After 84 years, Vahl’s remains the place to be in Alviso

When it comes to iconic San Jose joints Vahl s in Alviso sits pretty high on a very short list Originally opened by Eric and Amelia Vahl in the restaurant and cocktail lounge now lays claim to being the oldest bar in Santa Clara County With Patty s Inn gone and Cinebar closed since a fire I can t come up with any place that s been serving drinks longer The Preservation Action Council hosted an event there a couple weeks back and as I hadn t been there in quite specific time I dropped in to see if it still felt like the same old Vahl s Little seems to have changed since Amelia Vahl died in and her nephews took over The two big dining rooms are still pink and the tables are still covered with red gingham tablecloths The decor blends kitsch with character from the charmingly garish wallpaper there are still birds everywhere to the vintage ceramic liquor bottles on display The Preservation Action Council of San Jose held an event July at Vahl's the restaurant and bar that's been an institution in Alviso since Sal Pizarro Bay Area News Group Elva Ruiz the longest-serving employee at Vahl's in Alviso tells customers about the restaurant's history during a Preservation Action Council of San Jose event July Sal Pizarro Bay Area News Group Frank Rebozzi -- the nephew of original owner Amelia Vahl - -tends bar at Vahl's in Alviso during a Preservation Action Council of San Jose event there July Sal Pizarro Bay Area News Group The Preservation Action Council of San Jose held an event July at Vahl's the restaurant and bar that's been an institution in Alviso since Sal Pizarro Bay Area News Group Visitors tour the dining room at Vahl's in Alviso during a Preservation Action Council of San Jose event there July Sal Pizarro Bay Area News Group A mural depicting Alviso landmarks adorns the entry to the pool room at Vahl's the -year-old institution where the Preservation Council of San Jose held an event July Sal Pizarro Bay Area News Group Customers chat at the bar at Vahl's in Alviso during a Preservation Action Council of San Jose event there July Sal Pizarro Bay Area News Group Show Caption of The Preservation Action Council of San Jose held an event July at Vahl's the restaurant and bar that's been an institution in Alviso since Sal Pizarro Bay Area News Group Expand A whiteboard just outside the bar lists the July birthdays of regular customers and one inside includes reminders about upcoming parties and a trip to Vegas Every so often a horn blows as a train barrels past on the tracks along El Dorado Street but it s doubtful the after-work regulars sitting at the horseshoe bar even notice anymore In other words it s still a fantastic hangout Frank Rebozzi Amelia s nephew was serving drinks for the PACSJ event He remembers when the restaurant used to be regularly packed with diners enjoying generously portioned meals but that changed since the COVID- pandemic The bar is still open every day but Monday but the dining rooms are rarely used usually just for special reunions or celebrations of life Food is served in the bar on weekends but the menu is limited to a limited specials Elva Ruiz who has been working at Vahl s since gave tours of the dining room to the curious and shared her memories of the hectic crowds back in the s and s Preservation Action Council Executive Director Ben Leech declared they launched the Legacy Business Happy Hour series to remind their members and the community about particular of these classic places that are living historical monuments These are the places you can t find anywhere else and a lot of people take them for granted Leech noted Preservation is about keeping these places relevant These are places that have served the public for decades and should be appreciated The series started in at Teske s Germania downtown and there are plans to gather at Henry s Hi-Life in Little Italy in September and Palermo s in the former Paradiso s Deli location on Auzerais Avenue in November You can check for updates at www preservation org SANTA S SPEAKEASY The guys and dolls were decked out in s-style fashions last weekend for A Merry Little Speakeasy Christmas in the Park s annual summer benefit There were lots of fedoras pearls and flapper dresses among the couple of hundred guests even Santa Claus traded in his standard hat for one of the flat variety and eschewed his regular red-and-white suit for a stylish red vest Christmas in the Park Managing Director Debbie Degutis left poses with emcee Lissa Kreisler at A Merry Little Speakeasy a charity fundraiser for the nonprofit held Saturday July at the Leininger Center at Kelley Park in San Jose Sal Pizarro Bay Area News Group Christmas in the Park supporters try their luck at casino games during A Merry Little Speakeasy a benefit for the nonprofit held Saturday July at the Leininger Center at Kelley Park in San Jose Sal Pizarro Bay Area News Group A flat-cap-wearing Santa Claus center poses with Dolly Sandoval left and Kathy Sutherland during A Merry Little Speakeasy a benefit for the nonprofit held Saturday July at the Leininger Center at Kelley Park in San Jose Sal Pizarro Bay Area News Group Show Caption of Christmas in the Park Managing Director Debbie Degutis left poses with emcee Lissa Kreisler at A Merry Little Speakeasy a fundraising event for the nonprofit held Saturday July at the Leininger Center at Kelley Park in San Jose Sal Pizarro Bay Area News Group Expand The Christmas in July event was held at the Leininger Center at Kelley Park and that may have been the biggest revelation to the crowd Limited people seemed to know this venue existed and using the various spaces kept everything from feeling crowded Dinner was outside on the lawn while drinks and food were served in the courtyard Casino games all for fun of program were played inside the main building with the would-be Nathan Detroits trying their hands at roulette craps and blackjack Another highlight of the night was the reveal of a painting Even the Grinch Believes in Christmas by longtime radio station owner Steve Snell It depicts the Grinch standing buddy-buddy next to Santa Prints of the artwork were given to supporters who pledged a donation All in all it was a accomplished night for Christmas in the Park and Debbie Degutis who has broadcasted she ll be stepping down from her role as the nonprofit s managing director A search is well underway for a new Christmas Boss but Degutis says she s planning to stick around until this season is in the books The next big date is Nov when Christmas in the Park opens at Plaza de Cesar Chavez PARTY THURSDAY Have Thursdays turned into the new Fridays It sure seems that way at least in San Jose and that s not necessarily a bad thing if it s getting people out to enjoy our experience market as Mayor Matt Mahan calls it This week should be especially lively with the San Pedro Block Party taking over San Pedro Square from to p m The free all-ages event sponsored by the Urban Vibrancy Institute and PG E features South Bay recording artist Danny V as the concert headliner SCHOOL AID It s only July but the start of the school year is just a couple weeks away and for various families that means the added stress of school supplies and backpacks that may stretch their budgets to the urgent point That s where organizations like Sacred Heart Society Function Family Giving Tree and the African American Society Organization Agency come in with backpack distribution events for families that need the help But those organizations need help too in the form of donations to make that happen Sacred Heart Region Provision plans to distribute backpacks to registered families on July and but is still backpacks short of being able to make good on that promise You can go to www sacredheartcs org pab- to find out how you can help and learn more about the other drives at the website for Family Giving Tree backpacksmiles org and the AACSA s Amazon wishlist at bit ly pack-a-backwishlist