Jack's is my neighborhood watering hole in Japantown. I first experienced Jack's when I attended their annual Battle of the Bay SF v. Oakland baseball party bus and tailgate. I won't go too much into detail about the shenanigans that occurred on the trip, but I will let you know that it was so epic that I will be returning every single year from now on. If you have to sign a waiver for a party then I'm down with it. As for the bar itself, I've only been there on weekday nights so I'm not sure what this spot is like on the weekends. On Monday nights they do have a reggae night and play pretty dope music. Overall, if you want to come to a chill bar and meet the locals then Jack's is the place to be.
Review Source:This bar is your classic, standard watering hole with a good beer selection including rotational craft brews. Â One other rarely known fact is the bar's record of serving the most Jack Daniels in the area. Â They pour JD from the barrel and serve a rare Gentleman Jack. Â
The crowd has always been a mix of all types of folk from different classes, lifestyles, races and ages. Â Experiences with the crowd have been hit or miss. Â I've met friendly people and aggressive people, but for the most part the bar's fun vibe rules over.
The bar can get pretty tight, and besides the bar seating, there's not much table area for the rest of the crowd. Â Music has always been different when I've been here. Â I've heard everything from punk, 90s r&b, 90s hiphop, classic rock, radio hits, etc. Â
Worth checking out and definitely a casual  late-night place to have drinks with your friends or by yourself (if you find yourself all by your lonesome.)
I want to like Jack's - it's close and there aren't that many bars located in - or within walking distance to - Â Japantown.
But, I can't. I don't care that the place is dingy and dank - I kinda dig that  - but the bartenders are a 4 outta 10 on a good day when they're not loaded. PLUS, there's no guarantee that the back patio - a simple slab of concrete - will be 'open' and allow you to breath fresh air while you drink.
It could be my favorite dive joint. But, it just isn't because the requisite delivery of the bare minimum is too hit-or-miss.
How hard is it to serve a beer?
I don't really go out to bar's anymore, but when I do it's Jack's!
It's kind of a small place. On a weekend night, you might get bumped into a few times. I usually come here with my boyfriend, we've had interesting/fun times here. The crowd is pretty cool. Age range is about 23 - 50. It varies. It's fun to watch Sports games.
I love Jack's!
This place is frustrating in so many ways. Jack's is my neighborhood bar, and I used to bring my friends here regularly (5+ people at a time). We've given them thousands of dollars in business since last fall. We aren't the rowdy type, and we show a great appreciation for the artists featured on the wall as well as DJs that come in.... in fact, we've had great conversations with a lot of them.
The bartenders and customer service, however, kills it all. Patrick and Rina (sp?) are the only ones on staff that have an awesome attitude--in fact, Patrick has to be my favorite bartender in all of SJ because of that. Everyone else though.... just forget it. The older woman, and the older guy who seems to be the manager, are complete jerks.
The last time I was here (and the last time I will ever be here), I was standing outside while some drunk guy looked at me, went over to the old manager guy (who was smoking a cig by the door) and said "I don't like this guy at all" referring to me. The manager looked like he was agreeing and let the drunk guy back into Jack's. As a brown dude, I'm used to crap like that from narrow-minded fools, but I didn't want to make any assumptions about the staff, so I went to just talk to him and literally just ask him how his Sunday was going. The manager flatout ignored me, and faced the other way as if I didn't say a thing.
Now, this kind of occurence can happen as a mistake, but my friends and I have been experiencing this many, many times with him and the older woman. They are straight up rude to us, serve others before us even when we arrive earlier, and the woman's made snide comments about the way we look and what kind of beers we order. The fact that we're mostly minorities really just adds unnecessary BS to it all, but I don't believe it's racist or anything. At least I hope not? Maybe it's because we're college-age. Who knows.
I'm glad that neither I nor my friends have stepped into this place since then, and won't, as long as those fools are serving drinks. Sorry Patrick, you were definitely the chillest bartender we've known.
This heavenly establishment is within stumbling distance from my apartment which is outstanding. The bartenders do a great job at making you feel like you're part of the family and they pour the shots VERY generously.
Monday night is my favorite as it is reggae night. Awesome DJ's and prices :)
Whether you're looking for a nice spot that isn't full of fake assholes or you're on a budget...this place is worth checking out.
Be warned however, as the Jack's Bar life is quite addicting...
I really want to like this place. Unfortunately, the customer service ruins any possibility of that. I've had multiple poor experiences interacting with the staff and the majority of them  are rude, inconsiderate, and difficult to work with. The upside to this bar is the great DJ's that come in frequently, along with the great beer selection. I hope the customer service improves. Japantown deserves better.
Review Source:After a discussion of philly cheesesteaks around the area our co-worker took us to this place which he says is great.
We parked in the parking lot of Fosters Freeze, and i said, "Foster's Freeze is the place?" he said, no!. we walked across the street towards wienerschnitzel and my other co-worker said, "wienerschnitzel?". again... he said NO!. Then we stopped in front of a hole in the wall bar, with the sign Jack's. and he walked in. my co-worker and i looked at each other like... seriously? and followed.
The bartender cooked the cheesesteak on a small metal grill behind the bar and puts it on basically a hot dog bun. It's actually pretty amazing. Feels very home made lots of flavor, lots of cheese, very impressed.
I would have never found this place in a million years. I'm not really a person that hangs out at the local bar, but would come back for lunch in a group.
It's a fun neighborhood bar. It's one of the better bars near my work, so I'll stop by occasionally after work for some brews with friends. It's kind of a dive bar, there's a mixed crowd, bartenders are all pretty cool, some times they'll hook you up with free drinks whenever they're drinking. Not something I ever expect but it's cool to see when it happens.
It's diverse crowd and there isn't really a dress code, at least I've never seen anyone get rejected for coming in with sneakers and sports apparel, it's not that type of club. On the busy nights like Thursday through Saturday they'll have a DJ, I think they have it on Wednesday too but I could be wrong. The place gets pretty busy later at night when the DJ's show up. They have several flat screen televisions which play various shows but usually sports if they're on. On special events like World Cup, they'll open up super early so patrons can come and watch, they'll also serve breakfast too. I thought that was awesome.
They have happy hour specials which are pretty inexpensive. There's food options close by and they'll let you eat food inside. Just don't be a douche and leave your mess every where, try to clean up.
They only thing I hate is that the place is pretty small, especially now that they've closed off the patio area because the neighbors complained about the noise. Also if you choose to play beer pong, the only place you can play is in the hallway near the bathroom, kind of gross if you ask me but I don't play so it's not really a concern for me.
What night did we come out?
Friday
How was the line?
No line
What did we have?
3 Jameson and Ginger Ales
How was the crowd?
San Jose Casual Crowd
How was the scene?
Dance Party
What's the demographic?
Equal numbers of men and women
What's the ambience?
Casual
Party Freaks
What kind of music was playing at Jack's Bar & Lounge?
Cannot remember
What's the noise level?
Medium
Will we hang out at Jack's Bar & Lounge in the future?
Maybe: Â Drinks come out very quickly. Â The crowd is wild and likes to party, but it's not really our crowd. Â It's an average bar and no lounge.
Jack's Bar is textbook for divey. Â If that is your scene, you won't be disappointed by the crowd and drink prices here. Â Its nice and dark, can get loud on some nights, and all in all has a very neighborhood drink tank feel to it.
PROTIP: Â Try Carribean BBQ in the back patio area. Â Perfect drunk food, especially the jerk chicken or the skinny fries.
Jack's. Â Unsuspecting bar, cool art work, and a decent amount of seating. Â
Drinks. Dive. Friendly Staff. Â It's the perfect recipe for a good time right? Â
If you aren't walking to this joint, parking might be a  little tricky. Keep in mind, it's a dive bar and it's in Japan town. No need for heels here ladies. DJ's may frequent this establishment, but more than likely you'll be feeding the digital jukebox. Â
If stuffy and fancy is what you are looking for, head elsewhere. Jack's is the neighborhood bar, and it should remain that way.
If you are hungry, try some of the goldfish or the nuts. Waiters love making you thirsty.
The epitome of a neighborhood bar. Â The place where everyone, in fact, knows your name. Â Charlie is, quite possibly, the best bartender in San Jose. Â Of course, you also can't go wrong with Jordan, Travis, Tanisha, Aimee, Rina, or Matt. Â Drinks are stiff, and the usual cast of characters (regulars) are bound to offer up some good conversation and banter. Â Word of warning: Â beware of the Jack (Daniels shots)! Â
The fact that they offer Cheesesteaks for lunch and Jamaican BBQ on the weekends in icing on the cake. Â The local artwork the adorns the walls adds a nice touch.
This is the little dive bar that could.
Whatever you need Jack's has it. Strong and cheap drinks. Local and unpretentious folks. Food and flat screens. Outdoor patio and fresh air. Jukebox and beer pong. The music and crowd is not your downtown Top 40 type. The vibe lightweight reminds me of a house party. Jack's outdoor heated patio paired with Roy's Caribbean food is a main draw for me. The patio is wide open like cyprians on call. That guy Roy can throw down some serious street-style grub and is a cool cat. Mad types of fun here.
Came here with my boyfriend to celebrate a friend's birthday. Did I have a great time? As a matter of fact, I did. I was surrounded by great company so it's expected of me to have a great time.
The reason why I'm giving Jack's 1 star is because:
1. After our first drink transaction, we asked the bartender to close our tab. Â The bartender then left to help another patron and forgot to return our credit card.
After searching and having thought we lost our credit card, we asked the female bartender if they had it. To our surprise,they did. Â Not thinking much of it, and happy that we found it, we decided to purchase another round. Â
2. While checking our credit card statements, we notice a discrepancy with the amounts charged. Â Transaction #1 had an additional $10 tip added to what we originally added. Transaction #2 was also overcharged.
I was a server for over 8 years and I understand mistakes can happen. My grip about this is that it did not happen once, but twice. Â From what I know, tips for drinks are at least $1 per drink. Â This was obviously not the case. Â This was not a matter of an additional dollar but an actual deliberate attempt to cheat the system and make more money. Â
Outraged by what had happened, I contacted the establishment to speak to the owner. My luck, the owner was out of town. Â Next thing you know, I was advised to come in to speak with the second in command while the owner's out. Â To my surprise, the guy who was left in charge was the guy who's name is on both of the tabs. So instead of talking to him, I will be waiting for the owner to return to speak with him myself. Â
I will not be making a return trip.
What's great about this dive bar?
Let me break it down:
Orange Tic Tac
Cherry Bomb
Jaegar Bomb
Irish Car Bomb
Get the picture? Ok....the bartenders, Nicole, Jordan, and Matt....I blame you guys!! Thanks for the drinks and my horrid hangover the next day! It was all in good fun with friends and the diverse crowd that got me booty-shaking and downing all those drinks.
Cool choices of music, DJs are awesome, NO COVER CHARGE, beer pong, and *drum roll* HAPPY HOUR!! How could you not love this place?! Far from the middle of downtown but walking distance from Japantown, come here and show your face, grab a couple of drinks, dance, mingle, and enjoy the night. Doesn't matter when is the best day, because it's downright awesome! Parking is easy, looks a bit sketchy outside, but don't hold yourself back because you're safe....SJPD is everywhere. HAHA!
Happy hour: Sunday $1 off everything from 3pm to 7pm. During the week, 3pm to 9pm
FYI....Everyday from 11am to 3pm, catch their $8 Lunch Combo - Cheese Steak, Chips, & Beer when you check-in on Facebook. Hurry before it ends soon! Ask and find out for this promo! How's that for a steal?!!
Jack's would have received 4-5 stars if they didn't discriminate.
I did a yelp search for "Biker Bars" and Jack's came up ~ NOT!
    I am in a women's motorcycle club, based in Downtown San Jose.
One night we were out riding and enjoying ourselves, trying to keep it local and spend our money in our community. Someone suggested we go to Jack's and all responded with a hearty "yes"
    Imagine our dissapointment when we arrived and were immediately asked to leave by the bartender! Because we were wearing our club colors (vest), we were not welcome. Seriously, what did you think was going to happen???
    Oh well your loss (of business) as we moved on to Hyde Park, Linda's Lightrail Lounge, Freddie J's, Bamboo, and others that do want our money and welcome us with open arms regardless of what we are wearing.
I will be spreading the word!
I knew it was time to write this review when I was out this past weekend and someone guessed correctly exactly where I was the night previously: at Jack's, in my roller derby uniform.
This bar is outstanding.
It doesnt' have a huge dance floor, it doesn't have big screen TVs, it doesn't have a stage, nor is it located downtown or on some major strip. It's just tucked away, on the outskirts of Japantown--blink and you might miss it on Taylor. Â
So what does it have?
-Theme Nights. F yes I still like dressing up at nearly 30 years old.
-Generous bartenders for loyal customers
-Usually they have some pretty sweet DJs bumpin' funk or old school hip hop
-All my best friends come here. Often. And if I don't know them, everyone is so friendly that we will become friends eventually.
I feel totally at home here and know I can come any time of day and still be welcomed with a stiff Sailor Jerry and Diet Coke and some good laughs. Jack's staff has been nothing but warm, accommodating, welcoming and supportive of SVRG. Thanks guys :)
I like this place. In Japantown San Jose, across from Happi House is this gem that I feel not many know about.
It might seem a little seedy misfit attraction from the outside, but it has such charm. I have some friends went here often (they've moved or no longer party) and mention that this is a place to be to mellow out, relax, and chill.
Music is really good. Lots of early 90's stuff, hip hop, rnb, and some top 40.
Bartender was a really swell guy. My first time it was a friends birthday and I asked if I could have a red velvet cupcake that was next to him to give to our birthday girl. Not only did he say yes, he made some sort of shot that involved a complicated fire ring around it, at no charge. So cool of him. I have not had the pleasure to try it, but I notice they have a big bin of nuts and goldfishes.
Crowd is pretty diverse, and everyone seems to behave and get along with each other. They've got a great big patio out back. Definitely a good spot during the summer. One night I was here, they were selling hotdogs and bbq food. Kind of random, but pretty cool. I noticed a flier that they were doing a collaboration with nearby pet boutique, Biscuits. A happy hour involving bringing your (wo)man's best friend with you and they provide water, treats, and sometimes, prizes. Even cooler.
If you're LITERALLY looking for A BAR. come here. The actual building houses A BAR. There's not a lot of standing room inside and probably a hand full of high tables.
Music was mixed but good. They didn't play the top 40s (finally!)
Crowd is mixed as well, but everyone is chill and casual.
The backside of the bar has an open patio area with tables and heating lamps. I felt like i was chillen in the backyard of a house party. Nothing fancy, but suits your smoking and fresh air needs.
Drink prices are average and it's not those tiny shot glasses.
Looking to casually hang out with some friends and grab some drinks? Want some variety of good music? GO HERE.
Poppin' Music....Chill crowd....and what is that alcoholic sweet tea drink that's soo good, it kicks you to the curb after hours of downing it? Or maybe because the innocent  in me thought it was juice, and could use it as a chaser for jager..
sigh...the consequences of being a newbie. hence, i left the place, totally wired out.
Minus one star because...the place is Small. It can get really stuffy and it's almost impossible to get a drink without having to go sideways towards the bar.
I love this place.
The bartenders are awesome. Â The place is intimate but with a rowdy crowd that cheers like mad for games and with a TV less than 8 feet from you no matter where you sit. Â
PBR specials for just about everything, Official Beer Pong league, PBR Cornhole toss, BBQ's and a bunch of other great events.
My go to neighborhood bar for every occasion!
Jack's is an offical sponsor of the Silicon Valley Roller Girls.
SVRG has been involved with Jack's (and Jordan) since our inaugural season '08. They have always been very accomodating to assist us in all our endeavors from hosting fundraisers before each of our games to hosting our annual Jello Wrestling.
The staff is amazing and playful. The drinks are great prices. The crowd is always warm and welcoming.
Thank you Jack's!
I gotta say, this has been one of the most fun bars I've been to in a while. It's not because of amazing drinks or it was super cheap. Even the music bordered on mediocre (Journey good, Metallica bad but I blame the people fiddling with the jukebox. However, a good bartender always sets the barometer of the night.
I dragged out my cousin who's not really a bar fiend (guess it doesn't run in the family) on a pub tour of San Jose. Jack's was our last stop and the closest to her apartment.
I spotted one of my beloved vodkas, Hangar Mandarin and ordered up my usual cape cod with it. My cousin refused everything but the bartender persuaded her to have water...with a slice of lemon no less! Â My drink was $8.
When I went to get my second one, this is what transpired. I asked the bartender, Matthew, what was his best drink. This is a question I ask bartenders and if they give me a good answer, I usually try it. Matthew stated all his recipes were "gold." He said for instance since I was drinking Hangar Mandarin, he could fix me up with it and soda water with a slice of orange. It made me laugh. Award winning recipes, huh? I politely requested my cape cod again and watched in amazement as he tossed up the bottle to spin a perfect arc of vodka across the bar. Good thing no one else was working back there.
Yeah, he made it rain vodka.
So, fun night and yes, I'm thinking about heading over there right about now.
I have to preface this review by saying, I'm really NOT a lush anymore. If I saw myself in the future when I was 21, I would probably be ashamed of myself. I'm a former alkie gone awry, so now, I just tend to think mojitos, mo' problems.
With that introduction, I love this place. My friends come here because they live nearby, can walk, and apparently no one like DUIs. Seriously at most places when I need 2 water-down-lame-ass-vodka-and-cranberries, I need only one here. Yes, I even make that astringent face when I realize that stuff is strong! AND CHEAP-- cause even though I'm older, I'm still as broke.
They've let me leave my car here couple times and even offered to call me a cab. If that isn't top-notch service! And the weird videos and 60s Motown music are my cherry toppings for the evening!
Jack's doesn't tickle my fancy as it did back a couple of years ago. Came here pretty late on a Friday night, seem packed as usual, but how does it not look crowded when its the size of my bedroom?
I remember the music being a lot better here. I guess it was the particular DJ that night, he was playing some random mix of 60s music to everything else and it didn't really mesh well, I do know a DJ who spins here, DJ Benofficial, he is awesome though, I need to come back when he is spinning.
The bartenders didn't seem that friendly and the crowd wasn't my type of vibe. On the upside, there is a miniature pong table set up by the restrooms at all times for the beer pong enthusiasts.
The secret's out! Now everyone's talking about Jacks.
I did not write a review about it because I was selfish :) I wanted to keep it a secret to myself for just a little bit. Succeeded for about 8 months and now Im glad to share it with fellow beer lovers or Gin and Tonic lovers.
Divey but clean. The crowd is a hit or miss depending on wether the moon is out or not. Bathroom is clean and never seem to have a long line. I think that will soon change.
My fav G&T is always stiff. There is a jukebox and an ATM in the corner to the right of the door as you go in. There's about 4 or five bar tables and an ample amount of actually clean bar stools to sit on at the bar.
Beer pong is yours to play with if you like stuff like that. A couple of Flat screen TV's playing the requisite man sports. Â Reggae night on Monday.
Welcome to J-Town's newest secret revealed!
This is a tiny little bar that seems to always be full of guys that probably have trouble with the ladies, but it seems as if many of them don't care if they score or not, which ultimately makes them awesome. Those kind of guys are okay with me, as opposed to the losers you see around downtown constantly chasing skirts armed with no game. Lame.
But yeah, I still wish they had ladies to maybe switch things up a little. Then I remember that this is Santa Clara county. If there were a bunch of a girls in a bar, I would probably have an anxiety attack.
Anyway, I must admit, I have been here four times and I have had fun every single time. It hasn't hooked me to come back, but I did have fun. Maybe I am not quite a fan because while I am in my mid twenties, which technically makes me young, I still feel too old for this place.
Some nights they have beer pong and others they play retro funk. But every night is fun. And of course, short on the ladies.
I know I gave the place one star butI will return at some point because they do have a beer pong table. My friends swear that this place is awesome but I didn't see what they were seeing. Hopefully the next time will be a better experience.
When I approached it looked like it would be this dark, biker gang dive bar as there were ton of leather clad biker's chatting it up on the outside. On the inside the place was filled with wannabe thugs bobbing along to top 40, hip hop beats. As crappy as Jack's looked it definitely drew a lot of guys as the place was packed like no other. Oh and did I mention it was like 9 out of 10 people here were guys?
The three or four bartenders looked like they were ankle deep in drink requests from the legions of drunks leaning over the rail. I figured it would take forever to actually get a drink so I left.
If you love divey, chill, and retro-looking bars, then this is the place for you. Everyone was nice, tons of smokers out in front, the bartender was cool BUT it is not my scene.
I mean, nothing wrong with playing beer pong and watching people in plaid shirts and flip flops.
They had a DJ and music was blaring. We retreated near the jukebox, avoiding eye contact from the smiling bald dude.
It was a nice and friendly joint, but I missed my metrosexuals, lychee martinis, and catty cute girls. Gawd, I miss them.
4.5 Stars.
Awesome service. Friendly bartender. Strong drinks. Good location. Clean. Free pretzels. Best bar experience in San Jose.
We had to leave after an hour because our aging ears couldn't handle the abuse of ear-drum piercing music volume. Maybe one speaker would suffice for such a small place? Just a suggestion. Â
Will bring ear plugs and notepad (for communication) next time.
Alcohol + Good Music + Good People + No Cover Charge - Douchebags = GOOD TIMES!!!!!!!!!!!!
Seriously shall I elaborate on each variable? Yes I will!
Alcohol: $3 Pabst tallboys! These things can last you the whole night if you're a slow drinker. They also got Newcastle (my favorite beer), Stella Artois, Red Stripe, etc. Seriously, you don't need a Long Island Iced Tea-- YOU HAVE TO WORK THE NEXT DAY! But if you do feel like one, then they can make it for you, especially if you're an unemployed, self-loathing loner... uh... too much info...
Good Music: No Soulja Boy here. I REPEAT-- NO SOULJA BOY HERE! Leave that shit for the d-bags that piss all over 1st Street on the weekend and their bastard children. Nate, Cutso, D-Ma and company got beats to bob your head to, to get on the good foot to, to trainspot to and to enjoy yourself and your company while you're Cold Chillin'. Â
Good People: Not the weekend San Jose crowd at all! No frat boys slippin' a roofie to your girl's drink, no nightgown wearing asshole swingin' his sword, no dumb drunk Becky wanting to hear "In Da Club", and definitely no vertically striped shirt wearing guido with spiky hair.
Douchebags: They plague the city of San Jose so much that the city should be renamed "Man Jose." It's good that they stay home on a Tuesday night.
GOOD TIMES: If that means chillin' with your peoples, drinking your alcohol and chit-chatting without d-bags getting up in your business, then count me in.
It's not like I'm a bar expert. Heck, I didn't even start my bar attendance record until I was 37. Yes, I said 37. Leave me alone. I suck. Anyway, better late than never, I always say. And since I'm hanging with a younger crowd, it's like we are all discovering it together! I say that to cover up the fact that really, I am an overaged teenager recapturing her lost youth. Pttttpt.
SO. Jacks. Let me tell you why this place is worth the trip.
1. Not the most important factor, but this place is next door to a Fosters Freeze AND a Weinershnitzel. Talk about your drunk after-party food. Not that I eat at either of these places, I've got enough junk in my trunk, thank you very much.
2. Ample seating. In case you missed it, I am secretly old and I have a big ass. And us big-backed old gals, we need to keep off our feet. Yeah we do. It was easy for me and my guy and a friend to find seats at the bar on a Friday night. The place still got hopping later, but it was never crazy busy.
3. Bartenders that ROCK. I love a bartender that can pour me a drink without making it so strong that I'm under the table in one glass. The drinks aren't weak, but you can't light 'em with a match either. Yeah, f-ers, I can't drink as much as I could when I was younger. Except I didn't drink when I was younger. Soooo.
4. Beer pong holds absolutely no allure to me. It smacks of dumb fraternity drinking games. Except in my day it was quarters. Do young people play quarters anymore? Anyhoo, I'm sure for some people beer pong is a draw.
5. The music was awesome! I'm used to only hearing music in clubs that sounds generally like "un-tah un-tah un-tah un-tah un-tah un-tah..." So unoriginal. But the music at Jakes was cool! They were playing music that I was listening to in the tenth grade. Really cool 80s rock and new wave. Yes chillren, it was called new wave back then. In the days before MTV.
In case you get the wrong idea about Jacks, most of the people looked to be under the age of 30. There was me and just one other guy in a sports coat that looked to be over 35. So don't let this review scare you into not going.
Plus, I was thinking about getting me a fake ID. Seriously! If a 19-year-old can get an ID that says she's 25, why can't I get one that says I'm 30? Then I'd fit right in. Yeaya.
Overall, nice decor, easy parking, clean bathrooms, big TVs everywhere, what's not to like?
I was introduced to Jack's about 10 years ago. Â It has never been an establishment that I frequented, but it has typically maintained a spot on my Japan Town crawl. Â For those of you old schoolers, you are well aware of Jack's history - OLD SCHOOL. Â Oh yeah, this was the quintessential dive bar, and you appreciated it for what it was.
So this last weekend, I took a friend out to hit a couple of watering holes. Â Since we were in Japan Town, and he holds such a strong affinity for the aforementioned dive bar, Jack's came immediately to mind.
I haven't been here in about a year, and as we walked up, nothing on the outside facade seemed any different than how I'd left it. Â Walking in the front door though, was quite different:
Do you remember the feeling when you were in college and you realized that you walked into the wrong class? Â You know... you realize you're in the wrong place, but the bigger issue is how to escape without alerting everyone else in the class that you've just committed a classic bone head move. Â Upon entering Jack's, the feeling was a lot like that. Â I was already through the door and I look up to realize that I recognize NOTHING!
The bar is... well... it's nice! Â What the heck happened here? Â We sit down at the bar and my confusion is obvious, so the bartender proceeds to explain: Â He and a friend had purchased the bar about 6 months ago. Â They clearly dumped a bunch of money into it - the clean up job they did on the restrooms alone had to set them back handsomely.
Being the progressive guy that I am, I decide to roll with it. Â OK, let's give this a try and see how it goes. Â I continue to tell the bartender of the ghosts of drunken Jack's outings past. Â A favorite of ours were the flaming Dr. Peppers. Â Maybe they weren't even that good, but the appeal may have simply been that they weren't SUPPOSED to be making them, let alone lighting the bar on fire. Â I won't say if this bartender made us one or not, but if he did, I'm sure we appreciated it, and it made our trip to the new Jack's memorable.
There are a few of my friends, puritans, that aren't comfortable with change and progress, but I don't find myself in that category. Â I'm really curious where they are going to go with this new vision for the bar. Â Definitely curious enough to come back for more.
Tonight (Monday) was my first visit into Jack's... and likely, the first of many to come... Jack's is awesome!
This is a cozy neighborhood bar where the patrons are pretty friendly and open to newcomers and unfamiliar faces. Â In the span of an hour, I think I made the acquaintance and had some conversation with at least 5 of the 7-8 people that were there. Â That's a far friendlier reception than I've seen at most any of the "ultralounges" either downtown or at S.Row...
The bar itself is a small place. Â Just the bar that runs nearly the length of the room, the 10-12 barstools, and a couple (3?) high-tables against the opposite wall. Â There are 4 HD LCD TV's, more than enough for the size of the place, so watching events (like Monday Night Football tonight) is enjoyable. Â On Monday nights, there is apperantly a Reggae DJ spinning, but I left as they were setting up; even more reason for me to go back and check it out...
The Monday night bartender, Rina, is a jaw-dropping cutie with a world of charm and sense of humor who knows her mixology. Â She completely commands the room! Â She's been one of my favorite bartenders for years! Â YEARS! Â I stopped in tonight just to see her... Â She know me well enough to pour a drink before I even ask for it, and at the same time, cut me off when I've got some wobble in my step...
The new paint, flooring, TVs and whatnot make Jack's one of the nicest dive bars I've ever been to... and when I say its a dive, that's a good thing.
Stop in and check it out... and if it happens to be a Monday night, say "hi", I'll probably be in there somwhere...
Alright, so this is a bar to go to when you want  cozy environment.  By the end of the night, you'll pretty much know everyone and be involved in whatever drama you prefer, whether it be the beer pong tournament, the crazy dancing (sometimes on the bar), or just plain normal bar drama. Â
Brand spanking new, Jack's opened this past Friday, so stop by and support the newness of this establishment! Â Have some fun, drink a beer, and if you stop by on the right night, perhaps some beer pong is in order! Â And you might just see me there. Â ;-)
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