Goodtime Bar

Came here on a date at 5:30pm on a Saturday. There was no seating outside so we sat at the bar inside. The noise can get loud. It's a cozy space, and we were able to ask recommendations from the staff. We got an orange wine. For food, we got bread, a spread (pate?), and a cured meat plate. Their selection of tapas is good and there's even tinned fish! The wine paired nicely with our food. My date said they have a good selection of natural wines, but I'm not well-versed in that. Overall a nice spot nestled in a nook in downtown San Jose! I recommend coming here for date night or a girls' night out. I'd love to come back and try the potatoes, arancini, and deviled eggs.

This bar is pure vibe. I was visiting San Jose from Boston with my wife, who works in the natural wine world, and we brought six friends with high expectations. This place exceeded all of them. First, the wine program is outstanding. Thoughtful, diverse, and clearly curated with real care for the natural wine spectrum. Every bottle we tried was excellent. Prices were shockingly fair for the quality. Even with the $15 corkage, which we do not really see in Boston, the value was hard to beat. The food was just as impressive. We had the arancini, a tantanmen-style butter pasta, chips and dip, and the pork belly. Every dish was crave-worthy. Serious cooking happening here, and we cannot wait to come back and dig deeper into the menu. The space itself was cozy and transportive, somehow pulling you out of the downtown setting entirely. We started on the patio, where the hostess effortlessly set us up with a table, linens, glassware, a bench, and a space heater so we could settle in and catch up. A DJ was spinning an immaculate set that my wife perfectly described as “Bay Area classics.” Inside, the layout was warm and inviting, with a front-window den of couches, a communal table, and enough seating to comfortably fit our whole group. By then, the wine was flowing and the energy was just right. And finally, the service. Ming behind the bar and our hostess were absolute standouts. Warm, attentive, and genuinely engaged, even while handling a full bar. From accommodating a walk-in group of eight to keeping glasses filled, plates flowing, and the overall vibe dialed in, they made the night feel effortless. 10/10. We will absolutely be back, and I would recommend this spot to anyone looking for a truly great natural wine bar experience.

I first learned of Goodtime Bar through my fiancé who first visited after realizing that his alcohol allergy and new medication prevented him from enjoying anything other than natural wines. He went with a coworker and was gone for HOURS, something I couldn’t fathom until we went again with friends. The bar is situated in a part of downtown we haven’t frequented since the Backyard days pre-COVID, down an alley and with some seating outdoors. Inside, the vibes were cozy, the service was welcoming, and the food was delicious! Since then, Goodtime Bar has also done some much appreciated catering at events for the local indoor climbing community to which I belong! Yesterday (a Wednesday), I went with a friend to celebrate my birthday and I really enjoyed the spooky decor they put up, from the fake webs and bats to the “floating candles” in the hall and the dim, red lighting as the night progressed. Being a bit hard of hearing, I was pleased at the volume of the fun beats they were playing and how the other conversations never drowned out my own. I arrived at about 5:30 when there were only a handful of other customers, stayed through a rush, and by the time we left at 8:30 the place was busy but not crowded. I grabbed a seat and was brought complimentary water which I sipped while waiting for my friend. When she arrived, I ended up having the sparkling rosé (was told it’s their only current by-the-glass bubbly) and later the orange wine as it was recommended by a recent hire. I got tastings of each, with a sip of the former served to me before I could even think to ask, which I was delighted by. Both drinks were really good!! We ordered some snacks of course; the arancini was reliably yummy, the heirloom panzanella was refreshing but had a strong peppery taste that led me to take sips of water every few bites, and I only tried the tinned spicy tuna because I found it to be a kind and level of spiciness that I knew would not sit right with me. To speak generally about our experiences, my fiancé’s personal favorite bites are literally any of the tinned fish, and we were delighted to learn they sell some fun stickers for what I feel is a reasonable $2 each. I just know we’ll be back soon, it’s just a matter of with who and when!