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The Metro Bars & Clubs 2004 Guide [ Intro | Coffee | Tea | Famous South Bay Drunks | San Jose | Campbell | Cupertino | Los Altos | Los Gatos | Menlo Park | Mountain View | Palo Alto | Redwood City | Santa Clara | Saratoga | Sunnyvale ] Cupertino BJ's Brewhouse 10690 N. De Anza Blvd, Cupertino 408.865.6970; www.bjsbrewhouse.com It's a national, publicly traded (NASDAQ: CHGO) restaurant chain with locations in California, Texas, Oregon, Hawaii and Arizona. BJ's sells Chicago-style pizza and pasta, but the real draw is the beer, which comes in Tatonka (stout), Nutty Brewnette (brown), Harvest Hefeweizen (wheat), Piranha (pale ale), PM (porter), Jeremiah (red ale) and Blonde (kolsch) flavors. The extensive appetizer list—including avocado egg rolls, sausages, seasoned fries, etc.—complements the suds. Cry all you want about outside investors taking over, but believe this: Apple workers now have a selection of microbrew beers to quaff. Cheers. (TI) Blue Pheasant Bar and Grill 22100 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino 408.255.3300 Down the street from Paul and Eddie's sits another relic of Cupertino's past. With its blue awning and location on the grounds of Blackberry golf course, the Blue Pheasant conjures up images of swingers telling tall tales of eagle putts and commiserating about that wicked dogleg left. During the afternoon, this image comes to life with local golfers sipping a cocktail or enjoying a late lunch overlooking the first tee. At night, the grill attracts an older crowd, while the lounge does bang up business. (TI) The Britannia Arms 1087 De Anza Blvd, Cupertino 408.252.7262; www.britanniaarms.com The Cupertino pub is the original Brit—a communal drinking space for expatriates and their friends. Legend has it that former Manchester United and onetime Earthquakes star George Best could be found belting back a couple pre-game drinks hours before kickoff. Hallmark holidays are a big deal here—Halloween, New Year's Eve, Valentine's Day and especially St. Patrick's Day, when the place reaches maximum capacity. During less crazy times, the Brit broadcasts major English soccer events and hosts a weekly schedule of jazz, karaoke, DJs, cover bands and the occasional live hip-hop show. (TI) Duke of Edinburgh 10801 N. Wolfe Rd, Cupertino 408.446.3853; www.theduke.com Is there such a thing as pub-in-a-box? Every piece of the Duke's interior was shipped from England and assembled to exact pub specs. Since opening in 1983, the Duke has embodied the perfect British gathering spot. Thirsts are sated, bellies filled and cravings for European football games satisfied. The pub regularly broadcasts major tournaments like UEFA, Euro Cup and the all-important World Cup qualifiers and lesser sports like baseball, American football, basketball and hockey. (TI) Hamasushi's Club Elite 20030 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino 408.446.HAMA; www.hamasushi.com When serious karaoke singers crave raw fish, sake and a throbbing version of Neil Diamond, they head to Hamasushi's Club Elite lounge. Its quality sound system and expanded list (updated monthly) of Japanese, Chinese, Korean and English-language songs inspire an international array of American Idol wannabes to act a fool. Lately, the 26-year-old sushi restaurant has been hosting live jazz on Saturday nights. Appearances by Gail Dobson and Primary Colors have livened up an evening once dominated by amateurs. (TI) Helios Global Brasserie 10030 S. De Anza Blvd, Cupertino 408.873.1000; www.helios-restaurant.com Cupertino's gift to good times, Helios arrived in 2002 and gave the town a shot of big-city flair. The bar is done up with exotic yet earthy touches like throw pillows, mosaic tile and stylish lighting. The brasserie gained acclaim for its food and service, making Helios easily the most luxurious place to be seen in the Coop. Helios' wonderful outdoor patio looks out upon an unappealing intersection, but the Blueberry Lemonade cocktail (Bacardi Razz, blueberry liqueur and fresh lemonade) makes watching the endless convoy of SUVs and minivans worthwhile. (TI) Paul and Eddie's Monta Vista Inn 21619 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino 408.252.2226; www.paulandeddies.com It's pretty difficult to miss Paul and Eddie's Monta Vista Inn—its name is clearly stamped in 3-foot-high letters on the side of the building. The antique barn-looking structure a deep pass away from De Anza College was established in the early 1950s and still stands as one of the oldest erections in Cupertino (though some of the smart aleck barflies may disagree). Distilled spirits may be ordered pulled or poured. A dozen beers and cold Jaeger on tap speak to the community-college clientele. Video games, darts and pool tables offer further distraction. (TI) Peacock Lounge 19980 Homestead Rd, Cupertino 408.777.0812 On those days when the big game interferes with the prime time season finale, Cupertino sports widows (and widowers) know where to find a wayward spouse. Try the seats facing one of Peacock Lounge's TV sets tuned into Game 7. Pool tables, video games, foosball, darts and shuffleboard also compete for attention at this sports bar located just off Bellville. Thursdays feature karaoke, and DJs spin music on Fridays and Saturdays. (TI) South Seas Hide-A-Way 10031 Judy Ave, Cupertino 408.252.0684 For those who want a discreet setting for a tête-à-tête, it doesn't get any better than South Seas. Pull off Stevens Creek, head down a leader street and look for the tropical motif. Inside, party people get down to karaoke, pool, darts, video games, occasional live music and the many relationship games people play. (TI) TGI Friday's 10343 N. Wolfe Rd, Cupertino 408.257.2050 You won't see Jennifer Aniston rocking the oversized buttons (or "flairs" in Office Space speak), but you will find oversized platters of Atkins-unfriendly appetizers and mixed drinks strong enough to stun a camel. The loud and rowdy bar is big with celebrations—21st birthdays, bachelor parties, you-go-girl get togethers—and the double happy hour (4-7pm/10pm-1am) certainly contributes to the raucous atmosphere. (TI) Send a letter to the editor about this story to letters@metronews.com. [ Silicon Valley | Metroactive Home | Archives ]