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    Nomikai

    3.9 (363 reviews)
    Closed • Closed
    Updated 3 months ago

    Nomikai Photos

    Business Info

    NOMIKAI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    DJ
    Casual
    Trendy

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    Recommended Reviews - Nomikai

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    Part of the menu as of August 2025
    Michelle L.

    Came as a group of 8 on a Saturday night around 11pm, and it was packed! My friend and I went to go wait in line for the bathroom (the wait was reallyy long lol would recommend going beforehand) while some of the others managed to snag a table in the corner. Drinks I tried: - Lychee Martini - never had this before, and as someone who doesn't like the taste of alcohol, I enjoyed this! Would drink again - Green Tea Shot - initially thought this was pretty good but was not longer as big of a fan after trying the White Tea Shot - White Tea Shot - way better than the Green Tea Shot! Would drink again Would be open to coming back if I was already in South Bay and wanted to go barhopping again!

    Pandan Old Fashioned, Kamikaze shot
    Kaho L.

    This place knows how to party! It was packed on a late Saturday night. Great playlist of modern and classic pop hits. Was lucky to score a table, otherwise it would've been nuts to have to stand near the crush at the bar. Highly recommend all of their Asian inspired drinks like their Pandan Old Fashioned and Japanese Old Fashioned. I've had their tasty food before too but note that kitchen last call is relatively early at 9:30 PM.

    Nori Fries with Seven Spices
    Michelle W.

    Nomikai has the best food out of all the bars SJ downtown! Not pictured by the duck pizza is my favorite, but you can't go wrong with another pizzas. The fries are also super good and flavorful. The spam musubi and shishito peppers were also solid. Sake bombs are a must and are great for groups. There's a live DJ and the place was decorated for Christmas! They had fun decorations. The servers were super nice and attentive. One comment is the pizza is made to order and take a while, so I recommend order drinks and apps while waiting.

    Buko Monk cocktail
    Emily W.

    Not too busy on a Thursday evening. The bartender was extremely friendly. I ordered a Buko Monk cocktail ($16). It was pretty delicious! I usually don't like a strong alcohol taste and I'm pretty picky with alcohol, but this was impressive. It was creamy, sweet, and didn't have too strong of an alcohol taste. Ambiance is pretty nice. Dimly lit and chill vibes. Overall good spot for drinks and food. Would come back to try other drinks and try the food.

    Menu
    Quoc H.

    Located in downtown SJ, this bar is pretty small but has a decent amount of tables and seating. It was not packed on a Friday night so I was able to get drinks in 10min. Vibes are pretty chill and good music. Good spot to hang with friends. 9/10 Green Jamison Shot $16 - not exactly on the menu but you should ask for this. It is pretty steep for a drink but it tastes really good surprisingly. The green tea is strong and the drink isn't too strong. 7/10 Biko Monk $16 - Pandan flavor was prominent but the drink was pretty strong. The blend was not that good but still worth a try.

    Tien N.

    The night was a hit, all thanks to Nomikai. From the outdoor bouncer to the indoor waitstaff and bartenders, they nailed the customer service. I had a killer cocktail that was super unique -- I could actually taste the ube and other flavors, which is a rare feat for me since I'm not exactly a connoisseur, haha. One thing we definitely messed up was not pregaming. Huge regret, considering we ended up blowing a ton of cash on shots. Each Royal Crown shot ran about $15-$20. Oh well, unlike me and my group, make sure you get yourself a buzz going first, and then keep it rolling with their awesome cocktails ;)

    Adobo Pizza
    Anna R.

    Nomikai was a great late night stop after our comedy show ended. They are open late and have some good options to catch a bite and some drinks. We had a punch bowl drink which was quite literally a punch bowl. It was colorful and decorated festively and brightly, plus it tasted good. Six people could share one for sure. We curiously tried the adobo pizza, which didn't quite taste like adobo to me, but it was really good. The crust was nice and thin and there was something baked into it that added an extra touch. Not sure what it was. Kept trying to figure it out in the dark lol, but couldn't make it out. The Nori Fries were your typical fries with a seaweed topping offering, but with a little kick. That was good to munch on too for a late night bite. The space isn't too big, but we had a nice booth/table area which was perfect for our party. The space is cozy and there are board games to play. I'd come back here again for a night cap.

    Lychee Martini yummy!
    Fiona T.

    I love bringing people here to enjoy the lychee martini. Everyone's loved it! It's a great place to start the night. There's usually seating and a DJ.

    Rock N Rum Ube Milk Punch = super strong, no milky flavor at all!
 Candy Cane Penny Lane - not pepperminty but was fruity, still good!
    Jennifer L.

    My friends and I have been to Nomikai before and wanted to stop by during our Christmas bar hop. We went around 6-7 PM so it was still pretty empty. The place was beautifully decorated with Christmas lights and decorations; def a good opportunity to sit down to hang out or top stop by for a quick photo op! FOOD - Miso Mac N Cheese (3/5): It was pretty good mac n cheese, but there was no miso flavoring which was a tad disappointing and also the whole reason we wanted to try it. - Five Spiced Duck Pizza (2.5/5): Interesting concept but the hoisin sauce was overpowering all the other flavors. Probably wouldn't order it again. - Trio Mushroom Pizza (3.5/5): As an avid mushroom lover, I always come back to Nomikai for this very pizza but admittingly it is not the BEST mushroom pizza I had. Still always a solid option. DRINKS (holiday edition) - Rock N Rum Ube Milk Punch (0/5): It was not what we expected! Presented similarly to an old fashioned, it was really strong. There was no milky taste and seemed like just a shot (or even less) of pure alcohol. Do not recommend unless you are into that kind of drink... - Candy Cane Penny Lane (3.5/5): I was looking for something peppermint-y but it was actually more of a fruit based drink with a baby candy cane on the side. it was a pretty good drink regardless. - Billie Holiday (3.5/5): It was pretty good, but definitely on the sour side. Overall, Nomikai is always a chill place to go for quick dinner and drinks but nothing special with the holiday menu. I would go again but not necessarily during the holiday season but more for the chill vibes.

    Sweet Chili Chicken Wings with Dynamite Sauce
    Elsie Y.

    I was looking for a place to get drinks and stumbled upon this place on yelp. Once I saw that they have happy hour it sealed the deal. We got the Tokyo Cloud and Mugi Mule to drink. Both drinks are great but I'm always disappointed in a mule that's not in a copper cup even if it's not a classic mule. For food we tried the fried chicken wings and the chicken adobo pizza. The fried chicken was pretty tasty but the dynamite sauce is not a necessary addition. When I dipped the chicken in the sauce the flavors ended up being all over the place and honestly made the chicken worse for me. I don't think I would get the wings again though if I came back. The chicken adobo pizza had amazing flavor but when my boyfriend was eating it he noticed a chicken bone that he needed to spit out. So be careful when eating it. This place is mostly a bar and not a restaurant so I'll give it 4 stars since the drinks themselves tasted great.

    Nori Cal - SO GOOD
    Jenny N.

    Had some high hopes- I really liked this place. Friends got a reservation for a birthday and we got there early for food. I really liked the pizza- sausage fest and the duck one. I love me a thin crust and the Asian flavors. Would be back for the pizza and wings! Drinks - There was such a variety to try. We tried- nori cal, yuzu raddler, ruby sapphire, peach sparkler and the lychee one. I'm in love with the nori mezcal drink- it was strong but such a smooth finish. Parking - downtown so limited street parking and garages near by. Didn't go to the bathroom but should be in the back past the bar

    Menu
    Priscilla R.

    Nomikai has some of the best Lychee Martinis, I highly recommend them. Their Ube Rum Milk Punch is also really good. We tried the gyoza and enjoyed them as well. The service was pleasant and fast. Overall ambiance is also great, good vibes all around. I like that they play anime on the screens above the DJ booth. The music is also enjoyable! I'll definitely be coming back to try more drinks and menu items.

    Pandan Old Fashioned
    Shayla T.

    Came here on a Thursday for some snacks and drinks with my group for a birthday celebration. The bartenders were attentive and friendly. Their cocktails are some of the best we've tried in DTSJ. Fun little board games to play at the tables as well!

    Gyoza

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    11 months ago

    The food was quite good, but the drinks were okay. The service was extremely slow--they took what felt like forever to bring out our order.

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    Nomikai S.

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    Page 1 of 10

    Ask the Community - Nomikai

    What time is happy hour?

    6:30 to 7:30 pm

    What time does the kitchen close?

    10:30 PM

    Is there bottle service there and the price for Henny Priv?

    Is there a minimum amount of people needed to order the punch bowls?

    Hi Emily P., there’s a minimum of 3 people to order a punch bowl.

    No more punch bowls?

    Hi May, Yes we do. Punch bowls are offered Thursdays until 12am. Thank you.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Alter Ego Cocktail Club & Still OG

    4.4(311 reviews)
    0.0 mi•Downtown
    •$$
    Locally owned & operated
    Pet friendly

    Me and my co worker did the happy hour in the front which is Still OG…read more This place is for those that dig the vinyl era because they play the albums and place the cover in front of the turntable. The drinks are named after actual songs which is which is cool. I really enjoyed the So fresh So clean which was refreshing and not so sweet. Each drink is made with fresh ingredients. Their food menu is small but still has enough to choose from to snack on. The bartenders are knowledgeable about the drinks they serve and willing to help you pick the best drink for your taste. We did not get a chance to try the Alter Ego which is behind the curtain but next time.

    Wow, I don't think I've written a review of a bar/lounge in like 10 years lol. Aging + having a kid…read morewill do that to you. Anyway, I met up with some friends here last weekend and we had a reservation at Alter Ego. I guess it's technically 2 places with Still OG. I have to say, I have really fond memories of Original Gravity from back in the day (ah, the days of my youth...) so it's nice that it's still sort of around though.. technically completely different since there's no more craft beer or duck fat fries lol. We hung out at our table for the whole night, like 4 hours. We all ordered cocktails off the menu and later on ordered some stuff off the menu based on the bartender's suggestion. I first ordered a Calabrian Spritz from the menu which hit the spot for me. Personally, I am not a hard alcohol fan but I enjoy wine and fun lil cocktails that are slightly sweet/not super strong lol. So this drink was nice because it wasn't too sweet and had a lot of volume (I like just sipping on stuff in general and it sucks when you order a cocktail that's like 3 sips of liquid and the rest is ice). The next cocktail I ordered was off the menu and called Like This or That (I think). I think it was some sort of passionfruit + vodka mix and very delicious! We also ordered the cold soba noodles and fries. Fries were crinkle cut and nicely crispy, no complaints. Soba noodles were also good, though some component of it was really spicy, I think the cucumbers. Overall I had a good time here and look forward to coming back, though given how little I go out, who knows when that will be haha.

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    Eos & Nyx - Dining Room

    Eos & Nyx

    4.2(723 reviews)
    0.2 mi•Paseo de San Antonio, Downtown
    Locally owned & operated
    Takes reservations

    Hands down my favorite restaurant in San Jose. The food is always excellent, and their cocktails…read moreare delightful. I have never once been disappointed with a dish, and I love trying new dishes on their menu. The staff is awesome, and the place has a cool astehtic vibe. I highly recommend, just know that it is a bit pricey but the experience is totally worth it. P.S. they give you palate cleaners snack in between courses for free. I had hibiscus herbal tea and and an adorable mini waffle cone, filled with crème fraîche, and topped with caviar (honestly never thought I'd like caviar before trying out this place for the first time).

    A solid 4 star, approaching 4.5 star…read more We had a birthday dinner celebration this Saturday night. The fact that the restaurant is in the heart of San Jose downtown poses pros and cons. It is a great place for bar crawlers and party goers, but in the day where we ran into a Sharks game, a $25 parking fee is an unavoidable loss. Eos & Nyx is big and pretty, it's hard to miss. The huge glass walls, green plants inside that reminds you of RH Roof are pleasant. The bars are beautiful, the tables are set elegantly. We were seated upstairs, the only thing I wish was a restroom upstairs, but the bar there was beautiful and we had less traffic, which was nice. I also like that each of the restroom stall has its own sink and paper towels. All they missed is a mirror, which was covered in the public areas of the restroom. Service was good. Upon checking in, we were warmly greeted by the hosts and the farewell was also proper. Brian took good care of us; introducing the menu, refilling water, small talks, clearing dirty dishes and replacing them before the next entree, everything is a check mark done right. I also got a card signed by the team to wish a happy birthday. Through and through, they presented the birthday wish warm and well. As for food, I like the options on the menu. Plenty of sharable choices, big plates for pasta, meat, pizza and also lots of drink choices. Even 0 proof has some fancy options. We ordered Hamachi Crudo, Leafy Things (Spinach / endive / strawberry / halloumi / pecans), and Scallops (Hokkaido scallops / legumes / wasabi / turnip / gremolata) from Sharable. Then we followed Brian's recommendation and picked Rigatoni (Short rib ragu / pecorino romano / peas / carrot) and N.Y. Strip 12 Oz (Celeriac espuma / black garlic / bone marrow reduction) for entrees. We wrapped it up with a Tahini & Caramel ice cream for dessert. The Hamachi Crudo tasted fresh and it has avocado mesh but a tad too much lemon juice for me. The Leafy Things was huge, but I think they replaced the spinach with cabbage and it was a tad too bitter. The chunky grilled halloumi cheese was a hit for the kid. The Scallops were pan-fried well, I didn't like the tangerine wedges in the dish and the wasabi was a bit too subtle. Our favorite was the Rigatoni, good balance of short ribs, el dente pasta and the right portion to share. We were disappointed at the NY Strip. It was sliced out for us, which was convenient, but I tasted some soft bones on the outskirt and the kid complained it was burned; maybe the charcoal flavor was too strong. What I didn't like the most was the unevenness of the sauce. Some bites we had a strong spicy kick while some bites were mild. This made the sweet potato puree tasted excellent. The ice cream was ok, nothing to write home about, in comparison, I prefer vanilla more as the tahini and caramel were too grounded and lacking that distinct piercing hard to forget aroma. In between dishes they brought in refreshments to cleanse our palates. I like the cucumber water, but both were pretty good. We also ordered a glass of Syrah which was good, blended well with the food and a glass of Mount Vesuvius (Santa teresa 1796 rum / passionfruit / pineapple / coconut / strawberry). The Mount Vesuvius tasted very sweet, just like pina colada. All and all, we enjoyed the night and left with an overstuffed stomach. I would do a girls night here as well, which is what the ambiance calls for.

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    Dining Room

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    Haberdasher - Prohibition style speakeasy here we come! Hee

    Haberdasher

    4.5(762 reviews)
    0.4 mi•SoFA, Downtown
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    Here is one of the coolest gems in Downtown San Jose. This…read moreis not your standard bar this is the place to get drinks made properly. Every ingredient is fresh not pre made unless you get the on tap cocktails. When you walk in it has an inviting atmosphere and the Kaylen who is the bartender is welcoming to both regulars and those who are new to the bar. I had a drink called the Macintosh which is so refreshing but not overly sweet which I enjoyed.

    Walking into haberdasher always makes me feel like I'm going back in time. It's beautifully…read moredesigned and has amazing staff. My husband and I had a baby free night out to celebrate my birthday and haberdasher did not disappoint. We went soon after opening so there was no line but I know they tend to have one later in the evening. We were greeted warmly at the door by the attendant who checked our ids. I was even wished a happy early birthday. When going into the bar, you walk down a staircase into a space that makes you forget you're in downtown San Jose with beautiful reds and burgundy decor. The staff is all smartly dressed; the bartender and bar back were both sweet and funny. I ordered a jack rose (my all time favorite), their seasonal watermelon waltz (this may be a new favorite for me, nice and refreshing) and one of their zero proof cocktails called a Mariposa which was soooo good as well. My husband ordered a couple old fashioned and a watermelon waltz for himself. We had an amazing time and look forward to coming back in the future.

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    Blossom & Bourbon - House Dip Trio ($16)

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    4.2(729 reviews)
    6.4 mi•Blossom Valley
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    We've had this place on our list for a few years and only just checked it out this summer. This was…read morean overwhelmingly good experience, and the vibes were really great. Definitely an upscale elevated version of a family restaurant, including the warm hospitality and generous portion sizes. The decor and size of the restaurant were awesome too, and great for all sorts of celebrations. Large comfortable waiting area as well. Everyone from the host, to server, runners, and bussers provided exceptional hospitality and service. Food was well balanced and flavorful, with good plating Steak and sides were decadent and tender and flavorful in all the ways you want steak and carbs to be. The Brussels salad ended up being a sleeper hit and great palette cleanser throughout the meal. Cauliflower was lowkey S tier, crispy, saucy but still light. Cookies and cream did the final KO into the food coma on the way home. Drinks were well crafted as well. Overall, instant hit for us

    It's a great local San Jose restaurant with great cocktails, wine and food! The environment is…read morelively especially during the summer and on weekends! Depending on the server, service can range from ok to really great! We have experience with both types. My husband has spent time at the bar, where it can get very busy, as there isn't a happy hour.

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    Paper Plane - Mushroom Empananda

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    4.1(1.7k reviews)
    0.0 mi•Downtown
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    It was my first time visiting this bar, would definitely come back. Vibes were great, lighting and…read moreambience was good, service was amazing. Janay (lead bartender) took care of us and was inviting and welcoming. You can tell she knows what she's doing in terms of mixology, and offered me a complimentary strawberry shochu (japanese pepper) shot to celebrate my first time in SF! Vibes were great, service was great, and the line wasn't long at all. Will definitely be coming back in the future.

    Illegal bait-and-switch advertising…read more I was considering coming here after seeing their video advertising "$19.99 PRIME RIB TUESDAYS." What the video did not disclose was that you cannot actually purchase the advertised $19.99 deal unless you also make a mandatory additional drink purchase. Customers in the comments reported showing up for the $19.99 promotion and ending up spending around $45 per person. One customer repeatedly asked the restaurant to confirm that the drink was required because she had been told she could not get the $19.99 meal without ordering one. The restaurant confirmed the additional purchase requirement. That is bait-and-switch advertising. The $19.99 price gets customers in the door because they believe that is the deal being offered. Once they're there, they discover the advertised deal is not actually available unless they make another mandatory purchase, bringing the required spend to more than twice the advertised price. What makes this worse is that the disclosure about the required purchase was added after customers complained about being misled. I saved the original advertising and the comment thread showing the sequence. I'm reporting the advertising to the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Consumer Protection Unit and the California Attorney General's Office. If your deal costs roughly $45 to obtain, don't advertise it as "$19.99 prime rib." Good luck.

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    Nomikai - cocktailbars - Updated October 2026

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