The very best 12 nightlife spots in San Jose, United States
Sophie Watts
US Travel Writer
Welcome to the vibrant city of San Jose, where the nightlife scene is as lively as a caffeinated mariachi band! Whether you're a party animal or just a curious nocturnal creature, this article aims to give you a taste of the 12 best nocturnal havens this city has to offer. From dazzling dance floors to mysterious speakeasies, prepare to embark on an unforgettable journey through San Jose's electrifying nightlife, where the only thing brighter than the neon lights is the twinkle in your eye.
Save destination1. Paper Plane
72 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA
Welcome to Paper Plane, the hippest cocktail bar in San Jose, where creativity and marvellous libations take flight! As you step inside, prepare to embark on a whimsical journey of taste and spirited adventure. The bartenders, akin to mixology maestros, will astound you with their potions, concocting liquid wonders that will send your taste buds soaring higher than a tipsy seagull on vacation. So, fasten your metaphorical seatbelts, sip on a drink-shaped passport, and let your taste buds take off on an unforgettable flight of flavors.
Learn more2. Haberdasher
43 W San Salvador St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA
Welcome to the charming city of San Jose, where the Haberdasher bar awaits - a hidden gem that will have you feeling like you stumbled upon a secret speakeasy from the 1920s. Enjoy the vintage ambiance as you sip on expertly crafted cocktails, served up by dapper bartenders ready to whisk you away into a world of classy indulgence. So grab your bowler hat, polish your monocle, and get ready for a delightful evening at the Haberdasher - where the drinks flow as smoothly as the jokes from the friendly staff!
Learn more3. The Continental Bar Lounge & Patio
349 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA
Welcome to The Continental Bar Lounge & Patio, where the hip and the thirsty come to mingle! Located in lively San Jose, this charming establishment offers an eclectic mix of classy cocktails, chic decor, and a patio perfect for people-watching...or desperately trying to figure out how to use chopsticks correctly. Whether you're a sophisticated suave or a self-proclaimed trendsetter, this place has a little something for everyone - just don't forget your dancing shoes, because the only workout you'll get here is from shaking your groove thang on the dance floor.
Learn more4. Uproar Brewing Company
439 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA
Welcome to Uproar Brewing Company in sunny San Jose, where the laid-back ambiance and frothy concoctions create a delightful uproar in your taste buds and spirits! Nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley, this charming brewery effortlessly blends the city's vibrant tech culture with the age-old art of brewing beer, resulting in a fusion that will make both nerds and beer connoisseurs cheer in harmony. So, leave your pocket protectors at the door, grab a pint of their hop-tastic creations, and prepare to indulge in a hoppy journey that will make your taste buds dance the robot.
Learn more5. LVL Up
400 E Campbell Ave, Campbell, CA 95008, USA
Tucked away in the heart of San Jose, LVL Up is a hidden gem for every gamer seeking virtual adventures, all without having to leave the city limits. This gaming haven boasts a vibrant atmosphere with walls adorned in nerdy memorabilia, making you feel like a warrior preparing for an epic quest. Whether you're a button-mashing beginner or a joystick-wielding expert, LVL Up is the pixelated paradise that combines retro nostalgia with modern game trends, ensuring a blast for all ages.
Learn more6. San Pedro Square Market Bar
87 N San Pedro St, San Jose, CA 95110, USA
Welcome to San Pedro Square Market Bar in lovely San Jose! This lively joint offers a delightful mishmash of food and drink options that will leave your taste buds doing the cha-cha. Grab a seat at one of the colorful picnic tables, sip on a craft beer that will make other brews green with envy, and indulge in the foodie equivalent of a flirtatious tango with the array of mouthwatering bites available. Prepare for a culinary adventure that will leave you dreaming of tapas, tacos, and tipples long after you bid farewell to this gastronomic haven.
Learn more7. The Farmers Union
151 W Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA
Welcome to The Farmers Union in San Jose, where the farm-to-table concept meets urban coolness, like two lovebirds salsa dancing in a cornfield. This delightful joint offers a mouthwatering menu filled with locally sourced ingredients that will have your taste buds high-fiving each other. So, gather your appetite, put on your eating pants, and prepare for a farm-fresh feast that will leave you happier than a goat in a petting zoo.
Learn more8. Five Points Cocktail Bar
169 W Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA
Welcome to Five Points Cocktail Bar, where the drinks are as creative as the mixologists behind the bar! Nestled in the heart of San Jose, this cozy establishment transports you to a world of whimsical flavors and delightful concoctions. Once inside, prepare to have your taste buds tickled and your funny bone gently nudged as you sip on their cheekily-named libations—it's a guaranteed recipe for a memorable night out!
Learn more9. Clandestine Brewing
980 S 1st St ste b, San Jose, CA 95110, USA
Nestled slyly in the heart of San Jose lies Clandestine Brewing, a clandestine gem for beer enthusiasts seeking a covert watering hole. With the charm of a secret hideout, this inconspicuous brewery offers a delightful escape from the mundane. Prepare to be amazed as their master brewers, like beer alchemists, craft unique concoctions that have been bestowed with the power to transport you to flavor-filled realms unknown.
Learn more10. 55 South
55 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA
Welcome to 55 South, a charming restaurant in San Jose where southern comfort meets Californian flair. Step inside and prepare your taste buds for a culinary journey that will leave you as satisfied as a cat taking a sunny nap. With its inviting atmosphere and perfectly fried chicken that could make Colonel Sanders put his beak in a twist, this place is sure to tickle your fancy and your stomach.
Learn more11. The Blue Chip
325 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA
Welcome to "The Blue Chip" in the bustling city of San Jose—where tech enthusiasts and business moguls unite! This quirky hotel may not have luxurious chandeliers or gold-plated toilets, but it makes up for it with its oh-so-charming retro vibes. Grab a cup of coffee at the lobby's vintage diner, complete with a neon sign that flickers occasionally (and enjoy a side of nostalgia-induced giggles). As you strut through the hallways, don't be alarmed if you spot pixelated art on the walls—it's just our adorable nod to the city's tech revolution.
Learn more12. Original Gravity Public House
66 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA
Welcome to Original Gravity Public House in the vibrant city of San Jose, where beer enthusiasts and foodies collide like particles in a delicious collision course. This eclectic watering hole offers a dizzying array of craft beers that will make any hop-hound positively hoppy. The menu is an epic adventure in itself, with gourmet bites that will send your taste buds on a flavor-filled space odyssey.
Learn moreHow to get there
Plane
The best way to get to San Jose is by plane. You can fly into San Jose International Airport (SJC), which is located less than 4 miles from the downtown area. There are numerous airlines that fly into SJC, including American Airlines, Delta, and Southwest.
Car
Driving is a popular way to get to San Jose. Depending on where you are coming from, you can take Interstate 5 or Interstate 580 and then merge onto Interstate 680 to get to San Jose. From Southern California, it may be faster to take Interstate 101 and then head south to San Jose.
Train
Unfortunately, there is no direct train service to San Jose. However, you can take Amtrak to San Francisco and then transfer to a Caltrain that goes to San Jose. The Amtrak station in San Francisco is located at 700 4th St, while the Caltrain station in San Jose is located at 65 Cahill St.
Boat
Unfortunately, there is no way to get to San Jose by boat as the city is not located on the coast or any major bodies of water.
Bus
Taking a bus is a convenient way to get to San Jose. Greyhound offers numerous bus routes to San Jose, with the bus station located at 70 S Almaden Ave. Megabus also has service to San Jose, with the stop located at the Diridon Transit Center at 65 Cahill St.