Since we all spend enough time finding what’s wrong with our city and talking about it on this site, I thought that in the spirit of the season, I would sprinkle a little sugar instead of lumps of coal. In sharing my weekend experience, I hope to show you that San Jose has a lot to offer—if you look closely enough.
Saturday night I took in a Sharks game at “The Tank”—still one of the best things you can do on a Saturday night in this town. For those who have never been to a game, especially a weekend game, it is a must. The game is action-packed (and, seriously, what’s not to love about hockey men?). The people-watching is incredible and it’s just one of the best experiences you can have in San Jose, bar none.
After the game—a big win—I went to join the other celebrating fans at O’Flaherty’s, the best pub in the city. Amidst Christmas lights and a cozy ambiance, the crowd was happy and jovial. What is great about this place is it has as loyal a following as any bar I’ve seen. I feel a little like Norm from “Cheers” when I walk in (and that isn’t just because I can’t say no to holiday cookies!); you just never know which friends you will see or new people you’ll meet there.
Then, a group of friends and I decided to check out the showing of “The Big Lebowski” in the Midnight Series at the Camera 12 theatres. Now, admittedly, a movie theater in downtown at midnight doesn’t usually bring out the cream of the crop, so I didn’t have the highest of expectations for the crowd. But when we got there, I was more than pleasantly surprised. I saw people in cocktail dresses and suits who just came from a company party, college students, 50-something buddies and 30-something yuppies—all there to watch a great movie. The Camera 12 should definitely be commended for trying something new and taking a chance. This is something that more people need to do in our city.
The next time you think that there is nothing to do in San Jose, remember to just take another look. Sometimes the best things are right under your nose.
San jose can be very nice. It’s funny if we go to other cities we overlook all of their porblems but in our own city we complain about everything. I think it’s because we care so much we want everything to be perfect. There is no perfect in a big city so we have to forget the small things and
focus on the positive, Christmas in the Park, the ice rink, nice restaurants, movies, the tank, great hotels and normally pretty nice people.
That Shark Tank really ties downtown together.
Wow, SG relates a good downtown experience instead of lamenting on DT’s shortcomings and nobody cares to comment.
SG you just can’t win.
Glad you had a good time and I’m going to have to check out the midnight offerings at C-12. I’m sure they’re a far cry from the midnight flicks back in the early 70’s at the old Fox.
You see, Single Gal, it shows how ignorant you were, like the rest of these goon bloggers. I was right the whole time! All you guys do is lament how short-coming downtown is, not the pleasant place I’ve been claiming all along. Please, don’t be in the fog no more!
#4 & 5. I SAID it was an excellent film, didn’t I?
Downtown’s OK but my friend Walter Sobchak says what downtown really needs is a bowling alley.
Yeah Single Gal, you are normally so negative!
I do have to challenge you on the most loyal bar customers. I would say that Trials Pub would give O’Flaherty’s a challenge
Hey Dude,
Notwithstanding the low-tech characteristics of the lead time for postings making it onto the site here, usually at the time of the morning I finished my entry above, SG has been already been hammered pretty good by opposing viewpoints.
Your buddy Walter was born too late. The smokey timewarp that was Downtown Bowl used to be located on Santa Clara Street somewhere east of the arena and west of (if not directly under) SR 87. It burned around 1970 and that was that, but it doesn’t matter. It would have met its demise one way or the other between the arena and freeway projects.
Looks like 4th Street Bowl is next up for the wrecking crew but we still have another timewarp (at least on the outside) in Cambrian Bowl that appears to be going strong in beautiful downtown Cambrian Park.
The Big Lebowski?
Excellent film, no matter what the hour.
Mark T (or anyone),
Isn’t Lucky Strikes lanes (upscale bowling alley/lounge) coming to DSJ soon? I believe it’s part of The Globe mixed-use development.
>>>“No serious roller would be caught dead, or dead drunk, in an “upscale bowling alley.”<<<
Well there you go. Fashion forward rollers clog the Lucky Strike, serious rollers migrate to SJSU (where PBA champion Tony Reyes honed his skills).
We have choices! That’s what I’m talkin’ about! Options make for a great neighborhood! Keep the options coming!
I know it’s not downtown, but doesn’t Moonlite Lanes in Santa Clara still put on a bowling party scene?
#11 Lucky Strikes sounds like it’s going to be about as successful as the retail pavilion. A misguided concept indeed, as “upscale” and “bowling” are mutually exclusive terms.
If they want to succeed, they need to sell Lucky Strikes and let the bowlers smoke ‘em.
#11. No serious roller would be caught dead, or dead drunk, in an “upscale bowling alley.”
That California Theater place would make a pretty good bowling alley. Not much going on there but a bunch of operas, candidates debates and other useless stuff.
It will be fun to see this “upscale bowling” business model unfold in downtown San Jose.
It will be a chance to see who really has the pulse on downtown patrons…Mark T and The Dude or RIPavilion and me! I think it is a good alternative for downtown entertainment.
Of course, who knows when it will actually open.
Local, I am seeing it all clearly now. It’s going to be a bowling “ultra lounge” whatever that is, and they’re going to offer “bottle service” whatever that is, and it’s going to be all men doing the bowling because those women dressed to the nines wouldn’t be caught dead in bowling shoes let alone be able to lift a bowling ball.
Strike!
OUT!
#15. Where the hell have you been for the past 30 years? Real People have kept Downtown alive all along. Ain’t never gonna change, no matter how many bogus studies come out of the RDA.
Yuppies keep saying they want to make downtown their sand box, but they can’t find their way out of Los Gatos.
Good luck with your upscale bowling alley. When that goes belly-up within a year, you might see if you can get the caviar concession at Raiders games.
Roll On!
Mark T may be right.
also imagine the “Vatoes” throughing bowling balls at people in the rumbles. Should be fun!
I say move 4th Street Bowl down to South 4th Street into those empty spaces in front of City Hall. And karoke and a coffe shop – not another Starbucks.
Lucky Strike Lanes is opening in the new building next to Zanotto’s – I am pretty sure. http://www.bowlluckystrike.com
So between there and SJSU you can bowl all you want!
Pardon my ignorance, but what exactly is “upscale bowling”? Quiche, cheese and fruit plates, instead of hot dogs and nachos? Cardonnay and upscale vodkas (all vodka is merely 100% grain neutral spirits) instead of beer?