Early residents of Pleasanton enjoyed a somewhat limited range of entertainment choices, according to author Ken MacLennan, Curator of the city's Museum on Main. "Hotels provided for the rest needs of overnight guests; to quench their thirst and desire for conviviality, there were also saloons," MacLennan writes in Pleasanton, California: A Brief History. By 1888, there were six saloons in Pleasanton; by 1907, there were 17. 

"Other forms of entertainment did not go neglected, although most seem to have been less popular than the saloons," according to the author. Theatrical troupes stopped to perform as they followed the rail lines from town to town. Local entrepreneurs organized prize fights and wrestling matches."

Brass bands were also a part of Pleasanton's history, but today there is a greater range of entertainment available. The Tri-Valley offers something for everyone, including live music, theater, comedy, dance, opera, first-run and classic movies, trivia nights, dancing, and karaoke.

Bars and Nightclubs

A variety of appealing spots for adult beverages and entertainment can be found at Hacienda, in Pleasanton, and within the Tri-Valley as a whole.

• Maverick's 

4825 Hopyard Road, (925) 623-5922, www.maverickspleasanton.com

Maverick’s, at Hacienda, is open on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday nights. On Tuesdays it is open between 6 and 11 pm, with country dance lessons between 6:30 and 8:30 pm. The venue is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 pm to 1:30 am, with dance lessons between 7:30 and 8:30 pm. The country-themed spot offers line dancing to live music to adults aged 21 and over. It has a well-developed food and snack menu as well as many beverages on offer. The space, which features a mechanical bull, is also available to rent for private parties.

• The Draft Sports Club and Grill

4825 Hopyard Road, (925) 623-5833, www.thedraftpleasanton.com

This sports bar in Pleasanton for those aged 21 and over hosts trivia nights on Wednesday and Thursdays. On Friday and Saturday nights, the venue offers Karaoke between 9 and 11 pm. At 11 pm, it opens the dance floor for dancing to new and old favorite tunes. In addition to a full menu, it also serves breakfast all day.

• Sunshine Saloon

1807 Santa Rita Road, (925) 846-6108, https://www.sunshinesaloon.com

This full-service restaurant and brewery in downtown Pleasanton offers five or more house brews plus a dozen rotating guest taps. Pleasanton's only brew pub is open for dinner daily and serves lunch Tuesdays through Sundays. Friday and Saturday nights feature live music starting at 8 pm. The music lineup features rock, blues, rhythm and blues, soul, jazz, and more. 

• Tommy T's Comedy Club

5104 Hopyard Road, (925) 227-1800, tommyts.com

Pleasanton’s Tommy T's offers a range of beverages, snacks, and entrees served up with a side of laughs for patrons aged 17 and older. Most shows are an average of 1 hour and 45 minutes. There are often two shows per evening. Some shows have a minimum purchase of two items from the menu. Check the website for upcoming performances and special events.

Cultural Venues

The Tri-Valley is spoiled for choice when it comes to individual cultural venues that host concerts, plays, and other forms of entertainment. Some of the many examples are listed below.

• Bankhead Theater

2400 First Street, (925) 373-6800 www.livermorearts.org

Part of Livermore Valley Arts, the Bankhead Theater is the 507-seat home of many performing arts nonprofits, including Del Valle Fine Arts, Livermore Valley Opera, Livermore-Amador Symphony, Valley Dance Theater, Pacific Chamber Symphony, and the Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre. The Livermore Valley Performing Arts Council uses the facility to present events and performers from around the Bay Area and the globe. It is also home to the Livermore Valley Film Festival.

• Firehouse Arts Center

4444 Railroad Avenue, (925) 931-4848,wwww.firehousearts.org

Pleasanton’s Firehouse Arts Center hosts great performances in music, theater, comedy, poetry, film, and much more. The 20,000-square-foot cultural arts center, which was built in part from the city's 1929 main firehouse, features a 221-seat theater, the 2,000-square-foot Harrington Gallery fine arts showcase, an 1,800-square-foot classroom, and a beautiful, hourglass-shaped lobby.

• Amador Theater

1155 Santa Rita Road, (925) 931-5361, www.firehousearts.org/locations/amador-theater

Owned and operated by the City of Pleasanton, the Amador Theater served as the area's principal performing arts facility for over 60 years. With the opening of the Firehouse Arts Center, the program at this 591-seat theater has been scaled back and is now used primarily by the adjacent Amador Valley High School. It is available to rent for private events.

• Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center

10550 Albion Road, (925) 973-3343, www.sanramon.ca.gov/cms/One.aspx?portalId=10826130&pageId=17699626

San Ramon Performing Arts is home to community groups such as the San Ramon Symphonic Band, San Ramon Community Chorus, Bay Area Children's Theatre, and many others. The city and its partners offer many visual and performing arts programs, classes, events, and exhibits. Performances often take place at the 600-seat Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center on the Dougherty Valley High School Campus.

Film

The Tri-Valley has a historical connection to the movie industry. Niles Canyon was the setting for several films produced in the early twentieth century. The region offers ample opportunities to enjoy modern films as well as independent and older movies at a variety of venues, including the ones below.

• Livermore Cinema

2490 First Street, (925) 443-7403, www.cinemawest.com/locations/livermore-13-cinema

With all-digital movie projection and sound, this Livermore movie house is part of the Cinema West chain and offers many state-of-the-art features. They include luxury seats and electric recliners as well as beer, wine, and cocktails. The cinema features classic films on Sundays and Wednesdays. The venue can also be hired for a private movie screening, group events, and more.

• Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum

37417 Niles Boulevard, (510) 494-1411, nilesfilmmuseum.org

While not strictly a Tri-Valley institution, this nearby museum is a must-see shrine for lovers of film. Since 1979, Chaplin Days has been celebrated annually in the historic district of Niles, now part of Fremont. The museum's origin "goes back to 1915, when Charlie Chaplin came to town to work for the Essanay Film Company," according to officials. Weekend film showings are held in the museum's 100-seat 1913 nickelodeon-era theater. 

• Regal Hacienda Crossings

5000 Dublin Boulevard, (925) 560-0900, www.regmovies.com/theatres/regal-hacienda-crossings-0347

Patrons of this Dublin movie house can enjoy regular films or a supersized IMAX experience. Other screens show first-run films, and all theaters offer digital projection and sound and stadium seating. Reserved seats as well as mobile and print-at-home tickets are available. The theater is wheelchair accessible, and has a cafe and game room.

• The Lot

6000 Bollinger Canyon Road, Suite 2300; (925) 664-0069, www.thelotent.com/movie-theater/citycenter

This movie theater in San Ramon includes a restaurant. Food and beverages can be enjoyed in its dining room, on its patio, or in the theater during a movie. Wine, beer, and cocktails are among the available beverages. In addition to films, The Lot has hosted DJ Night every Friday during May this year. On May 31, between 7 pm and midnight, patrons aged 21 and over can enjoy dancing during Latin DJ night. Valid ID is required to attend.

• Vine Cinema & Alehouse

1722 First Street, (925) 447-2546, www.vinecinema.com

This Livermore movie theater offers an assortment of first-run and classic films as well as craft beer on tap, local wines, and food. Orders can be delivered to your table or couch inside the theater. This year Vine will be hosting free summer movies every Tuesday at 10 am starting June 11, and Classics nights on select Thursday Nights.

Wineries

The Livermore Valley has been gifted with the perfect conditions for a variety of amazing wines. In turn, a bounty of vineyards have developed. Many of them feature entertainment as well as wine.

• Livermore Valley Wine Community

3585 Greenville Road, Suite 4; (925) 447-9463, www.lvwine.org

With over 40 member wineries, the Livermore Valley Wine Community is the best place to start for finding a tremendous selection of entertainment options hosted by local wineries. The options often include themed wine tastings, special music performances, cooking classes, and sometimes more unusual entertainments such as yoga classes. Please check the group's website for a calendar of upcoming events.

Given all of the choices, Tri-Valley residents and visitors will never be bored. The opportunities for entertainment are nearly unlimited, which means the greatest challenge may be finding time to enjoy all the many experiences on offer.

Photo by Muhammed Nishal on Unsplash