- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
The Villa Roma Cocktail Lounge
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 8 am - 2 am
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- DJ, Live, Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Wed, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
16 reviews for The Villa Roma Cocktail Lounge
16 reviews in English
-
Review from Kat A.
San Carlos, CA
7/25/2011
The bar is kind of dark and has no AC so its warm in the Summer, but that doesn't take away from it's very traditional dive atmosphere.
They have cheap/moderate drinks and have a surprisingly decent selection. (A nice Pino Noir at a dive? Who knew.)
The bartenders are cool, but remember there is usually only one, so if they are not at the bar they may be smoking outside or in the back restocking.
The best park about the VR is the trivia (why its 4-5 star rating). They have awesome Wednesday night trivia with a really great group of people. The DJ totally rocks, and is super funny. He tells some great dirty jokes too.
There is food right next door (Thai and Mexican) and 7-11 is nearby.
The only problem is parking, there is a really small lot and just residential parking. So please if you do park by people's houses make sure you are not blocking people's gates/driveways/doors. I know a lot of retired people who get blocked in, so be respectful. :) -
Review from Lisa R.
4/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have a very soft spot in my heart for dive bars. I stumbled onto this place last night (a Wednesday) after a surprise find of the little Thai restaurant next door. I'd come from downtown RWC (regular Wed. Nite electric guitar lesson), so I was in a feisty mood, rock n' rolling kind of a mood, ya know? So, out I roll from Karakade Thai...and I see lots (LOTS) of motorcycles out in front.
I am a moto girl as well, and even though I own a different bike than a Harley, the Harley lovin' dudes were a lot of fun.
Small place, nice bartenders, good drinks. I stayed for a few songs and then headed home for a conference call. Yeah, that's how I roll. :)
Not my hood, but if I am ever back sans my regular Wed. Nite buddy, I'll come back for a drink and a chat with the Harley dudes. -
Review from Andrew Z.
Redwood City, CA
OK so since writing those 2 raving reviews about this bar, nothing has changed much. In today's recession everyone is of course feeling the pinch except this dive in a tiny strip mall of Redwood City.
The prices here are as high as SF bars virtually 6 out of the 7 days of the week. A .50 cent "surcharge" for every drink on nights having so called
"entertainment".
Sure some might read this and think .50 cents for every drink extra isn't that bad but when you buy 6 drinks a night and you come here so much and you tip well(1 dollar a drink) and you put money in the jukebox. It adds up.
So some naysayers could read this and say " well if you don't like it, don't come" or some other witty banter. I think the only people that will be hurting from this are the bartenders from not getting so much in tips.
Hopefully in the next 6 months they'll add a different tap and bring in some new bottled beers too.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
-
3/4/2009
New Owners!!!
Finally this bar has become the busiest bar in RWC.
This bar has karaoke about 4 days a… Read more »
-
-
Review from Peter K.
Saratoga, CA
8/27/2009
Small bar in a corner of strip mall -- this is a surprising locale. I went on Thursday and the crowd was a bit downmarket, but it had a friendly vibe. The bartender, Rosie is a gem and worth going to this place just for her.
They have karaoke 3 nights a week (Tue, Thu, Fri) playing the '70s warhorses. Standard prices for drinks ($5 draft beer). If you're north of 40 years old, have a BMI over 30, and smoke, you'll fit right in -- nothing snarky, just telling like it is. It was a good change from the oh-so-young and hip places in SF. -
Review from Katharine A.
San Jose, CA
3/20/2007
Oh the VR (as we like to call it).....located right across the street from a friend's house, who knew that such a fabulous dive bar in her neighborhood? And in a strip mall at that?
Now Woodside Road does have a few great bars....the Saddle, the Pio in Woodside...and now I have to say the VR! I know, I am surprised too.
The place was rocking with a band and surprisingly enough I even saw people I knew. Drinks were good and strong. There was dancing. -
Review from Velcro F.
Redwood City, CA
9/11/2009
I tried out their Karaoke for the first time on Tuesday. The KJ's make it real fun with live drumming and dancing. The only thing lacking is that the song book and PA aren't as good as other venues, but the crowd, spiffy decor and excellent atmosphere make up for it.
Also, I met a man there who heals by the laying on of hands (like a televised Evangelist), I had no ailments so I couldn't try it out, but he seems legit. -
Review from Laura S.
Redwood City, CA
11/30/2006 4 photos
I had the best damn time there with my friend Jen a couple of months back, and it was such a pleasant surprise. Who'd have thought there was anything special in this tiny little hole in the wall bar that's squeezed right into the corner of this little shopping center? That little shopping center looks like it's just a bunch of offices, but lo and behold, this bar has been there like 20 years or something like that. It's right next to Woodside Thai spot (now Karakade), to the left. Jen and I went in on a day when they had a DJ and huge birthday buffet for "Eddie" (who may have been one of the bartenders - at least he was THAT day!), and everyone was in a great mood. There are lots of regulars that go there. Highly recommended dive bar, I liked it better than the saddle room up the street (only been to the saddle room once). I did go to the Villa Roma one other time with my friend Karen and some guy was getting a little too pushy with us, wanting to dance (I think they often do have a DJ) but other than that the experience has been good. If you're lookin for a good new dive bar, definitely check it out.
------
UPDATE 1/15/08 I had such a fun time here last week. I was eating dinner next door, at Woodside Thai Spot with Dawn M and Sammy P, when this guy from the Villa Roma walked in and talked us into entering a karaoke contest. Dawn is a good singer so we all decided to go. It was so much fun - and the guy who talked us into going bought us free drinks! Woo hoo! I think this is the coolest little neighborhood bar. I just increased my review one star. I've only been here 3 times, but I have to say, each time, the crowd was very friendly, unpretentious, and always seems to have that vibe like, "Come on IN! The more the merrier!" I just love that. Long live the Villa Roma!Listed in: My Neighborhood
-
Review from David H.
Menlo Park, CA
5/11/2008
Villa Roma has been surprising lately--GOOD weekend music, with no crowds. This is a smallish local bar, on Woodside Road just west of 101, that has been upscaling it's music bookings. Maybe it's the ownership, maybe it's the manager, but this place had started having some top sounds and maybe eventually the word will get out, maybe not...for now, it's kind of a small secret. The drinks are inexpensive, the locals are fine, and the live music rocks. Go there now before it gets too popular to get in. Four stars, easily.
-
Review from Rich M.
Redwood City, CA
5/26/2010
This place is a dump and a great place to end the night with a DUI.
-
Review from Fred P.
Redwood City, CA
2/29/2008
The Villa Roma grows on you. The bar is no bigger then most garages, but somehow it has that 70's feel to it. They have local bands playing on weekends with no cover charge and the dance floor is no bigger then a postage stamp, but you can still get your groove on. Drinks are reasonably priced and they do put some love into their drinks........
-
Review from grknbohonk g.
San Carlos, CA
11/15/2009
If I could Villa Roma would get a 1/2 star not a 1 star rating......Very sleazy its like entering a whole different world company & bartenders are nice but that place just isn't for me....The outdoor area is totally tacky like a little alley with benches......Don't try it not worth it!!!
-
Review from Judy W.
Redwood City, CA
5/23/2008
Great little spot for a neighborhood bar. Juke box has good tunes and the live music is pretty good for such a small place. Check out Bart Shea blues jam on Sundays 430p-830p.
Room set up could be better...move the stage to the opposite wall so it's not right at the front door, take out the booth-type wall seating to make more room, hang drape around restroom entry. -
Review from Angie N.
Redwood City, CA
7/13/2009
I love, love The Villa Roma Lounge!!! The people and cocktails are great and the karaoke is even better. Jim, Diane and Tammie Rock :)
-
Review from Leah C.
Redwood City, CA
3/14/2008
Have you ever been to a bar to have a good time, and the service is so poor that you wish you had stayed at home or work?
NOT THIS PLACE! The Villa Roma is not only a fun place to go but the bartenders really like what they do. That shows in their service. They have live music, a DJ, a jukebox, hot dogs, popcorn, singing contests, karaoke and more. That's not including the great drinks and good prices.
It's small and comfortable. If you are looking to relax after work, get out on a nice day or listen to some great music on the weekends, this is the place.
Another thing that makes it a great place is the customers. The people that I have met are genuinely good down to earth folks
Rain or Shine you'll always be happy there.
CHEERS!!! -
Review from Laura M.
Atherton, CA
2/3/2009
I love love love this bar. Since the new owners have taken over, they made some much needed changes to the women's bathroom. From what I hear, they plan on doing some other much needed renovations. I absolutely adore the bartenders, especially Star (the daytime bartender) and Joanne, who works most week nights. They've got a new girl working there, Rosie, who also is a complete doll.
This is the perfect place to stop by on a sunny afternoon to sit in the back, drink a beer, smoke a cigarette, and perhaps do a crossword while chatting it up with a friendly local or two. The prices are also pretty decent.
Some nights are crazy busy, but other nights are nice and relaxing, with only a handful of people in there, all very friendly of course.
The only reason I give it four stars rather than five, is that they have karaoke three nights a week and I think that two nights would be a little more appropriate. Also, I'm not a huge fan of the new DJ. He seems to stick to a very narrow choice of music, which I think is a mistake because the Villa has a very wide range of types of people who all like lots of different kinds of music. The DJ makes me wish it was karaoke night just so I can get a little variety in the music. I haven't been to a comedy night because I usually work that night, but I can always see the bar from where I work and comedy nights are PACKED. I always hear raves about how hilarious the comediennes are.
All in all, this is a wonderful neighborhood bar that always makes me feel invited. The bartenders like conversing with you, and will always try to remember your drinks. The locals are friendly, and the vibe is great. -
Review from MARY M.
Redwood City, CA
2/14/2010
If guys are bartending, walk out! They are sooo rude and will talk to you like you are not a customer and will throw the change to you. This is my second drama they made me walk out and the last. They are Very disrespectful. But yet TAMMY AND DEBBIE, The Owners, don't care. I told him that he was very rude and Tammy one of the owners told me not to talk to her workers like that. So..... you decide when you visit. If you are dissatisfied with the service with THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSONS IN A BAR, "THE BARTENDER", and the OWNER TELLS YOU TO FUCK OFF, in so many words, you be the judge. I will never set my foot in this place again!!!!!!!!!!!! They are lucky that I went to their low life sleezy bar. Only for the DJ Rich, which I love but never again will I go there. Sorry Rich.
