Watch the Big Game in Style
Forget the sticky floors and screaming crowds. This Super Bowl Sunday, trade the typical sports bar chaos for something better: Santana Row, San Jose's European-style outdoor plaza where craft cocktails meet big screens and post-game celebration doesn't mean stumbling through a parking lot.
Think cobblestone walks, upscale bites, and the kind of atmosphere where you can actually hear your friends argue about that questionable call in the fourth quarter.
If Santana Row has a sports bar, this is it. Craft beer list longer than the pre-game show, massive screens, and a menu that goes way beyond wings (though they've got those too). Call ahead for Super Bowl seating — this place fills up fast on game day.
Big groups? Big portions. Maggiano's family-style Italian can handle your crew, and their bar area often hosts watch parties for major events. Verify Super Bowl plans directly — they've been known to set up screens and specials for the big game.
French bistro meets football? Hear us out. If you want to watch the game but skip the sports bar scene entirely, Left Bank's bar area offers screens, excellent cocktails, and bistro fare. It's the "let's be adults about this" option.
Wood-fired pizzas, Italian street food, and a bar that keeps it casual without going full buffalo sauce. Good for groups who want to graze and drink without committing to a full sit-down.
Tequila bar meets Mexican kitchen. If your Super Bowl ritual involves margaritas and guac, Blanco's got the setup. Check if they're doing watch party specials.
When the game ends and you're not ready to call it, the Hotel Valencia bar is your best bet for late-night hangs. Lobby bar vibe, craft cocktails, and likely the latest closing time on Santana Row.
Most Santana Row restaurants with bar areas (Yard House, Left Bank, Blanco) extend hours for big events. Call ahead to confirm Super Bowl hours — many stay open later than usual for post-game crowds.
After the final whistle, spill out onto the European-style plaza. Outdoor seating, street lamps, people-watching. It's basically the anti-Applebee's parking lot.
Santana Row isn't just about the game — it's an upscale retail district. Need a last-minute jersey? Forgot your lucky socks? Kill time before kickoff:
Most retail closes early on Sundays, so plan your shopping for pre-game hours.
Arrive early. Grab coffee at Bellano, wander the cobblestone streets, scope out your game-watching venue. Santana Row does "daytime outdoor mall" better than most — it's actually pleasant.
When you need to escape the screens for 15 minutes (or avoid the halftime show), the outdoor plaza is clutch. Stretch your legs, grab another drink, reset before the second half.
Multiple venues within walking distance means your night doesn't end when the clock hits zero. Hop from Yard House to Left Bank to Hotel Valencia bar. Make a night of it.
Hotel Valencia is right there. Book a room, invite your crew, and turn Super Bowl Sunday into Super Bowl Weekend. Pool, spa, room service — you've earned it.
Important: While Santana Row is always a solid choice, Super Bowl-specific events, hours, and watch parties change year to year. Call ahead:
Santana Row takes the Super Bowl watch party upscale. You get the game, the food, the drinks, and the atmosphere — without the dive bar ambiance. Whether you're the Yard House crowd or the Left Bank set, there's a spot here that beats your buddy's living room.
See you on the Row.