The best bars & nightlife in Santa Clara

72 bars & nightlife we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Nightlife · 72 places · showing the latest additions first

Familiar pizza parlor with a sports-bar feel, serving burgers and other casual bites.

2207 Country Club Blvd (Stockton)

Familiar pizza parlor with a sports-bar feel, serving burgers and other casual bites.

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Tallboy

Nightlife

Martini bar serving slushies and hot dogs in a cozy space.

4210 Telegraph Ave (Oakland)

Martini bar serving slushies and hot dogs in a cozy space.

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Whether you're craving a fresh pint, live jazz, or a spot to catch the game, Valley Brewing Co delivers with Stockton’s oldest brewery, the…

157 W Adams St (Stockton)

Whether you're craving a fresh pint, live jazz, or a spot to catch the game, Valley Brewing Co delivers with Stockton’s oldest brewery, the Take 5 Jazz Club, unique house beers, and a laid-back, family-friendly vibe that makes midweek feel a lot more fun.

From the Manteca newsletter, August 5, 2026

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Alta Vina

Nightlife

Alta Vina pours an ever-curious lineup that invites you to taste outside your usual lane, with friendly guidance that feels more neighbor…

420 3rd St (Oakland)

Alta Vina pours an ever-curious lineup that invites you to taste outside your usual lane, with friendly guidance that feels more neighbor than sommelier. Ideal for a low-key catchup or solo unwind, and you just might leave obsessed with a new grape.

From the Oakland newsletter, August 5, 2026

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Run a Santa Clara business? Two pinned spots a day — $10 here, $25 adds the newsletter. Advertise →

La Catalana

Nightlife

This week, skip the flight, keep the flavor. La Catalana delivers classic and modern tapas, paella, and rare-to-find fideu, alongside…

3720 N First St Unit 10 (San Jose)

This week, skip the flight, keep the flavor.

From the San Jose newsletter, August 3, 2026

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Paper Plane

Nightlife

Paper Plane has been crafting artful cocktails since 2013, backed by one of the Bay Area’s largest, highly curated bottle collections. Let…

72 S 1st St (San Jose)

Paper Plane has been crafting artful cocktails since 2013, backed by one of the Bay Area’s largest, highly curated bottle collections. Let the bartenders guide you to something you didn’t know you loved, grab a few tasty bites, and consider your week officially upgraded.

From the San Jose newsletter, August 4, 2026

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Cafe Zoetrope

Nightlife

North Beach classic Cafe Zoetrope brings a Roman trattoria vibe to the historic Sentinel Building, serving authentic Italian plates…

916 Kearny St (San Francisco)

North Beach classic Cafe Zoetrope brings a Roman trattoria vibe to the historic Sentinel Building, serving authentic Italian plates alongside Italian and California wines, including exclusive Coppola selections.

From the San Francisco newsletter, August 5, 2026

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Union Larder

Nightlife

Stylish setting for wine, cheese & charcuterie also offers beer & wine by the bottle.

1945 Hyde St (San Francisco)

Stylish setting for wine, cheese & charcuterie also offers beer & wine by the bottle.

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2-story Mission club with a bar downstairs & an upstairs space for dancing to DJ beats & live bands.

647 Valencia St (San Francisco)

2-story Mission club with a bar downstairs & an upstairs space for dancing to DJ beats & live bands.

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Comfy tavern with craft beers, large TVs & sustainable American eats in a historic brick building.

151 W Santa Clara St (San Jose)

Comfy tavern with craft beers, large TVs & sustainable American eats in a historic brick building.

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Dim, trendy cocktail bar with steampunk decor prepares signature drinks with housemade ingredients.

679 3rd St (San Francisco)

Dim, trendy cocktail bar with steampunk decor prepares signature drinks with housemade ingredients.

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Cozy wine bar offering food, including Italian meatballs, in an intimate setting.

350 W Julian St Bldg 4 (San Jose)

Cozy wine bar offering food, including Italian meatballs, in an intimate setting.

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Cozy wine and sake bar with a selection of tinned fish and small bites, plus a wine club.

691 14th St (San Francisco)

Cozy wine and sake bar with a selection of tinned fish and small bites, plus a wine club.

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Wineshop with tastings and a wine club, plus knowledgeable staff.

420 40th St #2 (Oakland)

Wineshop with tastings and a wine club, plus knowledgeable staff.

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Brewpub earning fans with its house-brewed beer, industrial-chic ambiance, pub fare & outdoor patio.

1235 Oakmead Pkwy (Sunnyvale)

Brewpub earning fans with its house-brewed beer, industrial-chic ambiance, pub fare & outdoor patio.

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Goodtime Bar

Nightlife

Laid-back eatery, plus bar featuring natural wines as well as eats like oysters, arancini and pasta.

30 Fountain Alley #160 (San Jose)

Laid-back eatery, plus bar featuring natural wines as well as eats like oysters, arancini and pasta.

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The Detour

Nightlife

Playful bar & arcade for a variety of drinks & vintage video-game machines in a neon-decked space.

2200A Market St (San Francisco)

Playful bar & arcade for a variety of drinks & vintage video-game machines in a neon-decked space.

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Bar Gemini

Nightlife

Stylish wine bar with a selection of natural wines, plus tinned fish, deviled eggs, and other snacks.

2845 18th St (San Francisco)

Stylish wine bar with a selection of natural wines, plus tinned fish, deviled eggs, and other snacks.

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FED

Nightlife

Fed is a downtown Stockton bar and lounge serving juicy burgers and bar bites alongside balanced cocktails, curated craft beer, and local…

116 N Hunter St (Stockton)

Fed is a downtown Stockton bar and lounge serving juicy burgers and bar bites alongside balanced cocktails, curated craft beer, and local wines. Cozy, intimate vibe with just-right energy that makes a casual hang feel a little elevated this week. Check it out.

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Bold wallpaper & neon set the backdrop for cocktails & American snacks at this neighborhood lounge.

1439 Taraval St (San Francisco)

Bold wallpaper & neon set the backdrop for cocktails & American snacks at this neighborhood lounge.

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Casual spot featuring a lengthy wine list, plus appetizers, salads and oysters.

234 Townsend St (San Francisco)

Casual spot featuring a lengthy wine list, plus appetizers, salads and oysters.

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Pub grub, draft beer & cocktails are on tap at this low-key, brick-walled hangout.

2940 431 Natoma St (San Francisco)

Pub grub, draft beer & cocktails are on tap at this low-key, brick-walled hangout.

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Easygoing venue with indoor & outdoor seating plus seasonal Californian plates & ample wines.

368 Santana Row (San Jose)

Easygoing venue with indoor & outdoor seating plus seasonal Californian plates & ample wines.

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Intimate theater is a permanent venue for magician & comedian Jay Alexander. Food & drinks served.

419 O'Farrell St (San Francisco)

Intimate theater is a permanent venue for magician & comedian Jay Alexander. Food & drinks served.

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Long-standing comedy club showcasing famous & up-and-coming comedians. Two-drink minimum.

915 Columbus Ave (San Francisco)

Long-standing comedy club showcasing famous & up-and-coming comedians. Two-drink minimum.

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Wines from around the world are paired with European dishes & tapas at this cozy, stylish bar.

476 Castro St (San Francisco)

Wines from around the world are paired with European dishes & tapas at this cozy, stylish bar.

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Cheese & small plates join 20 beers & wines on tap in a casual, wood-dominant space with a patio.

1389 Lincoln Ave (San Jose)

Cheese & small plates join 20 beers & wines on tap in a casual, wood-dominant space with a patio.

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Sprawling spot with retro furnishings featuring 100+ beers, numerous TVs plus video & table games.

449 Powell St (San Francisco)

Sprawling spot with retro furnishings featuring 100+ beers, numerous TVs plus video & table games.

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Craft cocktail lounge and restaurant featuring seasonal dishes and a menu of creative cocktails.

66 S 1st St (San Jose)

Craft cocktail lounge and restaurant featuring seasonal dishes and a menu of creative cocktails.

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Comfortable tasting room offering pours of the house's own vintages & bottles to take home.

200 2nd Street @, Jackson St (Oakland)

Comfortable tasting room offering pours of the house's own vintages & bottles to take home.

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Natural, biodynamic and zero-zero pours are the whole point at The Punchdown, a Wine Bar + Bottle Shop in Oakland from folks obsessed with…

1737 Broadway (Oakland)

Natural, biodynamic and zero-zero pours are the whole point at The Punchdown, a Wine Bar + Bottle Shop in Oakland from folks obsessed with living wines. Expect thoughtful, minimal-intervention bottles from small producers and a vibe that begs you to linger with a friend... perfect for catching up this week.

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Massive gastropub serving craft brews, creative cocktails & elevated pub grub for lunch & dinner.

620 Treat Ave (San Francisco)

Massive gastropub serving craft brews, creative cocktails & elevated pub grub for lunch & dinner.

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English-pub setting for casual eating, trivia/karaoke nights, happy hours & regular DJ sets.

173 W Santa Clara St (San Jose)

English-pub setting for casual eating, trivia/karaoke nights, happy hours & regular DJ sets.

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Neighborhood eatery with a mid-century theme, serving American staples, craft cocktails and beer.

3343 Lakeshore Ave (Oakland)

Neighborhood eatery with a mid-century theme, serving American staples, craft cocktails and beer.

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Scarlet Fox

Nightlife

Casual bar for sipping wine by the glass, plus bottled brews to go.

1690 Hayes St (San Francisco)

Casual bar for sipping wine by the glass, plus bottled brews to go.

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Hop & Vine

Nightlife

Intimate, rustic-chic haunt offering wines from around the world, craft brews & select small plates.

1435 The Alameda (San Jose)

Intimate, rustic-chic haunt offering wines from around the world, craft brews & select small plates.

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Need an easy win this week? Lucky Strike San Jose has 59 high-tech lanes, an arcade that eats hours in the best way, online lane…

5420 Thornwood Dr (San Jose)

Need an easy win this week? Lucky Strike San Jose has 59 high-tech lanes, an arcade that eats hours in the best way, online lane reservations, and leagues when you’re feeling competitive, making it the low-stress, high-fun excuse to rally friends and escape the usual Morgan Hill routine.

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Cozy bar offering cocktails, beer, and wine, plus live music.

407 E Charter Wy (Stockton)

Cozy bar offering cocktails, beer, and wine, plus live music.

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Unwine'd SF

Nightlife

Neighborhood wine bar and restaurant serving small plates and hosting live music.

9 W Portal Ave (San Francisco)

Neighborhood wine bar and restaurant serving small plates and hosting live music.

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7th West

Nightlife

Funky spot offering an eclectic mashup of an arcade, bar, dance club, and restaurant.

1255 7th St (Oakland)

Funky spot offering an eclectic mashup of an arcade, bar, dance club, and restaurant.

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Stylish traditional venue preparing classic Italian food & pairing it with mainly Italian wines.

320A Sharks Wy (San Jose)

Stylish traditional venue preparing classic Italian food & pairing it with mainly Italian wines.

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The Caravan Lounge keeps downtown San Jose noisy in the best way with up-and-coming bands, karaoke, comedy, burlesque, and DJ nights. This…

98 S Almaden Ave (San Jose)

The Caravan Lounge keeps downtown San Jose noisy in the best way with up-and-coming bands, karaoke, comedy, burlesque, and DJ nights. This week, hit Karaoke with Ronnie Roach Tue Aug 11, Shrine Goth DJ Night Thu Aug 13, and Diablura, Goad, Three Reefs Deep Sat Aug 15.

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Mission spot serving beer & American cafe fare, plus live music, comedy & trivia nights.

433 S Van Ness Ave (San Francisco)

Mission spot serving beer & American cafe fare, plus live music, comedy & trivia nights.

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Roaming Goat

Nightlife

Cozy wine bar offering a selection of Mediterranean-style bites and happy-hour specials.

1830 Union St (San Francisco)

Cozy wine bar offering a selection of Mediterranean-style bites and happy-hour specials.

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A full bar & happy hour specials draw crowds to this low-key neighborhood lounge with a large patio.

2424 Telegraph Ave (Oakland)

A full bar & happy hour specials draw crowds to this low-key neighborhood lounge with a large patio.

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Coffee shop, bar & event space boasting a modern setting complete with views & a librarylike vibe.

Center Building A, 2 Marina Blvd (San Francisco)

Coffee shop, bar & event space boasting a modern setting complete with views & a librarylike vibe.

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Low-key hotel bistro & lounge serving American breakfast, lunch & dinner, plus cocktails.

110 W Fremont St (Stockton)

Low-key hotel bistro & lounge serving American breakfast, lunch & dinner, plus cocktails.

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District

Nightlife

Cozy, bustling locale offering extensive wine & whiskey menus, plus charcuterie, pizza & tapas.

65 N San Pedro St (San Jose)

Cozy, bustling locale offering extensive wine & whiskey menus, plus charcuterie, pizza & tapas.

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20 Spot

Nightlife

Cozy spot in an old record store serves local brews, an extensive wine menu & modern American fare.

3565 20th St (San Francisco)

Cozy spot in an old record store serves local brews, an extensive wine menu & modern American fare.

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Billiards & TV sports are popular at this low-key watering hole with burgers & 30 beers on tap.

2705 Union Ave (San Jose)

Billiards & TV sports are popular at this low-key watering hole with burgers & 30 beers on tap.

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A16

Nightlife

Bustling Italian eatery dispensing Neapolitan pizza, housemade pasta & more from an open kitchen.

2355 Chestnut St (San Francisco)

Bustling Italian eatery dispensing Neapolitan pizza, housemade pasta & more from an open kitchen.

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The Boardroom

Nightlife

Classic cocktails, inventive pub fare & weekly trivia nights lure locals to this basic sports bar.

1600 Powell St (San Francisco)

Classic cocktails, inventive pub fare & weekly trivia nights lure locals to this basic sports bar.

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Reservations are required at this swanky, dimly lit unmarked bar known for handcrafted cocktails.

501 Jones St (San Francisco)

Reservations are required at this swanky, dimly lit unmarked bar known for handcrafted cocktails.

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Mili Wine Bar

Nightlife

When you want a low-key night that still feels a little special, Mili Wine Bar delivers with a dialed-in wine-by-the-glass lineup, cozy…

110 Folsom St (San Francisco)

When you want a low-key night that still feels a little special, Mili Wine Bar delivers with a dialed-in wine-by-the-glass lineup, cozy vibes, and charcuterie that actually earns the second glass. Slide in this week, linger, and let them steer your pour.

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Pinball, pool & old-school arcade games, plus music, cocktails & craft beers, in hip, historic digs.

616 Divisadero St (San Francisco)

Pinball, pool & old-school arcade games, plus music, cocktails & craft beers, in hip, historic digs.

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Relaxed, lodge-chic chain serving global comfort fare, including stir-fries, pot roast & pastas.

19359 Stevens Creek Blvd (Cupertino)

Relaxed, lodge-chic chain serving global comfort fare, including stir-fries, pot roast & pastas.

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Skip the same-old weeknight and head to Garlic Brothers Restaurant and Bar for casual vibes on the banks of the California Delta,…

6629 Embarcadero Dr (Stockton)

Skip the same-old weeknight and head to Garlic Brothers Restaurant and Bar for casual vibes on the banks of the California Delta, wood-fired pizzas and entrees, pastas and seafood, plus a house-original Mai Tai that somehow tastes like sunshine. Great food, great views, zero regrets.

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Birba

Nightlife

Wine bar for European wines & small plates in a charming, narrow space with bar & patio seating.

458 Grove St (San Francisco)

Wine bar for European wines & small plates in a charming, narrow space with bar & patio seating.

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El Chato

Nightlife

Spanish wine bar and taberna offering a selection of pintxos and tapas, plus live music.

2301 Bryant St (San Francisco)

Spanish wine bar and taberna offering a selection of pintxos and tapas, plus live music.

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Cozy neighborhood bar known for its natural wine selection and tastings, plus outdoor seating and cheese plates.

3354 Grand Ave (Oakland)

Cozy neighborhood bar known for its natural wine selection and tastings, plus outdoor seating and cheese plates.

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Buzzing gastropub for craft cocktails & elevated American comfort food with seasonal tendencies.

69 N San Pedro St (San Jose)

Buzzing gastropub for craft cocktails & elevated American comfort food with seasonal tendencies.

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Slip into The Duke of Edinburgh this week for Beef Wellington that actually lives up to the hype, a pint of Guinness, and a room that feels…

10801 N Wolfe Rd (Cupertino)

Slip into The Duke of Edinburgh this week for Beef Wellington that actually lives up to the hype, a pint of Guinness, and a room that feels straight out of Suffolk because it literally is. Settle into the cozy pub vibe, then linger with another round.

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Taproom of San Leandro brewery for house beer plus wood-fired pizza & more in former auto-shop digs.

2325 Broadway (Oakland)

Taproom of San Leandro brewery for house beer plus wood-fired pizza & more in former auto-shop digs.

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Neighborhood wine and cocktail bar for conversation and nibbles, such as charcuterie, flatbread pizza, and vegan options.

201 Ocean Ave (San Francisco)

Neighborhood wine and cocktail bar for conversation and nibbles, such as charcuterie, flatbread pizza, and vegan options.

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Snail Bar

Nightlife

Informal establishment featuring small plates, charcuterie and natural wines, plus snails.

4935 Shattuck Ave. (Oakland)

Informal establishment featuring small plates, charcuterie and natural wines, plus snails.

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Chill, neighborhood spot with a cozy atmosphere, offering natural wines and charcuterie.

3516 Balboa St (San Francisco)

Chill, neighborhood spot with a cozy atmosphere, offering natural wines and charcuterie.

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Happening watering hole with a patio, plus beer on tap & rotating chefs dishing up cool snacks.

135 12th St (Oakland)

Happening watering hole with a patio, plus beer on tap & rotating chefs dishing up cool snacks.

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Bay Grape

Nightlife

Hip wine shop and bar featuring small-batch wines from around the world, plus tastings and classes.

376 Grand Ave (Oakland)

Hip wine shop and bar featuring small-batch wines from around the world, plus tastings and classes.

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Chic, cozy bistro dishing up elevated Italian pastas & wood-fired pizzas, plus wine & craft beer.

2339 Clement St (San Francisco)

Chic, cozy bistro dishing up elevated Italian pastas & wood-fired pizzas, plus wine & craft beer.

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Whether you're plotting a low-key weeknight or corralling the crew, The Black Rabbit is a Miracle Mile gastropub turning out ridiculously…

2353 Pacific Ave Ste b (Stockton)

Whether you're plotting a low-key weeknight or corralling the crew, The Black Rabbit is a Miracle Mile gastropub turning out ridiculously good comfort food, rotating craft beers, and hand-crafted cocktails. Burgers, tacos, and shareable bites that actually deliver, plus a vibe that begs for one more round.

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Part of a NYC comedy club chain started in the '60s, this spot hosts big-name & lesser-known comics.

62 S Second St (San Jose)

Part of a NYC comedy club chain started in the '60s, this spot hosts big-name & lesser-known comics.

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Pop's Bar

Nightlife

Renovated local watering hole draws crowds with its wooden bar & Prohibition-themed memorabilia.

2800 24th St (San Francisco)

Renovated local watering hole draws crowds with its wooden bar & Prohibition-themed memorabilia.

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