Join Cool Dive Bars, Fun Cheap Joints, Good Hole-in-the-Wall Eats

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Meetup Location RSVPs
Nov 6 7:30 PM
Dive Rink Rollerskating ünd Zen ßiër Züm Dëüstchländ!!

60 attended (est.) – 4.50 4.5014

Rollerskating @ a Dive Rink
ünd Zën...ßiër Züm Dëüstchländ!!

(how do you say "umlaut" anyway?)
http://static.px.yelp.com/bphoto/pvrQhOcYgqaRAg_a0-VUjg/l Bring a SECOND Pair of THICK Socks--Seriously!
http://static.px.yelp.com/bphoto/UdcCNbAQ3Yi_p28T9gUCww/lRedwood City Roller Rink has seen better days…or we wouldn’t be going there! Many of us recall kiddie birthday parties that rocked because of “backwards skate” or teenaged outings where “couples skates” meant finally getting to hold hands with your "crush-of-the-month" to the strains of some lamentable disco tune. Arghhh....

http://static.px.yelp.com/bphoto/vAPBPn3K6U7Ph5gCUiXmeg/l

Well, for $13 now’s your chance (minus bad, endless disco music) for some eight-wheeled “do-over” time (on regular or inline skates!) while working up a thirst and burning off the calories to justify some “güt biër” and dive grub right AFTER about two hours of skating, based on historic feet and back staminas.

Does $4.75 for a Quality 20oz Beer Work for Ya?


http://static.px.yelp.com/bphoto/C_wKec2cJcOa3Le8dPeUmg/lWhether you’re just thirsty or also hungry, Harry’s Hofßrau has a full bar with nearly a dozen good beers on tap and it’s only ONE block away from skating! Harry's food is good stuff: real carved roast baron of beef, full-bird turkey, etc. with sides like mac n' cheese, potato salad, etc. and allhttp://static.px.yelp.com/bphoto/arFVs3zQq6buCTiDtvU27A/lstandard, but large-ish "hofbrau" fare, whether plated or as a sandwich. Plus Harry's has decent pie (Mmmmm...pie) and a fireplace! Perfect to stay warm while enjoying a cold one surrounded by divey pseudo-german kitsch!http://static.px.yelp.com/bphoto/75mq3ef94XBPCak_yaGzCw/l
DIVE-O-METER©Here's What Makes This a Cool Dive Bar, Fun Cheap Joint or Good Hole-in-the-Wall, On a Scale of 1 (less) to 7 (more) for: 6 = Divey-ness
7 = Cheap-ocity
6 = Hole-i-ness
Conclusion... RC Roller Rink: Serious Dive/Hole-in-the-Wall; Harry’s: Token Dive/Cheap Joint
Bonus D/J/H cred for RC Roller Rink for still existing 20+ years after disco died

Parking & Getting There:

Here is a Yahoo map to:

1303 Main St., Redwood City, CA
Parking is EASY here. Both the skating rink and Harry’s have big parking lots of their own.Standard Group Admin Stuff:PLEASE:
SKIP THE "NO" RSVP IF AT FIRST YOU CAN'T JOIN US!!!
Bring cash to keep things simple. Lots o' joints don't take plastic.
Show up on time so we can fit our large-ish groups into tight or crowded places.

Less than one week until our event?
Click to see whether it'll be "bearskin" or bare skin weather!

http://banners.wunderground.com/weathersticker/big2_cond/language/www/US/CA/Redwood_City.gif

See you there!!

 Redwood Roller Rink
Redwood City, CA, 94063

77 Yes
0 Maybe

Oct 23 7:30 PM
Surprise Cheap Joint Party @ Zen Lounge w/2 Big Meetup Groups

110 attended (est.) – 4.50 4.506

So, there's like...NOTHING fun scheduled this Friday night. Are people saving themselves for a week-long Halloween or something?

Don't save yourself for Halloween!! That's two weeks away and whether you join(ed) the 100 others at our Wednesday outing or not, you'll get plenty of rest before Halloween even if you come out for fun, CHEAP drinks and DANCING this FRIDAY!!
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc62/buddhalounge/ZEN-FINAL-LOGO-BW-1.jpg
CHEAP JOINT Drink Specials 7:00 till 10:00
$1.00 Coors Light
$2.00 Champagne
$3.00 Martinis
$4.00 Don Julio Shots
Dress to be somebody, because we're partying with the
New Young Professional Happy Hour Singles and Friends


http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc62/buddhalounge/HappyHourMartiniAd.jpg
Event time 7:30 till 10:00 PM.
Zen's doors open and their Happy Hour start’s at 7:00, if you'd like to come early. The organizers will be there at 7:30. Their drink specials go till 10:00. You are welcome to stay after 10:00 to continue socializing or dance.

There is a cover charge after 10:00 PM. Between 10:00 and 11:00 it's $5.00. After 11:00 it's $10.00. So please come early.


Music - After Happy Hour, stay and dance if you like! DJ starts at 10:00, spinning Top 40, Mash-ups, House & Hip Hop.


Zen Lounge Says They Offer:
Multiple Fully Stocked Bars with a wide selection of beer, wine, cocktails, & other beverages.
Food Available - Bring your own caterer or ask us to make arrangements.
Gorgeous Asian Decor
State of the Art Sound & Lighting
Large Dance Floor
Comfortable Couches
Upstairs VIP room available for private party reservation
Live Music or Dj options for private parties
4 Plasma Screens and an 8 ft. Projection Screen for visuals
Unique bartenders who will make your event an experience to remember. From blowing fire to flaring, our bartenders are surely to catch your eye.

Zen Lounge
Mountain View, CA, 94041

109 Yes
23 Maybe

Oct 21 7:00 PM
Beer, Booze & Beatz @ British Banker's Club

79 attended (est.) – 4.50 4.5013

Beer, Booze & Beatz
@ British Banker’s Club
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2506/3773832424_a5075acd6a.jpg
The British Banker's Club is deceptively divey inside even though it looks okay from the outside. Inside, it has some nicer trappings, but if you look closely the place is now worn enough in little ways so that it qualifies as a “token dive” or (more likely) a "dive in progress." Maybe it has something to do with the stuffed animal heads high up on the walls? I'm jus' sayin'.... Well, stuffed animal heads and all, we're going on "DJ Night" (music @9.30p) so expect some beats to be pounding at some point in the evening.

UNIQUE COCKTAILS!!
DJ BEATZ!!
ANIMAL HEADS!!
Their appetizer menu and dinner menu have “nice” things and dive things like bangers & mash, burgers, fish & chips, pulled pork and pastrami, plus salads, etc. I hate to say it, but that all detracts from the dive factor since the food and serviceware are actually a nice part of the place.


We'll wash it all down with 18 diverse beers on tap, plus their cool cocktails list has some unique things to try. I’m looking forward to: “The Most Dangerous Cocktail on the Menu,” a “Lucretia Borgia” and (who wouldn’t?) some “Red Silk Panties.” If that doesn’t quench your desire, they have dozens of wines, 35 whiskeys, 34 scotches and 22 vodkas.

Need proof BBC is a dive in progress? They have a Yelp score of "3" thanks to surprised people thinking they're upscale.
http://static.px.yelp.com/biz_details_graphs/static/20090827e/dist/zvOVatEKJHgQyzEKqMympg


And now for something completely different:

<embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YUhb0XII93I&hl=en&fs=1&"> </embed>

DIVE-O-METER©Here's What Makes This a Cool Dive Bar, Fun Cheap Joint or Good Hole-in-the-Wall, On a Scale of 1 (less) to 7 (more) for: 4 = Divey-ness
4 = Cheap-ocity
1 = Hole-i-ness
Conclusion... Dive in progressBonus D/J/H cred for dead animal heads on the wall and burgeoning decay.


Parking & Getting There

Here is a Google map to:

1090 El Camino Real, Menlo Park
Parking is EASY here. There is frequently abundant parking on El Camino Real, plus there is easy parking in a garage behind BBC, and there is a CalTrain lot just behind that.
Standard Group Admin Stuff
RSVP "No" and comment, "WAITLIST"
if an event is "Closed to new RSVPs" ALSO -- PLEASE: SKIP THE "NO" RSVP IF AT FIRST YOU CAN'T JOIN US!!!
Don’t panic if I’m late. I’m coming from SF and traffic might suck.
Bring cash to keep things simple. Lots o' joints don't take plastic.
Arrive on time so we can fit our large-ish groups into tight/crowded places.
See you there!!

Less than one week until our event?
Click to see whether it'll be "bearskin" or bare skin weather!

http://banners.wunderground.com/weathersticker/big2_cond/language/www/US/CA/Menlo_Park.gif

 British Bankers Club
Menlo Park, CA, 94025

84 Yes
0 Maybe

Oct 10 6:00 PM
Back Biergarten @ Gourmet Haus Staudt = 8 German Beers on Tap & Güt Füd!!

33 attended (est.) – 4.50 4.5012

We Are ON Again for:
Genuine German Bierhall!
Kommenzie fur 8 German Biers on Tap!!!!
They promise we're the only group & will own the place!
http://static.px.yelp.com/bphoto/iqZkuYRaEE1svjjASuMppg/l
When they first opened this awesome drinking space at Gourmet Haus Staudt, this group helped inaugurate it in style and it rocked! The food and drink here is such pure crack I start channeling Sergeant Schultz when I walk in and you probably will too. It's time to return and this time it'll be even warmer outside so good German beer will taste even better on their brand new tables in back. They’ve always had 83 bottled German beers (yep, I counted) and an outdoor biergarten, but their brand-new, fully-presentable, air-conditioned interior beer hall and new outdoor area can't be beat. This time the outside space is freshly decorated, has a big canopy plus plenty of tables and chairs, so what's not to like if you want to take it outside?
http://geocities.com/gourmetstaudt/germflg.gif 8 German Biers on Tap + 83 in Bottles!!
http://geocities.com/gourmetstaudt/germflg.gifWe did a packed-house Friday last time, so on a warm SATURDAY evening, we’re going to return to sample more of the awesome beer and amazing food. Besides their eight killer taps, we can sample widely from their bottled beer and awesome food menu, too. FYI, they'll have specials not listed here but you'll see that German food is NOT all potatoes, fattening stuff and sausage. That's a shite stereotype you'll enjoy breaking to bits here.

DIVE-O-METER©Here's What Makes This a Cool Dive Bar, Fun Cheap Joint or Good Hole-in-the-Wall, On a Scale of 1 (less) to 7 (more) for: 3 = Divey-ness
4 = Cheap-ocity
5 = Hole-i-ness
Conclusion... Token Dive/Cheap Joint/Hole-in-the-WallBonus D/J/H cred for being hidden on a stubby side-street near train tracks.


Parking & Getting There

Here is a their Yahoo map and directions to:

2615 Broadway @ El Camino, Redwood City, CA
You can also take CalTrain and get off at Redwood City, then cross the tracks and go up Broadway a block or so. Parking is EASY here. They have a full parking lot in the BACK by the biergarten AND the lot across from Peet's is FREE.
Standard Group Admin Stuff
Please use the "WAITLIST"
if an event is "Closed to new RSVPs" ALSO -- PLEASE: SKIP THE "NO" RSVP IF AT FIRST YOU CAN'T JOIN US!!!
Bring cash to keep things simple. Lots o' joints don't take plastic.
Arrive on time so we can fit our large-ish groups into tight/crowded places.
Prost!! I'll See you there!!

Less than one week until our event?
Click to see whether it'll be "bearskin" or bare skin weather!

http://banners.wunderground.com/weathersticker/big2_cond/language/www/US/CA/Redwood_City.gif

 Gourmet Haus Staudt Biergarten
Redwood City, CA, 94062

41 Yes
0 Maybe

Oct 2 6:30 PM
Bonus CHEAP JOINT Happy Hour Bash @ Melt, Palo Alto

157 attended (est.) – 4.50 4.506

The RSVP list is closed again. We now have more than 250 on the list. Sorry if you didn't get in.


First Friday Happy Hour Bash!!!
Upstairs @ Melt Ultra Lounge!!!
The Hot New Place in Palo Alto.


Yeah, any place with "Ultra Lounge" in the name isn't likely to be a dive, but their happy hour prices make them a certified cheap joint we can enjoy without having peanut shells on the floor this time.

Happy Hour Specials
$4.00 Well Drinks
$3.00 Bottled Beers
1/2 Price Appetizers
Also this time, I've nominated an honorary Assistant Organizer, Jerry. He's the organizer or AO for the groups listed below, who all have members coming to mix, mingle and Melt as part of their once-a-month mass bash.

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/member/6/8/6/6/highres_5606726.jpeg


OUR happy hour runs from 6:30 till 10:00 PM, but Melt's usually ends at 7:00 PM, so Jerry has arranged for price discounts to continue till 9:00 PM for us, as long as you have a drink discount bracelet. The upstairs lounge is reserved for us. Organizers will be in "host mode" from 6:30 till 8:30 PM passing out bracelets, making introductions, etc. After that We will be just one of the people there for a party! You're welcome to stay after 10:00 to socialize and dance.

Parking can sometimes be tough in Palo Alto. The largest parking garage is the Civic Center Garage at the corner of Hamilton and Ramona. It might be easiest to park there. Walk a block down Hamilton, then turn right on Emerson towards Melt.

This once a month multi-group happy hour is co-sponsored by:
New Young Professional Happy Hour Singles and Friends
Silicon Valley Lunches and Happy Hours
Bay Area 24/7 Active Club
Silicon Valley Party Ladies


Never Been to Melt?

"Melt unquestionably delivers a...smooth lounge atmosphere that gives off a warm and inviting ambiance, enticing anyone who passes to come in. The inviting lush artisan furniture, glowing granite bars, lively music and warm candlelight glow, gives the club the utmost feel of comfort and sophistication."

 Melt Lounge
Palo Alto, CA, 94301

240 Yes
9 Maybe

Sep 23 7:00 PM
Marvin Gardens' Backyard Buzz in Belmont

44 attended (est.) – 4.50 4.5016

Marvin Gardens' Backyard Buzz!


http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/3/f/5/highres_5141973.jpeg


Marvin Gardens is a characterful crackerbox with a nice warm personality inside and a sunny/shady back yard. Don't miss it! Hundreds of rare old beer cans decorate the wall behind the bar and outside it's a very sociable party place thanks to loads of wooden tables among the trees.


http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/3/f/3/highres_5141971.jpeg


They have about a dozen beers on tap, plus many options for other liquid libations. The dive fare menu is burgers, dogs, pizza, sandwiches, salads, etc. and as a bonus you get to dress 'em yourself when Miss Chalkdust mumbles your name over the loudspeaker. FYI, it's a school night and they close at 10pm, so as they say, while we don't have to go home, we can't stay there. Get there early to maximize your fun!!


http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/3/f/4/highres_5141972.jpeg

DIVE-O-METER:
Here's What I Think Makes This a Cool Dive Bar, Fun Cheap Joint or Good Hole-in-the-Wall, On a Scale of 1 (less) to 7 (more) for:
6 = Divey-ness
5 = Cheap-ocity
5 = Hole-i-ness
Conclusion... Genuine Dive/Hole-in-the-Wall w/maximum bonus cred!!
Bonus D/J/H cred for: being near a defunct-looking ice rink, in an industrial area, having trains run through the back yard and having hundreds of old divey beer cans on the wall.

Parking & Getting There:


Here is a Google map to:


1160 Old County Road, Belmont, CA


Parking is EASY here. Not only is there a small parking lot on the South side of the dive, but there is plenty of street parking, too. One block North is the Belmont CalTrain station.


Standard group admin stuff...PLEASE:
SKIP THE "NO" RSVP IF AT FIRST YOU CAN'T JOIN US!!!
Bring cash to keep things simple. Lots o' joints don't take plastic.
Show up on time so we can fit our large-ish groups into tight or crowded places.

See you there!!

 Marvin Gardens
Belmont, CA, 94002

55 Yes
0 Maybe

Sep 4 7:00 PM
Outdoor Huge Patio Hotness + Indoor Pool(hall) Coolness = Sports Page+Shoreline

45 attended (est.) – 4.50 4.5011

Sports Page Outdoor Awesomeness,
Then Cool Pool @ Shoreline Billiards
http://static3.px.yelp.com/bphoto/sCFmjTkQaA6jVvjfc1tCdQ/l
OMF’inG Sports Page bar and grill is huge and neat outside! And inside it’s a formica-filled nightmare vision of a 70’s dive w/orange-ish red vinyl. That’s not a typo, see the bottom picture. They serve a variety of decent grub. menu link soonThis will be a list of menu highlights.
LABOR DAY WEEKEND FRIDAY STAYCATION!!
http://static4.px.yelp.com/bphoto/E2itR0QJU8GLOOsEwvPTqQ/l


HUMONGOUS PATIO + GINORMOUS POOL HALL!

It’s hard to call Shoreline Billiards a dive, but they are in an industrial building even though they definitely raise the rent profile in the area. With loads of nice tables, about a dozen beers and even a couple of good pinball machines, they’re a nice place but it’s still pool, a definitive dive activity.
http://static1.px.yelp.com/bphoto/HnA9MHFxAT0ovHk0lWFIZQ/l

I WAS NOT KIDDING ABOUT THE ORANGE/RED VINYL:

http://static4.px.yelp.com/bphoto/4AI9X21Bzv-72Bo_yTfKEw/l


DIVE-O-METER©Here's What Makes This a Cool Dive Bar, Fun Cheap Joint or Good Hole-in-the-Wall, On a Scale of 1 (less) to 7 (more) for: 5 = Divey-ness
4 = Cheap-ocity
2 = Hole-i-ness
Conclusion... Semi-Serious Dive/Cheap Joint


Parking & Getting There

Here is a Google map to:

1431 Plymouth @ 101
Parking is EASY here and both places are within a block of each other. Park anywhere you're not blocking another businesses' space.
Standard Group Admin Stuff
Please use the "WAITLIST"
if an event is "Closed to new RSVPs" ALSO -- PLEASE: SKIP THE "NO" RSVP IF AT FIRST YOU CAN'T JOIN US!!!
Bring cash to keep things simple. Lots o' joints don't take plastic.
Arrive on time so we can fit our large-ish groups into tight/crowded places.
See you there!!

Less than one week until our event?
Click to see whether it'll be "bearskin" or bare skin weather!

http://banners.wunderground.com/weathersticker/big2_cond/language/www/US/CA/Mountain_View.gif

 Sports Page
Mountain View, CA, 94043

44 Yes
0 Maybe
1 Waiting List

Aug 29 10:00 AM
Saturday Breakfast @ Mary's Depot Cafe, San Carlos Caltrain Station

13 attended (est.) – 5.00 5.008

Note: Sorry to be a tool, but this time there's a ZERO FLAKE POLICY IN EFFECT. If you can't play, change your RSVP by FRIDAY at 8pm. Seriously. The business was a bit nervous that we'll be reserving half the seats in this place so we'd better fill 'em.

So, this month has five full weekends in it, which gives me an extra shot at a third event in a month, albeit a small-capacity one in this case since I was coincidentally and recently begged (hammered) into having a dives breakfast event on a weekend, I thought I'd give it a shot here!


http://www.cityofsancarlos.org/images/Departments/Planning/DepotCafe_1.jpg


Mary's is only marginally divey and cheap (it's a 4 on both), but scores a full "7" as a hidden hole-in-the-wall. They have decent grub without being expensive and probably thanks to 30+ omelettes on the menu they score a solid group of 4's & 5's on Yelp. Click the rating image below if you want to read about them.

http://static.px.yelp.com/biz_details_graphs/static/20090825/dist/iiS_PTt3on_mouWkW9fNMQ

Free parking's a breeze ACROSS THE STREET behind the Carlos Club, just not IN the CC's spots.

 Mary's Depot Cafe
San Carlos, CA, 94070

13 Yes
0 Maybe
1 Waiting List

Aug 19 7:00 PM
Antonio's Nut House -- Dive! Dive!

57 attended (est.) – 4.50 4.5013

Antonio's Nut House
Beer, Booze, Pool, Burgers y Mexican!


NOTE: The restaurant just changed hands; no more Mex., but otherwise same!

http://www.citycheers.com/a_webfolders/a/AntoniosNu_6026/ccpicture6.jpg


A poster-child for the concept of a genuine dive rather than a filthy pit!! Antonio's has writing on the walls, pool tables, pinball, decent burgers, Mexican food, good parking, etc., so what's not to like?


I get asked several times a year about when we're partying here so I know it has a broad appeal. We had a blast when we went before and it's high time we invaded them again!! And as a bonus, this is another location that's large enough to hold as many of us as we want!


Here's what Metroactive has to say about Antonio's:

"Probably the most down to earth and casual bar in the otherwise tony digs of Palo Alto, Antonio's Nut House--so called, we assume, because peanuts are served at the bar and you've got to wade through the sea of shells on the floor to get there--has been serving the beer and booze swilling neighborhood regulars for years. With five pool tables and a blessed pinball machine, Antonio's Nut House neighborhood bar is a classic rock, come-as-you-are...haven done up in the most random décor you're likely to find anywhere."


http://www.citycheers.com/a_webfolders/a/AntoniosNu_6026/ccpicture5.jpg


Antonio's Nut House Reviews at Yelp.com

Here's What Makes This a Cool Dive Bar, Fun Cheap Joint or Good Hole-in-the-Wall, Rated 1-7 for:

* 7 = Divey-ness
* 5 = Cheap-ocity
* 4 = Hole-i-ness
* Conclusion... A Genuine Cheap Dive Bar


Parking & Getting There:


Google Map to Antonio's Nut House
321 S. California Ave, Palo Alto, CA

 Antonio's Nut House
Palo Alto, CA, 94306

67 Yes
0 Maybe

Aug 7 7:30 PM
Awesome Ausiello's = 12 Beers on Tap, Tabletop Shuffleboard, Pool & Darts

40 attended (est.) – 4.50 4.508

Awesome Ausiello's


http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/7/0/b/1/highres_5908849.jpegTabletop shuffleboard (rules here), three pool tables, darts & 12 excellent beers on tap. Besides several grilled chicken options that don't suck, Ausiello's menu is dive fare: fish & chips, multiple burgers, steak sandwich, dawgs/polish/hot links, spicy fries, grilled ham or bacon w/cheese(!!), chili as a side to any sandwich (how cool is that?), basically lots of good things that aren't good for you. Except nights you're with us.

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/7/0/b/0/highres_5908848.jpeg
This small place is filled with games and tables, each in their own little area so our large-ish and ever-growing group will probably own the place, which will be extra cool.


As a bonus, there's Eddie the bartender, who's likely wear his "Fuck you, you fuckin' fuck" t-shirt to set the mood. He's a riot and "a right Scot, sure." Be very nice to him and he'll be really cool to you in return.

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/7/0/b/2/highres_5908850.jpeg


DIVE-O-METER:
Here's What I Think Makes This a Cool Dive Bar, Fun Cheap Joint or Good Hole-in-the-Wall, On a Scale of 1 (less) to 7 (more) for:

6 = Divey-ness
5 = Cheap-ocity
5 = Hole-i-ness
Conclusion... Genuine Dive/Hole-in-the-Wall

Bonus dive cred for having pretty much ALL the basic dive games in such a small place, (except pinball) with each area set aside on its own.

Parking & Getting There:

Here is a Yelp/Google map to:

864 El Camino Real, Belmont, CA

Parking is EASY here. Your best bet seems to be to park on the street. Also, the Belmont Caltrain stop is one block away!


Standard group admin stuff...PLEASE:
SKIP THE "NO" RSVP IF AT FIRST YOU CAN'T JOIN US!!!
Bring cash to keep things simple. Lots o' joints don't take plastic.
Show up on time so we can fit large-ish groups into small/crowded places.
See you there!!

 Ausiello's Tavern
Belmont, CA, 94002

43 Yes
0 Maybe