Ngu Long
301 N. Jackson Ave.
San Jose, CA 95133
Ngu Long, which means Five Sisters (literally Five Dragons), is one of the best Viet bars in San Jose. It is the only non-smoking Viet bar in existence. Venue is really nice and spacious, food is good, and music is more of what I like to listen to. Girls (between 15-20 of them) are brought in every night to entertain the customers with dances and conversation. The girls at Ngu Long are diverse, beautiful, and fun. The pay scheme for dances is a flat rate of $20 per song, but if they like you, you may be able to get 2-3 songs for that much. They do not get naked, but every once in a while, they’ll have a body paint night or a wet T-shirt contest, which typically means a little more skin is shown. Bottle service is recommended as is a reservation on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Ngu Long is also the only quan nhau that I know of that actually asks if I want another beer rather than bringing it out before I finish the bottle I am drinking. They hire security to frisk people for weapons, enforce the non-smoking rule, and to keep the peace inside. This place is highly recommended, especially if you are showing customers/clients from out of town a good time.
Galaxy Bar
1615 McKee Rd.
San Jose, CA 95116
Galaxy Bar is another popular joint that fits in the category of risqué quan nhau. Gorgeous girls are brought in each night to entertain customers with dances, and if it wasn’t for the quality of the girls, I’d drop the ranking of this place. The pay scheme for lap dances is a tip-as-you-go type deal. Venue is big, but the décor reminds me of a scene out the movie, Scarface (a little too retro for my liking). The place only has high tables with bar stools, which makes it difficult and uncomfortable for the lap dances. Music is a notch too loud also. The way business is done here is one of my biggest qualms I have with this place. They will take any opportunity to force food and drinks on you, and it’s not uncommon for people to run up $400-$600 tabs. Waiters and waitresses will bring plates of food that you didn’t order, bring beers to your table without you asking and before you even finish the one you are drinking, and try to get you to buy shots for them (and not drink the shots). Just keep in mind that the fruit plate they bring you is not free. They hire security here as well to keep things in order.
Hoang Hon
2852 Alum Rock Ave.
San Jose, CA 95127
Hoang Hon is a relatively new quan nhau. Place is one of your typical Viet bars in San Jose (i.e. drinks, expensive food, and karaoke), except on Tuesdays and Saturdays when they bring in dancers. The amount of skin shown here is probably the highest of all the Viet bars in SJ. Pay scheme is $20/song for topless or tip-as-you-go for clothed lap dances. They have private rooms to the side for private parties or people who have a lot of money and are willing to spend it. Safety may be an issue as they recently had a homicide at this place. They do hire security here, but enter at your own risk.
Chloe Bar
1710 Berryessa Rd.
San Jose, CA 95133
I’ve only been to Chloe Bar once, and to be honest, this place was rather unimpressive for me, but my friends rave about this place. I may have gone on an off-night. They do bring in dancers on certain nights, and the night I went, there were a handful of them, but the quality was extremely low. Pay scheme is similar to Hoang Hon ($20 for topless dance, tip-as-you-go for clothed dance). Food and drinks are typical for a quan nhau. They have security outside as well.
Nha Em Restaurant and Bar
4126 Monterey Hwy.
San Jose, CA 95111
Nha Em has been around for a long time, and I put it under this category because of the attire that the girls who work here wear. It is actually the tamest of the five Viet bars listed here. Although the waitresses are in lingerie and bikinis, this place really is a regular Viet bar that serves good food and drinks. The waitresses are beautiful and friendly and will sit down and chit-chat, eat, and drink with you. Venue is nicely decorated and quaint. They have booths as well for a more relaxing experience. A lone security guard sits in front to check IDs and keep this place safe.
