50 Best Cocktail Bars near Saratoga

“Ambiance, Ambiance! #outdoorseating#creekside🍷👏🥂🍾🍹🍸🍸“

“Best cocktail bar in the South Bay!“

“Everything! It's a flawless dining experience.“

“Big thumbs up on the friendly service, cozy environment, and top-notch cocktails!

Went here with a friend last night (Friday) around 8pm. Already getting crowded but we still found a cozy place to sit and could hear each other pretty well.

Can't say enough about the friendly, welcoming, and talented staff and wish I had gotten their names so I could better recognize them here.

The doorman was genuinely warm and instantly made us feel welcome (though I was amused he even requested to check the ID of 50something gray-haired me :D).

The bartender closest to the entrance immediately and warmly welcomed us as well.

Two different bartenders served us and both were friendly, engaging, and clearly talented at their craft. My friend and I tried four very different cocktails and all were great!

I do wish they served food other than just nuts here; while in fairness there's a food hall just around the corner with a decent variety of options, it would have been nice to sip the cocktails alongside food.

Re pricing: most of the cocktails are $17 + tax + tip, though their cocktails on draft (!) range from $12-16.

EDITED TO ADD: Disappointed to discover that Haberdasher calculates the tip as a percentage of the purchase PLUS taxes. I get why places do this (obviously), but it just doesn't seem very fair.“

“Miracle on 1st street is the best time of year“

“I found the decor of this place beautiful and it located next to a parking garage for the area. Free parking.
The waitress was friendly and knowledgeable.
The drinks were great and the food would items were surprisingly delicious.
Went for the happy hour special timeframe so the prices were reasonable.“

“Enjoyed the cocktails, including spicy Oaxacan Nights and High Tide. Appetizers of short ribs, lettuce cups with yummy shrimp, burrata with levain and almonds - that last could have been dessert. Enjoyed the salmon with horseradish as well as the pumpkin risotto, though the trumpet mushrooms were just small bits, my date hoped for more shrooms. Excellent service by Giovanni and the bussers.“

“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.“

“Everyone is friendly, Scotty & Nicholai (Sp.), great drinks!“

“best place to go for a drink!“

“Los Altos needed a place like this. Everything was on point, from beautifully crafted drinks to the timeless elegance of the space. I specifically wanted to shoutout Josh, who made our experience even more incredible, helping us find the perfect drinks to suit our tastes while still pushing our comfort zones. His passion for his craft really shone through. I will be returning and hope to see Josh again!“

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

“Good bar for nightcap in LG!

Black Watch is a neighborhood dive bar. They have dart ? if someone is interested.

Bar is old school bar, with modern drinks/cocktails.

They don't have kitchen, only food is chips and other readymade snacks.

Service is good!

Vegetarian options: Couple

Dietary restrictions: No food here!

Parking: Street parking or parking garage

Kid-friendliness: No

Wheelchair accessibility: Yes“

“Dope spot. Great music. cool atmosphere. I come here everytime I'm out in the downtown area.“

“bartender is nice, clean atmosphere and friendly people“

“Everything was great need to put more food its will be better 😎“

“Great atmosphere for even a quick drink, or two…“

“We were traveling through as a family! Kids needed to get wiggles out, so we stopped and played some indoor putt putt. Had the best time! Such a unique golfing experience. And they make sure to make it fun for adults too!! Adult beverages! You feel like you’re walking into a Star Wars movie. It’s super fun!“

“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++++“

“We celebrated my mom’s 60th birthday here, and it was truly unforgettable. The moment we walked in, we felt welcomed and taken care of. The ambiance was beautiful, the food was amazing, and the whole experience made the celebration feel extra special.

I want to give a huge thank you to Kelly, who was incredibly attentive, kind, and so detailed with everything. She made sure every part of the evening went smoothly and made us feel supported from start to finish. And a big shoutout to our server Ash, who went above and beyond the entire night. They treated my mom like a queen, and it meant so much to all of us.

It’s rare to find service that feels this personal and heartfelt. We left with smiles, full stomachs, and memories my mom will treasure forever.

I highly recommend this place for birthdays, gatherings, or any moment you want to make truly special.“

“It was good. We went right as they opened and they were quick to get to us. The food was not super seasoned, i felt like i had to put a lot of salt to bring out flavors and because we went when it opened, a lot of the options we wanted were still frozen. The waiters were nice and accommodating, think it’ll be better a bit after they open.“

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

“Stevie's Bar & Grill in San Jose isn't just a bar, it's a sanctuary for the soul and a paradise for beer enthusiasts. Each time I return to San Jose, Stevie's is my go-to spot, a reliable haven where the beer flows as freely as the good times. With a draft beer selection that's second to none, Stevie's is like a grand library of brews, each one a story waiting to be savored. The attentive staff elevates the experience, making sure your glass is never empty and your spirits are always high. The vibe here is electric yet welcoming, a perfect backdrop for the delectable snackable treats they serve. And if you're in a crunch for time, the adjacent laundromat turns a chore into a chance for relaxation – sip and savor while you spin and rinse! Stevie's is more than a bar; it's a clever twist on the traditional, a gem that makes San Jose shine a little brighter.“

“my friends and I had the most amazing time here! the facilities are super clean, and the option to have youtube play as karaoke is a game changer since we can sing all our english and korean songs that aren’t usually out in the usual karaoke systems :) they have happy hours as well!

the server minji (MJ) is also super sweet and helpful— this was our first time coming here and using a youtube karaoke so she guided us through everything :)“

“Loma Brewing was an awesome place to have our party. Their food was delicious, the space was fabulous and the staff were incredible. They were so easy to work with and made the planning and day of so easeful. I felt so supported. I highly recommend them for events and also just a night out!

Vegetarian options: Plenty of veggie options“

“One of the best restaurants in Sunnyvale—where we dined last week—offered incredibly delicious food and stunning decor. We’ll definitely be back, this time bringing friends along!“

“Went for dinner on a Saturday night. Great gin cocktail and the shrimp and grits was excellent. It’s a perfectly-sized restaurant inside and picnic tables and umbrellas outsides surely great for brunch. The service was friendly and attentive.

Post St. itself is a mangy but keep faith until you get to the front door—worth it.“

“I forgot to add to my previou comments that their tortillas are home-made, authentic, and delicious.“

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

“Good steak 🥩 and pleasant atmosphere.“

“The food was really very tasty. The staff were very humble and courteous. Food was served in an excellent way.“

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

“The food here is always delicious, fresh and well prepared and our visit this week was no exception. The service is especially terrific - extremely friendly, anticipated our needs and made sure we were comfortable. I've been coming here for so many years and hope to continue. It's always an experience my family and I look forward to.“

“I truly appreciate the authenticity of Chinese cuisine, and the exceptional culinary skills showcased. The special tea duck, in particular, captivates my taste buds with its exquisite flavor. Each bite is a delightful experience, making it a standout dish for me.“

“Good food and like the 🎤Karaoke on Saturdays 👍“

“Great downtown San Jose spot with cool bartenders“

“Been meaning to come here for a while and finally managed to today.
All in all it was a decent experience.

Had a bunch of stuff and their gumbo was their stand out item personally. The fish was ok but had a few pieces that were a bit too fishy.

Rest of it was fine but nothing spectacular, still at their pricing I'd visit again and try something else on their menu.“

“I had the mushroom ravioli, boyfriend had a margarita pizza and we both had the spinach dip and the bread.. I love the bread so much - it's worth it to me just to go for the bread! My ravioli was a bit too salty, but flavorful, the dip was a bit salty for me but boyfriend liked it and he liked his pizza. We went very early $;15 on a Sunday so it was not busy at all and the service was excellent by waitress Cadence and the other guys helping her. I would not hesitate to return. We also got mixed drinks that were good.“

“Enjoyed their Hamburger and fish & Chips Fries are excellent. Lovely surroundings, the ducks enjoyed the pool.“

“Unique combination of Indian food. Absolutely recommending this place“

“We sat up stairs and the atmosphere, food, beer and service were great!!!“

“Yummy hamburgers and sweet potato fries, great staff!“

“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’ve been here twice this past year—once for dinner and once for weekend brunch—and both experiences were amazing. For dinner, expect to pay a pretty penny; dinner and drinks for two came to about $360 with tip. Brunch, on the other hand, was super reasonable considering all the offerings—we spent around $50 per person including food, drinks, and tip.

The food was incredibly flavorful and filling, with beautiful and unique presentation. The atmosphere was absolutely stunning and both times our servers were amazing—attentive, friendly and professional.

I’d give a 9.8 out of 10, with the only deduction being that the hosts were a bit snobby both times.“

“mark is an amazing owner, i wish this place was open more often! they have a great selection of games and interactives to enjoy. i personally have not checked out the food menu but the drink selection is good and reasonably priced. always a good time here!“

“Had an amazing time at the Pressroom with Raaj.

My fiance' and I popped in for an early lunch and some cocktails to celebrate our recent engagement.

We were greeted by Raaj at the bar, who gave us a thorough explanation of the menu, providing suggestions for shared plates, larger dishes, and his personal favorites.

We decided to go with The Roasted Mushrooms, Pork Belly with Persimmons, and The Handmade Lemon Ricotta Agnolotti.

As for cocktails, we thoroughly enjoyed The Smash or Pass, and Raaj was kind enough to share a toast of Guiseppe Prosecco with us.

Not only does The Pressroom offer a sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere, the food is fabulous, and Raaj made the day extra special. Thank you. 🥂“

“Excellent food, atmosphere and staff! Happy hour menu a PLUS!“

“Pretty awesome neighborhood bar. Really is the best place to watch sports and have great drinks at fair prices.“