10 Best Cocktail Bars in Santa Clara

“great place to hang out, have a drink!“

“I want to preface this by saying two things. First, I had never been here before. Which is sorta’ shocking for me because, two, I like Bay Area dive- and dive-adjacent bars.

Having lived in and/or visited this area for all of my 50-plus years, that is shocking. And I like this sort of place in a non-ironic, non-wink-wink, sorta’ way. I loved the Cardiff in Campbell before it became an ultra-lounge. I spent many a day and/or evening at Blinky’s before it closed. In more recent years, I was saddened when Patty’s Inn and then the The Red Stag closed. I am happy that Woodham’s still offers up first and last calls. And I continue to be amazed that Vahl’s is still slinging drinks in the hinterlands.

And I frequent these places because, in almost all cases, they provide a service that is rapidly being destroyed in the Bay Area. Great service. Strong drinks. Good prices (relatively speaking). Interesting customers. Normandy House checks all of these boxes.

This place exists where Bascom disappears. It is kitty-corner to what has to be one of the world’s oldest still existing uniform stores. It is located in a non-descript and frankly worn-down corner strip mall, the sort of place that is eagerly eyed by developers looking to raze the place in favor of bland and cheaply made condos that cost way too much.

By dive bar standards (and I mean that as a compliment), this place is huge! Long and lovely bar. Lots of seating. Clean bathrooms. Atmosphere-appropriate lighting. Pool tables and a good jukebox. My friend and I visited on a recent weekday, so the place was nearly empty. But the staff were top notch. We got an instant greeting, several check-ins, and prompt service. They were tearing down the St. Patrick’s Day stuff and putting up new decorations. Having never been here before, I didn’t feel like I was intruding. The staff made me feel at home.

I think the reviews and the average rating are about right. Thing is, check out some of the negative reviews. Most are years old. And the more recent one(s)—I am looking at you, Alex—makes the reviewer sound like a high-maintenance noodle who can’t fathom why people won’t respond to their friend requests. Hint: it’s you, Alex. It’s you.

Again, I am amazed I hadn’t visited before. And I plan to visit again the next time I am in the area. To the staff, thank you. You provided excellent service. To the owner, keep doing what you are doing. In a place that is more and more demolishing the heart and spirit of the area and pricing out locals, you provide a service that I am not sure newer transplants understand or even respect.

Highly recommended.“

“MONDAY FOOD REVIEW...PUESTO...6/17/24! After leaving California's Great America, we stopped for lunch at Puesto, a Mexican/American restaurant, located at 2752 Augustine Dr., in Santa Clara. This restaurant features Mexican dishes with an American flare infusion! I had their their Shrimp a la Plancha, which is Mexican shrimp, garlic butter, red onions, jalapeños, guajillo chile, avocado, and Tamarindo-chile sauce, and it comes with herb lime rice, black beans, and blue corn tortillas. This was absolutely fabulous!!! It wasn't your typical Mexican dish...the different ingredients they used to create this dish all blended together VERY well!!! If you are looking for a little something different to satisfy your Mexican food craving, and want some added flair, then this is THE restaurant to go to!!! I HIGHLY recommend it!!!! My rating: 10++++“

“The staff were all really nice and accommodating. They have the ability to play YouTube so you can’t pick any song you want! They also have a great selection of drinks and food was great. Highly recommend visiting this place for late night karaoke!“

“The service attitude here is great. I like the drinks very much. It feels very magical, like a magic potion🥰“

“great bar to stop and have a drink!“

“Nice to hang out with my friends after a round of 9 holes. Good drinks and tasty food.“

“this place is the bomb. food is just so full of flavor, all of it. totally recommend.“

“Went for lunch with two co-workers. We were seated inside right away. The staff were nice and attentive. I'm a Pacific Catch rewards member, and I received a message stating that you could have a free shareable if you let your server know. We decided to have the Coconut Shrimp for the shareable, which was very good! We also enjoyed eating the Japanese Wasabi Original Ahi Poke bowl.
Here's some of the selections that I've had in the past at various Pacific Catch restaurants that I really liked. Seabass Skewers, Baja Shrimp Ceviche, Guaca-Poke, Grilled Asparagus, Sushi Rolls, Miso Black Cod, Lobster Roll, Taco Plater, Fish and Chips, Kanpachi, Chocolate Lava cake, Pineapple Right Side Up cake, Hula Brownie Sundae.“

“love everything about it. The food was amazing and the drinks“