Paper Plane
1 / 10

Paper Plane

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A stylish San Jose cocktail bar renowned for its innovative drinks, skilled bartenders, and elevated bar snacks in a chic, exposed brick setting.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Paper Plane

Paper Plane

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A stylish San Jose cocktail bar renowned for its innovative drinks, skilled bartenders, and elevated bar snacks in a chic, exposed brick setting.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Paper Plane offers an exquisite cocktail experience with exceptional bartenders and delicious bites in a cozy, sophisticated setting."

TIP

Weekday Visits Recommended

Visit on weekdays to avoid the weekend crowds and enjoy a more relaxed experience.

Ask Bartenders for Suggestions

Engage with the knowledgeable bartenders for personalized drink recommendations beyond the menu.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens Saturday 5PM

Cuisine

Cocktail Bar

Price

$$$

Phone

(408) 713-2625

Address

72 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Creative Craft Cocktails

Creative Craft Cocktails

Experience innovative cocktails like the Paper Plane and Rajon Rondo, with a unique flavor profile graphing system.

The Best Craft Cocktail Bars In Silicon Valley (San Jose and Campbell Edition)Tripper - Guide - The very best 12 nightlife spots in San Jose, United States
Exceptional Bartenders

Exceptional Bartenders

Highly skilled bartenders offer personalized suggestions and craft expertly balanced, memorable drinks.

Google Review+1
Koji Wings & Truffle Fries

Koji Wings & Truffle Fries

Savor crispy, flavorful koji wings and perfectly seasoned truffle fries, standout snack options.

The Best Wing Spots in San Jose, CAGoogle Review
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

🥩 Prime rib for just $19.99?! 🤯 Paper Plane in San Jose is serving up this masterpiece without breaking the bank. Who are you bringing for this deal? 👀 Paper Plane - San Jose, CA🔥
@paperplanesjc
40 likes • 4.1K views

Weekday Visits Recommended

Visit on weekdays to avoid the weekend crowds and enjoy a more relaxed experience.

Ask Bartenders for Suggestions

Engage with the knowledgeable bartenders for personalized drink recommendations beyond the menu.

most special time of the year! 🎄 #paperplanes #bar #miracleon1ststreet #sanjose #bayarea #foodie #bayareafoodies
@gretcheats
52 likes • 1.7K views

Explore the Menu Graph

Use the unique flavor profile graph to discover new cocktails tailored to your taste preferences.

Don't Miss the Wings

The crispy koji wings are a must-try, praised for their unique flavor and texture.

Tips

from all over the internet

Weekday Visits Recommended

Visit on weekdays to avoid the weekend crowds and enjoy a more relaxed experience.

Ask Bartenders for Suggestions

Engage with the knowledgeable bartenders for personalized drink recommendations beyond the menu.

Explore the Menu Graph

Use the unique flavor profile graph to discover new cocktails tailored to your taste preferences.

Don't Miss the Wings

The crispy koji wings are a must-try, praised for their unique flavor and texture.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Paper Plane is lauded for its creative and well-executed cocktails, with bartenders who are praised for their skill and personalized recommendations. The ambiance is often described as cozy and inviting, especially with its impressive back bar. While the food receives positive mentions, particularly the wings and fries, some find the overall atmosphere a bit too bright or lacking in decor compared to the sophisticated drink offerings.

"Good food and good drinks, solid spot for a hang out or for a date. Loved my drink, #16 on the menu (forgot the name 😆). Fries were delicious but the real star are the wings. You can't go wrong with guac."

Lizandra Santos (Luna)

"Finally visited this place and was not disappointed. The cocktails and the finger food were great! They have a limited menu and limited veg options but whatever options were there were great.
One has to order at the bar and it's mostly self serve except food. The place can get pretty crowded during weekends. We ordered almost everything from the food menu and really liked the shrimp tacos / al pastor baos/ mushroom empanadas."

Shruti Daga

"The best bartenders do the best cocktails here! I have been frequenting this spot for years and they nail what they do from crafted to suggestions: im a whiskey sour with egg white served up kind of person but was recommended to try a variety of that called the ring of fire, which I highly suggest you try, especially if you love that spicy life!"

Beau Von Hoffman

What People Like

Creative and expertly crafted cocktails
Knowledgeable and friendly bartenders
Cozy ambiance with a stunning back bar

What People Dislike

Atmosphere can be too bright/loud
Limited beer selection

Frequently Asked Questions

Paper Plane is known for unique cocktails like the Paper Plane, Rajon Rondo, and many others, often categorized by flavor profiles.

The Best Craft Cocktail Bars In Silicon Valley (San Jose and Campbell Edition)Google Review

Yes, while the focus is on cocktails, they offer juice and other non-alcoholic options.

The Koji Wings and Truffle Fries are highly recommended, with other popular items including Brussels Sprout Tacos and Chicken Lettuce Wraps.

The Best Wing Spots in San Jose, CAGoogle Review+1

The bar can get quite crowded on weekends, so visiting on a weekday is recommended for a more relaxed experience.

Google Review

Yes, Paper Plane has an interesting selection of Scotch bottles available for tastings.

Absolutely! The bartenders are highly skilled and happy to suggest drinks, even off-menu creations, tailored to your preferences.

Google Review+1

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Paper Plane is a classy cocktail bar with a long bar in a spacious brick setting. Try one of their creative cocktails like The Monkey & ½ banana, the Pearadise City, or the Indian Summer made with Old Monk rum, passionfruit, carrot, orange, lemon, pastis, kummel, and Peychaud’s bitters. Paper Plane also features a few brews on draft, and a small menu of snacks and bigger bites as well.

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Order a pint at the industrial Hapa’s Brewery; be player one at Miniboss, multiplayer arcade-bar; sip artisan cocktails at Paper Plane; or catch a local band at The Ritz.

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The Best Craft Cocktail Bars In Silicon Valley (San Jose and Campbell Edition)

Singlebarrel pioneered craft cocktails in San Jose, but the one-year old Paper Plane has elevated artisan drinks and made them more accessible with its cavernous space and matching bar. The folks here are taking a straightforward approach to introducing patrons to craft libations with a list of signature cocktails, punches, and new- and old-school drinks. A graph on the menu plots beverages as “Refreshing/Easy Sipping,” “Comforting/Familiar,” “Spiritous/Bold,” or “Adventurous/Wild.” If you’re feeling spiritously adventurous, try the Zeppelin (Rittenhouse Rye 100, Mezcal Vida, Averna Amaro, and green Chartreuse).

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This bustling bastion of late-night elixirs features some of the best bartenders in America. If you don’t take our word for it, The Tales of The Cocktail Foundation ranked a Paper Plane bartender top 10 in the nation while also declaring the establishment itself a top 10 “highest volume” bar in the U.S. western region. So remember, when you bask in the ambiance of this high energy, sleek & sexy, exposed brick loving, and exquisitely staffed of a building, you’re encountering the finest San Jose has to offer.

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5 Best Cocktail Bars in San Jose

Hundreds of bottles line the shelves at cavernous Paper Plane (72 1st St.) but the real magic happens in the 10 oak barrels that transform concoctions of spirits, aperitifs and botanicals into the newest trend in craft cocktailery: barrel-aged cocktails. They come in 5-liter batches and, once mixed, are aged for one to three months, during which they’re tasted regularly to see how they’re coming along. They usually go for $13 each and are generally served in a highball glass with a large sphere of ice.

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Though Paper Planes serves just one option for wings, their delivery is so sensational that they deserve a place on our list of the best restaurants to get wings in San Jose. The chefs at Paper Plane make crispy koji wings from free-range Petaluma chicken fried in a koji and sweet potato shochu batter and flavored with five pepper spice, salt, lime, and cilantro. This dish delivers a distinctive flavor you can’t find anywhere else.

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Paper Plane is a chic cocktail bar with an extended bar in a spacious brick setting. Try certainly consider one among their innovative cocktails like The Monkey & ½ banana, the Paradise City, or the Indian Summer made with Old Monk rum, passionfruit, carrot, orange, lemon, pastis, kummel, and Peychaud’s bitters. Paper Plane additionally functions some beers on draft and a small menu of snacks and larger bites.

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Welcome to Paper Plane, the hippest cocktail bar in San Jose, where creativity and marvellous libations take flight!. As you step inside, prepare to embark on a whimsical journey of taste and spirited adventure. The bartenders, akin to mixology maestros, will astound you with their potions, concocting liquid wonders that will send your taste buds soaring higher than a tipsy seagull on vacation.

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For a place that mixes a serious cocktail with a not-so-serious attitude, Paper Plane is your go-to. This downtown bar is known for its inventive drinks and a menu that elevates classic bar food to something a little more refined. Whether you're sipping on a crafted cocktail or munching on their truffle fries, you'll find that this place is as much about the atmosphere as it is about the food.

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An entire wall of Paper Plane is filled to the ceiling with over 700 bottles of spirits, necessitating a rolling ladder to reach them all. Dozens of kinds of bitters can be added to drinks, in the same way a chef uses spices in culinary creations. All the bars have house-made syrups, ranging from the traditional simple syrups to concoctions featuring botanicals and fresh fruits.

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Paper Plane tops the list of San Jose’s best bars, earning its #1 ranking through exceptional cocktail craftsmanship and innovative drink menu. This trendy spot stands out for its sophisticated atmosphere and modern, minimalist design. Skilled mixologists create unique cocktails using high-quality ingredients and unexpected flavor combinations.

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For a more chill bar experience focused on quality cocktails, give Paper Plane a shot. This establishment boasts one of the largest walls of liquor in San Jose, so if you’re looking for something particular or strange it’s the place to be. It gives off a cool hipster vibe, and the bartenders treat their mixology like an art form.

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Classy without being pretentious, the vibe here is bustling but chill, with the artisan-style cocktails are always perfectly made. The menu has 26 signature cocktails (six of which are on tap!) that change every six months. Paper Plane is ideal for any night out in San Jose, be it a casual catch up or swanky date.

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📍 Address: 72 S First St, San Jose, CA 95113 ( Google Maps) 📞 Phone: (408) 713-2625 🕐 Hours: 5 pm – 12 am Sun & Wed, 5 pm – 2 am Thurs-Sat, Closed on Mon & Tue. Paper Plane is popular for its cocktails. They strive to preserve the craft of cocktail making through meticulous preparation and technique.

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Make sure to grab an expertly-crafted cocktail at Paper Plane down the street. More guests will easily be accommodated at the colorful and delicious Vegetarian House which touts expansive vegan selections featuring cuisine from the far East and West—if you leave hungry, it’s your own fault.

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Chilled Spot with a long bar that serves creative and classic cocktails and snacks!. If you like a chill and relaxed happy hour, then Paper Plane is the place to be. This classy cocktail bar with a long bar and a specious brick setting serves the city’s best cocktails.

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Hanging out in a place called Paper Plane sounds fun itself. When you get inside of the bar, you will right away feel the friendly vibe, meet the amazing staff and smell the great food!. Pick one of the cocktails on the list, sit back and enjoy your life.

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Located in the San Jose Museum of Art, you can enjoy a unique dining experience at the Paper Plane Café while surrounded by contemporary art. Guests can enjoy a variety of gourmet sandwiches, salads, and pastries while admiring the artwork on display.

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Before heading back to the hotel, indulge in a nightcap along First Street and select from a cluster of spots like 55 South and Paper Plane for signature craft cocktails, Nomikai for sake and Original Gravity Public House for unique craft brews.

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This cavernous, downtown bar gives off an aura of cool: Bartenders zip across the expansive wall of bottles on a library ladder, and the creative and complex drinks are named with a wink and a nod, like the “Between 2 Fernets.” But don&rs...

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If you want a creative, unique cocktail, the Paper Plane is the place you need to visit. Paper Plane has an extra long bar to create a fun and busy atmosphere. But their cocktails push this fun bar over the edge.

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