O'Flaherty's Irish Pub

An awesome and authentic Irish pub experience right down to the traditional musicians that play every Sunday and Tuesday evenings! I never miss any chance I can get to get down there to enjoy the real Irish music and a properly pulled pint! There are plenty of honest-to-goodness Irish people in the pub on the nights that they have music, including many of the musicians themselves! And if you have a chance to speak with Ray O'Flaherty Himself (he's there enjoying the vibe more often than not), you'll be treated to a genuinely affable Irish conversation!

This is the pub to go to in downtown San Jose if you're looking for an authentic Irish style experience rather than the usual cheesy pre-packaged American pseudo-Brit down-your-throat karaoke-meets-sports-bar onslaught. I like how the pub is tucked quietly into San Pedro Square, away from the throbbing discos and the loud sometimes negative late-night energy of Santa Clara street . You can very sanely avoid all of that mess by approaching from Julian Street, then tuck into the parking garage on San Pedro, go to the Old Spaghetti Factory or Peggy Sue's (or to O'Flaherty's itself) for a nice meal then saunter over to the pub for live acoustic music on Sundays and Tuesdays.

I think O'Flaherty's provides a wonderful break from "the usual" of business traveling and fast-paced bubble-headed bar-hopping. You can sit down at O'Flaherty's and have a relaxed conversation with locals or folks from out of town or just sit and watch people walk by, listen to the music or watch a bit of sports on the TV. The bar staff is extremely friendly and will pull you into pleasant conversation. It's home away from home for many business travelers, I've noticed, and you often see the same folks again the next time they're in town.

Great place to network and to dream of your next trip to Ireland!

I miss my O'Flats. I used to work down the street from San Pedro and everyone in the neighborhood would show up here. Everyone is so friendly and helpful that it really is a great, relaxing place to hang out before a sharks game or after a show.