Music & Nightlife - Santana Row Bars & Clubs

Amber India is a Santana Row restaurant that seems to do everything right. This bejeweled den of exquisite food offers Indian cuisine so skillfully prepared and beautifully presented that even non-Indian food fans are likely to become converts. The cocktails at this snazzy haven are equally creative and tasty, giving more than enough reasons for well-heeled Bay Area folk to grab a seat at the bar before, after or in lieu of dining.

Neatly tucked into the über-trendy confines of Santana Row in San Jose, Blowfish Sushi To Die For doesn't seem like a typical sushi restaurant. Patrons dine ensconced in sleek style with psychedelic anime accents, pleasing their palates with some of the most unique and flavorful sushi combinations around. After, or in lieu of, dining, the oh-so-trendy crowd lingers sipping deceptively potent designer cocktails while enjoying the other half of this establishment's personality: swanky Santana Row lounge.

For tequila-lovers and fans of South American and Mexican food, Consuelo Mexican Bistro seems like it was plucked straight from the heavens and planted on Santana Row. The selection of tequila is simply stunning and the inspired cuisine is absolutely delicious. This Santana Row restaurant and bar fills in frequently with well-heeled shoppers and drinkers who know where to go when nothing less than the best will do, whether they're seeking fresh guacamole prepared tableside, divine sangria or a margarita worth begging for.

El Jardin Tequila Bar & Restaurant is proof that the gods of tequila love us all very, very much. Sister to Consuelo Mexican Bistro, this Santana Row bar and restaurant features a fabulous selection of tequilas, ranging from blancos to añejos, that can be used in their expertly mixed cocktails or enjoyed on their own. The tapas-style menu of small dishes offers a bit of welcomed sustenance that patrons can enjoy while watching the throngs of Santana Row shoppers go by.

We don't know if we'll ever get over Rosie McCann's being an Irish pub that has the nerve to charge a cover. That goes against the whole idea of a public house in the first place. All right, it's not that bad—the whiskey and Guinness are always flowing and (as seasoned cougar hunters can attest to) there's plenty of eye candy. This being a Santana Row drink-and-eatery, you'll have to put up with Santana Row people. Going to Rosie's for lunch or happy hour is a totally different experience. You don't have to crowd surf to get to the bar, service is prompt and you can enjoy a meal without Top 40 jams making your brain vibrate. It's all about the little things.

The uber-hip crowd and plush, modern décor make this Santana Row lounge a see-and-be-seen type of place. Cocktails and food at Sino are stylish, just like the well-heeled Santana Row crowd that lines up on weekends. At night, the beats at Sino get louder and this fusion restaurant and lounge turns in to a nightclub hybrid where inhibitions are left at the door.

A bastion of hipper-than-thou Santana Row socialites, Straits Restaurant is on the list of places to stop when the pain from high-end shopping in your Prada shoes is making it difficult to focus on which piece of over-the-top jewelry you plan on purchasing next. Sitting at the bar sipping specialty cocktails and noshing on tasty Singaporean cuisine, one can ogle the young, hip and potentially wealthy masses of Row-ites as they filter in to listen to a cosmopolitan mix of DJs and chat on their cell phones about how good they all look.

Thea Mediterranean is Santana Row's stop for a chic setting and what is arguably some of the best Greek food around. Located next to the Cinéarts Theater, this gorgeous hotspot offers a primo setting for wining and dining, and late night on the weekend brings out the crowds who want to chill out to relaxing beats and watch gyrating belly dancers work their stuff. The bar maintains the standard of excellence, pouring expertly mixed drinks that range from signature cocktails to classic ouzo creations. The typical Row crowd and prices may seem unfortunate, but the quality of food and skill behind the bar are enough to make it all worth it - trust us.

Santana Row's V-Bar is exactly the kind of ultra posh hangout that draws the Bay's glittering, trend-conscious crowds. Dramatic metal beaded curtains give way to a jet black, backlit bar done up with candles and red accent lights, and low slung couches provide cushy spots for lounging in the ambient confines above Santana Row's "main drag." Outside boasts one of the biggest, nicest patios around where the well clad can sit nursing their cocktails next to glowing outdoor heaters.

Vintage Wine Bar is the kind of place that warms the hearts of wine lovers. Sitting in the middle of Santana Row, this garden bar is the perfect place to sip a favorite vintage while watching the crowds of well-dressed shoppers go by. The wine list offers 25 wines by the glass, including several champagnes, and the menu also features a selection of artisanal cheese and charcuterie plates that pair flawlessly with the wines.