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The Metro Bars & Clubs 2003 Guide [ San Jose Central | San Jose Outskirts | Campbell | Cupertino | Los Gatos | Peninsula | Santa Clara | Saratoga | Sunnyvale ] Mountain View Alberto's Nightclub 736 W. Dana St, Mtn. View; 650.968.3007 Hours: Mon-Sat 7pm-2am, Sun 6pm-midnight Crowd Age: 21-40 Music: Tue, Thu DJ Oscar; weekends live Latino music Decor: Swanky salsa Signature Drink: Corona Amenities: Mon Mambo lessons; Tue, Thu, Sun Salsa lessons; Wed Lindy and Swing lessons In the past year, Alberto's has only gotten spicier. The owner, Raúl, says the crowd here has the sexiest moves in the South Bay--and if they don't, they can take lessons to learn how. Mambo, salsa, and swing mix it up with DJ nights. California Billiard Club 881 E. El Camino Real, Mtn. View; 650.965.3100 Hours: Daily 11:30am-2am Crowd Age: 18 and up Music: Jukebox Decor: Upscale pool hall Signature Drink: Beer, wine, soft drinks Amenities: 34 tables, pinball and shoot-'em-up arcades games, foosball This is a serious place for pool--winners can take in more than $1,000, even if they get less than first place. Pool costs $10 an hour for two, there's tavern-style food, and when you win you can do your victory dance on the giant eightball design in the carpet. King of Clubs (Daybreak Bar) 893 Leong Dr, Mtn. View; 650.968.6366 Hours: Daily 6pm-2am Crowd Age: 20s-30s Music: DJ Wed & Fri-Sun Decor: Nightclub Signature Drink: Fishbowl Amenities: Karaoke Mon and Thu; Country & Western Tue; jukebox Half sweet lil' hideaway, half hot dance club, the KOC used to be a bar for the Navy boys from nearby Moffett. Now this self-described "alternative" bar fills its schedule with a number of gay/lesbian nights, including the only gay Country & Western night in town. A Family Affair offers up the Thursday night karaoke, and every Sunday people in their undies go-go dance to house Latin and hip-hop at Club Fever, where the happy hour offers $5 pitchers and Mexican food. Molly Magee's 241 Castro Ave, Mtn. View; 650.961.0108 Hours: 5pm-2am Crowd Age: 20s-30s Music: DJ Thu-Sat Decor: Tavern Signature Drink: Beer Amenities: Vending machine (sugary treats and smoky treats); pool table; jukebox There is nothing like being greeted at the door with a Guinness Cat-in-the-Hat hat. This spacious Irish pub is just dark enough on the inside and has a smoking patio, too. And when you've slurped one too many Harps, you can have Amici's Pizza from down the street delivered to your table. But it's not just the array of standard Irish bevvies they've got on tap--knock back a few surprisingly swank Peartinis and you'll never be the same. Office Bar 820 E. El Camino Real, Mtn. View; 650.969.2098 Hours: Mon-Fri noon-2am, Sat-Sun 10am-2am (happy hour is 3-6pm every day) Crowd Age: 21-50 Music: Karaoke on Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 8.30pm-2am Decor: Neighborhood bar with a hint of tavern and a little sports bar, too, plus a suit of armor displayed behind the bar Signature Drink: Michelle's Special (the owner's frothy concoction of blended Baileys, butterscotch schnapps, Malibu rum and a cherry on top) Amenities: Pool, darts, pinball, video games, big screen TV, lotto Time at this Office is spent playing pool or warbling away at karaoke. It's a tiny place, but the atmosphere is friendly. Kick back in one of the red Naugahyde chairs under an inflated Nascar with a bottle of Bud and dial up your boss--when he asks where you are, you'll be able to give him the bar's favorite line. Shoreline Billiards 1400 N. Shoreline Blvd, Mtn. View; 650.964.0780 Hours: Daily, 11:30am-2:30am Crowd Age: 18 and up (juniors have to be accompanied by a parent) Music: Jukebox Decor: Pool tables deluxe Signature Drink: Corona Amenities: 24 pool tables, one billiards table, two snooker tables, five arcade games With this much entertainment, you might forget about the drinking. The clientele at this laid-back pool hall spans the gamut of age, ethnic backgrounds, and playing proficiency. Right around the corner from the Century 16 cineplex, it's a cool place to knock off a few hours while waiting to get into the latest blockbuster. The Sports Page 1431 Plymouth St, Mtn. View; 650.961.1992 Hours: Daily, 10am-2am Crowd Age: 21-50 Music: Live music Fri-Sun; Karaoke Tues and Sat nights Decor: Comfortable old-style come-as-you-are bar Signature Drink: Bocce Ball (vodka, Amaretto, pineapple and orange juice), Long Island Ice Tea Dancing: Yes Games/Amenities: Beach volleyball all year, two pool tables, 10 video games, darts, pinball, coin-op basketball Talk about hidden amenities--the Sports Page sports its very own backyard sand-filled volleyball court, plus lots of picnic-table seating on a heated outdoor patio. Friday night happy hour brings out appropriately happy regulars, who say the bar pours generously. Add to that 24 beers on tap, an old-school curtained photo booth, and the recipe for Spring Break-style shenanigans is complete. St. Stephen's Green 223 Castro St, Mtn. View; 650.964.9151 Hours: Daily 11am-1:30am Crowd Age: 0-60 Music: DJ Thu-Sat Decor: Irish pub Signature Drink: Guinness! Amenities: Three big screen TVs Bangers and Mash! Bangers and Mash! When the patrons of two-doors-down Molly Magee's get older and/or hungry they can migrate here. This well-replicated Irish pub is comfortable and family-oriented during the day, when patrons sip a pint or sample from a full menu of the world's most maligned culinary treasures (see Shepherd's Pie). Weekends bring in an evening DJ or live music, and a crowd of dancin' fools. Tied House 954 Villa St, Mtn. View; 650.965.2739 Hours: Mon-Sat 11:30am-midnight, Sun 11:30 am - 10:30pm. Mon-Thurs kitchen open until 10pm, Fri 11pm and Sun 9:30pm Crowd Age: 21-50 Music: Live bands on Sat night Decor: Warehouse chic Signature Drink: Cascade amber (brewed in-house) Amenities: A bunch of 625-gallon brewing tanks Jokes about "tying one on" at the Tied House may get a laugh, but they'd be woefully historically incorrect. The name actually hearkens back to 18th century England, when a pub was tied to one brewery and could only serve that brand of beer, as opposed to a free house, which was allowed to contract with other breweries. This pub sports a California cuisine menu. Popular live bands play Saturday nights, adding to the general din. 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 ]