(in alphabetical order)

Brix (formerly called Hunters) - twink nightclub for dancing
349 S. First St., CA 95113 Map - (408) 947-1975
Rating: *****

Opened June 2007. By far the fanciest gay bar in town. They put a lot of money into this place and it shows. I've only been on a Tues and Wed night, and there were maybe 30-40 young men and women rotating through, mostly in groups, so as a cruise bar this probably isn't the best choice.

If I was 22 (I'm double that), this would be my choice. Large outdoor patio in the back with a waterfall (not always on), which is a nice place to get away from the music inside and have a smoke. They're also right next door to the newly renovated Moorish-style California Theater where the San Jose Opera performs.

Update Aug 17, 2008: The skyscraper condo they've built behind the bar adds a surreal touch to the patio. It's not bad, but can induce vertigo. Lots of potential there for light shows, etc. though.

Update Aug 20, 2010: They've done a nice job of working around the giant condo tower behind the bar. There's an ongoing lightshow. We went on a Thursday, and the place was hopping with 20-somethings.

Renegades Leather, Levi, Bears
www.renegadesbar.com
501 Taylor St., San Jose, CA 94126 Map - 408/275-9902

If you're a local, definitely subscribe to the Renegades email newsletter. The owner, Luis, has been holding a lot of interesting events.

If I'm out, I'm probably at Renegades (read: I'm biased). It's been my adopted hangout since the 641 Club closed. I think I like it mostly because the gay men that come here actually look like men. Friendly bartenders. Automated drink system. Smoking area is out front or the smallish back patio, which is tented during rainy months.

Leather nights and bear events (first Sunday of the month in the afternoon) are very popular. Weekdays (Mon.-Thu) can be slow.

The new digs look good; sort of like a 40s gas station, with lots of shiny metal and plenty of seating. True, the wonderful garden at the old location is gone forever, but the pool table area is actually larger. Drink system (alcohol is metered at precisely 1.5 oz per drink) is kind of a drag.

Update December 7, 2010: "Butch" (a special club held the first Sunday 4pm-9pm of every month) is still going strong, and highly recommended for bears and bearoids. Fridays from 10pm to around 11:30pm are very busy. Thursdays are the straight SM crowd, so don't be confused.

Update: The bar changed ownership in mid-2008 and is now run by my friend Luis. Business is up, but on weeknights I'd still try to get there before 11 p.m. (the same goes for San Francisco bars).

Splash!
NOTE: Reportedly, the bar is re-opening under new management in 2011. Call before going.
www.splashsj.com
65 Post St., San Jose, CA 95113-2411 Map - 408/515-9797

Opened in early November 2004 a few doors down from Mac's Club, another gay bar. Crowd is mostly younger. Gorgeous old main bar. I've been on a Tuesday for karaoke and had a nice time. People tend to go late. Smoking out front where the cafe tables/chairs are set up (I think you can take your drink out with you, but check with the door guy).

Update August 2007: I'm not sure exactly what is going at Splash! these days. I haven't gone on a weekend in nearly a year. They're still open though, which is a very good sign. They hold some really interesting "special interest" nights here.

Update September 2009: I haven't been here in over a year, so it may have changed a lot. The last time I was there, there was an odd smell in the bar, but someone may have gotten sloppy with a milk-based drink.

A Tinker's Damn
www.atinkersdamn.com
46 Saratoga Ave. Santa Clara, CA Map - 408/243-4595

The only place to go in Santa Clara if you're gay and you want to dance. Dancing Tues, Fri, Sat. Drag show Sun. Pool table with some decent players. Pool tournament on Tues @ 8:30 p.m. Tons of parking in the big lot out back or on Saratoga. They painted the place purple, so it's easy to spot in the day time; at night, it's basically on the corner of Stevens Creek and Saratoga across the street from McDonalds.

Bartenders are friendly, and the crowd the last time I went was younger (20s-30s) and having a ball.

Lido - NOT SURE IF THIS CLUB IS STILL GAY - CALL FIRST
30 S. First St., San Jose, CA 95113 Map
Type: Nightclub
Crowd: Mostly gay Latino men, young
Parking: There's a multistory lot at First & Post (accessible from First). Street parking can be very tight on weekends.
I've never been here. This downtown bar isn't always gay, so be sure to check out the crowd if you go any night other than Monday or Wednesday. Drag shows at midnight. Occasional underwear contests. Street parking can be tight, but there's a city lot across the street. Just down the street from Mac's Club and Splash.

UPDATE August, 2007: I'm not sure if Lido even has gay nights anymore. They seem to be becoming a Vietnamese and garage band bar. Call ahead unless you like surprises.

I'm pretty sure both lesbian bars closed down. Call first.

Dar's Hideaway (closed?)
Website listing
10095 Saich Way, Cupertino, CA 95014 Map - 408/255-7474
Rating: TBD
Type: Neighborhood
Crowd: Lesbian, mixed
Pooltable: Don't know
Used to be the Silver Fox. It's hidden in a nondescript strip mall, so just look for Target (it's across the street to the left). I haven't visited since they rebranded and remodeled, but when I did go people and the bartenders were friendly. Pool table.

Savoy (closed?)
www.clubsavoy.com
3465 Flora Vista Dr., Santa Clara, CA 95051 Map
Rating: ***
Type: Dance
Crowd: Lesbians
Pooltable: Yes, two! Cues are good.
I finally went here Super Bowl Sunday 2006 for a gay pride fundraiser. It was in the middle of the afternoon, so I have no idea what the clientele is like, but the bar itself is HUGE in South Bay terms. A stage, main bar, pool area, and dancefloor, all with double high ceilings. It's not the prettiest gay bar I've ever been to, but it's definitely not the worst. Very friendly barstaff and two good (if oddly colored) pool tables.

Update Aug 17, 2008: I'm not exactly sure what's going on. Apparently, they're under new management, so I'm not even sure if they're open. Call first. If you risk it and they're closed, there are some interesting Korean restaurants in that neighborhood.

King of Clubs
www.kocbar.com
893 Leong Dr., Mountain View, CA 94043-2042 Map - 650/968-6366

I finally went here on a Friday night with my boyfriend. We were there for Club Nemesis, which is a once a month goth club (and well-attended). The bar is midway between the size of Renegades and Tinker's Damn, with women (on this night) outnumbering men by 5:1. Everyone was very friendly, although we only talked to a few people. We spent most of the time playing pool and sticking pieces of paper to our faces because they glowed under the black lights. This bar is a bit tricky to drive to, so get directions and a map before you start out. If you're expecting something other than a neighborhood bar, don't.

Mac's Club
www.macsclub.com
39 Post St., San Jose, CA 95113-2411 Map - 408/288-8221

Quaint, tiny bar on a side street downtown (a few doors down from Splash, another gay club). I never go here because I'm claustrophobic. Friendly bartenders. Automated drink system. Tiny, uncovered smoking area out back next to garbage cans. Parking can be ridiculously tight, but there are usually spaces on the opposite side of Market St. near the Greyhound bus depot or off of second across Santa Clara. During Christmas, you can wander out to see "Christmas In The Park," a local San Jose tradition which I don't understand and never go to.

The Watergarden - San Jose's Gay Bathhouse: Yes, we still have one

If you're male and want to cut to the chase, San Jose is home to one of the nicest gay bathhouses in the country. It's sort of like "Bathhouse a la Sunset Magazine".

If you hear a local say something about "the ten ten" that's what they're referring to. There's no signage to speak of out front, so you need to look carefully for a non-descript cinderblock building. It's about two blocks from the DeFrank LGBT Center and about 4-5 blocks west of the HP Pavilion down Santa Clara St. (which magically changes its name into "The Alameda").

DO NOT put your head underwater in the jacuzzi (applies no matter where you are), and don't sit directly on tile surfaces.

The Watergarden
1010 The Alameda
www.thewatergarden.com