★★★★★
We were barhopping in San Jose and happened to come across SP2 Communal Bar + Restaurant, so we decided to walk in—and I’m glad we did. The place was nicely decorated with Christmas decorations, giving it a really festive and welcoming vibe. They also had some cool holiday drinks, especially one that came in a National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation eggnog moose cup, which was awesome and nostalgic. Another drink came in a fun lightbulb-shaped cup, which was a nice touch. Overall, it’s definitely a great spot to check out, and the drinks were pretty good too. Would for sure stop by again. 🍹🎄
★★★★★
One of the worst bar experiences I’ve had. The service was disorganized and blatantly unfair from the moment we arrived. My friends and I came at 12am, yet our group had already paid for and secured a table. we were repeatedly told the venue was “at capacity” while staff continued letting other people walk in. It became very obvious that certain guests were being allowed entry simply by slipping cash to the bouncers, which is extremely unprofessional and raises serious concerns about integrity and safety.
Having a reservation clearly meant nothing here. Instead of honoring paying customers, the staff prioritized under-the-table payments and favoritism. After I called out one bouncer for letting in 3 tall white males in after slipping him money, he tried to say they were already in the bar before and asked why I was “yelling” at him, when I was confused on why he let the males in when they came at the same time as us and clearly didn’t have previous stamps. & claimed that he “wasn’t in charge of tables” so he couldn’t do anything. The atmosphere is chaotic, poorly managed, and dishonest. I would not return, and I would caution others not to waste their money if they expect fair treatment or basic professionalism. The bouncers that need to be reevaluated is the Asian one with the white hair streak, and the African American male, stocky build with locs.
★★★★★
I booked this venue for my engagement party and paid in full when I got to the event. In the next ten minutes, I stepped away to use the restroom with my brother. Upon returning, security staff approached me, accused me of wrongdoing without any clear explanation, and demanded additional payment to each of their security guards. They would not even get the manager when I asked and when I refused to comply with what was an unjustified demand, I was forcibly removed from my own engagement party in front of my family and friends. There was no wrongdoing on my end and I was not intoxicated at all as I had just arrived!!
This was not only deeply embarrassing and upsetting on what should have been a celebratory occasion, but the conduct of the security staff was wholly unprofessional and, I believe, unlawful. Demanding payment under the table on these grounds and removing a paying customer without legitimate cause raises serious concerns.
I would strongly caution anyone considering booking this venue for a private event or even going. If something goes wrong, do not expect to be treated with basic dignity or fairness. I will be pursuing this matter through the appropriate channels.
EDIT: After looking at other reviews, it’s the same issue that other people had with the same security staff. My fault for not reading the reviews priors.
They need to get their jobs revoked or don’t even show up at this place
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