Talk:Hunters San Jose
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Randy J. from yelp
San Jose, CA
5 star rating
09/21/2007
Coming from Atlanta and going to the bars/clubs out there and going to Hunter's was a whole different program. One that I thoroughly enjoyed. Hunter's gives me that feel of a neighborhood bar that you can go to after a long day at the office and wind down on the weekends. I really enjoy the atmosphere there. It just seems that the crowd is the str8 by day, gay by night type. Especially being in San Jose where the gay population isn't exacly begging for attention, Hunter's provides that outlet to where you know it's safe, right down to the bouncer's. (Who are great people, btw.) The drinks are cheap and the music has been getting better in recent visits. (I'm tired of the 80's music played at Badlands!) This just proves that you dont have to drive 40 miles out of the way to have a good time.
Ro C. from yelp
San Jose, CA
4 star rating
12/09/2007
been here a couple of times already with a bunch of friends and needless to say this place is a lot of fun. the people here are always friendly, staff is nice. it's nice to know there's a gay bar in san jose . some of the male go-go dancers were good looking too! hahahahaha. it was a friday night when i went and the music was good. the dj is located up in the corner with videos playing on the walls. bathrooms are clean so that's a plus!
Donna P. from yelp
San Jose, CA
5 star rating
10/07/2007
I wasn't jumping out of my pants about going to Hunters. But my friend's gay friend really wanted to check this place out, so to Hunters we went. Here's the lowdown:
-Arrive at the door and pay no cover--on a Saturday-- YAY! -Walk in and are given free Ricky Martin Tribute mix cds (not really my fav, but fun, and free!) -Go out on the dance floor and dance our asses off without worrying about guys bugging us (the girls). -Hot male go-go dancers adorn the bar and for $1 will come down and dance with you like there's no tomorrow. -Strong drinks (and good service) from the male bartenders for both the guys AND the girls in our group. Amazing. -Great mixes of (of course) Madonna, among others -No line for the women's restroom!
5 stars for feeling more comfortable and having more fun here than any other downtown SJ bar in a long ass time!!
Mikey U. from yelp
San Jose, CA
4 star rating
12/25/2007
Hunter's is an awesome and much needed addition/alternative to the San Jose/south bay gay scene... The vibe is great; totally welcoming and open-minded. I've never felt any awkwardness or displacement when I've gone here. On every occasion I've gone there, its been a completely comfortable and fun environment.
Where Hunter's differs, and, IMO, succeeds in many ways over Splash, is that it is not primarily a dance club (though that dance floor is jumpin'!). Foremost, the place is a bar and a good bar at that (affordable, albeit cash only!). Well maintained, with both a patio and an outdoor foyer, a video jukebox with multiple large LCDs, and a stylish look that mixes ol'downtown redbrick architecture with classy hardwood flooring and designerly metropolitan furnishings. Also, its got a prime location with mainstream establishments in close proximity; its not tucked away, out of sight and I think this is a boon to San Jose's progression towards the "big city" status it aspires to. Because its not just a dance club (with blaring sound and vision-obscuring flashing lights and intermittent darkness), it doesn't take on a seedy meat market feel that can sometimes mar ANY club/bar experience.
Though it is a cash-only bar, the drink prices are competitive, especially considering the high foot-traffic of the area. $5 pints on most nights and a chalkboard of drink specials for every night of the week. Sundays, where else downtown will you find $2 pints and $3 well drinks?
What...?
... ah, no, I'm not. But if I were, I'd definitely chill out here more!
Erica R. from yelp
Gilroy, CA
5 star rating
10/29/2007
What a nice addition to the San Jose gay scene! I think we really needed a place that was a little more grown up than Splash. A smaller club, taken up by the massive "C" shaped bar in the middle of the building. This allows for the bartenders to get to everyone very easily AND allows the live dancing boys to work it. Drinks are STRONG and run about 6 bucks a pop. Bartenders are attentive and accurate. The outdoor patio is very nicely lit and large enough for all the air seekers as the dancefloor gets hot the majority of the time. The crowd is mainly men, but a delight for us women too, and it is comprised of us in the gay community that isn't down for some of the ghettoness that is splash. Refreshing.
Tuyen P. from yelp
San Jose, CA
5 star rating
12/09/2007
This bar has been consistently fun for me every night of the week I've been there since opening in June of last year and it seems to be getting better every day. The better news is I've seen no "attitude" coming from the staff, gay or straight patrons-Very Very Silicon Valley. The best news is the SOFA district is back and Hunters Nightclub is the center of attention-Expect to have a great time:)
When I first checked the place out last Summer, it was obvious to me the staff were experienced but had to really work hard accommodating patrons while learning their new environment. Now with 6 months of working the space under their belts they are doing a great job showing off great cocktails and great service while working very hard with the volume of a popular new nightclub. I was also impressed with the initial investment made by the owners (Rod & Cindi) but even more exciting is the fact that they are hands on bar owners. I've seen them there just about every time I'm in and they are by far two of the friendliest people involved in the current San Jose/South First club scene. Here's a quick breakdown:
Bar Staff and management-Friendly and Efficient
Atmosphere-upscale and clean (Including the nice bathrooms and no lined for ladies)
Music- Video Bar with plasmas everywhere-Resident VJ's Tuesday thru Sunday.
Patios- relaxed front patio and very cool back patio with smoking allowed that's fully protected with four 2 story walls and good lighting, good view of the open sky.
Drinks- Inexpensive well and beer with at least one good drink special almost every night of the week. Check out the top shelf selection for $9-$12 a drink-very fair for the area.
Cover-NO COVER-NO COVER-NO COVER (except for special events) I paid $5 for Halloween and hear New Years Eve is only going to be $10 in advance if you buy tickets at the bar. WOW
Entertainment- GO GO Boys and Girls dancing on the bar Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Very cool!
Sum It Up- This is obviously Silicon Valley at it's best. I hardly have been up to the city since June. Hunters is good for the environment-I figure I've saved a hundred gallons of gas so far.
Check it out!
djMe D. from yelp
Fremont, CA
5 star rating
09/24/2007
I stumbled into Hunters this past Sunday, and had a crazy good time :)
The place has a good atmosphere, good lighting, flat screen TVs, outdoor area and decent bathrooms.
I LOVE that they have the VIDEO JUKEBOX!!, since MTV doesn't play videos anymore I got to see alot of video I never saw before!
There was no cover to get in and drinks where somewhat cheap.
I will defiantly be going back on a Friday or Saturday, I'm sure the place is poppin.
It a great place just to chill and have some drinks with friends, but if I want to dance my ass off i'll go to Splash. (PS Splash is not open on SUNDAYS)
Zeke A. from yelp
Redwood City, CA
2 star rating
09/22/2007
I wasn't too fond of this place in all honesty.
The decor and what not seems pretty nice. It's a new place.
The music was a bit of a drag and the bartenders were extremely slow. What made up for it I guess.. were the strong drinks, but they were pricey for San Jose I think...no cover though.
It's worth a look...but if you have the option of driving/going to San Francisco...You should do that instead! =)
Jared V. from yelp
San Jose, CA
5 star rating
11/16/2007
THIS PLACE IS AWESOME! I just moved up here from SoCal and heard that another Hunters had opened. I used to go to the one in Palm Springs which was always off the hook on the weekends.
I liked the fact that this bar was classy looking and clean. I was at Splash before I first went to Hunters and it makes that club look and smell like a homeless shelter-not to mention the fact that Splash was charging a cover to get in. The bar at Hunters is a little big but that was cool too because they have go-go dancers that come right up to you while on the bar. The dance floor isnt huge but its nice to have a full crowd to grind with.
I have been there almost every day of the week and it seems like there is a lot going on. The bartenders are handsome and friendly. I really like the back patio and the fountain there. Its a cool place to go enjoy if it gets too loud from the music inside.
5 Starts all around. Great job Hunters! Cant wait for you to open another club so I can go visit.
Veronica V. from yelp
San Jose, CA
2 star rating
07/23/2007
I was expecting better. It's kind of generic. Maybe I came at a bad time; early evening on a Friday.
My mom and boyfriend went to the jukebox and ended up playing Pantera for me. Not a great idea in a gay bar. I'd have to come back again later in the night to determine what I think of this place.
Chris W. from yelp
Brentwood, CA
5 star rating
07/19/2007
Hunter's Nightclub is a wonderful (and well-needed) addition to the San Jose gay bar scene. It takes all of my favorite elements of a bar, and puts them all under one roof.
- the beautiful brick interior reminds me of some of my favorite gay bars on the East Coast - the staff is incredibly friendly and provide exceptional service - the atmosphere is welcoming and professional - the bar itself is huge and there is plenty of space to gather - the LCD videos are a great touch and the selection of videos is quite extensive - it's local (HUGE PLUS FOR SOUTH BAY/PENINSULA FOLKS!)
It's always a plus when businesses are committed to social causes, so it's been very refreshing that the owners have been very active in supporting local LGBT causes from the start.
More than that, I've seen at least one of the owners each time I've been there, and they have always gone out of their way to genuinely make me feel welcome every time.
Skip the trip to SF and definitely check out Hunters. You won't be disappointed.
Carlos N. from yelp
San Jose, CA
5 star rating
10/01/2007
drink here.......dance here....take your pants off on a tuesday night and win 50$ here........drink some more here......and have plenty of good times here..........this place is bananas on fridays and saturdays ........... :-)
Dennis T. from yelp
San Jose, CA
5 star rating
06/22/2007
AWESOME BAR! This is where I like to hang out on the weekends.
FINALLY a bar where I feel welcomed and can relax.
San Jose needed this welcomed change.
Love the owners, they are great and they get out there and meet people.
matt l. from yelp
San Jose, CA
5 star rating
09/10/2007
This place is a welcome additon to downtown. Lots of parking in the area and well located. The staff is the best. Hats off to the bartenders (Ruben, Joe, Billy and all the rest, you guys rock!). The space is great, my only complaint would be that the bar itself overtakes the whole room... it is way too big, I'd suggest a little remodel. It is even too big for the bartenders. Beyond that, the place is great and me and my friends always have a great time here. Hope it thrives and helps to bring more gay bars to the area.
Will K. from yelp
Sunnyvale, CA
4 star rating
06/11/2007
Hunters is the new gay bar in town, rivaling the only other big gay club Splash.
Here is what you need to know: - Parking is okay in the area. You can park at the garage at 2nd and San Carlos with no problems. - The club has only been open for two weeks at this point. Pride Weekend was its second weekend open. - The line situation is okay before 10:30pm. However, I hear that around 11 it got really whack. 30-45 minute waits were typical, even, when it wasn't all that packed in side. I also think there might be a cover after 10 or 11pm. - The sound system isn't all the good. When I walked in, I was pretty shocked. I think eventually they were able to get the sound levels right. - The LCD TV's are a nice touch, but often times the 'VJ' playing the videos had some technical issues. - There are two patio areas. A small one in front and a large one in back. I wonder if there will ever be a 'front patio scene' a la 'Rage' or 'Fiesta Cantina' in Los Angeles. Places in the Bay don't tend to have a front patio due to space issues and rent prices. I'm also sure zoning is also involved. - The main bar area is nice, although slightly small. There is also a nice front section with seats to just chill. - The bar hasn't quite found a personality yet. I'm sure that will come over time. I wonder if they'll have theme nights in the future. (A Dragon-type night with Hip Hop would be FANTASTIC!) - There is small open area for dancing, although no-one really started to dance until midnight. - They had trashy Go Go boys. Although, none were my type. - The crowd is really all over the map. I would say the crowd reminds me of Badlands in SF. Young and Old and diverse as far as race is concerned. - Drinks are slightly more expensive than the gay bars in SF, but they use better alcohol. - The owners seem friendly. - I'll be back for sure.
MJ H. from yelp
San Jose, CA
4 star rating
08/12/2007
My friends and I are in love with this bar! The music has always been excellent to dance to, and the back patio area is a fun place to socialize. The crowd is almost always fun! This is a great and much needed addition to downtown San Jose. It blows Splash out of the water! :) My one and only complaint is they only accept cash for the drinks... and I'm one of those girls who never has cash on me so it has been a slight inconvenience. But I can understand how it would be much easier on the bartenders to not deal with credit cards.