My fave dive bar in SJ. Wouldn't have made it through college without this spot. Many many good memories here. Hopefully, they open back up soon enough...
Tom Kelly
Hung out there with other lefty students & profs on Friday eves in 1963-'64. It was pretty run down and so were the regulars.
Jillian21 M
I like it here, excellent food & service. The bill was good for what you get.
Lilly-Mai Flores
The chicken and waffles. My waffle could've been hotter but the chicken was moist and delish. The skin was so good. I think it's a cute place for a first date.
Mi Machado
The service was very friendly and efficient. The drinks were incredible - there wasn't anything I didn't enjoy, from the whisky sours to the straight whisky featuring a massive collection of Japanese options.
Sonya E.
First timer at Cinebar. Dropped by with some friends on a Thursday evening for a few drinks. It was lively and surprisingly -- almost packed. It must be a popular spot in DTSJ (it's been a while since I've been out). We ordered a couple of drinks and the guys played pool. The pool is free but if it's packed like how it was when we were there then you have to put your name on a list -- and then, wait for your turn. Music was at a good volume as I didn't have to shout while talking. Bathrooms were really dirty [note to owner: probably want more than one person working to help keeps things in order Thursday through Sunday] Really laid back environment. The bartender was a bit snappy but I will assume it was because he was riding solo serving the entire bar by himself. I would check this place out again. It's a typical downtown bar but with the hole-in-the-wall feel.
Missy K Shep
The bar was great!! Love the atmosphere, but the bartenders were jerks. Couldn’t get service unless I forced direct eye contact and attention. Sitting at the bar with an empty glass and money to spend is a shame. I could see if these two guys were slammed, but this was not the case. They didn’t want to work and it showed. If I were the owner I would get someone in there who wanted to make money. You’re losing money with these guys.
Frank Zolo
If you haven't been here, there's something wrong with you. Vibe, location, price, staff, and memories are "hamms"down the best in town. Dont miss out on this hole in the wall if you're in the area, you won't regret it. Onist will tell you honestly Josh and the boys keep me coming back. Good guys, good times, and the only place I know where there is still hamms beer.
Sheri T.
Use to love this bar especially after seeing shows at the Stadium, never had a problem after all these years until now. Went there for nye, telling my friends that this is a really cool bar, we barely got to the door and the guy at the door was being a real j*** (nice word for the way how is attitude was) just completely arguing with people and completely getting out of hand, huge turn off to even go into a place and spend our money. We went next door to Chachos and rang in the new year with some very friendly people and good drinks!!! For the bars sake I hope he isn't a regular employee or they get him some good training on how to deal with people!
Zara-Maria S.
LMAO. Reading all these reviews about the bartender and his attitude. While I agree he isn't the friendliest, let's be honest he has to deal with a lot of loud and obnoxious drunks and hipster people that come in from the clubs. And also, are you really there to socialize with him? I know I wasn't. It is a dive bar. The decor was very distracting in a good way. I didn't even realize I was 4 ft away from it. This saddens me since I love jukeboxes. Dayam you Family Guy portrait and Devo painted skateboard. Don't go here with high expectations. Again, it is a dive bar. No high expectations should be had for any dive bar. You accept them as they are. Go to have some drinks either with or without your friends. Enjoy the decor. Play some tunes. Watch some Rick & Morty. Then bounce. Four stars because Devo, Family Guy and Stormtrooper.
Great spot that was actually open after 10pm! It reminded us of home in LBC and we had a lot of fun.
Davin Payne
Love the art and the courtesy pool table. My favorite deck is the alien vs predator lol.
Robert Jarrett
Cool little bar right by the Improv. My buddy says it's always empty which wouldn't be good except they have a little pool table that is free for customers to use. I went last night for the first time and there were 3 other people there by the time we left but they had TV's with Rick and Morty playing loud enough that I could hear the dialogue and the pool was free. The bartender was able to serve me beer and cider so I could mix my own snakebite. I have simple needs.
gilbert L
Best dive bar in san jose.
Ananya Sandoval
I can’t say enough about the staff that works at this establishment; they are the absolute best. Worth the cover charge. Entertainment was amazing
My fave dive bar in SJ. Wouldn't have made it through college without this spot. Many many good memories here. Hopefully, they open back up soon enough...
Hung out there with other lefty students & profs on Friday eves in 1963-'64. It was pretty run down and so were the regulars.
I like it here, excellent food & service. The bill was good for what you get.
The chicken and waffles. My waffle could've been hotter but the chicken was moist and delish. The skin was so good. I think it's a cute place for a first date.
The service was very friendly and efficient. The drinks were incredible - there wasn't anything I didn't enjoy, from the whisky sours to the straight whisky featuring a massive collection of Japanese options.
First timer at Cinebar. Dropped by with some friends on a Thursday evening for a few drinks. It was lively and surprisingly -- almost packed. It must be a popular spot in DTSJ (it's been a while since I've been out). We ordered a couple of drinks and the guys played pool. The pool is free but if it's packed like how it was when we were there then you have to put your name on a list -- and then, wait for your turn. Music was at a good volume as I didn't have to shout while talking. Bathrooms were really dirty [note to owner: probably want more than one person working to help keeps things in order Thursday through Sunday] Really laid back environment. The bartender was a bit snappy but I will assume it was because he was riding solo serving the entire bar by himself. I would check this place out again. It's a typical downtown bar but with the hole-in-the-wall feel.
The bar was great!! Love the atmosphere, but the bartenders were jerks. Couldn’t get service unless I forced direct eye contact and attention. Sitting at the bar with an empty glass and money to spend is a shame. I could see if these two guys were slammed, but this was not the case. They didn’t want to work and it showed. If I were the owner I would get someone in there who wanted to make money. You’re losing money with these guys.
If you haven't been here, there's something wrong with you. Vibe, location, price, staff, and memories are "hamms"down the best in town. Dont miss out on this hole in the wall if you're in the area, you won't regret it. Onist will tell you honestly Josh and the boys keep me coming back. Good guys, good times, and the only place I know where there is still hamms beer.
Use to love this bar especially after seeing shows at the Stadium, never had a problem after all these years until now. Went there for nye, telling my friends that this is a really cool bar, we barely got to the door and the guy at the door was being a real j*** (nice word for the way how is attitude was) just completely arguing with people and completely getting out of hand, huge turn off to even go into a place and spend our money. We went next door to Chachos and rang in the new year with some very friendly people and good drinks!!! For the bars sake I hope he isn't a regular employee or they get him some good training on how to deal with people!
LMAO. Reading all these reviews about the bartender and his attitude. While I agree he isn't the friendliest, let's be honest he has to deal with a lot of loud and obnoxious drunks and hipster people that come in from the clubs. And also, are you really there to socialize with him? I know I wasn't. It is a dive bar. The decor was very distracting in a good way. I didn't even realize I was 4 ft away from it. This saddens me since I love jukeboxes. Dayam you Family Guy portrait and Devo painted skateboard. Don't go here with high expectations. Again, it is a dive bar. No high expectations should be had for any dive bar. You accept them as they are. Go to have some drinks either with or without your friends. Enjoy the decor. Play some tunes. Watch some Rick & Morty. Then bounce. Four stars because Devo, Family Guy and Stormtrooper.
Restaurantji Recommends
Great spot that was actually open after 10pm! It reminded us of home in LBC and we had a lot of fun.
Love the art and the courtesy pool table. My favorite deck is the alien vs predator lol.
Cool little bar right by the Improv. My buddy says it's always empty which wouldn't be good except they have a little pool table that is free for customers to use. I went last night for the first time and there were 3 other people there by the time we left but they had TV's with Rick and Morty playing loud enough that I could hear the dialogue and the pool was free. The bartender was able to serve me beer and cider so I could mix my own snakebite. I have simple needs.
Best dive bar in san jose.
I can’t say enough about the staff that works at this establishment; they are the absolute best. Worth the cover charge. Entertainment was amazing