- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Rumors - CLOSED
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night
- Music:
- Music Videos
- Best Nights:
- Tue, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
James A. said: "My favorite Korean market. It is well organized for my needs. I always buy raw fish and port from this market. They have the best tasting fish and meat compare to other Korean markets. I don't know how they do it but their price…" read more »
41 reviews for Rumors
Review Highlights
"The best soju there was the yogurt one."
(in 17 reviews)
"...fried rice) fried calamari, Dduk bok-ki and chicken wings..."
(in 1 review)
"They also have free bar snacks like chips and popcorn."
(in 5 reviews)
Loading...
41 reviews in English
-
Review from Ed H.
Santa Clara, CA
12/8/2010 1 Check-in Here
ICE COLD SOJU.
Ice cold. Flakes of ice in the bottle, cold. -
Review from Liz K.
Sunnyvale, CA
1/7/2011
UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP. AVOID AT ALL COST.
Pre-2011: One of my favorite, let's walk to the bar down the street, kinda joint.
Post-2011: I'd rather stay home and stare at the wall.
I'd give no stars if possible. Everything has been overpriced. It's still ghetto - so sorry, new coat of paint doesn't make it nicer. They have girls waiting on-call to come in skanky outfits to sit with customers who request them - they'll pour drinks, make conversations, and show skin. I believe they're catering to old Korean men (DUH). I saw a group of people (mainly caucasians) be turned away saying this is a "private party only". Uh huh - it's a *nudge nudge wink wink* 'private' party. Ooooh, and the girls... old faces, skinny bodies, fairly big boobs. But they were OLD.
However, if you're still inclined to visit this nasty place, remember that a bottle of soju will cost you $20 - $25. Hue and VIP range from $10 - 12 and the local grocery store, $2 - 4. The food went from good in 2006, to decent in 2008, to "I'm starving, I'll eat anything" in 2010, to WTF is this **** in 2011. -
Review from Jin K.
San Jose, CA
8/7/2010
Always passed by this place, but never really checked it out...
Seemed kinda sketch, seeing that the building was kinda old, and there were a lot of homeless ppl just loitering at the building like everyday I pass by...
Walking in, the ambiance was pretty nice actually. Maybe not as nice as Hue, but maybe better than VIP. There weren't that many ppl but we ran into a lot of friends, so it made it that much fun. The hyung that worked there was pretty nice as well. Pretty spacious and wide spacing. Their food was okay. We ordered ddukboggi, n it was decent. Maybe not go there for food.
There's also a couple rooms for karaoke so that was nice. Our friends invited us to join them, but I kinda don't like to sing when I drink. I think the loud music and ppl screaming gets to me lol.
But the best thing I'd have to say about this place is their price. It's cheaper than the other places. Not by much, but enough to notice. -
Review from Tiffany C.
San Francisco, CA
11/19/2010
Great place of late night hang outs! This place looks old and run down but what does a building matter, when you can have a great time with friends. I came here last week with a few friends and fell in love with this place. They have 2 rooms for Karaoke and many tables for friends to just talk and catch up. They have a good selection of drinks and bar food. Personally I love the sake bomb that a friend made me. It was delicious and new for me.
The servers there very nice and friendly, (him being cute made it even better). He made me a strawberry drink that tasted like strawberry juice. Over all great place to chill and it is open late into the night. -
Review from Patricia L.
San Jose, CA
10/28/2010
I was invited to come here for someone's birthday. This is my least favorite Korean bar so far. It looks kind of ghetto from the outside. The inside is not that much nicer. Everything is also overpriced here.
I would rather go to Hue or VIP. The only thing this place has going for it is that it's not as crowded as Hue or VIP, but now I know why it's not as crowded...
I'm pretty sure I'm never coming back here. -
Review from Cliff S.
Sunnyvale, CA
6/14/2010
Rurmors is like a whisper you wish would disappear, but lingers on, like horrendous gas, in the minds of friends and strangers. This place is expensive. You'll be surprised how fast you can empty your wallets on peanuts and pastel colored juices. They supposedly try to placate your fury by claiming if you spend over $150 they'll give the karaoke sesh free of charge.
Sounds too good to be true right & like all childish fantasies that come crumbling down it sadly shares the same fate. They knock an hour off, which is better than nothing, but in the scheme of things is nothing.
Don't mind the dark outside ambiance and the gaggle of "Asian thugs" this place is harmless. -
Review from Shinny L.
9/26/2010
Just came back from a going away party. My usual karaoke buddies like to soju it up outside and then head over to Renaissance for a few good bouts of soul searching and screeching (whichever strikes the heart's chords at that moment in time), but I may try to get them over to rumors next time.
Food was okay - standard fare. they have yogurt flavored soju and 2 karaoke rooms, so make sure to book the karaoke room ahead of time. We went and then lost our room after sitting around for about 20 mins outside waiting for our friends.
Food selection was a plus, but the best out of what we tried was probably the chicken wings and fries.
We had:
dried squid
rice cake
korean pancake
kimchee fried rice
chicken wings
fries
soondoobu
omlette fried rice -
Review from Tina N.
Los Gatos, CA
11/24/2008 5 photos
Tina's Evaluation:
Taste: ( B )
Authenticity: ( B )
Portions: ( B +)
Service: ( A + )
Ambiance: ( A )
Price: ( B- )
Comments:
On the outside of this place looks like a dead end dive bar but as soon as your feet passes through that door the interior design is very impressive. It has a Japanese tea house type look to it. Very nice and very clean.
I made reservations for both karaoke rooms that they have on site - two weeks before the event we were having. Those people are on it. They even called me on my cell to verify the date. Now in my experience, usually when you are not apart of a specific culture, most (not all) ethnic places tend to mistreat you or ignore you. This is a full out Korean bar and the staff is unbelievably friendly to outsiders cause almost everyone at the party was non-korean. Such a cool experience!
I've read some of the reviews and agree that the food is just ok but it wasn't as bad as some people mentioned. What do you expect? It's bar food and it's pretty tasty for bar food. lol The Omurice (korean egg omelette fried rice) fried calamari, Dduk bok-ki and chicken wings were especially good. The best soju there was the yogurt one..everyone at the party demanded it!
It was quite surprising that they had lots of current song selections. The karaoke system was really good too! The speakers and the microphone were in tip top condition!
We hosted a birthday party that consisted of 24 people. The bill did not exceed $ 500.00 even with all the food, drinks and the cost of both karaoke room rates. That's pretty damn decent. And we had lots of room for tipping our great hostess/staff people too! :-)
Out of all the Korean bars that I have been to in the Santa Clara area...this was by far the most notably funnest place that my friends and I have been to in quite a while. Eight to ten years ago you can order food and drinks in the karaoke rented rooms at these korean joints. But times have change and a lot of places don't do that anymore except for this spot.
Thank God at least this place held on to that tradition!!
Soju for everyone! -
Review from Joon Y.
6/28/2008
ZOMG! What a piece of shit! I called 320831208 times to make reservations. Just to find out when I got there they are closed until August!!! WTF!!! At least leave some kind of message on your phone!!! Ass!!
To review another time. -
Review from Yen T.
San Jose, CA
4/29/2010
Don't be scared of the way this place looks, its like your regular norebang.
Good priced yummy korean food awaits you.
Karaoke room wit some Soju is a must.
It's a hole in a wall which I really love. I'm advertising it because it's just so good.
Wonder why I didn't give it 5 years and 4 stars instead? Because there is no male bar tenders. LOL -
Review from Jeff D.
Sunnyvale, CA
6/19/2006
I would almost say it is the Korean equivelent to a Buca di Beppo except much smaller. The outside of the restaurant looks rather plain but inside the atmosphere is very cool and welcoming. Plate food appears expensive but end up being huge and feed many people. Slightly limited selection of alcoholic beverages but Jenny, the owner, is working her magic on that.
Food is in a word: incredible. I have never had anything like it.
I did feel a bit out of place being the only Chinese person there. Bring your Korean friends! -
Review from Michelle P.
San Jose, CA
7/25/2009
Rumors is a Korean bar, karaoke and hangout conveniently located at the corner of Homestead and Kiely. Its one of the few places you can get a decent bite to eat after midnight in Santa Clara. Their menu includes the usual Korean bar dinner and appetizers: soju, tofu soups, fried chicken, pupae and some Korean only specials on the walls. The price runs roughly $10-$15 per order, which is expensive in my opinion and for these economic times but no more expensive than what you would usually find on a Korean menu. The food and portions meets expectation.
We were there at 1AM on a Tuesday night. We were pretty surprised to find at least 2 other groups of 2-3 at the restaurant, not including a group of 4-5 middle aged moms who popped out of the karaoke rooms as we were leaving.
This isn't a place I would go to for food or even to hang out with friends but at 1AM on a Tuesday night, its one of your better choices for food. -
Review from Rosavida C.
San Bruno, CA
10/10/2008
Best soju place ever! My friends and I usually occupy the little open but private section. Popcorn, flavored soju, good food = good times. A little pricey depending on group-size and tolerance, but a good place to play Titanic, nonetheless.
PS - make sure they card you because sometimes they forget and it gets them in trouble. -
Review from Kim F.
Sunnyvale, CA
1/5/2007
I heard that Rumors closed down. :( I'm not sure if it's true, but if it is, it makes me sad.
The girls that worked there were always super sweet and gave us lots of free snacks. And the karaoke rooms were a good plus. -
Review from Min K.
Mountain View, CA
1/2/2011
New owner. Now trying hard to be some sort of high-class bar. Repainted walls and changed tables. Bathroom still filthy as hell.
Menu has Lobster, Cristal, 500ml Echiko beer for $25 ($~6 at HK Market), Soju for $20, etc. Um...at these ridiculous prices, I expect a dedicated, bow-tie waiter or hot D-cup waitress, comfy couch, marbled-out bathroom, indoor smoking, live band or a DJ, and two hot hostesses sitting on my lap.
What a rip-off. Whatever... -
Review from Ryan C.
San Jose, CA
2/26/2009
People still go here? Wow...
Shitty anjus.
Limited drink menus.
"Minimalist" decor that had existed ever since the Genesis. -
Review from Cat R.
Los Angeles, CA
4/7/2008
So this place looks a bit sketchy from the outside. Sketchy, as in it looks like it could be an ungodly hellhole where drunken korean folk get into barfights and such. Maybe its the name. It just sounds like someplace where bad things happen. Maybe it could be filled with creepy old men.
The very good news is that once you step inside, this place is pretty friendly, hospitable and filled with harmless (although drunk or getting there) patrons. Happy kpop fills the air and the place just feels a bit cheery.
The food is decent, typical korean bar food and then some. You can also come here and get a filling dinner while you drink your soju. Portions are great, although I thought the kalbi was a bit sweet. There's even kareoke inside! One thing, is that the waitstaff is great. Very nice. In fact, far far nicer than my experiences at other places. The waiter there is super cute.
Minus one star for pricey yogurt soju, I think its like $28 or something. -
Review from Evelyn K.
Cupertino, CA
8/1/2009
I remembered coming here with a group of friends for a late night snack. Very clean restaurant but noticed that most of the other tables were couples.
We did notice some unique sounds coming from the private rooms, that's when we realized that there was kareoke from some not as talented singers; they must also be drunk too. -
Review from soy y.
San Jose, CA
2/14/2008
Bottle of soju? Check. Bottle of soda? Check. Wasted asians? Check.
I love coming to this place as a sort of escape from any sort of normal scene. I always see some asian that drank entirely too much, on the way to the bathroom to puke. Nice.
I've only sort of eaten here once, we normally come in and drink a couple bottles of soju at the bar. The one time we did get food... it was interesting. I'm korean, but I was adopted so REAL korean food sort of freaks me out. In other words, DON'T GET THE PUPA. Good lord. My friends decided to "try something new" and holy sh!t. it looked and smelled like some sort of earthy diarrhea.
Please accept my apologies in advance, any real koreans who like this stuff.
Also, on the positive site, they serve food until around 1 I think? -
Review from Terrance M.
Las Vegas, NV
6/29/2008
A group of 9 came here just because we were bored and in the area. We ordered a lot of food and a good amount of alcohol. Food was okay but I wasn't expecting fine dining from a bar anyways. My only beef with this place was that they messed up on our bill and I don't know if they were trying to be stupid about it when we were telling them or they really didn't understand.
All g.... if you notice they have a basket of around 20 OB Lite bottle openers... well actually you probably won't because we took them all. YEAH I DID IT, INYURFACE... WHAT???????? -
Review from teresa b.
Milpitas, CA
6/10/2008
im a bit biased. i'll be the first to admit it. I knew of this place before it was anything, just cause i knew the previous owners.
i haven't been there in a while, but from my experiences, it's a great place to eat and chill with a bottle of soj.
if you come often and get to know the owners, they often hook u up, rather with a discount or free food. I had a few bday parties there for friends and everyone always had a good time. -
Review from Chris T.
San Jose, CA
1/30/2011
Korean Bar that has two Kareoke rooms, the majority of my visits I've had extremely good service from the staff and has been sucka free.
-
Review from Jack H.
San Jose, CA
3/19/2007
Korean bars? Shoot, I've been to them all in the South Bay. Even those that change names every week.
Like all change of ownership, it starts fabulous then goes to shits. At least most places are taking underage drinking serious. No need to get shutdown for extra $.
When Rumor was run by the owner of TokBox she provided "service" (free food) This service was actual delicious plates of food, fishcake soup, dried squid, etc. Guess what it is now.. Corn with sauce that cost $.20. Whoooppeee. This is even after having 6+ soju bottles. When greed and profit takes over places like this goes to shit.
Sadly, I still come here every so often -
Review from Roy K.
Fresno, CA
8/7/2010
rumors looks like a really bad strip club from the out side but its actually not that bad of a little dive bar.
help there was very cool.
only thing was there were signs just in korean and some with pictures but couldnt figure it out. -
Review from Mina C.
Santa Clara, CA
1/29/2011
I couldnt find a place to go last weekend so I ended up at rumors with my friends. I expected the old rumors like a casual bar but it changed to a better class sake/wine bar. They changed the interior with new tables, paintings, and even had karaoke. It wasn't as expensive as I thought. I enjoyed their various menu which was delicious and people were so kind and friendly. I don't recommend this place for a big group but I'm sure you can have much fun as I did if you go in with a small group.
-
Review from Grace J.
San Jose, CA
8/24/2006
Love Love Love this place. I'm a big Korean bar fan, especially if they have karaoke rooms. Although this place might seem little run down from the outside, it is really different when you step in. In addition to small tables, it has one larger private area and two rooms with full karaoke systems. Lets talk about food and drinks. I would say their price on food is average (Around $10-12) and they taste pretty good. Their drinks are also average but if you're thinking about full stocked bar and many specialty drinks, this is not the place for you. They mostly sell Korean beers and sojus. The reason I love this place is the service. Everyone that works there are extremely nice and caring. They are always giving you free appetizers. Sad or happy, Rumors never lets me down. =) It is a definite place to check out if you like Korean food and drinks.
-
Review from A E.
San Francisco, CA
12/9/2008
Ghetto-looking on the outside (think brick squat building with windows that are painted shut, small door and tacky neon signs). The first look of the inside didn't give me a warm fuzzy feeling either. The first observation was of how dimly lit the room was, and how desolate it was at 8PM, save for a table of drunken and disorderly men.
But then again, it was a Tuesday night. And we were due for a bitchfest.
And guess what, it was 15% off if your party was all ladies.
Next thing I knew, a procession of bute jige ('everything soup' - basically kim chee soup with spam and noodles), pancakes, kim chee fried rice
and a complimentary serving of fries magically appeared to complement the pitcher of soju which found its way to our table earlier.
A start to a satisfying meal and an even more satisfying bitchfest.
A nice, much closer option to Toyose in Outer Sunset. -
Review from Cindy D.
San Jose, CA
11/13/2010
Thumbs up for alky and food. I didn't stay very long but the music selection seemed good and everyone had fun. A little grungy, but to be fair a lot of karoake bars I've been to, are. Service seemed fine. Pretty interesting name for a karoake bar. If I hadn't gone inside I would still think it is a stripclub or porn store. But......as it is not....I shall return.
-
Review from Chris L.
Santa Clara, CA
3/13/2008
by far the cleanest korean bar i've been too.. parking space is very limited depending on the night..
in my opinion its like any other korean bar.. but its all about the ahn-joo.. popcorn.. definately works with beer.. -
Review from christian q.
San Jose, CA
7/9/2007
I have become a regular here and I very much like the environment. Comparing to the other Korean bars around the area, this place has more of a relaxed and laid-back feeling that appeals to me. They have the same selection of alcohol and a good selection of food that compliments very well with the beer and soju that they offer.
-
Review from Vivian H.
6/12/2010
Yet another Korean bar with overpriced food and alcohol. Pretty cool atmosphere, small, welcoming. The food was good though, at least the kim chi fried rice my friend ordered, and the free fries that the server placed on our table as a little treat. They also have free bar snacks like chips and popcorn. The yogurt soju was DELICIOUS. The bar only has soju and beer, which was weird to me but I guess normal for a Korean bar?
-
Review from Lorraine Y.
San Jose, CA
2/26/2009
everytime i have gone to rumors i have had some tasty korean food experiences, mainly because i work with the owner's wife and she knows what to order! the food is delish (best fried chicken ever) but i don't speak korean so i can't tell you the names.
the seafood pancake is good bar food, the rice cake and ramen in some sort of tomato-y sauce is good, also some crazy spicy escargot salad with cold noodles and seaweed is really tasty as well! they have a limited bar as they only serve soju (grain alcohol) and beer but thats really all you need for a night at rumors.
the karaoke rooms are nice and you can take food and drink in there... also the rooms are free on week nights and there is a flat rate on the weekends which isn't too bad. the only bad thing about the karaoke is that they need to update the song selection and add more english songs.
rumors isn't much to look at from the outside, but def fun if you go in with a bunch of friends and someone who knows how to speak korean! -
Review from Albert Q.
Cupertino, CA
7/11/2008
ZOMG -- you called Rumors to make a RESERVATION?
that is funny -
Review from Andrew Y.
4/26/2009
I really can't say anything bad, or good about this place. We had just finished yakitori across the street, and was looking for a bar to hit up. as others have said, this place looks pretty shady from the outside and almost had me fooled to be either a a. strip club or b. hostess club. We walk in with neither intent, we just wanted some hite and peanuts! and that is precisely what we got, along with an order of dukboki, which although (way) overpriced, tasted just fine. so the 3 star review is purely for their dukboki, for those wondering. the backroom apparently has rooms for karaoke, which we did not partake in.
-
Review from Dang-Khoa H.
San Jose, CA
4/20/2008
This place is just ok. This place is usually less crowded than other Korean bars in the area. The prices of food are pretty expensive. The taste of it, is ok. Alcohol is very expensive here. The Karaoke rooms are pretty cool. Their small lot is very small. Sometimes we have to park across the street or into the next plaza. There is no street parking as there are signs that say No Parking At Any Time. I always see yack in the bathroom here. Music kinda sucks at the place.
-
Review from Rainbow B.
San Jose, CA
7/25/2009
The yogurt soju is best when you get a bottle of regular soju and pour half the bottle in. Haha. As alcholic as that sounds... I enjoyed a couple of pitchers of soju with friends with the ongoing popcorn and tortilla chips that accompanied our binge. The combo was a little weird for the side snacks (korean bars always supply snackies for when you drink). We also ordered the popcorn chicken that was super dry.. and sauce that had no kick--- It was one of those specials posted on the wall for 9.99. I'd rather go to quickly in the area and grab a couple of popcorn chicken bags and bring it to rumors. Meh, I think it'll be one of the last times I come here.
-
Review from Tu-anh D.
Cupertino, CA
12/1/2007 2 Check-ins Here
I have passed by this place many times before, but never paid any attention to it. For my friend's brithday, we went to this place. When i first walked in, I liked the way the place looked. The service is very nice as well. I really liked the presentation of their food. I'm not a big person on drinks, but i really liked the soju as well as the food =)
-
Review from Madelyn Y.
Santa Clara, CA
4/11/2008
From the outside the place looks sort of sketchy but the interior is actually pretty pleasant. A friend rented one of the karaoke rooms for his birthday and the service was great. Someone would always swing by to make sure bottles were full and to insure that no food order was missed. They had a great selection of karaoke songs and I couldn't believe how current some of the songs were! The only drawback of their karaoke system was that the mic always gave out where we'd always seem to have to request for a replacement, and the controller was in Korean (which I can't read). A pretty decent place for those who have nothing to do or would like to just meet up with friends for a few drinks, appetizers, and conversation.
-
Review from rj s.
Santa Clara, CA
3/25/2009
Upon first seeing this place, I thought it was a strip bar or some house of ill repute. (Un)fortunately, it was yet another korean bar in the santa clara/sunnyvale area. Compared to the other bars, this place has little going for it i.e. karaoke and free popcorn. I can appreciate drunken singing, but this place is pretty expensive compared to Hue and Jujubee.
-
Review from kristine t.
Fremont, CA
4/3/2009
Great food and free karaoke! If you love eating, this is the place! Karaoke is great at this place! My husband and I go to Rumors regularly, and we love it. Service is great and food is delicious.
This is a must go restaurant! You should all go there and give it a try.
