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Wildly insane interesting mix of people. It was my first time at Boswells though I have been to this plaza many times. I never knew this place existed. It was a Friday night, fortunate enough to have been here before the cover charge because I would not have paid and maybe sneak my way in if so. There was a live cover band and they sounded better and better as the alcohol progress...
Cougs w/ canes, shoot, w/ wheelchairs perhaps. I thought I saw one with a oxygen tank!
Youngbloods just becareful, the cougs are hungry!
Overall, this place was not bad at all. Friendly atmosphere and the drinks are cheap.
The KJ at Boswell's, Dave, just added some songs to his karaoke songbook and he contacted to let me know he picked up some new Mötley Crüe songs just for me (as I specifically requested certain ones).
Due to this, I am obliged to raise the Boswell's Tuesday night karaoke score to 5-stars and overall, the bar is growing on me so I can raise it to 3-stars as my soccer team loves coming here after games. So if you take the average of the two, Boswell's is is now up to a 4-star rating.
Karaoke at Boswell's on Tuesday nights is one of, if not the most consistently fun karaoke experience in all of the South Bay. If you love a good, upbeat crowd then you should head out here. Plus, if you have friends that do not like singing, the KJ plays really good dance music in between singers and his assistant keeps the rotation fair. So the show is half dancing and half singing and all fun.
And lastly, if you have friends who do not like dancing or singing, then there is always the bar, right?
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I wish people would stop calling this place a dive bar. It's smack dab in the middle of a the… Read more »
Threw us out again!
We were just having a good time and making fun of some hapless douchebag who was trying to hit on every girl in the place. Turns out he's friends with everyone on the staff. What a shocker!
Do yourself a favor and steer cleer of this hellhole. It stinks of testosterone and desperation.
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Why oh why do I always end up in this shithole?
Boswell's is never a first choice. It's the place you…
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Came here with a group of friends on Halloween night. It was $5 dollars for cover but I didn't mind since they had a live cover band. I hate paying cover but if there is a live band playing, I will hate it a little less. Either way, the band was amazing and played a bunch of pop/punk/alternative hits which was awesome. It was also incredibly easy to get drinks and I didn't have to stand at the bar waiting forever. Definitely a weird mix of people and surprisingly a lot of older folks. I had fun, and wouldn't mind checking this place out on different night.
Cool fun dive bar. Came here on Monday night and they have a live band. I think that made all the difference. The drinks are not bad either. I had my usual Vodka and Cran but the live music was a nice touch and the lead singer can really sing. She sang songs everyone knew and can sing along with her. I would like to come back.
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Tucked away in the Pruneyard, this bar definitely doesn't fit in. It's not cool enough to earn the "dive" badge, and after visiting this place on a Friday and having the "live band" warm up on their annoying bongo drums (yes...bongos) for a good 20 minutes, we couldn't take it anymore and left.
Don't bongos always sound the same? You hit the thing and it makes a noise? Or maybe they weren't warming up and were actually playing? Man, I hope not...
The crowd is a little odd, adding to the weirdness of the place. Reminds me of a smaller Mt. Charley's--with animal heads and all--which if you've read my review, isn't a good thing.
The one drink I got was stiff though. Two stars for that.
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A random Tuesday night brought me down to Campbell and rather than going to the typical downtown Campbell bars (Katie Blooms,Khartoums, you know all those..) we thought we should check out somewhere new. We walked on over to the Pruneyard and while I was pretty skeptical of a bar in a shopping center we decided to give it a shot (no pun intended). Tuesday night brings out a wide variety for kareoke yet it was a great friendly crowd. The bartenders had a great strong pour and the cocktail servers were quick and on top of it. We had a great night with inexpensive drinks and the the vocal stylings of Campbells finest singers. I would surely expect to see a few on American Idol next season. Well, maybe not. But overall it was a fun little dive bar with an eclectic crowd that turned a random Tuesday night into a blast!
Went here a couple Fridays ago. Was meeting up with some friends, so not concerned about the random crowd. Seemed to be people aged 30's-40's. Live band was good (not a house band, changes every week I think)! Don't remember our bartender's name but my stomach probably won't let me go back for a while. This guy pours a STIFF one, my friends. Wish I could remember his name...
It was a good time, great to mix things up and get away from typical downtown Campbell for a couple of hours.
Paid a $5 cover charge. Drink prices were alright. I think I spent $36 dolla$ for three beers and 3 mixed drinks. I went on a Sat nite and there was a live band. I spent 50% of the time blazing and gracing the dance floor and 25% of the time socializing with my friends and random people. The other 25% of the time I was either outside having a smoke or in the bathroom. I had fun and it was a mixed crowd, but its a pretty chill spot.
Cougar
An older woman who frequents clubs in order to score with a much younger man. The cougar can be anyone from an overly surgically altered wind tunnel victim, to an absolute sad and bloated old horn-meister, to a real hottie or milf. Cougars are gaining in popularity -- particularly the true hotties -- as young men find not only a sexual high, but many times a chick with her shit together.
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Boswell's is a definite Dive, but has an added dimension. Because of its location in the Pruneyard - you get a very mixed crowd of locals and outsiders that is as consistent as their stiff drinks. These folks come and go in waves. So you could buy a drink, spark up an extended convo with a friend, and look around afterwards at a whole new sea of faces. And after a few more cocktails that sea starts looking more and more attractive. Damn beer goggles!
Well, all I have to say is if you are a younger man - watch out for the Cougar's. They are always on the prowl at good ol' Bozzi's.
*growl*
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Karaoke review.. Wow.. more than a year since I Yelped Boswells.. and observed then that it felt like the liveliest place to spend a Tuesday that *I* knew of (but what do I know? I'm just a 60 year-old fart who limits his glamorous night life to karaoke dive bars).. Well.. due to an acrimonious chain of events too entangled and twisted to relate here.. I walked in last Tuesday and observed.. it is *still* the liveliest little spot on a South Bay Tuesday night I know.. only *livelier* .. 9:30 the place was so packed.. ol' Weide had to search a little spot for himself against the back wall farthest from the stage.. And noted lots of young faces .. most not familiar to Weide.. who then started to feel very very much his *actual* age which sometimes happens when he wanders too far out of the familiar confines of his *regular* hangout.. then Jade and Lalo.. reglars of the 'Boo and reglars apparently of this place too spotted him.. and dragged him up front and introduced him to their Boswell's friends.. and so Weide once again felt luved and relaxed.. and began to get his clowning mojo back.
Davy K and Soosh have an extensive legal song selection.. They *have* Suavemente and they *have* the version of "Luck Be a Lady" with the cool prelude.. They got a cool core of singers .. looks like a good many of the karaoke fanatics gather there on Tuesday.. Davy K.. who also runs a straight DJ show.. knows how to keep the energy high.. a karaoke singer.. followed by a straight dance number.. followed by another .. singer .. followed by a dance number.. keeps the crowd hoppin' and the energy high .. but..for k-whores like me.. who wanna be up singin' *all* the time.. well .. do the math.. one.. two times at the most.. But it's two times in front of a hyped up crowd.. that's still in the mood to be induced to move .. if you the singer on your turn.. can just supply the *right* song.. which would be... hmm.. ...Suavemente!!! ... yay!! swirl of dancers.. high-fives.. supportive "Aaauuuoowz!" Boswell's luv time.. So..Weide.. you mean to say you're gonna raise your rating from 4 to 5 stars *just* because *they* danced and clapped for your stupid Suavemente schtick too?.. Why yes, that's what makes me a karaoke attention whore..
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So on Tuesdays, Boswell's has a karaoke show, and even though the next day is a work day, I must say… Read more »
- $40 for 7 drinks was the nice
- glad we got in before cover, i wouldn't pay cover to get into this small bar
I stil love Boswells with all of my heart. My only warning is don't pass out in front of the movie theater next door after a fun-filled night. Someone might steal your purse.
Thank you to the little blonde cocktail waitress (sorry if you told me your name, I obviously was not fully attentive) for helping my drunk ass. I promise it won't happen again :)
Unfortunately I have to take a few weekends off of my Boswells adventures, but I will be back!!!
Boswells always seems to be my destination when going out in Campbell. I may be a youngin, but I… Read more »
Me and my friend came here for a Bday Party/ Cinco De Mayo thing and we walk in and it's a bunch of tools with their hats turned to the side acting ghetto or something. We got one drink and gulped it and got the fuck outta there. The girls here are trashy too, lots of piled on makeup lol. ugh
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I ended up here with my classmates celebrating their graduation on a Monday night.
There was a bit of a wait getting our drinks, but once we did and sat down, the there was the juke box playing and we hung out and chatted for a while. At some point, a live band came on.
They played a great variety of music, it was a great night for dancing. I was planning on leaving around 11...and then around midnight..we ended up staying past one on a work night!
Good music, decent drinks (good flavor, not too strong, but definitely enough to feel the alcohol) and clean bathrooms with consistent table bussing...I was a happy girl. Hard to find a good place to go dancing, and now I'm looking forward to checking this place out again in the future. It was fun, clean, and felt safe.
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Dropped by next door (that would be here) while waiting for a movie. Still pretty early in the evening, so finding a stool at the bar was no problem.
Ordered my pint of Guinness, again... no problem... though as people started showing up, it would definitely have been harder for me to get a second pint.
A band (10til2?) was getting ready to jam, too bad we had to leave early to catch The other Green Monster.
True Story. A young woman at the bar wanted to steal the shirt off my back. She was unsuccessful, though she put up a valiant effort. If that's not a reason to come back to Boswell's for more, then I don't know what is.
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I am giving 4 stars to Boswells only to bump up its rating.
Next, I wanted to get good and drunk tonite- instead I wasn't even asked for my ID - I have been robbed! Now that I come to think about it I wasn't asked for my ID tonite when I got more booze...CRAP I am totally PISSED This getting older stuff stops NOW! NOW I want my virginity back I want to be carded I am no where near drunk.
You see I had a plan, lots of alcohol and go see the Watchman to sober up. Well, it was a plan.
So, you know I got the shoes that will kick anyone within a two minute radius of me so I find my spot at the bar where the poor do not have a dollar for a shirley temple. Okay, a recovering alcoholic feels it is okay to be in Boswell.
That nearly qualifies five stars for me.
Next up, Bartendar doesn't ask my saggy butt for an ID probably because I didn't even say Hi before I ordered a Rusty Nail. Folks I am serious when I wanna get sloshed.
He has no dranbuie...I should take another star off but I just dated myself when I said Rusty Nail so I ask for a Screwdriver. Thank god he's got the Sharks Game on and Stoli Vodka.
I really should not have stepped in Boswells this was at best a bad idea because the douches who play 80's rock band and Steve Perry Songs should be castrated ...immediately now this is a crime against people with hearing. Worse yet it was multicultural with other factions joining in...hence the Rick Springsteen song pushes me out the door too soon for the 8:25 showing of the Watchman.
Drink fine, Game Fine, Loud music bad. Loud 80's rock band an assult on ones senses.
Can't wait to go again next year for the High School reunion. BTW, next time I am showing my stuff and asking for Vodka Rocks because if they play Rick Springsteen I will need a double.
Completely sober and appreciative of the Bartender he said I looked 25!
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i always have fun at Boswells. i'm here quite religiously every tuesday (well, except for when i'm not... 21 days is habit, right?)
tuesday nights are karaoke and it seems like a lot of the shining stars really wet their vocal chords and shine out here.
as much fun as watching the amateur styling of Billy Idol is the dance-party that occurs between crooning , you know, for those of us with more talent in our hips than in our lips.
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What more can I say? Boswell's has been my home since 1988... I love this bar. I can go on and on about this place, but have to get your ass in here to understand that this is THE rock'n-est dive bar in the valley.
My favorite nite is thursday with Liquid Courage... don't miss out!
Bring it to Boswell's - keep it in Campbell
Typical hole in the wall type of bar. I can't think of any good reasons to go here. Maybe if in the past you were a World Class Arm Wrestler, or scored 4 touchdowns in one high school football game, then maybe you might go here. For the rest of us, perhaps you are looking for a cougar ( or in this case a reject from a Rock of Love casting special ), or want to spear a whale, other than that you are better served to head down to a better part of town where you might actually have some fun.
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Birdy F is SO right.
"Boswells.... helping ugly people get laid and feel more attractive since like 1988. " HAHAH!!
Anyways, I can't believe I wasted 2 hours of my life here.
Between the 90 year old guy on the dance floor and the cramped and disgusting bathroom, I couldn't get out of here quick enough.
Also,
I had something happen here that I have never had happen to me in my life, ANYWHERE.
So I got my tab, which was about $50 bucks and paid a $12 tip and when I handed the bartenders the tips, and (this is NOT an over exaggeration) they started screaming at me in front of everyone at the bar.
They were litterly heckling me, both bartenders, screaming "Hey lady, whats up with that low of of tip, HUH!? What did we do wrong?!?!?! HEY! HEY LADY!!! Come here!!! Why did you tip us so low, huh!??!!?"
Due to their complete rudeness all night, and curt sentences, they are lucky they even got tipped at ALL. Needless to say, I never went back.
People thought this was:
I went in here for a cocktail on my friends birthday. The place reeked. I don't know if it was the actual place or the clientele. It's hard to enjoy single malt scotch with the stench of urine, gym socks, cigarette ashes, and human waste lingering in the air.
I used to come here in the 80s and had a better time. Maybe in my younger days I was less discriminating.
I did like this place, came her for St. Patty's celebration. Was boring at first, but once the alcohol started to kick in it was fun. The hefweizen tasted really good that day... I think I was drinking water haha.. :)
I remember coming here after being destroyed by a plate full of horrible nachos. They laughed at me, even after I flushed them. After that, me, my woman and a friend couldn't decide where to go. You know, considering the plethora of options in the hotbed that is Campbell. I voted to drive around aimlessly. My girl voted for Boswells. My friend laughed, and laughed. And had no suggestions. Then he farted in my car and laughed again.
So I got my wish to drive around aimlessly. It was all I dreamed and more. I was hoping to find some random bums gathered around a trash can and singing barber shop quartet. That dream was killed by my woman screaming for vodka and telling me I would sleep on the couch for the next six months if we didn't find something to do.
My friend suggested Boswells. Once we get inside, I soak in the decor. And Blanche Dubois sucking down shots. My friend orders an AMF, gets approached by an old bald gay black man, who nicely threatens to kill him. Then asks for my friend's number. We downed our 3$ beers and laughed when a butter face beamed in on him and showed off her awkward arthritic mating dance. My woman and I then pop-lock-and-dropped it to Bob Segar music, while laughing at my friend getting hounded by an old butter face.
This, I believe, is karma. For farting in my car and laughing.
People thought this was:
Dive bar with great pours and just a cool hang out. Low key hookers are there which I thought was funny. They have seating, live music and a good drinking crowd. I frequent there when I visit from L.A.
I have to agree with Archie G's review: Boswell's isn't truly a dive bar. Boswell's lacks some of the grime and skankiness needed to be a true dive bar...and honestly, I'm ok with that. This is a decent neighborhood bar. You should definitely come here if all you're looking for is a decent drink at a decent price.
Don't come here expecting to find the love of your life (that's directed mostly at you ladies). There are some shady types here, so if you're a female you should definitely bring friends with you. Just come here to have a good time with friends and you won't be disappointed.
Boswells.... helping ugly people get laid and feel more attractive since like 1988.
Seriously though, the crowd is not usually on the "good looking" side of things. Whatever that means. Its not a very glamorous place basically. You'll see some scrubs in there that look like they just left work at the auto body shop. And some scary older women wearing too little clothing and too much makeup. I'm a friendly, sociable person and I'll talk to everyone around me but I don't like "that kind" of attention as I'm married. I'm not "all that" by any means but I get more attention here than I would if I went to say, Khartoums or Cardiff where there are plenty of pretty, young, in shape women to go around. So, I prefer those places. All the obnoxious young men can ogle these girls instead.
This girl I know named Natasha loves this place because she's on the heavy side of things.. not very attractive and even she gets a little play at this place. She hates other places like Khartoums and Cardiff cause the girls there make her feel bad about herself and she ends up talking smack about them all night. "oh my god.. look at what she's wearing"... LOL.
The only place worse than Boswell's in Campbell is the King's Head. I get the "icky" feeling in there cause of all the older, unattractive, leering perverts. And i'm not being mean either. All my friends say the same thing and they don't dress provocatively. The men are creepy there.
There are lots of older people at Boswell's. It's not unusual to see a couple in their late 40's out on the dance floor. Very cute. For this reason, I thought the place was a bit more "tame". "Safe". That's probably why i end up going back here when i don't feel like dealing with the younger crowd. Maybe I'm just thinking of week nights or something. But...I have never seen a fight here.
I've seen plenty of fights at Khartoums. None at Katie Blooms.
Somehow I end up at Boswell's at least twice a year. Its not too bad.
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Boswells is the place to be on Tuesday nights!
Why?
Find out for yourself!
I'm not a real big fan of Boswell's but for some reason I find myself there nearly every week. My co-workers love this place for the laid back atmosphere and the fact they are usually the hottest girls within the 21-30 age range. The crowd is typically older then the average place and usually has more guys than girls. Exception: Tuesday nights. For some reason girls really love the Karaoke.
I'm a glutton for punishment. I often do things that could be considered out of character. I go places I know I'm going to dislike and then complain about the people later. I make fun of music that's playing most of the time yet I am too cheap to put my own buck in. I order the same thing every single time, either a Newcastle or a Hef. I don't bring up politics but if someone else wants to do it they're going to hear my side of things for sure but only if I've had a beer. I worry I'm becoming a yuppie or whatever the modern equivalent is and then I go to Boswell's run into some distant acquaintace who's talking, and talking and talking about work and the British Virgin Islands and I'm not sure why I'm here.
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Boswell's has been vey good to me over the years. I have spent literally hundreds of nights there (I used to play in bands that worked there).
Ahhhhh yes... good old Boswell's. Very comfy - like an old pair of boxers.
Go there now!
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After a movie, not ready to go home....go here. I have been here in this case and also as a main destination. Usually a place you can talk, have a drink and sit comfortably. Not always a place to dance unless you are in a group that deliberately plans to claim the dance floor. The crowd is quite a range, usually an older crowd (yes, including cougs), youngins that were not feeling up for a classy joint. They do have Widers pear cider which is a plus...however the $5 cover to get in....uber lame! They usually have a cover band, I am no judge of goodness but they usually play all the recognizable tunes which makes for a nice groove in your stool or a sing-along.
It's everything I look for in a bar, and I'm pretty much guaranteed to have a good time. Awesome cover bands, a good crowd for dancing, good bartenders, and the douche baggary is usually minimal. Being a couple blocks away from home is always a plus. Not sure if being close to the Bravo is, however...
A fun-cool bar with dive-y charms...
Tucked into a corner of strip mall real estate, sandwich'd between Camera 7 Cinema and Coffee Society, Boswell's is an kind of an oddity. The same plaza where you'll find family-friendly places like Rock Bottom Brewery, Trader Joe's, Barnes & Noble, Buca di Beppo, and an Outback, there sits Boswell's, with a slight air of ominous "cool sometimes, sketchy other times".
Despite its location amongst some chainy and streamlined well-to-do's, the interior of Boswell's is full of grim and grimy character. With dark-varnished wooden furniture and floors, candescent lighting, stained-glass ornamented overheads, beer and liquor brand'd neon signs, mirror-backed liquor shelves, as well as the collection of personalities that can be found here, Boswell's definitely typifies "dive bar".
A narrow, dimly lit bar, with no windows, a tiny barely-raised stage, and an almost-as-tiny danceable area, Boswell's isn't very well suited as a performance venue. But sure enough, some of the RAWKIN'EST local bands make this place "home".
As much as I enjoy a good drink and a rockin' live band, I have some reservations about going to the place. It isn't, IMHO, a readily welcoming environment if you are not of certain physical archetypes. I'm not implying any thing overt or outright discriminatory**, but yes... yes, you will feel out of place here... if you aren't at least 5'10" of the biker/roadie or frat/jock/surfer orientation. All girls are welcome and hawt girls are everywhere (especially on band nights!).
(** on a serious note, and the reason I can only give 3-stars, despite its appeal; the two fights I have been unfortunate to be witness to were both racially-charged. Though this is no knock on the establishment itself, be aware that it is a reflection of the patronage.)
if you'd like to know where all the wanna be M.I.L.Fs and cougars go, this must be the place...haha I kid...? The place is pretty laid back and chill, always a good time with friends when I go, nothing special but it definitely has an interesting mix of people for sure. The live music was so horrible it was good...maybe it was just that night?
It's been almost 2 years and the same review applies except for a big shout out to Rick the drummer for Liquid Courage.
Boswells is the epitome of your local dive bar. Ever since I moved to the Campbell area (8 years… Read more »
Love the laid back atmosphere. Always a great place to end your evening of drinks.Drinks...............very reasonable, staff is great, bouncers are cool and not a bunch of meat heads with something to prove. Not digging the cover charges but i guess the bands need to get paid too. Haven't had a bad experience there yet, good mix of people, good drinks, good music.... what else can you ask for?
People thought this was:
Boswells is fun, either laid back hanging out and drinking, or crazy dance party fun. Sometimes both in one night! Nice security, waitresses and bartenders. On my 21st birthday, each one bought me a drink, and last night on my friends birthday they were making us REAL good drinks. And they always have football on the tvs! =] Love the smoking section too, when I was underage i would hang out at the coffee shop next door and watch the drunkies in their smoking section.
the decision has been made.
boswell's is a complete disappointment.
one of my favorite pals and i went out last night to catch a flick at the Camera. and i thought (i actually am kicking myself for suggesting it) it would be nice to grab a couple of drinks at boswell's before hand.
CON: now, i've been here a couple of times before, and it was pleasant. but this time, it was different. from the moment we stepped inside and bartender almost freak at my CA ID. And then there were some ordering problems but everything was clear. Now i though that was the worst of it, until i realized that my friends drink was only soda water.
pretty jerkass behavior.
PRO: their bathrooms were insanely clean.
Typically, I am a dive bar kind of girl. I love places where if you chose to dance you have the opportunity and space, but if you chose not to dance, you are not an outcast. I like friendly, non-pretentious bars that have a good selection of drinks and drafts and plenty of places to sit. On the surface, this seemed like a good place when I went for my first visit there on Saturday night. It seemed to match my dive bar criteria and I even wound up meeting a cute guy, which was not on my agenda for the evening. However, there are several factors that dramatically lowered my rating for this place:
1. First and foremost, someone stole my jacket. I can't tell you how many times I have left a jacket lying around in bars all over the country, and this is the first time I have ever had one stolen. It was a cheap, old, fake leather jacket, but it was mine and I liked it a lot. And it wasn't like I left it somewhere, got really drunk and walked away from it. I was within visual contact of it for the entire night (and I wasn't drunk), and someone clearly was sneaky and took it when I wasn't looking. The biggest pain in the ass is that unless I want to go without a jacket for the rest of the year, I now have to brave the damn mall during the holidays to find a decent replacement. That pisses me off.
2. The floor by the dancing area was REALLY sticky. It was gross.
3. The band sucked that night. Well, let me rephrase: the band was okay, but the chick singing sucked. When they changed singers, it wasn't so bad, but she just sounded like she was doing bad karaoke. I did my best to sing louder than her to block the sound from my ears.
4. And they charged a cover. I suppose I wouldn't have had a problem with the $5 cover, but basically I paid to have my jacket stolen and listen to a really poor singer.
Great.
This place has potential, and maybe I just caught it on a bad night, but I am not terribly jazzed to go back.
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Campbell, CA
Category: Nightlife
Campbell, CA
Category: Irish
Los Gatos, CA
Category: Dive Bars
Campbell, CA
Category: Lounges
Campbell, CA
Category: Sports Bars
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