Occupying one of the oldest buildings in Cupertino, Paul & Eddie’s Monta Vista Inn is a dive bar oasis in every sense of the term, a red wood building with green awnings that pops up on the side of the road like some kind of Route 66 filling station for alcohol. The two-story building includes bar neon in every window across both floors, the awning particularly impressive at night when the script of “Paul & Eddie’s” lights up in green neon to accompany the rest of the display across the building. During the day, a massive script mural on the side of the building includes the name of the bar and loudly proclaims the availability of both pool and darts inside.
And the interior is impressive, exactly the kind of classic dive bar vibe suggested by the exterior of the building. Stapling dollar bills to flat dive bar surfaces is a classic move, but the game is expanded here beyond the area in and around the bar, instead papering over walls throughout the space. Where there aren’t dollar bills, there are dive bar classic decorations like beer signs and sports trophies. Opened in 1943, the historical pedigree is legit, as is the contemporary credibility given the bar proclaims itself to be the biggest seller of Jagermeister in California. The Paul & Eddie’s Monta Vista Inn specialty is the “House Wine,” a fancy name for a shot of Jagermeister in a frozen shot glass.
Located in Cupertino, Paul & Eddie’s Monta Vista Inn can still credibly qualify as a San Jose dive bar, free popcorn adding to the attractiveness of the short drive. The spot is cash only with an ATM on site, not surprising given the vibe inside. Be sure to save room (and sobriety) for a round of Shotski, a line of shots affixed to a ski meant for communal, collaborative shot consumption.
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