San Jose

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Dive Bars in Silicon Valley -- UNDER RECONSTRUCTION - new version coming soon

A travel journal to San Jose by gsingh

The Cactus ClubMore Photos

San Jose is the self-proclaimed capital of Silicon Valley. As a city it is completely postmodern in the sense that it's a constantly changing and growing place--expansive as it is expensive. And, of course, there's plenty of dive bars. From now on, this journal will be in a continuous state of flux, that is, I will be adding entries and updating it as I see fit.

  • 16 reviews
  • 11 photos

Dive Bars in Silicon Valley -- UNDER RECONSTRUCTION - new version coming soonBest of IgoUgo

Overview

A long time ago, probably in a farmer’s town far far away, someone invented the term “dive bar.” I don’t know exactly where the phrase came from (some day I’ll cross-examine a drunk etymologist and get the low down) but nowadays me thinks that “dive bars” are ubiquitous.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

In San Jose, like any other expansive sprawled-out suburb in California, you must have a car to get anywhere. If you don't have one, there exists a shred of a public transportation system: bus routes, a lightrail, and Caltrain (which is really cheap and really slow), all of which are about to undergo major cutbacks

The CinebarBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Cinebar"

This is downtown San Jose's quintessential dive bar with all the typical accouterment. Barflies, blue collar drinkers, washed-up skaters, punkers, wards of the state, and even college students are found within its walls. The jukebox is always blasting, and, for a time, the place was the only one in the area with a pool table. There's no beer on tap, since it's mostly a bottled beer/hard drinking establishment, and the sign on the door says, 'You must drink while in here.' It's also the only place to buy cigarettes after around 11:00 pm or so. Long time proprietor Ace (R.I.P.) passed away and now George runs the show.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by gsingh on September 29, 2000

The Cinebar
69 E. San Fernando San Jose, California 95113
(408) 292-9562

Cactus ClubBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

The Cactus Club
After eleven years, this unkept den of iniquity somehow remains to be the most popular spot for live rock music in San Jose. Whether it be national touring bands or local talent, the club continues to pack 'em in.

In San Jose, 11 years is an extremely long time for any club to last in Downtown, since the SJ Redevelopment Agency tends to shun any downtown business that doesn't attract yuppies.

The Cactus Club also sponsors hip-hop/house DJ nights three times a week and between 5pm and 9pm, their legendary happy hour draws a soiree of dubious characters--from homeless punkers to local barflies. If the bathroom disgusts you too much, then go across the street to the pool hall and use theirs.

Especially ingenious was their now defunct Sinatra Night in which DJ 'Son of the Couple Who Lived in Keith Moon's Head' spun Sinatra, Dean Martin, old Easy Listening, lounge, exotica, bad TV themes, Italian soundtracks, children's music, thrift store oddities, and relics from your grandma's record collection. Alas, no more.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by gsingh on September 29, 2000

Cactus Club
417 South First Street San Jose, California 95113
(408) 287-4087

Seven BambooBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "7 Bamboo"

Bamboo 7
This dive bar in Japantown is the most happening place for karaoke in all of the South Bay. Forget all the British Pubs and meat-market bars--this is where the real karaoke freaks congregate every Friday and Saturday night. The clientele runs the gamut: drunk businessmen; bored hyperactive college students; Sinatra hounds; pseudo-intellectuals and the artsy chic. No matter how lousy of a singer you are, the audience will always cheer you on. Like any real dive bar, the hard drinks are all doubles and adequately priced. If you're a real man, order a Tokyo Tea for $6 -- three of these and you'll be screaming along with every Jim Nabors tune that comes up.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by gsingh on September 29, 2000

Seven Bamboo
162 Jackson St. San Jose, California 95112
(408) 279-9937

Caravan LoungeBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Caravan"

The Caravan
Possibly the best dive in all of San Jose, this bar is populated by the blue collar crowd, younger refugees from the club scene, or an occasional stray from the Greyhound station next door. Tenants of the Plaza Hotel upstairs also frequent the place. You can play pool or drop a few dollars in the jukebox while you swill drinks from their more-than-average booze selection. They even sell six-packs to go. It was a much better place years ago when they had the definitive cheesy booths against the wall, where an old girlfriend and I smooched on a regular basis. On Thursday nights it's usually elbow to elbow people since they returned to having live bands play in the corner.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by gsingh on September 29, 2000

Caravan Lounge
98 S Almaden Ave San Jose, California 95113
(408) 995-6220

Cardinal Coffee Shop & LoungeBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Cardinal Lounge"

This suburbian 24-hour joint is second to none for late night eats. You can lounge in the red vinyl booths and experience the older crowd swilling drinks for cheap. The dim fluorescent lights and the predominantly 1950s tunes make the experience even better. Although it's mostly an older crowd, anyone will feel wonderful with their cheap prime rib ($8.95). Forget about Denny's, this is the real all-night place to take the edge off the night's drinking.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by gsingh on September 29, 2000

Cardinal Coffee Shop & Lounge
3197 Meridian Ave San Jose, California 95124
(408) 269-7891

Rudy's PubBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

The sign over the door says 'Cheap food, warm beer, lousy service.' This dive blue collar bar is right at the end of Palo Alto's main yuppie drag, University Ave. With lunch deals for $5, the place makes a strong contrast to the plethora of upper class establishments that occupy the rest of the street. Catering to mostly construction workers at night, it was one of the last places to finally be forced to uphold the California no-smoking-in-bars law. A legendary establishment.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by gsingh on September 29, 2000

Rudy's Pub
117 University Ave. Palo Alto, California 94301
(650) 329-0922

Red Stag LoungeBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Red Stag"

The Red Stag
If you go to this bar, the first thing you should do is walk right up to the jukebox and put in "God Bless America."

One of the last bars to actually enforce the California no-smoking-in-bars law, the Red Stag caters entirely to regulars. The walls are covered with Budweiser girlie posters and the patrons soak 'em down while playing pool or watching TV. An excellent place for a sociological study of neighborhood bars.

  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by gsingh on September 29, 2000

Red Stag Lounge
1711 W San Carlos St San Jose, California 95128
(408) 292-6777

Alex's 49er InnBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Alex's
Not for the weak, this local dive caters to mostly blue-collar types and laborers. Don't order a foo-foo drink--you'll get thrown out. This is a place to pound whiskey and cheap beer. The shots of booze come in doubles, but priced for a single. You can play video games or pool if you wish, while hoping some of the strippers from the Pink Poodle across the street meander over for a few. Their free brunch buffet on weekends brings in a menagerie of dubious characters.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by gsingh on September 29, 2000

Alex's 49er Inn
2214 Business Circle (between Bascom and San Carlos streets) San Jose, California 95128
+1 408 279 9737

Mac's ClubBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Mac's
This is the oldest gay bar in San Jose, but you can have a great time here, whether you're gay or not. The drinks are cheap and the atmosphere is safe and friendly. It can be a great place to unwind amidst the hustle and bustle of downtown San Jose. Last year the bar moved to its new location and its pub-like decor attracts all sorts of preferences. On Saturday nights DJ Andy Average spins all sorts of twisted music.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by gsingh on September 29, 2000

Mac's Club
39 Post St. San Jose, California 95113
(408) 288-8221

The Derby ClubBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Derby"

The Derby
A big sign outside this place says, 'Where friends meet.' That alone should be enough of a description for this local neighborhood dive. It's the kind of place where, as soon as you walk in, everyone turns around and the jukebox stops, but don't let it bother you. The regulars are all pretty friendly folks once you talk to them. No beer on tap, only bottles, and they even sell six-packs to go. A great dive bar.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by gsingh on September 29, 2000

The Derby Club
37804 Niles Blvd San Jose, California 94536
(510) 793-2353

Lenny's CocktailsBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Lenny's
This unmistakable dump on Santa Clara Street will probably soon be closed due to Downtown San Jose's gentrification plan of turning the neighborhood into a yuppie Disneyland. Lenny's, along with the Cinebar, is probably in the twilight of its existence. With all the new construction and $2300-a-month one bedroom apartments being built around the corner, Lenny's just can't compete. Where will the drunks go next?
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by gsingh on September 29, 2000

Lenny's Cocktails
171 East Santa Clara Street San Jose, California
(408) 292-4581

Black WatchBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Black Watch"

The Black Watch
This classic local joint in Los Gatos is one you'd want to call a dive, but you just can't. Sometimes bikers invade the place and sometimes it's frat-boy heaven. It's dark as hell inside, but within minutes you'll get used to it. Sample one of their huge kamikazes and put Tom Jones on the jukebox.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by gsingh on September 29, 2000

Black Watch
141 N Santa Cruz Ave San Jose, California 95030
(408) 354-2200

The Boulevard TavernBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

If there's a such thing as an upscale dive, this is it. The Boulevard Tavern in Los Gatos used to be Otto's Garden Room, which was the most hardcore biker bar of the entire South Bay, but now it strikes one as an upscale dive that caters to a variety of professionals and working class types. With the hardwood floors and the homey fireplace, you can't go wrong. Bands play every Friday.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by gsingh on September 29, 2000

The Boulevard Tavern
15043 Los Gatos Blvd San Jose, California 95032
(408) 358-0774

Goguen's Last CallBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Last Call"

The Last Call
This is where you go after you've been cut off at every other bar in Los Gatos. Sometimes you'll see bikers, other times, obnoxious jocks. Winos also stagger in once in a while. Probably the only "true" dive in the mostly upper class town of Los Gatos, and a great place to be if you want to drink alone and forget about the girlfriend who just dumped you.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by gsingh on November 24, 2000

Goguen's Last Call
408 N Santa Cruz Ave San Jose, California 95030
(408) 354-9748

Murray's ClubBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Murray's"

Murray's
Everyone has their own definition of what a dive bar really is, but I can tell you this: In the state of California, alcohol can be sold from 6am until 2am every day (we're not one of those messed up states where you can't get alcohol on Sundays), and most bars that you would consider to be dives open at 6am. And, subsequently, if the place doesn't have any windows, then it can be properly considered a dive.

Murray's is a neat place and it's pretty big inside. There's a few pool tables, dartboards, and plenty of room to sit and drink. And the scotch-and-waters are $2.50. They cater to a pretty wide variety of people. Employees from Streetlight Records across the street are regulars here

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by gsingh on November 24, 2000

Murray's Club
1015 S Bascom Ave San Jose, California
(408) 287-2483

About the Writer

gsingh
gsingh
San Jose, California

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