Toons Piano Bar

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(408) 292-7464

52 E Santa Clara St
San Jose, CA 95113 37.3367 -121.8891

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Neighborhoods: Central, Central San Jose

Last updated 9.05.09

Category:

Nightclubs, Bars & Pubs

Payment Methods:

Cash

Bar & Club Type of Music:

Reggae, Rock & Pop, Alternative Rock

Bar & Club Special Features:

21 & Over

What People Are Saying About Toons Piano Bar

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – Constant music and come-in-and-mingle vibes attract singles and students looking for a good time. The front room is crammed with a stage featuring a rotation of live, local alternative-rock type bar bands and a dance floor featuring the rotations of very inspired (or at least inebriated) bar-hoppers. DJs spin club hits on nights when bands aren't booked. A back room has several pool tables, pinball machines, video games, an electronic dartboard and air hockey.

Editor's Tips

Look Good:
A dress code is now enforced, so look good to get in.
1 Star Rating: Poor

05/21/08

Women are harrassed by JIMMY with little man syndrome!

by blacpanther at Citysearch

Me and my girlfriend went there for Cinco de Mayo (2008) and had a fine time until the end. The atmosphere was mediocre with a somewhat ghettro crowd. They let this Asian guy in there who seems like he might be on LSD who kept running around on the dance floor for 2 hours straight. The drinks were good enough for the price and the music was so-so. Don't expect to have your requests played though! We got in for free, so we didn't expect a palace!

As the night was coming to an end we decided to use the GIRL'S bathroom before heading home. As we were standing in line this little hype man JIMMY kept entering the bathroom and harrassing the women. Everyone felt uncomfortable because he works there and was degrading women on stage. He thought because he was a hype man for the club that he had power to walk into the girl's bathroom and start hitting on the women.

I asked him nicely, at first, to leave the girl's bathroom. He got very obnoxious and aggravated saying he was going to beat me up and get me thrown out of the club...It was closing anyway dummy! Anyway, a MALE bouncer actually had to come inside the bathroom because JIMMY was acting so violent. At that point I was irritated because there were 2 guys in the bathroom making it even more awkward with the door open. It was like JIMMY had little man syndrome because he never got any girls when he was in high school or something.

Anyway, I promised to speak to his manager which I am in the process of right now.

Beware of JIMMY, but enjoy your free or $5 entry at the door. Not a classy place AT ALL especially for women who don't want to get harrassed!!!

  • Pros: Cheap or free to get in, Stage for only women(until JIMMY gets up there), courteous bouncers, good for last resort
  • Cons: Let anybody in, weak atmosphere, ghettro crowd, music is lacking
4 Star Rating: Recommended

08/31/06

Rockin!!!!!!!!

by dizzy_b99 at Citysearch

even though it was a mondayyyyy it rocked!!!! Night at the Apollo screamed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to go back and see them again - hope Toon has some cool bands again real soon!!!

~~dizzy_b~~~

  • Pros: Cool parking was free
3 Star Rating: Average

01/02/06

Go Here If U Don't Have Anywhere Else To Go

by ladytrancealot at Citysearch

I went to Toons with two of my friends back in November. The cover was cheap ($5), but it was sooo small & crowded. The music was okay, there was a mix of hip-hop, some rap from the 90's, and I heard some 80's. Overall, Toons was not spectacular, I'd go again, but only if I didn't have anywhere else to go!!

  • Pros: Free parking nearby, Cheap cover, Lounging area
  • Cons: Small, Crowded
3 Star Rating: Average

10/19/05

Avoid unless happy hour and even then...

by swigz at Citysearch

This place is to small, plays really bad music 5 out of seven nights. The "stage" should be kicked back to the wall of the other room. The bartenders have all been around for the last 5 years and are slow regardless of tipping. The reason why this place will always be a bad time is that when it is finally got more than hundred people inside it becomes impossible to get a drink.

Almost forgot the only reason I am such an expert on this place, happy hour. M-Thur=50 cent miller draft in little solo cup Fr-Sun=$1 well drinks 9pm-10pmish

So yea, get some quick drinking under your belt before going to a fun bar.

  • Pros: no cover if n b4 9pm, happy hour
  • Cons: small, OLD, did i mention small?
4 Star Rating: Recommended

02/20/03

Thanks For Bringing The Bands Back!

by ARegular at Citysearch

Toon's is one of the last "good" places to see great coverbands doing what they do best. Don't get me wrong, but you can dance to a DJ mix at any club. Toon's is the place to see great coverbands play "loud" and "play hard" on a "real" stage. Granted they have a DJ playing when the bands takes a break, but mainly it has bands. DJ Jazzy C is a great DJ and he gets his own weekend nights. Drinks are good and strong and you get a lot of it considering they use "bigger" glassware (didn't you notice).