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The Metro Bars & Clubs 2003 Guide [ San Jose Central | San Jose Outskirts | Campbell | Los Gatos | Mountain View | Peninsula | Santa Clara | Saratoga | Sunnyvale ] Cupertino BJ's Brewhouse 10690 N. De Anza Blvd, Cupertino; 408.865.6970; www.bjsbrewhouse.com Hours: Bar: Sun-Wed 11am-midnight, Thu-Sat 11am-1am Crowd Age: 30s-40s Music: House choice Decor: "Rustic" brewpub Signature Drink: BJ's own beers, from stout to blonde Amenities: Chicago-style pizza Mourn not the passing of that perpetually cheesy Apple worker outpost, the Peppermill, for rising from the Peppermill's ashes springs BJ's, a brewpup chain dedicated to an appetizer menu the size of the Bill of Rights and to its own signature beers. Blue Pheasant Bar and Grill 22100 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino; 408.255.3300 Hours: Tue-Sun 8pm-1:30am Crowd Age: 35-55 Music: DJ Decor: Clubhouse Signature Drink: Tequila Cosmo Amenities: Karaoke Tue Manager Paul Glass explains his philosophy: "We really look out for the ladies," he says. "Personal attention to the crowd" is what sets the Blue Pheasant, a ski lodge meets wedding reception hall, apart from the others. The Britannia Arms 1087 De Anza Blvd, Cupertino; 408.252.7262 Hours: Daily 10am-2am Crowd Age: College Music: Sun-night jazz jam, Thu-Sun live bands Decor: British Pub meets strip mall Signature Drink: Almond Joy, Peppermint Patty, Captain Caveman Amenities: Pool table, foosball, darts, dart leagues, nine TVs, Tue-night trivia, Mon-Fri happy-hour extravaganza The only place with live music in noise-sensitive Cupertino (live music is not permitted within the city limits) isn't actually in Cupertino, according to a city planner. But everyone thinks it is. So, for Cupertino's sake, let's keep the myth alive, and the amp turned up. Duke of Edinburgh 10801 N. Wolfe Rd, Cupertino; 408.446.3853 Hours: Daily 11:30am-2am Crowd Age: 83 and under Music: Stereo Decor: Uppercrust British pub Signature Drink: Poison Apple (apple pucker, vodka, triple sec, sweet & sour, 151 shaken and served straight) Amenities: Darts, British food stuff, cards for cribbage, dice The Duke's long-haired bartender seems supernice, but not half as nice as the regular who bought Metro's bars and clubs squad team a Poison Apple for tasting. Big Jim, the saintly regular, says Edinburgh's fish and chips are swell, the jukebox offers a respectable collection of British and American music, and aside from him, there's another regular--an 83-year-old retired NASA guy and World War II bomber pilot who doesn't let a little thing like age deter him from walking to the bar four nights a week. Paul and Eddie's Monta Vista Inn 21619 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino; 408.252.2226 Hours: Daily 10am-1:30am Crowd Age: 20s-40s Music: Live Acoustic Thursdays Decor: Tavern meets hunting lodge Signature Drink: Key Lime Pie Amenities: Pool league Tue, darts, video games, pool tables, jukebox, ATM Four words: chilled Jagermeister on tap. On tap, people! If that's not enough, there's free popcorn and a Pabst Blue Ribbon clock, too. This is the kind of place where you walk in and already feel like a local, due in large part to the friendly and attentive bar staff. The Inn can really fill up on the weekend, so check out the secret side room if you need some private vodka tonic time. Peacock Lounge 19980 Homestead Rd, Cupertino; 408.777.0812 Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-2am, Sat-Sun 10am-2am Crowd Age: 21-40 Music: Stereo and jukebox Decor: Sports casa Signature Drink: Freddie Fudbucker Amenities: Darts, foosball, pool and video games The Peacock boasts "the best bartender ever!" according to the bartender, who goes by the name Johnny Cum Lately. Mr. Cum Lately also notes that the Peacock is Cupertino's best-kept secret. Well, not anymore! Consider the beans on this sizable sports bar with the best bartender ever hereby spilled. TGI Friday's 10343 N. Wolfe Rd, Cupertino; 408.257.2050 Hours: Daily 11am-1am Crowd Age: 16-40 Music: Top 40 Decor: Kitschy Americana Signature Drink: Friday's Freeze (orange sherbet, OJ and Smirnoff) Amenities: Electronic trivia at bar Giant drinks and multiwatt lighting make this popular chain restaurant ode to the weekend sparkle. Walk in and hear sexy Rod Stewart serenade you from the jukebox. Go for happy hour from 4 to 7pm and then again from 10pm to 1am. Happy, happy. Metro Bars & Clubs 2003 Features Five Terrifying Minutes of Fame: Friends don't let friends sing, "Dude Looks Like a Lady" ... and other karaoke tips. Caffeine Nation: A list of coffeehouses--the cream of the crop. Thanks, Designated Driver!: An appreciation, and some tips, for the nondrinker. Send a letter to the editor about this story to letters@metronews.com. [ Silicon Valley | Metroactive Home | Archives ]