{"id":20160683,"date":"2018-03-28T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-03-28T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.metrosiliconvalley.com\/?p=20160683"},"modified":"2022-09-19T10:46:00","modified_gmt":"2022-09-19T17:46:00","slug":"nightlife-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.metrosiliconvalley.com\/nightlife-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Nightlife"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

BEST FIESTA CURATORS<\/b>
When it comes to throwing down the best Latin-flavored functions, nobody does it better than Sonido Clash<\/b>. The collective is equally adept at promoting events, producing original music and spinning up awesome cumbia bass mixes to keep a dance floor lit for hours. Just drop into one of their parties\u2014like the annual Selena birthday bash, pick up the excellent Vatos LP by TurboMex, the excellent collaboration between producer Sonido Clash members Turbo Sonidero and Mex Tape, or catch a DJ set by Chatos 1013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OVERALL<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 San Jose Improv<\/b>
62 S Second St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Rooster T. Feathers<\/b>
157 W El Camino Real, Sunnyvale<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 American Improv Theatre<\/b>
260 McEvoy St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 Mountain Winery<\/b>
14831 Pierce Rd, Saratoga<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Shoreline Amphitheatre<\/b>
1 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 SAP Center<\/b>
525 W Santa Clara St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 Cafe Stritch<\/b>
374 S First St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 The Ritz<\/b>
400 S First St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Poor House Bistro<\/b>
91 S Autumn St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 Los Gatos Bar & Grill<\/b>
15-1\/2 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Loft Bar & Bistro<\/b>
90 S Second St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Club Rodeo<\/b>
610 Coleman Ave, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Photo courtesy of Dirtbag Dan<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

BEST PLACE TO ROCK THE MIC FREESTYLE<\/b>
Anyone who knows even a little bit about battle rap can make a bad “mom’s spaghetti” joke. Locals who know more may wax poetic about Dirtbag Dan’s ongoing Battle of the Zae contest, which just marked its ninth installment in January. But for hip-hop heads\u2014folks who understand that an emcee’s true merit is measured in off-top flow and dedication to the craft\u2014San Jose’s weekly hip-hop Cypher<\/b> open mic is something akin to church. Held every Wednesday at BackBar SoFa, it’s been helping aspiring rhymesayers sharpen their tongues for more than 11 years now. It’s the place where underground hip-hop icons and aspiring rappers rub elbows and trade bars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 Cafe Stritch<\/b>
374 S First St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Club Fox<\/b>
2209 Broadway, Redwood City<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Little Lou’s BBQ<\/b>
2455 S Winchester Blvd, Campbell<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 Miami Beach Club\/Beso<\/b>
417 S First St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Monte Carlo<\/b>
228 Castro St, Mountain View, CA 94041<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Lido Nightclub<\/b>
30 S First St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 Enoteca La Storia<\/b>
416 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Cin-Cin<\/b>
368 Village Lane, Los Gatos<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Rootstock Wine Bar<\/b>
217 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 Testarossa Winery<\/b>
300 College Ave, Los Gatos<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Clos LaChance Winery<\/b>
1 Hummingbird Lane, San Martin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Cinnabar Winery<\/b>
14612 Big Basin Way, Saratoga<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Photo by Greg Ramar<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

BEST GENDER BENDING, PARTY ROCKING, WOULD-BE WRESTLER<\/b>
There’s a lot to be said about King Patrick Eugenio<\/b>, including that his first name truly is King. As the face of San Jose’s pro wrestling league\u2014the Underground Wrestling Alliance, or UGWA\u2014his special move involves pummeling his opponents with a massive dildo. In addition to getting body slammed through flaming tables covered in broken glass, Eugenio, who goes by KP, also spends his time organizing and emceeing a very boozy variety show. Held regularly at The Caravan Lounge in San Jose, The Circus of Sin is a place where stand-up comics, sideshow acts and burlesque dancers come together to perform wildly entertaining acts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 Labyrinth Bar & Kitchen<\/b>
45 Post St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 San Patricios<\/b>
81 E San Fernando St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Fuz Bar & Grill<\/b>
58 S First St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 Britannia Arms Almaden<\/b>
5027 Almaden Expy, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Rookies Sports Lodge<\/b>
1535 Meridian Ave, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 4th St. Pizza Co.<\/b>
150 E Santa Clara St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 Britannia Arms<\/b>
Multiple locations<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Duke of Edinburgh<\/b>
10801 N Wolfe Rd, Cupertino<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 The Rose & Crown<\/b>
547 Emerson St, Palo Alto<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 O’Flaherty’s<\/b>
25 N San Pedro St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Katie Bloom’s<\/b>
369 E Campbell Ave, Campbell<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Rosie McCann’s<\/b>
355 Santana Row, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

ALL HOPPED UP<\/b>
While Gordon Biersch<\/b> is still the king of breweries here in the South Bay, a bunch of plucky upstarts have begun stirring up their own mashes of late. Many reside in the Spartan-Keyes neighborhood of San Jose, but a few have set up shop even closer to downtown. Hermitage<\/b> was the OG for the area. starting back in 2008. But they were soon followed by Strike Brewing<\/b> in 2014 and Santa Clara Valley Brewing<\/b> in 2015. Uproar<\/b>, Hapa’s<\/b> and Clandestine<\/b> joined the party in 2017, and Camino Brewing<\/b> is set to celebrate its grand opening in April. Some serve food, and all have taprooms where flights of their brews are available to sample. So grab your growler and raise a pint to Silicon Valley’s burgeoning craft brew scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 Splash<\/b>
65 Post St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Renegades<\/b>
501 W Taylor St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Mac’s Club<\/b>
39 Post St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 Jack Rose Libation House<\/b>
La Hacienda Inn, 18840 Saratoga Los Gatos Rd, Los Gatos
TIE<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Haberdasher<\/b>
43 W San Salvador St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Dry Creek Grill<\/b>
1580 Hamilton Ave, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Orchard City<\/b>
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 Dry Creek Grill<\/b>
1580 Hamilton Ave, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 The Grill on the Alley<\/b>
172 S Market St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 The Continental<\/b>
349 S First St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 Dry Creek Grill<\/b>
1580 Hamilton Ave, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 El Jardin Tequila Bar<\/b>
368 Santana Row, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 La Bodeguita del Medio<\/b>
463 California Ave, Palo Alto<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Photo by Greg Ramar<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

CRAFT COCKTAILS<\/b>
It wasn’t that long ago that the only real choice Silicon Valley imbibers had was domestic brew and standard mixed drinks. Then the craft beer movement began changing the local suds selection. More recently, the South Bay has seen serious growth in its craft cocktail scene. First came Single Barrel (now Haberdasher<\/b>); then, 55 South<\/b> and Paper Plane<\/b> came to downtown. Jack Rose Libation House<\/b> opened up in Los Gatos and restaurants such as The Catamount<\/b> began developing extensive craft cocktail programs. It’s a great time to be sipping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 Aqui<\/b>
Multiple locations<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 El Jardin Tequila Bar<\/b>
368 Santana Row, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Casa Lupe<\/b>
2169 Winchester Blvd, Campbell<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 4th Street Bowl<\/b>
1441 N Fourth St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Bowlmor Lanes<\/b>
Vallco Shopping Mall, 10123 N Wolfe Rd, Cupertino<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Bowlero<\/b>
5420 Thornwood Dr, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 Henry’s Hi-Life<\/b>
301 W St John St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 San Pedro Square Market<\/b>
87 N San Pedro St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Poor House Bistro<\/b>
91 S Autumn St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PENINSULA<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 The Old Pro<\/b>
541 Ramona St, Palo Alto<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 St. Stephen’s Green<\/b>
223 Castro St, Mountain View<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Scotty’s Palo Alto<\/b>
548 Emerson, Palo Alto<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 Mervyn’s Lounge<\/b>
236 Castro St, Mountain View<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 The Rose and Crown<\/b>
547 Emerson St, Palo Alto<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Dutch Goose<\/b>
3567 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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

 Jack Rose Libation House<\/b>
18840 Saratoga Los Gatos Rd, Los Gatos<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Cin-Cin<\/b>
368 Village Lane, Los Gatos<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Orchard City Kitchen<\/b>
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 Effie’s Restaurant<\/b>
331 Hacienda Ave, Campbell<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Khartoum<\/b>
300 Orchard City Dr, Campbell<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Katie Bloom’s<\/b>
369 E Campbell Ave, Campbell<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 Black Watch<\/b>
141 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Khartoum<\/b>
300 Orchard City Dr, Campbell<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Boulevard Tavern<\/b>
15043 Los Gatos Blvd, Los Gatos<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Photo by Greg Ramar<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

BEST BOOKING AGENT BROS<\/b>
Look. We know we’re biased, since the club is right down the street. And it’s no surprise that the editorial staff of an alternative weekly listens to alternative music. But in the past year The Ritz<\/b> has really been killing it. That’s obviously thanks to the ownership’s dedication. But the club definitely saw a boost after joining forces with Spaceland Presents<\/b>. The talent-buying and promotional outfit, which got its start in Los Angeles, officially linked with The Ritz last fall, and ever since, the marquee at 400 S. First St. has been populated with some big, contemporary names\u2014including The Growlers, Japanese Breakfast, Giraffage and Nosaj Thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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

 Duke of Edinburgh<\/b>
10801 N Wolfe Rd, Cupertino<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 FireHouse Grill<\/b>
111 S Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Paul & Eddie’s Monta Vista Inn<\/b>
21619 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 Blue Pheasant<\/b>
22100 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Bogart’s Lounge & Tech Pub<\/b>
1209 Wildwood Ave, Sunnyvale<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Blue Max<\/b>
828 W El Camino Real, Sunnyvale<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 Woodham’s Lounge<\/b>
4475 Stevens Creek Blvd, Santa Clara<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Normandy House<\/b>
30 Washington St, Santa Clara<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Bogart’s Lounge<\/b>
1209 Wildwood Ave, Sunnyvale<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAN JOSE \/ SOUTH VALLEY<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 Chacho’s<\/b>
87 E San Fernando St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 SP2<\/b>
72 Almaden Ave, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 The Continental<\/b>
349 S First St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 7 Bamboo<\/b>
162 Jackson St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Goosetown Lounge<\/b>
1072 Lincoln Ave, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Red Stag<\/b>
1711 W San Carlos St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 Cinebar<\/b>
69 E San Fernando St, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 The Branham Lounge<\/b>
1116 Branham Ln, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Willow Den<\/b>
803 Lincoln Ave, San Jose<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FREMONT \/ MILPITAS<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 Jack’s Brewing<\/b>
39176 Argonaut Way, Fremont<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 The Mojo Lounge<\/b>
3714 Peralta Blvd, Fremont<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Coach’s Sports Bar<\/b>
40968 Fremont Blvd, Fremont<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

 The Back Door Lounge<\/b>
37422 Fremont Blvd, Fremont<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Kirby’s Sports Bar<\/b>
42312 Fremont Blvd, Fremont<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 The Florence<\/b>
37349 Niles Blvd, Fremont<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

BEST FIESTA CURATORSWhen it comes to throwing down the best Latin-flavored functions, nobody does it better than Sonido Clash. The collective is equally adept at promoting events, producing original music and spinning up awesome cumbia bass mixes to keep a dance floor lit for hours. Just drop into one of their parties\u2014like the annual Selena birthday […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1271,"featured_media":16028,"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":[1918],"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