Posted by Local patron and businessman, a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood, on Aug 22, 2006 at 6:15 pm

While I repect your views re: Antonio's Nut House "Dumpy bar on California Ave.", I would like to point out that when you say that there are "bums drinking late at night" and speak of "filthy bikers", well that's sums up the scope of your views to me.

The bar is actually a success because it is an unpretensious place to meet. You will find not only students, professors, teachers, doctors and lawyers, as I have, but the run of the mill hard working family person as well. Think about it, it is not cheap to drink. Those who do frequent the bar spend their money to socialize and pass their time in the only neighborhood tavern in the California Business District. This bar serves a needed purpose for its local citizens by providing a safe, fun environment for people eat, meet, drink and play games all while feeding the local tax.

Also the bar does have security out front four nights a week and rarely attracts the attention of the police. And the bum you speak may even be me, so next time you see someone drinking out front late at night, say hi and let me buy you pint and a game of pool.

Respectfully

UDK

Cheers!

Posted by Walter E. Wallis, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Aug 22, 2006 at 8:09 pm

The stupid decision to disallow smoking zones inside a bar force people into the streets, while mechanical ventilation could protect non-smokers from the fraudulent risks of second hand smoke.

It is probably appropriate that concerned citizen seek tonier climes.

Posted by Henry, a resident of the Southgate neighborhood, on Aug 22, 2006 at 8:29 pm

Concerned citizen: Antonio's adds some much needed color to our city; would that we had one or two Antonio's downtown! You don't know what you're missing! Stop in and join neighborhood regulars and Stanford students and professors by the dozens - - enjoy a brew and great cameraderie - play some billiards! Enjoy the fresco that Antonio's contributed to ($5000) to help add more street art to out city.

Oh, and while you're at it, maybe you can help do something about the many visitors to the tonier downtown bars who relieve themselves in doorways and parking lots after hours - something we rarely see in our wonderful California Avenue corridor neighborhood.

and, oh, yes, maybe you can help organize an after hours street watch for the muggers downtown. You might even ask some of our biker friends if they can help out.

Posted by Victor, a resident of the Charleston Gardens neighborhood, on Aug 22, 2006 at 11:45 pm

I'll echo some of the other sentiments here. The Nuthouse is probably the most relaxed bar in all of Palo Alto. in fact, it's dive-bar status i think adds to its charm. I enjoy going there with some of my college and high school buddies...play some classic bar games like pool and liar's dice. drink some beer from their good selection. you'll find the same problems at any bars. ive seen my fair share of problems at the trendier nola's...in fact, i'd say ive seen much worse there than at the nuthouse.

Posted by Tim, a resident of the College Terrace neighborhood, on Aug 23, 2006 at 7:42 am

I love the Nuthouse! Great bar, Great people. Yea, it's alitte rundown, but that's what makes it great. Check out another "rundown" place- The Old Pro. Great food- the burgers are killer!

Posted by scottmjackson, a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood, on Aug 24, 2006 at 9:01 am

Mature friends, young friends; mature ideas, younger ideas. Everything required in a thinking man's tavern. A finer social community would be hard to find. They police themselves and look after strangers as quickly as they would a neighbor. Palo Alto and more over California Avenue is fortunate to have Antonio's in the neighborhood. Scott, Captain/Commander

Posted by Gunn/Stanford grad, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Aug 24, 2006 at 1:56 pm

I would come to visit much less frequently if the "dumpy" bar were to disappear. It is the one saving grace to the current PA bar scene, and I always enjoy hanging out there! My dorm still has a tile on the ceiling commemorating the good times of past years. Sounds like the original poster needs to come in for a drink to understand the neighbors s/he writes off so easily....very unfortunate that Palo Alto has evolved to this sort of attitude.

Posted by Danny, a resident of the Crescent Park neighborhood, on Aug 24, 2006 at 3:41 pm

I actually like Antonio's as a place to shoot pool, but agree it's a total dive. Sometimes I think dive bars are kind of fun, and there really is no better place to shoot pool in Palo Alto (Blue Chalk Cafe is too pretentious for my taste). Still, I'd be worried if I was hanging out there day in and day out like some of the patrons seem to.

Posted by Walter E. Wallis, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Aug 24, 2006 at 3:58 pm

Given my choice, I would close down the City and Keep the Nut House.

Posted by C ME Around, a resident of the Ventura neighborhood, on Aug 25, 2006 at 4:33 pm

Forgive me, but I like to let my hair down once in a blue moon and I indulge in leaving my peanut shells on the floor at Antinio's..not only does it give me pleasure of trying to eat a peanut without having to catch all the crumbs it leaves, but it also gives someone a job later of cleaning up...Nut House ROCKS!

Posted by Groggy, a resident of the College Terrace neighborhood, on Jun 13, 2007 at 7:55 am

You have to be kidding! Antonio's is the best bar in town - FAR better than anything else. Recently, I sampled a grog there with two CEO's and their VC; every one of them said they LOVED the place, and would be back again soon. So there! Even Heaven can be a dive; it depends on yuor point of view.

Posted by Passerby, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Jun 13, 2007 at 11:51 am

What has any of this praise got to do with dirty sidewalks? and unswept cigarette butts? You are free to have a mess inside, but the street front shouldn't be repulsive to non drinkers.