Caravan Lounge, San Jose

This local dive is frequented by the blue-collar crowd, younger refugees from the club scene, and the occasional stray from the Greyhound station next door. It's not the most chic place you can choose for a drink, but it does have a distinct character all its own. You can play pool or drop a few dollars in the jukebox while you swill drinks from the better-than-average booze selection. You can even buy six packs to go.