Red Rock Coffee is the social hub of Castro Street — a roomy, slightly worn café that has been the place to nurse a laptop or a conversation for more years than most local businesses have survived. It serves decent espresso drinks and usually has live music several nights a week, which makes it unusual for a coffee shop and popular with people who want a relaxed evening out without committing to a full bar.
The vibe is genuinely inclusive in a way that a lot of Silicon Valley establishments are not — engineers, artists, students, and retirees all seem equally comfortable here. The wine and beer selection is simple but adequate. It's open late, which in Mountain View is relative — midnight on most nights.