In relation to iconic San Jose joints, Vahl’s in Alviso sits fairly excessive on a really quick checklist.
Initially opened by Eric and Amelia Vahl in 1941, the restaurant and cocktail lounge now lays declare to being the oldest bar in Santa Clara County. With Patty’s Inn gone and Cinebar closed since a 2021 hearth, I can’t provide you with anyplace that’s been serving drinks longer.
The Preservation Motion Council hosted an occasion there a pair weeks again, and as I hadn’t been there in fairly a while, I dropped in to see if it nonetheless felt like the identical outdated Vahl’s. Little appears to have modified since Amelia Vahl died in 2004 and her nephews took over. The 2 massive eating rooms are nonetheless pink and the tables are nonetheless lined with pink gingham tablecloths. The decor blends kitsch with character, from the charmingly garish wallpaper — there are nonetheless birds in all places — to the classic ceramic liquor bottles on show.
The Preservation Motion Council of San Jose held an occasion July 17, 2025, at Vahl’s, the restaurant and bar that is been an establishment in Alviso since 1941. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Space Information Group)
Elva Ruiz, the longest-serving worker at Vahl’s in Alviso, tells clients concerning the restaurant’s historical past throughout a Preservation Motion Council of San Jose occasion July 17, 2025. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Space Information Group)
Frank Rebozzi — the nephew of authentic proprietor Amelia Vahl – -tends bar at Vahl’s in Alviso throughout a Preservation Motion Council of San Jose occasion there July 17, 2025. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Space Information Group)
The Preservation Motion Council of San Jose held an occasion July 17, 2025, at Vahl’s, the restaurant and bar that is been an establishment in Alviso since 1941. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Space Information Group)
Guests tour the eating room at Vahl’s in Alviso throughout a Preservation Motion Council of San Jose occasion there July 17, 2025. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Space Information Group)
A mural depicting Alviso landmarks adorns the entry to the pool room at Vahl’s, the 84-year-old establishment the place the Preservation Council of San Jose held an occasion July 17, 2025. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Space Information Group)
Clients chat on the bar at Vahl’s in Alviso throughout a Preservation Motion Council of San Jose occasion there July 17, 2025. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Space Information Group)
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The Preservation Motion Council of San Jose held an occasion July 17, 2025, at Vahl’s, the restaurant and bar that is been an establishment in Alviso since 1941. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Space Information Group)
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A whiteboard simply exterior the bar lists the July birthdays of standard clients and one inside consists of reminders about upcoming events and a visit to Vegas. From time to time, a horn blows as a prepare barrels previous on the tracks alongside El Dorado Avenue, however it’s uncertain the after-work regulars sitting on the horseshoe bar even discover anymore.
In different phrases, it’s nonetheless a incredible hangout.
Frank Rebozzi, Amelia’s nephew, was serving drinks for the PACSJ occasion. He remembers when the restaurant was recurrently filled with diners having fun with generously portioned meals, however that modified because the COVID-19 pandemic. The bar remains to be open daily however Monday, however the eating rooms are not often used, normally only for particular reunions or celebrations of life. Meals is served within the bar on weekends, however the menu is restricted to some specials.
Elva Ruiz, who has been working at Vahl’s since 1984, gave excursions of the eating room to the curious and shared her reminiscences of the hectic crowds again within the Nineteen Eighties and ’90s.
Preservation Motion Council Govt Director Ben Leech stated they launched the “Legacy Business Happy Hour” collection to remind their members and the general public about a few of these basic locations which are residing historic monuments.
“These are the places you can’t find anywhere else, and a lot of people take them for granted,” Leech stated. “Preservation is about keeping these places relevant. These are places that have served the community for decades and should be appreciated.”
The collection began in at Teske’s Germania downtown and there are plans to collect at Henry’s Hello-Life in Little Italy in September and Palermo’s (within the former Paradiso’s Deli location on Auzerais Avenue) in November. You possibly can examine for updates at www.preservation.org.
SANTA’S SPEAKEASY: The fellows and dolls had been decked out in Nineteen Twenties-style fashions final weekend for “A Merry Little Speakeasy” — Christmas within the Park’s annual summer season fundraiser. There have been a lot of fedoras, pearls and flapper attire among the many couple of hundred friends; even Santa Claus traded in his customary hat for one of many flat selection and eschewed his common red-and-white swimsuit for a classy pink vest.
Christmas within the Park Managing Director Debbie Degutis, left, poses with emcee Lissa Kreisler at “A Merry Little Speakeasy,” a fundraiser for the nonprofit held Saturday, July 19, 2025 on the Leininger Heart at Kelley Park in San Jose. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Space Information Group)
Christmas within the Park supporters strive their luck at on line casino video games throughout “A Merry Little Speakeasy,” a fundraiser for the nonprofit held Saturday, July 19, 2025 on the Leininger Heart at Kelley Park in San Jose. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Space Information Group)
A flat-cap-wearing Santa Claus, middle, poses with Dolly Sandoval, left, and Kathy Sutherland throughout “A Merry Little Speakeasy,” a fundraiser for the nonprofit held Saturday, July 19, 2025 on the Leininger Heart at Kelley Park in San Jose. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Space Information Group)
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Christmas within the Park Managing Director Debbie Degutis, left, poses with emcee Lissa Kreisler at “A Merry Little Speakeasy,” a fundraiser for the nonprofit held Saturday, July 19, 2025 on the Leininger Heart at Kelley Park in San Jose. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Space Information Group)
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The Christmas in July occasion was held on the Leininger Heart at Kelley Park, and which will have been the largest revelation to the gang. Few individuals appeared to know this venue existed, and utilizing the assorted areas saved the whole lot from feeling crowded. Dinner was exterior on the garden, whereas drinks and meals had been served within the courtyard. On line casino video games — all for enjoyable, in fact — had been performed inside the primary constructing, with the would-be Nathan Detroits making an attempt their palms at roulette, craps and blackjack.
One other spotlight of the night time was the reveal of a portray, “Even the Grinch Believes in Christmas,” by longtime radio station proprietor Steve Snell. It depicts the Grinch standing buddy-buddy subsequent to Santa. Prints of the paintings got to supporters who pledged a $300 donation.
All in all, it was a profitable night time for Christmas within the Park and Debbie Degutis, who has introduced she’ll be stepping down from her function because the nonprofit’s managing director. A search is properly underway for a brand new Christmas Boss, however Degutis says she’s planning to stay round till this season is within the books. The following massive date is Nov. 28 when Christmas within the Park opens at Plaza de Cesar Chavez.
PARTY THURSDAY: Have Thursdays became the brand new Fridays? It certain appears that method, at the least in San Jose, and that’s not essentially a foul factor if it’s getting individuals out to take pleasure in our “experience economy,” as Mayor Matt Mahan calls it.
This week ought to be particularly energetic with the San Pedro Block Celebration taking on San Pedro Sq. from 5 to 9 p.m. The free, all-ages occasion — sponsored by the City Vibrancy Institute and PG&E — options South Bay recording artist Danny V because the live performance headliner.
SCHOOL SUPPORT: It’s solely July, however the begin of the varsity 12 months is only a couple weeks away, and for a lot of households meaning the added stress of faculty provides and backpacks which will stretch their budgets to the breaking level. That’s the place organizations like Sacred Coronary heart Neighborhood Service, Household Giving Tree and the African American Neighborhood Service Company are available in with backpack distribution occasions for households that want the assistance.
However these organizations need assistance, too, within the type of donations to make that occur. Sacred Coronary heart Neighborhood Service plans to distribute 4,000 backpacks to registered households on July 29 and 31 however remains to be 1,200 backpacks in need of having the ability to make good on that promise.
You possibly can go to www.sacredheartcs.org/pab-2025 to seek out out how one can assist, and study extra concerning the different drives on the web site for Household Giving Tree, backpacksmiles.org, and the AACSA’s Amazon wishlist at bit.ly/2025pack-a-backwishlist.
