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Saratoga The Bank 14421 Big Basin Way, Saratoga 408.867.5155 Hours: Mon-Sun noon-midnight Crowd Age: 25-65 Music: Live blues band one weekend per month Decor: County Cork eclectic Signature Drink: None Dancing: None Games/Amenities: Jukebox, fireplace, darts, video games, shuffleboard, two TVs Ambience: A thinking person's Irish bar for folks who want to talk about something besides chewing gum and AM radio. Three generations of Sullivans staff this family business with wry wit and friendliness. The Bank draws a faithful crowd with delightfully unnutritious bar food and $3 well drinks. The Basin 14572 Big Basin Way, Saratoga 408.867.1906 Hours: Tue-Thu, Sun 5pm-midnight, Fri-Sat 5pm-1am Crowd Age: 25-65 Music: No live music Decor: High-tech cool Signature Drink: Lemon Drop Dancing: None Games/Amenities: Video conferencing, TV, private room with DSL Ambience: Only in the valley do organic California cuisine, high-tech gadgets and down-home service all come together in one place. The private room has state-of-the-art tech toys available for the genius business types while young metropolitans enjoy the freshly squeezed juice in their Lemon Drops. Big Basin Bistro 14480 Big Basin Way, Saratoga 408.867.1764 Hours: Wed-Sat 1pm-11pm, Sun 1-6pm Crowd Age: 30-55 Music: None Decor: Eclectic comfort Signature Drink: None Dancing: None Games/Amenities: None Ambience: There's a little creative tension between the unassuming decor and the decidedly tasty treats and thoughtful selection of local wines and microbrews. Sangria is a favorite summertime refresher that complements the Spanish tapas. Happy-hour pints, including Old Foghorn, are only $2 and help wash down gorgeous oysters. Blue Rock Shoot 4523 Big Basin Way, Saratoga 408.867.1764 Hours: Sun-Thu 7am-11pm, Fri-Sat 7am-midnight Crowd Age: 20-65 Music: Live bluegrass Fri-Sat nights Decor: Arts and Crafts homage Signature Drink: None Dancing: None Games/Amenities: Fountain Ambience: Sidewalk culture gets attention in the front of this multilevel cafe which melds Arts and Crafts influences with rustic bent-wood furniture to create comfortable nooks for sipping java. Inside, clumps of cool kids and the business crowd bask in the warm light filtered through the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired stained-glass windows. International Coffee Exchange 14471 Big Basin Way, Saratoga 408.741.1185 Hours: Daily, 7am-7pm Crowd Age: 20-60 Music: Live band every Sat 9am-1pm Decor: Light and airy, modern Signature Drink: Cocoa Wally Dancing: None Games/Amenities: None Ambience: This happy haven serves delicious caffeinated brown elixir to all ages, and doggie biscuits are by the register for Rover. Named after a patron, the Cocoa Wally, the Dark Wally and the White Wally are unlisted specials that whip espresso, chai, milk and assorted chocolate flavors into a frothy brew. The Plumed Horse 14555 Big Basin Way, Saratoga 408.867.4711 Hours: Daily, 6-10pm Crowd Age: 30-60 Music: Piano and live ragtime jazz Decor: Riding-club memorabilia Signature Drink: Saratoga Rose Dancing: None Games/Amenities: TV Ambience: Only the promise of excellent French cuisine to come pries people from the lounge's couch-like seating. Patrons unwind with the bar's own version of a Cosmopolitan, the Saratoga Rose, and can stay in the more casual atmosphere of the bar by ordering a quick bite of escargot off the new bar menu. [ Bars & Clubs Index | San Jose | Metroactive Central | Archives ]