The Best South Bay Bars For Inventive & Out-Of-The-Box Cocktails

The Bay Area is a renowned hub of premier cocktail lounges, though these aren't all simply concentrated just in San Francisco. In the South Bay, a grand swath of bars and cocktail lounges find their sophisticated home here, especially those with inventively creative cocktails that go high above the typical old fashioned and martini.

If you're looking to venture out of the ordinary and discover just how daringly unconventional cocktail ingredients and flavor combinations can be, head to these ingenious South Bay favorites adored for their adventurous, skillful, and brilliantly intriguing concoctions.

See also: The Most Inventive & Out-Of-The-Box SF Cocktails To Try

Nighthawk

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3464 19th St / (415) 830-9444 / Website

Atmosphere: An elegant and swanky intimate lounge with an artistically sophisticated design, swift service, and a luxuriously airy outdoor patio.

Drink Highlights:

• The Granada, with Cinnamon Bark Syrup, Tawny Port, and Creme de Peche.
• The Rusted Rim, with Chartreuse, Tamarind, and Hella Bitters.
• The Simons Milk Punch with Tea and Spices.

Perfect For: A chic date night or post-work hangout that's relaxed, upscale, and engagingly convivial.

Paper Plane

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72 S First St, San Jose / (408) 713-2625 / Website

Atmosphere: A lively and luminous expansive space in Downtown San Jose with comforting ffood and a complex seasonal cocktail menu made with top-shelf ingredients from their captivating towering bar.

Drink Highlights:

• The Thai-Ranosaurus Thai Tea, Orgeat, Condensed Milk, Lemon
• The Mad World, with Absinthe, Pepita Orgeat, and Li Hing Mui.
• The Silky Smooth, with Shochu, Banana Liqueur Blend, and Tahini.

Perfect For: A photoworthy party or energetic night out with a group that boasts an ambience that's classy as it is trendy.

Miniboss

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52 E Santa Clara St, San Jose / (408) 520-4909 / Website

Atmosphere: A mesmerizing and cozy neon arcade bar brimming with a diverse array of games, nostalgic decor and drinks, and large screens to view their projected classic movies.

Drink Highlights:

• The Thunderdome, with Rooibos Sherbet, Egg, and Malic Acid.
• The Phoenix Down, with Crème de Cacao, Orange Bitters, and Alder Wood Smoke.
• The Hopper, with Oat Milk, Bittermens Xocolatl Mole Bitters, and Pandan Extract.

Perfect For: A riveting date night or hangout with friends where you won't have to crowd or wait turns to play thanks to their endless machines and spacious interior.

The Vesper

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394 E Campbell Ave, Campbell / (408) 680-0401 / Website

Atmosphere: A Victorian-chic lounge with eclectic art, furniture, and an impressively lengthy drink menu precisely tailored to each liquor type.

Drink Highlights:

• The Heart in your Heartbreak, with Egg, Pandan Syrup, and Banana Liqueur,
• The Ghost On the Shore, with Pamplemousse Liqueur, Saline Solution, and Grapefruit Bitters.
• The Main Squeeze, with Citric, Basil, Hibiscus Bitters.

Perfect For: A sunny afternoon stop to refresh when leisurely strolling through the charming downtown Campbell.

President’s Terrace- Graduate Palo Alto

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488 University Ave, Palo Alto / (650) 843-9755 / Website

Atmosphere: A stunning and scenic rooftop oasis with cozy homestyle furniture and dazzling string lights atop the equally palatial Graduate Hotel.

Drink Highlights:

• The Nutty Professor, with Aged Rum, Pistachio Orgeat, and Pistachio Foam.
• The Weekend at Burning Man, with Pineapple, Elote Syrup, and Ancho Chile Bitters.
• The Kutilda's Thai Tea, with Thai Tea, Almond Foam, and Matcha.

Perfect For: Those wanting an elegant and elevated escape that also offers comfy lounge seating and an exclusive endlessly Instagrammable view.

iChina

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2855 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose / (408) 352-5405 / Website

Atmosphere: A grand jeweled palace at the Westfield Valley Fair that gracefully exudes and balances both traditional opulence and modern innovation in their authentic cuisine, decor, and kind service.

Drink Highlights:

• The Oolong Milk Punch, with Aloe Liqueur, Oolong tea, and blue Agave.
• The Blossom, with Lychee Vodka, Lavender, and Blueberries.
• The Cigar Room, with Bourbon, Luxardo Liqueur, and Smoke.

Perfect For: A lavish and reviving afternoon stop after shopping, especially when indulging in their divine dim sum and desserts.

The Oxford Kitchen and Gastropub

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195 S Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale / (408) 245-8503 / Website

Atmosphere: A refined gastropub in downtown Sunnyvale that still feels casual, no-frills, and charmingly friendly.

Drink Highlights:

• The Beet-Le, with Ginger-Beet, Egg White, and Blackstrap Bitters.
• The Bobby Burns, with Benedictine, Saline Solution, and Cacao Bitters.
• The Smoked Berries, with Blackberry, Lavender, and Blackstrap Bitters.

Perfect For: An intimate dinner with generous portions, or a relaxed cocktail when exploring the delightfully cobblestoned downtown strip, especially when seated outside.

Amandine Lounge

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235 1st St, Los Altos / (650) 204-9222 / Website

Atmosphere: A snug, sultry, and dramatic speakeasy-type cove with dim lighting and ritzy furniture.

Drink Highlights:

• The Admiral Kay, with Masala-infused Scotch, Cream, and Whole Egg.
• The Apple Blossom #2, with Apple-Washed Calvados, Apple Cordial, Allspice
• The Peace Maker, with Benedectine, Sesame, and Chocolate.

Perfect For: Those desiring a tucked-away hidden gem that feels vintage and classic, but also levels up to be bustling and hip.

Cheers to these magnificently creative mixologists and to trying something adventurous that can't be found anywhere else!

See also: 20 Best Dive Bars In San Francisco

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