The Best Beer Bar in San Jose

Floodcraft Brewing

★★★★☆ 4 (165) • $$

"Internet is super fast which is a plus if you like doing work outside. Drinks taste refreshing and come out fast. Servers are nice and friendly. Great place for a lunch break because it's just some stairs down to Whole Foods."

Fieldwork Brewing Company

★★★★☆ 3.9 (622) • $$

"My family has grown to love all the fieldwork locations, but San Mateo's might be our favorite of them all. Though it is completely outdoors and gets cold quickly, the atmosphere is so welcoming and inviting with the many seats, fireplaces and fun activities like bocce ball and cornhole for visitors to use. Their food is probably second to San Leandro's location, but still pretty good! My family really liked the pepperoni pizza and cider (rainbow ... parfait?). The crust of the pizza was really crispy while the rest of pizza was fluffy. Highly recommend coming here, there's ample street parking and a cute little park across the street - 10/10"

Vaso Azzurro Ristorante

★★★★☆ 3.9 • $$

"I've been here a few times and it's always great! This is one of my favorite Italian places in South Bay. I usually get their pastas and it's always so flavorful - I think their best one is the spaghetti carbonara. They also change up their specials. I've tried the salmon and enjoyed it a lot. Price wise, it is also quite decent. Each meal also comes with free bread, which is quite tasty! The ambiance is very casual, it's a great place for any occasion!"

Jack Holder's Restaurant & Bar

★★★★☆ 3.9 (699) • $$

"OMG THE CLAM CHOWDER!!!Fresh, thick, full of tender clams, hint of garlic... PERFECT!!! Tim is a great server, too.These delightful dishes keep us coming back!"

East End Gastropub

★★★★☆ 4.3 (521) • $$

"The service is attentive and quick, and they don't rush you or anything like that. It's a casual spot with high-quality food.Overall: Fusion food - Italian with some Asian twists on some items. It's interesting, and the flavors work great.Starters:- Sesame Glazed Chicken: comes with three drumsticks. I am amazed by its flavor. It's sweet and savory. The chicken is tender and falls off the bone easily. The sauce pairs really well with the chicken.- Fire Roasted Caulilini: This is my favorite starter. The dish is packed with sweet, savory, and sour flavors, well-balanced. I doubted initially when it comes with coconut curry, but it actually works well with the caulilini. The peanut sauce just adds another layer to this dish.Entree:- Squid Ink Pappardelle: The portion is generous. It's a little bit spicy (just a hint), and I love the addition of chili to this dish. The Pappardelle is kind of sticking to each other. It might work better with a different kind of pasta."

St. John's Bar & Grill

★★★★☆ 4 • $$

"I cannot resist ordering the Hickory or Guaco Bacon Burger whenever we stop by. Paired with a nice cold beer and garlic fries, the whole meal is complete. Nice place to watch hang out and for sports. Order at the counter and a buzzer is given to you to let you know when your food is ready."

Palm City Wines

★★★★☆ 4.3 (287) • $$

"Palm City is an unexpectedly trendy wine bar located in the outer fringes of the Sunset district. In addition to their wide selection of wines, they also offer a series of gourmet Philly-style hoagie sandwiches, built on long rolls with a crunchy, nutty sesame seed exterior and dry, fluffy interior. Though many people know Philly for its cheesesteak, another iconic sandwich is the Roast Pork, and Palm City's version was made with a generous portion of thinly-shaved herb-garlic pork, broccoli rabe, and provolone cheese. The combination of the meaty, juicy pork, the bitter, earthy broccoli rabe, and the unctuous provolone all came together on the nutty, crunchy roll! We also got the creative Roasted Cauliflower hoagie, which seemed to be inspired by the Asian flavors of a banh mi. The hoagie included lightly-spiced roasted cauliflower florets, pickled carrots, avocado, fried shallots, cilantro, hot honey, and a deliciously creamy lemongrass ginger sauce. The combination of flavors was refreshing, earthy, and herbaceous all at the same time, and this sandwich presented a lighter alternative to the heavier, meatier, and greasier roast pork."

Sanderlings

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (487) • $$$

"Since we're staying at Seascape, we thought we'd give Sanderlings another try. Although the seating and atmosphere are quite nice, the food and service are still lacking and a bit disappointing. Once we received our mains, the wait staff vanished and congregated together near the register. Tonight's Seabass was good, but nothing outstanding. The New York steak was of lower quality and was smothered in some type of steak sauce; this was not indicated on the menu."

Curry Pizza House San Mateo

★★★★★ 4.9 (26)

"Came here with friends on a week night and they were doing a special at the time. We were able to try multiple pizza flavors. Half and half on large (only) pizzas. We tried:MEAT: CHICKEN TIKKA & BUTTER CHICKEN VEGGIE: MALAI PANEER & ALOO GHOBIThe chicken pizza was good but actually I enjoyed the vegetarian pizza more! My favorite of the four flavors was the Malai Paneer, which had a slightly sweet flavor. The Aloo Ghobi was tasty but a bit spicy for my liking. I would definitely come back again for their Malai Paneer. Large size was quite large, was pretty full after eating 3 large slices. I wish I took a picture but Service was great. Explained the menu when we had questions. Very casual dining area. Not too large, with a few tables. I would be curious see how it tastes if I got it for take-out bc having the pizza fresh is usually preferred."

Pizza Me

★★★★★ 4.7 (70) • $$

"Hi, there! Time to share my experience at Pizza Me! Food I ordered:Large Half Meat Lovers & Half Creamy Chicken Alfredo Pizza (4 stars)Both of them reach my taste, compare to the meat lovers, I like creamy chicken Alfredo better, the jalapeño on the meat lovers is too spicy for me. Chicken Caesar Salad (5 stars)The kitchen in the salad is so tender, it's NOT DRY AT ALL! My friend loves it pretty much! BBQ Wings (3 stars)The wings are not bad, but kinda saucy for me.Customer service: 4 starsAmbiance: 4 stars"

The Rose & Crown

★★★★☆ 3.6 (514) • $$

"An institution in downtown Palo Alto. Service is friendly and pleasant. Food is serviceable with nothing that stands out. Lots of tables inside and out. Fills up on Stanford football game days. Great beer selection!"

Bistro Mitte

★★★★★ 4.5 (67)

"Everything is so good!! The food and the service. I can't remember the last time I've had German food.. I ordered the Wiener schnitzel with lemon. Even the jäger schnitzel is delicious with the mushroom sauce. Ours came with salad but we ordered a side of red cabbage. That's delicious!!!The only oddity was the music!! It was country, Amy Winehouse, more country. I hoped for German music. Or none...it's really not necessary for dinner!!We shared the German chocolate cake for dessert. It was SO moist."

Hidden Tap & Barrel

★★★★☆ 3.8 (61) • $$

"It's like a craft cocktail-bar, pizzeria, pub, Indian influenced LATE NIGHT bar!It's practically one of the three bars open late night around here and also has late night food. I found myself here for 2 nights straight to end the night. I sat at the bar for awesome service by the lady and gentleman bartender. A popular area for everyone. Singles, friends, families, workers and hungry-thirsty patrons. Almost everyone walked out with pizza boxes.Extra star because I am a music video fiend and at the bar, the gentleman bartender changed the tv to Spanish music videos. I stayed for another craft beer watching!"

Senor Villa Mexican Cantina

★★★☆☆ 3 (2)

"New owners, new vibes.Recently attended their soft opening's and was greeted by great people with great hospitality!Food was great, real authentic mexican food, my favorite was the Cochinita (solid 9/10).A great spot to pregame before events (across the street from SAP Center)!"

Peggy Sue’s

★★★☆☆ 3 (90) • $$

"I love this place when I'm craving a good burger. This is my to go place. The customer service is always on point."

IBU Taproom & Bottle Shop

★★★★☆ 4.4 (231) • $$

"Hidden little gem in a random strip mall next to a daycare center. The taproom is connected to a pizza place. They have a large variety of beer, cider and other drinks. Everyone was super friendly and knowledgeable. Plenty of sitting room, large tables, lots of TVs. I would definitely recommend giving this place a try. Casual setting and great vibes."

ISO Beers

★★★★☆ 4.2 (291) • $$

"This is a great little brewery located in Downtown San Jose. They have a pretty large selection of what's on tap as well as serve bottled beers. Not only do they have beers, they also have ciders and kombucha drinks so everyone can pick whatever drink they like. We ordered two sours and one hazy IPA. I'm so sad that I don't remember their names but they were super refreshing on a warm day. I am a fan of sour beers so I was a big fan of the two sours we got to try during our visit.They have a good amount of seating inside but my favorite place to sit is at the outside patio. This patio is actually pretty large and shaded so you don't have to worry about getting hot or burnt on a warm day. There are plenty of trees that will keep you cool. Parking can be a little tricky since this place is located right in the heart of Downtown San Jose. We were lucky enough to snag a parking spot on the street.This breweries patio has gotten to be one of my most favorite patio areas there are just because of the seating and shade. I will definitely be returning here."

Cork 'n Bottle Liquors

★★★★★ 4.5 (108) • $$

"Cork'n Bottle have a fantastic selection of beer & alcohol. A tasting room with many many many choices that is dog friendly and open late. It has the perfect dive bar feel to it. But most importantly fantastic customer service. Which is the best reason to come in and spend money. I highly recommend you come here. Especially if you're looking for something specific."

Mariscos Pura Vitamina

★★☆☆☆ 2.2 (88) • $$

"Weird food seems great .. I order fried fish and jicama Fresca.. .. but half hour after I ate here.. I had a major diarrhea.. my friend also had tummy pains..,my other friend saw my video n notice the waitress wasn't wearing mask ... aaahhhh ..."

Churchill & Beers

★★★★★ 4.6 (72) • $$

"Another great meal and experience at Churchill's this week. We always get the firecracker prawns. One of my favorite items is the ahi salad."

State of Mind Public House and Pizzeria

★★★★☆ 4.2 (98) • $$

"I LOVE State of Mind!!! Great for the whole family. Fun vibe, friendly employees. Love the variety of pizza combinations, appetizers and they have the best seasonal salads too!!!! This has become one of my favorite places for dinner out in the Bay Area."

The Office Bar & Grill

★★★★☆ 3.7 (827) • $$

"The Office Bar & Grill San Carlos CA Sun 10/1/23©Hello, October! Sunday Football! 4th straight win for the San Francisco 49ers 16-35 over Arizona Cardinals! Wishing the winning strike to continue throughout the season! Love ya guys!Engineering team dinner few months back!International arrivals, my Brazilian guys!The apps! The foods! We occupied couple of corner tables on the terrace outside! Bocce, Patio, and Music!Fire pits! Craft Cocktails! Beers on tap! Music, live! It's your neighborhood hangout for sure, come on out! It's comfortable here!We had a whole bunch of guys who just arrived fresh off the plane (or should I say tired off the plane LOLz not that fresh) & so greetings & introductions took up the time! Then, orders were taken for food and drinks, and everyone talks at once LOLz!I took a handful of photos, was mostly preoccupied, we had some shared apps, Baked Mac & Cheese, Chicken Wings with Whiskey BBQ sauce & Original Buffalo, Firecracker Prawns, loaded Potato Skins & Calamari Fritte. All finger licking rapidly disappearing foods! Magically gone from the plates into tummies! Yummerz!A funny story, our waitress had a hard time communicating with my Brazilian boys, describing which dishes consisted of which ingredients... until I heard her accent and asked her what it was. Turned out, she's from Brazil! What are the chances? What a coincidence! She happily posed yet a little shy!Another funny story... I couldn't locate my corporate credit card few hours later, mentally traced my steps & realized, here's where I used it last time! Drove back at Midnight when they were closing down, described my predicament! The girl went in to search & sure enough my card was found! Whew! Happy they let me in to look for it ~ even though the place already closed down! What a relief!Baked Mac & Cheese!Panko topped Mac & cheese served in a skillet with your choice of flavor: Blue cheese & Buffalo chicken, beer cheese with caramelized onions & bacon or Traditional 4 cheese Boneless Chicken Wings!1/2 lb of chicken breast served with your choice of sauce: Lemon Pepper, Whiskey BBQ or Original Buffalo Bone-in Wings!Bone-in wings served with your choice of sauce: Sweet & Spicy, Lemon Pepper, Whiskey BBQ or Original Buffalo Firecracker Prawns!Lightly battered & fried prawns drizzled with house made sweet & spicy sauce topped with green onions & sesame seeds Loaded Potato Skins!Crispy fried potato skins topped with cheddar cheese, bacon & green onion & chive infused sour cream Calamari Fritte!Lightly fried with artichoke hearts & red bell pepper served with house made Tartar sauce*There's a piece of you that's here with meIt's everywhere I go, it's everything I seeWhen I sleep, I dream and it gets me byI can make believe that you're here tonightThat you're here tonight![ Review #787 w 6 pix on Oct 1, 2023 ]Firecracker Prawns! Chicken risotto! Mmm!Finger likin' chickin' Wings!Hydrate!Our friendly Brazilian waitress! She happily posed yet a little shy!@The Office Bar & Grill San Carlos CA"

Bodega

★★★★☆ 4.4 (332) • $$

"Pros: service, wine selection, the Music!, vibes, locationFrom the terrific music selection to the cool atmosphere...Bodega is a solid spot for a weeknight or weekend over-indulgent glass (or two) of wine. You can come solo, with a date, or with a group... but please be kind and don't bring more than 3 other people with you. The wine selection is broad and the staff are super helpful in giving you samples and finding the most delicious way for you to regret things the next morning. The menu has a fun selection of bar bites including some outrageously good chicken nuggets. I haven't tried the Sunday morning breakfast because the line is hilariously bad. You should probably know that sometimes it gets so loud in here that earplugs might be medically indicated. Oh, and the single bathroom can create lines of despair. All in all, Bodega isn't the reason that I moved to North Beach, but it is one of the reasons that I haven't left yet. So what are you waiting for??"

Egglicious India

★★★★☆ 4.3 (260) • $$

"My friend and I came to this place during lunch on a weekday. The restaurant was empty, maybe about two tables. Two staffs. Upon walking in, I think you just self sit, ask for menu, then order at the counter. Their menu seems very Indo-Chinese with a hint of Szechwan spices. So if you love spicy, I would definitely try this place!My friend and I ordered: Egg Lollipop, Mumbai Egg Bhurji, egg butter masala. Everything was very delicious. The egg lollipop is spicy but is manageable. I really love the egg butter masala! Eggs do get filling in your belly so we did had left overs at the end. The staffs were very nice, parking is a little small. The restaurant is a good size and very clean. Overall, I highly recommend this place, I would definitely come back and try the rest of their menu."

Out of the Barrel

★★★★☆ 4.1 (73) • $$

"Out of the Barrel is exactly on the corner of North Santa Cruz and Los Gatos-Saratoga Road.For easy and ample parking enter from Los Gatos Saratoga Rd. The beer selection on tap is nothing short of amazing. There is a taste for every palette. Seating is mainly outdoors. There are a few seats indoors. Seating is attractive and comfortable. You drink FROM a barrel and ON a barrel!! It's okay to bring food in to enjoy with your beer. I think they sell a few food items, but it is absolutely not a restaurant. It's an extremely friendly interactive environment...mostly male, but all ages and genders can have an enjoyable time drinking delicious beer on this patio."

Cash Only

★★★★☆ 3.9 (97) • $$

"Delicious drinksEmpowered staff (meaning, they will correct your shit if you don't drink the drinks right)Pool table is set up like King of the HillDon't go if you suck as a person.. that messes it up for the rest of us"

Taqueria La Veracruzana

★★★★☆ 3.9 (662) • $$

"Excellent, authentic Veracruz taqueria. Delicious food. Friendly service. Large portions at reasonable prices. I especially love their Filete de Pescado ala Veracruzana. Delicious!Highly recommend."

Bay Area Pizza

★★★★☆ 4.2 (294) • $$

"**Title:** Cupertino's Late-Night Pizza Odyssey - A Tale of Dough and Glory!**Rating:** (5/5) **Act 1: The Discovery**In a plot twist worthy of a Hollywood movie, I discovered not in Half Moon Bay, but in the bustling streets of Cupertino, a pizza joint that would change my late-night culinary escapades forever. With the clock ticking (50 minutes to closing, to be exact), our hero (that's me) bravely places an order for the legendary "Half Moon Bay" pizza. **Act 2: The Pizza Arrives**Cue dramatic music. At precisely 10:30 PM, a hero emerges from the night - the pizza delivery person, bearing the fabled pizza. In a tribute to the esteemed Dave Portnoy and his 'One Bite' challenge, I bestow upon this pizza a majestic 8.2. Why not higher? Because I'm a tough critic, and perfection is a journey, not a destination. **Act 3: Wingin' It**But wait! Our story takes a flavorful twist with the entrance of two mighty sidekicks - the hot wings and the barbecue wings. These weren't just any wings; these were the Hercules and Achilles of wings, mighty in spice and dripping with flavor. A feast fit for a king or a very hungry late-night Yelp reviewer. **Epilogue: The Grateful Diner**As the curtains close, I extend a standing ovation to the staff. Not all heroes wear capes; some wear aprons and make pizzas 50 minutes before closing time. To the unsung heroes who fed a weary traveler (again, that's me), you have my eternal gratitude and this five-star review. I shall return, for the saga of the pizza and wings in Cupertino is one for the ages!"

Twelvemonth

★★★★☆ 4 (431)

"Upscale ambience, the interior is a mixture of green plants and dim lights, creating a perfect cozy yet elevated atmosphere for dinner with conversations. Food menu here seems to rotate seasonally. Prices are on the higher side with the food portion being on the smaller side. Flavors here always have more complexity and you can taste the freshness of the ingredients. Service was great and they all seemed to be very familiar with each dish and the details, as well as giving recommendations"

Garden Deli Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.4 (682) • $$

"This is a great place to stop by to pick up lunch before you hit the beach. The sandwiches are to die for using high quality ingredients. Everything from the bread to all of the fixings were really good. I highly recommend if you're looking for a good place to stop by for lunch or grab takeout."

Market Beer Company

★★★★☆ 3.9 (225) • $$

"Staff is always so knowledgeable and helpful here! Wish they had more sour options but everything I've had so far has been amazing. When they don't have sours, I'll just go for a cider! Feel like they really take the time to curate a great selection with a wide variety. Some of the beers have a little mark up though. Taste away! Staff is always willing to help you find the right beer! Got some samples last time and they did such a good job I had a hard time choosing just one! Lots of indoor seating but I always enjoy taking my beer and sitting outside :)"

Chingadazos Taqueria and bar

★★★★★ 4.9 (55)

"Go here. Just do it. You won't be disappointed.It was getting late and most places were closed or near closing, but this place was open late, and they rated 5/5 stars across 27 reviews -- this is unheard of! So I came here because of that; I had to find out what the heck elevated the food to such a level.I had heard of birria a while ago but never have tried it; it's kind of rare in Minnesota to see it on a menu. I was talking to a customer of mine in southern cal about this, and I decided to try it if I could find a good version. So when I saw it on the menu here, I thought, "if they get 5/5 stars overall, this would be the place to try it". To be specific, I tried the birria nachos.O.M.G. So good! The plate was loaded with all sorts of goodies, and all of them were delicious. Lots of meat. And very little of what usually serves as filler, like refried beans. See photo.Oscar was manning the bar, and he is super friendly and dedicated to seeing that you are enjoying yourself. He verified what I had suspected while I was eating the nachos -- the recipes are authentic Mexican family recipes (his mom's).Check this place out, and tell your friends too. Give them your business, so they are here to stay. The restaurant business is tough, and this is one of the places that I want to survive so I can eat here next time I am in San Jose (a selfish wish, admittedly). And it deserves to be here because it delivers. They get 5/5 stars in every category from me."

The Barbeque Pit

★★★★☆ 4.3 (117)

"Chomp at the PitAnother quality BBQ joint by this family-run operation that has multiple BBQ restaurants** located throughout Norcal. This location might be my favorite of the bunch, tho, as the Q on our last visit was out-fucking-standing.This is their newest location at the former location of The Burger Pit (RiP), which had been in operation here for over fifty years. The Good:*It's nice to see another restaurant take over the building, as it had been reported by hacky local "journalists," San José Spotlight, that the building was to be razed. *Making the name similar as the OG was a classy move, as well as keeping the iconic neon sign. *Friendly service*Fast-casual order at the counter and the food is brought out to your table. *Interior looks mostly the same and I'm sure that was on purpose and appreciated by locals. I believe they added some nice TVs for watching the sports, but I'm not 100% if they were there before. *As with all their restaurants, they always have a fantastic selection of rotating local beers on-tap.*Carissa loved her Santa Maria Tri-Tip Salad, as the beef was cooked tender and tasty, and the greens were nice and fresh. *Burnt Ends were omfg good. If they're still available--get them! Tender, beefy, meaty, and just the right amount of grease combined with the char was amazing. *Ribs were fall-off-the-bone terrific. Nice smokey flavor, tasty rub, and a nice sweet glaze from the BBQ sauce. *Housemade BBQ sauces weren't amazing but they'll get the job done and that's good enough. The Meh:*If I have one complaint on this local chain, is that's their sides are always a bit on the "Ehh.." side, but I will say that this location did a much better job than usual. The Mac & Cheese was decently cheesey and the BBQ beans were (mostly) cooked thru, which is a typical issue at these places.The Ugly:*Brisket had a great smokey flavor and loved the rub, but the slices were a bit dry for my liking. Maybe I just came on a bad day for them, because they're *almost* there. Conclusion: On a personal note, it's nice to have some fantastic BBQ in South SJ, as it's been sorely missed since The Art of BBQ closed a few years back. Welcome to the neighborhood!**Here's a full list: Aptos St BBQ (Aptos), Trail Dust (Morgan Hill), BBQ 152 (Gilroy), South Winchester BBQ (SJ), Salinas City BBQ (Salinas, duh), Wagon Wheel (Mt View), Mission St BBQ (Santa Cruz), The Crossroads (Carmel-by-the-Sea), The Barbeque Pit (SJ), and Real Smoked BBQ catering."

Jack's Restaurant & Bar

★★★★☆ 4.4 (547) • $$

"Walking up to Jack's for lunch, I couldn't help but admire the vibe--this place knows how to catch your eye! The sleek design and inviting outdoor seating were calling my name. Stepping inside, I was greeted with a classy, spotless interior that immediately set the tone. I barely had time to take it all in before being promptly seated in the bar area.And wow, what a bar--elegant, with big, beautiful screens hovering like trophies overhead. My lunch order? A half-pound of all-natural beef perfection, nestled on a toasted sesame brioche bun, with crisp lettuce, juicy tomato, and red onion. At first glance, I thought, "Huh, this burger's a little small," but then I noticed how satisfyingly thick it was. Bonus points for putting the lettuce and tomato on the side (I like to DIY my burger toppings).Now let me tell you about that first bite. OH. MY. GOD. A flavor explosion of perfectly cooked medium-rare beef and that glorious, smoky charbroil goodness. Seriously, it's like the charbroil gods blessed this burger. It's been a long time since I've had one this good.The fries? Solid natural-cut classics--good enough to keep eating, but let's be real, the burger was the star of this show. Jack's, you've officially made my lunchtime legendary."

Pizza California

★★★★☆ 4.1 (710) • $$

"I've always passed by here to Hmart but never visited. One parent had organized a team basketball dinner here and I was surprised. Clean, decent seating, draft beer and wine. Cashiers were very pleasant and really accomodated our large group that consisted of 40 people. Ordered a half steakhouse/ chicken pesto pizza and it was delicious. Highly recommend."