Haberdasher — Restaurant in San Jose

“Ok, so I go down first, then make the right here and I’m looking for a bowler hat and scissors,” I quietly say to myself as I realize that I’ve finally found the place.

I’ve been in San Jose now for 8 years and this is the first time I’ve set foot in this establishment. And for that I want to kick myself. I make my way down the red stairwell and am greeted with a simple basement speakeasy that is quiet but has sounds of charming people and conversation. A change from the standard busy, loud and somewhat anxiety inducing dive bar. Although to be fair I thrive in that environment, but I digress.

As I sit at the bar, the first thing I notice is the apprentice. You read that right. A senior mixologist is taking the time at around the normal happy hour (which is busy) to train the next generation of knowledgeable mixologists like herself. Honestly it’s refreshing and not even a concern for someone who just showed up and needs a drink. Pretty sure I sat attentively and audited the class.

Either way as boring as I am, the first drink I grab is a high alchol Pilsner, just to save a bit of money. But it only takes finishing it to have the bartender suggest the first cocktail. And I can’t complain.

The Kodak moment is exactly what you think it is and have experienced in life. A moment that you wish to capture before everything is forgotten. A reminder of what was great at that moment in time. Sweet, refreshing and with a little bit of rosemary, the best thing to ever hit your lips and entertain your taste buds.

For some odd reason, you look at the menu and think “ok what’s next and what’s different?” You have the best mixologists talking to you about some of the rarest liquors around and it makes you feel cheated. So what’s next? You have a choice: their call or yours and I highly suggest theirs.

I move to the Sunomono. A drink that convinces me I’m a vegetarian when I’m not, but so tasty I consider the lifestyle. The cucumbers match the taste of the gin which makes you feel like your actually drinking the edamame from that latest Japanese meal. Tasty and refreshing, I highly recommend this as a first drink to the night.

I move back to beer and don’t even feel ashamed of it because the bar tender realizes what straight alcohol does to me. Time to tame the bear, but keep him interested.

I have found to love this place because of what they know and what I’m not capable of knowing. A drink you never would have expected to tease the very tastebuds you thought you knew, redefines your concept of the “cocktail.”

I feel refreshed, reawakened, and in a nirvana state that’s telling me to go home. But the amazing mixologists, just like the great Kaylin (and yes if she happens to grace your presence the night you happen to be there, ask her for the best recommendations and just bask in the knowledge of all that is mixology) and the apprentices that are training to carry this tradition on, gives this simple yet beyond classy location a destination you can’t...

Hands-down my favorite bar in the bay area. Now I know what you're thinking. There's a huge selection of "speakeasy" bars in SF, so why the ONE PLACE in San Jose? The best answer among many is simple: Atmosphere. I've been to many a speakeasy in SF and all of them were:

Too crowded. Too noisy. Too pricey. Lacking in mixed-drink quality.

Singlebarrel gives you a personalized experience. You can TALK to the bartender about what you like and they will craft a cocktail to your taste. Now I'm not saying it's always 100% accurate on either the bartender's suggestions OR the customer's ability to translate their palate into words, but given that you have an accurate understanding of what you like, most of the time you will be pleased with what you get. They also offer seasonal options. Warmer drinks in the winter and refreshing drinks in spring/summer.

Vodka drinkers should steer clear though because being a speakeasy modeled after a prohibition-era joint, there are limited vodka selections. However, one that does stand out is their Bloody Mary served on Sundays and Tuesdays. The owner hand-makes the mix and it's absolutely fantastic. Gin haters should also take note because there is a sizable amount of drinks that use Gin in place of Vodka. Whiskey lovers will absolutely love this place because not only does Singlebarrel have a good selection, it has a THOUGHTFUL selection. They didn't just throw together bottles that are popular, they stock labels that will expand your horizons without breaking the bank (unless you're hankering for some Pappy 23 of course). Beer lovers would also appreciate their slightly smaller, but well-constructed beer menu.

Suffice it to say if you haven't been here and you love yourself a well-made drink, you owe it to yourself to stop by and try it out.

Oh and one more thing. They only let enough people in so that there's always ample seating as well as a bartender available to make you a drink so Friday and Saturday nights can be a long....LONG wait. However, they can have as many as 3-4 bartenders on duty which is probably 3-4 more than any other bar or lounge if you know what I mean. My best advice is to go on a Sunday or a weekday to enjoy the laid-back atmosphere and ability to actually talk/hear...

Despite the name, there are no clothing articles here, but this is the spot with the Charlie Chaplin bowler hat and necktie. After you get your ID checked at the door and head downstairs and inside, you'll find more bowler hats, as sconces. The intimate little booths and dark red accents give an old school cocktail bar vibe. Like most bars, there is a nice calmness in the early evenings, and becomes progressively louder and more crowded as the night wears on. So if you intend to sit while drinking, get here early.

They serve up some very creative, fancy cocktails, as well as cocktails of the classic variety, a good selection of beer (incl. Pliny the Elder for the Russian River Brewing fans), and some bar snacks.

If you're a big whiskey fan, you can join their club to do monthly whiskey tastings ($25/month). I'm not a member, but we happened to be there while some members showed up for their tastings and we got to see how they unlocked the whiskey cabinet and proceeded with their cool tasting.

$6 4505 Chicharrones: Sometimes it's nice to have something to munch on while you drink, but they straight up serve up a bag of chicharrones. Nothing more, nothing less.

$12 Old Fashioned: can't go wrong with a classic

$12 Haiku Fix - gin, Aperol, rum, pineapple, li hing mui, five spice: a bit savory and tropical

$12 Matcha Flip - Irish whiskey, whole egg, matcha: like a whiskey sour with matcha

$12 Zihuatanejo - Mezcal Vida, rosemary syrup, lemon: rather strong and herbaceous

$12 Watermelon Jive - gin, watermelon, citrus: refreshing on a hot day, definitely on the sweet side

$13 Moscow Mule - vodka and house ginger beer in souvenir mug, (refills $10): I always enjoy a Moscow mule, but yes I got it for the souvenir mug. =]

The drinks are fairly reasonably priced. Do give the craft cocktails a try. Some are better than others. I look forward to coming back and using my...