Best Bars To Celebrate The 4th Of July In South Bay

This summer, the exciting holiday that is the 4th of July lands on a Wednesday. This is a perfect day to take a break from work, gather all your friends and hit the town. The South Bay offers a number of firework displays, so why not enjoy an outside patio or rooftop bar while stealing glimpses of the vibrant skyline?

Duke of Edinburgh
10801 N Wolfe Road
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 446-3853
www.theduke.com

Gather your friends and head to Duke of Edinburgh if you are looking for a place to grab a pint and catch up with friends. The bar may be slightly dark inside, but there is a great outdoor patio space lined with trees providing ample shade during the day. If the weather takes a turn, outside heaters are available, so the patio can be enjoyed no matter what the night brings. With a full menu, 12 beers on tap and a variety of single malt scotches, make this bar your celebration spot of choice on the 4th of July before heading a mile up to watch fireworks at Cupertino High School, which starts at 9:30 p.m. Or, watch from the bar, your backyard, or from three recommended viewing locations in the city: Creekside Park, Hyde Middle School and Sedgwick Elementary School.

The Loft Bar and Bistro
90 S 2nd St.
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 291-0677
www.loftbarandbistro.com

The Loft is hip and beautifully decorated, featuring a two-story restaurant with two dining rooms, two gorgeous granite bar areas and a picturesque garden patio on the building's rooftop. The crowd is chock-full of beautiful people and Bay Area DJs, including DJ Jaime Gonzales. You're sure to get a glimpse of the Groesbeck Hill Park's fireworks show while sipping drinks on The Loft Bar's rooftop patio. If you are looking for a fabulous night on the town this 4th, come by for dinner, be captivated by the fireworks show, then stay for the dancing.

Shoreline Amphitheatre Fireworks
One Amphitheatre Parkway
Mountain View, CA  94043
(877) 598-6659
www.theshorelineamphitheatre.com

Prices: $15 to $50
Click here for tickets

A spectacular fireworks display will feature the San Francisco Symphony in an evening set to patriotic songs and marches at the Shoreline Amphitheatre this year. This highly anticipated event is known for having one of the best fireworks displays in the Bay Area. Couple those pyrotechnics with the melodies of a world class orchestra and you have a sight (and sound) to behold. Pre-concert entertainment begins at 5 p.m.

Related: Hit The Water On The Southern Part Of The Bay

Francesca's
2135 Old Middlefield Way
Mountain View, CA 94043
(650) 965-1162
www.francescasbar.com

Located just five minutes from the Shoreline Fireworks, Francesca's is a great place to have a beer before and after the show, or as an alternative if you don't feel like dealing with the Amphitheatre crowds. If you are looking for a laid back vibe with good music, great prices and friendly staff, then Francesca's is your bar. The venue provides more than 12 big screen televisions to watch your favorite teams, but on a night like the 4th, they'll likely be displaying the area's firework shows. Choose from more than 27 beers on tap to wash down your favorite wings. Be sure to check out the calendar of events to catch live music when you come back on the weekends.

Station 55 Bar & Grill
55 5th St.
Gilroy, CA 95020
(408) 840-2444
www.station55restaurant.com

At Station 55, you can pick your atmosphere: choose from the lax downstairs restaurant or the more raucous upstairs bar that features TVs and a deck. The staff is very friendly and accommodating, not to mention heavy handed when it comes to pouring drinks. This bar has fantastic food, karaoke nights and even comedy shows. Bring all of your friends, as this place has something for everyone. After drinks, take the short, mile and a half trek to the fifth annual Gilroy fireworks show, set to begin at dusk (9:15 to 9:30).

Tequila Shot's Bar & Grill
38 N Main St.
Milpitas, CA 95035
(408) 262-7468

Tequila Shot's is a newly-remodeled dive bar with friendly bartenders and a fantastic amount of tequila––38 varieties, to be exact. Come to this place to dance (there are live DJs on the weekends), have fun and laugh at your friends trying their hand at karaoke on Sundays and Wednesdays. On the 4th of July, swing by this place for a pre-shot (or two) before the fireworks show a few miles down the road at Milpitas Sports Center, which begins at 9:30 p.m.

Related: Best First Date Spots In North Bay

Kelly Gullo is a freelance writer in San Francisco, CA. Kellys topics are about music and nightlife. Kelly has also written a variety of articles on health and dieting and topics related to the environment. Kelly has a degree in journalism and public relations from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.