Lack of Live Music and Nightlife Variety - Rant

Now The Kings Head no longer exists, there is a void of live nighttime/band music venues in DT Campbell. Tis a shame, where do non Hip Hoppers, non-GenYers and Rock n Roll lovers go? Los Gatos? Santa Clara? Almaden? S.J. ?



This post has been edited by wanderman on Jul 9 2008, 04:04 PM

Sonoma Chicken Coop has great live music and dancing Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. There are some really good rock bands that play there. You can check out their entertainment schedule on the event calendar of downtowncampbell.com.

What happened to kings head?

Kings Head was bought out by a couple of guys who wanted to open a new night spot in Downtown Campbell. What used to be the King's Head is currently getting remodeled. I talked to one of the owners briefly and he said it was going to be one of those "little of everything" night spots.

We didn't talk very long as he was busy helping the crew tear things up and move things around, but it sounded like a dancing, food, music, and bar spot. I didn't ask when he expects to open.

Correction: I think the King's Head got bought out, but I can't remember for sure. It sure seemed like one of those buy out situations because there was a lot of stuff left behind.

BTW, what about the Dell Saloon? Wanderman, didn't you host some open mic night there too at some point?

The Chicken Coop, thanks I have to check it out.

I like the Grand Dell, but its not Downtown and when people ask for directions, I'm reminded of the joke "sorry, you can't get there from here." Plus the music is not regularly scheduled.

Open mic sundays moved back to Kings Head awhile ago, but it has withered like the pub has in the last few years. Still it was a good place to take friends to after dinner on weekends.

The new owners have said Open Mic on Sundays will continue at least for awhile, I'm helping others get it back going...but the place doesn't seem destined to be a live music venue anymore. Its going to be D-Jay only, like Cardiff, very little if any live music during the week and a very different crowd (my college son will love it).

All the old english stuff inside mostly went back to the original owner, Sam, who has a new place now in Santa Clara (with great live music). Since Sam sold the place several years ago it hasn't been the same, I wish the new owners simply revamped the place, but hey, its not my money.

The reason for the rant is, and I could be wrong, I am under the general impression the City discourages regular nightly live music venues, so venues are deciding its not worth the hassle along with paying performers, so simply hire a DJ or have so-called special events.

Yet at the same time the City seems to be encouraging businesses and all these great family entertainment events during the day and dinner time. Is the after dinner crowd in DT destined to be for Gen Y only?

Thanks for the reminder on the Chicken Coop.

This post has been edited by wanderman on Jul 11 2008, 01:48 PM

I didn't know King's Head was gone either. I know the Italian place to the right is really good, and they complained about the noise from the bands. I have dined there when bands were playing, and it IS quite loud. The owner of the Italian place has 2 or 3 other restaurants in downtown Campbell too. They just opened one where Alie's Cafe used to be (it was previously Rico's mexican, I believe.) I haven't tried the other places though.

I have been to King's Head to see Zoo Station more than once. Bummer that it's being replaced by another clubby-type place for 20-somethings. I am getting too old for that stuff.

If you want to see some live music tonight in downtown campbell, come see The Mighty Have Fallen at Orchard Valley Coffee. If you're interested, visit this site and see if you like the music: www.themightyhavefallenband.com It's original, acoustic music and it's free! A looping set starts at 7pm and The Mighty Have Fallen go on at 8pm.

The former King's Head is now The Spot, which we learned about during a Campbell Council meeting - thought - hmm, another local spot for a beer and a burger. Two times I've gone in, well, one night no kitchen/food and only one lone customer apparently waiting for a date, the second - food, unremarkable, one customer at the bar and two of us anticipating some atmosphere on an empty deck at 7 on a Friday night.

Does live music "do it" for a space - or perhaps some MARKETING rather than 20-something drunks puking, pissing and littering the neighborhood??