HIF Presents BBQ & Brews Festival in Downtown San Jose

San Jose has gained its first annual BBQ & Brews festival, set to fill Plaza de Cesar Chavez with the aromas of competition barbecue and the sounds of live music on Saturday, May 30 from noon to 7pm.

Sixteen pitmasters and sixteen craft breweries will compete for top honors throughout the afternoon. Attendees can sample offerings from Northern California’s talented vendors while enjoying performances from several bands, including headliner Finish Ticket.

The event transforms one of Downtown San Jose’s most iconic parks into a vibrant gathering space. Organized by the Housing Industry Foundation, the festival emphasizes food, beer, and connection among neighbors and visitors alike.

Live music runs all day alongside the competitions. From mariachi to indie rock and DJ sets, the lineup keeps energy high from noon until evening.

For more information and tickets, head over here.

Hapa's Oktoberfest: A Festive Fall Kickoff in San Jose

San Jose welcomes the autumn season with Hapa's Oktoberfest, set for October 5 from noon until 9 p.m. at Hapa’s Brewing Company Creekside on Barack Obama Boulevard. This gathering brings together locals and visitors for a day filled with traditional German beers, liter lagers, and hearty pretzels alongside special food offerings.

Live music sets the tone throughout the afternoon and evening, encouraging attendees to join in games and friendly competitions like stein-holding contests. All are welcome (including well-behaved furry friends) and this event is free.

Hapa’s Brewing Now Open in San Jose's Downtown West (Creekside) District

San Jose welcomed a new hotspot on Friday with the opening of Hapa’s Brewing Company’s San Jose Beer Garden at 59 Barack Obama Blvd. Part of Google’s ambitious Downtown West project, this 7,000-square-foot space is the brewery’s fourth location in the region and second in San Jose.

The beer garden brings a variety of drinks to the table, from crisp beers to refreshing seltzers and ciders. A Creekside-specific brew is even in development, promising a taste unique to this spot. Hungry visitors can dig into offerings from rotating local food trucks like Mezclá Eats with its Colombian dishes, Brooklyn Pizzeria for a classic slice, or Tacos y Fruta Juquila for a zesty bite. Add in two cornhole courts, and you’ve got a recipe for a laid-back, social hangout.

Google teamed up with real estate developer Jamestown to transform a vacant lot near SAP Center into a lively community hub. With a five-year lease in place, Hapa’s is set to be a fixture for now, though Google might have bigger plans down the road. For the moment, it’s all about creating a welcoming spot for locals and visitors alike, especially those popping over from events at SAP Center.

There’s also warehouse area that could host events, adding another layer to its community appeal. Longtime beer fan Farrell Podgorsek noted how valuable these public spaces are, especially as Downtown San Jose grows. It’s a win for anyone who loves seeing the city come alive with fresh ideas and gathering places.

Ready to check it out? Hapa’s San Jose Beer Garden is open Tuesday through Sunday. Hours are 4pm-9pm Tuesday through Thursday, 3pm-9pm on Friday, and 11am-9pm on Saturday and Sunday. More details are available on Hapa’s website.

Still O.G. in San Jose

Original Gravity Public House was the first of its kind in San Jose. A bar completely dedicated to craft beers. Sure there were some places like Good Karma that featured a limited selection of craft beers first, but Original Gravity was truly the first of its kind in San Jose. The proprietors then went on to open Paper Plane, Miniboss, and soon will open they highly anticipated Eos & Nyx (more on that next week).

Now that craft beer is everywhere, the owners decided to turn Original Gravity into two new concepts: Still O.G. and Alter Ego.

Still O.G. still has craft beers, but they are also adding cocktails on tap and the vibe will be very different. Think analog with vinyl records all over the place and a high-end sound system. Still O.G. has been packed since it opened a month ago and is well worth checking out.

If you want a more relaxing atmosphere, you can head to the back where there is a completely different bar called Alter Ego featuring craft cocktails. It's a hidden bar within a bar, you can call it a modern speakeasy (last photo below). It looks amazing and will be yet another top destination for San Jose's nightlife.

You can find Still O.G. and Alter Ego at 66 S. First Street. More photos and info at the source link.

Source: SVBJ

Original Gravity Public House Celebrates One Year Anniversary

Original Gravity Public House opened a year ago and has certainly helped to add further legitimacy to the burgeoning San Jose craft beer scene. Tomorrow starting at 12:30 p.m., they're throwing a party in honor of their one-year anniversary. Among the festivities is an impressive tap lineup. Co-owner Dan Phan recently told me that he is particularly excited about the very limited West Ashley ale from Capitola's Sainte Adairius Rustic Ales, which is scheduled to be tapped at 2 p.m.

And for those that sometimes wished that Original Gravity had more space, your wish will come true as the owners have told me that they are working on expanding by a thousand square feet. Very cool news!

You can check out the details of the one-year celebration event on their website or their Facebook event page.

Original Gravity 1 year anniversary. Credits: Andy Lee