{"id":20160615,"date":"2017-03-29T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-03-29T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.metrosiliconvalley.com\/?p=20160615"},"modified":"2022-09-16T16:08:08","modified_gmt":"2022-09-16T23:08:08","slug":"nightlife","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.metrosiliconvalley.com\/nightlife\/","title":{"rendered":"Nightlife"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Photo via Facebook<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Best Redux of Classic ’70s Daytime TV<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Go Go Gong Show<\/strong>
Local poet, writer and host extraordinaire “Mighty” Mike McGee has been organizing open mic nights for years. These days he’s really caught on to a winning formula by recognizing and recreating the schlocky genius of The Gong Show, an amateur talent show created by the late, great Chuck Barris, which ran in syndication for a decade into the ’80s. Deploying his charm and quick wit, McGee is the ideal host for the show, which gives contestants control of the stage as long as they can hold the crowd’s attention, or until one of the local “celebrity” judges decides enough is enough and clangs the massive gong, which serves as a sonic vaudeville hook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Comedy Venue<\/p>\n\n\n\n

San Jose Improv<\/strong>
62 S Second St, San Jose<\/em>
Rooster T. Feathers<\/strong>
157 W El Camino Real, Sunnyvale<\/em>
Comedy Sports<\/strong>
288 S Second St, San Jose<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Concert Venue<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mountain Winery<\/strong>
14831 Pierce Rd, Saratoga<\/em>
Shoreline Amphitheatre<\/strong>
1 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View<\/em>
SAP Center (formerly HP Pavilion)<\/strong>
525 W Santa Clara St, San Jose<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Small Music Venue<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cafe Stritch<\/strong>
374 S First St, San Jose<\/em>
The Ritz<\/strong>
400 S 1st St, San Jose<\/em>
Poor House Bistro<\/strong>
91 S Autumn St, San Jose<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Dance Club<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Los Gatos Bar & Grill<\/strong>
15-1\/2 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos<\/em>
The Saddle Rack<\/strong>
42011 Boscell Rd, Fremont<\/em>
Loft Bar and Bistro<\/strong>
90 S 2nd St, San Jose<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Jazz\/ Blues Club<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cafe Stritch<\/strong>
374 S 1st St, San Jose<\/em>
JJ’s Blues<\/strong>
3439 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose<\/em>
Fairmont Lobby Lounge<\/strong>
170 S Market St, San Jose<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Latin Music Club<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miami Beach Club\/Beso<\/strong>
417 S 1st St, San Jose<\/em>
Monte Carlo<\/strong>
228 Castro St, Mountain View<\/em>
Lido Nightclub<\/strong>
30 S 1st St, San Jose<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Wine Bar<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cin-Cin<\/strong>
368 Village Ln, Los Gatos<\/em>
Enoteca la Storia<\/strong>
416 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos<\/em>
Rootstock Wine Bar<\/strong>
217 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Local Winery<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Testarossa Winery<\/strong>
300 College Ave, Los Gato<\/em>
J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines<\/strong>
1000 Lenzen Ave, San Jose<\/em>
Clos LaChance Winery<\/strong>
1 Hummingbird Ln, San Martin<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best New Bar\/Club<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Vesper<\/strong>
394 E Campbell Ave, Campbell<\/em>
LVL 44<\/strong>
44 S Almaden Ave, San Jose<\/em>
Avery Lounge<\/strong>
399 S 1st St, San Jose<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Sports Bar<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo via Instagram<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Best Monthly Fix For Fancy Island Drinks<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

55 South’s Tiki Night<\/strong>
The beaches of Santa Cruz aren’t too far away, but they are chilly. Fortunately, 55 South hosts a totally bodacious tiki night on the last Tuesday of every month. Grab seriously sugary, fruit-flavored rum drinks fashioned by the craft cocktail lounge’s talented mixologists. A few examples from March’s tropical festivities include the Zombie, Castaway, Big Bamboo and Lady of Singapore. All libations are served in novelty ceramic mugs-some are fashioned into the likeness of parrots, plenty have little umbrellas and all pack a Hawaiian punch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best British Pub<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Britannia Arms<\/strong>
Multiple locations<\/em>
Duke of Edinburgh<\/strong>
10801 N Wolfe Rd, Cupertino<\/em>
Rose & Crown<\/strong>
547 Emerson St, Palo Alto<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Irish Pub<\/p>\n\n\n\n

O’Flaherty’s<\/strong>
25 N San Pedro St, San Jose<\/em>
Rosie McCann’s<\/strong>
355 Santana Row #1060, San Jose<\/em>
Katie Blooms<\/strong>
369 E Campbell Ave, Campbell<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Gay or Lesbian Bar<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Splash<\/strong>
65 Post St, San Jose<\/em>
Renegades<\/strong>
501 W Taylor St, San Jose<\/em>
Mac’s<\/strong>
39 Post St, San Jose<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Hotel or Restaurant Bar<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fairmont Lobby Lounge<\/strong>
170 S Market St, San Jose<\/em>
Hedley Club Lounge (Hotel De Anza)<\/strong>
233 W Santa Clara St, San Jose<\/em>
Dio Deka (Hotel Los Gatos)<\/strong>
210 E Main St, Los Gatos<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Craft Cocktails<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paper Plane<\/strong>
72 S First St, San Jose<\/em>
TIE
Jack Rose Libation House<\/strong>
18840 Saratoga Los Gatos Rd, Los Gatos<\/em>
Orchard City Kitchen<\/strong>
Pruneyard Shopping Center, 1875 S Bascom Ave #190, Campbell<\/em>
Haberdasher<\/strong>
43 W San Salvador St, San Jose<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Martinis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dry Creek Grill<\/strong>
1580 Hamilton Ave, San Jose<\/em>
The Grill on the Alley<\/strong>
172 S Market St, San Jose<\/em>
Original Joe’s<\/strong>
301 S 1st St, San Jose<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Mojitos<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dry Creek Grill<\/strong>
1580 Hamilton Ave, San Jose<\/em>
El Jardin Tequila Bar<\/strong>
368 Santana Row, San Jose<\/em>
Nola’s<\/strong>
535 Ramona St, Palo Alto<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Margarita<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aqui<\/strong>
Multiple locations<\/em>
El Burro<\/strong>
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell<\/em>
Casa Lupe<\/strong>
2169 Winchester Blvd, Campbell<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Bowling Alley<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4th Street Bowl<\/strong>
1441 N Fourth St, San Jose<\/em>
Bowlmor Lanes<\/strong>
10123 N Wolfe Rd, Cupertino<\/em>
Homestead Bowl & The X Bar<\/strong>
20990 Homestead Rd, Cupertino<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Pre-Sharks Game Spot<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Taylor Jones<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Best All-Ages Music Venue Where You Can Still Buy A Drink<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Art Boutiki<\/strong>
Outside of privately-and often covertly-organized shows at houses and in industrial spaces, there aren’t many places where the under-21, and especially the under-18, can catch live music in the South Bay. That’s what makes the SLG Art Boutiki such a gem. A comic book store and digital shirt-printing shop by day, by night it often hosts live music. Many of the region’s best young bands regularly rock the SLG stage and the venue also brings through many touring acts. But just because the venue is open to those not allowed in bars doesn’t mean it’s dry. During certain shows, beer and wine is available for the 21-plus crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PENINSULA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Happy Hour<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Old Pro<\/strong>
541 Ramona St, Palo Alto<\/em>
Scotty’s Bar<\/strong>
548 Emerson, Palo Alto<\/em>
St Stephen’s Green<\/strong>
223 Castro St, Mountain View<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Karaoke<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pioneer Saloon<\/strong>
2925 Woodside Rd, Woodside<\/em>
King of Clubs<\/strong>
893 Leong Dr, Mountain View<\/em>
Firehouse Grill<\/strong>
1765 E Bayshore Rd, East Palo Alto<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Dive Bar<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mervyn’s Lounge<\/strong>
236 Castro St, Mountain View<\/em>
Rose and Crown<\/strong>
547 Emerson St, Palo Alto<\/em>
Dutch Goose<\/strong>
3567 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WEST VALLEY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Happy Hour<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jack Rose<\/strong>
18840 Saratoga Los Gatos Rd, Los Gatos<\/em>
Cin-Cin<\/strong>
368 Village Ln, Los Gatos<\/em>
Orchard City Kitchen<\/strong>
1875 S Bascom Ave #190, Campbell<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Karaoke<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Effie’s Restaurant<\/strong>
331 Hacienda Ave, Campbell<\/em>
Boulevard Tavern<\/strong>
15043 Los Gatos Blvd, Los Gatos<\/em>
Khartoum<\/strong>
300 Orchard City Dr, Campbell<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Dive Bar<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Black Watch<\/strong>
141 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos<\/em>
Khartoum<\/strong>
300 Orchard City Dr, Campbell<\/em>
The Bank<\/strong>
14421 Big Basin Way, Saratoga<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CENTRAL VALLEY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Happy Hour<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firehouse Grill<\/strong>
111 S Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale<\/em>
Elephant Bar & Restaurant<\/strong>
19780 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino<\/em>
St. John’s<\/strong>
510 Lawrence Expy, Sunnyvale<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Karaoke<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Woodham’s Lounge<\/strong>
4475 Stevens Creek Blvd, Santa Clara<\/em>
Blue Pheasant<\/strong>
22100 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino<\/em>
Bogart’s Lounge & Tech Pub<\/strong>
1209 Wildwood Ave, Sunnyvale<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Dive Bar<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo via Facebook<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Best Caffeinated Comedy Fix<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kevin Wong<\/strong>
South Bay comedy veteran Kevin Wong began hosting monthly comedy shows at Red Rock Coffee in Mountain View because of the cafe’s history of supporting local arts. Proprietors were kind enough to give Wong and co-producer Wendy Bartholomew the coveted Saturday night slot. Wong’s affinity for the offbeat lends itself well to his lineups, which usually feature four to five comics who represent various cross-sections of humanity. “First question I ask is, “Do they add to the show?'” Wong says. “I like left turns out of people that are slightly different.” His knack for assembling a solid lineup has earned him a following. “It’s beginning to feel like family,” he says. Headlining the next show is Zack Chapaloni, a regular at the San Francisco Punchline, as well as star and co-writer of Metacafe’s PausePlay. Unlike many a comedy venue, Red Rock’s a booze-free affair, but there’s a bar next door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAN JOSE & SOUTH VALLEY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Happy Hour<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4th Street Pizza Co.<\/strong>
150 E Santa Clara St, San Jose<\/em> Britannia Arms Almaden<\/strong>
5027 Almaden Expy, San Jose<\/em>
Chacho’s<\/strong>
87 E San Fernando St, San Jose<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Karaoke<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7 Bamboo<\/strong>
162 Jackson St, San Jose<\/em>
Britannia Arms Almaden<\/strong>
5027 Almaden Expy, San Jose<\/em>
Goosetown Lounge<\/strong>
1072 Lincoln Ave, San Jose<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Dive Bar<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cinebar<\/strong>
69 E San Fernando St, San Jose<\/em>
The Caravan Lounge<\/strong>
98 S Almaden Ave, San Jose<\/em>
The Branham Lounge<\/strong>
1116 Branham Ln, San Jose<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

FREMONT & MILPITAS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Happy Hour<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jack’s Brewing<\/strong>
39176 Argonaut Way, Fremont<\/em>
The Mojo Lounge<\/strong>
3714 Peralta Blvd, Fremont<\/em>
Tequila Shots Bar & Grill<\/strong>
38 N Main St, Milpitas<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Dive Bar<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Florence<\/strong>
37349 Niles Blvd, Fremont<\/em>
Mojo Lounge<\/strong>
3714 Peralta Blvd, Fremont<\/em>
The Back Door Lounge<\/strong>
37422 Fremont Blvd B, Fremont<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Best Redux of Classic ’70s Daytime TV The Go Go Gong ShowLocal poet, writer and host extraordinaire “Mighty” Mike McGee has been organizing open mic nights for years. These days he’s really caught on to a winning formula by recognizing and recreating the schlocky genius of The Gong Show, an amateur talent show created by […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1271,"featured_media":15998,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","_expiration-date-status":"","_expiration-date":0,"_expiration-date-type":"","_expiration-date-categories":[],"_expiration-date-options":[]},"categories":[1917],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n