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Caffeine Nation
A list of coffeehouses: the cream of the crop
The seduction of coffee began long before Starbucks went global. The first coffeehouse opened in England circa 1650, and soon these charged gathering places became wildly popular, with guilds and social groups staking out their own spots. The tradition lives on in both chain and independent operations. The best coffeehouses offer everything a good bar does minus only the alcohol.
For Bars & Clubs, we have concentrated on those coffee joints in the valley that provide something like a bar experience: they stay open late, host live music and art events or provide the locus for an active art scene.
Hours: Mon-Wed 6am-6:30pm or so, Thu-Sat till about 9pm, Fri-Sun open at 7am
Poetry nights, amateur comedy, some live jazz and piano; plus beer and wine.
Hours: Daily 9am-11pm
The Pruneyard
Hours: Daily 9am-10pm
Blossom Hill
Hours: Daily 9am-10pm
What better place to read and maybe compose a bestseller; open late, with music and special events in the stores.
Hours: Sun-Thu 6:30am-8pm, Fri-Sat 6:30am-10:30pm
The Bean Scene is known for its Saturday-night jazz and piano shows.
Hours: Mon-Thu 7-9pm, Fri 7am-10pm, Sat 8am-10pm, Sun 8am-5pm
This new cafe at the performing arts center stays open for show patrons and has plans to host live acoustic jazz.
Hours: Open until 10pm
Blue Rock Shoot hosts karaoke on Tuesdays and Thursdays plus Spanish-language comedy and other entertainment.
356 Santana Row, Suite 1030, San Jose; 408.241.9100
316 W. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale; 408.730.5050
50 University Ave, Suite 280, Los Gatos; 408.395.6622
456 University Ave, Palo Alto; 650.326.3670
The lively bookstore chain keeps late hours and hosts many book-related events.
Hours: Mon 8am-10pm, Tue-Fri 8am-11pm, Sat 9am-11pm
The cafe hosts music every Friday night, including the South Bay Guitar Society on June 14; plus nightly chess matches.
Hours: Mon-Thu 7:30am-11pm, Fri till 1 am, Sat 8am-1am, Sun 9am-11pm
South First Street's caffeine central hosts rotating art shows and occasional readings and receptions.
Hours: Mon-Thu 7am-10pm, Fri-Sat 7am-11pm, Sun 8am-3pm
Open-mic session every second and last Thursday of the month.
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-11pm
Open-mic nights dominate on Mondays and Thursdays, Tuesday is X-Factor nights (Christian-based bands); and Fridays are hip-hop nights.
Hours: Daily 11am-11pm
During the summer, the cafe hosts a live music series; call for update info.
Hours: Sun-Thu 6am-11pm, Fri 6am-11:30pm, Sat 7am-11:30pm
In a spot convenient to De Anza College and the Flint Center, the cafe features an irregular schedule of live music.
Hours: 6:30am-10pm Mon-Thurs, 6:30am-11pm Fri, 8am-11pm Sat, 8am-6pm Sun
This truly neighborhood cafe gets the joint jumping with live music on Friday and Saturday nights, including jazz, blues, and alternative rock.
Hours: Mon-Wed 7:30am-3pm, Thu-Fri 7:30am-3pm, 6:30-11pm, Sat 7pm-11pm
The active schedule features live , blues and rock-pop bands Fridays and Saturdays, plus a Thursday open-mic session.
Hours: Mon-Wed 6am-9pm, Thu-Fri 6am-10pm, Sat-Sun 7am-10pm
The popular java joint features local art shows that rotate monthly.
Hours: Fri 7:30pm-11pm; Sun 10:30am-1:30pm
Live Christian music most Fridays, check www.koinonia.com/koffeehouse/for details.
Hours: Daily 6am-6pm
Not open late, but Los Gatos Coffee Roasting offers one of the valley's great people-watching opportunities--see the beautiful people in their jogging clothes.
Hours: Daily 6am-11pm
Open-mic session on Wednesday nights and live music on Friday nights.
Hours: Mon-Thu, Sun 7am-9pm; Fri-Sat 7am-10pm
The perfect crossover: Omega serves a full complement of both alcoholic and caffeinated drinks. Get high, then get sober, all at the same place.
Hours: Sun 7am-9pm, Mon-Tue 6am-9pm, Wed-Sat 6am-10pm
The Orchard usually presents live music on Fridays, with performances on other nights irregularly; the cafe also hangs rotating art shows.
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-10:30pm, Sat-Sun 8am-10:30pm
Printer's Ink has an art gallery that displays the work of more than 40 different local artists.
Hours: Tue-Fri 7am-9pm, Sat-Mon 7am-11pm
Red Rock holds a Monday-night open-mic session for anything from music to poetry. it also hosts live music on the weekends.
Hours: 9am-midnight, closed Sun
The Hooters of coffee bars--'nuff said.
Hours: Mon-Fri 6am-10pm, Sat 7am-11pm, Sun 7am-6pm
Catch jazz and blues Friday and Saturday nights.
Five Terrifying Minutes of Fame: Friends don't let friends sing, "Dude Looks Like a Lady" ... and other karaoke tips.
Thanks, Designated Driver!: An appreciation, and some tips, for the nondrinker.
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