At any age, Friday night is time to party and DJ Frappugino, “your girl’s favorite DJ,” knows how to keep the party going. This Friday, Frappugino kicks off the weekend at FUZE Night Club in San Jose’s SoFA district, spinning his combination of steamy R&B, high energy hip hop and (if you’re lucky) some bouncy reggaeton. Gino hits the perfect combination between fun and sexy, current and throwback to a late ’90s/early ’00s sound. He’s got the perfect soundtrack to fall in love to—even if it’s just for a night.

DJ Frappugino
Fri, 9pm, Free
FUZE Night Club, San Jose

Look at this past year with 2020 hindsight and things now don’t seem so bad. Lest we forget, last December marked COVID-19’s one-year anniversary—and the virus was going strong. Santa Clara County was stuck in the purple tier and under a stay-at-home order. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines had been granted emergency use authorization, but most of us hadn’t gotten the shot. Gatherings were small, celebrations muted. We were hunkering down.

Now, it’s been six months since the statewide stay-at-home order was lifted. The vast majority of the population has been vaccinated (91.3% of those over the age of 12). Is the end in sight?

Not quite, thanks to the arrival of the Omicron variant in California. But we’ve been through this before, and we know what to do. Already vaccinated? Get the booster—and a flu vaccine, for good measure. Keep those masks handy indoors, and stock up on sanitizer. And whether you’re at a club, outside in the fresh air, or socializing distantly at home, raise a glass to the future. Because we really are better off today than we were a year ago.

Making a Spectacle

Looking for a celebratory evening with some live entertainment?  Unlike 2020, there are some options available, though it’s prudent to call ahead in case of last-minute cancellations.

Need some laughs to shake the pandemic blues? Comedian Ian Bagg can help with that. The Canadian comic, creator of the podcast Ian Bagg Bought a House, will be at the San Jose Improv this week. Shows are Dec. 31 at 7 and 10:30pm and Jan. 1 at 7 and 9:30pm; tickets are $20-$75. 62 S 2nd St, San Jose; 408.280.7475.

Also getting in on the comedy action is Silicon Valley Sports, with a 10pm show on New Year’s Eve. Ring in the New Year with comedians Chris Beasley, David Dominguez, Cynthia in Public, Connor Lonsdale and Luke Moore. There’s no cover, but bring cash for food and drink. RSVP on Eventbrite. 2105 S 10th St, San Jose; 408.216.0069.

New in the nightlife scene is Immersive: Los Gatos, which took over the space occupied since 1972 by Mountain Charley’s. True to its name, Immersive aims to engage multiple senses, offering striking visuals, music, and dinner shows with acrobats and aerialists. The club has already put on lavish Halloween and “Holidaze” events; New Year’s Eve will bring Cirque performers and celebrity DJ/actor Zak Santiago. Admission is $100 and includes appetizers, an open bar from 8 to 10pm, and a champagne toast at midnight. 15 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos; 408.410.2630.

For those who are looking for live music, the Houserockers are playing at downtown San Jose’s Plaza de César Chávez. The 10-piece rock and soul band starts up at 9:30pm. 1 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose; svhouserockers.com.

Up in Sunnyvale, the Quarter Note nightclub brings in the funk with Brand New Cents starting at 9pm. Cover is $10. 1214 Apollo Way, Sunnyvale; 408.732.2110.

Looking for something more soulful? The Stylistics will make fans feel brand new for 2022 at Yoshi’s Jazz Club, with shows Dec. 31 at 8 and 11pm. (Or catch them Dec. 29-30 instead.) Ticket prices vary. 510 Embarcadero West, Jack London Square, Oakland; 510.238.9200.

Dress for Excess

Though costumes aren’t de rigueur for New Year’s Eve, a little fantasy can make the night more fun. If you’re throwing your own party, why not make it a costumed affair? Pick a theme that resonates with your friends and enjoy their creative interpretations. Or if you just want the fun of dressing up without the pain of the after-party cleanup, here are some places to go instead.

The Silicon Valley Capital Club plans a Roaring into 2022 Great Gatsby New Year’s Bash, where guests can dress up as flappers, gangsters and 1920s party animals in this private club 17 stories in the sky. Admission is $200, which gets you heavy appetizers, a dessert bar, live music, dancing, a champagne toast, and 360-degree views of the Valley. Reserve on Eventbrite. 50 W San Fernando St, San Jose; 408.971.9300.

Fitzgerald devotees in South County can party like F. Scott and Zelda closer to home at an “elegant speakeasy-style affair.” Guests are encouraged to do their best with the Roaring Twenties theme, or opt for semi-formal cocktail attire for a night of “nonstop dance music,” albeit not from the flapper era. Tickets to the Great Gatsby New Year’s Eve Party are $45 and include two drink tickets; party favors, hats and noisemakers; and the essential champagne toast and balloon drop. The event takes place from 7 to 2pm. 3425 Lava Rock Court, Morgan Hill; purchase tickets on Eventbrite.

The Good Spot also gets into the dress-up spirit with a Grown N’ Sexy Black and Gold NYE Party. Doors open at 9pm and admission is free until 11pm (plus one free drink for everyone wearing the right color combo). 386 S 1st St, San Jose; get tickets on Eventbrite.

Colors will be brighter at the Glasshouse, where Kilo is hosting Neon NYE. Come dressed in neon or white cocktail/formal attire starting at 9pm. Drinks, appetizers and different music every hour will keep the party going until it’s time for the champagne toast. General admission tickets ($75) are available on Eventbrite. 2 S Market St, San Jose; 408.603.9610.

The organizers of Foresight aren’t dictating any particular costume style, but they are ready to give out prizes for the best-dressed attendees. The event will begin with a cocktail mixer at 7:30pm before DJ Hotwire kicks up the dance music and keeps it going until 1am. Hyatt Centric Mountain View, 409 San Antonio Road, Mountain View; tickets ($37) are available on Eventbrite.

Downtown and Out

What better place to ring out the old than downtown San Jose? With many bars and clubs clustered together, it’s easy to make more than one stop—perhaps dinner first, then a cocktail or two at a quiet lounge, followed by frenetic dancing before the ubiquitous champagne toast. Here are some of the options; pick your favorite club or DJ, and get the party started.

At the Ritz, Basura and DJ Bit take care of the music, with doors opening at 8pm.Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 on the day of show. 400 S 1st St, San Jose; theritzsanjose.com.

SP2 Communal Bar + Restaurant is the place for the 7th Annual Black Tie NYE 2022 event. Hosted by Heavy Arsenal, the event will kick off with a live performance at 8pm featuring Tara and Lonnye, followed by Top 40 and hip-hop courtesy of Double A, Rieta and Bobby Acosta. Tickets are $15-25 on Eventbrite. 72 N Almaden Ave, San Jose; call 415.737.5772 for bottle service.

LVL 44 is bringing in DJ Musubi to keep guests moving. Doors open at 9pm; after the balloon drop and complimentary glass of champagne at midnight, the party continues until 2am. Tickets are $20 on Eventbrite. 44 S Almaden Ave, San Jose; email VIP@LVL44.com for bottle service.

At the Continental Bar, Lounge & Patio, house music purveyors Joey Alaniz and Arturo Garces will “paint the soundscape” to welcome the new year. Lots of lights, a confetti cannon and balloon drop will add to the excitement. Doors open at 6pm and the party continues until 2am. General admission is $45; purchase on Eventbrite (bottle service available). 349 S 1st St, San Jose.

Dancing Around the County

Downtown San Jose is by no means the only neighborhood that knows how to get down, hosting end-of-year celebrations with drinks and dancing. Suburbanites can traverse from Campbell to Sunnyvale to East San Jose to have a host of musical options to choose from.

Get ready to get down to the joyous disco and funk sound of house music, straight from the turntables of Mr. V, Julius Papp and Rated R. Presented at the retro local hot spot Cardiff & Cocktails in Campbell, this evening’s NYE 2022 ticket ($10-15) includes a complimentary champagne toast and party favors. 260 E Campbell Ave, Campbell; 408.374.4474

Right on the edge of Santa Clara, Siamak Jastan and DJ Alireza will spin Persian and international music from center stage at the South Bay Events Hall, located at the corner of Saratoga and Stevens Creek. The $89 ticket is all inclusive, offering appetizers and a full bar whenever folks step off the dance floor. 350 Saratoga Ave., San Jose; 408.300.6011

Whether when you want to shake your booty to house, hip-hop, reggaeton or salsa, the DJs at Fuego Bar and Club have you covered in between libations on the rooftop terrace under the stars. Keep in mind: no baseball caps, white, black or red shirts allowed, and the guest list without a cover closes at 10:30pm. 140 S Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale; (650) 281-5391 or fuegoguestlist.com

Be a part of history as a team of DJs with Turbo Entertainment hosts the first “countdown” NYE event at M Sports Bar off Tully and King. In honor of the occasion, a few lucky raffle winners will leave the night with 100%, 50% and 25% off their bottle-service tabs. Tickets are $10-$30 on Eventbrite. 1654 Burdette Dr, San Jose; 408.643.3087.

Another festive spot is on Santana Row, where Rosie McCann’s Irish Pub is bringing in DJ Nate Rioz to keep the party going, topped off by complimentary champagne at midnight. 355 Santana Row, Suite 1060, San Jose; 408.247.1706 or info@rosiemccanns.com.

Fun & Games

Who says ringing in the new year can’t be all fun and games? Here’s a few options to replace classic plans of drinking, dancing and fine dining with sports, physical exercise and leisure from left field.

Funky Alviso is now home to a branch of Topgolf. In honor of the New Year, clubs can swing from 10am Dec. 31 to 1am Jan. 1. Topgolf transforms the ancient low-tech game into high-tech entertainment, alongside a rooftop fire pit, indoorsy comfort and adult beverages such as a Topgolf Tea (emulating the kind they have in Long Island) and a Maker’s Tipsy Palmer (with Maker’s Mark in it. Topgolf supplies the clubs, and you supply the swing. There are targets on the backstop to aim for, which electronically register points. Once of the latest developments is a tie-in with the Angry Birds franchise; in this game, you club real-life “birdballs” which demolish virtual buildings. The only thing that could make it all more fun would be to honor the recent Rodney Dangerfield centennial (the comic was born Nov. 22, 1921) by cosplaying Caddyshack’s Al Czervik: “My golf game is getting real good. Last week, I got through the windmill.” 10 Topgolf Dr, San Jose; 408.404.6436.

Is there a more Hallmark(™) way to celebrate the wintertime than ice skating under twinkling stars and sparkling holiday lights? Especially stuck in a place without snow, the rink at Gilroy Gardens allows folks to frolic around in California’s unique winter chill. If possible, wearing a full get-up of winter hats, gloves, mittens, coats and boots is a good idea. 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy; gilroygardens.org.

Skating under redwood trees at downtown Sunnyvale’s Winter Ice Rink is still emerging as a new tradition in the South Bay since COVID stifled its fun after an inaugural 2019 season. For any families, couples and parties hoping to “skate and stay,” there may still be one or two special rooms available at the Aloft Sunnyvale and fireside seats at the W XYZ bar to stretch holiday plans into the night. 230 S Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale; citylinesunnyvale.com/icerink.

This is the 25th year of the Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice rink encircled around 32 palm trees. If you don’t want to spend your holiday bobbing, weaving and falling from 10am to 10pm, there’s plenty of dates in January to openly skate and enjoy special events like Ice Queens, the Silent Skate Party and Musical Mondays. 120 S Market St, San Jose; 408.213.8834.

Don the finest black, white or red items in the closet and travel to Monte Carlo—err, the Midnight in Monte Carlo gambling and live music event at San Pedro Square. Before the evening’s balloon drop and champagne toast, try your luck at roulette and cash wheel, or a hand of black jack, three-card poker and Texas hold ’em. Please gamble responsibly; the house always wins. Tickets are $85-100 on Eventbrite. 170 W. St. John St., San Jose.

Within the velvet roped walls of the Bay 101 Casino’s fine dining restaurant The Province, the 9th annual NYE production of Cirque promises an “extraordinary premium experience,” complete with DJs, a live band, LED glow dancers, a street magic show and more than 2,000 balloons to drop at midnight. Tickets are $50-100. Cirque @ Bay 101 Casino, 1788 N 1st St, #10, San Jose; cirquenye.com.

For anyone looking to kick off the new year in a pair of their best running sneakers, Los Altos is hosting the 20th annual Fun Run. The noncompetitive, free 5k “race” is open to run, walk and push a stroller or wheelchair. Masks and social distancing are required at all times. Downtown Los Altos; 650.947.2790.

For the Kiddos (and Kids at Heart)

Whether you’re a parent who has little ones to razzle and dazzle or simply want to avoid any hectic late-night, adult-only celebrations, do not fret. These evening events around the South Bay center on festive fun.

History Park in East San Jose is hosting a “Deck the Halls Epic Holiday Light Show,” projecting an animated production of songs and jokes onto the front of the Pacific Hotel. If a night of holiday crafts, scavenger hunts and lawn games isn’t enough of a treat, O’Brien’s Ice Cream and Candy Shop and a handful of food trucks will provide the goods. Admission is $5-10. 635 Phelan Ave, San Jose; 408.287.2290.

Feeling festive surrounded by holiday lights doesn’t have to include a chilly trek outside. Blinky’s Illuminated Holiday has decorated Lake Cunningham Park with more than 200,000 around for guests to drive through and marvel (admission is $35-75 per car). Blinky is one imaginative reindeer, putting together this musical event perfect for kids to end 2021 with a smile. 2305 S White Rd, San Jose; 408.809.9267.

Great America is putting its name where its mouth is, extending its WinterFest-ivities with a New Year’s celebration with fireworks and live music. Before the clock strikes 12, take the kids on a gentle ride around Charlie Brown’s Christmas Town, or catch some last-minute thrills on the RailBlazer and Gold Striker. Admission is $30+. 4701 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara; 408. 988.1776.

Comfy and Cozy from Home

Before vaccines became a reality in the Bay Area, NYE plans this time last year meant cuddling up on couches or planning small circles of soirees. But as this pandemic hellscape unfortunately continues to ravage plans with variants, it’s okay to simply enjoy the great indoors. Here are a few activities for those who want to hunker down at home, avoiding the drama, germs or expenses of the outside world in 2021’s final hours.

Feelin’ Crafty

A host of DIY craft kits are available online at SJMADE, a hub for local artist wares since 2011. Want to assemble a 3D giraffe, working wind-up clock, personalized terrarium or cross stitch of Bernie Sanders’ mittens? Pick up online orders or shop in-person for these crafts and more. The store will be closed Dec. 24-27. 60 N San Pedro St, San Jose;
info@sanjosemade.com.

Marvel or Mourn with Martinelli’s 

There’s one must-have when grabbing bottles from the top shelf of your local grocer this New Years—the iconic green-and-white bottle filled with Martinelli Sparkling Cider. Made from as many as 12 different types of apple, this drink is the simple kind of (alcohol-free) self-care we all need. And while this historic four-generation business has roots in Santa Cruz County, San Jose’s own Gordon Biersch lent a hand in Martinelli’s 150th anniversary celebration with a return to boozy beverages in 2018. So pour a glass of your choice and honor a local drink from the comfort of home. Cheers. martinellis.com/where-to-buy.

Cooking for Luck

Swap out fine dining fares for a smorgasbord of delights at the comfort of your own dining room table—all of which have been told to bring good fortune in the New Year. Folks of Scandinavian, German and Polish descent may recall fishy smells emanating from their NYE tables, as pickled herring is seen as a lucky tradition for fertility, long life and bounty. For something savory and hearty, the Southern staple “Hoppin’ John” combines black-eyed peas, rice and pork—a dish historically prepared by enslaved Africans that developed into a good-luck meal. There’s a Spanish tradition of eating 12 grapes—one to pop in your mouth with each passing strike of the clock at midnight. Make sure good luck flows by finishing the snack in time. And for a dessert to finish off the night, try your hand at a Louisiana classic King Cake—the treats sprinkled yellow, green and purple with a surprise (plastic) baby hidden inside. Whoever finds the lil babe is lucky for the day.

Sweet Streams

Thank goodness our televisions and computer screens had access to endless movie titles by the arrival of COVID-19. For a musical escape, Get Back to the years of Beatlemania by watching the newly released 8-hour documentary series on Disney+. For a nostalgic yet relevant story of a teen’s trip to a “grippy sock” mental-health clinic, It’s Kind of a Funny Story hits a cinematic soft spot. But if a specific NYE-theme is in order, queue up Carol, High School Musical or the aptly apocalyptic film Snowpiercer.

More than a month after California’s reopening, nearly all of the South Bay’s nightlife spots are now either opening back up, opening for the first time, or preparing to open soon—and we’ve got your guide to the night’s happenings.

But before you head out, remember to charge your phone ahead of time—you might need it.

New Spots

Rec Room
1 E San Fernando St, San Jose
www.recroomsj.com
Rec Room has been quickly making fans for its comfy atmosphere, well-curated music and tasty cocktails. Cozy downstairs and spacious above, the bar also includes the patio area from the former Gordon Biersch brewery, leaving plenty of room for dancing, lounging, or just sipping a Rec’t Juice, the house Hennessy sangria.

Guildhouse
420 S First St., San Jose
Guildhouse.gg
San Jose’s newest home for truly dedicated gamers, Guildhouse provides explorers of all classes with glowing potions at affordable prices. Grab a house “anti-craft” cocktails (aka, a good drink without all the rigmarole) and play a round of just about any game there is, from console classics like Mario Party to tabletop revolutions like Settlers of Catan. Soft opening Friday.

NOVA
83 S 2nd St, San Jose
The former Tres Gringos recently received a glow-up in the form of sleek new dance club Nova. Featuring regular DJ nights with notable local talent, like the Bangerz’s Goldenchyld, the lounge/club will fit the bill nicely for those looking for a new place to dress up, dance or get some bottle service downtown.

Top Golf
10 Topgolf Drive, San Jose
408-404-6436 | topgolf.com
Giving new meaning to the term “golf club,” the gigantic Top Golf entertainment center in Alviso is like a mix of driving range, arcade and club. No one’s saying you have to swing a 5 iron to have a good time here. Decked out in neon and packing some strong drinks, on a Friday night the bar is more hopping than a Titleist.

S Twenty Seven Ales
461 Perrymont Avenue, San Jose
408-599-BREW | s27ales.com
Tucked in a cloister at the end of Perrymont Ave, S Twenty Seven Ales is one San Jose’s newest breweries. Opened just two weeks before lockdown, the Franco-Belgian inspired alehouse slings a diverse selection of delicious and daring brews, from hefty Imperials and Double IPAs, to the crisp and refreshing Margarita Lager.

Be.Steak.A
1887 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
408-963-2092 | besteaka.com
The much anticipated Be.Steak.A from Chefs Jeffrey Stout and Patrick Capurro’s is a masterclass on how a steakhouse should be done: oysters, caviar, koji-aged steak, handmade pasta—a menu that demands multiple visits. Beyond the stellar dinner offerings, the elegant bar has a selection of 100+ vintage amaro and spirits for those looking for an upscale drink.

Flowers
14577 Big Basin Way, Saratoga
408-647-2727 | flowerssaratoga.com
Flowers’ opening in the middle of the first softening of dining restrictions proved it a hit addition to Saratoga. With a focus on visually striking elements—from their long tufted pink banquet, to their beautiful stone bar top—form and function meet with equally stunning food and cocktail presentation. Well worth the wait and a delight for multiple senses.

Out of the Barrel
201 Los Gatos Saratoga Rd, Los Gatos
408-827-4090 | outofthebarrelbeer.com
With its outdoor patio and prime location, Out of the Barrel is an ideal spot to meet with friends, or just post up alone and people watch. The 28 rotating taps boast a wide variety of beers brewed all around northern California, including multiple fruited beers perfect for summer sipping.

LVL Up San Jose
409 S 2nd St, San Jose
thelvlup.com
Opened just in time for the pandemic doldrums, LVL Up’s patio has quickly become one of San Jose’s go-to destinations for live hip hop, hardcore, EDM and a whole lot more. Inside, there’s arcade games, craft brews and house cocktails like the refreshing Aperol Spritz. Don’t forget to bring quarters.

Strike Brewing 
469 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
408-796-7810 | strikebrewingco.com
Opened in Fall 2019, Strike Brewing’s second location in Campbell barely got a chance to get going before shutting due to the pandemic. Now really open, they’ve gotten back to slinging signature brews like the malty Colossus of Clout red, and the bitter and complex Double IPA.

The Emerald Hour
1625 N Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View
650-420-2600 | theemeraldhour.com
Situated poolside at the new Shashi Hotel a stone’s throw from Google, The Emerald Hour is all about luxury. Kick back and lounge with a high concept cocktail like the “Snap Pea on the Rock”—a gin and snap pea combo—which are made to pair with food from the michelin-starred chef.

Improved Spots

LVL Uproar
439 S First Street, San Jose
uproarbrewing.com/
In a recent collaboration with quickly growing barcade chain LVL Up, Uproar Brewing recently rebranded as LVL Uproar. Now, brewery patrons can enjoy the drama of 4-person Pac Man while sipping a First Street Drama, Uproar’s flagship Kolsch, or just go hard on carnival games like skee-ball and Down the Clown while everyone else compares IBUs.

Jack’s
167 E Taylor St, San Jose
408-287-5225 | jacksbar.com/
Small but mighty, Jack’s has been the local for locals north of downtown since long before its current owners bought it in 2007. And with its newly redesigned patio space, outdoor bar and new QR menus, visitors would be forgiven for thinking it a recent addition to Japantown. Either way, Jack’s is now more spacious and accommodating than ever.

55 South
55 S 1st St, San Jose
the55south.com
Always known to keep the party going, 55 South has made the most out of their modestly-sized corner cocktail bar. When outdoor seating was allowed and Post St. was closed to traffic, the little bar began fabricating a giant wooden ship outside. The patio was a labor of love which exemplifies what 55 South does best: keep the party going.

Original Gravity Public House
66 S 1st St, San Jose
408-915-BEER | originalgravitypub.com
With their nine year anniversary coming up, Original Gravity prides themselves on change. Originally offering bratwurst, they’ve shifted to smash burgers and fries, and switched to table service with QR code menus to keep guests feeling safe and comfortable. They do however still offering 20 rotating taps—plus an expanded bottle and can list.

Camino Brewing
718 S 1st St, San Jose
408-352-5331 | caminobrewing.com
Dreamed up on a cycling trip through Spain, four years later, Camino is still trekking ahead with a taproom full of fresh beer and food from local vendors open six days a week. Enjoy a beverage in their new beer garden, with tents and twinkly lights set up among the socially-distanced tables.

O’Malley’s Sports Pub
2135 Old Middlefield Way, Mountain View
Described by one reviewer as “very Cheers-y, even when everybody doesn’t know your name,” O’Malley’s on Old Middlefield has long been a divey delight for pool, jukebox dancing and karaoke. Now with a new front patio area and food trucks slinging grub, they’re showing that making your way in the world today doesn’t have to take all you got.

Clandestine Brewery 
980 S. 1st St, San Jose 
408-520-0220 | clandestinebrewing.com/
Clandestine responded to the pandemic by taking personal space seriously, removing communal tables and giving beer-lovers added elbow room at the bar. That’s good, because with two Finnish Sahtis and a Juicy IPA made with no juice (it’s the hops), Clandestine has some of the most unique brews in the city.

Willow Den Public House
803 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
408-891-0212
Since remodeling with an all caps suffix (PUBLIC HOUSE), Willow Den has upped their game in a number of ways—though thankfully not all. Pool tables, cheap drinks and XL Jenga all still reside in the Den, joined now by an updated stage for bands nights and karaoke, and not one but two patios.

The Brit
173 W Santa Clara St, San Jose
(408) 278-1400 | thebritsj.com/
Under new management and very recently redesigned (we’re talking late June), The Brit is a complete overhaul of the downtown staple on Santa Clara St featuring new menu, interior redesign and brand new back patio. More comfortable than ever, the new Brit will have visitors new and old alike asking: “What’s all this, then?”

Fred’s Place
Mountain View
650-940-9838 | fredsplace.tv
From the outside, Fred’s on Old Middlefield might look small and unassuming, but inside it is packed with all kinds of good times, from Monday night trivia, to Thursday karaoke, to week-long pool tables, pinball and more. With its new back patio and food trucks, Fred’s remains the perfect place to post up for a round after work.

Classic Spots

Splash
65 Post St, San Jose
splashsj.com | 408-292-2222
One thing sorely missed during the pandemic was dancing in a crowded club, but miss no more! San Jose’s premiere gay bar has roared into 2021 with tons of events, including Drag Race viewing parties, Wednesday Latin Nights, and Power Hour Monday deals. Come for the dancing, stay for the complete joy that this space brings to the community.

Mervyn’s Lounge
236 Castro St, Mountain View
There aren’t many left like Mervyn’s Lounge. A step into Merv’s is a step into the glory days of the dives of yesteryear. Gone are $18 drinks featuring Amontillado Sherry, whole eggs and locally sourced herb essences. In their place are cold beers, hefty pours, and all the questionable camaraderie that comes with a proper drinking establishment.

Mac’s
39 Post St, San Jose
Mac’s may be small in square footage, but its impact is immeasurable for the local LGBTQIA community. The oldest gay bar in the south San Francisco Bay Area, Mac’s provides its regulars and newcomers alike the chance to kick back and enjoy a warm summer night in a friendly, open space—now including more patio seating in the parklets on Post St.

Hapa’s
460 Lincoln Ave #90, San Jose
114 S. Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
With roomy (and comfy!) warehouse spaces in both San Jose and Los Gatos, Hapa’s lets visitors dip back into social life like the last two years were all a dream. Some long wait times are worth it for a hearty beer flight, corn hole on the back patio, food trucks and some furry friends.

Effie’s
331 W Hacienda Ave, Campbell
http://effiesrestaurantandbar.com | 408-374-3400
If scanning a QR code sounds painfully modern for your karaoke experience, Effie’s in Campbell hosts karaoke five nights a week (and offers bottomless mimosas on weekends), remaining a classic option for a night out with friends—or a comfy place to drown your sorrows and let it all out to “Unbreak My Heart.”

Woodham’s Lounge
4475 Stevens Creek Blvd., Santa Clara
twitter.com/woodhamslounge | 408-244-2899
Despite its updated facade, the interior of Woodham’s Lounge on Stevens Creek has remained blissfully untouched by development in recent years. From its nearly-hidden door, to its lone, no-frills pool table (currently no-charge, as well), the cozy lounge has preserved all its charming and trademark lack of pretension.

Trials Pub
265 N 1st St., San Jose
408-947-0497 | trialspub.com
The grand reopening of Trials Pub in June was a sigh of relief to their loyal regulars. While general upkeep and cosmetic fixes were made, the pub feels comfortably unchanged. Nearly the entire staff is back, handwriting tabs and giving the pleasant service they’re known for. And as they build momentum, features like their Monday night Trivia are a promised and welcome return.

Teske’s Germania
255 N 1st St, San Jose
408-292-0291 | teskes-germania.com
Guests can now come back inside the family-owned Teske’s to enjoy a wide selection of German beers and schnapps, as well as some hearty Germanic cuisine. Behind the bar guests will find the same friendly faces. Later in the evening, when Rush blasts in the background over a round of Jägertees, it’ll feel as if the last year and a half was all an illusion.

River Rock Taproom
155 S Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale
408-830-9837 | riverrocktaproom.com
One of the more recent classics on the list, the River Rock Taproom bakes social distancing into the pie by having all beer self-poured. All beers are charged by the ounce, and visitors can try as many of the 35 taps as they like, building their own self-guided brewery tour.

The Caravan
98 Almaden Ave, San Jose
caravanloungesanjose.com
For many, there is no watering hole in San Jose more classic than the Caravan. Once a hotel bar, and now home-away-from-home for many, the Caravan is no-frills in the best way possible, from the PBR tallboys, to the stage-less stage for music. Welcome back to the Caravan.

Carry Nations
8 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
408-354-1771
Founded by the creator of the Pet Rock and ironically named after the leader of the Temperance Movement, Carry Nations is a true dive classic in Los Gatos. Post pandemic, they’ve implemented exactly zero QR codes, touchless ordering systems or rebrandings. Come in for a beer and shot—and leave happy. 

The Continental
349 S 1st St, San Jose
408-982-3461 | thecontinentalbar.com
House music, dancing and disco lights: these are the ingredients that make for a night out at The Continental. Since reopening, the SoFA District lounge has gotten right back to what they do best, filling the weekends with music from great local DJs, and filling thirty patrons with mixological magic all night.

The X-Bar
20990 Homestead Blvd, Cupertino
408-255-5700 | homesteadbowl.com/the-x-bar
Located in the front of Homestead Bowl, The X-Bar is one of the South Bay’s best and most unlikely homes for live music. And since upgrading their stage a few years back, shows here look better than ever. The bar, meanwhile, has remained refreshingly non-trendy. How about a Budweiser?

Goosetown
1072 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
408-292-4835
For many in Willow Glen, Goosetown isn’t a bar: it’s a way of life. On weekends, the sound of revelers singing karaoke is often audible down the block, and during the week it’s a bit of a shelter from the workaday world. Like the movie says: “Forget it Jake, it’s Goosetown.”

Black Watch
141 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
(408) 354-2200
There is Los Gatos, and then there is the Black Watch. Inserted between a boutique and another boutique, this affordable, dimly-lit saloon has remained pleasantly untouched by the area’s surrounding affluence for generations. Renowned for the kamikazes and loved for the atmosphere, the Black Watch is a divey respite from the world.

Branham Lounge
1116 Branham Ln, San Jose
408-445-1716 | https://thebranham.com
Hidden in a strip mall off Almaden, the Branham Lounge has long been juicing the South San Jose suburbs with hefty pours, great karaoke nights and unexpected performances from hip hop legends like Andre Nickatina. Cozy and comfy, the Branham has been leaning into the “Lounge” in its title since 1969.

Poor House Bistro
91 S Autumn St, San Jose
408-292-5837 | poorhousebistro.com
San Jose’s home of blues music and cajun cooking, Poor House Bistro’s iconic location on Autumn St is about to pick up stakes and come with them on their move to nearby Little Italy. In the meantime, they’re back open, serving up Po’ Boys, Hurricanes and great live music five nights a week. 

Downtown Mountain View may seem stiff in the daylight—but on Saturday night, the Opal Event Center and Social Club is the place to be. Come Saturday, the club will host its third weekend of “Lit Saturdays,” a hip-hop and reggaeton dance party for fans from across the Bay to get their groove on into the early morning. This weekend will feature sets by DJ Frisko Eddy—known for salsa, cumbia and moombah—and DJ Marroquin, who runs the turntables for Latino 95.5 FM in Sonoma County. Clubbers who arrive before 11 pm get free admission.

Lit Saturdays
Sat, 9:30pm, Free
Opal, Mountain View

For all the struggles the cannabis industry is facing—slim or nonexistent margins, illicit sales, the enormous costs of running a dispensary—the industry has nevertheless exploded. One can only wonder how huge it would be if the federal government were to legalize weed.

There are now more cannabis industry workers than there are computer programmers, Marijuana Business Daily reported last week as it issued its annual Marijuana Business Factbook. While there are many caveats to this (programmers make a lot more money than budtenders, for example) that’s an astonishing fact given that pot is legal for adult use in only 11 states, and medical marijuana is legal in only 33.

What’s more, the growth in jobs shows no signs of slowing.

Cannabis has been deemed an essential business by most governments instituting lockdowns to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, so the industry was likely saved from near-collapse. When the pandemic hit, stocks of public pot companies were plummeting and layoffs were mounting. Tight government regulations and high taxes in California and other states were threatening the foundations of the industry.

Those problems haven’t disappeared by a long shot, but due to high demand, in part spurred by the fact that a lot of people are stuck at home with little else to do, the employment picture looks pretty good.

At the end of this year, there will be between 240,000 and 295,000 people working in the weed business, according to MJ Business Daily. That’s nearly 50 percent more than in 2019.

By 2024, the number of jobs is expected to grow by another 250,000. That could be even greater if more states legalize marijuana or the federal government removes pot’s designation as a Schedule 1 narcotic. It could be more still if states where weed is legal also ease up on taxes and regulations and do more to combat illicit sales, which in California are three times greater than legal sales. 

Federal illegality has stymied the growth of the industry in myriad ways: it’s hard to get banking services because federally chartered banks don’t want to take the risk of dealing in “narcotics;” it has limited the tax deductions pot companies can take on federal tax filings; it makes interstate commerce impossible.

If more legalization doesn’t happen, and the pandemic-caused recession turns into a full-on depression, pot likely won’t be spared.

Congress is now debating whether to extend the $600 in weekly unemployment benefits for people who are out of work due to lockdowns. If that doesn’t happen, most observers think pot sales could sink.

The majority of cannabis jobs are in retail shops, and those—especially the smaller, independent shops that dot California’s landscape—would take the full brunt of any downturn in sales.

In its report, MJ Business Daily also points out that pot is segregated in a way that most other businesses aren’t, supporting more retail jobs than it would if weed were sold in liquor stores, gas stations and supermarkets.

“If a drugstore generated an additional $300,000 per year in cannabis sales, it might need to hire only a couple of additional employees to handle the increased sales volume,” the report said.

Meanwhile, it’s important to note that while it’s striking that pot workers now outnumber computer programmers (as well as librarians, journalists, and steelworkers, according to other news reports), it’s sort of an apples-to-oranges comparison.

The information technology sector as a whole employs about 4.5 million people, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That includes marketers, support personnel, administrative workers and more. The pot industry is also dwarfed by Walmart alone, which employs about 2.2 million Americans.

Finally, while it’s possible to make good money in cannabis, the average salary for budtenders in California is less than $40,000, according to Salary.com. Programmers, meanwhile, earn an average of about $91,000 a year.

A few weeks ago, the racial inequities of cannabis (both the illegal and legal kind) blew up amid the protests and riots following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Large groups of looters broke into nearly every dispensary in Oakland.

Debby Goldsberry of Magnolia Wellness, a dispensary that was hit especially hard, thinks the crimes were very much a part of the protest. She said this the day after her shop was smashed to smithereens and put out of commission for at least several weeks. According to Goldsberry, the glee evinced by the looters on the security-camera footage (“they danced on the desks,” she said) showed that they were making a statement, not just burgling the place.

“People say it wasn’t political and that it had nothing to do with the protests,” she said. “But I think it did. The same conditions that led to the killing of George Floyd led to this.”

If their actions can be traced to the same racial inequities that led to the killing of George Floyd, it might have something to do with the fact that the legal-weed business is so widely seen as a thing of comfortable, middle-class (and above) white people. It’s widely seen that way because that’s largely what it is.

Most people in the pot business are pretty liberal, and most of them—at least among the owners of smaller, independent businesses—are well aware of the inequities surrounding cannabis. These attitudes are more widely shared in the pot business than in most other businesses. But the fact remains that despite all the rhetoric and the formation of equity programs meant to give Blacks and Hispanics a leg up, not much progress has been made to even out the racial disparities.

The most recent solid statistics come from a 2017 survey in 2017 revealing that less than a fifth of all owners or major shareholders in cannabis companies are people of color. Even more astonishingly, only 4.3 percent of that group were African Americans. That number is probably a little higher in California compared to the national average, but any trip to an industry conference or trade show should be enough to tell the tale: cannabis isn’t green, it’s white.

The problems are, to some degree, the same problems that yield similar statistics in other industries: chiefly, lack of access to capital. But there are other problems that are endemic to pot. The history of cannabis in the United States is a history of discrimination. It was outlawed largely to go after minorities early in the 20th Century, just as many Blacks were starting to migrate northward where there were fewer Jim Crow laws on the books to impose social order. At times, this has been explicitly stated. Harry Anslinger, the head of the Federal Narcotics Bureau in the ’30s, was the most notorious anti-pot government official of his time—or really any time.

“Reefer makes darkies think they’re as good as white men,” he was quoted as saying. “There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the U.S., and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz and swing result from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers and any others.”

Politicians have since been more circumspect about what they say in public, but it’s not hard to trace the line from Anslinger to the public musings about the Evil Weed from people such as former “drug czar” William Bennett, or Trump’s former attorney general, Jeff Sessions. In the 1980s, Sessions was quoted as saying he liked the Ku Klux Klan just fine “until I found out they smoked pot.” 

Sessions was a U.S. attorney in Alabama at the time. The quote cost him a federal judgeship. But then he won a Senate seat and, eventually, the leadership of the Justice Department, from which he was ejected thanks only to the lunatic whims of Donald Trump. Now he’s running for Senate again, and he might win. Pot might be legal in a bunch of states, but when it comes to minority equity, how much progress has really been made?

People are finding all kinds of things to do while they’re stuck at home: binge-watching Netflix, playing board games, doing jigsaw puzzles, learning a new instrument.

And many are growing pot, often for the first time. So many, that the companies that supply home-growers are having a hard time keeping up.

Oakland-based Harborside is among the relatively few dispensaries to offer cannabis clones, the plant cuttings that both hobbyists and professional growers often start with.

“People are waiting three hours for their clones,” said Pedro Fonseca, a general manager for Harborside.

All three of the chain’s Bay Area dispensaries—in Oakland, San Leandro and San Jose—sell clones. (A fourth shop, in Desert Hot Springs, does not). The customers wait not because the shop is backed up, but because it’s never certain precisely when the stock will arrive. The fact that they’re willing to wait that long is a testament to both the strong demand for clones and the tight supply. If they were to leave, they might be out of luck for at least several days.

“We expect to get about 2,500 clones this weekend, and in two or three days, they’ll be gone,” Fonseca said.

Another reason people wait: Harborside doesn’t offer delivery of clones, because the risk of damage during transport is too great.

People are so hungry for clones that the stores have asked the chain’s wholesale farming division, Harborside Farms, based in Monterey County near Salinas, to let them sell its clones. Normally, they are sold only to manufacturers, which then grow the plants at their own facilities before processing them into concentrate for use in vapes and edibles (many of which are, in turn, sold at Harborside’s dispensaries).

“They’re flying off the shelves,” said Tomas Levya, an assistant cultivation manager at Harborside Farms. Demand, he said, is up for both homegrowers and the growing operation’s usual corporate customers.

Businesses all along the supply chain report the same.

“We have sold four times the amount of soil this year than we did all of last year,” said Ellis Smith, co-founder and board chairman at American Cannabis Company, based in Colorado. “Business is just exploding, and we can’t keep up. It’s a good problem to have.”

ACC’s main business is in consulting cannabis and hemp companies of all kinds. But a few years ago, it got into the supply business and it sells a lot of soil; specifically, a ready-to-use potting mix called SoHum Living Soils, which Smith referred to as “the Chia Pet for cannabis.” As such, the soil is particularly attractive to newbies, since cannabis can be a tricky plant to grow even in the best circumstances.

Homegrowing has become so mainstream in recent years that ACC has deals to sell through the online stores of Home Depot and Walmart. Growers of tomatoes and other plants can and do use the soil, which Smith said is marketed in two different packages: one aimed at pot growers that sports the word “cannabis,” and “a Bible Belt version” that doesn’t.

ACC sells to professional growers as well as hobbyists, and Smith said he’s been getting more questions from the second group lately. Smith, Fonseca and Levya all said the most common questions they get concern watering. Many new growers do it wrong, by not watering enough, by overwatering, or sometimes, by not watering properly. One grower sent him pictures of her plant after watering it, and he noticed that the soil was nice and wet, but not at the stem.

“She said somebody had told her to do that ‘so that the roots will reach out for the water,’” Smith said. There are a lot of myths like that in circulation, he noted, adding: “Everybody’s an expert, I guess.”

When choosing clones or seeds, many newcomers are “looking for something that’s easy to grow,” Levya said. With clones, they might pick an older variety that’s already about 15 inches tall, as opposed to the more-common clones that are less than half that height. Or they might start with so-called “autoseeds,” which, unlike their more-traditional counterparts, don’t need to be induced into germinating via careful manipulation of their exposure to lighting. (For growing tips, check out Bay Area stalwart Ed Rostenthal’s website at edrosenthal.com).

The other major question is: indoor or outdoor? There are many considerations, but in general, it’s easier to grow outdoors if that’s possible, since you don’t have to worry so much about temperature and humidity in order to control pathogens and pests. You also don’t have to worry about lighting.

But time is running short for anybody choosing between the two.

“Now is the time to plant outside,” Levya said.

Over the weekend, one or more large groups of armed men targeted and robbed a long list of Bay Area cannabis dispensaries in what appears to be a long-planned spree.

Remarkably, most of the dispensaries in Berkeley, San Francisco and Oakland seem to have been hit, reportedly along with some manufacturing and cultivation facilities. Some sources said every single pot retailer in Oakland was targeted, although that couldn’t be confirmed at press time.

The Oakland dispensary ECO Cannabis has a side business, EC Security, which mostly serves ECO itself, protecting its dispensary as well as its East Oakland cultivation and manufacturing facilities. The company’s website features a photo of a bunch of bad-ass-looking dudes holding assault rifles, along with a bad-ass-looking German Shepherd. Whoever knocked off ECO Cannabis on Friday night either didn’t know about those dudes and that dog—or simply weren’t intimidated by them.

When CEO Kevin Aheasy got the alarm, “we called the cops, and we called our security guys,” he said. The security guys got there first, but it was too late. “There wasn’t a lot of vandalism, but they got product and cash,” Aheasy said.

In a way, ECO was one of the lucky ones. Harborside in Oakland was hit three separate times. Magnolia Wellness, also in Oakland, was hit twice.

The astonishing string of crimes occurred while Oakland and cities across the country were under siege by protests, riots and looting. Shops in Sacramento and in Southern California were hit, as well as others across the country. It’s not yet known whether any of the sprees in other locales are related to the ones in the Bay Area, which most observers believe were carried out by the same people in dozens of locations.

One of the East Bay’s worst-hit victims was Oakland’s Magnolia Wellness.

“20 men with guns,” CEO Debby Goldsberry said on Sunday. “We lost everything.”

Well, almost everything. On Sunday night, the shop was hit again. It wasn’t clear as of Monday whether the same people were responsible for both crimes. On Monday, Goldsberry was shell-shocked, and uncertain of Magnolia’s future.

“We’re a mom-and-pop shop,” she said. “We have no nest-egg. We have no Canadian backers or Big Cannabis money.”

Goldsberry, like other victims, said that while the crimes seemed well-planned, the perpetrators didn’t seem very bright. Cameras in some shops, including Magnolia, registered their faces and  license plates. A security agent was on hand during the first break-in, but fled the scene upon seeing how many armed men were entering the shop. They seemed to be having fun, Goldsberry said. “They danced on the desks before flipping them over.” They also shot the place up, and made off with computers and other electronic equipment.

Nonetheless, Goldsberry managed to find some empathy for her victimizers.

“People say it wasn’t political and that it had nothing to do with the protests,” she said. “But I think it did. The same conditions that led to the killing of George Floyd led to this.” That is: a system that marginalizes, and even kills, Black folks. “Some of these guys maybe sold cannabis their whole lives” before legalization, she said.

Dona Ruth Frank of Oakland Organics on Shattuck Avenue said some of the blame lies with the Bureau of Cannabis Control, which published the names and locations of all of the state’s legal licensees on its website.

On Monday, the United Cannabis Business Association, which represents dispensaries, announced the BCC had disabled the license-search function.

Reports that some cultivators and manufacturers had also been hit could not be independently confirmed by Monday night, but Aheasy said he knew of two East Oakland cultivation sites that were targeted.

Controversial national dispensary chain MedMen announced it would close all of its stores temporarily until the unrest passes. Three of its Los Angeles shops were hit over the weekend.

Goldsberry had an ominous message on Monday for her colleagues across the Bay Area.

“I fully expect them to come back tonight,” she said.

Last weekend, LVL Up Respawn became the second arcade bar to open its doors in downtown San Jose. A spinoff of Campbell’s original LVL Up, the new bar and eatery features pinball, cabinet games and ski ball. It’s a reactivation of the former Bo Town Seafood Restaurant, which had been vacant since April of 2019. This is the second endeavor by LVL Up co-owners David Ramsey and Josh Schulenberg, who together took over the main floor of the former Gaslighter Theater in downtown Campbell. Stop by this weekend’s grand opening for drinks, games and bites, courtesy of pop-up-kitchen purveyor (and Metro contributor) Matthew A. Close.

LVL Up Respawn
Sat, Free
W San Salvador & S Second Streets

Would you look at that! In between all the margarita pitchers, bottles of Corona and shots of Patron, we somehow lost track of the time. Tres Gringos Cabo Cantina, one of downtown San Jose’s most reliably turnt bars, is hanging up its sombrero after 16 years on South Second Street. ¡Que lastima! Come Jan. 1, the longtime college watering hole is closing for good. They’ll be throwing a few more fiestas before last call—including one last “Tres Tuesday” (free for those with a school ID), one final “Beer Pong Wednesday” and, of course, a totally lit New Year’s Eve party.¡Adios, Tres!
Tue-Wed
Tres Gringos, San Jose