Nightlife in Hayward

The Englander Sports Pub & Restaurant squeezes the entirety of the British Isles into its eatery—or so it would seem after seeing the 80 draft beers, plates of bangers 'n' mash and lightly fried fish, and the iconic red phone booth right outside the door. A lengthy menu disproves the myth that British food isn't real with choices such as hearty pot pies and 16 burgers topped with avocado, blue cheese, and house-made chili. To wash down the meaty fare, bartenders kick open the kegs and fill tall glasses with classic British ales and domestic beers that visitors savor from the dining room’s dark-wood furnishings or on the umbrella-shaded patio. Throughout the eatery, 21 TVs entertain the senses not involved in the task of chewing or sipping, and during the week, The Englander hosts open-mike nights, live music, and live viewings of sporting events that give visitors an excuse to hoist their brews in triumph.

Experienced comedians on Comedy Off Broadway Oakland’s black-swathed stage extract laughs with jokes honed during appearances on HBO, BET and Comedy Central. Veteran yucksters Joe Gleckler and Samson Koletkar host 90-minute shows three nights a week and recruit all-female and all-Southern lineups for Thursday theme shows. Chortling viewers can dig into plates of Cajun and Southern fare from the kitchen of Miss Pearl’s Jam House, which hosts the proceedings in a private dining area, or covertly film spit takes with wine and beer from a full bar.

The White Horse Bar has entertained San Francisco's GLBT community with happy hours, college nights, and live music for more than 75 years, making it one of the oldest gay bars in the country. After serving as a central hub during the community's tumultuous 20th century, the bar now opens its glistening dance floor every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for relentless displays of rhythm fueled by beers, martinis, and well drinks. The White Horse Bar also energizes crowds with a smorgasbord of events including trivia contests, drag shows, karaoke, and '80s nights, where guests are encouraged to quietly yearn for portable replacements for their landline telephones.

Try before you buy. Savvy Cellar Wine Bar & Wine Shop features 90+ point wines for $39/bottle or less. Sample wine flights, glasses, artisan beer and small food plates before buying a bottle (or two).

Master beersmith Peter Catizone discovered his passion for brewing while making homebrewed batches of beer in the 1980s. Eventually, he developed his hobby into a craft and his do-it-yourself recipes into a microbrew powerhouse with a mantel full of awards. Today at Faultline Brewing Company’s lively taphouse, the staff pours samples from a smorgasbord of more than 20 beers, ranging from the clear, clean taste of a Rhineland-style kölsch to the malty richness of an inky-black irish stout. Offerings from the lunch and dinner bills of fare complement the local brews with Louisiana-style seafood gumbo, flatiron steak with swiss chard, and generously portioned Angus beef burgers. On Friday and Saturday nights, live musicians serenade guests as they enjoy beer flights and frosty pints on the open-air patio or in the lounge.

Most people wouldn't brag of being stepped on by a celebrity. Then again, most people aren't made of wood and warmed by a spotlight. If the stage at Rooster T Feathers Comedy Club could speak, it would boast about its supporting role in uproarious performances from the likes of Jerry Seinfeld, Robin Williams, and Ellen DeGeneres. Since 1979, Rooster's stage has given seasoned jokesters, rising stars, and sentient whoopee cushions the opportunity to coax laughs, giggles, and guffaws from the club's audience. Club-goers stay loose with visits to the full bar, where top-shelf liquors, California wines, and 15 beers soften throats parched from laughter and accompany the club's selection of snacks and munchies.