MINIBOSS

Great bar in Downtown San Jose. They have a large selection of pinball and arcade machines. They also are very festive for Christmas and the decorations and lights are very fun. They have a selection of drinks that are pretty good and a full kitchen that was pumping out some good looking options. On a Saturday night it was very busy and was full of great vibes and is a must visit bar/arcade in the Bay!

Miniboss is one of our favorite date night spots in SJ! We first came in on a Saturday night around 9:30. It was decently full, but we didn’t have a problem ordering drinks or playing games. Staff are friendly, and we were served quickly. The cocktails and the games are a highlight for sure. We usually find ourselves back at Miniboss after a weekend dinner in San Pedro area. Certain nights - like Halloween weekend - can get very packed. Recommend parking in any of the structures around San Pedro Square area and walking over. Compared to some SF barcades I’ve been to, Miniboss is well organized, clean, and fun. We always have a blast playing games like Street Fighter, TMNT, and pinball. Sometimes you have to wait to play, but people are generally friendly and will let you take your turn shortly after them. All in all, one of our go-to spots!

A friend and I went to this place a couple nights ago, and was both of our first times going to a bar. There was a good selection of Halloween-style cocktails, and my favorite was the Ziggy Starburst! The place filled up quickly on a Friday night. We didn’t actually get to play any of the arcade games, but there was a very wide selection.

Came here for a pinball tournament. It's a very nice bar and has several separate areas where there also video games along the walls. The pinball machines are in the back area where the food pickup area is. I ordered a Maitai from the front bar and it was really nice. The pins are very nice too, and they are well maintained. Priced very well @.75/gm 3 for 2.00. I didn't order food, so I cannot comment, but it looked good.

Very fun and unique place. Great beers and a lot of video games and pinball machines. Enjoyed playing classics like donkey kong, ms pac man, and many others. Since we are older, perhaps we felt a little out of place since most of the customers were in their 20s, but really, who cares? We're still young at heart.

The whole atmosphere of here is great, we went early on a Thursday to check it out. It wasn’t too busy when we got there but it quickly started filling up. The bartenders were great everyone was working fast but still very friendly. Drinks were good, I liked the uncommon blends they use to make unique cocktails.

I've been here twice now. The second time was on a Thursday where they have free games. You should come within happy hours on Thursdays and you'll get a really good deal. The drinks are decent and the food is pretty good, surprisingly. I liked their chicken wings. My husband liked the pepperoni flatbread. Service is great too! Definitely recommend as a place to hang out and have a drink.

They have a wide range of American food (Burgers, garlic fries) and drinks (craft beers and cocktails). I love the arcade games free play Thrusdays. A lot of the top games I played as a kid and you can versus your friends or random people. I ordered the multi player because it takes more players to finish

Randomly came here one night after a comedy show that we went to at SJ Improv. They have your classic old school games and a whole room for pinball machines. Drinks were Christmas themed and came in fun cups and tasted delicious. We were able to play a bunch of games while walking around and drinking. The place can get crowded, but there are some tables in the back where you can sit and wait to play or order food and eat. All in all, a great spot to have a couple drinks and have some fun.

Miniboss is a fun arcade bar in downtown San Jose. I've been a few times and had a good experience across various cocktails. Some nights the games cost less or are free, which is something to look for if you are flexible on when you are in the area. It is not the type of place I would go out of my way to get to, but if I'm in the area, I'm happy to go back.

This was one of our stops during our night outing a few days before Christmas. This is such a fun idea, with arcade games available, and not affected by an inflation! ;) We didn't end up getting drinks here, as the holiday menu was the same as paper plane which we went to earlier in the night, but there is ample seating around. There are so many games to choose from, and unfortunately not enough time since we had a few stops after to check out. We ended up playing Pac-Man, which was an excellent value for two bucks for a four-player game. I then sunk quarters into Time Crisis 4; it was a bummer that there was no two-player option since the other machine wasn't working. Major nostalgia factor for me for this iteration specifically. Would happily hang out here in the future for drinks, food, or games!

I checked out Miniboss in San Jose for their Holiday Pop Up Bar with my boyfriend and a few friends and it was a good time! The vibe was super festive with all the holiday decorations, but I was surprised it wasn't as busy as I thought it would be especially on a Friday night. The holiday cocktails were cute, and the mugs they used for some of the drinks were cool. I tried the Koala La La La (tequila, dry vermouth, apple liqueur, tamarind, lemon, eucalyptus bitters, mint, soda) and the Christmapolitan (vodka, elderflower, dry vermouth, spiced cranberry sauce, lime, rosemary, absinthe mist). Both were strong, but the flavors were great, which made them really fun to drink. They also have retro coin-operated arcade games. There's a coin machine changer onsite plus an ATM if you need cash, which is super convenient. The only downside was a few games were out of order, but that didn't ruin the fun. I loved the Christmas theme and it's a great spot to hang out with friends. I might come back after the holidays if I'm looking for a spot to the hangout with a group or date night.

This was the last stop on our Christmas bar hop and it was by far my favorite! We didn't order food so this review is strictly for drinks and games. Everything was 10/10. I wasn't feeling any of the menu drinks (same as Paper Plane) so I was able to get a Tito's soda with spiced cranberry and a lime. It was honestly so good. Since the spiced cranberry is sweet and flavorful, it really added a lot to the vodka and water. I ended up having 3! With waters in between, of course. Anyways, the bartenders were all on top of it and great multi-taskers so service was quick. They have fun festive decorations and so many games. I love that they have games because it makes your night more interactive. I had to play Jurassic Park pin ball, duh! Honestly, can't wait to come back here! Even the bathroom had decor (see pic) lol

Always a classic and a good time to visit. Our group went on a bar crawl the weekend before Halloween so everyone was out and about wearing costumes and having a great time! We were able to get in with a long line about 15-20min later. Getting drinks at the bar was also easy and the staff were so helpful and fun to interact with. On top of that we had the best themed drinks here that night. Sweet and easy to go down. Definitely the highlight of our night out of all the bars. Glad we could play a few games, party with others and enjoy the scary night. Love all the crazy decorations they put up for the holiday!

Take my money, Miniboss!!! This place is so DARN CUTE!! it's like one of those bars that you see in the movies because it looks like a perfect retro bar, complete with all types of arcade games. I'm not sure what it looks like during the normal season but I came here when they had the holiday pop up and I loved it! The drinks were so cute and they served in these festive cups and even the food was good and piping hot. Even though it took awhile for your turn (as you can imagine in a fully packed bar) the bartenders were friendly and took their time to recommend certain drinks. They had holiday decorations everywhere and they played a mixture of all types of holiday music. It's a perfect first date (or umpteenth!) location and also a great place to go with the homies. I highly recommend!

This was our first time at Miniboss and we just so happened to stumble upon it during their holiday collab. We've been to a different Miracle pop up in SF and personally, I wasn't a huge fan of the drinks. That being said, I think the Miracle drinks stepped up their game this year- we got one that was in a unicorn cup and it was pretty tasty! The decor inside is super cute, and the Christmas decorations made everything feel even more cozy and festive. I was a fan of a few of their games but I think it was a bit more retro than I was expecting LOL. Not too crazy on a Friday night, but still a great crowd! I would come back if I was going for a night out in SJ!

They share the same menu as Paper Plane for the Christmas drinks, but it was cute how they also decorated the interior for the holidays. People definitely come here for the nostalgic vibe and less so for the games themselves since it's quite expensive for what you're playing. If you do plan to play the games, make sure you bring cash to use the machine for coins/credit. Otherwise, the drinks are solid and the vibe is always cool!

Miniboss is the type of bar that you either start or end your bar hopping night at. The vibe is fun, the video game aesthetic is pretty unique and the arcade games are alright, although I much prefer the pinball machines in the second room more than the games, which are a lot more fun. That said, I don't really play many games unless it's free play Thursday. The drink selection is very solid, and they have pretty good seasonal drinks as well. It has gotten more expensive over the years, which has been unfortunate, but regardless I almost always drop by here when I go out for the night.

Mini boss is perfect for groups that want to casually drink and play some old school arcade games. It's a gaming adults dream come true other than Guildhouse down the street for the PC/Console gamers. My favorite part is how casual everything is. The bartenders are fast and the food service is efficient. They have a great variety of drinks that rotate depending on the time of year and it's not show stopping but the food is good even if you're sober. The food menu also has a fairly good variety from fries to pizza to tacos and ramen.

MINI BOSS is a final-level experience for arcade and video game fans alike! The second you walk in, it's like hitting the ultimate bonus stage. The neon lights, the classic game sounds--it's a *nostalgic combo* of old-school arcades and modern vibes that'll have your inner gamer mashing *start* in excitement. The drinks are like power-ups straight out of your favorite game, and the food? Definitely the kind of XP boost you need to keep you going through all the levels. The staff? Total NPC legends, always chill and happy to help you. And no need to worry about any *game over* moments--security keeps things safe and fun, so there's no drama. Best part? You can totally challenge a rival to Street Fighter or hit up some classic pinball machines, all while sipping on a killer drink. It's the perfect spot for a night of co-op mode with friends or going *solo* and finding new challengers. This place levels up the fun every time, making it the boss fight of arcade bars!

Date night at Mini boss in DTSJ was a fun night. The drinks were pretty good in balance alcohol and sweetness. It was so cool to see the games I grew up with and play them. For the most part the space is pretty big but it does get busy. The pinball room does get stuffy and hot bc there is no ventilation so bring a fan. Other than that this place is a great visit Oh and bring cash to use the change machine. They do have an ATM but Yano service charges.

It was packed on a Saturday night! Parking was also tough in downtown SJ with paid garages or find street parking and walk. Venue is pretty large with bunch of seating around but still everything was taken. There a variety of old classic games requiring coins for play. Bar is well managed with efficient bartenders so service was quick and easy. Menu has a bunch of variety and interesting cocktails but also recommend coming for the discounted happy hours. 10/10 Winter on Niberu $16 - strawberry with condensed milk flavor hit! Highly reccomend. Tastes like a strong creamier calpico. 8/10 Steal My Sunshine $16- coconut flavor with mango popping boba. Also a strong creamy drink! Coconut flavor was good. 7/10 Jigglypuff $16 - peach cocktail. I think just ok. 6/10 Holographic Charizard Slushy $16 - Tasted good for first few sips but waaaay too sweet. Would not get again. Would come for HH next time as it was so packed with no seating and games were filled.

This is my favorite arcade bar in San Jose! The cocktails are delicious, and they also serve food. My go-to drink is the 'Smells Like Teen Spirit,' a citrusy, sour cocktail. The place is filled with colorful lights, adding to the fun vibe. Plus, Thursday is free game night!

What an amazing little gem in the heart of downtown San Jose! This bar and arcade is a haven for gamers young and old, with an incredible range of classic games that will transport you back to the golden age of arcade gaming. From the moment you step through the door, you're greeted by the sights and sounds of a time once forgotten. The place is inviting, with a bar in the center and rows of arcade games on either side. They also serve great fresh hot food, making you want to lose yourself for hours in this place. There's also a couple of large rooms behind the bar with rows and rows of arcade games and pinball machines. Whether you're itching for a round of Street Fighter, craving the heart-pounding action of Donkey Kong, or seeking the challenge of Terminator or Ms. Pac-Man, you'll find no shortage of iconic titles to choose from. You can take a nice break from all the playing in the Tetris themed chill out area. I was super surprised with this place. An unplanned visit turned into a great evening of fun. Don't be disheartened by the sketchy location of the place. Once you're here you will lose yourself in all the fun.

My friends and I went to Mini Boss for a girls night out in SJ. We ordered 3 cocktails (Smells like teen spirit, shrek's swamp, and jigglypuff). They were all priced to be $15-16 which was reasonable. They gave us a good buzz by the end of each one. Our favorite was the Jigglypuff. The vibe was really fun for a night out and it was pretty crowded there. There is a lot of new and classic games that included racing games and pinball machines. We love coming here to play games and drink.

Miniboss is a super fun arcade bar, and I came here with my friends to get drinks and food. We got the Chicken Run pizza and Garlic Fries, which you order through a bar code. The food came out relatively quick, and it was good! Pizza was super cheesy, and garlic fries were not soggy. The fries do get cold quick though. Our bartender was also really welcoming when getting us our drinks. I got the Pineapple Express, and it was good. We also shared a Zero Cool and that tasted more melony, but not as strong. We loved playing the games here and overall had good vibes.

This is one of my favorite bars across the board. Granted, it's one of the first date spots we had so it also holds some sentimental value but their drinks, the quick service, the food, the games; it all speaks for itself. Some of my favorite drinks includes the Jigglypuff, Smells Like Teen Spirit, and especially Secret of the Ooze. I also highly recommend trying their french fries. I can't tell what ranch they give but it's amazing. I have yet to try their other food but you can see into the kitchen and it's so clean and organized. I am especially a fan of the pinball machines but Donkey Kong rings a favorite for us as well.

Ambiance: - Fun place to hang out with lots of arcade games, 10/10 Food: - Crack wings: 6/10 - good flavor but oversauced - Yuzu pepper wings: 6/10 good flavor but oversauced - Nuoc mam wings: 7/10 pretty good

This is a fun place to hang out, especially if you don't like to drink. It's easy to order quick bites and shareable pizzas, there are plenty of games to play, and for those who do want to drink, there's a full bar. I'm always surprised at the food here because it's pretty good for a bar. Over the holidays they decorate really well too, with a dancing Santa, inflatables, lights, tinsel and all. Plus the lines shorter than for paper plane!

I love this place it's always such a fun time to let loose and hang out with friends. It really brings out the inner kid in everyone. I always come during Christmas time and it looks like Santa threw up all over the place. I love how cliché it gets in there. All of the decorations melt my grinch, icicle heart. Every single drink is so detailed and thought out. From the crazy ceramic cups to the toppings... They take their time and put in a lot of energy. You may think that the cups are tiny but trust me... they pack a big punch!

I've been here twice now. The second time was on a Thursday where they have free games. You should come within happy hours on Thursdays and you'll get a really good deal. The drinks are decent and the food is pretty good, surprisingly. I liked their chicken wings. My husband liked the pepperoni flatbread. Service is great too! Definitely recommend as a place to hang out and have a drink.

Miniboss is great but my FAVORITE time to come here is during their annual Nightmare on Second Street Halloween pop up! It's the pop up I compare all other pop ups to. A full Halloween drink menu and the decor is insane, every nook and cranny of that place brimming with Halloween decor and they play Halloween movies and the Halloween music, it's amazing! I came right at opening and 5pm-7pm is happy hour. This year's drink menu features a few new drinks as well as favorites from last year. I got the Dead Island and the Jonestown Punch. Both were delicious and my favorite this about the drinks is the presentation. The food is also delicious, the bulgogi tacos are on the happy hour menu and it's 3 tacos overloaded with flavor and bulgogi. I also had the sliders which had bacon jam and the order came with 3 so it filled me up. Got an order of their fries too which were deliciously crisp. I plan to come again before the pop up is over to try more drinks.

Love coming here for Miracle Bar during Christmas. Paper plane is just TOO crowded but I can always find a seat here. Lots of vintage video games. Three different rooms with plenty of seating. Two bar areas but sometimes the back bar is not open. Bartenders are super laid back and nice. Can't comment on the food as we only had cocktails but it's my go to spot during the holidays. No cover charge!

It has lots of potential but falls short on the arcade side. It's a really chill place to come and have drinks and grab a bite. Almost everyone seems to have ordered the wings so I'm assuming they are good. The drinks were good with plenty of craft beers and mix drinks as well. On the food and drink side I have the 4 stars. The arcade is not worth trying. There aren't many options and most of the games I've tried kept just taking my quarters and not giving a credit to play. Either i played 4 broken games in a row or majority aren't working properly. After spending $4 in quarters and the game not starting I gave up, settled out tab and left. Great place for drinks and food but not arcade!

I took my fiance and we loved it we played games we haven't played in a long time also great drinks with fast bartenders

This place is a lot of fun, especially for boomers like me! Ha. It was pretty nostalgic coming in and playing games I played in my childhood. So as someone who worked in downtown San Jose, times have definitely changed a bit. As you walk in, crowded- they check your bags. All great. The line to get drinks was long, and bc all drinks are hand crafted it takes awhile to get your order set. The drinks are strong and tasty. They really know what they're doing, and come in really cute cups! The food is great! Easy to share and is fresh. Once you order, you pick it up yourself at the food counter. Again it does get crowded, but we were able to snag a table. When you leave they will check your bag and coats to make sure you're not walking out with their cups. Have fun, be safe and don't drink and drive!

HO HO HO if you haven't been to Miniboss for their Christmas Pop-Up, then you are MISSING OUT! They've really stepped it up from last year in terms of holiday decor and drinks! The vibes are so chill and I always love visiting on Thursday for free play day. (I love the pinball machines.) The drinks and mugs are so cute! My mom loved the "Yippee Ki Yay MotherF*****" drink, which comes in a Santa mug. I had the Rudolph's Replacement, which comes in a Godzilla mug, but it was a little too strong for me. It was quite busy when I visited, but I imagine it'll only get busier as the month goes on. The bartenders were really fast making drinks. Also, they do bag checks when you leave to make sure the mugs don't get stolen -- so don't even try it! Highly recommend, come visit for some holiday cheer!

I do think the concept of a retro arcade bar is unique and fills a niche that not many other bars fill in the Bay Area. And while they nail the decor and ambiance, I do believe the execution of them being an actual bar could be better. Came here on a Saturday night with a group of 5. It was decently crowded and the vibes were definitely good. Lots of people playing a variety of different games like Time Crisis, Pac Man, Pinball, and Street Fighter. However, the cocktails we got were just about one of the least enjoyable drinks ordered in a long time. While I do give them some respect for being bold in creating cocktails with things like popping boba, it does not really matter what you do if the drinks, at their core, are not enjoyable and taste terrible. Did not try the food, but it looked decent -- will probably come back again sometime to try the food. Overall, I recommend getting drinks elsewhere, and then coming by to play some games and vibe with your friends if you're in the downtown SJ area.

Came here with my friend on a Thursday to enjoy the holiday decor and drinks! They do free games on Thursdays so we had a good time trying out all the ones we wanted to without having to worry about paying. As for the drinks, we both ordered off the holiday menu. I got the Christmas Cricket which had a great vanilla, pandan, and chocolate flavor with a hit of alcohol. Meanwhile my friend got the Rudolph's Replacement which tasted of coffee and chai which I thought was really good too. The ambience of the place is nice and there's a self serve water station which is a win. The holiday decor was so fun too! I would definitely come back but probably on Thursdays for the free games!

I went to Miniboss in San Jose during their Christmas season, and it is so lovely! The most popular Christmas bar in San Jose is Paper Plane, but this place has better service and ambiance. We decided to go to Miniboss due to the long lines at Paper Plane; the lane was three times as long. We discovered that this place has the same drinks, more seating area, food, bigger bar space, free arcade games, and most importantly, way better service. For drinks, we got the Snowball Old-fashioned, Christmas Crinkle, Rudolph's Replacement, Koala Cooler, and many Naughty and Nice shots. My favorite drink was the Koala Cooler, made on the sweeter side, and my favorite Christmas shot was the naughty one. The bartender who helped us all night was named Filipe, one of the best great bartenders in San Jose. He made all of our drinks perfectly and was very friendly. The best part is that he remembered my name even after coming back an hour later; that shows that he cares about the customers. Overall, this is a great bar to go to that I would recommend, and I will be going back! This bar offers great drinks, free games on Thursday, and excellent service from Filipe!

Love this bar. The menu is always super creative. The bar tenders are so skilled and always great to talk with. I love that the games are at great price and adore the Christmas decor this time of year. Please stop steal in their cups though people

Food here is delicious. Highly recommend the wings with dry rub and the carnitas ramen. Those hit the spot after you get a couple of cocktails. Came during Christmas and they had a few good drinks to try. Some are a little sugary and pricey but they were festive. Ambiance is loud. It's an arcade bar so it comes with the territory. But there's not a place to sit here on a Friday night so beware. The service was pleasant considering how packed it was. They work quickly but did mess up one of our orders (we ordered one shot and got a different one than what we ordered).

We came here on a Thursday for their Halloween themed drinks and it was really crowded! The bar was decked out with lots of spooky decor like spider webs and the bartenders were all dressed up. We ordered the Mapinguari which was in a skull shaped cup and the Ziggy Starburst which was in a red devil cup. The Mapinguari was essentially a Brazilian lemonade with alcohol. It was really creamy and refreshing. The Ziggy Starbust was also really refreshing and tasted very fruity. It probably my favorite drink out of the two. All games were also free since it was a Thursday so I definitely recommend checking this place out on Thursdays. Excited to come back hete when it's holiday themed!

I recently visited Miniboss in San Jose and was impressed by the lively and nostalgic atmosphere. Although I didn't try any of their drinks, I walked in to check out the vibe and played some of the arcade games. The arcade bar offers a great selection of classic games, all available for free play. It's a fun spot to hang out with friends, relive some childhood memories, and soak in the vibrant energy. While it was a fun experience, it felt like a one-time thing for me, and I'm not sure if I will revisit. If you're looking for a unique and entertaining place in San Jose, Miniboss is definitely worth a visit!

Experiencing Miniboss for the holidays has been such a treat! Been here twice now & intent to come a third time before the tidings are up. The holiday-themed menu is not only festive, but delicious. In order to have an authentic opinion regarding the menu, there has been several orders made: The Krampus, Rudolph's replacement, and marshmallows and unicorns have all been A+! All drinks from the Miracle Menu come in amazing mugs (most can be purchased- all but Krampus I believe). The bartenders are fast af, Apple Pay is accepted, there are video games to play, ample seating but you have to be quick about it, & the decorations are to die for. There is a wait to get in pretty much any time you go. They keep a standard number of people in the bar so it doesn't get too crowded, but I will say that it goes pretty quickly. I've not waited more than 15 min to get in & the line was pretty long each time. Highly recommend!

Love how energetic it is in here, it was packed on a Friday night. None of the games caught our eye so we ordered at the bar - bartender was friendly and efficient. I ordered Shrek's Swamp because it's funny but the drink itself was very good. Will be back to try the charizard.

This is such a fun place to come to. They have old arcade machines, food, and great drinks! As of right now they have the holiday Christmas spirit. It's decorated with lights, and blow-up x-mas characters. Came here on a Friday night for some food and drinks. what we ordered: -mini burger sliders 4/5 -mozzarella cheese sticks 5/5 -Christmas shots 4/5 -green drink (Xmas) 4/5 overall, great atmosphere and fun place! will definitely be back!

Miniboss offers an exceptional fusion of nostalgia and entertainment, boasting one of the most enjoyable atmospheres for vintage arcade aficionados. Stepping into this haven, I found myself immersed in a realm of retro charm, with an impressive array of arcade games spanning the 70s, 80s, and 90s. It was a thrill to rediscover classics I hadn't played in decades, rekindling memories of childhood joy with each flick of the joystick. The combination of a vibrant bar and restaurant further elevates the experience, offering delectable bites and refreshing drinks to complement the gaming excitement. From Pac-Man to Street Fighter, every moment spent at Miniboss is a blast down memory lane, making it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a dose of vintage gaming magic.

Nice place to hangout with friends. Good music, arcade games, foods, and drinks. The service is pretty good.

Steven is the coolest bartender ever. He really knows what he's doing when he makes you a cocktail or any mixed drink of your choice. I really like the fact that they have old retro arcade games like who doesn't wanna get wasted and feel like a child all over again lol. I definitely recommend this place 10/10, they really do make süre you are happy unlike some other places that just hand you a from get your money and act like you never existed. I always get the Tea 1000, which if you are a tequila drinker like myself you'll love.

Thurs night is free game night. Had a blast. We got to nominate songs for the DJ. We drank secret of the ooze & had wings. The wings were nice seasoned and crispy. Games we played: Initial D racing 2-player & 4-player Pac-Man Shooting bubble game Various 2-player gun shooting Ping pong machine Overall a great place to hang out. With high tables and cushioned benches to sit on. Restrooms were also well maintained.

I like their cocktail menu a lot, and there's a good amount of brews on tap. They had mead at one point but not anymore, I really hope they bring it back. If you like sweet cocktails, the holographic charizard is a MUST try. It hasn't let any of my friends down. Reliable but alright food options, but it doesn't stand out from just "bar food". Wings, fries, and a type of ramen based on instant noodles are the most notable food items so far. They offer a lot of pizza variety toppings that are satisfactory as a drunk patron but nothing to write home about. The food service is pretty fast I will give them that. They have a great variety of classic arcade games, some of them are not 100% functional, but if it's not too busy the variety will keep you entertained for a good while. They also stream movies on the big screens so there's always something to keep you interested. Also their Christmas and Halloween decorations are awesome. If you want to try all their games for FREE come early Thursday!! It's free play all night and I've gotten to try so many old games I never would have touched otherwise. Especially great for pinball enjoyers, they have 10+ machines and it's close to deserted around opening time. I appreciate this place as it's hard to find bars that have got other entertainment options going on in downtown SJ, which is especially important to me when drinking alone. !!! THURSDAY NIGHT ALL GAMES ARE FREE, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS!!!! Any other night of the week they're open is good if you wanna game, they offer in house atm and cash to coin converters to make it easy to play whatever you want. I'm a gen z but anyone who went to real arcades back in the day should get a huge kick out of this. It's rare to find a bar in downtown San Jose that offers any arcade games. Only complaint is sometimes they don't have enough bartenders on weekend nights but since I mostly go Thursdays I've never had to wait longer than 5 minutes to get served. Went to this place almost every week for half a year and had a great time. Thank you Miniboss!!

Step into the past with so many games to choose from. This is an awesome stop for a date night or friend group outing. Pretty spacious with another mini bar in the back of the building and one in the front. They do have a machine to get cash for the games.

Excellent service with such a packed bar the bartenders got to us in a reasonable time with super fun and delicious cocktails. We enjoyed going to mini boss because there is no line and a bunch of pinball and arcade games all for $.75. Very expensive but you're paying for the vibes. if you plan to go to paper planes, they usually have a very long line and mini boss has the exact same drinks so I would go to miniboss.

Fun spot! Came by on a Sunday night. Beers were on the pricier end, and they weren't the best. -drakes juicy hoot -original pattern citra squeeze The games are on the cheaper end since they are older, but it was still a good place for some chill vibes on a low-key Sunday. Seating throughout the entire place. Street parking only.

Came to miniboss for wing Wednesdays, where they have $.75 wings. I got five each of the crack wings, Yuzu pepper nouc mam and buffalo. All of the wings were flavorless besides the buffalo since that had sauce. If they season the wings more, it would have better flavor. The wings do not taste like anything. The Yuzu pepper had a hint of lemon pepper flavoring. And the nouc mam had flavoring if you dip it in the sauce. And Buffalo is regular. The wings were pretty small and somewhere very small. The only good thing about these wings that were very crispy. I'm not sure this warrants even for $.75 wings. Otherwise we got happy hour fries, which was a huge bucket for four bucks which was good value. Their fries were regular. Order on the phone and pick it up at the counter. I did not realize this my food is waiting at the counter for sometime. The vibes here were pretty nice. I would come for happy hour again.

Stopped in on a Thursday around 6 before comedy down the street and was pleasantly surprised! Miniboss does in fact have FREE game play on Thursdays before 7pm. Add to that a great happy hour menu and attentive bar staff and it was quite the perfect spot. There weren't too many people at that time either, so very little waiting for any games. I'll be returning and recommending!