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Los Gatos Black Watch 141 1/2 N. Santa Cruz Ave, LG 408.354.2200 Hours: Daily, 9am-2am Crowd Age: 21-55, younger on weekends Music: Bartender's pick Decor: Wood with Scottish emblems Signature Drink: Kamikaze Dancing: None Games/Amenities: free steel darts, pinball and video games Ambience: A neighborhood bar by day and a crowded hot spot by night, the Black Watch is home to bikers, locals and college students, all of whom flock to the windowless tavern for a casual, relaxed bar experience. Always entertaining and occasionally rowdy. The Boulevard Tavern 15043 Los Gatos Blvd, LG 408.358.0774 Hours: Daily, 10am-2am Crowd Age: 21-40, older during happy hour Music: Live bands Fridays Decor: Wood fireplace, hardwood floors Signature Drink: "Yagermikey" Dancing: Yes Games/Amenities: Jukebox, pool table, video games, big-screen TV Ambience: Formerly known as Otto's, the place has been transformed from a hardcore biker bar into an upscale dive bar. A diversified crowd of professionals, blue-collar workers, doctors and medical students from the neighboring hospitals frequent this lonely outpost on Los Gatos Boulevard. Bad Apple liqueur is a popular refreshment. Cafe Rouge 42 Elm St, LG 408.395.1599 Hours: Sun-Mon 8am-6pm, Tue-Thu 8am-10pm, Fri-Sat 8am-11pm Crowd Age: High school to elderly Music: Jazz quartets, classical Decor: Rotating art exhibitions, 1930s-'40s vintage Signature Drink: Café Glasé Dancing: None Games/Amenities: Backgammon, board games Ambience: Great place to bring your sweetheart to gaze out at the Los Gatos hills and enjoy drinks of the caffeinated variety. Poetry readings every third Wednesday with open-mic opportunities make it a hopping place for the artistic crowd and retired folks. Crowded in the evenings. California Café Old Town, 50 University Ave, LG 408.354.8118 Hours: Mon-Thu 11:30am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-10:30pm, Sun 10:30am-9:30pm Crowd Age: 35-55 Music: Live music four nights a week, jazz trios on weekends Decor: Classy--woodwork, copper, carpeting Signature Drink: Fine wines Dancing: None Games/Amenities: None Ambience: An award-winning wine list and elegant bar complement this upscale, contemporary California cuisine establishment. A heated patio allows tech execs to sample wines while making deals. White tablecloths are standard, but jeans are acceptable. A warm, comfortable and expensive experience. Carry Nations 8 N. Santa Cruz Ave, LG 408.354.1771 Hours: Daily, noon-2am Crowd Age: Diverse, young on weekends Music: Rare occasions Decor: Hardwood, brick, brass and lot of plants Signature Drink: High-end scotches and martinis Dancing: No Games/Amenities: Jukebox Ambience: Classy but not pretentious, Carry Nations hosts a crowd of regulars in addition to the hordes of young people who crowd the dark bar on weekend nights. Historical pictures of Los Gatos and palm trees decorate the small bar, where businessmen and construction workers drink together. The Cats Highway 17, just south of LG, 408.354.4020 Hours: Tue-Sun, 4:30-whenever Crowd Age: 25 and up, 30-40 late nights Music: Nightly Decor: Rustic, old wood Signature Drink: None Dancing: Some nights Games/Amenities: No Ambience: Capital "R" for rustic and "C" for casual, this Old West saloon-style bar attracts an interesting mix of mountain folk, Santa Cruz residents and Los Gatos locals. Patrons can look at pictures of classic performers while listening to modern blues and folk bands that let it rip late into the night. CB Hannegan's 208 Bachman Ave, LG 408.395.1233 Hours: Daily, 11:30am-2am Crowd Age: 25-40 Music: No Decor: Dark wood banisters and bar, funky Signature Drink: Guinness Dancing: No Games/Amenities: No Ambience: The smell of cooking meat makes it hard not to order food once there. The cluttered Irish motif appeals to beer lovers of all sorts, including lots of loyal locals who join the weekend crowd to make it a lively nightspot. Hannegan's is unpretentious and sports an extensive beer list. The Chart House 115 N. Santa Cruz Ave, LG 408.354.1737 Hours: Mon-Thu 5-10:30pm, Fri-Sat 5-11pm, Sun 5-10pm Crowd Age: 24-35 Music: No Decor: Modern Victorian, nautical paintings Signature Drink: Bloody Mary and margarita Dancing: No Games/Amenities: No Ambience: This converted 1891 Victorian still looks like a home from the front lawn. Inside, the atmosphere is deceptively casual and features an early crowd of locals and techies enjoying mixed drinks. Currently being remodeled, the place will soon boast a heated outside deck and more modern interior. Clocktower Bar & Grill 140 S. Santa Cruz Ave, LG 408.395.7070 Hours: Daily, 4pm-midnight Crowd Age: 25 and up Music: Not yet Decor: A true lounge with fireplace Signature Drink: In development Dancing: No Games/Amenities: No Ambience: Lots of business execs sit on couches and lounge chairs, relaxing next to the fireplace, piano and a gallery of autographed photos recording the visits of legendary summer series performers who have stopped by the bar, and sometimes jammed. An octagonal bar looks over the patio. Located in the Toll House Hotel, the bar is undergoing some changes to coincide with the hotel renovation. Music may be part of the new Clocktower. Double D's Sports Grille 354 N. Santa Cruz Ave, LG 408.395.6882 Hours: Sun-Thu 9:30am-11pm, Fri-Sat 9:30am-2am Crowd Age: 21-50 Music: Occasionally Decor: Well-lit, vinyl booths Signature Drink: Beer Dancing: No Games/Amenities: Pool tables, video games Ambience: Little League and soccer teams by day, adult softball teams by night. A full-on sports bar featuring 21 TVs with corresponding satellite. Very family-friendly. Gets loud and lively when big sporting events are on. Conversation, billiards and a friendly bar staff keep the crowd of regulars returning. Great Bear Coffee & Los Osos Café 19 N. Santa Cruz Ave, LG 408.395-8607 Hours: Mon-Thu 6am-10pm, Fri-Sat 6am-11pm, Sun 7am-10pm Crowd Age: Varied Music: No Decor: Hardwood abounds Signature Drink: Chocolate coffee cream Dancing: No Games/Amenities: Plenty of tables for work and play Ambience: The Bear offers everything that the caffeine-deficient could hope to soak up in a coffee shop. Big bay windows lighten up an airy space complete with wooden tables and a swanky, curvaceous counter stocked with specialty beans. Baristas offer up a full selection of espresso drinks, coffees and teas, as well as baked treats and daily hot lunch specials. The shop's incredible chocolate coffee creams alone require a pilgrimage. La Hacienda 18840 Saratoga-Los Gatos Rd, Monte Sereno 408.354.6669 Hours: Daily, 11am-1am Crowd Age: 40s and 50s Music: Live music Fridays and Saturdays Decor: Authentic '40s charm Signature Drink: Martini Dancing: Yes Games/Amenities: No Ambience: The sign hanging outside the restaurant-bar boasts, "Through this portal pass the nicest people in the world--our customers." Devoted patrons share the love, so much that everyone mingling underneath La Hacienda's crystal chandeliers seems to know each other, and the bartender, by name. The former roadhouse is all about classic meat-and-potatoes comfort--certified Black Angus beef recipes get an entire section of the menu. Los Gatos Bar & Grill 15 1/2 N. Santa Cruz Ave, LG 408.399.5424 Hours: Mon-Wed 5-10:30pm, Thu and Sun 5-11:30pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-12:30am Crowd Age: 21-35 Music: No Decor: Upscale pub Signature Drink: Sex on the Beach Dancing: No Games/Amenities: Billiards, electronic darts, pinball Ambience: This upstairs hangout spot serves up its unique brand of "liquid therapy" seven days a week. Casual and cheery bartenders dole out drinks made with tender loving care every night of the week. And on Friday and Saturday nights, masses of extremely healthy types--large-chested gents and trim, halter-topped lasses--pack in for beautiful-people group therapy sessions. Los Gatos Brewing Company 130 N. Santa Cruz Ave, LG 408.395.9929 Hours: Sun-Thu 11:30am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-midnight Crowd Age: 25-45 Music: No Decor: Upscale brewpub decor Signature Drink: Local microbrews Dancing: No Games/Amenities: Social television-watching Ambience: The Brewing Company proves that going out for a beer can be quite a classy affair. This upscale pub, apparently a magnet for perfect-looking people, offers up an excellent selection of local brews and wines, as well as a menu featuring everything from oysters to burgers and grilled foccacia sandwiches. Beer lovers should come looking adorable, but not in a tank top: pub dress code forbids it, and a shoulder-covering shirt will be provided. Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Co. 101 W. Main St, LG 408.354.3263 Hours: Mon-Sat 6am-7pm, Sun 6:30am-6pm Crowd Age: Varied Music: Live Celtic music on Sundays Decor: Sleek hardwood Signature Drink: Delicious mochas Dancing: No Games/Amenities: Nifty shop for coffee paraphernalia Ambience: Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Co. epitomizes refinement. With its long, sleek counters, the spacious cafe offers a wide range of iced and hot coffee drinks, freshly roasted beans and tasty desserts. An adjoining shop sells any type of caffeine paraphernalia imaginable. Every Sunday the coffee crew goes Celtic with live Irish-inspired tunes. Los Gatos Lodge 50 Los Gatos-Saratoga Rd, LG 408.354.3300 Hours: Sun-Thu 10:30am-midnight, Fri-Sat 10:30 am-1:30am Crowd Age: 30-55 Music: Live music Fridays and Saturdays Decor: Mountain resort meets '50s lounge Signature Drink: Anything with Jagermeister Dancing: Limited Games/Amenities: Tasty happy-hour treats Ambience: It's not often that bar-lovers can find a spot that welcomes everyone--and their dogs--with open arms. But the roadside lounge exists in its own lodge-getaway universe, complete with fake rocks and weekend cover bands. The bartender, always up for a game of dice or helping a lost traveler, recommends Jagermeister, her personal favorite. Mountain Charley's Saloon 15 N. Santa Cruz Ave, LG 408.395.8880 Hours: Wed-Sat, noon-2am Crowd Age: 21 and over Music: Yes Decor: Rock & roll saloon Signature Drink: Lemon Drop and Purple Hooter Dancing: Yes Games/Amenities: New shuffleboard table Ambience: Most envision a saloon as the perfect set for a spaghetti Western, but this decades-old Los Gatos fixture proudly stakes its claim as the "Premier Dance Club of the South Bay." It proves Los Gatos is no ghost town with live music three nights a week, from Thursday to Saturday, and a DJ spinning dance tunes on Wednesday nights. The saloon boasts a nine-hour happy hour, which starts at noon. #1 Broadway 102 S. Santa Cruz Ave, LG 408.354.4303 Hours: Sun-Fri 3pm-2am, Sat 8pm-2am Crowd Age: 25-45 Music: Yes Decor: Classic wood and stained glass charm Signature Drink: Bloody Mary Dancing: Limited Games/Amenities: No Ambience: Few think of Los Gatos as the capital of soul, but #1 Broadway serves up funky live shows, including jazz as well as rhythm & blues, four nights a week. Classic hardwood floors and a beautiful mirrored bar, complete with a colorful stained-glass tree, make this upstairs joint the perfect place to get a spot on its cozy green couch and stay for a while. Pedro's Cabo Grill 316 N. Santa Cruz Ave, LG 408.354.7570 Hours: Mon-Thu 11am-10pm, Sat-Sun 11am-11pm Crowd Age: Varied; thirtysomethings abound Music: No Decor: Imported Mexican Signature Drink: Margarita with salt Dancing: No Games/Amenities: Bar and restaurant Ambience: Tucked behind a foyer complete with big leafy plants, Pedro's manages to transform its busy spot on Los Gatos' main drag into a breezy vacation getaway. The grill is often packed with folks apparently nursing withdrawals from their latest trip to a Mexican Club Med, but the tasty margaritas and fresh Mexican fare make it worth braving the crowds. Steamer's 50 University Ave, LG 408.395.2722 Hours: Sun-Thu 11:30am-2:30pm and 5-10pm, Fri-Sat 5-11pm Crowd Age: 25-45 Music: No Decor: Classy but casual grill Signature Drink: Any martini imaginable Dancing: No Games/Amenities: Food Ambience: Steamer's creates an incredible blend of upscale ambience and casual comfort--maybe it's because the grill-house food is so amazing that most are too busy stuffing their faces with seafood and grilled sandwiches to be working the fashion-police beat. On quaint University Avenue, tucked next to the poshest Gap store ever, Steamer's offers hours of flavored-martini-sipping bliss. [ Bars & Clubs Index | San Jose | Metroactive Central | Archives ]