BEST FIESTA CURATORS
When it comes to throwing down the best Latin-flavored functions, nobody does it better than Sonido Clash. The collective is equally adept at promoting events, producing original music and spinning up awesome cumbia bass mixes to keep a dance floor lit for hours. Just drop into one of their parties—like the annual Selena birthday bash, pick up the excellent Vatos LP by TurboMex, the excellent collaboration between producer Sonido Clash members Turbo Sonidero and Mex Tape, or catch a DJ set by Chatos 1013.
OVERALL
Best Comedy Venue
62 S Second St, San Jose
157 W El Camino Real, Sunnyvale
260 McEvoy St, San Jose
Best Large Concert Venue
14831 Pierce Rd, Saratoga
1 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View
525 W Santa Clara St, San Jose
Best Small Music Venue
374 S First St, San Jose
400 S First St, San Jose
91 S Autumn St, San Jose
Best Dance Club
15-1/2 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
90 S Second St, San Jose
610 Coleman Ave, San Jose
BEST PLACE TO ROCK THE MIC FREESTYLE
Anyone who knows even a little bit about battle rap can make a bad “mom’s spaghetti” joke. Locals who know more may wax poetic about Dirtbag Dan’s ongoing Battle of the Zae contest, which just marked its ninth installment in January. But for hip-hop heads—folks who understand that an emcee’s true merit is measured in off-top flow and dedication to the craft—San Jose’s weekly hip-hop Cypher open mic is something akin to church. Held every Wednesday at BackBar SoFa, it’s been helping aspiring rhymesayers sharpen their tongues for more than 11 years now. It’s the place where underground hip-hop icons and aspiring rappers rub elbows and trade bars.
Best Jazz/Blues Club
374 S First St, San Jose
2209 Broadway, Redwood City
2455 S Winchester Blvd, Campbell
Best Latin Music Club
417 S First St, San Jose
228 Castro St, Mountain View, CA 94041
30 S First St, San Jose
Best Wine Bar
416 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
368 Village Lane, Los Gatos
217 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
Best Local Winery
300 College Ave, Los Gatos
1 Hummingbird Lane, San Martin
14612 Big Basin Way, Saratoga
BEST GENDER BENDING, PARTY ROCKING, WOULD-BE WRESTLER
There’s a lot to be said about King Patrick Eugenio, including that his first name truly is King. As the face of San Jose’s pro wrestling league—the Underground Wrestling Alliance, or UGWA—his special move involves pummeling his opponents with a massive dildo. In addition to getting body slammed through flaming tables covered in broken glass, Eugenio, who goes by KP, also spends his time organizing and emceeing a very boozy variety show. Held regularly at The Caravan Lounge in San Jose, The Circus of Sin is a place where stand-up comics, sideshow acts and burlesque dancers come together to perform wildly entertaining acts.
Best New Bar/Club
45 Post St, San Jose
81 E San Fernando St, San Jose
58 S First St, San Jose
Best Sports Bar
5027 Almaden Expy, San Jose
1535 Meridian Ave, San Jose
150 E Santa Clara St, San Jose
Best British Pub
Multiple locations
10801 N Wolfe Rd, Cupertino
547 Emerson St, Palo Alto
Best Irish Pub
25 N San Pedro St, San Jose
369 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
355 Santana Row, San Jose
ALL HOPPED UP
While Gordon Biersch is still the king of breweries here in the South Bay, a bunch of plucky upstarts have begun stirring up their own mashes of late. Many reside in the Spartan-Keyes neighborhood of San Jose, but a few have set up shop even closer to downtown. Hermitage was the OG for the area. starting back in 2008. But they were soon followed by Strike Brewing in 2014 and Santa Clara Valley Brewing in 2015. Uproar, Hapa’s and Clandestine joined the party in 2017, and Camino Brewing is set to celebrate its grand opening in April. Some serve food, and all have taprooms where flights of their brews are available to sample. So grab your growler and raise a pint to Silicon Valley’s burgeoning craft brew scene.
Best Gay or Lesbian Bar
65 Post St, San Jose
501 W Taylor St, San Jose
39 Post St, San Jose
Best Craft Cocktails
La Hacienda Inn, 18840 Saratoga Los Gatos Rd, Los Gatos
TIE
43 W San Salvador St, San Jose
1580 Hamilton Ave, San Jose
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
Best Martinis
1580 Hamilton Ave, San Jose
172 S Market St, San Jose
349 S First St, San Jose
Best Mojitos
1580 Hamilton Ave, San Jose
368 Santana Row, San Jose
463 California Ave, Palo Alto
CRAFT COCKTAILS
It wasn’t that long ago that the only real choice Silicon Valley imbibers had was domestic brew and standard mixed drinks. Then the craft beer movement began changing the local suds selection. More recently, the South Bay has seen serious growth in its craft cocktail scene. First came Single Barrel (now Haberdasher); then, 55 South and Paper Plane came to downtown. Jack Rose Libation House opened up in Los Gatos and restaurants such as The Catamount began developing extensive craft cocktail programs. It’s a great time to be sipping.
Best Margarita
Multiple locations
368 Santana Row, San Jose
2169 Winchester Blvd, Campbell
Best Bowling Alley
1441 N Fourth St, San Jose
Vallco Shopping Mall, 10123 N Wolfe Rd, Cupertino
5420 Thornwood Dr, San Jose
Best Pre-Sharks Game Spot
301 W St John St, San Jose
87 N San Pedro St, San Jose
91 S Autumn St, San Jose
PENINSULA
Best Happy Hour
541 Ramona St, Palo Alto
223 Castro St, Mountain View
548 Emerson, Palo Alto
Best Dive Bar
236 Castro St, Mountain View
547 Emerson St, Palo Alto
3567 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park
WEST VALLEY
Best Happy Hour
18840 Saratoga Los Gatos Rd, Los Gatos
368 Village Lane, Los Gatos
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
Best Karaoke
331 Hacienda Ave, Campbell
300 Orchard City Dr, Campbell
369 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
Best Dive Bar
141 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
300 Orchard City Dr, Campbell
15043 Los Gatos Blvd, Los Gatos
BEST BOOKING AGENT BROS
Look. We know we’re biased, since the club is right down the street. And it’s no surprise that the editorial staff of an alternative weekly listens to alternative music. But in the past year The Ritz has really been killing it. That’s obviously thanks to the ownership’s dedication. But the club definitely saw a boost after joining forces with Spaceland Presents. The talent-buying and promotional outfit, which got its start in Los Angeles, officially linked with The Ritz last fall, and ever since, the marquee at 400 S. First St. has been populated with some big, contemporary names—including The Growlers, Japanese Breakfast, Giraffage and Nosaj Thing.
CENTRAL VALLEY
Best Happy Hour
10801 N Wolfe Rd, Cupertino
111 S Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale
21619 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino
Best Karaoke
22100 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino
1209 Wildwood Ave, Sunnyvale
828 W El Camino Real, Sunnyvale
Best Dive Bar
4475 Stevens Creek Blvd, Santa Clara
30 Washington St, Santa Clara
1209 Wildwood Ave, Sunnyvale
SAN JOSE / SOUTH VALLEY
Best Happy Hour
87 E San Fernando St, San Jose
72 Almaden Ave, San Jose
349 S First St, San Jose
Best Karaoke
162 Jackson St, San Jose
1072 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
1711 W San Carlos St, San Jose
Best Dive Bar
69 E San Fernando St, San Jose
1116 Branham Ln, San Jose
803 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
FREMONT / MILPITAS
Best Happy Hour
39176 Argonaut Way, Fremont
3714 Peralta Blvd, Fremont
40968 Fremont Blvd, Fremont
Best Dive Bar
37422 Fremont Blvd, Fremont