Bars in Los Gatos? You bet. Carrie Nation is probably turning over in her grave since one of them is named after her.
A strong advocate for the Women’s Christian Temperance Movement, Carrie Nation was opposed to alcohol in a very big way. History has it that she attacked dozens of bars together with a band of praying & singing women and eventually wielded a a hatchet to make her point. In fact, in later years this seems to have become her “niche market” as her newsletter was called “The Hatchet”. Though jailed some 30 times, she paid her fines with lecture fees and (believe it or not) the sales of small souvenir hatchets.
I suppose it is true that “actions speak louder than words”. But it’s also true that irony is one of the funniest forms of humor.
And so it is quite humorous indeed to most folks in Los Gatos that one of the town’s most popular bars (and there’s no shortage of them) is named none other than “Carrie Nation’s”. In case you don’t know this colorful bit of history, the beveled glass in the main door portrays an ax. (If nothing else, it’s a conversation starter!) Located at 8 North Santa Cruz Avenue (close to Main Street), Carrie Nation’s is a fun place to stop in for a drink if you have a sense of humor and enjoy the old “fern bar” atmosphere.
There are many fine bars in Los Gatos. I was intent upon writing about them here until I found an excellent article in the San Jose Mercury News which did a beautiful job reviewing them. Depending on your mood and the circumstances, you may prefer Viva (at Los Gatos Blvd and Blossom Hill), Mountain Charlie’s, The Black Watch, or Johnny’s, or Double D’s or any of the great sites in town from Steamer’s or The Wine Cellar or who knows what. Read the article. If you have kids in tow, I do suggest Double D’s (at Highway 9 and North Santa Cruz Avenue) or Johnny’s Northside Grill (532 N Santa Cruz Ave).
But whether you frequent bars or not, next time you are in downtown Los Gatos, take a gander at 8 North Santa Cruz and enjoy a chuckle at the image of the hatchet on the door there. Imagine what Carrie would have to say!
