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South County Boxseat Sports Grill and Bar 15650 Vineyard Blvd, Morgan Hill 408.778.7102 Hours: Mon-Thu 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-9pm Crowd Age: All ages Music: Jukebox Décor: Sports bar Games/Amenities: Foosball, pool, pinball, video games Ambience: A hangout for the entire family, Boxseat offers foosball, pool and arcade games for kids of all ages and a small bar adorned with local sports memorabilia for the beer-guzzling, cheesehead hat-wearing, "John 3:16" sign-carrying, super-fan crowd. Customers in a punchier mood can sit inside a boxing ring in the center of the restaurant. Camelot 275 E. Dunne Ave, Morgan Hill 408.782.2525 Hours: Tue-Fri 11:30am-midnight, Sat-Sun 12:30pm-2am Crowd Age: 21-50 Music: Soul and jazz bands and DJs Décor: Medieval motif Dancing: Yes Games/Amenities: TouchMaster games Ambience: Like the old show tune says, "In short, there's simply not/a more congenial spot/for happ'ly ever-aftering/than here in Camelot." This medieval-themed restaurant/lounge is for Morgan Hill folks who spell "nightlife" with a "k." The interior resembles an Arthurian castle, and the bartenders and waitresses dress like pageboys and wenches. Weekend entertainment includes live bands and DJs, and there's even a patio for soaking up the pleasant kingdom air along with the suds. Claddagh Irish Restaurant & Pub 1300 First St #A, Gilroy 408.848.5050 Hours: Mon-Thu 11am-midnight, Fri-Sat 11am-2am, Sun 11am-11pm Crowd Age: 21 and up Music: Live acts on weekends Décor: Sports bar with an Irish flavor Dancing: Yes Games/Amenities: A game room with pool tables, arcade games and air hockey Ambience: For most of the day, this comfy, well-stocked Irish pub named for the Claddagh ring of love and friendship is pretty much a family establishment. After 9pm, the 21-and-over crowd turns out for dancing and live music of all genres. On the third Sunday of each month, the Claddagh spotlights Irish musical acts at 6pm. Coyote Inn 102 Monterey Rd, Coyote 408.463.0970 Hours: Sun-Thu 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11am-2am Crowd Age: 30-70 Music: Country bands and karaoke Décor: Country/Western Dancing: Yes Games/Amenities: Pool, darts Ambience: The original Coyote Inn and Stage Stop, once a popular rest stop for the rootin'est, tootin'est cowboys of the Old West, burned to a crisp in the '60s. But this legendary part of northern California's rugged past lives on in the current version of the honky-tonk hangout, perfect for kicking back after those long fishing trips at Anderson Lake. In addition to live weekend bands , patrons can now enjoy Wednesday lingerie fashion shows, featuring models from Missy's Soft Touch sex shop in Novato. Gaslighter's Music Hall 7430 Monterey St, Gilroy 408.848.3488 Hours: Tue-Sun 6pm-12:30am Crowd Age: All ages Music: DJs and country/western, punk and metal acts Décor: Old theater/warehouse Dancing: Yes Games/Amenities: Pool, video games Ambience: A home for all-ages nighttime entertainment in Gilroy, the old Gaslighter building began as a theater and currently serves as a safe hangout for teens, offering games, snacks, nonalcoholic drinks, DJ nights and local band showcases. Beer is also available for folks over 21. Friday nights belong to the Country/Western crowd when the Gaslighter kicks off line dancing at 8pm. Golden Oak 16695 Condit Rd, Morgan Hill 408.779.0805 Hours: Daily 11am-midnight Crowd Age: 30-50 Music: Live music during the weekend Décor: Oak paneling, vineyard-style brick walls and redwood ceilings Signature Drink: Vodka martini Dancing: Yes Ambience: The cocktail lounge at this 68-year-old winery-turned-restaurant is homey and friendly; Dave the bartender is known for serving up a nifty magic trick or two with one of his popular dry martinis. The regulars miss the lounge's discontinued karaoke and piano-bar nights, but every Friday and Saturday, customers get to shake their rumps when the Golden Oak's resident soul/funk band, Fourfathers, takes the lounge stage from 9pm to 12:30am. Oakwood Lounge 7421 Monterey St, Gilroy 408.848.1094 Hours: Daily 11am-2am Crowd Age: 25 and up Music: Jukebox, karaoke on Thu Décor: Oak paneling, long and narrow tables Dancing: Yes Games/Amenities: Pool, darts Ambience: The conversations at the distinctively long tables in this cash-only neighborhood bar are as lively as the special activities Oakwood has up its sleeve from Wednesday through Saturday. The would-be Fast Eddie Felsons and Minnesota Fatses of Gilroy can take part in pool tournaments every Wednesday. Friday and Saturday entertainment is provided by DJs who play old school, hip-hop and freestyle. Listings by Geographical Location: Campbell | Cupertino | Los Gatos | Mtn. View | Peninsula | Central San Jose | San Jose 'Burbs | Santa Clara | Saratoga | South County | Sunnyvale | South County | Bar and Club Locator Features: Light's On, Door's Open: What makes a bar a favorite hangout the world over? One writer aims to find out. I'll Have What She's Having...: What's new and what's cool when it comes to the latest cocktail twists. Reviews: Senoritas and Margaritas: Left at Albuquerque--blame it all on Route 66. Scene Stealer: All the animals come out at night... to the Camera Cafe. Saddle Up: Sangria Restaurant, where sitting at the bar is a gripping experience. Retro Groovin': At the DancePlex. partygoers relive the '70s, '80s and... this morning! Flash and Dash: Mardi Gras and other surprises at Nola Restaurant and Bar. Knight Dreams: Black Watch--where swords cross and Stoli freezes over. United Nations: Lido's Nightclub, where world beat has a whole new meaning. Taste the Music: The Icon Supperclub is the new incarnation of the Edge. Mineral Wealth: Mining for meaning under the Cinebar's disco ball . In the Pink: All in a dogone day's work at the Pink Poodle. Rod's Roadstop: Britannia Arms at Almaden wears it well. [ San Jose | Metroactive Central | Archives ]