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The Metro Bars & Clubs 2003 Guide [ San Jose Central | San Jose Outskirts | Campbell | Cupertino | Los Gatos | Mountain View | Santa Clara | Saratoga | Sunnyvale ] Peninsula Antonio's Nut House 321 California Ave, Palo Alto; 650.321.2550 Hours: Daily 10am-1:45am Crowd Age: Daytime, working-class stiffs in their 30s to 40s; at nights, Stanford kids and locals ages 21 to 40 Music: Jukebox: classic rock to Black Sabbath to No Effects Decor: Laid-back, unpretentious Signature Drink: Washington Apple Amenities: Big-screen TV's, five pool tables, two foosballs, Lotto, Keno, electronic darts, video games, pinball "People like to call it a dive bar, but it's really a neighborhood bar, or maybe a cross between," says bartender/manager Kelley Gorman. A local hangout for 30 years, Antonio's is a sprawling, informal place, with its trademark peanuts shells scattered all over the floor and a caged mechanical gorilla in the corner ("The owner's wife," chips in Gorman). Drinks are inexpensive, and there's a grill when hunger calls. Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society Douglas Beach House, Miramar Beach, Half Moon Bay; 650.726.4143 Hours: Various Sun afternoons, Sat evenings; visit www.bachddsoc.org for calendar Crowd Age: 30 and up Music: Live music Decor: Quaint seaside cottage Signature Drink: Wine Amenities: Deck with ocean view, catered buffet Set atop the cliffs overlooking Miramar Beach, this unique venue flaunts dramatic scenery, first-class jazz, classical and world musicians and Pete Douglas, a charming host and a real character. A converted beach house offers a casual social atmosphere with a lofty weathered wooden deck; inside, curl up on the couch in front of a crackling fireplace. Bring a picnic to enjoy outside or indulge in the catered buffet, which is designed to complement the music of the night. A small bar sells wine, beer and soda. Blue Chalk Cafe 630 Ramona St, Palo Alto; 650.325.1020 Hours: Lunch Mon-Fri 11am-3pm; dinner 5pm-10pm; bar open Mon-Sat 10am-2am Crowd Age: Mid-20s to mid-30s Music: Jukebox Decor: Pool hall meets Mexican courtyard Signature Drink: Everglade Lemonade, Voodoo Martini Amenities: Four pool tables, darts and shuffleboard Blue Chalk's grand central staircase, sweeping up to the balcony bar, belies the cafe's relaxed and airy quality. The building was once an English tea house. Nowadays, the food is down-home Southern cooking, and the place is packed on weekends, says bar manager Meiling Warmkessel. A downstairs billiards room is a prime spot to hang out. British Bankers Club 1090 El Camino Real, Menlo Park; 650.327.8769 Hours: Daily 11am-1:30am Crowd Age: 20s-50s Music: Sat live local bands, Fri DJ Decor: Upscale English pub Signature Drink: Cosmopolitan Amenities: TV, foosball, darts, video games, puzzle games The BBC is a throwback to the heyday of empire-building, replete with Tiffany lamps, stained-glass windows, red leather couches, buffalo heads and an early-1900s mahogany bar. A smaller bar and the sports room are upstairs. "We have a friendly, diverse crowd--I'd call them splendid," says Tommy the bartender. On Friday and Saturday nights, the tables are cleared away to make room for dancing, American-style. Cafe Fino 544 Emerson St, Palo Alto; 650.326.6082 Hours: Lunch Tue-Fri 11:30am-2pm, dinner Mon-Sat 5:30pm-midnight, closed Sunday Crowd Age: All ages, but tends to be mature Music: Live blues and jazz every night Decor: Art Deco and white tablecloths Signature Drink: Cosmopolitans and martinis Amenities: Grand piano Owner Fred Maddelena, white-haired and elegant in his suit and tie, personally greets every patron who passes through the doors of his small, Old World supper club. It's Maddelena's trademark graciousness that makes this club buzz, as well as the live jazz and blues. "We're teaching young people about cabaret," says Maddelena, formerly of Club Indigo in Toronto (where he showcased stars such as Tony Bennett, Sarah Vaughan and Harry Belafonte). Classic movie posters adorn the walls, on loan from cafe regular and Stanford Theater owner David Packard. City Pub 2620 Broadway St, Redwood City; 650.363.2620 Hours: Sun 11am-10pm, Mon-Wed 11am-11:30pm, Thu-Sat 11am-midnight Crowd Age: 0-60 Music: No live music Decor: Cozy warehouse Signature Drink: Beer Amenities: Big wood-burning fireplace If the kids are hungry but dad needs a beer--and he needs to choose from 24 imports and microbrews on tap--then sidle up to City Pub. Find a seat inside the brick brewery style interior, or cop a squat at a sidewalk table and watch downtown Redwood City go by. At night, the place embraces a more yuppie drinking crowd, but patrons can still order from the full meat and potatoes menu. The Dutch Goose 3567 Alameda De Las Pulgas, Menlo Park; 650.854.3245 Hours: Sun-Tue 11am-midnight, Wed-Sat 11am-2am Crowd Age: 17-40 Music: Jukebox tunes Decor: Log cabin meets game room Signature Drink: Draft beer Amenities: Pool table, video games, large indoor side patio, outdoor patio Everyone from grandpa down to little Jimmy can bust a gut at the Dutch Goose, where they offer a variety of hot sandwiches and burgers. The Spicy Deviled Egg is the perfect accompaniment to an icy cold draft beer. Both patios are roomy and would accommodate a family birthday party or frat house reunion. The Echo 1579 Miramonte Ave, Los Altos; 650.967.0969 Hours: Tue-Fri 11am-midnight, Sat 4pm-midnight; Sun 5pm-11pm Crowd Age: 45-65 Music: Fri-Sat Piano bar Decor: Neighborhood Signature Drink: Whatever they happen to be pouring at the time Amenities: Karaoke (Sun), TVs People who have been coming here for years mingle with people who have been coming here for decades. This is the spot for serious drinkers who value familiarity over fashion trends. This is where the other half drinks on the peninsula. The Edge 260 S. California Ave, Palo Alto; 650.289.0222 Hours: Restaurant: Mon-Thu 5-10pm, Fri-Sat 5-11pm, happy hour 5-8pm, free buffet 6-7:30pm; bar: Tue, Fri 9pm-3am, Sat 8pm-3am; doors usually open at 7pm for live shows Crowd Age: Restaurant 21-35; club 18-35 Music: Live bands and DJs Decor: Converted gymnasium Signature Drink: Sake bomb Amenities: VIP room, jukebox, pool table, Pac Man table, heated outdoor patio The Icon Supperclub is a distant memory now that the Edge is back in action. This all-ages rock club has been through some significant changes but now stands as a new and improved version of the old Edge, with a nice restaurant that serves California cuisine with a rock & roll flair. Two-dollar Tuesdays, Friday night dance parties and Salsa Saturdays make up the weekly dance nights, alongside rotating touring nationals from Meshuggah to Bad Religion to Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society. Empire Grill & Tap Room 651 Emerson St, Palo Alto; 650.321.3030 Hours: Bar Mon-Fri 11:30am-1am, will close early if slow Crowd Age: 30s-40s Music: Jazz CDs Decor: Traditional New York elegance Signature Drink: Martinis Amenities: Two TVs The Empire Grill & Tap Room is a double shot of big-city class. The restaurant boasts a 45-foot solid mahogany bar, straight-backed wood booths and an upscale ambience. The garden patio takes visitors to a different world: tables sheltered by heat lamps, a bubbling stone fountain, heavy wisteria draped over the trellis. The bar features 16 beers on tap. Fanny & Alexander 412 Emerson St, Palo Alto; 650.326.7183 Hours: Tue-Wed 4pm-when it seems right, Thu-Sat 4pm-1:20am Crowd Age: Early 20s-late 30s Music: Fri-Sat live music, Thu DJ Decor: Casual Signature Drink: Cosmopolitans Amenities: TVs This nondescript, brick-walled bar/nightclub gets seriously jumping on weekends as cover bands crank out Top 40 funk and disco, and rowdy partyers spill out into the street. But don't worry, those seeking a bit of peace and quiet can retreat to the patio and bar out back. In a whimsical touch, Fanny & Alexander's owner Doni Malaise named his establishment for Ingmar Bergman's film. Flamingo's Night Club 1776 Broadway St, Redwood City; 650.299.1622 Hours: Tue, Fri-Sun 9pm-2am Crowd Age: 21-34 Music: Live band Tue, Fri-Sun Decor: Miami Vice Signature Drink: Remy Martin Amenities: Ladies night/dance contest Tue and Sun, pool table Now this is a nightclub. Mirrored walls, flamingo-adorned entryways--consider the stops pulled. Sashay through the bar to the dance floor, where the house band, Los Trancos, parlays all styles of Latin music. Ladies can "dance real sexy" and win $100 on Tuesday nights. The men have their chance on Sunday. Fox Theater and Little Fox 2209 Broadway, Redwood City; 650.369.4119; www.foxdream.com Hours: Depends on event Crowd Age: Depends on event Music: Folk, bluegrass and world-music acts Decor: Refurbished Art Deco theater Signature Drink: Name your poison--two full bars Amenities: Comfortable seats, balcony, free parking Redwood City had a problem. It lacked an entertainment venue--a place with comfy chairs that could attract headliners and customers the way the Circle Star used to. In 2001, Mike Monte and John Anagnostou realized a four-year dream when they reopened the opulent Fox Theatre. The duo hooked up with the folks at Montalvo, and the stages came alive with great music from names like Tony Bennett, Tom Jones and B.B. King. The dream didn't stop there. Last summer the ribbon was cut on the Little Fox, an adjoining venue with a capacity of 240. The intimate space is perfect for quirkier acts, the bookers know where to find 'em and the town now has a potential jewel on its hands. Gordon Biersch 640 Emerson St, Palo Alto; 650.323.7723 Hours: Sun-Wed 11:30am-11pm, Thu 11:30am-midnight, Fri-Sat 11:30am-1am Crowd Age: Mid-20s-mid-40s Music: No Decor: Spacious brewery and restaurant Signature Drink: On-site brewed beer, as well as GB Manhattan, SF Lemonade, Raspberry Iced Tea Amenities: Four big-screen TVs, tuned to sports The unpretentious, friendly atmosphere of Palo Alto's Gordon Biersch is characteristic of the entire 16-restaurant chain, but this establishment can lay claim to being the very first Gordon Biersch, opened in 1988. The restaurant brews its own lagers, with four in-house beers available at all times. Specialty beers include pilsners, dunkles, marzens and seasonal beers such as hefeweizen. Co-owner Dan Gordon (who is said to be the living, breathing embodiment of Norm from Cheers), went to brewery college in Germany; Dean Biersch is the restaurateur. The Island 4141 El Camino Real, Palo Alto; 650.493.9020 Hours: Daily 7am-2am Crowd Age: 35-60 Music: Jukebox rock Decor: Dive bar Signature Drink: Cigarettes Amenities: Pool table, darts A spider web covered "Ode to Beer" hangs on the wall at the Island, while the regulars hang on to their seats like gambling grannies at the Vegas slots. Liquor, 10 varieties of cigarettes and an assortment of beers stock the bar. A perfect place to go to chase a shot of nicotine with a shot of whiskey. La Bodeguita Del Medio 463 California Ave, Palo Alto; 650.326.7762 Hours: Bar, Mon-Sat 5pm-midnight Crowd Age: 35-45 Music: Fri-Sat 7pm-10pm live Cuban music (guitar and vocals) Decor: Sophisticated tropical Signature Drink: Mojito Amenities: Walk-in humidor and cigar room in back In Havana, La Bodeguita Del Medio was the favorite hangout of Ernest Hemingway; in Palo Alto, this was the destination spot for President Bill Clinton, back in the day. The bar offers some 50 premium aged rums. If the din gets to be overwhelming, check out the quiet, soothing cigar room and patio in the back, where cigars are also sold. Lavanda Restaurant & Wine Bar 185 University Ave, Palo Alto; 650.321.3514 Hours: Lunch Mon-Sat 11:30am-3pm, dinner Fri-Sat 5-11pm, Sun closes at 9pm Crowd Age: 30s-40s Music: No live music Decor: Sophisticated Signature Drink: Wine Amenities: Social conversation The 1-year-old Lavanda's mahogany and marble bar offers a chic spot at which to sip fine wines. Connoisseurs can choose from 30 wines by the glass. "It's a comfortable place for people to meet in an upscale and sophisticated environment," says co-owner Bruce Schmidt (noting this is especially true for single women). The bar also offers a tapas-style menu. Miyake 140 University Ave, Palo Alto; 650.323.9449 Hours: Daily 11:30am-10pm Crowd Age: 21-25 Music: Superloud techno beats Decor: Sushi bar meets frat house party Signature Drink: Sake bomb! Amenities: Full sushi bar, strobe lights, smoke machine While the doors close at 10pm, the wild crowd is still going until 11 or midnight, standing on chairs shouting, "Sake bomb, sake bomb!" as they pound it back like good college kids should. Jump-start a small group of friends via contact high or gather 20 of your closest pals for a special event--either way, Miyake is an instant party in a box. The Oasis Beer Garden 241 El Camino Real, Menlo Park; 650.326.8896 Hours: Daily 11am-2am Crowd Age: 0-100 Music: Jukebox Decor: Frat house Signature Drink: Beer Amenities: Video games No, they don't actually grow beer here, but they do make a pizza with ranch dressing--and they'll even make it for you at midnight! Stanford students, jocks of all ages and their families and friends watch sports or shoot the breeze in giant wooden booths carved with the initials of anyone who's ever been there. Roll on in for video games and America's pastime: Getting drunk and eating pizza, that is. The Old Pro 2865 El Camino Real, Palo Alto; 650.325.2070 Hours: Sun-Mon 11:30a-11pm, Tue-Sat 11:30am-2am Crowd Age: 25-55 Music: CNN Sports Center News Decor: Game room Signature Drink: Beer Amenities: Pool table, foosball, video games and tons of TVs The Old Pro fits sports fans like a well-oiled baseball glove, but anyone can slip right in and enjoy the game with this eclectic, campy crowd. Lisa recommends the ribs and will pour you a cold one to wash it all down. Pavilion Bar at Spago 265 Lytton Ave, Palo Alto; 650.833.1000 Hours: Bar, Mon-Fri 11:30am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-11pm Crowd Age: Mid-30s-mid-50s Music: Background Decor: Euro-elegance Signature Drink: Cosmopolitans Amenities: TV The Pavilion Bar at Spago is a separate open and airy room with patio tables and a long bar, a retractable roof and French pastel murals adorning the walls. The entire Spago menu is served, as well as a bar menu featuring burgers, pizza, Caesar salad and other snacks. Despite the fact that Spago is the creation of world-renowned celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, the bar itself is casual and relaxed. "It's not stuffy, and the crowd is very eclectic," says bartender Mike Wray. Q Cafe & Billiards 529 Alma St, Palo Alto; 650.322.3311 Hours: Sat-Wed 4pm-2am, Thu-Fri 11:30am-2am Crowd Age: 20s Music: Wed-Sun DJ dance Decor: Old brick warehouse turned dance club Signature Drink: Stanford Zombie Amenities: Pool tables, dartboards, large-screen TV While Q Cafe has TVs showing sports and several pool tables, this place is mainly an pickup spot for young peninsula playas looking to get freaky on the dance floor. The clientele changes slightly with the music, which ranges from Top 40 on Wednesdays to hip-hop on Sundays, but the one constant is that clubgoers must dress to impress if they are looking to get it on at Q Cafe. Rose and Crown 547 Emerson St, Palo Alto; 650.327.7673 Hours: Daily 11:30am-1:30am Crowd Age: Mixed; younger on Fri nights Music: Sun live jazz; jukebox (voted best jukebox in Santa Clara County by City Search in 2002) Decor: Classic English pub Signature Drink: Guinness (only serves beer and wine) Amenities: Tue pub quiz trivia, Mon standup comedy, darts This cozy Brit-style pub smack in downtown Palo Alto sustains its own little tight-knit community with live jazz (a new offering), standup comedy and its ever-popular quiz night. "All the cool people hang out here," says Rose and Crown's owner, Tony Babb. The bar, which offers beer and wine, features a cluttered mix of Guinness posters, mirrors and stained-glass windows. There's also a back patio with funky picnic tables and umbrellas. Food includes burgers, salads and "the best fish and chips anywhere," adds Babb. Rudy's Pub 117 University Ave, Palo Alto; 650.329.0922 Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am-2am; Sat-Sun 2pm-2am Crowd Age: 21-40 Music: Thu-Sat DJ--house and hip-hop Decor: Rumpus room Signature Drink: Blaster Amenities: TV's, foosball, dominos, darts "Cheap food, warm beer and lousy service" is the guiding motto of Rudy's Pub, a hangout at the outer edge of Palo Alto. "It's a friendly, laid-back getaway from downtown stuffiness," says Los Altos resident and carpenter Chip Tate, a Rudy's regular for some 14 years. The music is loud, the dance floor in back is packed, the crowd is mixed and there's no room for pretentiousness. Play dominoes with the bartender, but the price is steep. Loser has to do push-ups--no joke. Straits Cafe 3295 El Camino Real, Palo Alto; 650.494.7168 Hours: Dinner Sun-Thu 5:30pm-9:30pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-10:30pm Crowd Age: 20s-50s Music: Mellow Jazz, live music occasionally Decor: Elegant with an Asian flare Signature Drink: House infused vodkas, Ginger Drops, Mangopolitans Amenities: Lovely outdoor patio complete with waterfall Nestled between two run-down motor inns, the Straits Café is a clandestine treasure. Stop in and have a delicious, designer drink made from one of the house infused vodkas or sample the chile crab while hobnobbing with the diverse, well-educated crowd. The patio provides an exotic setting for a romantic escape or a break from the standard happy-hour meeting spot. Zibibbo 430 Kipling St, Palo Alto; 650.328.6722 Hours: Bar, Mon-Fri 11:30am-11:30pm, Sat-Sun until 12:30am-1am Crowd Age: 25-40s Music: No live music Decor: Sophisticated Signature Drink: Cosmopolitans, Lemon Drops Amenities: Garden patio with pond and fireplace Zibibbo's cozy wood bar up front (there's also one in back) embraces a dozen small tables and is a peaceful setting to kick back and enjoy the passing scene. The full menu is offered at both bars, as well as selections from a 600-strong wine list. There's also courtyard seating. "There's a good ambience here; it's very relaxed, almost loungy," says bar manager Darryl Wong. "And we have James Bond glasses," says one bartender, holding up their supersized martini glasses. Metro Bars & Clubs 2003 Features Five Terrifying Minutes of Fame: Friends don't let friends sing, "Dude Looks Like a Lady" ... and other karaoke tips. Caffeine Nation: A list of coffeehouses--the cream of the crop. Thanks, Designated Driver!: An appreciation, and some tips, for the nondrinker. Send a letter to the editor about this story to letters@metronews.com. [ Silicon Valley | Metroactive Home | Archives ]