Alexander's Steakhouse
10330 N. Wolfe Rd, Cupertino; 408.446.2222
An upscale watering hole for those with expensive tastes, Alexander's Steakhouse's attentive bartenders pour from a well-stocked top shelf and a deep wine list. This classic American steakhouse puts a few twists on that tradition by introducing pan-Asian fusions to its formidable red meat selection.
BJ's Brewhouse
10690 N. De Anza Blvd, Cupertino; 408.865.6970
BJ's Brewhouse, which is quickly becoming a local institution known for its well-crafted beers, serves up Chicago inspired pizza and pasta dishes coupled with an extensive appetizer menu to quell the hungers for food and drink of local Cupertino residents coming home from work or De Anza College students seeking a beer-fueled study break.
Blue Pheasant Bar and Grill
22100 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino; 408.255.3300
Located on the grounds of Cupertino's Blackberry Golf Course, the Blue Pheasant Bar and Grill has been serving up steak and seafood to hungry golfers and locals in its clubhouse atmosphere for years. The Blue Pheasant plays host to the swingingest dance party in Cupertino with DJs playing everything from the '50s straight through to today's hits.
Britannia Arms
1087 De Anza Blvd, Cupertino; 408.252.7262
The original Brit—and considered by its loyal regulars to be the best of the three—still serves up the best fish and chips and English brews you're likely to find on this side of the pond. You can catch all of your major English and European soccer events. The bar also hosts a weekly schedule of jazz, karaoke, cover bands and DJs.
Duke of Edinburgh
10801 N. Wolfe Rd, Cupertino, California; 408.252.7262
Hands down our favorite British Isle pub in Cupertino, or for that matter anywhere in the South Bay, the Duke of Edinburgh certainly does everything right. Its bar and nearly everything inside was shipped directly from England and assembled to exact pub specs for some genuine authenticity, and it seems that Duke of Edinburgh's menu made the voyage across the pond as well. You can sip on a staggering selection of beers on tap from the British Isles and munch on some classic pub fare with everything from shepherd's pie to fish and chips to Scotch eggs—hard-boiled eggs wrapped in sausage and deep fried, so good—while tossing real steel-tipped darts.
Park Place
10030 S. De Anza Blvd, Cupertino; 408.873.1000
With the bar and lounge chicly done up in earthy tones with throw pillows and mosaic tile, Park Place is the hippest place to see and be seen in Cupertino. The restaurant itself boasts new contemporary twists on classic American seafood and steakhouse fare with an excellent wine list to complement the cuisine.
Paul and Eddie's Monta Vista Inn
21619 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino; 408.252.2226
We suppose the best endorsement for Paul and Eddie's is that if it were closer to our house, we would spend everyday there. Paul and Eddie's embodies that neighborhood bar feel to a tee with heavy drinks, ice cold tap beers and the Jaegerator—an ice cold Jaeger pouring machine. Also, it has darts, pool and video games to while away the hours.
Peacock Lounge
19980 Homestead Road, Cupertino; 408.777.0812
We're certain that the Peacock Lounge sports bar has caused its fair share of marital difficulties, but we're also sure that it has solved many of them as well. With a wall of televisions tuned to every sport under the sun, pool tables, dartboards, foosball and video games, it's easy to see why the Peacock Lounge is a favorite local hangout. And, rest assured, sports and sports bars have never been scientifically proven to break up marriages ... really.
TGI Friday's
10343 N. Wolfe Rd, Cupertino; 408.257.2050
The South Bay foothold of the behemoth TGI Friday's chain tows the company's signature flair line well with hugely portioned appetizers and entrees served side by side with some of the most potent cocktails around. Perhaps the coolest aspect of TGI Friday's, well, except making fun of their overly perky service staff after you've had a few, is that they sport two happy hours (4-7pm and 10pm-1am) to keep their raucous atmosphere going.
Send a letter to the editor about this story.
