I am one of the neighbors that lives behind J.J. Blues, Â I remember few years ago this place had nice crowd and much better management, but for last several years, Â we have been having many issues with the type of people that go to J.J. Blues, Â and the activities that are happening behind their buildings outside and in parking lot after they close.
Since they do not provide any parking for their business, most people end up parking in front of the residential homes on Cypress, Tyler & Cecil Avenue. Â
I have been witness of many people smoking weed and using the street and our front yard as their bathroom and peeing, urinating behind the alley and on public street in dark. Â I have seen people drunk getting in their cars and driving away after they close, or hanging out in front of the homes behind J.J. Blue and making noises and vomiting after hours.
JJ Blue has been attracting so many low life and non classy troubled people that is effecting this neighborhood. About 2 years ago, a drunk driver in front of J.J. Blue ran into two elderly people and killed them instantly.
We have about over 20 neighbors that are in process of complaining and bring in an action law suit against its management and landlord for such illegal activities and such nuisance they are bringing to our neighborhood.
Its a shame to see that the management does not do anything about it and does not care how their neighbors and customers feel.
Only imagine if these activities happens outside of this establishment, Â God knows what goes on in this bar.
It's a run down old place with a  careless management.
This place was definitely a dive bar! Â Great music, stiff drinks and the worst bathrooms I have ever seen. Â The music was why we went and that was wonderful. Â The service was pretty great as well but I had a hard time looking at what the bar might have been in the past and how the owner has just let it go down hill. Â Very sad.
Review Source:The place is a true dive bar. Drinks are expensive, but they have a good draft selection for a small watering hole. Don't expect good service behind the bar... I can't tell if the bartender's sense of humor is sarcastic or if she's just a bitch. The place doesn't open until after 7pm, so if you're looking for a day drink place, this isn't it. The bands have always been good the few times I've went. Pizza place is right next door, and they will deliver it to the bar, which is nice. Â Bathrooms are disgusting, but it's to be expected.
Review Source:A cute & crusty little place with some great live blues. Â We watched Angle Inglesias pay tribute to Stevie Ray Vaugn last night. Â What a great show except the sound was outrageously loud and Dale thought he'd blow an ear drum. Â The guy at the controls kept trying to make it better but I don't think he succeeded.
When you walk in, the first thing you notice is that it's very long and narrow with lots of photographs of artists on the wall. Â The stage is to the left and a tiny dance floor in front of it. Â The employees are friendly enough but they didn't have anything I liked. Â No wild Turkey, no diet seven-up. Â No matches either.
This is the first blues bar I visited in the Bay Area when I moved here in the late 1980's. Â It was operated by a woman named June (not always friendly) and her husband (always friendly.) Â They sold the business in 2005 to the current owners. Â I have seen some wonderful performers here over the years including the original John Lee Hooker and Chris Cain. Â I also visited their other locations in Mountain View and Downtown San Jose (both since closed) and I must say, this was always my favorite location. Â Not very well laid out, but very intimate. Â Glad they are still in business and glad they are promoting the blues in the Bay Area. Â A local classic that should live on!
Review Source:I love this place. The only thing that sucks is it's often such a drive for me. Most of the time I'm just too tired to make it out for jam nights, which makes me sad.
If you like to jam with talented musicians, this is a great place. The bartender makes strong drinks, and will introduce you to the band if you're feeling shy. I've never felt anything other than welcome in this place, and I miss it. I need to get back out there.
This is incredible place to listen to live blues.
There is no food served, Â drinks only but you do not come there to eat.
We visit this place on Friday evening and every Friday evening (maybe other days too, we do not know) there are local or touring musicians playing live blues. No fees, tips only. Artists are very good usually, all sorts of blues are represented  and in most cases only very good musicians are invited to play. Most visitors know each other and it's very friendly to friends and newcomers place.
I do love that there is a place like this in the area! I want to support my fellow local musicians or traveling... whatever. I want to support local business! But not with rude people behind the bar. Crazy lady. Now before I rant, please know I do the same thing... I i.d. everrryyone that comnes to my place. i'd rather be safe than sorry. So this is not the problem... I walk in and go to the bar to get a brew (place had like 3-4 people sitting around waiting for the band to start) and naturally I am i.d.ed. Chick takes my i.d. (i used to have long hair) and first refuses to serve me... thats fine but she wont give my i.d. back unless I show some other form of i.d.... something with my name on it. So we argue and I had to act like an ass*&% to get my i.d back!
If you dont think it is a real i.d. then deny service and ask the guest to leave your bar. You serve em or you dont. But dont hogg my damn card and harass me. You should say you'll call the cops If I dont go, thats fine. But dont take my property and pretend you have some right to hang on to something that does not belong to you. A valid CA ID is ALL I NEED to drink!!! Asking for a credit card or whatever only shows you rely on something CLEARLY NOT A VALID FORM OF ID to id your guest hahah... backwards!! Next time Ill bring my library card... that would probably work better for here!
I am well over the legal age and, yes I look much younger than my actual age... usually a blessing. But I guess she's just pissed she has the opposite problem. (too harsh? haha) Maybe she'll read this. Hopefully.
To finish on a good note, I ended up at applebees down the street (only thing still open) and the bartender ends up giving me free brew just because he saw where I worked by looking at my shirt (obviously over 21 to work there) and I left him plenty of money...
I wanted so bad to enjoy this place and hopefully find a new spot to hang out and hear some good live music!!
WOOT! BLUES! I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at JJ's. We went on Thanksgiving because they were having a potluck and so we wanted to feel like we were part of a family Thanksgiving when we got off work. That was exactly the experience we got! The bartender and owner were very nice, drinks were solid, and the music was great. Cannot wait to go back again and try the pizza place next door! Only gave it 4 stars because they closed early. Can't wait to go back and check it out again (then potentially update to 5 stars.)
Review Source:I swear that I had a Dream about this place before I even knew it had Existed!! Swear to whomever!
I first saw this place on our way to get some Yogurt... I was like "What was THAT?" When I had the chance to return, I was in Shock... I was like I had Dreamed of this before... So after staring at the neon signs for 5 min, I walk into the joint... I was overwhelmed of this place. It was like I was in a Movie... The MUSIC was JAMMING! the drinks where Great and the People were Awesome! I got so messed up and was buying everybody round after round of drinks..... That's how HAPPY I WAS! Â This place has a piece of my Soul....
OMG, OMG, OMG.. I just love this place. It's a tiny hole in wall that is a local treasure. I have been coming here for years much to my husband's and friends dismay (they don't like the Blues) and I need to go here soon..hmm possibly this week.
To the untrained eye and ear, it may look dirty, divey, and ugly but if you are a true music aficionado you are in for a treat. Many well known and sometimes professional caliber musicians passing through " the bay" come here and jam with whoever is playing.. I have been here a few nights when Mariah Carey's sax player.. or some other big well known musician's band mate pops in... and this place has excellent acoustics.
The owners are sweet and down to earth.... I have actually ditched my family and come here on Thanksgiving.. and they welcomed me with open arms and offered me pumpkin pie and turkey. You should check it out, the people are REAL and THE MUSIC IS GREAT!!
Never any parking...
Kinda hard to see from the street.
Very much a "Dive" Bar! Little dirty, a little run down, very cheap light beer. But the live music is not half bad!
There is a cover charge, so be ready to pay up. The beer selection is eh... and you'd think the seating was limited, EXCEPT there's this whole make-out-looking room in the back with couches and a projector running. Odd...
Good golly Ms. Molly...I hit this place for the first time last Friday. Â My bud is there every week. Â I went and had the best time possible. Â 1) best bartenders in the world, no kidding--Elecktra and Chrissie. Â So much fun you could be sober and and laugh all night, but why bother. Â 2) had the best Washington Apple drink thing I never heard of and was afraid to try and now it is my fave...no hangover--super sweet but a refreshing drink not to sweet!. Â 3) fantastic blues band playing they have live music every night and it was out of this world great blues. Â Bought the CD. Â HumDaddyZ!!!!! 4) clientele was nice no lurkers or weirdos. Â Would I go back? in a flash and bring tons of people with me. Â 5) Met such a nice couple of regulars who are now moving to Toronto, but we are now FB buds. Â Great place to hang and meet people and JUST HAVE FUN!
Review Source:This is the quintessential hole-in-the-wall dive bar. Â Made even more so by the actual holes in the wall. Â This tiny little bar packs quite a punch though, and you can always find live blues music and a handful of near-homeless patrons lingering around the bar. Â there's a pool table in the back of the place for those not really into the band.
This is an awesome little place that has played host to a myriad of blues musicians. Â Also, this place gets bonus points for being next door to "A Slice of New York Pizza", which is one of the best little-known places in the south bay.
This bar is best for blues fans, and those who wish to be hard of hearing since the music is blaring at almost any hour. Â The crowd is a mix of late 20 somethings to late 80 somethings. Â You just never know who is gonna show up to this place.
Was there last Saturday for the first time even though I just live in walking distance....guess I'm gonna show up there more often. Great music, of course, that's why we went there. Shane Dwight Band was playing and the guys were awesome as usual!
The bar style club is really nice and has a cozy atmosphere. The staff is on the ball and very friendly. Prices are decent. We liked it and will be back.
Whoa. Â Nice.
What a cool place! Â Floors are a little sticky and folks are too, but the music's awesome! Â It was like stepping into the movie "Crazy Heart" with all the dim lights and blue collars. Â
Pool table in the back is awesome. Â Owner is trying to make a "lounge" out of the adjoining room....hmmmm, not so much.
Who cares. Sit at the bar and order some cheap drinks and enjoy the ear-ringingly loud blues band. Â Maybe get up and dance you're silly little butt off... who cares! Â That's the best part.
Woohoo! How did I not know about this place before? This is the best dive bar ever. I was completely shocked that it wasn't packed for the show last night. The music was amazing, real, full of heart and soul. J. C. Smith and Alabama Mike were kickass! I love how intimate the setting was, the little dance floor and there was so much to look at on the walls. Not to mention the excellent service..the staff was super friendly and on the ball. I lived in Oakland for 5 years and this joint definitely matches up to some of the incredible blues houses I've been to there. I might just end up a regular at J.J.s.
Review Source:MUSIC:
Live Blues / Jazz! woohoo!
CROWD:
Older, casual, divey, LOTS of regulars
SERVICE:
There's this one lady who was nicer to us, coz we were the only other ladies in the building haha.. :P She knows most of the regulars, and recognizes who's newish
ATMOSPHERE:
Nothing too spectacular, BUT what makes this place great is the live music, a POOL table that only costs like 4 quarters, alcohol, annddd you can bring in a whole pizza from Slice of New York next door so you can eat cho pizza and drink yo beer!
This is just a fun place to be!
A classic Chicago style blues bar. Â Live music every night from classic to modern blues and "classic" rock. Â The night bartenders, Krissy and Electra, are amazingly cool. (I can't comment on the daytime bartenders because I only go there when the headline bands are playing after 9pm.) Â Krissy whips up a Hurricane that rivals anything I drank in New Orleans.
If you are a musician or enjoy listening to awesome local talent, this is the place to be. Â They have regular "jam" nights every Monday and Tuesday, and once a month on Thursdays. Â The musicians that come in to play are, for the most part, amazingly excellent musicians who have "day jobs" and take this opportunity to get out and wail.
The bands on the weekends are either nationally known blues acts or the best of the local blues bands.
A dirty little dive bar that plays live music. I dig it.
It's a decent way to unwind on a week night. The drinks are decently priced. The crowd is a bit small (and relatively unattractive), but everyone was friendly. I am sure the size of the crowd varies depending on the band playing. When i was there they played jazz/funk/rock type music.
I have to add 1-star for the "make out" room. I am not sure if that is the official name of this section of the bar, but it might as well be.
I also have to deduct 1-star for the horrible parking situation. But you could always park in the adjacent neighborhood and walk over.
I think I need to come here again. I like being the cutest person in the bar.
This is a true blues bar. Â If you want to escape by yourself and listen to some blues this place is where to go.
The only reason why I gave the rating of 1 star is because the bartender I had was not only rude but over charged me up the a**!! Â My tab should have been sixty dollars max but ended up to be a hundred and twenty!
If u decide to go here be sure to bring CASH ONLY
This place is definitely a find. It looks really sketchy from the outside (given that you even see it sandwiched between two other connected stores) and it is definitely a total dive bar on the inside--but its a great atmosphere none the less.
Good live music. Cheap drinks. And just a comfortable vibe where you can hang out with some friends and chill out. If you are looking for a fancy bar to go mingle with singles, Straits and Vbar are a couple blocks down Stevens Creek. But if you are looking for a low key place to listen to some Authentic Blues and relax, this place is definitely a good spot.
PS the adjacent pizza place next door actually makes some decent slices too FYI. JJ's doesn't mind you bringing in a slice to munch with your beers or anything, so if you are hungry there are options~
Walking in, Â its a long narrow room with one pool table. The band is in the front by the door so i felt kinda funny walking in as if i just walked right on stage. Needless to say what gives the stars is the fact i was overcharged for my drink. Well i like to think i was. This is coming from a girl who goes all over downtown and been to a few dive bars here and there. My friends also complained that they were overcharged.
Review Source:I'm a city snob so I don't go out in the south bay too often, but this is a place that will definitely go back to. Well, as long as the music is good and cheap.
The first time I tried to go here, we walk in and then find out it's $10 cover which is just a little too steep for a no name place in san jose on a Thursday night.
For lack of other options on another Thursday night in the south bay the roommate and I went back and there wasn't any cover so we were down.
The band wasn't too thrilling at first, but once the guitar solos started I was hooked. I'm a sucker for any place with good music so I dunno how fun it'll be the next time around. The drinks were pretty good and reasonably priced and there's a pool table in back that I'd like to hit up next time.
Oh, and there was a 40 year old women who dressed like a 20 year old rocking out like she was working for dollar bills. Always amusing.
This place is too cool for downtown San Jose. No whining, no moping, just the blues and some good ol' rock. Colorful regulars and the assorted usual suspects gather here. Last time I was here on an open mic night there was a group of other Latinos in their 30s celebrating a buddy's release from Elmwood. I can't think of a better place.
Review Source:I really like this place since it's unique atmosphere. There is nothing else like this in San Jose - the blues coming out in there heals your soul. The culture in this bar is unbeatable and I totally dig all of the live music they offer which is consistently good - even on weeknights.
Here's my complaint: drinks are f*cking outrageously priced and the service is terrible. I don't know if I going to keep recommending this place to friends or going back after getting charged $70 for 4 drinks. $70? Really? 2 Martinis and 2 White Russians - that's crazy. I don't ever complain about the price of drinks but this one time, really, come on guys how do you expect to keep people coming back there??
Ok that's the end of my rant - well be sure to check out JJ's but if you like live music. Stay away if you don't have a ton of cash.
I am secretly in love with this place. I mean, you drive by it and think DUDE, I would SO not be caught dead... But inside it's surprisingly large, there is a big ole bar area with LOTS of seating (rare for a bar)which is good for watching the bands that are there almost every night. They have TVs and big screens all over so even if you are in the back you can still see the band.
The people who come here are regular people, not plastic-shell people wearing their club uniforms of strippey shirts with saggy jeans (the guys) and sparkly halters with stilettos (the girls). I feel like I can just be myself and no one is going to look sideways at me because I'm not wearing 4 inch heels. F-those heels, they really hurt.
There is a single pool table in the back at which I am more and more regularly kicking my boyfriend's ass... even though he thinks he is some kind of a pool stud but give him a couple of drinks and he is sloppy like a college freshmen during rush week.
There is also a room at the back that we have dubbed "the make-out room". But we don't go back there for several reasons... sometimes the girl we call "Crazy" hangs out back there, and well, she's CRAZY. And also there's the dubious cleanliness of any room that might be called the Make-Out Room. Then there's the fact that my boyfriend took up smoking again so really we don't makeout unless there's a jug of mouthwash nearby. I think that may have been way too much information. Whoopsie.
Tuesday night is amatuer and pro jam session night..
OK they graciously let me up to sing a song .. and..uhm.. I, well, turned out on that night to be somewhat *less* than my usual awesome and amazing self .. sorry.. started slightly off-key and never quite recovered... Now they probably think I'm one of those crazed wannabees who's got the deluded notion that he can sing!!!
But really blues jam night a JJ's is *really* mostly about the grizzled and not so grizzled blues and jazz guys that show up with instruments to play.. some struggle.. some fly.. some look like little puppy Yuppie kids.. some look really beaten.. but they all just show up here.. and whatever their personal histories.. domestic situation.. whatever their day jobs.. or employment status.. none of that seems to interfere with their jamming in the moment..
Chrissy behind the bar provides a friendly - playful - and encouraging  presence.. if you're into this stuff.  Between the jamming and chit-chat and cheap booze.. you'll probably find something to like.
Oh the *other* vocalist that night.. amazing.. did a little James Brown but with 5 times the athleticism.. singing at the top of his lungs while *at the same time* performing splits, one-armed push ups, super fast shuffle thingees, bouncing push-ups.. James Brownin' like he was doing could become a gymnastics event at the Summer Olympics....
Somewhat apprehensive, after reading reviews regarding the smell. My own experience was devoid of the aforementioned lingering flatulence. Perfect. Â
When I arrived, the band was performing a customary song about the casualties of romance and love lost. But of course, this is a Blues joint. Â
I came to listen and enjoy the performances of my friends daughter. Tuesday's are open mic. The place is dark and sets the prefect mood for a evening of Blues, without the smoke. Â The bartender was wonderful making sure the drinks were constantly flowing. The music was great, performed with such emotion. Definitely worthy of a second look. If you're into Blues and drinks that won't break the bank. This is a sure winner.
No Patron?
No Di Saronno?
Are we at a bar or what?
Even though JJ's was out of our favorite liquors, they salvaged the day by making some tasty hurricanes and serving us pizza from next door. JJ's is a true dive bar. The people are good and friendly and the live band was jammin. The place is small and dark and there is a creepy stuffed raven on top of the bar. We were singled out and photographed being the first ever wedding party to show up in tuxes, wedding dress, and maid of honor gown. It was a cool makeshift after party.
If you're just coming for drinks, skip it. They charge a $10 cover and they don't even have a fully stocked bar.
I went to JJ's last night and I had a great time. Â I would give this place 3.5 stars, if I could. Â
I liked the live music and both of the bartenders were nice, fun, and attentive. Â I was also happy with the size of the mixed drinks. Â The atmosphere was very laid back and everyone was moving to the music and having a good time. Â
On the downside, the place was pretty small and cramped. Â There were a few other people in their late 20's/30's, but most of the people looked like they were in their 40's or 50's. Â
I think on most Fri. and Sat. nights there is a $12 cover charge, but it is worth it if the band is good, and you don't want your local bands to starve.
I don't know much about blues so I only came here a few times to see my friend's former band, Short Bus (<a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.werockhard.com&s=aad6ca69b7656ae1e934affa80cdf964bfe4013d1903e516b65a1a57092a9b1d" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.werockhard.com</a>). Â
The drinks are cheap and the crowd ranges in age from late 20s to much older. Â The layout of the place is narrow, so there isn't much room up front to watch the band, but that's okay if it's not crowded. Â
If you like dive bars, this is a good place to kick back, but personally I'd only come here to see a band I like.
A fun little blues bar that is really more bar than blues. Â Its smallish storefront gives way inside to a long chamber that houses a stage (big enough for a 6-piece band), a decent bar, and a pool table. Â Seating is in the front and along the sides, giving you a good view of the stage. Â An overhead monitor above the bar allows those in the back to also see the stage too. Â It is a pretty no-frills place, although better than other dive bars I've been in. Â Parking is a hassle too. Â Go to some of the jam nights where locals get up on the stage!
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