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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 ] Menlo Park British Bankers Club (BBC) 1090 El Camino Real, Menlo Park 650.327.8769 There's something naughty about partying in a bank—especially one done up in bannisters, brass and water buffalo. The BBC is prim leather and Tiffany, but with a DJ beat. The lovely back patio is the perfect place to watch the antics going down at Café Borrone across the plaza. Note: there is often a cover charge, and a new dress code is in effect as of June 1 (no shorts, sweats, ripped jeans, cutoffs, hats or bandanas). (AS) The Dutch Goose 3567 Alameda de Las Pulgas, Menlo Park; 650.854.3245 This is the bar where you get drunk with your best pals and yell at the TV. Or listen to Blue Oyster Cult and enjoy the two deviled eggs for a dollar along with that pitcher of beer. Bring your knife: the high-backed booths and tables are geologically layered with initials, curses, TLA confessions and gossip. Cafeteria-style ordering at the front counter. Not fancy, but the back-to-basics swagger of the place will be comforting to displaced Midwesterners. (AS) Vida 641 Santa Cruz Ave, Menlo Park 650.462.1686 Even the matchbooks are elegant here. Vida is a slice of Parisian neighborhood charm tucked into the middle of the peninsula. White linen, red walls, long mirrors brasserie-style and gold lettering on the front glass all add to the quiet intimate warmth of Vida. Yes, it is one of Menlo Park's favorite foodie spots, but the bar is open till 2am on Friday and Saturday nights. If you need to woo, let Vida do half the work for you. (AS) Send a letter to the editor about this story to letters@metronews.com. [ Silicon Valley | Metroactive Home | Archives ]