BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

10690 N. De Anza Boulevard
Cupertino, CA 95014

Mona N. writes: What's up with all the bad reviews? I love BJ's.
Not to forget the number one reason why I do. It's the best place to meet up for blind dates, so I give it 5 stars. I'm not going to lie. I posted a personal on Craigslist before, and B.J.'s was THE…

Cb Hannegan's Restaurant

208 Bachman Avenue
Los Gatos, CA 95030

michelle i. writes: when i used to live down here i loved this place. always gets a crowd, casual menu and hopping on the weekends! good looking yuppies-types/frat types usually congregate here, but then again that's pretty much all of los gatos isn't it?

Carry Nations

8 N Santa Cruz Ave
Los Gatos, CA 95030

ali c. writes: Drop Top is on tap here y'all!!  I am an avid beer drinker but have been recently slowing down because of the carbonation and excess calories.. I would rather eat them, okay?!  This bar in Downtown Los Gatos is actually a pretty small but cozy sports…

Pedro's

316 N. Santa Cruz Avenue
Los Gatos, CA 95030

Big Mama Kaboose .. writes: OK, the 4 stars is for my experience back in the 80s. I havent been to this place in years, last time I went it wasn't what it used to be.

The food was SO good and I always got the combo plate, one beef one chicken enchilada (always paid extra for the…

Normandy House Lounge

30 Washington St
Santa Clara, CA 95050

Weide Z. writes: Update: 3/03/08

Word has filtered down to me that Stephanie, who in my mind, is the best argument for doing karaoke at any one place in particular is no longer there.. So down a star.. On the other hand, some karaoke is better than none at all, so..…

The Mediterranean

265 Center Avenue
Aptos, CA 95003

margot b. writes: Gotta be one of THE seediest bars around. Now I love a dive bar myself. Others aren't as fond of the things that make these kinda places full of personality. The belligerent, hammered senior shouting how much she loves the polka dots on your dress…

Jury Room

712 Ocean St
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Big Mama Kaboose .. writes: Man I LOVE this place, I wish it were closer!!

My dad used to frequent this bar back in the 80s. I remember sitting out on the curb one time after being at the Boardwalk all day,  waiting for him as him and his buddy stopped in for one last beer for…

AMF Bowling Centers

2580 El Camino Real
Redwood City, CA 94061

Brad P. writes: I've been here a few times in the past year or so, as a place to blow off some steam on a rainy day with the kiddos.

What you see is what you get.  This place is not unlike just about every other nondescript bowling alley that I've ever been to, with…

Ron's Farmhouse

2026 W El Camino Real
Mountain View, CA 94040

sunny d. writes: I spent probably close to 100 nights here throughout the course of two years.  Lori (bartender) is great-- treat her right, she'll take good care of you.  The jukebox collection holds such a special place in my heart that I actually think I'll set…

Pioneer Saloon

2925 Woodside Rd
Woodside, CA 94062

Nelson R. writes: Okay, I read the other reviews and even though it has been a few days (or weeks or more!) since I was last there, I can see the truth in those reviews as well as my own experiences of being there in person.

Yes, it is a nominally quiet little local…

Blue Bonnet Bar

208 S Fairoaks Ave
Sunnyvale, CA 94086

Ken V. writes: I drove past this place every day for a long time, then gf wanted to take me here, so I obliged.
All in all, it's an ordinary bar.  Nothing that exceptional about it.  Would've been nicer if the bartender would've concentrated a little more on the…

Bay Billiards

40515 Albrae St
Fremont, CA 94538

Linda C. writes: I am a horrible pool player.

I regularly scratch  and hit no balls in - EXCEPT the white one.

My hands shake ocasionally when I attempt to steady my cue.

AAAND, I do the hideous victory dance when I happen to hit a ball in by pure luck.

I really do…

Shar-Ade Cocktail Lounge

25144 Mission Blvd
Hayward, CA 94544

Jonathon J. writes: This is a quiet local bar with good drinks, friendly clientele and a wonderful staff. Check it out if you're in Hayward and looking for a nice place on the "down low."    If you're hungry and enjoy soul food, stop at the restaurant next door for…

Downtown Ollie's

2128 Railroad Ave
Livermore, CA 94550

jeff m. writes: karaoke any one? Lol... great place to stop by and sing a tune or watch some drunk fool sing.

Polomoni's Bar and Cocktail Lounge

1845 1st St
Livermore, CA 94550

Brian B. writes: VERY cool place. Very friendly. Very clean. I can't find anything to not like about the place. The beer is cheap and when I stopped there on a Saturday afternoon waiting for some tires to be put on my car, they pulled a roast pork off the BBQ in the…

Main Street Brewery

830 Main St
Pleasanton, CA 94566

Tiffany T. writes: Best Bar in Ptown. Across from the big pink Pleasanton hotel. And both have live music on weekends. My husband liked the black and blue burger. Blue cheese on a burger is very potent wonderful thing!

I have enjoyed their fish tacos, they weren't very…

Joe's Bar

13118 Highway 9
Boulder Creek, CA 95006

Tracey W. writes: Ah, the walk of shame. That's what we call it when the Boulder Creek Brewery closes and we hit Joe's. It's a good old fashioned bar, with pool tables and dart boards and a pretty good jukebox. The clientele aren't as scary as they look. I'd walk in…

Dance Spectrum

1707 S Bascom Ave
Suite D
Campbell, CA 95008

Angela M. writes: Where else can you put on your dancing shoes and quick step like Fred and Ginger for next to nothing? Instructors are patient and friendly and the professional-level dancers don't snicker when you trip in your petticoat (oh yes, I proudly wore mine…

Khartoum

300 Orchard City Dr Ste 101
Campbell, CA 95008

Christy R. writes: Do you ever just feel fucking crazy and start to yearn for the familiar?  For people who know and give a shit about you?  For home?  Me too, but that has nothing to do with this place.  Just thought I'd throw it out there.

Anyway, Khartoum is an odd…

Court's Lounge

2425 S Bascom Ave
Campbell, CA 95008

Greg G. writes: Some other hoser said that you can't rate a dive more than three stars. Well, take your own advice and don't hang out here. Go stand shoulder to shoulder downtown, or get stuck with a crappy DJ, or wait 10 minutes to get served.

Not here. This is a…

Britannia Arms

5027 Almaden Expy
San Jose, CA 95118

kevo m. writes: You remember Lisa, right?  Lisa from Seven Bamboo!!! Go refresh your memory. http://www.yelp.com/bi...  I'll wait...

...Done yet?

...Yeah? Ok. This happened before Seven Bamboo. Lisa took me here one Saturday night with another friend of hers. We were…

Faultline Brewing Company

1235 Oakmead Parkway
Sunnyvale, CA 94085

Grace K. writes: Impossible to find parking on a Friday night:  MINUS 1 star.

Place packed..... all kinds of techno-geeks and people who just got off their jobs and are ready to pound some beers:  add 2 stars for the lively atmosphere, and take away 1 star away for…

Vintage Wine Bar

368 Santana Row, Suite 1040
San Jose, CA 95128

Kitty M. writes: This was our in-between place....in-between Roux and Marmist Lounge.....so really it was a lot quieter than Roux and a lot less white trash than Marmist.

All in all it wasn't a bad experience per se. The wines were nice but compared to their store…

Rush Inn

113 Knight Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Summer K. writes: The bar I grew up in, with the bartender I grew up with, Keith.  We used to call this "Joe's Garage", for really no sensible reason at all, and used to come blow all our tip money after shifts at Mobo Sushi or Emi's, back in 95-96.  I can't believe…

The Place

1058 S 1st St.
San Jose, CA 95110

Mo C. writes: I have to agree, The Place is an experience. My friend and I rolled in one Friday afternoon to grab a beer. Parking was a bit tricky (there's no parking lot and it's between two one-way streets) but we were greeted with $6.50 pitchers of Bud and $3…

Friday Night Waltz

First United Methodist Church
625 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94309

Jeff K. writes: Friday Night Waltz (FNW) in Palo Alto on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month is one of my favorite social partner dance venues.   People are friendly and dress is casual.  There's no need to come with a partner.

There are beginner and intermediate…

R.A. Blues

Alberto's Night Club
736 West Dana Street
Mountain View, CA 94041

Jeff K. writes: Update 16 Jan 2008: R.A. Blues is no longer happening at Alberto's and is looking for a new location.  If they don't find one, they'll close down R.A. Blues, alas.

Overdue Update Dec 2007: RA Blues is happening at Alberto's in Mountain View on…

Wednesday Night Hop!

Starlite Dance Club
1160 N. Fair Oaks Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94085

Trevor G. writes: Everyone always tells me that Wednesday Night Hop is a really friendly and fun place to be.  We hope to continue that tradition in the new venue (not that far from where it was originally located).

Lessons are always thrilling and we keep the dance…

Roamer's Cocktail Lounge

41900 Fremont Blvd
Fremont, CA 94538

Tiffany S. writes: Definitely a great place to hang out if you are looking to have drinks with friends, socialize with complete strangers, karaoke your heart out and share great laughs.

Everyone is in good spirits, for the most part, whereas those who were…

Westside Farmers Market

2801 Mission St. at Western Drive
Off Hwy. 1 at the Wrigley Bldg. Parking Lot
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Lauren S. writes: WE LOVE THE WESTSIDE Farmer's Market!  Come visit and you're sure to become addicted.  I used to help Nesh manage this market, from its inception (before Lucian); so I have a TON of pride and love for this location. It has my heart and my tummy's…

Glory Days

17230 Monterey St
Morgan Hill, CA 95037

Z G. writes: I love that it's a Sports Bar with GREAT Tasting food.
The burgers are big and juicy.
The salads are stacked and fulfilling.
The appetizers are different & yummy.
I've been here dozens of times and the service is always good.
It's good for kids, my son…

Seabright Brewery

519 Seabright Ave
Santa Cruz, CA 95067

sole a. writes: somehow when i go grab a beer and an appetizer i end i sitting on the patio for hours... like 4, 5, 6...
the baked brie and roasted garlic platter goes well with peach margaritas or a pitcher of the amber ale.
they have enormous tuna melts and super…

Almaden Lounge

1160 Blossom Hill Rd
San Jose, CA 95118

Dale G. writes: The ugly-as-sin wooden statue of a topless mermaid near the door perfectly sums up the feel of this place.  It has a fisherman's theme for whatever reason and is buried in the back of a strip mall off of Blossom Hill.

It's a quaint, moderately-sized…

Connoisseurs' Marketplace

Santa Cruz Ave And El Camino Real
Menlo Park, CA 94025

Jim C. writes: Dropped by the Menlo Park Festival (aka Connoisseurs' Marketplace) today and it was just okay. It was just like any other SF Bay Area Art & Wine Festival and this year's seemed lamer than last year. No big huge tent area for sampling local…

Vivid

8 S 1st St
San Jose, CA 95173

Eric W. writes: Thursday nights are up and poppin' once again! For the longest time, I satisfied my almost end of the week party fix with the much maligned Studio 8 (http://www.yelp.com/bi...), which provided tame, but still mildly entertaining stress relief from…

Coastline Brewery

120 Union St
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Pumpkin K. writes: Although the Coastline still has some hiccups, this is a solid place for good food and great beer that is definitely going on my regular rotation.

AMBIANCE:
We went here twice - once on a Sunday afternoon and once on Thursday night. The space is very…

The Ballpark Sports Bar & Grill

2531 Newhall St
Santa Clara, CA 95052

Bill H. writes: What a wonderful experience at the Ballpark! We came in from Tampa for a birthday celebration for a nephew in Milpitas, and wanted to see the Bucs and the St Louis Rams on Sunday. We found the Ballpark on the web and decided to give it a try.
What a…

Salmon- Reunion Show

THE BLANK CLUB
44 S Almaden Ave
San Jose, CA 95113

Scotty D. writes: THATS RIGHT EVERYONE SALMON (THE REUNION OF 2007) JULY 7, 2007 @ THE BLANK CLUB with all original members (LAWRENCE, PAT, AARON, & TOM) THE BLANK CLUB 44 S Almaden Ave SAN JOSE, CAL 95113 21+ $7 DOORS @ 7 stay tuned for other reunions that night and…

Two 2 Tease

San Jose, CA 95126

christina m. writes: I have been to several parties hosted by shawnette.  They are always a lot of fun.  She also know what she is talking about, she makes you feel comfortable aout asking some taboo questions.  I was really impressed with the quick delivery of the…