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Pioneer Saloon

3.6 (72 reviews)
ModerateDive Bars
Open 3:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

Pioneer Saloon Photos

Business Info

PIONEER SALOON ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Loud
Live music
Outdoor seating
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Pioneer Saloon

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Handsome greeter

What I like about Pioneer : Good music , rockin drinks . Always a good time in Woodside when we eat at Bucks then mosey on over to the Pio for drinks and some dancing. Sam Marshall and Dutch Uncle are two of our favorites. Angel makes incredible mixed drinks and Mocktails as well.

Ohhh my goodness!! What a find!!

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11 months ago

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1 year ago

Best bar in Wooodside. Small but pretty friendly. Mainly locals. Some good history. Live music.

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10 months ago

Venue has been very accommodating and service has been very good. They consistently have live music in a intimate historic venue.

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

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2 years ago

Not sure what keeps this place going. Drinks are watered down. People are not friendly. Must just be for locals. I would skip it.

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

First time going there tonight and I was very pleased! Great atmosphere and awesome live music, will definitely be returning.

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7 years ago

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15 years ago

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9 years ago

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14 years ago

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10 years ago

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8 years ago

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17 years ago

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7 years ago

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8 years ago

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14 years ago

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8 years ago

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20 years ago

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17 years ago

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11 years ago

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18 years ago

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8 years ago

Love the Pioneer for the inclusive Woodside vibe and now they have later night coverage on Tuesdays past 8!!

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Review Highlights - Pioneer Saloon

Always a good time in Woodside when we eat at Bucks then mosey on over to the Pio for drinks and some dancing.

Mentioned in 8 reviews

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The Saddle Room Bar - Lemon drop martini

The Saddle Room Bar

4.3(93 reviews)
2.2 mi
$

The Saddle Room is about as divey as they come. It's cash only, but don't worry there's a Chase ATM…read moreright outside. They've got TouchTunes so you can play your own music, darts, and even liar's dice behind the counter. The drinks are extremely cheap and STRONG. Definitely the kind of spot that keeps the night going.

Bar is like that m TV show, " Cheers." :-) I was just…read morethinking about that wonderful community bar we have, and it really struck me how special it is. $5 drinks but no food except chips, peanuts, and popcorn. Only special times when we have a community meal. It is incredible to think that people have been making memories there for decades - easily 30 or even 40 years like my husband, Mike! It truly feels like a cornerstone of our neighborhood, a place where everyone knows your name and you always feel at home. All visitors have gone thru the challenges of life despite their differences--respectfully. And so much of that incredible, welcoming spirit comes directly from Chris, the manager with Nick and Janine, the bartenders. Chris genuinely believes in creating a true community hub, fostering an atmosphere where everyone feels like they're part of an extended family. You can really feel that dedication when you're there; it's exactly the kind of friendly, local spot we all cherish. We hope to celebrate my husband's birthday on Saturday, June 6!

Photos
The Saddle Room Bar - Where we usually have food setups with a full kitchen

Where we usually have food setups with a full kitchen

The Saddle Room Bar - Each visitor donated their own personal Xmas ornament

Each visitor donated their own personal Xmas ornament

The Saddle Room Bar - Bar's outside patio

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Bar's outside patio

The Village Pub - Inside dining area.

The Village Pub

4.1(1.4k reviews)
0.1 mi
$$$$

Last night we came to The Village Pub with my bosses for a send-off/appreciation dinner before I go…read moreon maternity leave, and it was truly such a memorable experience. Being our first Michelin-star dining experience, I can honestly say I would 100% recommend this place to anyone wanting to try their first Michelin restaurant or simply celebrate a special occasion with loved ones. The service was exceptional from start to finish, and the food was beyond what words can describe. For the price of the fixed menu, it was absolutely worth it. If you're considering adding supplements or an extra dish -- do it! Every bite was incredible and worth the experience. This dinner made such a special moment in my life even more memorable, and we will definitely be coming back again.

4.5 stars We…read morecelebrated our anniversary dinner at The Village Pub and overall had an amazing experience. The food absolutely lived up to the reputation. Every dish was beautifully plated but, more importantly, actually delicious. You can tell there's real attention to detail in every course. The highlights for us were the perfectly cooked beef dish with the rich sauce and potato gratin, the risotto, the strawberry tart dessert, and honestly the bread service alone deserves recognition. Even the little sweets at the end felt special. Great wine selection too, which made it perfect for an anniversary dinner. Service was polished, attentive, and professional without feeling overly formal or uncomfortable. The only downside was the reservation/seating situation. We weren't able to get reservations and ended up seated outside on a pretty cold evening. Thankfully the heaters helped a lot, so it was still comfortable, but it did feel a little odd seeing the dining room only about half full while outdoor guests stayed outside. Also worth mentioning: this place is definitely pricey. Not somewhere we'd casually stop into on a random Tuesday. But for a special occasion like an anniversary, the overall experience, atmosphere, presentation, and quality made it feel worth it. We'd absolutely come back again -- just with reservations next time.

Photos
The Village Pub - Cinnamon rolls

Cinnamon rolls

The Village Pub - Chocolate soufflé

Chocolate soufflé

The Village Pub - Dining room with open bottles

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Dining room with open bottles

Dutch Goose - Steak salad

Dutch Goose

3.6(880 reviews)
2.7 mi
$$

The Dutch Goose is one of my favorite spots in Menlo Park to grab a beer and some food. The food is…read moreconsistently solid -- the wings are great, the burger is reliable and satisfying, and the onion rings are a standout. Everyone raves about the deviled eggs (I'm not a deviled egg person myself, but they're clearly a crowd favorite). The beer selection is always strong, and pitchers are available, which is a big plus. The outdoor seating is excellent -- both the front area and the back patio, though I prefer the back. Tons of heaters, lots of TVs, and it's a great place to watch a game. The bar itself has a dusty, old-school vibe with a lot of character, which really adds to the charm. Prices are standard for Menlo Park -- meaning high, but pretty much what you expect for the area. Service is okay overall. I definitely recommend ordering inside rather than outside, as the service tends to be better indoors.

I feel like this place has been here for years. I walked in not really knowing what to expect and…read moreimmediately got hit with full-on sports bar vibes. Trophies, little league decor on the walls, arcade games, a pool table, its very nostalgic. There's also a nice outdoor patio if you want fresh air. They've got plenty of beers on tap, plus cocktails and wine. You order at the counter, and there's basically an assembly line of cooks pumping out food. They hand you one of those buzzer things that goes off when your order's ready. Wait time wasn't bad at all. We ordered a 9-inch pizza, a burger, chicken tenders, and a French dip. The food was solid, but nothing crazy. The pizza came out nuclear hot, almost burnt myself haha. The burger was pretty plain. The tenders were decent. The French dip was probably the standout, actually pretty fire. Overall, the food is fine, not bad, just kind of mid. This place is more about the vibe than the cuisine. It's basically an overhyped sports bar with classic bar food. But also a Menlo Park staple to kick back and have a few drinks.

Photos
Dutch Goose
Dutch Goose - Mushroom onion pizza

Mushroom onion pizza

Dutch Goose - Tuna Melt

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Tuna Melt

Redwood Grill - Burgers and Sandwiches, our famous popcorn served at the table!

Redwood Grill

3.9(647 reviews)
2.2 mi
$$
Full bar
Large group friendly

First time here, my summer Hawaii was tasty so i actually had 2 , I also had the dip with fries…read moreand my partner had the chicken sandwich with onion rings! My fries were super tasty . My sandwich was good however it could have used some seasoning. It was pretty bland . The whipped horseradish was definitely needed, I also thought maybe it was too much bread! The chicken seemed to be tasty as it was all gone along with the onion rings! ! Cool decor and friendly staff! The person next to us was eating a salad that looked pretty amazing so maybe next time i will try that ! Not sure if i mentioned that the cocktail was amazing Vodka pineapple and cucumber! And amazing combo!

Loved the ambiance and the vibe here.i ordered the Mac n cheese and the grill cheese with Cole…read moreslow. Definitely ordered with my eyes ! But it was worth the take out boxes. I will say the service wasn't ideal. My husband and I noticed early on we were not being treated with the same manner as the patrons next to us. We didn't get his name but he made it a point to check in with several patrons and the guests next to us but we had to seek his attention or once he did check in on us the one time he was very quick to turn around. And it was the tone that also made it obvious; bubbly with everyone else but once he hit our table it switched up real quick and was more short and curt with us. It's a shame because this was a really good find!

Photos
Redwood Grill - Lunch and Dinner!

Lunch and Dinner!

Redwood Grill - From the bar!

From the bar!

Redwood Grill - Inside

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Inside

Bar Underdog

Bar Underdog

4.5(45 reviews)
5.9 mi

I think it's kind of funny that there is such a discourse amongst other reviews about whether or…read morenot this place is a speakeasy. As a speakeasy enthusiast myself I definitely agree to the fact that it is "hidden" but also it does kinda give corporate vibes a little bit - maybe we can say they "gentrified" the speakeasy experience which is honestly so funny for Palo Alto. But anyways I don't think a classification should stop you from visiting it. The food is actually surprisingly really good. We came with a pescatarian and honestly while the offerings for snacks were a bit slim, every option was really good. I feel like this was the first time where I understood the price even the the quantity is no where close to be desired. One shrimp is like $6 and I was like whoah. Service is definitely more laid back and it's overall just like a more chill atmosphere. I'm fortunate to work nearby so I'll definitely visit this place a few times after work to blow off some steam... And the drinks! Yes they are good! They are also quite strong! Would come back again but also if you're conscious of budget then I'm not sure if you'll find the same value proposition.

Food: 3 / 5 Service: 3 / 5…read more Ambiance: 2 / 5 Let's start off by making sure that we're all on the same page... This is NOT a speakeasy. Using that language sets up an expectation that neither the ambiance nor the vibe is able to live up to. I can only assume that those reviews that commend this place as a speakeasy have never actually been to a real speakeasy and are more accustomed to box restaurants and bars. I sat at the bar and ordered a bourbon neat with a water back. There were three staff members behind the bar, none of them were particularly friendly or outgoing, which as someone who worked in the industry for years is surprising as a new establishment. Even though it was happy hour time, it was a Wednesday the place was less than half full and good servers /bartenders normally add to the experience and help creat a customer base of regulars to sustain business after the "come see" crowd is over. I ordered d' nuts as a snack and they weren't very special, even a bit overcooked / burnt. Maybe this place is exciting for a Palo Alto crowd that doesn't get out much, especially on the stretch of California given the lack of competition. My guess is that after a few months they will be hard-pressed to find a steady crowd.

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Bar Underdog - Fru-ti Punch and Old Soul

Fru-ti Punch and Old Soul

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Bar Underdog - Matcha Brownie and Chilly Wonka

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Matcha Brownie and Chilly Wonka

Pioneer Saloon - divebars - Updated May 2026

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