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Bars & Clubs

Categories Live Rock & Pop | Live Jazz & Blues | Cocktail Lounges Live Salsa & Latin | Country & Western | Coffeehouses Comedy & Vaudeville | Dance Clubs | Hangouts | Pubs Sports Bars | Microbreweries | Billiard Parlors | Juice Bars Go-Go & Strip Clubs | Wineries Juice Bars Caffé Zucco 74 S. First St., San Jose (408/297-9777) Caffe Zucco is more of a bistro than a cafe, but it's a very elegant, lively bistro. Sandwiches, salads and soups make this a popular lunch spot as well as the perfect place for a light dinner. The main area is sleek, modern and colorful, and the faux wall finishes add a zesty texture that seems inspired by the wide range of exotic smoothies made here--everything from chunky oreo-cookie blends to slick wheatgrass shots. Zucco actually can be a delightful hangout, once visitors discover the upstairs loft with its sink-into couches and entrancing waterfall. But the few regulars probably don't want this secret hiding place spoiled by a teeming throng. Jamba Juice Various locations This smoothie behemoth (formerly the Juice Club) has enough outlets in the Bay Area to put the squeeze on its competitors. Hours vary at the local juiceries, but all are open until 9pm and many till 11pm--which makes them an alternative to bars for healthy nightowls. Locations: 848-B Blossom Hill Road, SJ (408/225-2582); 1030 El Paseo de Saratoga, SJ (408/874-0670); 1570 Bascom Ave., Campbell (408/558-0320); Blossom Hill Pavilion, 624-40 Blossom Hill Road, #628, Los Gatos (408/358-6040); 1037-A El Monte Ave., Mountain View (415/237-0690); and Town & Country Shopping Center, Embarcadero and El Camino Real, Palo Alto (415/325-2582). Juice Club 21265 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino (408/366-2582) The lone squeeze palace still left with the old Juice Club moniker (all the others have been redubbed Jamba Juice), the Club accepts a wide variety of unofficial members seeking fresh juice. A prime location in the Oaks Center makes for great people-watching, too. Hours: Monday­Friday, 7am­11pm; Saturday­Sunday, 8am­11pm. Nectar's 81 Main St., Los Gatos (408/395-2333) With this juice bar located next to Los Gatos Coffee Roasting, Main Street is the main drag for thirsty joggers, strollers and shoppers. This early rider of the juice-bar wave (it opened in 1994) serves some 20 smoothies. Open Monday­Friday, 7am­9pm; Saturday­Sunday, 8am­8pm. Rojoz 18562-A Prospect Rd., Saratoga (408/777-8226) 60 Town and Country Village, Palo Alto (415/324-9727) In its "world" cuisine and its spacious, uncluttered atmosphere dominated by colorful multicultural murals and a brightly tiled counter area, this juice bar and casual restaurant represents a couple of happy trends. The health-conscious menu serves up various internationally inspired wraps in addition to 10 kinds of smoothies with 12 different possible additions. Open 11am­10pm daily (Palo Alto store closes at 10pm Thursday­Saturday and 9pm Sunday­Wednesday). [ Metro | Metroactive Central | Archives ]