here. Not just that but the drinks are outrageously priced. The only good thing about this place is that during the summer you can sit out on the patio in the evenings. They're also one of the handful of bars that stay open past midnight. In my opinion I would avoid all bars at Santana Row past midnight and go to the many other bars located on either Stevens Creek Boulevard or Winchester. read more

The courtyard carries this spot, very cool for a summer night and drinks with friends. The service is terrible, I wish I could think of a stronger word right now. We ordered a bottle of champagne and I think the bar tender went to France to get it. Although they still threw our bill at us even though we hadn't gotten everything we ordered yet. Previous experiences have been the same, painfully slow service and over priced. I don't mind paying a bit more, but I expect the service to be on par. Went here again the other night...at least they are consistent...terrible bar service. Also have to love the 5'5 "bouncer" kicking people out of the lobby, in his obviously trying to deepen it "bouncer voice". I think he goes home and masturbates to Road House. Very few beautiful people here too, mostly slimy dudes trying to hit on anything in a skirt. Like my wife while I am at the bar getting drinks for example...come on guys, if you see the rock why bother? That's just poor time management... Seriously...I would give this place zero stars if I could... Went here the other night WHERE THE HELL IS THE WAITRESS WITH MY DRINK??!!! Its Wed. night... We waited about 15 minutes and left...amazing.. read more

It's a nice and chic bar located on the third floor of the Valencia Hotel in Santana Row. The drinks are expensive and scenery is average. We somehow end up stumbling in here during the week after Sino closes (early). They don't stay open past midnight but if you want a low key and upscale experience this is a nice place. The line to get into the hotel on weekends can be a bit ridiculous and don't expect to find a seat. The outdoor patio located in the heart of the hotel is a nice place to relax and enjoy a drink with someone special or with a few close friends. They do close it down around ten in order to keep things quite for hotel guests. A frou frou drink to try here is the chocolate martini... made with godiva chocolate. Don't expect live music or really any music to dance to here. This is strictly a lounge. read more

This place blows. I did not eat nor drink here so I can't say anything about this. So I guess this review is about the scene. Haha. I did not need to wait in line for 20 minutes only to go up and turn around and leave in less than 5 minutes. It is seriously just a hotel bar. Not much better than one you would find at Holiday Inn, maybe even worse. The hallways are perfect for feeling like you are being squeezed out of a sausage and getting barked at by little men in tight Ed Hardy shirts. No joke, this really happened. The metal curtains are a little awkward and did not allow enough coverage from said little men. There is no seating and no room in general, in fact that seems to be the theme of this place. The bar was overcrowded with a variety of people including your mid 20 somethings and no-that-sequin-dress-does-not-make-you-look-30-something-you-granny. Plus no one was dancing! What is up with that?! If i seriously wanted to "chill" this hard, there are other places. My friends and I seriously walked down the hall and walked back out. I sound so pretentious and self righteous in this review, but seriously never coming back. read more

Santana row, the breeding ground for Asian women with ugly tacky blond streaks and plastic LV bags. Among the mist of superficiality is the V Bar. I usually end up at the V Bar on a dead weekday night, mostly on a Tuesday night right after dinner. Today was another interesting night at the V Bar. My friend and I happened to be the only Asians there (unfortunately we left the sun-in tacky streaks at the door). We were ear-hustling the German and Italian businessmen with wonderful accents on our right. Their conversation went something like this: Man #1: You need to find yourself a good masseuse (glances over to us) Man #2: Yes, I heard that there are some good places to get massages here (glances over to us) Excuse me. Just because we're Asian...doesn't mean we're giving you a happy ending. NEXT! +2.5 because the drinks are overpriced and the men here always resemble Harry (from Sex and the City). However, I am fond of their white gummy bear drink and I do love to people watch and ear-hustle here. Foreigners give me a warm tingly feeling inside. read more

2 1/2 Stars (rounded up) It's been a long time since I've been here, and the crowd has changed. It's not really the "Santana Row" upscale or pretending-to-be upscale crowd anymore. Drinks are still overpriced (Redbull Vodka - $11; Makers Mark on ice - $10; Don Julio Blanco - $11). Bartenders are on top of things, but being in the zone makes them robotic/emotionless. I still had a good time though, so I round up, not down. Probably would have rounded down if we had to wait in line. read more

This is one of my wife's favorite place to go for happy hour, they have happy hour between 4 to 7 pm every day, bartender here are are some of the nicest once on Santana Row. Love the balcony sitting during summer. read more

Vbar - Lounges Near Me - San Jose, California

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seems busy on the weekends, but I think I like Rosies around the corner better. Its a better vibe than this spot and the drinks are cheaper. Not to mention this place seems over run with Idians now (dot not feathers) read more

Met some friends here on Friday night. The music doubled in volume at exactly 9:49pm so conversation went from raised voices to shouting. Outside, there were heat lamps and seating around the fountain. It's a lot quieter out there, which is good if you want to actually have a conversation instead of a shouting match. Bombay Blue Hawaiian - Bombay gin, DeKuyper Blue Curacao, pineapple juice. Super sweet candy-like drink. Caipirinha - Leblon Cachaça, fresh limes and sugar. The limes were well-muddled, but overall, the drink was not well mixed. The first half was really strong. The second half was really sweet. I tried to mix it myself, but it was kind of difficult with that skinny black straw. Johnny Walker Black - on the rocks. Decent music selection, but no dancing. It might be because the clientele ranges from upper 20s to 50s? The bar is pretty small and short of seating. They take away the little black ottoman seats before 10pm, so it's mainly bar stool seating indoors. Please offer a seat to a girl in heels. Her feet probably hurt. Some people are dressed to impress, in cute strapless dresses and heels or pressed dress shirts and dress shoes. Others are wearing t-shirts, jeans and sneakers. So come are you are! Mirrors in the bathroom stalls captivated some of my friends. They had to go take a look. At themselves. Located in Santana Row's Hotel Valencia, on the third floor. You'll need to take the elevator. read more

UPDATE: 5/12/07, okay, I get it! Last year in Aug'06 was just a good nite/good luck for me. What in the fugliness is going on down here? I will NOT go back. Yuck! Bag all you wanna . . . but Ms. Ali is gonna go out more in San Jo fo' sho! Ms. Ali, dragged out for yet another abominable birthday wanted to look for some serious grub, booty shakin and drinkin. Well, we found it, AND, some very nice men all night long offering to buy many, many ladies drinks. That just don't happen in the City gals! Come on down, the San Jo is fine! I'm going back, if not for just the trippy silver beads, incidental cushy seating, red, RED, RED! lit bottle backgrounds, nice bartenders, cool peeps and ambient tunes and reasonable drink prices. I'm there babies! Ms. Ali ~ read more

In my single days I used to frequent this bar as it provided a good mixed crowd of interesting and successful people. Though the occasional poser will be there, it's not a place one can really chill at without having deep pockets. At $10-20 or more a drink, depending on your cocktail choice, it's not the place you'd want to hang out at unless you're single. It's very pricy and loud and the atmosphere is designed for more of an introduction and dating crowd. That said, I did meet the lady who is now my wife there many years ago when they first opened, and obviously hit it off well. So who knows what you may find. read more

Came here with a few friends on a Friday night around 9pm so there was no line. It was also the week of Christmas so maybe it wasn't as busy. The crowd was mixed, but we usually stay within our own group of friends.. well I guess there weren't any cute guys there that night. haha Pros: - Seating! Yes! There is seating around the main bar (about 3-4 sections) and there is also seating (and heat lamps) outside and down the hall. - Strong drinks - Casual/Semi-formal wear (guys could get in with sneakers, jeans, shirt) Cons: - Heard there is a wait sometimes - Drinks are a little pricey, but it is Santana Row - Creepers that tend to stare read more

3.5! V(agina) Bar has a pretty great atmosphere, but the security there can be pretty hardcore. My crew and I were chilling on the couches in the lobby that were occupied by absolutely NO ONE around 11 pm and the security guy came up to us and asked if we were staying at the hotel and if not we would have to leave. As we were leaving, he kept on ushering us out faster and faster like there was about to be some big stampede of actual residents coming in any moment. Now, I didn't actually buy a drink here, so I suppose this review is more on the atmosphere. A lot of business type looking people, but also some creepers. They also had some great patio seating which we were hesitant to go to since that might be reserved for hotel residents only, but alas it wasn't so we got to chill under heating lamps the rest of the night. read more

Before you all jump on me for giving this place any stars at all, give me a chance to explain. As a bar? No stars. It's pretentious, annoying, and there's never anywhere to sit. The drinks are so weak and expensive, you might as well carry a flask and nip in the bathroom. The decor and general atmosphere of the place has rubbed off on the wait staff because whenever I've tried to order anything, I've quickly realized I am definitely in the wrong. How dare I bother the young female bartenders by ordering a drink. However, this is where the V bar excels above most other places I've been: When your tool ex boyfriend (who has always been about get-rich-quick, look at my fancy stuff I can't afford, etc. etc.) calls you out of the blue after 4 years and offers to buy you a drink, he of course mentions meeting at the V bar. So, you show up, double check he means it when he says you can order anything you want, then proceed to order a triple of Macallan 18 year. The look on his face when he has to pay for your shot is absolutely worth venturing into this hell on earth. read more

V Bar is a decent place to hang out and grab a drink on a Friday night after shopping at Srow. One of the only spots here without cover is always a plus! Drinks are good but on the pricey side, but the bartenders are really quick with our drink orders. They used to have the outdoor patio open, but lately seems like they don't open it anymore. Overall not a bad night here and its fun to catch up with friends. read more

I know this is Santana Row and prices are steep but damn, it's just not worth it here. Usually I don't mind paying high prices for drinks if the ambiance is great but after last night's visit, I don't think I'll be coming back for awhile. Pros: -the only place that opens past midnight at the Row -outdoor patio area -posh decor Cons: -elevator music (where's the hiphop? top 40? even if it was house/trance I'd accept it!) -patio constantly closed for private parties -unfriendly bartenders -small pours -long lines (especially around midnight when all the other lounges close) We were excited to come here but there's no music to dance (even if only in my head) to, no patio to hang out in, and the shots were so small. I'd come here only if I need a place to hang while I sober up before driving home! read more

Came here at about 6:30 pm last Thursday to catch the happy hour. Plenty of bar tables were empty but none of them were clean. We cleaned off a small table. No waiter was going to come over. We ordered drinks and snacks from the bar. Lychee martini was all right -- good but watered down. Basil Gimlet was good, too bad it's not on the happy hour special. 45 minutes later we had to go back the bar to check on our snacks. After that it arrived about 5 minutes or so. Not the cozy experience we were hoping for read more

Dancing: No Full Bar: Yes Drink Quality: pretty good but not that strong Pricing: Normal santana row prices above $10.. unless you get a super cheap drink/shot.. Seating: Plenty of couches and stools inside the bar and outside in the hotel area. Balcony: Yes Decor: I like it. the bead drapes makes it different compared to other places and the red lights of the bar gives it a futuristic feel to it. Good place to talk with your friends and to literally just sit down and hang out and grab some drinks. This place gets packed though! There can be lines outside of the hotel and sometimes they do enforce dress code. Just look at the sign they have up front! But they are pretty chill about it. You might find yourself standing at the lounge because there are no seats. People do easily try to meet you so if you are in the mood to be social also! here is the place. This place is one of the two bars that are open late in santana row! Music is playing in the background but not a dancing place definitely! read more

I must have missed something... I went on a ghetto night and there were guys there, with that chest out, foot up their mouth, downtown San Jose mentality. I don't know about all that.... I even went in AGAIN on another day and apparently, same outcome. I think I'm just over observing things. But its a nice bar inside of Hotel Valencia! =) read more

Should be re-named to D-bar. D for douche. Too crowded for such a small space, and crowd here is not any sort that intrigues me whatsoever. Meh. If you want to be seen or if you'd like to possibly pick up a sugar daddy this might be the place for you, other wise...quite frankly if I had to hang out at the row in a bar setting...i'd chose Rosies! They have good food and drinks! read more

This says it all: I was dragged to "the row" for dinner one night and the V Bar had a line extending down the block. My friend knew a valet so we were let right up. And the place was EMPTY! Maybe 15 people total, but they kept 3 times that many waiting out front to fool people into thinking the place was hip. Between the overpriced drinks and fake snob appeal, this place takes Santana Row's see-and-be-seen attitude and inflates it to the size of the Woody Woodpecker balloon at the thanksgiving parade. Unlike ol' Woody, the results here do not amuse. read more

this used to be our spot, when SR first opened....You know when the clubbin scene gets old and you just wanna chill...Located right in the heart of the Row, you can have dinner and just come here for drinks. Its right inside Hotel Valencia so if you get wasted here one night, just get a room and crash there =) The review for the hotel itself will come later....lol The bar prices are a lil crazy, i guess ur paying for the decor and ambience... another thing that drives me crazy about this place is, everytime i go here, they serve us these nuts, i love the wasabi ones, but no one will tell me where they get it from! wth, freakin mystery nuts! ARGH! Other than that, pretty cool place to chill and grab drinks with ur friends if ur not on a budget =) read more

I knew I was going to have a problem at this place when I looked on the drink menu and saw that they made one of their "signature" drinks with Ed Hardy Vodka. The drinks are over priced and the place is usually really crowded. I asked for a diet coke and it tasted like every soda under the rainbow combined...it was sick. The outside patio is why I gave this 2 stars insted of one. It would be really nice on a warm day to go here and hang out. Maybe I will just have to bring my own soda. I'd save my money on the drinks at this place and go down the street and have a cupcake from Kara's...that's money well spent. read more

Back when I lived in Silicon Valley, the V-Bar was my de facto hangout. Holidays. Weekdays. Warm days. Cold days. I memorized every bead of its curtains, its full length mirrors, its cushy couches, its square stools. I knew every inch of the place. I was here last week and maybe because it's winter or the holidays, but I wasn't feeling the love. My mojito wasn't the best and I had to flag down the waitress to order a second. The crowd was sparse and somewhat subdued. There was no chance of meeting a random cool stranger the way I could in the old days. Sigh. I will be back, because it's a great location and I like the muted dark coolness of the place, but maybe summer would be a better time to go. And when I go, I'll go back to my dirty martinis. I know they can make those really well!! read more

Used to be one of the main spots I come to with a couple buddies. Its not usually my crowd since it seems as if there are a bit older folks who come here but it's a chill place. The drinks: expensive but every time I have ordered they seem to be more on the stronger side... maybe I just know how to pick the bartender! Haha. Speaking of bartenders I feel like they have selective vision.... Let me explain.. STORY TIME!! So I come here on a semi busy hour of a random weekend night with some buddies. Want to order a nice drink and a round of shots to celebrate my friend's new job! I will admit we do look on the younger side of all the alcohol drinkers in the room and well I'm waiting for about 5-10 minutes right in the middle in front of a dam bartender and they continue to serve the people on our lefts and rights and even behind/above (I'm short... but I am taller than the counter so they CAN see me!) okay really...though. That bartender completely ruined a celebratory night and I hope they suck one and choke! I should have gotten the name so dam on my part but for real don't over look us! If we're in the dam bar passed all the security we are legal to drink. Or is it maybe we look young so we don't tip... either way my friends were going to spend money and that bartender completely ignored us! Sorry for my cussing and all that jazz but that's just rude!! Anyway I only make it out here once in awhile now since that incident. Good drinks cool vibe completely rude and crappy bartenders at least towards the younger looking crowd. read more

I'm giving this place three stars based on the venue. You have to take the elevator up to the bar. And once it opens up, the bar is located on the inside and there is a balcony that overlooks Santana Row. Also, there is an open rooftop terrace where you can lounge. I love sitting by the fireplace that they have up there! But other than the venue, the drinks are okay...nothing to rave about. They are priced similarly to the rest of the bars in SR, so I'm not really surprised by it. I like coming back every so often because I feel so chic and sophisticated sitting on the rooftop :) read more

I used to think that this place has potential to improve itself. I actually like this place when it's a little dead. I have more than plenty of room to sit and walk around without my friends and I being harassed by 50 something year old businessmen. I understand this behavior if I was wearing something slutty to get their attention but I don't even try to dress up all nice for this place. So the crowd is just full of douchebags, so to speak. TOO MANY GUYS IN HERE! One point I think the bartender thought we were drunk and tricked us into overpaying for 1 drink. 25 bucks? for one drink. hardly any alcohol in it. minus 2! I like their restroom but not the location it is placed at. THERE IS NO WAY to get around the creepers you are trying to avoid since you will have to pass them in the big long hallway before you could get out. I wanna say more good things about this place but I really can't find anything else even if I tried read more

The only thing I like about this bar is that it has an outdoor area where you can breath some fresh air or stay by the nice fountain/fire place. Other then that, it goes down from here. Once you walk about little door guys, you take a elevator up to the bar. Like most hotel bars, there will be tourists or people staying there. I am not sure how their beads hanging down work but they are quite dirty. People walk pass these either drunk or all sweaty and nasty looking because it can get stuffy in here. Any ways, avoid those beads. Drinks for over price but what do you expect, it's Santana Row for you. Any ways, the bartenders are hard to catch and there are no space for a sit at the bar type of gig. Perhaps in the day time? So...1 star for the clean bathrooms and 1 star for the outdoor area. Other then that, it's another bar in Santana Row for you! read more

We had 2 sangrias and nachos! I recommend to visit V bar where you can enjoy a great view from the balcony!

I give this place 3 stars just based on the way it looks. The seating is nice and outdoor space is very luxurious too. However, drinks are overpriced and service wasn't too great when I came there. The waiter took 10 minutes to give me a soda because he was busy chatting with his friends. read more

girls night out, so we decided to get all dolled up and celebrate at an upscale lounge in san jose. santana row came to mind and off we went! we arrived around 12am and there was a line to get in during that time. maybe we had a bad bartender? the drinks tasted cheap for such a high price. small dance floor with people who were probably in their 30s. we came on a friday night and music was mostly house mixes. we left disappointed. read more

Swung by here after dinner at yardhouse and drinks at straits. It was pretty popping! Lots of people hanging aroun outside the drinks for the price were just meh so I gave them a three star will give their happy hou and apps a try next time. read more

The location of this place is tricky because you have to go up to the 3rd floor of Hotel Valencia. Happy hour is from 5-7pm featuring $5 cocktails and $5 on certain appetizers. Small bar, but features comfy couches, a nice balcony with a view of Santana Row as well as patio seating outside complete with little heater things if it's chilly. Good place to sit and talk. Clean bathrooms that can be found by the hotel lobby. It gets crowded on weekend nights, so be sure to get there a little bit earlier if you want comfy seats. read more

Yeah, I'm still not really into their drinks, but tried some happy hour apps this time, and the tuna tartare and cheese plates are pretty good. Would skip the hummus and quesadilla next time. Nice place to come on a warm night, chill on the patio. read more

This bar is conveniently located on the rooftop of the hotel. One thing that I like about this rooftop bar is that only hotel guests are able to access it. During the time that I went there was a wedding going on but they did allow for half of the facility to be used for other hotel guests. They had a variety of choices to have a drink and my cucumber Martini was absolutely delicious. If you know me and cucumber martinis not every place can make it and this one did. They are also providing food options just in case you get hungry as well. We wanted something healthy but not to carb overload so we chose the steak bites which is a perfect choice or protein. Another thing that I really enjoy is that they have outdoor heaters to make you feel warm while you're sitting outside and watching the big screen TV. They have a cute little sitting area as well that you can take picture underneath. Overall I definitely will come to this rooftop bar every time I stay at this hotel. read more

No cover yay!!!!!! Atmosphere is great, no cover, and lots of space (esp if you go on a warm night, b/c the outside patio area is big and there are plenty of places to sit down). Oh yah, DO NOT forget your credit card here. We came back the next morning after calling to make sure they had it, turns out they locked the card in their safe and LOST THE KEY!?!?!?!!! They couldn't even give us an estimate on how long it would take to find it and proceeded to give us attitude while repeating: "it's not our fault you forgot your card" ew.....terrible service. Oh and FYI, don't wear tennis shoes or athletic shoes (esp to the guys). You can try and talk to the bouncers all you want, but they're pretty stubborn so just don't wear them. Pretty lame considering some of my man's shoes (and I'm sure a lot of you other guys' shoes out there) are worth a lot more than plain black leather shoes. read more

Not overwhelming. Drinks were standard for this type of bar. Open later than most places on Santana Row, although they did last call at 1:05 am. Staff at the door, which I guess is security were pretty rude. Some comfortable seats, but a very small area. Good mix of people, would go there again perhaps. read more

Every time I come home for a weekend from college, I end up at the V Bar with some friends. I've gotten spoiled by cheap cocktails at school, so I always have to remind myself that my favorite appletini will be $9. I like that there's outdoor seating-- it's always too crowded and dark to stay inside for long. It's also great for people watching-- make sure to dress up because I've seen them ask people to leave for wearing Hawaiian shirts...but no one should wear those to S.Row anyway. I do wish that they cleared out the room for dancing sometimes though. They always have good music playing but no dancing. I was there last Friday and they asked us to leave the patio at 11pm and I think closed at 11:30 or 12...kind of lame. Saturdays I believe it's open later. read more