Best Cocktail Bars Near San Jose and the South Bay | Eater SF

"Tucked just beyond the buzz of downtown San Jose and on the edge of St. Joseph’s Hill Open Space Preserve, Los Gatos Soda Works looks like a quaint, homey cafe from the street. Daring, inventive, and theatrical, the bar’s cocktails prove it’s anything but. Order the Dead Men Tell No Tales – a rum-based blend with cognac, cognac, black tea reduction, whey, Batavia Arrack van Oosten, and spice mix – and wait in awe. It arrives in a smoke-filled treasure chest, revealing a tattered explorer’s map alongside your drinks. Small plates like truffle grilled cheese and Dungeness crab toast are on the menu, too. Outside, a cozy patio offers a place to post up for the afternoon, perfect for catching up with friends and waiting for your next cocktail surprise." - Laura Zhang