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The Metro Bars & Clubs 2003 Guide [ San Jose Central | San Jose Outskirts | Campbell | Cupertino | Los Gatos | Mountain View | Peninsula | Santa Clara | Saratoga ] Sunnyvale Aruba's Island Grill Four Points Sheraton, 1250 Lakeside Dr, Sunnyvale; 408.738.4888 Hours: Daily 2pm-midnight Crowd: Late 20s-40s, 80-85 percent hotel guests Music: Live bands, summer every Thu starting June 19, 5pm-9pm Decor: Tropical Signature Drink: n/a Amenities: Televisions The residents of this Island are primarily hotel guests, though live music and a beach party theme do bring in some locals. With patio seating by the pool and bright decorative choices, Aruba's often seems more like a resort or a cruise ship than a bar--come here to get your plastic hula on. Beefy's Cabin 693 Grape Ave, SJ; 408.736.7141 Hours: Daily 10am-2am Crowd: 20s-50s Music: Jukebox, alternative, blues, country, vocals Decor: Western, sporty Signature Drink: Premium beers on tap Amenities: Row of five dartboards, pinball, video game, ATM Beefy's Cabin moved from its longtime West Washington Avenue locale to the former Scotties' haunt. Crowds from both have now come to peacefully commingle and continue to enjoy the bar's smoking policy, as it's a family-run operation in which smoking is legal. Blue Bonnet Bar 203 S. Fair Oaks Ave, Sunnyvale; 408.245.6651 Hours: Daily 6am-2am Crowd Age: 30s-mid-60s Music: Jukebox, classic and recent pop, rock and soul, occasional live bands Decor: Active athletic Signature Drink: Beer Amenities: Three pool tables, dart machine, video games, pinball, Megatouch Maxx, multiple large and smaller TV screens, California Lotto When the jukebox is blasting and the three pool tables are all in use, the Blue Bonnet Bar seems more like the kind of rumble-waiting-to-happen roadhouse that one sees in movies. But the friendly bar staff instantly put the uninitiated at ease, and the 50-cent microwave popcorn is sure to hit the spot. Blue Max 828 W. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale; 408.746.9500 Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-2am, Sun 10am-midnight Crowd Age: 30s-70s Music: Jukebox, country, rock, classic and newer blues, Thu and Sat karaoke Decor: Stone, model planes, red, white & blue Signature Drink: n/a Amenities: Video games, Infinity, Megatouch Maxx, California Lotto, pool table, cigarette machine Forget American Idol--the nation's widest range of vocal stylings really warbles up at Blue Max's karaoke nights. Everyone from the solo singer who can nail newer country numbers to the pairs of buddies who sincerely work through classic rock and newer pop take a shot. The bar's unassuming shopping corner locale gives its patrons a respite from the bustle of El Camino Real. Bourbon One 927 E. Duane Ave, Sunnyvale; 408.736.3993 Hours: Sun-Mon 6pm-midnight, Tue-Sat 6pm-2am Crowd Age: 20s-40s Music: DJ Fri-Sat Decor: Game room Signature Drink: Chocolate Cake Amenities: Pool tables, darts Blink and you might miss its minimall location, but turn your block-rockin' beat radar up and you'll have no trouble finding this local saloon. Regular guys hold up the bar during the day; the kids come out on the weekend to dance to house and techno. Brass Rail 160 Persian Dr, Sunnyvale; 408.734.1454 Hours: Daily 10am-2am, entertainment 11:45am-2am, lunch 10am-2pm Crowd: 20s-60s Music: DJ booth, providing a soundtrack for the dancers Decor: Mirrors and brass Signature Drink: New ones invented every few months Amenities: Five pool tables, two ATMs The dancers at the Brass Rail keep their private parts covered--barely, sometimes--and even at midday one can find up to three of them dancing at a time on individual stages. There's a no-pressure atmosphere here, and creative drinks are offered periodically; try the months-new Viagra, which goes down as smooth as a chilled lemonade. The Candid Club 1053 E. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale; 408.246.3624 Hours: Daily 11am-2am Crowd Age: Middle-aged middle management to young bucks Music: Music to strip by Decor: Dark yet homey bar Signature Drink: Patron (best tequila ever) Amenities: Women in bikinis, pool, TV Giving punny meaning to the term "strip mall," the Candid Club anchors an oddball shopping center alongside Indian groceries. Inside, a small stage features women in smaller bikinis. If the entertainment's not your style, feel free to turn your back and view one of the sports-cemented TVs instead. Drinks are half off from 11am to 1pm weekdays; no cover charge. Club 155 155 S. Murphy St, Sunnyvale; 408.720.1535 Hours: Thu-Sat 8:30pm-2am Crowd Age: 18-28 Music: DJs, hip-hop and Top 40 Decor: Simple and clean Signature Drink: No, $3 drink specials Amenities: Pool tables, foosball, smoking patio Remember throwing house parties when the parental units were out of town? Club 155 provides all of the fun of those taboo days without the mess of getting grounded. A diverse mix of party-goers 18 and over can get down on the large dance floor; those wishing for a mellow hangout can head upstairs. Smokers enjoy nicotine on the balcony overlooking Murphy Street. A no-sports-apparel dress code is enforced. Cover is $5 for 21+ and $10 for 20 and below. Fibbar McGee's 156 Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale; 408.749.8373 Hours: Daily 11:30am-1:30am Crowd Age: 20s-40s Music: Live bands Fri-Sat Decor: Dark wood; old country Signature Drink: Guinness Imperial Pints Amenities: Two old-fashioned darts, satellite football (i.e., soccer) matches, hearty food menu It's an oxymoron often used in advertising, but casual elegance does come to mind at Fibbar McGee's. The surroundings and menu are more formal than at most area bars, but the atmosphere certainly isn't. Fibbar McGee's is an Irish bar in America, with all the conceptual morphing one might get reading Finnegans Wake while sunning in a California backyard. The Forum 146 S. Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale; 408.739.5000; www.sfclubs.com Hours: Doors open at 9:30pm; dress code Crowd Age: 21+; some 18+ events; Sun 14-17 Music: Check website for DJ theme nights Decor: Upscale dance club that caters to younger party set Signature Drink: Red Bull and Vodka Amenities: Dance-tastic Spread over 15,000 square feet and three floors, the Forum began as a glamorous movie theater before being transformed into the equally glamorous Palace supper club. In 2001, the space was taken over by SF Clubs, a San Francisco-based promotions company. SF Clubs recreated the Forum as a European-style nightclub that offers beautiful people an upscale DJ dance environment. It is youth-friendly, with 18-and-overs allowed on Tuesdays and 18-and-unders on Sundays. The Hiphugger 948 W. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale; 408.736.8585 Hours: Daily 11am-2pm Crowd Age: 20s-40s Music: Dancer's jukebox, loud and pumping Decor: Elevated runways and shiny rods Signature Drink: n/a Amenities: Two Megatouch Maxx games, pinball, video games Attractive women dance in very minimal bikinis to a nearly exclusively male crowd at the Hiphugger, where quiet conversations and solitary reflection are not the norm. Patrons tend to gather with their buddies, while a few inexplicably play electronic games of skill and chance. Josline's Cafe 404 Town & Country Lane, Sunnyvale; 408.830.9231 Hours: Mon-Thu 7am-9pm, Fri-Sat 7am-10pm Crowd Age: Everyone welcome Music: Jazz on weekends Decor: Eatery with homey touches Signature Drink: BYOB (Alcohol license pending) Amenities: Creole cuisine and jazz What it lacks in flash, Josline's gains in homestyle touches. Chef Harold Welch, a Barbados native, serves Creole favorites tricked out with Caribbean touches. Jambalaya is the house specialty with a generous helping of shrimp, fish, sausage with an added curry kick. On weekends, Josline's hosts live jazz at 7pm. Lion and Compass 1023 N. Fair Oaks Ave, Sunnyvale; 408.745.1260 Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am-10pm, Sat-Sun 5pm-10pm Crowd: 30s-60s Music: Via the house sound system Decor: Marble, tile, wood Signature Drink: Brazilian Daiquiri Amenities: Library with century-old books; stock ticker that's under repair at press time The art of the deal seems alive and well at the Lion and Compass, which serves its share of business clientele. The restaurant and bar are easy to speed by when driving on North Fair Oaks but worthy of a stop for a sophisticated drinking experience. Murphy's Law 135 S. Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale; 408.736.3822 Hours: Mon-Fri noon-2am, Sat-Sun 10am-2am (9:30am during football season), daily happy hour noon-7pm Crowd Age: Mid-20s-50s Music: Thu karaoke, Fri-Sat live bands, jukebox, pop, rock, reggae, blues, old and new Decor: Various hanging inflated items, sports posters, Marilyn Monroe Signature Drink: n/a Amenities: Two electronic games of skill and chance, one dartboard The length and openness of Murphy's Law give it the feel of a restaurant or microbrewery as much as a bar. The love of sport is apparent throughout, as is the vibe of what life might've been in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Come on in, exhale and enjoy. Paul & Harvey's 130 S. Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale; 408.736.5770 Hours: Daily 9am-2am; happy hour noon-7pm Crowd Age: 20s-60s Music: Jukebox, pop, vocal, country, alternative, old and new Decor: Neon, carpet and bumper sticker Signature Drink: Hooter Amenities: Three pool tables, two electric dartboards, video games, pinball, cigarette machine, pay-phone booth, ATM There's a sense of the casual hang with a good-looking but low maintenance crowd at this Sunnyvale institution. "Just come as you are. It's a laid-back bar," says "Princess" Maria, one of the bartenders. She adds that Paul & Harvey's trademark drink is a Hooter, which contains "a little bit of this and a little bit of that." The Quarter Note 1214 Apollo Way, Sunnyvale; 408.732.2110; www.quarternote.com Hours: Daily 10:30am-2am Crowd Age: 20s-30s Music: Sun, Mon, Wed blues and rock jam; Tue live band and karaoke; Thu Synergy, a hip-hop and freestyle rap and jam session, other live music Decor: Down-home bar Signature Drink: Bloody Mary, Kamikaze, Long Island Iced Tea Amenities: Shuffleboard, pool tables, darts, foosball, juke box, TVs Notoriously tricky to find, the Quarter Note is worth the hassle. Tucked away in a nondescript location in Sunnyvale with plenty of parking, the comfortable bar and grill serves finger foods like taquitos, calamari, potstickers, hot spicy wings and beef ribs for lunch and dinner. A small stage hosts live music seven nights a week. Rooster T. Feathers 157 W. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale; 408.736.0921 Hours: Wed-Thu 7:15-10:30pm, Fri-Sat 7:15pm-1am Crowd Age: 21+ Music: No Decor: Kitschy neighborhood comedy Signature Drink: Martinis, Love Potion #9 and Sexy + 17 Amenities: Hilarity After a long day of work, what's better than drowning one's sorrows with a night of standup comedy and one of Rooster T. Feather's signature martinis? The South Bay's longest-running comedy club hosts comedians featured on Comedy Central, HBO, Leno and Letterman. There is a $12 cover and a two-drink minimum. Scruffy Murphy's 187 S. Murphy St, Sunnyvale; 408.735.7394 Hours: Daily 11am-2am Crowd Age: Late 20s-50s Music: Fri live rock, Sat DJs Decor: Masculine Irish pub Signature Drink: Guinness Amenities: Pool table, video game, smoking patio This casual no-frills Irish pub features a small dance floor for patrons to enjoy live bands on Friday and Saturday nights. On weekdays, sports fanatics can throw back a Guinness while scoping out the latest sports scores on television. Every Tuesday is trivia night, and Wednesday is Irish night. Shooters Bar and Grill 769 N. Mathilda Ave, Sunnyvale; 408.738.2787 Hours: Daily 10am-2am Crowd Age: Middle-aged Music: Jukebox of rock and country Decor: Neighborhood Signature Drink: Shots Amenities: Pool table, pinball, video games, smoking patio Park your Harley, sit down at the bar and order a round of shots. Patrons can unwind with a game of pool, a favorite tune on the jukebox or a good smoke on the patio. Sports fans can root for their favorite sports team on the big-screen while betting rounds of beer on the game's outcome. Starlite 1160 N. Fair Oaks Ave, Sunnyvale; 408.745.7827 Hours: Parties Thu 7:15-11pm, Fri 7:15pm-midnight, Sat 8pm-midnight, Sun 7-11pm Crowd Age: 21+ Music: DJs Decor: High school prom nostalgia Signature Drink: Bottled water, no alcohol served Amenities: Dance lessons Love is in the air, and the path to romance is just a box-step away. Starlite holds dance lessons throughout the week before opening up the three dance floors on the weekends. This comfortably wholesome club is a place that even grandparents can enjoy. Stoddard's 111 S. Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale; 408.733.7824 Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-10pm, Sat-Sun 3-10pm Crowd Age: 20s-50s Music: Reggae Sun 3-7pm Decor: Modern conservative Signature Drink: Stoddard's personal beers brewed on site Amenities: Outdoor dining Casual and spacious, unassuming and clean, Stoddard's brews a variety of its own award-winning beers. A great place for friendly get-togethers, Stoddard's has a cafe feel but with stronger drinks. Sundays host live reggae music. Happy hour is every day from 4 to 7pm. Tarragon Restaurant & Bar 40 S. Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale; 408.737.8003 Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am-10:30pm, Sat-Sun 5-11pm Crowd Age: 20s-50s Music: Live bands, Greek music Fri; Flamenco Sat Decor: Warm and modern European Signature Drink: Martinis, Citron My Face, Sexual Trance and Cheesecake Amenities: No Tarragon exemplifies Mediterranean hospitality with a martini menu 50 drinks long. Live music on Fridays and Saturdays intensifies the European illusion while patrons wine and dine in simple elegance. Tarragon is the ideal place for an intimate romantic dinner or girl's night out. Martinis are $3 on Wednesdays. Turmerik 141 S. Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale; 408.617.9100 Hours: Lunch Mon-Sat 11:30am-2pm, dinner Mon-Sat 5:30-10pm. Wine bar and cocktail lounge is open during normal lunch hours, Mon-Thu 5pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-midnight Crowd Age: 20s-50s Music: In-house soft jazz Decor: Indian Signature Drink: Kheera Martini (cucumber) and Aam Martini (mango) Amenities: No Exotic martinis and an extensive wine bar paired with world-class Indian cuisine--a perfect trifecta. Brian Joseph, co-proprietor and general manager, proves he knows how to tantalize the palate by hiring executive chef Arvind Bhargava, a favorite of President Clinton's. 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 ]