Bars & Clubs 2018
Craft Cocktails
LvL Up | Movie Mixology | Preparing for the Best | Craft Cocktails | Beer | Wine | Music & Dance
Orchard City Kitchen's signature cocktail, Six Beet Under,
will get you to drink your veggies. Photo by Greg Ramar
55 South
55 S First St, San Jose
408.288.6000 | the55south.com
Though not as grandiose as some other craft cocktail lounges in Silicon Valley, what this humble lounge lacks in reclaimed wood, it more than makes up for in quality cocktails. For those into sweet, rummy drinks, the monthly Tiki Tuesday celebration is a can't-miss.
Five Points
169 W Santa Clara St, San Jose
408.982.5816 | fivepointssj.com
Featuring an eclectic mix of punches, house shots and specialty cocktails, this bar's exquisite wood carpentry provides a smoky ambience that pairs well with their excellent drink menu.
Haberdasher
43 W San Salvador St, San Jose.
408.792.7356 | haberdashersj.com
Haberdasher owner Cache Bouren is often credited with being the pioneer of craft cocktails in the South Bay. He opened Single Barrel in 2010 before rebranding his establishment as Haberdasher a few years later. Once styled as a speakeasy—it is literally underground, after all—Bouren and his crew still serve up some mean vintage cocktails and more modern concoctions for your sipping pleasure.
Flights
165 Los Gatos-Saratoga Rd, Los Gatos
408.354.3434
368 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
408.364.1564 | flightsrestaurants.com
Formerly known as Hult's, Flights pairs small plates and upscale drinks for a leisurely sipping and snacking experience.
Jack Rose Libation House
18840 Saratoga Los Gatos Rd, Los Gatos
408.395.3500 | jackrosebar.com
Jack Rose Libation House has one of the best outdoor patios in the South Bay, which definitely pairs well with their expertly crafted cocktails.
Labyrinth Bar & Kitchen
45 Post St, San Jose
408.755.5031
Combining Asian fusion and craft cocktails, the menu at Labyrinth features a number of plays on the mule—including the Imperial Mule, made with Japanese whiskey.
Mortar & Pestle
3250 Zanker Rd, San Jose
408.770.3541 | curryupnow.com
Craft cocktails paired with delicious Indian street food? Who knew Milpitas could taste this good? Try sweet bites like Indian Railway Cutlet and Kofta Fauja Singh, and then chase with the Bangalore Old Fashioned or the Husband & Wife.
Oak & Rye
303 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
408.395.4441 | oakandryepizza.com
Lazy date night eats paired with premium spirits make this a pizza-cocktail get together we can get behind. Get fancy and request cocktail art before making a reservation for their monthly tasting classes.
Paper Plane
72 S 1st St, San Jose
408.713.2625 | paperplanesj.com
A wall of spirits seemingly stretches a mile high, but the cocktail craftsmanship goes a step further. The mixologists here make it hard to settle on a favorite, as the menu is regularly updated. Pro tip: Over the past year they've built a rep for having some of the best food downtown.
Roots & Rye
3055 Olin Ave, San Jose
408.429.2909 | rootsandrye.com
A dog-friendly patio with comfy chairs and glass fire pits make this a Santana Row favorite. Ambiance is A1, and the servers are friendly and attentive. The diverse seating arrangements make R&R intimate enough for a date and wild enough for happy hour with coworkers.
Timber & Salt
881 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City
650.362.3777 | timberandsalt.com
Timber & Salt does a little bit of everything: craft beers, a mix of import and local wines, and enough comfort food to send us to sleep. But the real stars are The Masked Dancer, Cletus Del Roy and The Great Gabbo.
The Lexington House
40 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
408.354.1600 | [ http://www.thelexlg.com/ ]thelexlg.com
First rate in every way, The Lexington is one of the few places to have food that rivals its stunning bar menu. The Lexington offers multiple flights of scotch and single malts to melt the heart.
The Oxford
195 S Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale
408.245.8503 | theoxfordca.com
The pride of historic Murphy Avenue, this downtown London-inspired pub is bustling with authentic ethnic cuisines from around the world and a few forceful cocktails (e.g. The Dark Side #2 by Yoda).
The Table
1110 Willow St, San Jose
408.638.7911 | thetablesj.com
Recognized as a mecca on the South Bay brunching scene, The Table has a huge selection of handcrafted cocktails. After a long night, consider the Corpse Reviver #2.
The Vesper
394 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
408.680.0401 | thevespercampbell.com
It's best not to overthink it in a James Bond-inspired bar and just go with the eponymous cocktail. Also, great tasty small plates.
Verge Restaurant & Lounge
140 S Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
408.884.1054 | vergerestaurant.com
Located inside the Toll House Hotel, just about any cocktail will please, but there's just something irresistible about The Non-Vergen Mary, which includes Anaheim chile-pepper-infused vodka and Sriracha.
