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Campbell Boswell's 1875 S. Bascom Ave, Campbell 408.371.4404 Hours: Daily, noon-1:30am Crowd Age: College to 40s Decor: English pub Music: Live rock bands Signature Drink: Chill'um Dancing: Yes Games/Amenities: Darts, video games If your idea of a good time is "popping down to the pub," Boswell's welcomes you home. Stuffed deer heads keep watch over an eclectic crowd groovin' to live rock music nightly. A popular hangout for college students, white-collar workers and retirees, the unpretentious atmosphere at Boswell's ensures a good time will be had by all. If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Would It Be?: A crow Campbell Billiards 1777 S. Bascom Ave, Campbell 408.377.9886 Hours: Daily noon-2am Crowd Age: Teens, 20s Music: Jukebox Decor: pool hall Signature Drink: Beer Dancing: No Games/Amenities: Pool, video games, trivia Some things turn out best when they're left to the single-minded--and Campbell Billiards is proof positive. Seven days a week, pool is the rule at this longtime favorite hall. Those 21 and over can add a little beer to their bank shots, but otherwise the distractions are minimal. If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Would It Be?: A shark--of the pool variety, of course. Campbell Coffee Roasting Company The Pruneyard 1875 S. Bascom Ave #112, Campbell 408.559.8040 Hours: Daily 7am-11pm Crowd Age: 16-30 Music: Jazz CD mixes in the background Decor: Wall-to-wall tables Signature Drink: Mocha Freeze Dancing: No Games/Amenities: None You think Starbucks is a hangout? C'mon, you can do better than that--this place is open later and boasts a more studious, social crowd as opposed to the commuter traffic in that other, corporate joint. There are also plenty of confections like chocolate chip cookies, pastries, muffins, and for the hungrier patron, sandwiches. Inside, it's quiet enough to spend some time with an iBook, while the outside patio area resembles a concrete beach. Scores of young and attractive people mingle late into the night, sipping on espressos or gossiping about last weekend's prom. If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Would It Be?: A panting puppy dog Effie's Restaurant and Bar 331 W. Hacienda Ave, Campbell 408.374.3400 Hours: Sun, Mon, Wed 11am-10pm, Tue, Thu 11am-12:30am, Fri-Sat 11am-1:30am Crowd Age: 30-50 Music: Karaoke Thu-Sat Decor: '70s Casino lounge Signature Drink: None Dancing: No Games/Amenities: Happy-hour buffet nightly, 4-7pm While Effie's is one of those longtime local favorite neighborhood bars, karaoke has given the place new lifeblood. Everyone knows Erica, the talented songstress who hosts karaoke Thursday through Saturday. Friday, it's her chance for the spotlight. "People have a great time," says one local, "all the way to closing." If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Would It Be?: A mockingbird The Garrett 1777 S. Bascom Ave, Campbell 408.559.7930 Hours: Daily, 10am-2am Crowd Age: 21-40 Music: No Decor: Pizza parlor Signature Drink: Beers on tap Dancing: No Games/Amenities: Video game room Little League central in the daytime, the Garrett becomes a sports bar by night. Pizza and beer--what could be better? If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Would It Be?: One heavy-hitting pop fly Gaslighter Theatre 400 E. Campbell Ave, Campbell 408.866.1408 Hours: Vary depending on performance Crowd Age: All ages Music: Live shows and musicals Decor: Old-school theater elegance Signature Drink: Bottled beer Dancing: Sometimes Games/Amenities: No Not your usual bar animal, the Gaslighter offers up musical entertainment of a theatrical sort--along with the occasional live local ska or punk show. The plush red carpet and black-and-white photos give the theater an old-school elegance and provide a perfect spot for local performances. Beer is served, and soft drinks and concessions are also offered for the underaged. If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Would It Be?: Peacock Katie Bloom's 369 E. Campbell Ave, Campbell 408.379.9687 Hours: Daily, 11am-2am Crowd Age: 21-35 Music: Jukebox Decor: Irish pub Signature Drink: Guinness Dancing: No Games/Amenities: Fenced-in patio out front for drinking and eating The Irish are known for their sociability, and Katie Bloom's makes her parent country proud. A roomy place to meet friends, groups here tend to mingle happily on the weekends--especially Sunday nights, when live bands are featured. If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Would It Be?: Ladybug Khartoum 300 Orchard City Dr, Campbell 408.379.6340 Hours: Daily 11am-2am Crowd Age: 21-50 Music: Jukebox Decor: Leather couches and animal heads Signature Drink: Chill'um Dancing: No Games/Amenities: Foosball, video dart games and big screen TVs A saloon named Khartoum? It's a mix of cultural references, but stained glass and faux Tiffany lamps fill out the bar's interior. A mixed crowd hangs out here, with younger patrons tending to patronize after work. Become a regular and reap the benefits not advertised to the rest of us, like promotional nights similar to the one where Smirnoff vodka hooked up the house. If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Would It Be?: Camel Kings Head Pub 201 Orchard City Dr, Campbell 408.871.2499 Hours: Mon-Thu 11:30am-midnight, Fri-Sat 11:30am-2am Crowd Age: 21 and up Music: Live bagpipes, karaoke Decor: Traditional beer hall Signature Drink: Guinness Dancing: Yes Games/Amenities: Darts, trivia Tuesdays, karaoke More proof that multiculturalism works, the Kings Head has a wee bit of an identity crisis--the menu suggests a English pub, the décor a German beer hall, and Scottish bagpipes and kilts only further the confusion. It all adds to the charm of this cozy pub, where friendly locals of all ages congregate to throw darts, play Tuesday night trivia or guzzle U.K. beers on tap. It's a must-go for those with a soft spot for bartenders with charming accents and men in kilts. If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Would It Be?: A mutt Murphy's Bar & Grill 2240 S. Winchester Blvd, Campbell 408.379.2654 Hours: Daily 10am-2am Crowd Age: 21 and up; older by day, younger by night Music: Occasional DJs, jukebox Decor: Sporty Signature Drink: Jolly Rancher Watermelon Dancing: When the DJs spin Games/Amenities: Pool table, dart board, video game, TVs With wall-to-wall sports memorabilia, this neighborhood bar and grill attracts a variety of sports-happy customers with an emphasis on Oakland A's and Raiders fans. The grill cooks up good old American grub like burgers, dogs and cheese steaks. Specials include the One-Pound Murph Burger and the Winchester Burger. During football season, the place can get a little excitable, but it's all in good fun. If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Would It Be?: Pussycat Neza Bar and Grill 1505 S. Winchester Blvd, Campbell 408.866.0511 Hours: Daily 11am-10pm Crowd Age: All ages Music: No Decor: Casual Signature Drink: Corona Dancing: No Games/Amenities: Pool, darts, big-screen TV All ages and types gravitate to this comfy neighborhood watering hole in Campbell. The pool tables are always popular, and the TVs play Spanish music videos. Neza's menu offers a tasty selection of tacos, tortas and seafood. If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Would It Be?: A friendly neighborhood dog Off the Hook 2369 Winchester Blvd, Campbell 408.374.3257 Hours: Daily 11am-2am Crowd Age: 21-50 Music: Jukebox; DJ Wed and last Sun of month; live bands Sat Decor: Casual Signature Drink: Diggler Dancing: Yes Games/Amenities: Beer patio, three pool tables, putting green, 24 TVs, foosball, pinball, Ping Pong, video and dart games When just sipping and quaffing aren't enough, Off the Hook provides a veritable groaning board of activities for its patrons: more TVs than a Fahrenheit 451 apartment, pool tables, games of every description, even a putting green. And Ping Pong is on the way. Before rackin' them up, try a Diggler, described by one bartender as a "Long Island but stronger." Finding Off the Hook can be a challenge: watch for the Campbell Plaza sign. It's next to Safeway. If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Would It Be? Tiger Rock Bottom Brewery The Pruneyard 1875 S. Bascom Ave, Campbell 408.377.0707 Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-2am, Sat-Sun noon-2am Crowd Age: 21-35 Music: CD mixes Decor: High wood ceilings and cozy booths Signature Drink: Raccoon Red Dancing: No Games/Amenities: Ten full-screen TVs, NFL Ticket package for complete football coverage The Rock Bottom Brewery--a cavernous Tahoe chalet paired with a long bar--offers 10 handcrafted beers on tap for patrons, who tend to pack the place when football season starts, and all the games are available on a full spectrum of TVs. Need some incentive to cut work early?: every Tuesday 2pm-6pm is pint night, where a glass (which you get to keep) is $4.95, and refills are $2.25 a pop. On Thursdays, 6-7pm, beers go all the way down to $1. If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Would It Be?: A giraffe, because "the bartenders are so fast." Er, OK. Send a letter to the editor about this story . [ Silicon Valley | Metroactive Home | Archives ]