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Aura - CLOSED
Categories: Nightlife Dance Clubs Nightlife Bars Lounges Dance Clubs, Lounges [Edit]
4825 Hopyard Rd(between Stoneridge Dr & Providian Way)
Pleasanton, CA 94588
(925) 416-0777
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
140 reviews for Aura
Review Highlights
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"The go-go dancers here are always an eye pleaser." In 6 reviews -
"It has a nice atmosphere and great music." In 6 reviews -
"The bartenders are friendly and fast." In 17 reviews
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140 reviews in English
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Review from Patty W.
Livermore, CA
9/13/2011
Have no fear, East Bay clubbers!
Aura may be closed, but I hear NEO nightclub is grand opening in the same location on October 1, 2011. Club on! -
Review from Tatyana K.
San Francisco, CA
12/2/2010
I'd say for an East Bay suburb club, Aura was decent. You didn't have to drive across the bridge and look forever for parking. The interior was pretty and there was always enough room to dance. The drinks were good.
Maybe I'm sentimental because I hadn't realized they closed. Many happy hazy memories were had here :) -
Review from Darryl P.
Sacramento, CA
8/18/2009
The decor here was actually pretty nice. I love the fact that there isn't cover for a Saturday night. Funny thing too is that I ran into an old friend from high school there. She was behind the bar serving up good drinks especially when we used to be homies. She hooked it up!
I came here to meet up with a good friend of mines and her friends. We had bottle service and a table for the night. We all were having a great time dancing and mingling. I had probably 7 drinks that night. Mostly drinks with Grey Goose and a few beers.
I can see myself coming back on a rare occasion. -
Review from Scotty D.
2/10/2010
people still go to clubs? REALLY?!
this is not a club where people in the tri valley go!
this is not a club to meet that special girl or guy!
this is not a club to meet real people!
this is a club to find hipster douchebags!
this is a club to get the date rape drug!
this is the ultimate club to get herpes!
just take my advice and stay away! -
Review from Michael J.
San Leandro, CA
7/29/2008
I've been to club Aura three times in my entire life. That's three honest chances I have given this club. Three chances to impress me. Three chances to leave a good impression on me. Three chances for an enjoyable experience.
All three times Club Aura has completely failed.
I mean...where do I even begin?
The club on the inside is actually nice. It's has the whole dance club feel really down. Thing are in the right place...it's nice. That's about the only good thing Aura has going for it.
First, the drinks are entirely too expensive. No matter what I got, it was above 10 dollars. 10 friggin dollars for an alcoholic beverage. Now, I suppose if I was a beer drinker I could have avoided this problem. But I'm sophisticated damn it. I love my Crown Royal and coke. At the usual bar I would frequent, I'd get a bigger glass with more alcohol for 8 bucks. Aura gives you this little pansy glass and goes "lolz, I nedz 11 bucz 4 dis". Yeah...well your club sucks! You can keep the change too.
Secondly, the people who work there are completely jackasses. Now, I understand the concept of being a hard-ass. Especially if you work at a very popular, very crowded club like Aura. The people need to know you have a pair and won't put up with their crap. But if you work at Aura, and someone approaches you (keep in mind I approached 3 different people) and ask something like "Do you know what time it is?", or "Can you direct me to the restroom" or "Why is everyone in here a douche bag?", then at least give a little respect. It doesn't have to be much, just enough to not make me want to punch you in your reproductive organs so that you are not able to reproduce. Seriously, how the people that work can be such jackasses to their customers is beyond my understanding.
Finally, the crowd of people. It seems like everyone who is there is a stuck up, selfish, self righteous douche bag. All the women there want to get picked up by some jackass guy who dresses nice and has slick hair, and all the guys there want to get some ass. It's like I'm watching a really bad new reality series on MTV called "Hot chicks with douche bags - starring the locals of Club Aura". Seriously, every guy there looked exactly the same. Tall, stripped shirt, popped collar, blue jeans, and really greasy hair. And they think they're better then everyone because mommy and daddy give them a lot of money. News flash junior, just because mommy and daddy work hard and give you access to their bank account...doesn't make you cool. It in fact makes you a tool, who won't do anything with your life.
Plus every guy there is extremely tall, which makes me feel extremely short. I'm 5'10...I am short, but damn...I feel extremely short every time I have gone to Aura. But that's a personal problem.
Look people, Aura is not a fun place. The music is always too loud. The drinks are extremely over priced. The people who work there are jackasses. And the crowd of people are stuck up douche bags. Seriously...avoid this place. It's not worth your time at all. Unless you're a stuck up, selfish, arrogant, self righteous douche bag. Then by all means...you'll fit in perfectly at Club Aura.
Oh why the two stars? Well there are always a lot of hot women at Club Aura. Only problem is they want a really tall guy who is a complete tool. But, at least it gives me something to look at while I sit and enjoy my extremely overpriced drink. -
Review from Todd E.
Oakland, CA
11/29/2008
Wanna see DJ AM?
Where's he playing at?
The last time I saw him was with Mickey Avalon... *** quick trip down memory lane - drinks and dancing set to the crooning of Mickey A. banging out 'My D!@k' on-stage ***
He's at some club in Pleasanton. *** slight note of incredulity in the response ***
DJ AM in Pleasanton? Cool...we should see him, he was awesome last time.
What's the name of the place where he's playing?
Aura...
I think I've heard of it...never been...
Never been but WTF it's DJ AM - this is gonna be sweet...
-- Fast forward to the night of the show... --
Pull into the parking lot...
...of a STRIP MALL.
Hmmm, maybe this isn't such a good idea...
Nice looking place, maybe this will be OK...
Holy figure-four leg lock Tito...I have NEVER seen so many Affliction t-shirt clad MMA wannabe, CHODES cruising the dance floor. This is like a WWE event...ugggg - Fu@k me...
Calm down, calm down, how bad can it be? DJ AM, DJ AM, DJ AM *** repeated like a mantra as I get a scotch to turn down the annoyance level from 11 ***
Scotch in hand, I settle down to wait for DJ AM to start up, content to watch the MMA wannabes begin to circle the pods of stripper Britney wannabes (It's a gaggle of geese, but what do you call a group of pseudo whores? Hmmm, something to consider...) Somewhat amused at this point, I think 'Let the games begin'...and deliver a silent toast to the warm-up entertainment and begin to observe CHODE/Barbie mating rituals.
I will say this, watching meat head PU was f'ing hilarious...
Set to the ever popular strains of 2 Live Crew I watch the Tito Ortiz/Chuck Liddell wannabes transform into the guys from that old SNL Roxbury skit - I expect to hear 'What is Love' start up as they maneuver behind girl after girl and begin to gyrate against them in an attempt to get them to dance which to my amazement, actually works when applied to Stripper Barbie...
-- Fast forward to DJ AM's set --
How can one man try and mix 4 separate tracks at the same time??? He's trying and unfortunately not necessarily doing a great job...sad face...it would seem that AM is playing to the crowd and his usual blend of sweet-assed mash-ups is being overrun by bootie music and gangsta rap with a liberal sprinkling of 2 Live Crew...what a bummer...couple that with the horribly infectious vibe - CHODE - and the circling MMA wannabees cruising the dance floor pushing my girl out of the way and stepping on our toes in the quest to hook up with Stripper Barbie (in the corner - high class, very high class), mix it with the fact that no one is picking up the beer bottles that are all over the floor tripping people (who then stumble into you, spill their drink and the to finish it off step on your toes) and you have...
Me leaving...mid-set...in disgust...
1 Star for the MMA PUA Mash-up show at Aura - The 'roid and testosterone fog in this place was the equivalent of the Patchouli and pot haze at a Phish concert and the Pick-up...Argh...stick to picking up the weights boys because from what I saw, beyond picking up Rosy and her 5 sisters, a dumbbell is about the best you're gonna do - wait a minute, there were plenty of those tottering around in their stripper shoes on the dance floor. So who knows.
Go back? Not on your life...To say this place is horrible is to insult the truly horrible places. -
Review from Mary Grace V.
Pittsburg, CA
Updated - 5/2/2009
ONLY FUN IF YOU'VE HAD A COUPLE SHOTS OF ALCHI.
Came here for my girl's 24th birthday. Something about this venue really doesn't excite me. Music was alright, definitely fit for a much older generation. So, eh.Listed in: Club Hype: good & bad
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/2/2009
Came here a looooooooong time ago. Probably like 2 and a half years ago or something. I don't… Read more »
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Review from Sue Ann D.
Sacramento, CA
3/18/2008
"hey Sue Ann, it's Tammy*, call me back, we decided we're going to go to Aura tonite for my b-day!!!"
*Names have been and HAD to be changed to protect the Innocent.....................
(sigh) Me (to my husband), baby, I really do not feel like going to Aura.................
(Husband): Well you kinda have to go since you promised Tammy you would go.
Me: It's not that I don't want to go and hang out with her and her friends, I just don't want to go to Aura!
Several hours later, I find myself in a suv in sky high heels, face full of MAC cruising over to Aura.
Going there, I now remember why I am so glad I am no longer in the dating/bar hopping scene. JESUS! The guys were so flippin sleazy and all the rumors I had heard about the guys being sleazy were so true (that's why I hesitated earlier that day) Some guy actually grabbed my arm and screamed in my ear above the booming Kanye beat to scream "MMM BABY YOU ARE SO FINE! I LOVE ASIAN GIRLS!!!!!!"
Yeah 'nuff said.
The drinks were terrible, the music was not that great, and the club was packed with a lot guys just hanging out on the sidelines of the dance floor. The "nite of my life" ended with me getting thrown up on.
Looking back on that nite (now I can laugh), back then not so much. But I'm not laughing hard enough to the point where I think i can go back!!! If you go, just beware of the sleaziness-it's bad at any club u go to, but it seemed even worse there!!!!!
:) Sue AnnListed in: I said no, no, no............
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Review from Kristen C.
East Bay, CA
12/14/2009
So, this is where people in Pleasanton get down.
Like:
Clean bathrooms
Big dance floor
Big bar
Dislike:
Fog machine (Really, why utilize a machine that leads to sweat?)
Smelly (B.O. probably caused by fog machine)
Creepy guys who hover, but don't talk to you
If you can help it, find some way (BART, drive, fly, run) to get to SF! I find it VERY hard to believe that this club is run by the same people who own Slide and Ruby Sky.
However if you want, how shall I say, an eclectic and diverse group of people, this club's for you. -
Review from Ed L.
Campbell, CA
7/18/2008
Aura is either a hit or miss. Mostly a miss to be honest... I was pretty much unimpressed. Maybe I'm just used to the clubs from the city and Vegas... but I just didn't like it.. The big nights when DJ AM are a must see - big crowd, excellent music. Other nights it can be dead and music could be better... Some DJ's here need to learn how to mix... seriously... You know, transition smoothly from one song to another? I've got mixes on my iPhone that play better than some of the DJ's here...
It was weird because it was like about 20% of the people including my friends and I were on the dance floor while the wallflowers were just standing around just watching. WTH?? There's more things I could go on about, but its barely even worth mentioning. I like the concept of the Red/Blue rooms different music playing in each room. Otherwise, it's hard to give this club any compliments. Bottom line, I can't see myself going back there.
Good thing I had great company last time I went... That always helps!
PROS: Location: in a shopping center, Red/Blue rooms..
CONS: Wallflowers, too many guys wearing Affliction, Ed Hardy shirts..Listed in: Clubs and Lounges
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Review from Lubs Y.
San Jose, CA
8/15/2009
Uh, this place has a dress code? From what I saw, the crowd was pretty ghetto. Guys were in plaid shirts, sneakers, ugly hats, etc. There was also a big party of...old people. I think it was someone's grandmother's birthday or something.
At 11pm on a Friday, the place was still pretty empty and no one was dancing. Lame! I've never been so bored and appalled in a club. The only good thing about it was the free parking, free entry, and no lines. But what good is that when there's nothing going on inside? It sucked so bad, that we high-tailed it out at 11:30pm to go party in SF instead. -
Review from Alicia K.
Alameda, CA
1/15/2009
If you're white (or want to be) and worship LA, think because you live in Danville, San Ramon, etc means you're special or elite, or favor the drug induced lifestyle of uppers, downers, and everything in between mixed with techno music...this place is for you. Guys if you want to see how well plastic surgery is on the rise in this area, Aura showcases it all...lol. I've been forced to go to this club a few times and I SAY NO MORE! I don't care who's birthday it is or who died...I can't stand this place. It just reminds me of a bunch of walking STD's...people with no substance on the hunt to get laid. Drinks were SF city priced and the bartenders were ugly...hello...can you at least hire some of the plastic surgery patients that frequent this joint?? LMAO
If you're looking for plastic, to get laid, or to come home with drug buddies and STD's you found your haven. -
Review from Tracy H.
Dublin, CA
4/24/2007
It's a nightclub.
In PLEASANTON. Pleasanton for cripe's sake! City of yuppies, town of uptight Starbucks drinkers, the streets filled with SUVs and soccer moms.
And they play GOOD music.
All the haters can stuff it. Oh whine whine whine ... the girls wear jeans and camisoles... whaaa whaa whaa. Gimmie a break, go to the fancy bars in Danville, the wineries in Livemore, or the Sunol golf country club if you wanna dress up. I'd rather have a watered-down drink spilled on my Forever 21 top than my Ralph Lauren dress, kthx!
I admit, this place isn't great if you are used to the bar scenes in bigger cities. And the cover + drinks can get pricey. And the drinks are weak as well. 3 Stars
But it's in P-l-e-a-s-a-n-t-o-n. 4 Stars.
Edit - Subtracted a star. I had to downgrade my review cause the bouncers are ASSHOLES and the scene was much weirder the next time I went - There was an elderly couple was swing dancing to Ludacris! (Actually, that's kinda awesome when you think about it, but I digress). -
Review from Betty N.
Dublin, CA
4/29/2010 1 Check-in Here
Why the bad reviews?! Why complain that it's a club in the Easy Bay? Honestly I think going into the city for some music and dancing is overrated. I don't know what other people's intentions are when they go to the club, but all I'm looking for is a good time with friends, good drinks, and dope music. Which they have! And must I say, the DJ was amazing the night we went. Mixed some new skool with some old and you always have a good time.
We got a table and the bottle service wasn't even pricey. Well, if you don't think $250 for a bottle of Goose isn't bad but IT IS California! Spacious couches and we felt like we were in our own world.
There's a main dance floor that is pretty spacious and another one that is small. The bathrooms are pretty decent and big so you don't feel crowded. Mixed crowd which is always a plus.
Be careful, cops are within 3 miles of all freeway entrances around Aura. It's Dublin/Pleasanton so you know there isn't any crime late at night for them to attend too. So you could be the lucky one they wish to pull over. -
Review from Kevin C.
San Jose, CA
8/1/2008
Came here last night with some friends to celebrate a 21st birthday and they just came back to US. There were a total of 15 of us and we came all the way from Pleasant Hill/Walnut Creek.
Unfortunately, the birthday girl didn't have a valid driver's license because she just came back to US but she is a US citizen and her id is in process. She brought her US passport as proof of ID.
At the door, we were informed that there is an ABC rule where they are not allowed to let the birthday girl in because she just turned 21 and that she cannot be served alcohol until the next business day which would be Monday (Aug 4).
That is some crap...I've been to many places for my 21st birthday and my friends as well. Some places offer a delicious free meal and some offer a complimentary alcoholic beverage. Whatever the case...this is a horrendous way to welcome party.
Based on the other reviews, I am super relieved that we got declined at the door. We had more fun with a 24 pack and a Wii.
Next time, the bouncers should say we're ABC - Anal, Butt-licking, Crackheads...
Negative 5 stars... -
Review from Michelle S.
Oakland, CA
3/9/2008
Any Guy from Kristen S.'s Livermore High Past: Hey what's up S%$#@&*!?!?! (b/c Livermore folks still call me by last name and I ain't putting that on Yelp) Lookin' good. Yeah, hanging out in The Biggety Biggety P because I moved on from The L and don't want to go to SF because then I cannot be the big man that I am in da Trizzle Vizzle. Look at all the fine ladies rubbin' up on my hot body that I get by working out at Club Sport/Lifestyles. You can see my pictures on MySpace. Look for the profile with the 5,000 friends on it that are all hot sexy bitches. You should friend request me. You a scientist? DAMN! So, like yeah, I'm happy to see you and I am still out here and uh, what's up with the 10 year reunion?
Kristen S. pounds her whiskey and calls for a taxi.
Extra star because I don't have to go to my 10-year reunion now. -
Review from Heidi M.
Fremont, CA
5/21/2009
-1 star: still cant help but feel awkward in this place. Its behind kinders and in a little shopping center.
-1 star: The bouncers are really strict on dress code for guys. No tee shirts and no sneakers! I did see some guys in there with tshirts and sneakers though. so its a little confusing guys. I suggest wearing what you want to wear but bring a change of clothes in the car, just in case.
+1 star: The music is pretty good. There are 2 separate rooms, top 40s and the other house music.
+1 star: The crowd is pretty mixed, however a little bit of a sausage fest. The bartenders are friendly and fast. Dont let the pictures deceive you! But for the location, they made the place pretty nice. It wasnt that crowded, which was nice. I dont think that i would go again.
***WARNING*** and the biggest most important -1 star is...
from the whole shopping center, to down the street, and even past the freeway exit... COPS ARE LURKING AROUND looking for people to give DUIs to. They will literally wait outside the place, watch you walk to your car, and see most likely follow you or tell one of their cop buddies around the area that a drunk driver might be out. so seriously.. ASSIGN A DESIGNATED!!! luckily i had one, but on the way out of the club and onto the freeway exit, i saw like 7 cop cars, 2 of which were giving people sobriety tests. keep in mind the freeway exit is 3 minutes away from aura. -
Review from Joel M.
1/18/2010
Went here after a work event with a bunch of yuppies (myself included) from across the country (Chicago, LA, NY, Houston, etc.). We walk in at 10:30 PM and it was dark, silent, and COMPLETELY empty. I'm not even sure if it was open, but since our group had about 25 people on a Thursday night they threw a DJ on the ones and twos and started making some drinks!
First off - $3 you call it ANYTHING! For most of us that are used to paying $8+ for top shelf drinks this was like a bar paying us to drink (and since this was for work travel, technically we were being paid to drink).
So its pretty lame and not crowded for the first hour or so but we are sucking down top shelf booze like there is no tomorrow. All of a sudden the local Pleasonton folk start arriving and mingling with our group. And when I say mingling, I mean 17 year old girls with fake IDs running up to every man, looking at their ring finger, and shamelessly hitting on them. There was some slutty dancing going on, some groping, and before I know it my buddy is getting told he is too drunk and has to leave? Was he too drunk? I have no idea but this is where my experience ends.
It was the only bar within walking distance to the hotel and it was sort of interesting but if you have a car (which I'm assuming most of you do) you can DEFINITELY do better. -
Review from Devina D.
San Francisco, CA
1/12/2009
WHAT IN THE WOLRD?
Yeah its that bad....
I had no choice i came here for a birthday party going to a club in the valley is not my idea AT ALL!
First of all this place is not that great looking the floor is horrible for heels as soon as we entered i saw girls walking akward on this floor and dancing well the DJ was WACK!
first of all he would destroy all the songs from the eighties and that kills ME!
Then there is this weird techno room in the back....
WHAT IS THAT ABOUT?
I did come here about three years ago to see DJ AM and honestly that is probably the only time i WILL come back that was SOOOOO MUCH FUN!
But then again i just love AM!
the whole scene is out there it seems to have a good time here you have to be DRUNK or really Wasted
Would not reccommend at all! -
Review from Jamie L.
Updated - 9/5/2009 1 photo
I still like Aura, but I went with my girls last night and here is when it started to go downhill.
- Told no cover all night: Paid $10 @ the door
- The 10 minutes of Rock & Pop songs
(wait was I in Crogran's or Aura?)
- The dull feeling of a SF club ...10 guys to 1 girl ratio ... sausagefest (ick)
- The slow deseration of people at 1am
Aura will always be worth it for me to go to because the City can be overrated and really it could have been worse.Listed in: East Bay Flair
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/13/2008
My boyfriend's old co-worker was having her 24th birthday here last Saturday. I had very low… Read more »
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Review from Zainab H.
San Francisco, CA
5/24/2007
Aura is in a random ass strip mall in Pleasanton. We went one night and it was like stepping into some sort of warp where I was all of a sudden transported to a club in a STRIP MALL IN PLEASANTON! This place didn't look too bad, but no amount of interior decoration will let you forget that you are in a strip mall in PLEASANTON! And just in case you were dazzled by the lights, the fake ass people will quickly remind you.
We went here one night and my friend got kicked out for throwing up in the toilet. She wasn't hammered. Just took a shot and didn't feel so good so went in the bathroom and MADE herself throw up. Some snitch ass bitch decided to TELL ON HER to the bouncers who made her go outside. I give one star to the bouncer who stayed with her for over an hour while we went back in because we drove 40 min. just to get there! One more star goes to the fact that DJ Solarz is here on occasion and even though I won't ever go to see him here, he's still a dope ass DJ and I can't fault him for gettin' paid. At least they have good music sometimes. LAME. I'll see you in SF! -
Review from Karen C.
South San Francisco, CA
1/12/2010
I got invited here by a friend that DJ's at this spot on a regular basis....Leslie Perez...
Thankfully, he got us in for free because I think the cover was either $15 or $20 and I HATE to pay cover charges....
The club itself was very roomy and has a nice lounge area. I'm not sure whether or not you have to reserve this area to sit, because we didn't use it. The bathrooms were clean and there is two large bar areas.
The clientele that frequent this club are a bit shady and I really couldn't figure out the vibe. There were slim shady wanna bees, there were middle-eastern ed hardy dorks, and a mish mosh of other valley guys...no class and kinda creepy.
If you want to get your dance on, it's okay to come here, and again, thankfully, I don't have to pay the cover fee because I wouldn't come back if I had to! -
Review from Tisha K.
Updated - 8/18/2009
LOVED my night at Aura last Saturday! Went here and hung out with Darryl P. for my girl friend's birthday celebration. We had bottle service in the Red Room. One of the bouncers tried not to let extra people in, but in the end, we all hung out! We didn't take up anyone else's space though! Lots of well created drinks, good people, great music and fun times! CHOONATION did a good job with the event. Props to Cameron and Jimmy for a good night!
Will DEF be here again! Beats the drive/toll/gas money/super expensive drinks when I go to SJ or most SF clubs. LOVE IT!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/10/2009
3 stars? NO WAY! This is definitely the East Bay's hidden night life gem! They have two areas : Red… Read more »
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Review from Brad C.
San Jose, CA
12/20/2009
Ok, to start out, the only reason this club is getting 3 stars and not 2 stars is because of who I was with the night we went. My girl can make any shitty spot seem like the best out there with her personality and everything else!!
First off let me tell you this, there are a LOT of arab/punjabi/carpet pilots that go to this club. And if you've never experienced a club with some of these people, most of them are rude, obnoxious and shady as fuck. One of them actually had the balls to grab my girl so I had to check his ass in front of his punk ass friends, that said they weren't with him... Shady sideliners, waiting for me to throw so they can ambush me. LOL
I probably will NEVER go to this place again... Only reason was it was close to the hotel we were staying.
On a positive note, the music was pretty good and the drinks were strong and quite a bit cheaper than having drinks up in the city... but, that doesn't make me want to go back there...
OH YEAH!... and there was this older "brotha" that kept on trying to sneak peeks into the women's restroom! ugh... DOUCHEBAG! LOL -
Review from V B.
San Jose, CA
7/20/2008
WOW. That was my word of the night when I went to Aura because I was mostly in shock and awe for the majority of the night.
$15 cover - OUTRAGEOUS!! What the hell - this isn't Vegas, this is a strip mall in Pleasanton....why?! why, Pleasanton, why?!
Although charging Vegas prices seems to make the general crowd dress as if they are in Vegas. The women were almost all wearing the same outfit - a very, VERY short bubble dress with the banded bottom that was hugging the bottom of their ass and sky high heels to match. Men were dressed in Affliction, Ed Hardy, or the occasional opened shirt - I'm guessing they are strippers on the loose.
There are 2 separate rooms, which is a good idea. Also, the music in the first room was pretty good - the DJ couldn't transition if his life depended on it, but it was still good.
All in all, I give 2 stars instead of 1 because it was prime for people watching - I saw a guy wearing a grass skirt, a group of girls who looked like they were having the time of their lives, a group who possibly came from prom, and go go dancers. Plus, I had good company which always makes the night that much better. -
Review from Eric O.
Madison, WI
10/25/2008 4 photos
I have been here 3 times and had a great time every time! The music is great! They usually have a different DJ on each dance floor, so if aren't enjoying one type of music, heard to the other dance floor! The people there are typically attractive people. The go-go dancers here are always an eye pleaser. Cover can be $15-$20 bucks, but sign up for their newsletter at their website and/or add them as a friend on MySpace and you'll get opportunities to sign up for their guest list for free or discounted cover. Oh, and yes it is in a strip mall. But it doesn't seem like it inside; it is very spacious. And the upside is that parking is easy, and free!
Pros: Great Music. Friendly Staff. Attractive People. Free Parking
Cons: Can be high cover -
Review from Nick H.
Pleasant Hill, CA
3/4/2008
I'm writing this review solely out of principle. I wasn't aware there were so many haters on yelp, but some of the reviews are just seething with geocentricm.
This is probably the best club in the East Bay. Lots of good looking women, ok guys, fairly classy decor, mediocre bartenders and good music.
Livermore people hating on it....go to Blue Bar or the Saloon instead. No cover at either and they both bite. Shbooms is another local terrible option. WC people have Crogan's/Dan's/Spin which all suck also....2 of the 3 have covers also.
Hearing everyone say we should just go out in SF is so weak. People are always say that except BART stops too early, the whole night is spent traveling, too many covers....blah, blah, blah.
It's ok to admit that not all east bay clubs suck. Your friends might not think your as hip if you don't rock the glow sticks at Ruby/Slide/Snowdrift/etc, but I'm empowering you to stand up! -
Review from Rochelle B.
Daly City, CA
3/5/2008
They have good nights, and bad nights.
First impression is always important. My first time on Saint Patty's day, and it was SO fun. You have older crowds, not so young and stuck-up. The diversified ethnicity is nice, not one dominant race. The music was hip-hop, and there's nothing I like better. They have in and outs, which is a plus. Bathrooms are clean, and they have more than one stall - HA! They try to set off a "Vegas-like" vibe, so they have professional dancers dressed in costumes dancing around.
The other nights I've been there were okay. You have to make sure the music playing that night is to your liking BEFORE you get there. The music will dictate what kind of crowd will be there.
Overall, I have to say that this one of the best clubs in the Bay Area-best crowd and atmosphere. Any place that doesn't make me feel old will get a 5-star! -
Review from Krista T.
Hayward, CA
10/14/2008
I really like this place.
A lot of hot guys to look at & dance with!!! The music is good in all of the rooms. Lots of parking, good area, you don't feel crowded, nice bartenders, nice crowd. -
Review from Tiffany W.
Fremont, CA
10/14/2007
Personally, I liked this club a lot. Yes, when you first get there, you're totally caught off guard that you ARE in a strip mall with bagel shops, supermarkets, and what not. But once you get inside the club, you forget about that. Aura is very nice inside and has great decorations and lighting, but isn't over the top, which is the problem with a lot of "upscale" clubs in downtown SJ. The music here is pretty good. The MAIN advantage to this place is that they have a house/trance room. AWESOME for those of us who LOVE house and trance. It's very surprising that they would have a club with house/trance in the middle of pleasanton, but hey, whatever they're doing, works.
Although Aura is situated in the middle of suburbia in Pleasanton AND in a strip mall, this place was packed last night. So the odd location doesn't throw this place off, because whatever the promoters are doing, they're doing a good job by letting people know about this place. I mean, my friends and I all are from San Jose and we know about this place too.
The crowd here is different, but I guess you can't expect it not to be. Basically, I loved this club - great decor, design, and music, but totally not my crowd. It doesnt matter though, cause I had fun.
And just like Europea N. mentioned, there is very minimal ghetto-ness. Even though most of the girls here couldn't dance to the beat for their lives, you could tell they were all just having a good time and no drama.
Also, this club is owned by Ruby Skye , which is a huge trance/house club based in SF/LA.
Overall, 4 stars to the club. great decor, great music, drama free, fun. It is a bit far, but I don't mind it for the occassional clubbing when I wanna get away from downtown SJ. Also, if you LOVE house/trance like I do, definitely check this place out!Listed in: Late Night
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Review from Alena M.
6/30/2008
Let me first say that I haven't been to a club in years. I'm a mommy now and am more of a drink-wine-at-home kind of girl.
A group of 10 girls and I went to Aura for my friend's bachelorette party. First impressions were that the club made me feel like I was in San Francisco, even though I was in Pleasanton next to a Cheese Steak Shop. Now I shall sum up the night for you:
Bad Sign # 1: We went to Aura after a day of wine-tasting and margaritas at Casa Orozco.
Bad Sign # 2: Drinks were half off before 10:30pm.
Bad Sign # 3: We got a VIP table with our own bottle of vodka.
Bad sign # 4. I don't usually drink hard alcohol.
Let's just say I got sick in mid-sentence somewhere that was not a bathroom. Then I immediately cabbed it home. But I did enjoy Aura, although the janitor might not have enjoyed me so much. -
Review from Laina T.
5/12/2010
It was a Saturday night and no one was in sight. We arrived at 11 pm and there was no line outside. I was feeling a little hesitant. Inside, there was barely anyone. We waited and waited hoping that it would fill up, but it didn't. Throughout the night, there were probably 30 people. Even the bartender looked bored. She asked us a few times if we wanted to get some drinks. When does that ever happen? I'm not sure what happened this past weekend, but the bouncer claimed that this was unusual.
The music was good. It was a good mix of top 40, r & b, rap, and some 80's. They also showed music videos which went exactly with mixed music. That was cool.
It was pretty dead. What a waste of $10. I don't think I'll be back... ever. -
Review from Van Ness D.
Alameda, CA
12/10/2006
Key Words: Strip mall. Guidos. Old couples. Fat. White. Chicks. Size 2 jeans. Weak drinks. Hot dancers. Thank God. Free Guest List.
Plenty of fodder for clownation if you're like me & JT F. We made our own fun. You just had to be there... -
Review from Brian T.
San Jose, CA
7/2/2007 2 photos
In a nutshell:
It's a breath of fresh air if you're sick of the downtown San Jose/San Francisco scene.
In detail:
Yea yea, it's in a strip mall in Pleasanton. Get over it!! I decided to celebrate my birthday here almost on a whim. I took a chance at this place because it was different and I knew the crowd would be a hell of a lot more diverse. I'm getting tired of the "Asian night crowd"...and I'm Asian myself! For my first time going here, I was really surprised to see a large and attractive crowd at this club. Who woulda thunk it? Pleasanton has one place that's actually poppin' with good looking people.
I had reserved a table for the night in the Blue Room. Our table server was friendly and accommodating. As a matter of fact, everyone was friendly and accomodating...from the bouncers to the bartenders to the drunk white girls. *wink* I can't argue whether or not the bartender drinks were watered-down because I only took shots. But I can say that all the shots they made were potent and disgustingly delicious. Yea, that's an oxymoron, good job.
My only complaint about the place was the music they played. Sure, different DJs on different nights play different music. But I couldn't stand the music in the Blue Room. There was just too much *THUMP THUMP THUMP* trance music for me to handle. The Red Room had better music, albeit just slightly. If only DJ AM could be there every night.
I'd come back here again. Maybe not on a random night (I went the night Travis Barker was there), but definitely when a special event is happening. Oh, and table service is a definite must have! You gotta party like a rock star!Listed in: Nightlife Hits and Misses
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Review from Kat S.
Walnut Creek, CA
9/5/2008
Come here pretty frequently to avoid the drive to the city.
Beats the crowd at Spin Ultra Lounge in Walnut Creek (ie: not ghetto).
Actually let me rephrase... not ghetto when Wild 94.9 is not promoting for the night... so avoid friday nights... club is pretty empty and the people are pretty ghetto.
DJ's vary but for the most part they are pretty good.
Cover can be reasonable, however I would never pay to get in, so get to know some bouncers so you can get a VIP sticker.
Drinks are a tad bit pricey for my taste, and male bartenders put more alcohol than female bartenders.
Wednesday and Saturday nights are pretty busy, but friday nights not so much, friday better if you're avoiding the huge crowd.
Overall, an "A-OK" kind of time, me and my friends always make the best of it!Listed in: Night Life
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Review from ashley d.
El Sobrante, CA
2/23/2009
Went for their Mardi Gras event.. The staff is super cool, one bouncer was chatting with me, I forget his name, but he was a nice guy. The coat check was $3, which was awesome since I stayed a block away and walked in flip flops. I don't LOVE the decor in the club, I didn't see any fireplaces or poles like the pictures, but I was only in the "HOUSE" room for 2 minutes.. So that could be where they were.
Way too many men that night, but I assume it was because it was a prepaid event. Can't really turn someone down if they already paid, right?
I like the location because it has plenty of hotels to stay in, the Summerfield Hyatt is a nice one, and if you're going with a group it has 2 bedroom suites. And free breakfast!! =) I'll save the rest for their review..
They could have hired hotter women to dance on the stages... It was a little TOO dark in the club.. And I feel like there were some weird floorplan decisions made, maybe it was just that night.
The cover was $15 online, and $25 at the door which I thought was way too much for the experience.
Go with a group of friends, that's the only way to enjoy it.. -
Review from Mary W.
Oakland, CA
1/25/2010
Ok, so I actually like going to Aura. It's local and they usually have some sort of deal going on (sometimes you have to check the website or call before they open). Before Thanksgiving, if you brought it a can of food, your cover charge was waived. Not bad. Last time I went, ladies drank well alcohol for $1 before 11. Pretty damn good if you ask me.
I've been here 3 or 4 times, but we'll just go ahead and say 3 because I can't remember one time. I've been twice on the weekend and once on a Wednesday. I think the DJs are better on the weekends, but that's to be expected. I don't feel like I'm in a sardine can like I sometimes do at other places. There's plenty of room to dance usually and the most crowded part is at the bar, but luckily they have enough bartenders to go around. One thing I'm not crazy about here is the drinks are kind of expensive ($9 for a Long Island) and you'd better finish your drink before you start dancing because if someone bumps you the wrong way, that drink is hitting the floor. I've dropped my drink twice here because the glasses get a lot of condensation on them and when you're buzzed it's easy to drop it.
If you're looking for a fun time with your friends without going to the city to pay crazy cover charges, come to Aura. If you're the type that likes to act like you're the most important person in the club and you're too good for Aura, go to the city because I don't really want to party with you anyway. -
Review from Catherine S.
Walnut Creek, CA
1/20/2007
Tonight my friend dragged me to Aura. Her cousin is a Go-go dancer there so we got in on the VIP list and of course it was free. Even though we had to wait to get in.
The drinks are weak. It was too crowded. What's up with this generation? Everyone wants to dance like a stripper or a porn star. I liked it when you went out on the dance floor and could just have fun. Now a days dry humping is how most people dance. It's not seductive its vulgar.
So I am old fashioned, I don't care I will say it out loud and I am proud. -
Review from Victor C.
2/3/2008
I'm not really sure what to give this place...
1. I went on the Saturday night before Fat Tuesday... because it was a "Mardi Gras" theme... it was $25 cover for guys, $20 for women. WT!?!?! In suburbia!?!?! Even in downtown SF or even Man Jose, I don't think I would be willing to shell out $25 to get in. But went in I did.
2. The decor was definitely nice. It was spacious, and you could obviously tell it was designed/decorated by seasoned club vets.
3. Because of the "Mardi Gras" theme (at least I hope it's because of the theme, and not a regular thing), there were "lamp posts" posted up throughout the club with street signs for Orleans. For the theme? Cool. The fact that it made the lighting wayyy to bright (I could actually see everybody there!)... not as coo.
4. The Red (main) room was playing more top 40 "94.9" stuff. I guess it's coo, but seriously, the DJ wasn't very skilled with hit macbook. Plus, because "everybody" likes top 40, the Red Room was PACKED.
5. The Blue room... where it was House music, was MUCH more easier to maneuver through. I actually enjoy listening/groovin to this type of music too, so I had no problem spending most of the night there. I didn't drink much, but if I wanted to, it was MUCH easier to get drinks in this room.
6. I just had a conversation today about how the Bay Area women were so far from the women I was used to in Southern California (no offense ladies). I'm afraid to think that most of these "women" were girls with fake IDs... but I was thoroughly impressed by some of the quality of women I saw there. Pleasanton: Good Job!
7. They shut down the Blue Room by 1:30. Seeing how it only got poppin' at 11pm, I was a bit disappointed that they cut my night down by about 20%.
8. The presence of Pleasanton's Finest outside of the club was good, but not so good if you had only a couple of drinks, and you were able to drive... seeing how it's 2008, and I am officially a responsible drinker, not the biggest problem for me.
9. In a strip mall. Strange? Yes. An abundance of parking? Fantastic.
10. A club in Pleasanton????
There are many qualities that make this club a Solid 4... and I really do want to give it a 4... but the fact that I just remembered that they played Flo Rida's Low song in the "House" room is enough to warrant a three. -
Review from Lea B.
Livermore, CA
3/1/2007
Let me start by saying the interior of this place is pretty effing sweet, considering it's in a shopping center in Pleasanton. This place has a lot of potential.
But.
It's kinda weird. I've only been here once, to see Danity Kane (who showed up an hour late and stuck around for like 20 minutes). The DJ was pretty weird. It was an eclectic mix of music, some I enjoyed, some I did not. And the crowd here is kinda weird. I live in the Tri-Valley myself, but I'll just say you could definitely tell this club was in the Tri-Valley. The crowd just wasn't very cool. It all just seemed sort of awkward to me. I almost wore a dress here, and I would've felt horrendously overdressed. Everyone was in jeans and halter tops.
Maybe worth a go if you live locally and/or if there's someone playing here you want to see. But kind of an all together strange place. But I do have to give them props for putting something like this in Pleasanton. At least the option is there if you want it. No long BART or car ride home.
EDIT: I just saw 80s band Tainted Love (they were great) here last night and the set up was pretty sweet. And since the place wasn't so crowded (Thursday night), the experience was generally a good one. Still some hoochie chicks in halter tops, though. What are ya gonna do.
I vote 3.5 stars now.
