New venues make downtown San Jose a couple of levels cooler

Vinyl records and miniature golf could maintain the important thing to a post-pandemic resurgence in downtown San Jose. Still O.G. and Urban Putt are the most recent venues aiming to attract guests downtown — and preserve them there — with new experiences changing a beer bar and a movie show.

Urban Putt, which had its ribbon-cutting Thursday afternoon, is a smooth, indoor reimagining of the miniature golf programs we do not forget that opened at Paseo, the constructing that used to accommodate the Camera 12 theaters.

But as a substitute of making an attempt to knock a ball by way of a windmill or right into a clown’s mouth, you’ll be able to take goal at a well-detailed duplicate of a room on the Winchester Mystery House or watch your lime inexperienced ball get vacuumed up by way of plastic tubes on a scaled-down model of the previous Electric Light Tower.

Owner Steve Fox clearly spared no expense in letting his design staff discover some new methods to get a dimpled ball from putter to gap. It’s additionally received a spacious full bar and a kitchen run by Executive Chef Chad Ferry — downtowners nonetheless fondly recall Deluxe Eatery & Drinkery on San Fernando Street — making it gathering spot whether or not your placing or not.

Meanwhile, Still O.G. — a couple of block north at 66 S. First St. — is a hi-fi listening lounge that eschews digital sound for the throwback tones of analog music. Vinyl records line the cabinets across the DJ station and the whole lot from audio system to the ceilings and flooring appears geared to letting individuals simply bask within the sound. It’s a relaxed vibe for certain — besides on Fridays and Saturday nights — and a collection of a dozen cocktails on draft have changed the craft brews from the previous Original Gravity. (The meals menu, although, retains some Original Gravity favorites just like the smash burger, sausage sandwich and fries).

The different shock inside is Alter Ego, a cocktail-focused “speakeasy” taking on the again half of the previous Original Gravity house that’s a wholly totally different world. With solely about 40 seats (and reservations all however required), Alter Ego exudes a extra refined, bespoke vibe.

It’s good to see these items coming collectively to make downtown’s nightlife scene extra fascinating. Now, somebody simply wants to determine find out how to get sufficient individuals there to supply life throughout daytime.

SUMMER RELIEF: Water slides could also be the very last thing on anybody’s thoughts with all of the anticipated rain and snow this weekend, however simply wait till summer time and also you’ll be glad that the San Jose City Council gave its blessing Tuesday to California Dreamin’ Entertainment to function Raging Waters at Lake Cunningham Park.

California Dreamin’ CEO Steve Dooner, who spoke on the assembly together with authentic Raging Waters developer Thomas Lochtefeld, mentioned they wished “not solely to reopen the park however hopefully on a long-term foundation make it an actual vacation spot for the entire valley.”

Their proposal for reopening the East San Jose Park this summer time contains utilizing companions like Chuck E. Cheese and including new facilities like a wine backyard. With an extension, the lease runs by way of September 2025, with a metropolis possibility for an additional six months after that. Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Director Jon Cicirelli gave credit score to PRNS staffers Shannon Heimer and Dominque Pacolba for doing the heavy lifting on the challenge in about 5 months.

“This was an enormous downside that landed in our lap fully unexpectedly they usually needed to drop a variety of different issues to make this occur,” he mentioned.

Countless children in search of reduction from San Jose’s sweltering summer time warmth in a couple of months might be grateful, too, I’m certain.

NEW YEAR’S WINDALL: Well, 2024 received off to an excellent begin for graphic designer Kyoko Dougherty, proprietor and artistic director of San Jose’s Tabara Design. She walked into Community Bank and Trust’s San Jose department on Jan. 20 figuring out she had received one thing in a contest however had no concept it was $10,000 in CB&T’s vacation sweepstakes.

Dougherty received an entry within the drawing each time she used her bank card throughout the vacation season. “I by no means anticipated to win any drawing prize, so I used to be very stunned and really glad, and I really feel that I’m very fortunate,” Dougherty mentioned.