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The Metro Bars & Clubs 2003 Guide [ San Jose Central | San Jose Outskirts | Campbell | Cupertino | Los Gatos | Mountain View | Peninsula | Saratoga | Sunnyvale ] Santa Clara Backbeat 777 Lawrence Expy, Santa Clara; 408.241.0777 Hours: Wed-Thu 9:30pm-2am, Sat 9pm-2am, Sun 7:30pm-midnight Crowd Age: 21 and up, with special nights for 18+ and 14+ Music: Dance music with special shows Decor: Space-age discothéque Signature Drink: Cosmo Amenities: Themed rooms available for banquets and private parties Seemingly airlifted to Santa Clara from the Island of Disco Moreau, Backbeat is as plush as they come, with wide-open dance spaces, lush banquettes, a pumping sound system and tons of beautiful people. If there's a strike against Backbeat, it's lack of consistency in its booking--call the hot line first. Birk's 3955 Freedom Circle, Santa Clara; 408.980.6400 Hours: Mon-Fri 5-11pm, Sat-Sun 10am-11pm Crowd Age: 35-55 Music: No live music Decor: Fancy restaurant Signature Drink: Silk Amenities: High tech dealmakers and 49ers Mmm ... shiny. While this swank spot is really more restaurant than bar, its drink menu satisfies even the most weathered of imbibers. Crowded during the week, a bit more relaxed on the weekends, the dimly lit bar serves up such yummy treats as Berries and Bubbles, Van Gogh Raspberry vodka shaken with a splash of Chambord and topped with champagne. Blinky's Sports Bar 3145 El Camino Real, Santa Clara; 408.241.3933 Hours: Daily 10am-2am, Fri-Sun 6am-2am Crowd Age: 20s-40s Music: Live music every Friday Decor: Lounge-meets-frat-house game room Signature Drink: Draft beer Amenities: Pool tournaments Thu-Sat, karaoke Wed-Thu and Sat, darts, shuffleboard, pool tables, big-screen TVs At Blinky's, domestic beer is pulled with panache by one of the friendly bartenders--Greg, for example, who could outtalk a fastball. As its name implies, Blinky's is a denim-collar bar dedicated to the art of the game: namely pool, shuffleboard or televised sports. On Fridays the black-and-white checked dance floor fills up to the sounds of live bands. You could say that every time you blink at Blinky's, there's a new way to have fun--if you wanted to make a really dorky pun, that is. By-Th-Bucket 4565 Stevens Creek Blvd, Santa Clara; 408.248.6244 Hours: Sun-Tue 11am-10pm; Wed-Sat 11am-11pm Crowd Age: 25-35 Music: Contemporary jazz Decor: Home-style Italian Signature Drink: By-Th-Bucket Margarita in an 18-ounce glass Amenities: TVs at the bar Names can be deceptive--By-Th-Bucket is a lot nicer than it sounds. It boasts Italian murals, white-linen tablecloths, lots of burnished wood and a handsome glass-encased wine rack. Even the obligatory Raiders and 49ers football jerseys are tastefully framed. In addition to a well-stocked bar with specialties like the Three Mile Island and the Treesmacker, there's a great selection of seafood. The Claran 1251 Franklin Mall, Santa Clara; 408.296.9558 Hours: Sun 9am-2am; Mon-Fri 11am-1:30am; Sat 9am-2 am Crowd Age: 21-55 Music: Jukebox Decor: Basement rumpus room Signature Drink: Beer Amenities: TVs, pool tables, darts, arcade games, pinball For a bar located in the featureless Franklin Mall, the Claran is sure, ahem, "colorful." Barflies and college kids mix fairly comfortably on most nights. Any female under the age of 40 is likely to be asked, "What's your major, sweetheart?" by one of the aging fixtures at the bar by the end of the evening. While moderately low-key in the afternoon, things can get a little crazy--in a good way--on weekends, when the dancing takes off. And just it case it wasn't already obvious, this is not a good place to go on a first date. ComedySportz The National Comedy Theatre, 3428 El Camino Real; 408.985.LAFF Hours: Shows: Fri at 9pm, Sat at 7:30 and 9:30pm Crowd Age: All ages Music: The sweet sound of laughter Decor: Mini-Coliseum Signature Drink: Soda and beer Amenities: Team improvisational comedy, played just like a sport At 15, ComedySportz is now one of the longest-running improv shows in the South Bay. It's set up like a sporting event, with scoreboard, Astroturf, a referee, benches and the National Anthem. Improv teams compete while the audience shouts suggestions, volunteers for tasks and ultimately decides the winner. ComedySportz athletes play clean; the show is suitable for the whole family. Hops Bar 2151 Laurelwood Rd, Santa Clara; 408.980.6400 Hours: Daily 5pm-midnight Crowd Age: 35-55 Music: Live music last Fri of the month Decor: Vegas, baby Signature Drink: None Amenities: Pool table It's hard not to find value in a mirrored ceiling. After spending the day standing in line at Great America, hop (get it?) on over to the Biltmore Hotel and into this velour-covered bar/restaurant. The house staff is friendly, and the raised table area has a Vegas feel. Or maybe Reno. The last Friday of the month a live Caribbean band packs the dance floor and the bar. The Hut 3200 The Alameda, Santa Clara Hours: Sun-Fri 3pm-2am Crowd Age: 21-55 Music: No live music Decor: Corner bar Signature Drink: Beer, beer, beer Amenities: Pool, pinball, darts, drunken college students The Hut is practically the alcohol annex of nearby Santa Clara University. Students flock to this cozy corner bar within stumbling distance of their dorms, and professors--and the occasional priest--have been known to pontificate from the bar stools on weekday afternoons. On graduation day, seniors and their fathers line up for shots before the ceremony, not a bad idea considering the sobering student loan payments they'll be making soon. Martin's Lounge 1828 Main St, Santa Clara; 408.243.7976 Hours: Daily 6am-2am Crowd Age: 21-80 Music: Jukebox Decor: Sports Bar Signature Drink: Beer, of course Amenities: TVs, pool, darts, pinball, shuffleboard Martin's may seem like it's been around forever, but no--it's only been about 60 years. There's good reason this friendly locals bar has made it so long. The bartenders know how to please without losing their dignity, and the clientele is there to relax after work, talk to people they've known for years and listen to music they recognize. Tinker's Damn 46 N. Saratoga Ave, Santa Clara; 408.243.4595 Hours: Mon-Fri 3pm-2am, Sat-Sun 1pm-2am Crowd Age: 21-35 Music: DJ, every night Decor: Red, glowy gay club Signature Drink: Long Island Iced Tea Amenities: Pool, pinball, video games, jukebox Believe it or not, dancing is a popular pastime at this comfortable gay bar. No, really. There's serious dancing. The younger hardbodies hit the dance floor, and the older folks with roving eyes lay claim to the bar stools and take in the action. There's a popular free barbecue on Sundays, but everything else is cash only. Woodham Lounge 4475 Stevens Creek Blvd, Santa Clara; 408.296.9810 Hours: Daily noon-2am Crowd Age: Late 25 and up Music: DJ Wed, Karaoke Sun, Top 40 Jukebox Decor: Local hangout Signature Drink: Bud Amenities: Pool, darts, foosball Ladies night is on Wednesday at this neighborhood bar, and aside from dancing, the main attraction is Leo the bartender, variously described by patrons as "extremely handsome," "extremely gorgeous," and "a real ladies' man." It's probably worth a visit just to meet this guy. On Tuesdays, there's no Leo, but all domestic beer and well drinks are two bucks from 9 to midnight. 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 ]