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Clubs
Local bars offer brain-stumping trivia nights
We stared blankly at the black-and-white photos. We needed to identify these supposedly famous people, but we were giving a rather pathetic showing. I had dragged my friend to Campbell for Quiz Night at Katie Bloom’s. I had never been to this particular incarnation, but I had been to a quiz night at Trials in San Jose that I thoroughly enjoyed. More
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Clubs
An evening at a hookah lounge means more than just inhaling
We stepped into the dimly lit shop and looked around. Hookah Nites Cafe in San Jose, looked like a cross between a trendy cafe and a faux harem. There were about 10 purple velvet couches placed in cozy little groups. The faint aroma of tobacco hung in the air. More
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Clubs
Local clubs light up the night with flaming libations
Heated air brushed across my face as the flames flew from the bartender’s mouth with a fiery rumble. In the midst of this incendiary spectacle were four shots topped with 151 rum. After the bright yellow ball had disappeared, little blue flames continued to wobble on top of the drinks. More
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Clubs
A night at the Saddle Rack in Fremont
Women and men circled the dance floor; it was a sea of tight jeans and cowboy hats. They moved in unison, dipping and twirling to a country twang. Boots tapped in time next to sneakers and stilettos. The Saddle Rack in Fremont was packed. The floor was filled with people learning the latest line dance; the rest of the bar was just full. More
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Clubs
This Sunday marks the final blowout gig at one of downtown San Jose’s most popular dive bars and longstanding supporters of live underground music, Johnny V’s. The address of 31 E. Santa Clara St. will never be the same. More
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Clubs
The Blank Club remembers the San Jose club on Nov. 27
IN the late ’80s, downtown San Jose was going through massive redevelopment, with seemingly endless construction everywhere. At the same time, a thriving counterculture scene grew organically on a stretch of First Street that wasn’t part of all the redevelopment. A nightclub called F/X opened at the corner of First Street and San Salvador in the old Pussycat Theatre, providing a creative antidote to the meat-market bars that constituted what little nightlife existed in other parts of downtown. At F/X, variety was crucial. You’d see national touring bands, B-movies, British motorcycle events, fetish dancing, oddball costume contests or even Tw More
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Clubs
South First Billiards, Cinebar and Dive Bar provide havens for pool and billiards lovers
THERE’S something about the clack of billiards balls that is just downright satisfying. Knocking a difficult shot into a pocket gives the feeling of accomplishment; banking an impossible shot gives one the right to boast for the rest of the night, even if the game is lost. And South First Billiards, a downtown institution, is one of the best places to try out one’s inner pool shark. OK, pool is great because I can always beat my friend and therefore win a free beer. More
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Clubs
Our roving scenester samples the wares at San Jose's high-end sake bar
MOST OF my experiences with sake were back in my college days, and they involved a Japanese steakhouse, a beer, a shot of sake, a really loud group of drinkers and a lot of chugging. This is not what you’ll find at the Koji Sake Lounge in downtown San Jose. The minimalist interior suggests a more upscale atmosphere, and a wall of sake bottles behind the bar suggests that you actually try to taste the sake instead of just shooting it. More
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Clubs
Our club reporter learns the fine art of sliding
SOMETIMES, the best thing about going to bars isn’t the alcohol but the activities. So, this week I moseyed on over to the Old Wagon Saloon and Grill on San Pedro Square to see what kind of games they had to keep me busy. To occupy the inebriated, the Old Wagon Saloon offers what used to be a bar staple: shuffleboard. The game requires teams of two to test their skills against each other in the fine art of pushing metal discs down a table. More
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Clubs
The Games Never End at Dave & Buster's in Milpitas
THE WORST part of growing up? You can’t play at Chuck E. Cheese anymore. The best part? Obviously the sex and alcohol. Thankfully, Dave & Buster’s in Milpitas gives you the best of both worlds. OK, they don’t give you the sex, but it seemed like if you tried hard enough you might be able to end up with some of that at the end of the night anyway. More
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