(in alphabetical order)

Hunters
www.huntersnightclubs.com/san_jose.html
349 S. First St., CA 95113 Map - (408) 947-1975
Rating: *****
Type: Twink Nightclub
Crowd: Mixed men and women, gay and straight, but mostly young gay men
Pooltable: Yes, but not always open
Parking: Can be very tight on weekends if the huge lot across the street fills up, easy other nights
Opened June 2007. By far the fanciest gay bar in town hands down. 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 20-25 rotating through, most of whom were in groups, so as a cruise bar this probably isn't the best choice. That said, if I was 22, this would be my choice. Large outdoor patio out back with a waterfall, 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 among others. NOTE: I really love Original Joe's restaurant a few doors down. It can be pricey, but it's open really late and the steaks are great.

Lido
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.

Renegades
www.renegadesbar.com - One of my website designs
501 Taylor St., San Jose, CA 94126 Map - 408/275-9902
Rating: ***
Type: Levi/Leather/Bears. Mostly regular joes.
Crowd: 99% gay male of all sizes and ages. Sprinkling of lesbians.
Pooltable: Yes, but bad cues. $1 a game
Parking: Renegades moved to this location on April 26, 2006. Unfortunately, its parking didn't (there are six spaces). There's a car detailing place across the street where you can park (by permission from the owners) after 7:30 p.m. Give them some business to be nice. DO NOT park at the big shopping center across the street where the Starbucks is. You will be TOWED.

If I'm out and about, I'm probably at Renegades in my chaps (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 if moody bartenders. Automated drink system. Smoking area is out front or the smallish back patio, which is tented during rainy months.

Leather nights are very popular. Underwear nights are on Fridays when the weather permits. Weekdays (Mon.-Thu) can be slow, more like a neighborhood bar and similar to Macs Club, which is owned by the same woman.

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 from the old location is gone, but the pool table area is actually larger than at the old location. Drink system (alcohol is metered at 1.5 oz per drink) is kind of a drag, but it really helps if you're trying to watch your consumption.

Splash! Bar & Grill
www.splashsj.com
65 Post St., San Jose, CA 95113-2411 Map - 408/515-9797
Rating: ****
Type: Dance
Parking: Multistory lot at First & Post (accessible from First). Street parking can be very tight on weekends.
Crowd: Youngish men, lesbians, sprinkling of straights
The newest gay bar and danceclub and restaurant and grill opened in early November 2004. Crowd is mostly younger and outdraws Tinker's Damn. 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). Restaurant has been renamed "Georgie's" in honor of deceased manager George Gonzalez, a friend of mine who died in 2005. 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.

A Tinker's Damn (aka "TD's" to locals)
www.atinkersdamn.com
46 Saratoga Ave. Santa Clara, CA Map - 408/243-4595
Rating: ***
Type: Dance
Pooltable: Yes, decent cues. $1 a game
Crowd: Younger gay men/twinks/label queens. Young, gay Asian central on Friday nights.
Parking: Lot in the back, but it can fill up on weekends. Do not park in the bookstore spaces. No problem weeknights.
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.

Dar's Hideaway
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
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.

King of Clubs
www.kocbar.com
893 Leong Dr., Mountain View, CA 94043-2042 Map - 650/968-6366
Rating: ***
Type: Varies, Karoake, medium-sized dancefloor
Crowd: Mixed
Pooltable: Yes, cues are actually pretty good.
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 - One of my website designs
39 Post St., San Jose, CA 95113-2411 Map - 408/288-8221
Rating: **
Type: Neighborhood
Crowd: Mixed, mostly older gay men, some drag queens, mostly young on Saturdays. when people drift down from Splash to escape the loud music and actually talk to each other.
Quaint, tiny bar on a side street downtown. I never go here because I'm claustrophobic and they don't have a good smoking area. Friendly bartenders, most of whom double at Renegades. 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 anymore.