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Sunnyvale Aruba's Bar Four Points by Sheraton Sunnyvale 1250 Lakeside Dr, Sunnyvale 408.738.0111 Hours: Daily 11:30am-midnight Crowd Age: Middle-aged Music: No Decor: Caribbean Signature Drink: Aruba's Cooler Dancing: No Games/Amenities: Pool, patio and beach A virtual oasis housed inside the Four Points by Sheraton Sunnyvale, this Caribbean bar displays all the trappings of an island getaway. While the adjoining Island Grill is known for its gumbo, the bar owes its popularity to its refreshing tropical drinks. This resortlike watering hole offers a miniescape from the corporate rat race. If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Would It Be?: Sunfish The Bean Scene 186 S. Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale 408.738.4523 Hours: Mon-Thu 6:30am-6pm, Fri 6:30am-10:30pm, Sat 7:30am-10:30pm, Sun 8am-5pm Crowd Age: All ages Music: Live jazz and blues bands every Saturday Decor: Cozy coffee hangout Signature Drink: Mocha Freeze and Bubble Tea in Thai iced tea, mango, plum or green tea flavors Dancing: Only if the customers get too wired Games/Amenities: Chess, Internet access This warm, Roman-style cafe offers a rich, inviting environment inside and breezy patio seating outside. It's a perfect place to stop and set a spell, catch up on reading or hang out with friends. If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Would It Be?: Black panther Beefy's Cabin 1028 W. Washington Ave, Sunnyvale 408.736.7141 Hours: Daily 8am-2am Crowd Age: Mixed crowd, older patrons during the day Decor: Well-worn neighborhood dive Music: Jukebox with a mixed selection; bar will put in albums requested by locals Signature Drink: No Dancing: Not usually Games/Amenities: Pool, darts, pinball, video games, legal indoor smoking This owner-operated neighborhood bar is one of the last bastions left where patrons can legally puff in peace. Welcoming and populated by friendly regulars, Beefy's also offers a pool tournament every Friday night. If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Animal Would It Be?: Dog Blue Max 828 W. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale 408.746.9500 Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-2am; Sun 10am-midnight Crowd Age: 21-68 Decor: Neighborhood bar Music: Jukebox, karaoke Signature Drink: Beer Dancing: No Games/Amenities: Karaoke Thu 9:30pm-2am; Sat 10pm-2am Co-owners Jeanette and Robert keep things neighborly at the Blue Max, which is named after a German WWI airforce medal--thus the bar's subtle aviation theme. After a few beers, you may be flying high enough to participate in Blue Max's karaoke, hosted by Robert--or, as Jeanette says, "by the people, for the people." The people tend to be in their 20s and 30s. If your bar could be any animal, what would it be? Snoopy's Red Baron Brass Rail 160 Persian Dr, Sunnyvale 408.734.1454 Hours: Food served Mon-Fri 10:30am-2pm, shows daily 11:45am-2am Crowd Age: 21 and up Music: DJ Decor: Gentlemen's club Signature Drink: No, but there's a full bar Dancing: By the club's dancers Games/Amenities: Six pool tables, big-screen TVs, ATM machines, wet-T-shirt contests Wed, amateur talent showcases Friday afternoons, Monday-night football parties with hot dogs and hamburgers at halftime during football season With four stages, the Rail can get pretty noisy as more than 40 girls a day entertain. Though the dancers don't take it all off, videos of the girls dancing topless accompany their onstage performances. Here, the dancers double as cocktail waitresses, so there's plenty of social interaction between the girls and the Rail's patrons. This club also serves full lunch meals with lunch specials every weekday. If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Would It Be?: Lion Fibbar McGee's 156 S. Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale 408.749.8373 Hours: Daily 11am-2am Crowd Age: Young to middle-aged Music: Live modern-rock bands Fri-Sat (and sometimes Thu), starting around 10pm Decor: Traditional Irish pub Signature Drink: Guinness Stout and the specialty cocktail Who's Your Daddy? Dancing: Yes Games/Amenities: Pool tables, darts, dice games, a smoking patio and big-screen TVs for sporting events A celebration of all things Irish, this traditional pub offers a taste of the green island with Irish drinks and a menu full of traditional Irish fare, including steak and kidney pie, Irish stew and corned beef & cabbage. If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Would It Be?: Tiger The Hiphugger 948 W. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale 408.736.8585 Hours: Daily till 2am Crowd Age: 21-45 Music: Jukebox for the dancers Decor: Casual bikini bar Signature Drink: No; the club only serves beer, but a full bar is on the way Dancing: If your name is "Sinamin" Games/Amenities: Pool, pinball, video games, big-screen TVs, ATM available Dancers mingle with patrons after their numbers, giving this neighborhood club with two stages a casual, almost chatty atmosphere. Sometimes they even come in on their off-days to hang out and shoot pool with the regulars. There's never a cover charge at this friendly establishment. If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Would It Be?: Lap dog-wink, wink Jungle Bar and Restaurant 155 S. Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale 408.720.1535 Hours: Thu-Sat 9pm-2am, no cover before 10:30pm Crowd Age: 21-30 Music: DJ nightly; DJ showcase Thursday nights Decor: Plastic vines lining the walls Signature Drink: No Dancing: Yes Games/Amenities: Video games, foosball, pool table, air hockey Formerly Full Throttle Sports Cafe, Jungle has a different nighttime personality altogether. A restaurant during the day, Jungle goes wild with young people getting freaky and shaking booty on the two dance floors. Upstairs, the vibe is more mellow and less sweaty, and boasts a second DJ doing progressive house and trance weekend nights. Smokers can exhale outside on the balcony which overlooks South Murphy. All ladies get two drinks for the price of one on Ladies' Night Thursdays. There is a dress code: for men, no baseball hats or shorts. The mantra for girls here is more pleather, more pleasure. If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Would It Be?: A swingin' monkey The Kit Kat Club 907 E. Arques Ave, Sunnyvale 408.733.2628 Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-2am, Sun 6pm-2am Crowd Age: 18 and up; 20s-40s Music: For the dancers Decor: Cathedral ceiling and wood-paneled gentlemen's club Signature Drink: Alcohol is not served; lots of juices and fruit shakes Dancing: By the dancers Games/Amenities: ATM; secluded couch-dance areas A surprising number of couples frequent this club where the kittens take it all off under black lights, strobe lights and a spinning disco ball. The newly remodeled spot features two stages and several poles on which the fully nude dancers do gravity-defying erotic tricks. Private dances are offered in private lounges, and open auditions for dancers are held every Tuesday at 9pm. If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Would It Be?: Polar bear Lion and Compass 1023 N. Fair Oaks Ave, Sunnyvale 408.745.1260 Hours: Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30am-2pm, dinner Mon-Fri 5:30-9:30pm, Sat 5:30-9pm, closed Sun Crowd Age: Early-to-middle-aged high-powered Silicon Valley executives Music: No Decor: Antique bar and lampposts imported from England Signature Drink: Brazilian Daiquiri Dancing: No Games/Amenities: No Like a country club for Silicon Valley's tech-savvy big boys, this business restaurant acts like a beacon for corporate suits who dress to impress. The restaurant offers new California cuisine with an Asian flair and a full bar that specializes in scotch and tequila. Enjoy elegant, classy meals indoors or dine outdoors near the tropical gardens when the weather conditions are favorable. There are also several private banquet rooms for execs to make and seal the deals. If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Would It Be?: Lion Murphy's Law 135 S. Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale 408.736.3822 Hours: Mon-Thu noon-11:30pm, Fri noon-2am, Sat 10am-2am, Sun 10am-11:30pm Crowd Age: Mid-30s to mid-40s Music: Live classic rock and blues bands on Fridays and Saturdays, starting at 9pm Decor: Sports bar Signature Drink: Cosmopolitan Dancing: There's a small dance floor Games/Amenities: Video games, electronic dart board, big-screen TV and a jukebox stocked with classic and alternative rock and blues Given a mild makeover, this older establishment has become a little more upscale. The place draws talkative, well-meaning regulars who love to chat with newcomers. If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Would It Be?: Chameleon Paul and Harvey's 130 S. Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale 408.736.5770 Hours: Daily 7am-2am Crowd Age: 21-80; older crowd by day, younger by night Music: Jukebox Decor: Rustic Signature Drink: Ask the bartender Dancing: Yes Games/Amenities: Pool tables, TVs, video games, pinball, darts This quirky little joint just got a makeover. It's bigger, better and brighter, with a fresh paint job, new windows, new bathrooms, handicapped access and a small patio for smokers. Still a work in progress, some of the old decorations aren't up yet, but they should be soon. No doubt, Paul & Harvey's will continue to bring a mix of bikers, yuppies and college kids out of the woodwork to jockey for the bartender's attention. If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Would It Be?: Bear The Roadhouse Blues and Rock Cafe 1102 W. Evelyn, Sunnyvale 408.739.7939 Hours: Daily 11am-2am Crowd Age: 30s and up Music: Live blues and rock Decor: Casual Signature Drink: No Dancing: Yes Games/Amenities: Darts, pool tables, video games This somewhat hard-to-find bar can pack 'em in after the nine-to-fivers call it a day. A thirtysomething-and-up crowd dresses casual and, in general, seems to just be looking for a good time. Weekends, live blues and rock bands turn drinkers into dancers. If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Would It Be?: Happy clam Rooster T. Feathers 157 W. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale 408.736.0921 Hours: Wed-Thu 7:15-10:30pm, Fri-Sat 7:15pm-1am Crowd: 21-55 Music: No Decor: Comedy-related entertainment memorabilia Signature Drink: The Cocktease Dancing: No Games/Amenities: No Until the Improv opens, this local comedy club is one of the only places in the South Bay to catch standup comedy on a regular basis. The local laugh-factory has been voted Best Comedy Club in the Bay Area by Metro's own readers five years in a row. There's a $12 cover nightly. Regulars might consider joining Rooster's V.I.R. (Very Important Rooster) club and ensure they never have to wait in line again. The club is under new ownership with a new logo and a new sign on the way. If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Would It Be?: Rooster Scruffy Murphy's 187 S. Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale 408.735.7394 Hours: Daily 11am-1:30am Crowd Age: Late 20s-50s Music: Live rock bands Fri-Sat 9:30pm; Irish bands last Sun of each month Decor: Old-style European Signature Drink: Black & Tan and Guinness Stout Dancing: Yes, when bands play Games/Amenities: Dart board, pool tables, video game, smoking patio This friendly and familiar Irish-themed pub draws a handsome crowd. Celtic and acoustic rock bands frequent the bar, providing entertainment during and between rounds. Fridays and Saturdays are also ladies' nights; Tuesdays offer a trivia contest with prizes for the winner. If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Would It Be?: Celtic tiger Shooters Bar and Grill 769 N. Mathilda Ave, Sunnyvale 408.738.2787 Hours: Daily 10am-2am Crowd Age: Middle-aged Music: Jukebox stocked with rock & roll, country and more Decor: Sporty Signature Drink: Lots of shots Dancing: No Games/Amenities: Pool tables, darts, big-screen TV, smoking patio Friendly and unassuming, Shooters is a great place for fans of sports and fans of shots--lots and lots of shots, in fact. Keep occupied during halftime by playing darts or pool or having a long smoke out on the patio. If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Would It Be?: Lion Starlite 1160 N. Fair Oaks Ave, Sunnyvale 408.745.7827 Hours: Parties Thu 7:15-11pm, Fri 7:15pm-midnight, Sat 8pm-midnight, Sun 7-11pm Crowd Age: 20s-50s Music: DJs Decor: Clean, modern dance hall Signature Drink: No; alcohol is not served Dancing: Yes Games/Amenities: No You too can be Lord (or Lady) of the Dance at the Starlite. Arrive early to take lessons from ballroom's dance staff. Afterward, show off your new steps when the whole place becomes a nightclub for serious ballroom dancers. If Your Bar Could Be Any Animal, What Would It Be?: Gazelle Send a letter to the editor about this story . [ Silicon Valley | Metroactive Home | Archives ]