My friends and I come here for the drag shows almost every weekend! We love hanging out, grabbing a couple drinks and kicking back to watch the show. The queens are always hilarious and some of them really know how to work the crowd.
I just wish this establishment was a littler larger.
This review is about the costumer service of this place. I came to this bar after work, met up with with some friends for a drink before dinner. Long story short, I wanted to charge my phone because it was almost dead. I been at work all day so I wanted to make sure I can communicate for the rest of the night. I was told by the bartender and some guy " we don't charge phones here". I just said: "oh ok" this people obviously don't have an idea of costumer service! No wonder this place is always empty! I felt embarrassed because they made me feel like I was stealing something. Horrible experience..
Never coming back to this place again. I will take my business somewhere else!
As a teenager growing up just down the street from this place....we all made fun of it. Â But now as an adult (a bi-woman) who knows a lot of gay men, I had the opportunity to check it out a few times. Â The bartenders are great, the owner is a fricken sweetheart, and it's hella huge. Â I always thought it was a small place but it goes way back. Â
Was there last Saturday night and had a blast dancing to awesome music! Â And the DJ was blind?! Â Holy crap...was one of the best DJ's I've come around!
Major benefit for me is that I live only blocks away....so I don't have to chance running around downtown on drunken weekend nights when the cops are everywhere!
This place is fun! I came here on Monday night to watch my friend perform in the drag show. It was very, very good. Everyone had a great time & there are drink specials.
The bar is in the front with a stage/ dance floor in the back. There is an outdoor patio area past the dance floor. If you're a smoker, you'll like the patio.
The bartender was okay but not very attentive. The drinks were stiff though, so his lack of attentiveness was allowed without much complaint.
The bar area itself plays awesome modern videos on flat screen TV's. The music is good and energizing.
This is a gay bar. So not necessarily a place I'd hang unless my gay friend was performing there...but it's a really cool place. Too bad straight bars aren't as nice and as fun as this one.
I like the name of the bar, but that's about it. Maybe this Friday wasn't busy for some reason. I always like to give the benefit of the doubt, but I don't think it gets any better.
You walk in and get called back to pay a cover. Okay...
The first thing you notice is that it smells like wet dog and urine. It's dark, loud, and lots of crazy lights are flashing. The bar area is somewhat spacey. They have a pool table that seems to be popular with the "ladies" and they are tough to beat.
The dance floor was kind of sad tonight. No one was brave enough to start dancing and you start to feel kind of lonely dancing by yourself in such an open space. They have loud pop music going, so you can shout in your friend's ears while trying to hold a conversation.
There's a back smoking area with some tables and it seemed like most of the patrons of this fine establishment were smoking cigarettes and chit chatting.
It seemed like an older crowd hangs out here. Maybe it was just tonight, maybe it's their clientele. Who knows.
I must say that I had a splendid time jay-running across the street and forcing everyone to hula hoop with me on the front lawn of McDonalds.
Well, if you're looking at this review to decide if you you want to come visit...I have given you my version of the facts. You have been informed!
Tinker's Damn is a fun place to go to.
I enjoy the drag show, the pool table, the strong drinks, and so much more about the place.
It does not have a huge amount of people that show up. I kind of get tired of going to places that cram us all in like sardines, so it is a nice escape away from the heavily populated areas. It is definitely a nice place to bring a group of friends to. As I like to say, why go to the party when you can bring it?
Overall, great place!
OMG!!! I was a regular at TD's from back in the late '70's thru '80's... geeezz, those WERE the very good days!!! Yes, they were. Great friends, music, drinks, ohhh, and all that action after hours when they closed for the night... then, after hours down Saratoga Rd at Denny's!!! We'd all watch "Solid Gold", get ready and drive down to TD's to hook up and good times!!! We DID pave the way for where we are now... man, those WERE the days....
Review Source:My gay best friend and I grew up 5 miles or so from TD's and we were aware of it.. We came a couple of times hoping to check it out but we were deterred when there was always a small cover.
On a Saturday night when we knew Brix downtown would be a complete zoo, we decided to bite the bullet and try TD's. It was a pleasant surprise!
It was rather empty but that allowed us to actually see the place. The bar has a funky wave design and red lighting (always flattering). There were two guys playing pool and a cluster of high and low tables and chairs where we found two girls making out. Get some, ladies!
The bartender was very friendly and the cocktails were good. Not super strong but definitely not weak either. $10.75 for a vodka Sprite and a beer. Pretty standard.
We went exploring and found a large dance floor (and a vending machine? lol) and a DJ playing some awesome stuff! We were there from about 11:30-1am but only saw two guys on the dance floor :/
We sat at one of the tables near the bar and when we were almost finished with our drinks a server came up and asked if we'd like to order two more :D I couldn't believe they had actual table service! lol
He also mentioned they had a patio, in case we weren't aware, which we weren't. There were maybe 6 people in the bar but there were about 10 more outside on the patio.
The one thing that did put me off was when I went to use the restroom. One had two urinals and a toilet behind a small partition (ew) and the other was a toilet behind a door with no lock. I asked the server how that's supposed to work exactly and he said they can't have locks because people will lock themselves in together -eyeroll- so he tells people to just put the trashcan in front of the door.
So put your childhood road-trips back into practice and remember to go before you leave the house.. and if you're going to open the door, knock first :P
This place deserves more business than it gets. My friend pointed out that when it was opened, a windowless building next to a porn store and a smoke shop was probably where this city thought a gay bar belonged :/ but today's young flashy out-and-proud gays like to see and be seen!
TD's parking lot has a reputation for.. what public places earn reputations for.. and the guys inside seem to enjoy long stares at the attractive boys, but the place itself isn't seedy at all! If they just had more clientele who were out for a drink and not anonymous backseat (no pun intended) sex it would feel just like any other gay bar!
I am a straight, married, female, but am open to new experiences and making new friends. I went here last night for the first time to support my husband's friend's friend who was a drag queen doing a show. Going out to a bar on a monday night is very rare for me, but now I know where to go to a good strong drink...for 1 dollar (until 11pm)!
I had a few drinks:
they were strong
they were served quickly
1 dollar!!!!
The place is kind of small, but the space was utilized efficiently! There's a small bar, a pool table, a dancefloor which acted as a stage for the performers and a smoke area in the back.
the show was great, mixed with fantastic entertainment, humor, and fun! There were several wo/men singing and dancing their hearts out, it was so much fun, couldnt help but get caught up with the wildness --its contagious!
The performers really interact with the audience, I had a queen flip me off (in a funny way), another one came by and ate my chips, another one said my husband was cute, and another one sing to me..It was SO MUCH FUN!
I don't think you need to be gay/transgender or anything special to attend, just be over 21 and be happy...and you'll definately leave with great memories!
One time while looking for the smoke shop, I found TD by accident. At the time, they were redoing their sign, so there was just a black door. Okay, I'm stupid...
As I was expecting a smoke shop, I came in and it was very dark inside, with red lights. My eyes took a minute to adjust. Weird, is this like a hookah bar, I thought to myself...I sat down at the bar near the door, and pretty soon after, I could actually see, and I realized I was in an amazing looking bar. Granted, I am a woman, and everyone save for one other person was a man. But, instead of just up and leaving, I ordered a rum and coke and enjoyed the clever lyrics sung by the bartender to the great music selection (jukebox driven, I believe).
After a conversation with a few folks and them buying me some drinks, I headed out to the actual smoke shop, apparently long before the girls actually show up, but my fiance was hungry and waiting for me to bring home dinner. If it hadn't been for that I would have had a fun night :)
I went to T.D.'s for the first time last night. I can only review this one experience and if I go back, I will update of course. With that said, this place was deadsville. The jukebox had a good selection, the bartender was very nice, the guys I was with were unimpressed with the "selection" though.
Take note, they accept cash only at the bar.
I think they need boys dancing on the bar. Or something to liven it up like the places in new orleans. (shout out nola!)
Not my favorite place, but you know, it's about the company. Before I launch a bit into that, I should mention that I was told apparently this used to be THE PLACE long before Hunters or Splash in downtown San José had any bearing in the South Bay gay consciousness. At least the scary drag queens a friend had run into on other occasions did not accost us in the parking lot nor in the establishment itself. Nor did I spot any of the other happenings I had been warned about in the parking lot, not that I lingered or looked for them. But yes, a few evenings ago it was a group of us that made our way to hang out after a movie, to shake our asses on the dancefloor a bit, and chill on the patio until we had the urge to dance again. A good time had by all. but definitely not a standby. For those, I hang out in SF and other environs.
Review Source:This place is what I imagine most gar bars looked like in the 1970's. Dirty, rundown, and sad....in fact, my friends and I think that "TD" doesn't stand for "Tinker's Damn"....it actually stands for "Terribly Depressing." The smelly bathrooms certainly reinforce the "eww" factor.....gross!!
With that said, this place has so much potential. I would love to demo the place and just start all over again. Imagine if the owners hired a contractor and said "hey, make this place look just like the V-Bar (in Santana Row)". The gays would RUN, not walk, to Tinker's Damn. This place would be hoppin'!
The owner(s) of TD's....are you listening? It's about time San Jose had a classy gay bar that would truly rival anything SF has to offer. I'd even be willing to help decorate the place! :-)
this place was fun..ive never been to one a show like this. the performers were very entertaining and funny. every last sunday of the month..youll find it very entertaining too. no cover charge! go early so you can get great seats because it will get crammed and youll find yourself standing!
Review Source:I wish I could give two and a half stars, because it's definitely average.
Anyway, I met up with a few friends to check out the place. Since I grew up in San Jose, this  was the token gay bar that all the kids were aware of. Since I used to think that you had to be gay to ever step foot in a gay bar when I was younger, I always wondered what it was like there and unfortunately left with a mixed opinion.
I, for one, loved the couches. I love bars that realize that not everyone there is interested in cruising and just want to have a drink with some friends. I dig  any club or bar that makes crashing out and relaxing possible  with a couch area. So that is definitely a plus.
Oh, and I saw some car passengers help their drivers find the keys that they dropped on the floor in the parking lot, so yeah, rumor confirmed. Very tame in comparison to the Powerhouse in SF, which is by far the most, um, affectionate gay bar I have ever been to.
But that is pretty much the only thing to like. The drink selection sucks, especially when it comes to beer.... In that case, I hope you like Bud or Miller, because that's all they have... The drinks are overpriced and the bar staff were not very friendly. Â The dance floor is big, but I go to bars to have fun with friends and maybe meet some people, so thats not a factor with my assessment.
Oh, some teenagers followed my car out of the parking lot and yelled at me as they drove away. Eh, well... not something that would have happened in SF, but eh... Not really a knock against the club, just the douchbags that live in San Jose.
As an "out" tranny for the past several decades, thought I'd pass along my thoughts on what is often a South Bay t-gals first place in semi-public that she ever ventures out to...
From a t-perspective, Monday is the preferred evening- that's due to the weekly drag show, with the delightful hostess/MC Angel Michaels. Show starts about 11.
Weds. has seen an ebbing and flowing the past few years as a weekly, or semi-weekly "gurl's night out," but without the benefit of the show, a bit less entertaining, to my mind.
The large parking lot makes those nervous newbie, first-ever trek from their car, while dressed fairly painless (tho the cruising scene in the lot does generally live up to its reputation ;-).
Agreed that one ought not order Red Bull & Vodka here- I've been charged between $9 & $14 for it, so clearly not a bargain.
One aspect of being a tranny, hanging at gay bars (the whole "waste of a perfectly good package" mindset towards up by many/most gay guys) is the "tolerated, but ignored" feeling one gets, if there solo, and can also affect how the cocktail pours go (and thus, conscious of my cocktail $, I tend to order a bottled Heineken, so I can't get short-poured ;-).
The new furniture about a half year ago really helped improve the front bar. And except for Mondays, when the perfromers use the smoking patio as their dressing room, nice to sit out back, enjoying the warmer evenings then one typically finds in SF.
The patrons tend to be a bit older (tho a "flock of twinks" there last Monday for the first time, in my memory), so for this "gal of a certain age" I feel comfortable here.
Good sound system, and usually decent DJ/tune selection. The mirrored dance floor is a narcissitic trannies delight ;-)
I'd recommend avoiding Tuesdays if you're not into Karaoke and those that aren't very good singers, giving it their all (time for the smoking patio!).
Trannies aren't generally appreciated on weekends, as that's the "cash cow" big gay guy nights, so I respect that. But there are occasional pageant stuff on Sundays, etc. (owner is into that).
A good place for trannies meeting someone new online to have that initial low-key, low-expectation, meeting for cocktails to gauge whether there's any mutual attraction & chemistry, and deciding if they want to start dating...
Ever since I can remember, Tinkers Damn has been the gay bar in San Jose. (technically santa clara because of it's location on the street) Â While I'm straight, I've aaaalways wanted to go in to discover the mystery.
A girl friend and I finally went in to have A drink. We left with 4 drinks, new friends and a cool new dive bar to hang out at. Sure we're not gay, or guys... but whatever. For a Monday night, it can stay.
Friendly tip: DO NOT order a vodka red bull. It's nearly $10... which is considerably more than any other bar I've been to.
I remember the first time I went here.
I had heard about the parking lot and the reputation it upholds but I remember the first time I stepped in there - I thought I had walked into an amateur strip club.
The bar is okay, it's the gay dive bar in my book. The music sometimes can be hot - but the place has a reputation as being a part of the gay community in San Jose. I remember it being the only gay bar in town besides maybe Mac's from when I was like 15.
The benefit of going to a gay bar versus a straight bar in my opinion is that most gay bars the bartender will have a heavy hand in general or an especially heavy hand if you're cute... Â there is always exceptions to this. The space inside is crazy cool, they can afford however to give it a major overhaul - get rid of the slutty couches, the archaic pooltable maybe keep the Ms. Pacman and maybe the daddys will have something more to look at.
That being said, it serves one of it's purpose, a bar. It's a good place to go chill after you've been out of your AA meeting (Hello Lindsey!) ...
Your friendly neighborhood suburban gay bar. There's one in every town, and as far as San Jose goes, this is it. The staff is nice and has been there forever, the furniture has been there for ever, the music has played there forever... you get the point. It may not be cutting edge--hell, you can't really even get that in that big City to the north--but it's always a decent place to hang out and get very trashed. Bonus points for the even-trashier parking lot. Yeah, you know the one I'm talking about.
Review Source:
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