Woodhams Sports Lounge — Restaurant in Santa Clara

A short review: Woodhams (I feel like an apostrophe belongs there) absolutely rocks!!! Full stop.

A longer review: first, check out my review of the Normandy Inn (where I shout out this place). Surprised I hadn’t reviewed it sooner, given that I have been coming here for the past five years. I credit my closest, and oldest, friend for introducing me to this place. I’ve been here during the day and at night. I prefer the day, since I don’t really like crowded spots. But, in both situations, I have enjoyed what they have to offer. In fact, on one night visit, they had a cover band with two guitarists that did a UFO cover?!?! Who would’ve thought?!?!

The interior is a great mish-mash of the obvious and the odd, with a seeming preference to lean into phallic objects being sprinkled about the place. The bartenders and the owner couldn’t be nicer. The prices are great, considering the area. The usuals are, generally speaking, a great group of people. Let me put it this way (and this is a reference for those who know): when you pull up and the truck with the Slayer decal is in the lot, you know you are going to be treated well!

Before I end, I must ask: are karaoke people prima donnas? I certainly think so. I read through the negative reviews and, almost to the one, they seemed to be from pampered and precious ‘singers’ who take umbrage at not being treated like they are, actually, singers. Here’s the thing: the bar wants to make money. You want to live out your failed dreams. If you don’t buy something while making us listen to you, you lose the place money. So, acting like you are Maria Callas (when you actually sound like Marge Simpson) actually ends up being another negative review of you, not the place. Which is frustrating, because I know these places have to offer you a place to warble because it can make money. And other negative reviews are just funny (and old). Slagging this place based on identity issues is just poor form. I suspect you were the issue, not because of who you are, but because of how you acted. And the bathroom review made me chortle. I guess you need a really big bathroom?

So, let me return to the beginning to end: Woodham’s (I still feel like an apostrophe belongs there) absolutely rocks!!! Full stop.

I am already looking forward to...

Generally speaking, I don't leave bad reviews. If I don't like a place, I simply don't go there again and tell my friends why. However. Woodhams has changed that completely. On Saturday night, I went to karaoke with three friends, two of whom were drinking. The other two of us were driving, so we abstained.

Not only did they charge me two real American dollars for tap water even after I explained that I was DD'ing, but later we were informed that we each had to buy two drinks if we wanted to sing more than one song. I have done karaoke all over the Bay Area and have never been to a place that had drink minimums for karaoke. Additionally, the KJ was rude and downright combative when one of my friends asked him to explain the policy.

Despite my two friends ordering a total of 8 drinks (which put us at the 2 per person minimum), we were told by a progressively irrational man that we wouldn't be able to sing again unless we ordered more drinks. So we left. Realistically, we probably would have gotten more drinks as a table but we were treated so disrespectfully that we left and I know that I won't ever go back—and I'll be telling my friends not to go either.

I've been going to karaoke regularly since 2014, all across San Jose and Santa Cruz. This is not only the worst treatment I've ever gotten at a karaoke place, but the worst I've been treated at any establishment in over ten years of bar-going. Punishing people who aren't drinking—whether they're driving, or are on medication, or don't drink for religious or health reasons—is...

The place is a little dive bar but the people there are good people! It's a mixed crowd from those just legal to drink to those who have been around the block a few times back in their day! No one is judgmental of you at all just good friendly people. I love going there. Amanda will get up and sing a song or two with the band. She's about as big as a minute. No that's no true. I exaggerated. She's smaller than a minute but always making you part of the "family". Just relax and have yourself a lot of fun with the rest of the "friendlies" there! Oh, did I mention the music? It's great and Amanda has a mix of music from blues, (with the old timers), to the new sounds of bands like James Count band. They all jam with the other bands to. Everyone is a music appreciator! I love the blues! The people aren't afraid to dance either and I love that!! The only con I might have is the place should be 2 or 3 times bigger because Amanda and her...