50 Best Bars near Saratoga

“Met a colleague at a local wine bar.... First one said they were closing early.... Ok... Walked to the next. The other wine bar said they were closed, had at least six individuals drinking full glasses of wine. Refused service unless I wanted to purchase a bottle of wine Togo. I left.... Found the bank.... Met my colleague.... Dropped some cash at a great bar that appreciates customers. Later had a great meal... Dropped more cash at Burger Bar next door. My fault for leaving Woodside that day!
Ron“

“Ate here last month and still thinking about how fresh the sashimi was. I got the lunch bento with 3 options and chose; sashimi, saba (mackerel) and tempura. It came with a small salad, rice and miso soup. The total was close to 25 dollars and well worth it. The saba was grilled perfectly and the tempura was light, crunchy and not greasy at all. I came with a class group of maybe 10+ people. The students loved the menu also and the staff were so kind and accommodating. 10000% wish I could eat here every week. 1000% will be coming back.“

“Highly recommended! This place is great!“

“BEsteak.A is an exceptional steakhouse that deserves every bit of its five-star rating. From the moment we stepped in, the service was impeccable—attentive, knowledgeable staff who made us feel welcomed throughout. The ambiance was enhanced by the soothing music playing in the background, setting a relaxed tone for the evening. I opted for the bone-in New York steak, and I must say, it was a masterpiece. The presentation was unlike any other steakhouse I've been to—the steak arrived perfectly cooked and beautifully plated. What surprised me pleasantly was their unique twist on the starter; instead of the usual bread, we were served a delightful plate of fresh vegetables with a decadent cheese dipping sauce—a refreshing change that set the tone for the meal ahead. The open kitchen concept added to the experience, allowing us to see the skill and dedication of the chefs firsthand. Overall, BEsteak.A not only delivered on taste but also on ambiance, service, and creativity. It's a place I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a top-notch dining experience.“

“We celebrated husband's birthday dinner here! Service was amazing! Started off with cocktails. My favorite is the milk punch. After that We ordered a mix of dishes that were shared and delicious: ahi tostada, misto frito, grilled octopus, small green salad.“

“Chill atmosphere, GREAT staff, cold beer, music you will never hear on the radio (that's a good thing.). #supportlivemusic.com“

“fun for people of all ages, highly recommended.“

“Great drinks!!! Hip place with great vibes. Would definitely rely come again!!“

“Came here for a pinball tournament. It's a very nice bar and has several separate areas where there also video games along the walls. The pinball machines are in the back area where the food pickup area is. I ordered a Maitai from the front bar and it was really nice. The pins are very nice too, and they are well maintained. Priced very well @.75/gm 3 for 2.00. I didn't order food, so I cannot comment, but it looked good.“

“2025.08.30, Saturday, 5pm, reservation for 19 people. Total bill was $1,747.04, we tipped 20% so almost $2,000.

Positives: Service was AMAZING 👏👏👏 very attentive and checks in with our table constantly. The cheese and salad bar was fantastic with huge variety of choices!

Negatives: The meat was “okay”, I don’t know what’s the rave about meat. I rather pay $100 for 4 course meal with incredible quality than $100 for this all you can eat steaks with mediocre quality.“

“Suzanna and Ashley are the best bartenders there oh and def can’t forget about Tiffany“

“Perfect for watch parties.“

“They dont really serve food but you can bring your own in. Really fun place. Couple pool tables great service. Most folks I talked to have been coming here for decades, so that's got say something! Great bartenders! Especially the day time guy!

Cash only though. They have an atm on site if needed. Definitely worth it stopping by.“

“Great environment and top tier pool tables and if you like to participate in tournamens. Just buy in and the tables are open for the duration.. Good prices on drinks. Open area out back for a night with friends or someone special to ya. Food truck out front with good food. Parking is free.“

“The Greatest Bar in town with the most to do the best TVs and the best people & bartenders“

“Great downtown San Jose spot with cool bartenders“

“Such a find in strip mall in Sunnyvale! Regulars greeted me kindly, and Noreen the KJ host is so sweet and moves thru the rotation at a fast pace, allowing everyone a chance to sing. Pinball game spits out multi-ball rounds like crazy! Fun times both nights I have been so far.“

“T Bone Mojo and Fuzzy John are set to groove the stage at Joe's Bar this weekend! Get ready for an unforgettable show of blues, soul, and rock n' roll as these two legendary musicians team up to deliver a good vibe performance that will leave you wanting more - grab a drink and get ready to experience the magic of T Bone Mojo and Fuzzy John at Joe's Bar!“

“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.“

“Jack's is a hidden gem of a bar. From the outside it looks like your typical dive, but once you enter you'll notice the modern decor, a wide variety of excellent top and mid shelf liquors in a well organized bar shelf, a spacious outdoor patio and a second bar in the back. The service is excellent and the bar staff know how to make solid drinks. Q and Michelle, the bartenders were friendly and awesome. Brian, the manager took care of us and ensured we had a great time! They have a lot of TVs as well to watch games.

Come here if you like a chill spot to have cocktails, beer or watch the game. Lots of friendly local folks in the late afternoon. Dog friendly until 9pm! You can order food at the bar (or QR code), which will be delivered quickly from a neighboring restaurant, J-Town pizza.

Will visit again. 🍻“

“I am a big fan of this place. Is it salubrious? No. It is casual, laid-back, and whether you like Star Wars or not, it's a fun place to be.

The food is decidedly average, but it hits the spot if you're looking for something simple. And the drinks are really fun, Star wars themed cocktails, variations on the ones that you know and love, but we cooler names.

It can feel a wee bit dark, but no worse than Vespa or Katie Blooms

Depending on the night, they have karaoke, quiz, Craft beer night, and bottomless mimosas on Saturday and Sunday.

My guess, you love the vibe or want to go somewhere lighter and brighter, but a really nice place to visit once or 100 times.“

“I had a great cheese burger, salad and beer. Thank you folks, I was well taken care of.“

“I honestly don’t understand how anyone could leave a bad review here. This place has such a great atmosphere — it’s just impossible to say anything negative about it! The bar is very clean, the vibe is relaxed and welcoming, and the crowd is always interesting. A special thank you to the bartender Marcos— he’s incredibly friendly, attentive, and truly cares about his customers. Much appreciated!“

“Fantastic bar with solid food options and one of the best atmospheres around. Both bar tenders were superb and they had a great selection of Irish and US based whiskeys.

Be sure to bring quarters for the pool table and they run half price whiskey specials to watch out for!“

“The hotel was well maintained, very cool inside, the rooms were great, the hotel is centrally located and easy to get around. The staff couldn’t do enough for me, they were very kind and courteous. They have a nice gym and a nicer outside pool area“

“We had delicious food and were able well served by Lucky who was very attentive, yet gave us space. I truly enjoyed the experience and will definitely be back. Highly recommend! Thank you Lucky for a grate service!“

“I moved here from the south and have been in search of the area’s best Nasheville-style hot chicken. I usually handle the most extreme spice level at these places (included Dave’s and World Famous Hot Boys for local reference) just fine, but the level 7 here is the real deal! I was thoroughly humbled and grateful I was prepared with my large milkshake which I had to down rapidly. Amazing - would definitely come back (probably for level 6 next time).“

“We had an event that went awry and my team met here. The bartender was probably the sweetest person I've ever met, the drinks were great, and the atmosphere outside was nice and relaxing. Parking's a bit of a issue but if you can get yourself there it's an enjoyable place“

“Stopped in Friday and the BBQ Chicken was great. The baked potato had sour cream a butter. The beans were very tasty. The price was great and so was the service. I'm going to come back and try the breakfast and might add a bloody Mary. Nice bartender.“

“They have 3 pinball machines, 2 pool tables, 2 electronic dart boards, a jukebox, an ATM machine, and all sorts of memorabilia on the walls and ceiling available for their patrons to enjoy!! The atmosphere can go anywhere from calm and mellow during midday, to exciting, jovial, entertaining, and filled with dancing and laughter in the late evenings. As far as the patrons, they has a great, blended environment; so no one will feel out of place if you decide to go. So... if you want to go to a place where you'll feel welcomed and have a great time, then Paul & Harvey's on Murphy Ave. is the place for you!!??? *Photo's to come...!“

“Aloft Sunnyvale on its own is good enough value for money spent. However, what truly stood out was the customer ser ice of its front desk. Shoutout to Michelle for helping me out a ton when I was trying to extend my stay. No excuses were made and she found a way to get it done even under difficult circumstances. Roy was also great with the room upgrade when he saw that I had brought a friend and might have needed a bigger bed. 10/10 Customer Service!“

“Always great atmosphere electric.“

“Such a good and relaxing atmosphere! Everyone is nice!“

“muy sabrosa birria es la mejor birria q he probado“

“Jacks Restaurant and Bar is a great spot for anyone who loves delicious food and exceptional cocktails. The menu offers a delightful variety of dishes, all expertly prepared and packed with flavor. Their cocktails are creative, perfectly balanced, and a true highlight of the experience. Combined with a warm ambiance and attentive service, Jacks delivers an unforgettable dining experience that’s perfect for any occasion.“

“I love the patio. It's a warm welcoming watering hole filled with great people!“

“Excellent pizza—easily some of the best in San Jose! The crust has that perfect crunch with a sourdough-like flavor. You can really taste the freshness of the ingredients, from the handmade dough to the perfectly balanced sauce. It’s clear a lot of care goes into every pie. The vibe is relaxed and a little bar-like, but still clean and thoughtfully put together, making it a great spot to hang out with friends or grab a pickup order on the way home. Truly a gem in the San Jose pizza scene.“

“Las bebidas para Las familia“

“Awesome place and amazing service“

“Review for Willow Den Public House - San Jose

I had such an awesome time at Willow Den Public House! The atmosphere was incredibly friendly and fun, making it a perfect spot to unwind and enjoy the night. The bartenders were not only super knowledgeable but also really welcoming, which made the experience even better.

The DJ kept the energy high all night, and the dance floor was absolutely poppin’! If dancing isn’t your thing, there’s plenty more to enjoy—like the pool tables and beer pong, which were a total blast. For sports fans, there are plenty of TV screens, so you can catch all the games while sipping on some fantastic drinks.

The drinks were top-notch, with great options for everyone. Whether you’re there to dance, play games, or just relax and watch sports, Willow Den has something for you. Highly recommend checking it out—I’ll definitely be back!“

“This place is so much fun!“

“I have been going to Alex 49ers since the Red Stag closed. The regulars are like a second family to me now! I love singing karaoke because the crowd is supportive and non-judgemental. All of the KJ's really know their music, and the app makes it so easy to select a song, and to track when it's your turn to sing. ALL AGE GROUPS (OVER 21) AND YOU GET TO SING ALONG TO ALL GENRES OF MUSIC. What's there not to love about this place? Oh, and you can even shoot a game of pool while your waiting for your turn to karaoke.“

“We’ve been to this places twice for wine tasting in the past but the bistro didn’t open at that time. So we went on Sunday for special Mother’s Day brunch and give it a try. My sister is their member so we can order five different entries from their set menu. We had Shakshuka , Benedict eggs, avocado and salmon with bread , duck fried rice and special charcuterie.
The taste of all dishes are amazing. The duck meat is very well seasoned so it is not gamey at all .Shakshuka tastes like the one we had in Jerusalem.
Nice and friendly service. We can’t wait to come back again for their regular meal.“

“Es muy caro y el Lugar muy caliente no hay aire acondicionad“

“Buen. Servicio. Lugar. Amplio. Exelente. Mucica. DJ. Y. Karaoke. El. Mejor. Lugar. Para. Divertirse.sanamente.“

“great service! friendly atmosphere“

“Very attentive staff and delicious food“

“Our server Andres was an amazing server! He recommended drunk for me which was the Oaxaca mule and it did not disappoint. It was smooth and fruity with a hint of smokeyness. He also recommended the tostada norteña which again was like a lomo saltado but in a Mexican tostada. Everything was amazing! Will come again:)“