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The Metro Bars & Clubs 2005 Guide [ Intro | 20 Years of Bars and Clubs | Bartender Profiles | San Jose | Campbell | Cupertino | Los Altos | Los Gatos | Menlo Park | Mountain View | Palo Alto | Redwood City/Peninsula | Santa Clara | Saratoga | Sunnyvale ] Redwood City Blush 261 California Drive, Burlingame 650.347.7710 The 6,000-square-foot club has two full bars offering a deep wine list and a cool menu of specialty cocktails like the Blush Cosmo, Fallen Angel and Black Dahlia. The downstairs bar is broken up into three parts and provides seating for 50. The upstairs bar is for the high rollers, offering a VIP area and semi-private suites. Blush might just have the best bathrooms on the peninsula. The restrooms' black hexagonal tiling and inlaid flower motifs reflect the club's gothic and psychedelic themes. The women's restroom features modern versions of bevel-carved mirrors and a clear Deco vanity atop a skid-proof mirrored floor. Broadway Cocktail Lounge 700 Winslow, Redwood City 650.365.3353 Located in the Falcon building right near the city jail, this is a dive bar with heart. Wine colored walls, twinkly lights in the ficus trees, and gilt-edged mirrors in the bathroom all add to the slightly bordello magic. A cop bar in times past, a framed picture of the late Sheriff MacGuire peers over your shoulder while you belly up to the bar. The lovely Gina will mix you a Prison Bitch to knock your socks off—strong drinks, a pool table and a whole lot of history await! City Pub 2620 Broadway, Redwood City 650.363.2620 Open since 1991, City Pub has merged industrial chic with the 1925 brickwork of the original bakery to create a hip, glossy pub that is remarkably un-publike. With 24 microbrews on tap, spicy crab cakes and portobello-mushroom ravioli, the menu, like the ambience, transcends typical pub fare. Flamingo's Night Club 1776 Broadway St, Redwood City 650.299.1622 Shiny neon, mirrored walls and a cowboy hat�flavored Miami Vice vibe permeate even the lobby of this club. Live bands as well as DJs; call the hot line for weekly details (English-language line available). Little Fox Theatre 2209 Broadway, Redwood City 650.369.4119 The Little Fox opened as an annex for the larger Fox Theatre down the street and what a success. The venue fits 240 providing an intimate place to see acts that range from bluegrass, blues and Hawaiian to funky cover bands like Big Bang Beat and Unauthorized Rolling Stones. Mardi Gras 1628 El Camino Real, Redwood City 650.368.9979 A well-lit and astoundingly clean locals bar complete with a smoker's patio and a sign that reads "hippies use the side door." A hardworking crew hangs here, with regular pool tourneys and karaoke with Jennifer on Tuesdays. The jukebox delivers everything from Travis Tritt to Soundgarden to Stevie Wonder. Wonderfully located within stumble distance of the Redwood Roller Rink (1303 Main St.) for the adventurous date night. Milagro's Cantina 1099 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City 650.369.4730 Situated at the corner of Main and Middlefield, Milagro's boasts a full menu and an extensive tequila list. Hundreds of small Mexican art pieces, bright tile work and plenty of plants make this a festive place to relax with a top-shelf margarita or replenish your work-weary body with a few mahi-mahi tacos. The extensive outdoor patio (heat lamps!) has an upscale Cabo San Lucas resort feel without the sticker shock of travel. Sport Club 814 Main St, Redwood City 650.366.6019 Tucked around the corner from the historic Hotel Sequoia, this friendly, comfortable bar displays a treasure trove of photos from Redwood City's early days. With an elk, moose and boar head mounted on the wall, the "zookeeper on duty" sign is no joke. The occasional marble table and old wooden bar add to the ambience. Stinger Lounge 38 E. 25th St, San Mateo 650.571.8486 Who knew San Mateo had swanky spots? Stinger Lounge upgrades the peninsula into destination status with this sexy power bar that attracts hot bodies, highlighted hair and flirty waiters just getting off work. Send a letter to the editor about this story to letters@metronews.com. [ Silicon Valley | Metroactive Home | Archives ]