Firehouse No. 1
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 a.m.-2:00 a.m.
Sat 3:30 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
Sun 5:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Garage
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: No
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Late Night
- Music: Juke Box
- Best Nights: Thu, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour: Yes
- Alcohol: Full Bar
- Smoking: Outdoor Area/Patio Only
- Coat Check: No
58 Reviews for Firehouse No. 1
Nice outdoor patio and sweet waitress but everything else was just eh.
Burger? Eh. Turkey Club Wrap? Eh. Fries? Eh.
Maybe Firehouse No. 1 turns into a fun bar later in the evening but the chances that I'd return based on my one meal there? Eh.
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Strong drink, decent food. Not sure when I would find myself back in downtown SJC (knock on wood), but I would do business with again. Made a proper medium-rare burger.
This is my favorite bar in downtown SJ. Friendly bartenders, cool crowd, cold drinks, good food. I like going here cause I always feel comfortable and welcome here.
They serve Absinthe...and I always notice after someone orders it, the bartender blows fire.
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I just went here last night for the first time, after hearing so much from friends of mine who are "regulars" here. I can see the draw in becoming a regular here. The atmosphere in this bar makes you WANT to be a regular. The people who work here are extremely friendly, the drinks are strong, the other bar-goers are cool. I had a blast, and at the end of the night, the whole bar was singing along to the juke box.
Other cool things about this bar, in my opinion at least, were all the tricks the bartenders had, and the fact that everyone cheers when glass breaks. This place is just fun. I think I've finally found my place to go with friends when we don't know where to go. :)
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good drinks and good food.
minuse one star because they don't have happy hour prices and their food service can be super slow.
if only they had happy hour--i would be here all the time.
(so, it's probably best that they dont.)
Firehouse is a pretty good spot - the drinks are made well, the bartenders are great, and the customers are usually pretty chill. The biggest problem with the bar is that it's a hit-or-miss... Sometimes it's completely empty in the evenings before 10pm - kinda strange. Also, the kitchen has been a real problem for them. I think they've fired a chef and are going to come out with a new menu (although the previous menu had great pub grub like filling burgers and sandwiches, etc).
Prices are alright - not cheap by any stretch but not over priced. I'd also love for them to upgrade the TV's so that sports are a little more enjoyable - right now the main TV's are just a few small screens above the bar and a nice flat panel in the back (next to a seat so if someone's sitting there and you're watching TV they feel like you're staring right at them).
If you're doing a bar-crawl in San Jose, definitely make sure to pencil firehouse in for a round. If you're looking for a full night there beware - Fridays and Saturday evenings it gets packed to the brim with regulars.
Good times here, and if anyone wants a video of the fire breathers, I got it on my cell phone.
the food has gone from fantastic to horrible if justin is not the chef that day eat some where else i ordered little buddies and potato skins... well the skins where about 30min old when i got them and i asked for med rare and well it was so well done it was grey in the middle......chris get a new chef for when justin is not there
This place is our "Cheers". Brendan and Chris know what to pour before I ask, I always get great service, and there are always people i know there. My friends and I have been coming here since it was GoodFellas, but we never enjoyed as much as we do now. Unless I'm traveling, you'll find me there almost every friday night.....sometimes a saturday!!!
It might take some time getting used to...but once you become a regular, you will stay a regular....!!
I came here a few years ago before they changed their name with a couple of friends to chill before heading to Taste Ultra Lounge down the street. I think I ordered a Sex on the Beach, my friend had a Cosmo, and another had a beer. The bartender was really nice and striked up a conversation with us. He was so nice and friendly. He even gave us 3 chocolate cake shots (no chocolate liquior or anything chocolate involved, but the mixture of alcohol and the sugared lemon to top it off with was HEAVENLY!) on the house. If you are like me and do not like bitter taste of alcohol before or after (I know I'm girly, but whatevs), this shot is for you. Not many bars can make it right. Thank you bartender for introducing me to my new fav shot!!
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My people. This bar is full of my people. It's my Cheers--only way better.
This place is truly the best bar EVER! It is the ONLY place you ever need to go for a good time, good people, great food, and of course, fantastic drinks!! More than just a neighborhood bar, this place is where friends come to relax and enjoy the perfect atmosphere. Everyone who works there is fantastic. They all know their stuff and they all enjoy what they do! You cannot go wrong with this place. There just isnt a single bad thing about it ever.
As for getting in a fight with the bouncers? Maybe you should learn to handle your liquor before coming out. I've seen most of the fights and "situations" that have occured there and I've never seen a single one where the one getting smacked by the bouncer didnt deserve it.
Just sayin'
Oh yeah. And Piano Man is last call. Know the words. We all do. Dont embarrass yourself by not knowing.
(My picture look familiar? Yeah. Thats my awesome balloon arch I made for Firehouse on St. Patty's Day. I told you those are my people!)
Cheers!
This still open and owned by the same people (or at least run by the same people) but now it's called Fire House # 1.
Based on what I've seen security at this place isn't professional enough to handle a dangerous situation arising from their customers, and may also use force against customers without good reason, so if you're not into the beer n brawl scene go somewhere else.
This is THE place to be any day, any time, any occasion. LOVE IT!!!!
Having read all of the hype here, I wandered over here the other night. What a disappointment. First of all, it's the same "shotgun" layout that this premises has always suffered from (Shark and Rose, Goodfellas, whatever...) There's not enough room at the bar, but if you're not at the bar you're stuck in the back or standing around a narrow space behind the bar. Second, any bar that people like because the bartenders "blow fire" is immediately suspect in my book. Third, the music (at least the night I went it) is of the extremely loud and obnoxious variety that makes a conversation without shouting nearly impossible. (If there's a jukebox, I hope it offers more variety than what I heard.) No offense to anyone here, but the crowd looked typically San Jose/pretty low-rent. And probably too young for the likes of me. I, for one, was plenty happy with the Flying Pig, but this is no Pig.
So what is the deal...is this place closed or open??? When I go by it looks closed, but people are still writing reviews like it is open.
Anyway, this place was/is cool! I loved how the bartenders gave you such personal attention. The food here is awesome...the cheezy fries, steak salad, hamburgers. I hope it is still open.
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Looking for a place to get some cheap drinks at to pregame with before getting all hyphy in the club. This is the spot. You got to try to Flaming Dr. Pepper with a friend and watch the bartender Chris go crazy with the Bicardi 151 in his mouth and a match.
It's also always fun to see the bartenders go crazy and break glasses on purpose and them give regular girls here bottles of alcohol to dance on the bar top and poor alcohol down people's mouths. Didn't know Downtown San Jose had a bar that gets crazy like this, until I started going here the beginning of last summer.
Mandy, the hot bartender from Tiki also bartends here on some nights, or at least used to on several occasions here.
Extra kudos to them for ordering pay-per view fights here on Saturday nights.
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I was eating at 71 St. Peter last week with a coworker, and as we walked past we saw the firehouse-looking establishment that had previously gone unnoticed. We said to each other that we need to have our next department party there. So tonight about 10 of us walked over to Firehouse #1 (the new name of The Flying Martini Brothers), commandeered 4 tables in the front, and started ordering drinks and food. The waitress was pretty good, brought our drinks promptly. The food took a while to come out from whereever it's made, but it was good (we had 2 orders of sliders, two sampler platters, and some steak cubes, all of which were great, I highly recommend the sliders). Tonight was the Shark's playoff game at home, and so the place was kind of noisy with all the sports fans, but we managed okay.
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THIS PLACE IS THE SH*T. I hardly am in dtsj...but my nights either start off or end here. Chris is the bestest, hands down (and that goes for the rest of 'em, too, i didn't forget you brendan). I'll go wherever that guy is pouring drinks...had a few birthday shots to last me a lifetime, so be ready if its your birthday when you head in, other than that, if all of dtsj had the class and character of this bar and its patrons, i would be there everyday!
This place is faaaantastic! The food is amazing! Thank God they brought on chef Justin Grady. The new menu is out of this world. Great place for lunch or dinner - especially the chef's friday's special - real smoked BBQ.....THE BEST IN THE BAY!!!!!!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. The bartenders are friendly, fun, and make damn good drinks (and can suggest some great options if you can't decide what to drink), the food is damn good (try their meatloaf sometime, it's soooooooooo delicious!) and served quite promptly, and the ambiance is comfortable and fun. I go here both as a pre-Sharks-game locale, as well as a place to just go hang out and drink, and I have a fantastic time every single time I go. Chris, Brendan, Megan, Rina, and Tom (sorry if I forgot anyone!) are great folks who keep me coming back, & keep me a happy customer.
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This place is the best! My boyfriend and I have been coming here for drinks since we met. Also I always ask friends to meet me here for afterwork Beverages. Great martinis, and if you ask they will make you something special. Also great food, their platter is everything you would want out of fried bar food, and in great portions. One order can feed at least 3 people.
As for the bartenders, they are very funny, personable, and very talented. They always greet us and some bartenders already know what we like to drink! It gets pretty poppin in there some nights. I give them props for keeping the energy up and full of laughs! Also many people come here to watch games, and they even have a large screen projector in the back.
I don't know about specific incidents, but I have always had a great time here. It is seriosuly my favorite bar, and I can always count on this place to serve good beer, martinis, and food.
P.S. I also love the BBQ buger (juicy and has a huge onion ring in it!)
You can't beat a bar that blasts music while the bartenders and bar-goers sing in unison at the top of their lungs.
Always a GREAT and inclusive environment. After a couple shots with the bartenders, you'll be having conversations with the other people from across the bar.
I've never had a bad night here.
Love the scene. The drinks are strong and it's a good break from the typical SJ crowd (sorry I don't mean to hate, but oh well!) How about that Flaming Dr. Pepper? Don't know it, get it.
It's probably the best place downtown to grab a drink and catch up with friends. The bartenders are nice too... plus they played weezer and sublime- I'm sold
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now known as Firehouse #1 this is a great bar to go to. chris is awesome*riffic and brendan is just a kool. ;0) and im not just sayin that since i have know these guyz way back from when they used 2 work at o'flats down the street.
this is one of the few places i know where bartenders light drinks on fire, people dance on the bar, and everyone sings along to songs at the end of the nyte.
if u are like me and can never decide what to drink cuz u want to have everything.....just let one of the guyz know what u like and/or dont like and they will come up with something that is yummie
and if u have never been here b4, and plan 2 go...here is a lil tip 4 ya.....if u hear the sound of broken glass just go "eeehhhhhyyyyy" u dun wanna be the only one not joining in
it can get way crowded and with just a couple bartenders....it can take a while 2 get a drink. but if ya think about it....if ya went to a club...u would have to probably wait about the same time.....but then you would have to pay more for drinks that are weak n watered down. here u know ur gunna have a great drink. come on now.....they have lucid!!~ and if ya dont know what that is....look it up :0)
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I'm a big Dirty Martini fan and it was done JUUUUSSST right at this place.
I think the bartenders name was Brendan, he kicked ass, and he was cute.
I went around 8:30 pm on, maybe a Thursday? I forget, but it was not over crowded, bar seating was 80% full. Me + 3 gf's found a nice booth seating area in back,
love the jupebox.... er, jubox? anyway, loved it. Will definately be back.
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since the line was long at taste
and we didnt want to invest 30
dollars, we decided to hit up
our sorry asses to the bar next
door. It is a slim place - very
narrow and we sat at the bar
thinking about how it would be
at Taste at that time. bums we
were. Although the bartender
served our drinks with a smile.
my buddy had the first round and
I got the second round (strictly beer)
because that was the cheapest.
(i'm short on money right now).
I guess the bartender had psychic
powers because she never asked
me to pay. She either simply forgot,
or she hooked it up =) that was the
highlight of my night. yeah that blows
if that was the highlight of your night.
But the people there are cool and
down to earth fa sho.
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I've been here a few times and I've had a good time. It can get a bit crowded, but overall, this place is great. The bartenders can be as entertaining as the people you're with.
They also have a VERY small dance floor in back and a couple booth/tables as well if you get there when it's not busy.
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This place went through a name change recently. The menu still is pretty much intact. It is still a great little hideaway place in downtown. The staff is good though there are a few additional or replacements. I stopped here to kick off my bday celebration on Monday. I had been through last Friday to see Josie. I noticed a bottle of Lucid ( http://www.drinklucid.... ). amongst the other fine offerings. So I decided to get a taste of 1860 Parisian Bohemian life and try this once illegal elixir. I was treated to a show to start. Hey sugar on fire followed by the bartender doing a little flame throwing is a show right. It took a bit for the glass to be cool to the lips and the elixir has a remnant taste to Ouzo or Sombuco.
If you live or frequent manHOEse you know how horrible many of the bars are. I don't even attempt to brave the clubs or excuse me "ultra lounges". So sorry if that's your thing. Flying Martini Bros is actually called Firehouse #1 now however the place is still one of the few true bars in San Jose. A place you can go to no matter the occasion and have a good time. Cold beer, smiles, and a microphone? I hope you like group sing a longs because these bartenders and regulars sure do. If you have issues with crowds, loud music, lots of booze, and good times being had by all then stay away. If you are good with all of this then you are guaranteed to have a blast at his local watering hole.
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Pros: normal bar
Cons: Nothing FIRE but the name..
FIREHOUSE #1??? I went in looking for a cool bar full of Fire Antique's, pictures and atmosphere. Boy was I mistaken. If you didn't read the name you wouldn't know the bar had a theme.
I think alot of the bar owners friends must have pressured his friends for some good reviews. Its a nice regular bar, but then name is misleading for sure that my gripe.
If you want to see a real Firehouse...walk north 2 blocks to the real SJFD Firehouse #1
funny note the receipts still say "Martini Bro's"... guess they aren't to sure about that name change just yet.
OK, so my opinion is going to be biased but even though I know these guys personally and even worked there a little, let me impart some knowledge to you.
This bar is great in every way. They are great people. Even if it's your first time there, they will treat you as if you are a regular. As others have said, it is like being in your own personal Cheers. They love to entertain and having a good time is their main objective for everyone.
And this would not be complete if it wasn't for the food. Chris had a vision of having a bar with a working kitchen all night for people who got the munchies and it isexactly how he saw it. The cooks back there know what they are doing and being led by the Great Justin G..... Let me just go on record as saying I have recently had some of the best meals of my life there. Justin is a superstud chef and is always trying to create something different to spice up things.
So if you are the kind of person who enjoys good drinks, good times and even better food..... check this place out. Tell 'em Corey sent ya.
:)
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This place is now called Fire Station #1 or something like that... whatever the name, the food is all the same... crappy.
A friend of mine was raving about their jalapeo poppers which were gross (but when you're drunk, you're not supposed to notice, right?) and the last burger i ate there made me sick to my stomach.
they recently renovated and pushed the bar back so that two people can walk shoulder-to-shoulder behind the bar patrons, so it's not as claustrophobic as it used to be. the tv's behind the bar are at an uncomfortable angle so your neck hurts by the third quarter of any game. the bartenders are nice, though, and highly mischievous which is entertaining.
all-in-all folks, this is a local watering hole and i'm not a big drinker. so take that grain of salt with this review.
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I have a vested intrest in this bar doing well- Thats said-
If you don't like to have a good time then this isn't your place.... But if you like drinks that don't have umbrella's in them then this is your spot . My girls and I love it here! The bartenders blow fire, people dance on the bar, everyone sings at the end of the night..... Oh ya and most importantly those boys know how to make a drink. .
and I feel compelled to tell the bartender.... You have an absolutely breath-taking... heiney. I mean, that thing's good. I wanna be friends with it.
Always a good time!
Ok thats enough I'm going to stop typing now. Not...another...word......Jackdanielsismybestfrien d.........Damn it@!!!!!!
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I can't comment on how Martini Bros. is at night when it's crowded and busy because I've only been in the afternoon/early evening. What I like about this place is that the bartenders actually know how to make good drinks and they're cool guys. It's always a shame when you go to a bar and the meathead behind it makes you a drink that leaves you thinking, "I could've made this better myself". Instead of being resigned to ordering something that can't be messed up, we can come here and have some good drinks and relax. The last time we were there Rob made us all some really excellent Bloody Marys.
Update: Since my initial review, we've come back a number of times and have never been disappointed. Everyone here (now named Firehouse No. 1) is awesome and takes care of you. It's our favorite place to come for some drinks.
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This place has changed it's name so many times, it's a wonder even high functioning alcoholics can keep up. No matter: this place serves large martinis (my current inebriant of choice) for $7.50 and has the requisite long wooden bar that we liquor abusers yearn after. It's a real after work joint, so a lunchtime cocktail is sometimes met with a quizzed look from the bar-staff. The large martini glasses make it worth the scowl. Evenings can be busy, which can be a problem for the inveterate drinker - I generally need a bar stool to feel "at home" with my drinking environment and don't like the pokey back of the bar. Food not bad either, for those that eat when getting sloshed.
My boy works here and this place is always great. Definitely a very live crowd and live workers. You always get hooked up fat when you are here.
Let me preface with how badly I couldn't WAIT to get on yelp and review this bar.
My entire reason for wanting to even try this new spot out, was because of all the awesome reviews it received. True story. Unfortunately, this place is AWFUL.
Located in San Pedro Square next to places like O'Flahrety's and the Tied house... walking into the Flying Martini Brothers Bar and Bistro can be similarly associated with walking into a back alley. Seriously. This place is HALF the entrance of Mission Ale House just a few blocks down. We're talking Literally 2.5 people wide from the bar. That's NOT a lot of space... and with drunken people not wanting to be touched - its just no bueno.
Once you finally are herded to the back it opens up a bit. There is a cool loungey area good for 2 maybe 3 solid groups. The bathrooms are divied up, one per sex. There is one door for the women's and one for the men's bathroom. Thus, creating more chaos with a line right in the middle of the already small place.
To be honest, I didn't order at the bar. I left that to friends who had more tolerance. As soon as we walked in, I wanted to walk out. From what I heard the bartenders were more concerned with their "bartender flair" then serving the growing crowd. [mind you, when I say crowd I mean MAYBE 50 people tops inside]
Oh also... don't make use of the exit door in the loungey area or you're liable to be yelled at by one of the serving girls. She totally berated 3 people who clearly just wanted to leave and not deal with the 5 minute escape down the narrow seemingly impossible path to the front door. She kicked a chair to barricade said door in her absence and upon returning locked it. Emergency exit anyone? God forbid something serious happens and people need to get out of here.
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WHAT AN AWESOME BAR! CRAZY AND LIVELY at the same time, great bartenders there! Great prices on drinks! i'll definitely be back here when i'm down in san jose!
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I wanted a cajun martini, and although they didn't have any jalapeno infused gin or whole jalapeno peppers, Rob was going to make one for me with what they had. He used Hendrick's gin, lots of pepper juice, vermouth, and garnished with olives. It was sooooo good. Rob even poured the leftovers from the shaker into a little scotch glass. Loved it.
My boyfriend and I both love scotch, but one I love the aroma of, but haven't yet acquired the taste for is Laphroaig. It's too peaty for me. I couldn't remember ever trying Lagavulin before, and Chris mentioned it was more peaty than Laphroaig (which meant I most likely wouldn't like it). He offered a sample for us to try which was really nice. Lagavulin's aroma was phenomenal, but my boyfriend ended up with Oban.
We stayed for multiple drinks and a steak sandwich. The steak sandwich was great and had the perfect flavor. I would order it again. We didn't have an issue with the size of the place because we got there at 3pm! We heard they will be remodeling to open it up a bit more, but I don't mind getting there early and staying away from the busier times.
Chris, Rob, Ryan and Brendan were really nice and friendly. Wonderful place.
**Update - Rob makes a great Bloody Mary!
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This place is quickly becoming my only stop in downtown. If I want to just chill and chat it up with some regulars and the friendly staff, I go early (anytime before 9 PM). If I want a roudy night out, I go after 10 and enjoy the crowd and hte off key singing. Great place!
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