Oh, it’s a (zero-proof) party 🍸

10 sober-friendly places to grab a drink in San Jose

Three bottles of zero-proof alcohol laid out on a table with the mocktails beside it.

Check out these marvelous mocktails. | Photo via Meso

Although there’s been nothing dry about this month so far, we know that “Dry January” has begun and we want to help.

Whether you’re taking that 31-day challenge, looking to make a lifestyle change, or simply don’t enjoy alcohol — we’ve rounded up 6 local places to grab a drink (without the looming fear of a hangover).

🍽️ Restaurants

Meso, 3060 Olsen Dr., Ste. 50
Along with its delicious Mediterranean cuisine, comes an even more eclectic mocktail menu. From its zero proof menu, try out the “T Sans G” made with pink peppercorn-infused “gin,” tonic, and lime.

The Vesper, 394 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell
This establishment boasts a large cocktail menu, but it hasn’t skipped out on unique zero-proof drinks. In the mood for something fruity? Order the “Busy Bird” made with passion fruit, lime, orange juice, and tonic.

Flights Restaurant & Bar, 368 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell
Don’t let your pals take off without you — enjoy a “Mocktini Flight” made with cherry, grapefruit, and orange syrups mixed with soda water. It’s just as Insta-worthy as the others.

Paper Plane's bar. — Take a seat at the bar and enjoy a mocktail.

🍹 Bars and breweries

Paper Plane, 72 S. First St.
Enjoy the lively atmosphere with a zero-proof mocktail — we recommend the “Sleight of Hand” made with cucumber, lime, soda, and caged heat syrup for a little kick.

Fox Tale Fermentation Project, 30 E. Santa Clara St., Ste. 120
You don’t want to sleep on this brewery. Its menu offers 10+ “Mock Tales” made with fun ingredients like rose hips, sugar snap peas, and ume plums. Enjoy new creations almost every week.

🛍️ Shop

Faux Real Bottle Shop, 300 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos
Want to create your own mocktail? Visit this zero-proof spirits shop that opened last February and offers non-alcoholic drinks, mocktail mixers, and accessories. Enjoy a “sober hour” every Saturday in the store from 1-3 p.m.

Do you know of any other spots that we could add to the list?

LET US KNOW

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Friday, Jan. 6

SBIA Family Night with Mayor Matt Mahan | Friday, Jan. 6 | 6 p.m. | South Bay Islamic Association, 2345 Harris Way, San Jose | Free | Ask questions of our new mayor and hear about his priorities for this year.
Friday Night Party | Friday, Jan. 6 | 10 p.m.-2 a.m. | Branham Lounge, 1116 Branham Ln., San Jose | Free | Dance the night away and enjoy great drinks + no cover fee.

Saturday, Jan. 7

Heritage Rose Garden Volunteer Workday | Saturday, Jan. 7 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Heritage Rose Garden, 412 Seymour St., San Jose | Free | Help beautify our local rose garden — volunteers must be ages 14 and over.
Awesome Anime Adventure | Saturday, Jan. 7 | 10 a.m. | Westfield Valley Fair, 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd., San Jose | $38.95 | Learn how to draw your favorite manga and anime characters at the Young Art Studio.
Ringing in the New Year with Peace, Love & TaeJin | Saturday, Jan. 7 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Fuze, 58 S. First St., San Jose | $5-$35 | Celebrate Jin and V’s birthdays with music and special goodies.
San Jose Scavenger Book Signing | Saturday, Jan. 7 | 12-3 p.m. | Barnes & Noble Blossom Hill, 5353 Almaden Expy., San Jose | Free | Meet Cassie Kifer, author of the new book, “San Jose Scavenger.”
Trivia Night | Saturday, Jan. 7, Monday, Jan. 9 | 6:30 p.m. | Park Station Hashery, 1701 Park Ave., San Jose | Free | Teams of up to six can play at this weekly multimedia trivia event hosted by local comedians.

Sunday, Jan. 8

Latte Art Class | Sunday, Jan. 8 | 2-3 p.m. | Jiaren Cafe, 1171 Homestead Rd., Ste. 140B, Santa Clara | $70 | Create designs on a latte, coffee, or decaf drink of your choice.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

JANUARY IS HERE

This billion-dollar startup wants to help you retire

Portrait of businesswoman standing against a wooden wall in office.

SmartAsset’s no-cost tool makes it easy to find vetted financial advisors who serve your area. | Photo by Dean Mitchell

This Princeton grad’s startup raised $161 million to help people plan for retirement. 👀

If you’re one of the whopping 110 million Americans over age 50 — or a wise Millennial looking to get ahead — SmartAsset’s no-cost tool makes it easy to find vetted financial advisors serving our local area.

In just a few minutes, you can get matched with up to three financial advisors, each legally bound to work in your best interest. Now that’s service.*

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Weather

60º | Partly cloudy | 13% chance of rain
Due to damage caused by the Atmospheric River Storm, Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve is closed until further notice. The Rancho Canada del Oro and Coyote Valley Open Space Preserves will be open to hiking only as of today, Friday, Jan. 6. ☔

Transit

Starting Monday, Jan. 16, VTA service improvements will come to nine bus routes. Some changes include earlier or additional trips and expansion of service hours — check VTA’s website for more information. 🚍

Art

CreaTV is officially operating out of Open San José, an 18,000-sqft collaborative community space with offices, galleries, a large studio, and media rooms. Several partners in the building include Chopsticks Alley Art, LEAD Filipino, and San José Spotlight — check out the space at 38 S. Second Street. 🎥

Featured

San Jose was recently featured as an “underrated tourist destination” on Travel + Leisure, with bonus compliments to our 300 days of sunshine. The Municipal Rose Garden, San Pedro Square, Japantown, and more were lauded as attractions that contribute to the ultimate hidden gem of California that is the great 408. 🏙️ (Travel + Leisure)

Biz

A new analysis of payroll data from Gusto Inc. found that the San Jose metro area averaged a job growth gain of 9.1% in 2022. Though lower than the national average of 11.9%, other California metro areas like SF, Sacramento, San Diego, and Los Angeles fell behind us with less than 9% growth. 💼 (Silicon Valley Business Journal)

Community

Do you still have your Christmas tree up? No worries — San Jose Recycles will accept Christmas tree pickup before 6 a.m. on your normal collection day. Make sure to cut it into 5-ft pieces, and place it 1-ft from your curb, and 5 ft from your other bins. ♻️
The Children’s Discovery Museum will host its 25th Annual El Día de los Tres Reyes Magos, or Three Kings Day, tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 7. Enjoy folklórico dance, an open mic, and an opportunity to make your own tortillas at a morning or afternoon session. 🎉

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We welcome curiosity 💭

What do you want to learn about in 2023?

A skyline picture of Downtown San Jose between two antenna towers.

What would you like to know more about in 2023? | Photo via @danieldentone_

Hi San Jose, Alyson here. 👋

As SJtoday inches toward its first anniversary (Feb. 1), I can’t help but reminisce on all the fun I’ve had writing newsletter after newsletter on all the wonderful parts of the the great 408.

It seems like there are never-ending history lessons and legends, bars and food trucks, and galleries and exhibitions to explore. I definitely learn something new everyday, and I hope that you do, too.

So let me know — what do you want to read more about in 2023?

Dream big, and tell us what’s on your mind, because the questions you asked last year inspired so many of our favorite stories — like San Jose-bred bands + musicians, and the story on the Ashworth-Remillard House.

Is there are certain kind of cuisine you’d like recs for? Or maybe a city policy you’d like explained?

SHOOT US AN EMAIL

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Alyson.

Editor’s pick: While I’m not taking the “Dry January” challenge — I’m sorry, I still look forward to a nice cocktail at the end of my work week — I am challenging myself to go pescetarian this month. If you couldn’t tell by some of my previous foodie roundups, I’m a solid meat-eater... so wish me luck.

Missed the last newsletter? We gave you ideas for some local New Year’s resolutions.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Alyson Chuyang, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Julie Brown | Advertise with us.

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