Entertainment in San Francisco Bay Area
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California Theatre
This landmark venue has undergone a thorough renovation and its absolutely stunning Spanish interior is cathedral worthy. It is home to Opera San Jose, Symphony Silicon Valley and an ongoing classic film series. This is one venue for the city's annual film festival, Cinequest, held in late February or early March.
reviewed
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B
HP Pavilion
The San Jose Sharks, the city's NHL team, plays at the HP Pavilion, a massive glass-and-metal stadium. The NHL season runs from September to April.
Tickets are available from the Compaq Center box office or, for a surcharge, through Ticketmaster.
reviewed
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Spartan Stadium
Major League soccer team the San Jose Earthquakes (formerly the Clash) plays at the Spartan Stadium from late March to mid-October.
Tickets are available from the Compaq Center box office or, for a surcharge, through Ticketmaster.
reviewed
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Zellerbach Hall
The concrete-box acoustics inside this vintage-1970s hall are terrible for non-amplified classical, but Zellerbach is the premier East Bay stage, and it showcases top-flight dance and music performances by international ensembles.
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E
Almaden Feed & Fuel
If you've been hiking all day in Almaden Quicksilver County Park, stop for a bite and a beer at this funky, century-old joint that was once a stagecoach stop. It's about 10 miles south of San Jose, just off the Almaden Expressway.
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Trials Pub
If you seek a well-poured pint in a supremely comfortable atmosphere, Trials Pub, north of San Pedro Sq, has many excellent ales on tap (try a Fat Lip), all served in a warm, friendly room with no TVs. There's good pub food too.
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Agenda
Agenda is a bar and restaurant that also serves up live jazz and cocktail music upstairs and house music in the cellar. A happy-hour cocktail in the lovely upstairs bar makes a pleasant start to the evening.
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Memorial Stadium
Memorial Stadium, which dates from 1923, is the university's 76,000-seat sporting venue. This is the site (in alternating years) of the famous football frenzy between the UC Berkeley and Stanford teams.
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Rose and Crown
Hidden away behind Emerson St is this tiny ale house. It's a friendly spot for a pint, or to watch soccer on TV. Pub food and live music several nights a week also draw in the regulars.
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Antonio's Nut House
The Nut House stands out in orderly, gentrified Palo Alto. It's a down-to-earth, beer-and-peanuts sort of place. Said nuts are dispensed from a huge mechanical gorilla, so watch out.
reviewed
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Sofa Lounge
In a cool loft space above the Eulipia Restaurant, Sofa is a relaxed club that puts on live music and DJs. The space has anchored the 1st St scene and attracts a savvy, mixed crowd.
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Gordon Biersch
Palo Alto is home to the original link in the Gordon Biersch chain of brewpubs. The German-style lagers are good, while the thick crowds are more stockbroker-geek than hipster-chic.
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Palo Alto Bowl
This is the real deal if you hanker to knock a few back (meaning pins). Adding a trendy twist, on Friday and Saturday nights students and singles take over the lanes until 01:00.
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Aurora Theatre
The audience surrounds the stage on three sides, putting you close to the actors. Expect classics by playwrights such as Edward Albee and new works by up-and-coming artists.
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Hedley Club
Also downtown, inside the elegant 1931 Hotel De Anza, Hedley Club is a good place for a quiet drink in art deco surroundings. Jazz combos play Friday and Saturday night.
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Sweetwater
A most intimate music venue, the Sweetwater regularly books renowned folk, blues and world music talents. When there's no music it's still a comfortable pub.
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Camera 12
Camera 12 is a multiplex with a state of the art sound system, and features independent and foreign films along with the better Hollywood releases.
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Stanford Theatre
This recently restored movie house screens vintage Hollywood gems and international classics, accompanied by a 'mighty' Wurlitzer organ.
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South First Billiards
It's a great place to shoot some stick, and a welcoming club to boot. Sunday's free rock shows always draw a fun crowd.
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San Jose Repertory Theatre
Now in its third decade, this company offers a full season of top-rated productions in a new, 525-seat venue downtown.
reviewed
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Alta Mira Hotel
A cocktail on the heated terrace of this hotel, the entire bay stretched out in front of you, is almost obligatory.
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No Name Bar
It's worth dropping by this old bohemian tavern, where a laid-back crowd is occasionally treated to live bands.
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Zoë
The young and stylish shake it up in this ultra lounge. Hip-hop rules the weekend. Admission is free Thursday.
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Raiders
Also playing at the McAfee Coliseum are Oakland's NFL team, attracting a particularly rabid brand of fan.
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Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse
This legendary club has over 40 years of history and features great traditional folk and world music. All ages; half-price tickets for under 21s.
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