Silicon Valley's Best After-Work Bar

Reviews:

• “great hangout, good tables”
• “Amsterdam Billiards of the West Coast, which is a hell of a compliment”
• “What a change!! Love this place again!!”
• “SICK OF MEAT MARKETS? Great spot to hang with friends and relax”
• “Great food, great service and ambience. Best pool hall in town!”

South First Billiards or email South First Billiards

The third time’s all charm for this growing empire of captivating Singaporean restaurants.

Reviews:

• “Good but not great..”
• “Fabulous Food / Fun Experience”
• “average and overpriced food”
• “Overpriced & Nasty”
• “Over-rated, overpriced, worst service ever!!!”

Tips: South Bay DJs spin house music on Friday and Saturday nights, but on Thursdays from 9pm to midnight, it’s live jazz.

Straits Cafe – Santana Row

Off-the-beaten-path Mountain View neighborhood gay bar hosts multiple theme nights.

Reviews:

• “The patrons and the bartender need to learn some manners.”
• “An overpriced and scary slum awaits you….”
• “Friday night (Goth) was perfect”
• “Very relaxed bar.”
• “KOC”

Tips: Call ahead to see what’s going on and what the expected attendance will be like; certain nights it can be packed, while other times it’s virtually empty.

King of Clubs

More than 22 different ales and lagers are brewed throughout the year at this beer-lover’s paradise.

Tips: On a nice day, stroll around the pond in back and watch the ducks.

Faultline Brewing Company

Chic hotel bistro attracts a vibrant, mixed crowd with rustic American cuisine.

Reviews:

• “my boyfriend and i fell in love at this restaurant”
• “great night out on the town restaurant”
• “Would never eat there again!”
• “overrated”
• “Cold Food – Bad Service”

Paragon Restaurant & Bar San Jose or email Paragon Restaurant & Bar San Jose

An Irish bar-meets-dance club on Murphy Avenue.

Reviews:

• “Carry some Airwick Spray!”
• “Worst service ever”
• “Great Anytime”
• ""
• “This place is cool”

Tips: It’s tough to find a good Guinness draw—this place boasts one of the best in town.

Scruffy Murphy’s Irish Pub

South Bay favorite reels in locals with fresh fish and sweeping views of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Reviews:

• “Food decent, but bland, a bit on the expensive side”
• “Exceptional”
• ""
• “Destination”
• “good fish food”

Tips: The weekend wait for a table can extend to a staggering two and a half hours.

Steamer’s Grillhouse

This English pub is a friendly mishmash of hot singles scene, sports bar and karaoke laughs.

Reviews:

• “Going Down Hill”
• “Need a place that I want!”
• “POOR SERVICE AND BAD MANAGEMENT”

Tips: Go for drink and food specials after work Monday through Friday, from 4pm to 7pm.

Britannia Arms of Almaden

A retro hot spot for local rat packs to congregate, play pool and drink martinis.

Reviews:

• “Piece of **** bar”
• “Smokin hot bartenders, neighborhood crowd and karaoke!”
• “The Dive is GREAT”
• “there are WAY better bars in San Jose…”
• “Dive Bar is the coolest!”

Tips: Bring quarters to feed the jukebox that features everything from Dean Martin to Beyonce.

Dive Bar

Crowds come for U.K. brews, whiskeys and a hefty menu of across-the-pond munchies and stay for the live entertainment.

Reviews:

• “Bland English Food”
• “Who is ripping who off?”
• “Not as good as it once was”
• “good drink and good food”

Tips: In the afternoon, traditional Irish country dance classes are taught here. If you don’t want to dance, just listen to the acoustic Celtic music played by a live band.

The King’s Head Pub & Restaurant

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