SAN JOSE’S The Branham Lounge has reopened with some fresh ideas. New owner John Conway, who also owns Britannia Arms Downtown, hopes to position Branham Lounge to keep its reputation as a neighborhood favorite while also catering to a diverse crowd. “We have an eclectic crowd in here; everyone from 21 to 121 is in here, and we want them to enjoy themselves,” Conway says.
The lounge will feature a variety of weekly parties, with funk, electro and house on “Quality Control” Fridays, featuring DJ Aspect; rock, punk and ska on Wednesday night’s “London Calling” with DJ Clint Eastwood; Thursday nights are “Rewind,” a retro-theme party with DJ Rated R playing hip-hop, rock and house; and “Jukebox Monday.”
The lounge is known for its retro look and feel, maintained with refurbished wood panels and imported red-velvet wallpaper. The bar’s 1960s-era jukebox remains, but Conway plans to bump up the music with a new DJ booth and state-of-the-art sound system. Newly installed HDTVs and $12 bottomless PBRs during San Jose Sharks and San Francisco 49ers should please sports fans.
The Branham Lounge was originally opened in 1969 by Nate Wasserman, who owned the bar for its first 37 years. Conway’s partners in the new venture include Sam Ramirez (Cardiff Lounge, El Guapo’s Tacos, Opa), Dave Powell/Tony Beers (Tres Gringos downtown and at the airport, Los Gatos Bar & Grill, San Jose Bar & Grill, El Guapo’s Tacos), John McKay (Almaden Brit, Airport Brit) and Mike Rathje (former player for the San Jose Sharks).
Open daily, 10am-2am
1116 Branham Ln., San Jose
408.445.1716
