San Jose City Lights
The sun sets on San Pedro Square as the night lights come to life, Saturday April 20.San Pedro Square Market in downtown San Jose is the place to be on a warm weekend night.
At least 300 people showed up on Saturday, April 20, and the atmosphere was down-to-earth and inviting.
Andres Arechiga, 29 from Oakland, said, “My sister kept talking about this place for a while, so I decided to come check it out with my friends. It will be my new summer hangout spot.”
The Square, on San Pedro Street and Santa Clara Street is split into two buildings, each with a bar, and a variety of restaurants and businesses.
Blush Sushi Lounge is a sushi restaurant and bar by day, and a nightclub by night. Signature drinks are Blush cocktails, an alcoholic slushy that comes in an assortmant of flavors, perfect on a warm evening.
Other businesses include Chocatoo, a dessert bar; Showroom Shirts, a custom t-shirt business and Treatbot, a karaoke ice cream truck.
Between the two buildings lays a patio with tons of tables, chairs and benches where people can sit outside and enjoy their food and drinks and sometimes live music.
A stage is set up in the front of the patio where bands play Friday and Saturday evenings when the weather heats up. A band called the Honey Wilders played rock alternative on this balmy night.
The mix of people at the market ranged in age from early 20s to late 50s. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the night, the music and the food.
Jennifer Solis, 29-year-old paralegal from San Jose said, “I come here all the time for lunch, my office is around the corner, but I like to come at night when I can enjoy a drink and meet new people. It’s different from day to night, but about equally enjoyable.”
The main market building had a lively vibe. The main bar was jampacked, three people deep, all trying to snag a drink. The happy faces of people having a great time filled the tables scattered in the front of the market.
The food options are endless with a total of eight restaurants to choose from.
Cre Paris, a Parisian crepe restaurant, is known for its wide selection of crepes ranging from sweet crepes, like the Strawberry Banana Nutella Crepe, to savory crepes like the Pesto Crepe.
Vino Vino a wine bar, in addition to its large collection of wine flavors, serves paninis, salads, cheese and meat plates, and desserts. The restaurant is quiet and intimate, with a relaxed ambiance.
Several restaurants were closed by 9 p.m. but others remained open until 11 p.m.
The San Pedro Square Market has only been around for a year and a half and is beginning to gain a reputation, but some people have not yet stumbled upon this hidden treasure spot in downtown San Jose.
