The 50 best places to go out in Oakland

dive bar vibes. not a bad thing but atmosphere was definitely different from shiru next door which is more my speed so i felt a bit out of place. i wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible. because it was a bit overstimulating. the grapefruit drink was good (and pulpy). $10 drink in n out wasn’t bad but i could have skipped it. i see the appeal but it just wasn’t for me.

Spent my 42nd birthday here by my self. The atmosphere is amazing. The walls are covered from floor to ceiling in knick knacks that will keep your eyes searching the walls for a long time. The Bartender (Shy) was AMAZING. Kind, sweet and patient. Thanks for a fun birthday!

I came here for the ambiance. This place sure is eclectic! Some of the other bars in the area feel... well... sterile. But then again, they aren't art bars. I came on a Friday night, and it was quite busy. I kinda wish I came here more, but duty calls (by that, I mean work .😮‍💨) I don't think they offer food here.

Believe the hype! This place is amazing. We had to try a few different types of greyhounds, but I think the classic is the best. This place is just a great, old school bar. I wish they had food but I guess they're just focusing on the one thing they do best: greyhounds!

Definitely my favorite Oakland bar. It has a divey look and feel which I prefer. There's a wide variety of people; it's hard to feel over dressed or under dressed. Went with my wife after a wedding dinner and although it was a bit too hot inside to wear my jacket, felt totally comfortable. Perhaps it was also the live jazz band and awesome greyhounds.

What can I say about Van Kleef!!! Loves! The best greyhounds in town! They give you the biggest piece of grapefruit on the glass This place is so cool. The walls are covered in all kinds of funny art from top to bottom. We also love Dave the security guy at the door. This is always the spot to take friends visiting from out of town they love it.

One of the first to root in uptown and one of the few still standing during this pandemic. Classic. Known for their greyhounds. Now with outdoor seating. Can phone in a food order from the (filipino?) restaurant across the street to be delivered to your table to go along with your greyhound.

Go through time and drink at this historic place right next to Jack London's cabin. Tbh it's tiny inside so you will likely be outside like us. However the inside feels like a ship with the slant. You'll love the shack with brewskees. It's pretty good. I would say 7.5/10

This place is a trip. Super old the floor is purposely not level. The bartender will check everybody’s ID for some reason. $8 a beer. Not a lot of seating inside. It’s a small place probably smaller than 20‘ x 20‘. Most people will sit outside. Good choice of craft beers. Dogs not allowed inside only on the patio. I would say you really only want to go to this place if the weather is nice outside

The mystery surrounding this place adds to its appeal. The dress code is enforced so read up on that prior to attending. Service was ok, and the four course dinner allows you some options. Food was good, not what I expected. Worth a visit for sure, some people are hooked. Personally glad I came and we overall had a good time. ALSO LOTS of tough guys here as it is a biker bar.

TIME CAPSULE IN THE BAY AREA! If you’re a history geek who also loves beer, you cannot skip this! I went to Oakland just for Heinold’s First and Last Chance Saloon, and it was epic! It felt like I was in a time capsule! The place is pure history!!! The floor is slanted due to the 1906 earthquake and they kept it that way. And the walls and tables felt like they’ve absorbed over a century of stories. There’s also a WWI helmet in the ceiling. Wait!! Did I say this saloon was open since 1883? The place was small but I love history and time capsules! So amazing! And!! I had a blast just chatting with the guys serving beer. They’re more than bartenders. They were storytellers. I kept asking them about the history and all the quirky details inside, and then one of them actually lit up the original gas lamp. Yes, gas lamp!! One of only two left in all of California. How cool is that!!! In that moment, I swear it felt like I’d been transported back in time. Touching the old tables felt like touching the past itself. They don’t serve food here, just drinks, but that’s what keeps the focus on the experience. It’s not just a bar. It’s a living piece of California history.

A really cool piece of history. They have a large patio outside which seemed dog friendly. The inside is really funky and historic. The bartender checks ALL IDs, which made a bunch of people in our group feel young haha. A good selection of beers, looks like they do some whiskey too but didn't explore that option. Watch your step when you go inside!

OMG! What a unique place! You just have to see it for yourself! The floor is slanted from the 1908 earthquake! The walls are full of memorabilia. Anyone who likes history will love this place. Plan to stop for drinks. There are several restaurants within walking distance. You can walk along the pier, looking at yachts and shipping boats. A great tavern at a relaxing spot by the water. This place is tiny- try to go at a non-peak time of the day. I do not think they have food available. Maybe some chips is all.

Do not miss the opportunity to experience the history in a lovely setting! We took the ferry from SF and it was just a short walk in Jack London Square to reach our destination. We appreciated being about to bring in food to enjoy with our drinks! Do not miss the one!

This. Place. Is. Dope! I always give respect to a bar that has St. Germain infused drinks on their menu.! The bocce ball space, the lighting, the vault, all super cute! Hella tasty empanadas, double bonus points because they had turkey bacon inside! ONLY reason they get four stars it's because my homie Dan said they had an amazing oxtail sandwich on the menu and it was gone so I couldn't try it. Please consider bringing it back? Highly recommend this spot in Downtown, NOT uptown, Oakland! 🔥💥✨💫

What a great stop off after a long day. We had some drinks and food. It was unclear that we had to stand and go to the bar to be served, verses sitting at the table. Place was old but clean. If I am in that area again, I would stop in!

Cool vibe, diverse crowd, good craft beer and cocktail options, DJ area, plus Indoor bocce ball !! We didn't eat food, just came for drinks and bocce.

I came here for a Warriors game and enjoyed myself. We were able to get a much-coveted table and a view of the large projection screen. The cocktails albeit pricey were excellent. I enjoyed the "Buffala Negra" and popcorn and the chicken sandwich. I look forward to coming back.

A few of my friends and I visited this bar after an event up the street. Honestly, I'm surprised I've never really been inside of here. Since this is the location that one of my teachers constantly frequented. It was very interesting to finally be able to go inside after seeing him there so many times. All in all the bar is really nice, and the service is pretty good. There's also a cute little gaming station in the back, though I don't know what the heck the game is.

Fun atmosphere and a cool vibe, enjoyed the artwork on the walls but the cocktails were absolutely horrible. My margarita was 90% simple syrup, just plan bad… Will get beer next time!

Fancy cocktails and cheap beer. They have 2 bocce courts inside. It's almost always busy and can get loud.

Such a great place for casual trivia and a beer with friends. Went on a Tuesday night and was surprised with how busy it was — tons of good energy paired with an expansive outdoor patio (don’t forget your jacket though, it got cold!) made for a great evening. I’d give it five stars, but the chips and salsa were a bit disappointing — the salsa came in a little paper sample cup, which was hilariously small for a side meant to serve 4. Otherwise, things were great — especially the expansive beer and cider menu. We also ordered the nachos, and they were well received by everyone. One last thing to know — the place cleared out immediately after trivia was over, so expect to pack up and head out by 9:30pm.

No parking but very cool, casual vibe. Nice mix of professional people. Happy Hour prices and offerings are fabulously priced and taste great. Trivia is FUN.

The music is always good, the drinks and different types of beer liven things up, but the truly incredible thing is the Cuban salsa parties on the second and third Sundays of each month. If you want a friendly atmosphere, flavor, and joy in these times of fascism and fear, Mad Oak Bar 'N' Yard is the place.

I used to go this bar pre-pandemic when I worked in Oakland. The place was heaving especially on a sunny day. My most recent trip was at 2PM on a Wednesday. It is pretty close to the Oakland Museum. It has a large outdoor area including another level. We got carded and our IDs put through some machine to validate authenticity. We ordered a mango slushie with tequila which was perfect for the hot day. Great place for big groups. I didn’t try the food this time. Last time, Lumpia company had a pop up. They also used to have decent bar food.

Came in on a Monday when there wasn't any food service (for now). The bartender made tasty margaritas and was very welcoming + friendly! We'll be back :)

Love mad oak! Just wish they had some more vegan options. The shroom burger is alright but a Beyond Burger would be better. Some black bean tacos or something would be nice. There’s not much to eat here if you don’t eat animals.

Cool ambiance to sit and visit with friends and the awning rolls out at night (shown before & after). * Be advised, dogs ARE allowed, kids are NOT allowed, and as of 2/26/22 vaccine cards are required. Don't come FOR the food though -- tiny portions so low value to us for the price point. Mole Croquettes had good flavor, but only 3 small ones. Pork tacos also very good/flavorful, but 3 small tacos. Left to get food elsewhere...

Excellent experience here for the Alex G concert on the 23rd, was my daughter's first ever concert, and one of her favorite artists, so we had ti do it. And what an amazing experience it was.. I recommend grabbing any show you'd like to see here when and if available, truly a beautiful venue and on point staff and security. Huge thumbs up 👍

This is such a beautiful theater, I would definitely love to come back and watch another concert. We came to watch Durand Jones and The Indications on 10/7/25. It was a great concert. I absolutely adore all the details on the ceiling inside. They have some really cool phone booths that we just had to take a picture inside of. Seating is a bit tight, especially if you’re a taller person. Nonetheless, this is a great theater. 10/10.

We just saw Gigi Perez her. She was fantastic, but this is about the venue. A very cool interior. General admin down below. Lots of good vision lines. Parking was relatively easy to access.

I really enjoyed this venue. The inside and outside are just stunning. The high ceilings and ornate decorations and architecture truly make any visit special. The sound in the room is fantastic, and the lower level provides an excellent space to dance. There are plenty of bars to get drinks, a kitchen for those who arrive early, and a bathroom with more than enough urinals (not sure if I want to go back to back but that's what's possible in this bathroom 😂). The drinks are reasonably priced for the US (after going to concerts in Europe I will forever hold a grudge). I would definitely make the schlep out here again. I highly recommend taking advantage of BART to get here! It's across the street and incredibly convenient.

Had a great experience at Fox theater earlier this month. Found out about the Telegraph Room upgrade and highly recommend it for anyone attending a show at the Fox. It's an add-on to the show ticket but lets you bypass the line, and gives you access to a private cocktail lounge with bathrooms. There was even vegetarian Thai food the evening I went! Thanks to Katie for being such an awesome hostess. You made each of us feel special. Miguel delftly managed the coat check while the mixologists poured unique cocktails including one called Dancing on my Own which I enjoyed! From the Telegraph Room I had access to a private and spacious area right by the sound booth with excellent views and places to sit and enjoy the cocktails and live music.

Came here to see Durand Jones & The Indications perform last night. What a GEM! This venue is in pristine condition. Very clean. Great staff. Seating in lodge area was very comfy, lots of leg room. The acoustics were top notch. Very nice venue to witness such a great concert. BRAVO 👏🏽 Keep up the good work Oakland! 🙌🏽

One of my absolutely favorite places to watch a live performance. I love that with general admission you can get right down in the front row if you get there early enough. My first experience and probably favorite all of time was watching Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats in 2018. We have been back many times since then.

Great place with two bars, tons of inside places to sit and an outside patio with ferry lights. Good service and great beer with few bites to eat. Would have preferred better options - solid mixed cheese and charcuterie platter seemed the way to go although tad expensive for my taste. We settled on IPA and Russian River Redemption accompanied by hummus plate and the mozzarella cheddar grilled sandwich although what I really wanted was the Ruben sandwich. Have to come back in the fall for that ;). Ah, of course, don't miss their Saturday brunch scene with grilled burgers on the patio. Woohoo!!!

If you are a beer enthusiast or no nothing about beer but need the best place to hangout outdoors, then look no further cause The Trappist is the best. The service has always been on point and friendliest. No snobbery here for the quality they provide. Due to covid they also have food around. Love this spot. Cheers!

First time there and had to come back because it was too crowded to get in. Glad I did. Amazing beer selection. Fast friendly service. Reasonable prices. The food was pretty good as well. I will be back.

(For the front bar) Great beer selection, but mostly domestics. Minus a star because I was expecting more Belgian styles. "The Trappist" seems to be literal - the only Trappist beer on the list was St. Bernardus ABT 12. Friendly staff. Limited seating. Cozy place.

Loved the little bar atmosphere of this place! So many local beers from the Bay Area and beyond. Bartenders and patrons were nice and friendly. If you like stouts, go now, as they stock up in the winter time. Apparently the bar owners bought the shop next door and have/ are incorporating it into their space.

Great bar with a European look and quite a few Belgium beers on tap, along mostly Californian beers and a few interstate. They have a good selection of sour beers, which I liked. The barmaid was super friendly too. I definitely recommend going here.

Amazing little spot if you love your Belgian brews! A good selection of local beers in the same style on draft, and a delightful selection of bottled European delights stashed away in the fridge. Food (on a prior visit a while back) was very comfortable - but ignore those photos that show kitchen open till 11pm, as I've never seen the kitchen open past 9ish - call to confirm if you want more than "crisps".

Because it's not Penrose! The Iconic Piano Bar with pianists Bryan Seet and Jef Labes took over the music scene almost 10 years ago from Rod Dibble and have continued the tradition of accompaning singing around the piano. Each week people from near and far come to test out their voices along with the regular singers of the place. The Alley is know for its steaks, fried chicken and enormous burgers, great fries, in fact all the portions are very hearty. People come for the music, food and Alley Family!

I went last night with a couple of friends for Tuesday trivia night. My intention was not to eat; mostly I wanted to see my friends and ordered a dish largely to be respectful. So I chose the grilled cheese and marinara sauce. What I got defied belief. See picture. The sandwich was definitely not grilled, as it was a roll. And the cheese was clearly not melted, as the picture shows. Should I have sent it back? Absolutely! It was inedible. However, it was trivia night, the place was busy, and I was too chicken to flag the waiter. But then today, my friend showed me a picture of a *scrumptious* looking grilled cheese from Google reviews, presumably from the same place, and I decided I could not remain silent! Don't make the same mistake I did! Order something else (my friend says her chicken dish was spot on, so I would suggest that). Oh, and you better bring a good team if you're going on trivia night. We thought we were doing OK but finished in a tie for last place.

It's a small cozy local (full) bar and restaurant. Live piano on Friday and Saturday nights. Food is delicious authentic American cuisine. Service is quick and responsive. Accept credit cards. Has a long bar seating with big screens (could be a good option for sport bar). Has indoor seating with tables and booths. Decoration is classic saloon type bar. Since more weight goes to bar side than restaurant and small seatings, not good for kids. Great for casual drinking, small gathering or meet up. Will go back for burgers, fried chicken and drinks for sure!

My friends and I greatly enjoyed coming and listening to the phenomenal lineup of regulars do karaoke. Our bartender was lovely and the drinks were up to expectations. Our only complaint is that the man running the food was incredibly rude to my one friend specifically on multiple occasions to the point where we almost left. She tried to order food and he sent her back to the table, then reprimanded us for clearing a table to sit when it was the only one that would accommodate our large group: “I just don’t know what restaurant you’ve ever been at where you think it’s okay to move to a table that hasn’t been cleared yet”???? This is a dive bar. Sorry we moved empty cups of ice and a receipt over so we could sit down. My one friend who he kept specifically picking on had to go outside at one point to collect herself and he followed her out there and once again was rude saying she was being immature and having a nervous breakdown. It was honestly just super bizarre and off putting to us and he had a strange vibe the whole night we were there. Everyone else was a doll to us though and music was phenomenal so still recommend, but our visit definitely impacted by the way we were treated.

Well I wasn't going to do a review of this place on Google but since several of the staff were so rude and hostile to me I am now compelled to do so. If you like waiting an hour to sing only to have your song ruined by people hitting the piano and talking loud over your song I guess this is your kind of place. The older piano player refuses to control the disruptive conduct and even allowed one creep to call me a racist just because I asked him not to hit the top of the table. He also allowed his personal friends to play shakers over my song even when I said the song has no Latin percussion in it. I do Latin songs as well but I don't want Latin percussion in older 1930's fox trot music mainly because it ruins the authentic style and feel of the music. I asked two different band leaders what they would do if someone wanted to play a shaker over every song that wasn't a ballad and one guy said he would just walk over and take the shaker out of their hand. He added that playing a shaker on almost any song is about like playing a cow bell on every song. The other guy who leads a band called "The Best Intentions" said he would not allow a shaker to be used in almost every song either and he said it was quite rude for them to play shakers on my song if I asked them not to. Allowing people to freely hit the table with ring fingers, bottles, shakers, or their hand is clearly disruptive and the only reason these people have not figured this out is that they don't bother to listen objectively to a recording of what it sounded like. For example hitting the table top creates a low frequency tone due to the fact that the piano is a large instrument. When someone hits the table top it transfers into the piano and creates a tone like a low quality bass drum. The annoying tone created by the disruptive persons is about like someone taping on the top of one of the microphones. The knocking tone is predominant when making a recording and it can not be edited out. The irritating low knocking tone can easily be heard live as well. The other piano player Bryan did not have a problem asking people not to hit the table and yet the older piano player Jef claimed it was not practical to ask them to stop. This is quite a contradiction in my opinion. Duplicating my hi hat part with a shaker essentially made my $350.00 Zidjian dollar hi hat cymbals sound more like cheap plastic shakers particularly since the shakers were being played over the table instead of under it and covered over my hi hat part in the mix. I pointed out that if the shakers were played underneath the piano instead of over the top they would not be too forward in the mix however they refused to comply because they were more interested in being seen playing them than getting the mix of the music correct. In other words they refused to compromise in any way. An Asian waiter decided to illegally retaliate against me for allegedly making a "negative review about them on Google reviews". He then threatened to physically remove me from the bar unless I immediately purchased a drink and falsely claimed I had never purchased a drink their before. This was a crazy demand since I was normally given a drink of tonic water for free since I was playing the drums there for free. The Asian waiter even had the gall to say he would remove me from the bar if I even so much as continued to speak. To my surprise the waiter was not immediately fired for his illegal conduct and the management offered no apology. The manager instead said she would reprimand the waiter for giving me a free drink even though the other singers and people at the restaurant clearly appreciated me playing the drums there. I found this too be amazingly cheap and petty particularly since it was only tonic water. Perhaps these people want others to believe professional quality experienced drummers are not musicians? To sum it up If you want a good piano bar go to Martuni's in San Francisco.

**CASH ONLY BAR** Grabbed a beer after work. Full of regulars. Definitely extremely dive-y crowd. But the ones I spoke to were friendly. Love the interior of this place. Supposed to simulate being outdoors. Sort of reminds me of being on a TV Set. Would return for the ambience. The piano also gave a mellow-type atmosphere on the night I went. Lots of 60s/70s jams in the air.

The Alley! Definitely an interesting place - quite the decor with the business cards attached to the walls. Kind of dirty divey type place. Didn't enjoy that part when I visited the restrooms...Cash only so be prepared in advance. Service was good overall. Place was kind of empty. Enjoyed the old songs played live around the piano and sang by different people seating around it. I thought that was the best thing about this place. Drinks were just ok. They don't really do too many cocktails so old school type. Food menu is typical bar food menu at solid prices. We ordered the fried onion rings which were quite oily and heavy before sharing the alley fried chicken. Food was just decent, let's leave it at that. I didn't really enjoy myself since the hygiene was ok, food was ok and drinks were ok. But definitely an interesting dive bar for those who like that type of scene.

Pretty chill at happy hour but gets busy at night. Great place for dancing and hip hop music. They usually have a DJ. Feels like a lounge before it gets late. There are a few TVs if you're trying to watch the game. The drinks are good and there is a reasonable happy hour. The food menu is small and typically sells out fast. There is free spicy popcorn!

This place hands down they are the best positive atmosphere, The two family members are one of the best owners that I have known definitely a place to come any day of the week and enjoy your moment have a nice drink or bring a date to make sure your night going to end up the way you want to

One of the best places to meet new people and have fun. The drinks are Amazing and so are the Bartenders. Great atmosphere, you are guaranteed a night of fun when you show up.

Fun atmosphere. Attentive bar staff. Yummy empanadas. What's not to like? 5 stars.

This place was great until a girl was getting escorted out and stopped to tell her friend she was getting thrown out when the bouncer hit her in the face. Kinda kills the mood 🤷‍♂️ definitely not the safest place for women. (To owner:night of July 22, but happend early morning July 23rd.)

Chill vibe from 4pm to 9 pm then gets lively when the deejay starts up with the Hip Hop after 9 pm

It's OK not great. It's an updated version of churchwards in Alameda. Very small.... Know that the minute you walk inside you'll be shoulder to shoulder rubbing against people. As far as people always more guys than girls, hipster environment and the few times that I have been here there's usually more blacks than others. Music is mostly hip hop... 80% no other variations what so ever so you know what types of crowds that attracts. Dressing is business casual... That's was nice and 10 dollar cover. Drinks are fairly priced... So overall it's just an OK place.

The atmosphere as amazing! I walked in late at night the vibe was good. The rooftop was closed for a private party. Staffing seemed limited as there was no host for a little bit and took awhile for my server to come to the table. Once he came he was amazing. I couldn’t decide on just one thing so I ordered Mac and cheese with shrimp and the catfish/red beans and rice. The Mac and cheese was full of flavor and delicious. The help on top was so good. The catfish plate was a great portion but was not a fan of the lack of flavoring on the catfish. The red beans and rice definitely had a kick.

The food was incredibly hit or miss for me. Loved the street tacos, but the burger was a little tough and the fries very meh. The plantains were good, but the amount of sauce you get didn’t meet the requirements for the amount of plantains you get. I got the Henny Espresso drink which was pretty solid, but was not impressed overall by the cocktail offerings.

The bartender was sooo sweet and made me a drink just off the dome. I asked for Tequila and something citrus/fruity. I love a random creation and she kept the waters flowing behind every drink 🫶🏽

This place us great. We made reservations for a table and it was a good thing cause it was packed. The purple drink was very delicious as was the catfish and red beans & rice. The upstairs patio was beautiful and added to the vibe. The music was great and we really enjoyed ourselves. There was a parking lot right across from the bar.

Made reservations for this place, we arrived early and they said they weren't ready which is fine, the time for the reservation came and they still weren't ready, we waited 30min plus on top of that. Poorly handled! No apologies, just here your seats! Extremely crowded which is expected at a bar but the layout of the tables just made it even worse. Food was appalling! The buns on the burgers tasted like they were 7days old, dry and just heated so it can be "crispy". The plantains was a just a blob of sticky goo. The fries were so dry they resembled toothpicks. The chicken wings was also dry can even describe the disappointment, how can a place mess up something as simple as fries and chicken wings??? The only thing decent was the drinks, was pretty strong. Service was acceptable, it was so busy and packed, the servers did what they can. Toilets was kept decently clean but of course to get there through the unwilling to move crowd was another issue. Parking is hard to find which is expected but the double parking just outside was ridiculous. Once again understand it's a bar but the music was overly loud and very limited food choices. They also slapping some credit card fee on the bill??? Not coming back here. So disappointing. Wasted hundreds of dollars here.

Nice spot for a night out, after work drinks or dinner. The food & service was good (our server, I think her name was B from France was super nice). Definitely make reservations if you don't want to wait or they run out of space. If does get pretty full. They also have a rooftop but it does get pretty cold. Check it out

I have been to this restaurant a few times and each time we are very satisfied with our experience. The ambience and the vibe are always very nice and I love the fact that they have a DJ that keeps the music spinning. It definitely is busy in the evening so service may be a little slower than what is expected. I usually have catfish which is pretty good. I decided to try the mac and cheese annnnd let’s just say the presentation is the best thing. It was creamy and hot, temperature wise, but the seasoning was definitely not there. The only seasoning that you could taste was garlic so that definitely needs adjustment (unless they happen to have had a back up chef that night who may not be familiar with how to prepare this dish). The rooftop is also very nice and it’s definitely great that they have heaters because it definitely can be very cool later in the evening and at night. Either way, seating inside on the ground level or on the rooftop level is a win win because you definitely can still hear the music and enjoy the scenery. The prices are very reasonable but for those who are unaware, if you bring your own cake from outside they will charge you a $15 cake cutting fee. All in all, I would definitely recommend this restaurant because ambience is a key factor along with the food and service. There is plenty of street parking which is free of charge usually after 6 PM.

All I can say is just wow. The vibe of the place was amazing and each dish was out of this world. Honestly up there as one of my top dining experiences of my life. My friend and I did the dinner party for $80 each where we were brought 4 appetizers, 2 main courses, and 1 dessert and every single dish was delicious. I can’t pick a favorite they were all so tasty. An absolute must try if you’re in the bay

Went for our anniversary and had such a lovely meal! They kindly brought us some sparkling wine to celebrate. Such a nice touch. Very pretty atmosphere. We got four apps, two entrees, and a dessert and loved everything. Decided not to do the dinner party because we wanted to choose everything and we were happy with our decision! Our favorite was the ribeye, deviled eggs, and salad. The gnocchi was good but overcrowded with other ingredients which felt distracting from the pasta so probably wouldn’t get again. Also we are picky about our fries but they were done perfectly!!!

I'm a regular at this Michelin-starred restaurant and have always enjoyed my visits. The food is exceptional, and I've consistently been impressed. However, my most recent experience was marred by inconsistent service. Our initial server was great, but when another server took over, things went downhill. He rushed us, clearing our table without checking if we were finished, and didn't offer us another drink(10pm), despite it being well before closing time(11pm). When we asked if they were in a rush to finish their shift, it seemed to confirm our suspicions. As someone who frequents this restaurant and genuinely loves it, it was particularly disappointing to see such a letdown in service. Hopefully, they can work on maintaining their usual high standards.

This is one of my favorite dining experiences in Oakland! Every single course is excellent there. 10/10 ambiance, great live music.

We live locally and walk by this place all the time, so finally decided to come in! We had 7:15pm reservations on a Thursday, but had to wait about 15 minutes as the tables before us were not done yet. A couple with 7pm reservations arrived after us and were seated immediately, so maybe arriving late is the way to go. Once inside, we ordered two of their cocktail of the week - love that they have that, and it was pleasant. We also opted for the $80 set menu-type thing - it has a cute name but I can't remember what it was. This was a great choice - it was really good value when you look at the other prices, and the food was overall solid. The best things were definitely the local melon salad, the croquettes, the pickled vegetables, and the apple cake dessert. The two main courses were pretty "meh", sadly, hence knocking a point off. The waiter did say that you can tell them you don't want tofu in the fixed price menu, which is a great tip that we'll remember for next time. Overall, we'd return! We also had 2 glasses of wine each, for a grand total of 275 before tip.

Food: food was fantastic we ordered the salad with strawberries, the chicken liver mousse, the chicken and grits and the sole. The chicken liver mousse was delightful and so rich, you HAVE to try it with the full combo of strawberries and the bread it is so well balanced. Our favorites were the chicken and grits (the mushrooms are such a great addition to the dish) and the sole, it has such a different asian flavor profile. We both wished the dishes had a bit of spice (perhaps a sort of sauce on the side, we think it would help cut the richness) but overall fantastic food. Come with an empty stomach, portions are good and food is rich. Service: our waitress was fast and very kind, she had great recommendations Atmosphere: the place is well lit, bathrooms are clean, decor didn’t have a clear line that we could follow that could perhaps be tied to the style of cuisine or menu but we enjoyed the experience Would 100% recommend and come back for a special occasion

Perfect spot for a dinner party. The more friends you bring, the better it gets since everything is made for sharing. Cocktails were on point, and that’s coming from someone who doesn’t usually drink. The staff couldn’t have been more welcoming and attentive. Huge shoutout to Joseph and the team—you really made our 19th anniversary feel extra special.

First time here came alone was welcomed by locals and all attendees karaoke was fire drinks were reasonable 5$-7$ dollar shots there were games like dominoes available it’s always nice to have other things to do rather than just drink.

My first time here and I had a Ball ! Great Bartender (Elana).I even ditched my old friends and made new friends (Greg). Came back on Saturday for more 😁. I enjoyed myself and you will to from karaoke to Live bands. The love of music is in the air. Enjoy tunes 😉

Food is set up outside around 9 p.m. Inside you can grab a bag of chips to hold you. The drinks are good and priced less than the Laurel Lounge. I was there on a Friday night and had lots of fun listening to the karaoke singers.

I've been coming to this neighborhood bar for a decade. I frequent it about 2-3 times a week. I love the food from the pop up vendor as well as the drinks (very nice pours) and service from the bar staff. This place reminds me of the the tv show Cheers, where everybody knows your name. If you are a newbie, you will become like family in a short time. The owners Stephanie and Adam are gems. 3411 is my #1 go to place for karaoke. It's so much fun to sing and dance and get encouragement!

Came for the "open mic" but found it was more of a semi open mic. They want to feature the same people not new individuals and they seem to want to focus on originals instead of what people typically expect at a blues open mic. Musically speaking I noticed a surprising lack of people singing and instead it was just the same two people singing over and over again. In fact there wasn't even backing vocals. The main problem is they shut it down at 10:30 pm which seems more like when they should be just getting started. I will look elsewhere for a true open mic. No real problem with the service.

Among my top local dive bars that is also great place for dancing. DJs most nights, great people, comfortable environment, great neighborhood, awesome happy hour, food available most nights as well.

I’ve been going to 3411 off and on over the years for close to a decade..! I’ve introduced so many ppl to this bar that didn’t even know about it initially and they have revisited it multiple times with me and even on their own.. Steph (the owner) is amazing..! Very personable and gets to know her regulars and what they like..! She knows how to make really good & strong drinks as well as her bar staff..! She even allows me to have an arts and crafts event every 2nd Friday from 7p-9p called Drunk Designs..! Come to Lounge 3411 any day and even during Drunk Designs.. You won’t be disappointed.. There’s evenings/nights with live music, karaoke, open mic, and even RJ’s Catering is present for all good purchasing needs..! CHEERS..!

Kona Club to close out our Friday night, and I'll tell you what this should have been a Speakeasy Tiki Bar because walking up I thought I was being memed on. Greeted by Amazingly friendly door men, and other patrons. Alas the doors open and you are instantly immersed in a paradise of awesome music, (which should have been karaoke by the amount of engagement it was receiving with singing and dancing, song after classic song) not enough Smash Mouth in my humble opinion, haha. But it definitely didn't disappoint. The drinks where themed correctly with some cool twists and the bartenders where on point with their recommendations and authentic presence. This place was made for making friends. So come have some fun, I guarantee you will not be disappointed. And if you are then you definitely shouldn't be here. Haha. Other noteworthy things, A pool table in its own game area, a complete other chill area on the other side of the wall from the bar with huge connect four / forever. This place was awesome. Thanks for the fun new friends.

This was my favorite spot during my final year at Cal (2023). I took almost all of my friends here. I even brought my parents here for a drink on the day of my commencement. The atmosphere is most often calm, with a majority local patrons. I even felt comfortable coming here as a woman on my own because I knew the bartenders would look out for me. Special shout out to Michael who always made sure I was not only safe but also having a good time! Love the kona club <333

A fun long-standing Tiki bar with quality art and a chill out vibe. The classic cocktails like 1944 Mai Tai are excellent and reasonably priced. Don't expect exotica music. This is one of the few Tiki bars that plays alternative music and it works anyhow.

I know it's not there fault but my car was broken into while parked near there front door. They have a security guard that's sit inside the door carding everyone for ID's, I'm to 52 yrs old, but happy to get carded. To me it make more sense for him to be outside at the door, that way he could can do two jobs, ID and car jacket watcher.

Solid drinks at solid prices, however the drinks did not seem as strong as other tiki bar drinks. The interior decor was very tiki themed with old school movies playing on the TVs, there's a pool room in the back with a decent table. No food served but people were bringing outside food in They're known for the Chi Chi which to me just tastes like a milkshake, too sweet for my palate but people like them.

Awesome atmosphere and amazing service from Cameron*:) Great drinks!!! Thanks for a great time!

I honestly love this bar they have great drinks and play the most amazing obscure movies behind the bar. Great place to get to know someone as it isnt too loud

Been coming to this bar for years, glad to call it a neighborhood spot. Great place for groups, stopping in with the dog, or a book after walking the lake. Back patio and photobooth are nice features, and cash is preferred even though cards are accepted now. I've always enjoyed interacting with the folks working here, but Michael has been such a joy to chat and hang with! Always happy to see him when I walk in for a drink 🍻🦇

This place is freaking awesome, and the staff is bombastic. Great prices for a spot that’s so central in Oakland and surrounded by so much. Fantastic music, always an excellent movie playing, and general good vibe. Special shout-out to Michael who is so delightful he makes newbies to the place feel like old friends. Highly recommend! ✨🤘🏽✨

If you've ever been to Heart and Dagger, then you know it's a quintessential Oakland dive bar. No fancy frills or eccentric cocktail menus. Just decently priced booze, good music, and plenty of space for good company. The back patio is rather large and a cute little hangout spot with a gorgeous tree and some cool old signage! The only caveat is that it's a smoking patio, so if that isn't your thing, you'll just have to enjoy the inside and front. The staff gets their shit done and will definitely be nice to you as long as you're nice to them! But also, it's a dive bar: don't expect the fine dining experience and just have a good time! There are lots of yummy food options nearby that you can bring in. Sometimes, they even have a food vendor in the front, but I don't know much about the frequency. (Also, they play hella movies that range from funny to horrorifying! 🧡)

My go to chill dive in East bay. Definition of no frills, crowd is always lively, never rowdy. Servers are always friendly and super respectful.

What a great spot! Huge outdoor patio, chill vibes, and super nice service (I didn't have any food, so can't comment). 👍

NO GENDER NEUTRAL BATHROOMS!!! Otherwise 5/5. Very cool and respectful staff, awesome vibes, cheap drinks👍🏼

This is a bar. It passes the test Is it a theme bar ? Not quite Is the bartender trying to hustle you? No Are they friendly? Yes There are Is there dolls dressed like the bartenders? Yes Pinball and pool available Nice grungy vibe

Delicious drinks, the best vibes and music, and the most down-to-earth bartenders! It's my favorite bar in Oakland! The outdoor area has these beautiful trees and good speakers so you can still hear the DJ's jams😊 you HAVE to go see the Christmas decorations, so detailed and done with love!

I thought this would be a dime a dozen dive bar type spot, but thankfully I was wrong. It was pretty poppin for a Monday evening, but not enough to where it was overwhelming. The trees are fantastic, and the cocktails were actually good! We even got a nifty NA cocktail as a nightcap. I'll be coming back next time I'm in the area.

Quality drinks made by cool servers. The back patio with the large tree is a classic in Oakland. Very fun and chill bar to go to.

This place is super cool inside and out. They have it all decked out for Christmas and it’s a must see bar. The redwood trees on the back patio are a nice vibe. The drinks were also very very good! Get the marshmallow unicorn drink !

Very cute bar, it is all decorated for Christmas and has different themes. They must wrapped up the Doggpound which had drinks named after the worker's dogs. Now they are switching over to Christmas. Very large bar, went on a Sunday and it wasn't very busy, but probably more people would go on Fri/Sat.

Amazing bartender! The young black lady was great!! She made our drinks perfect and even recommended a new drink for me to try!!! They don't have all of the variety of spirits but the basics. The beer on tap was good but the golden city cider is not very strong.

The holiday takeover for December is super cute. I like that you can buy the glassware and proceeds go to charity. Try the SanTaRex!

Space gets too crowded where you're literally rubbing into each other. There is no space on the dance floor wide enough without your skin touching other people. It gets poppin though so if it's your kinda crowd, this may be a place for you.

They charge $10/person cover to get into an empty bar absolutely blasting a questionable playlist of remixed Hot 100 too loud for that number of people. Bottle service is Vegas prices for one of three plastic booths. Bar tender is standard and should find a better gig. Door person was nice/checked out when entering, but weirdly strict about how to exit.

One of those hit and miss spots . In &outs need to be outlined . How is it that I pay for a bottle and you charge me to get back in after stepping out for 5 mins

Visited around 9PM on Saturday in September. Mostly empty which was awesome cause we had convo with the bartender. They also have bottle services in the second floor. Good vibes and beautiful decors. Fancier looking compared to the rest of Oakland bars 🤣🤣🤣 would definitely come back.

Limited selection of cocktails but bartenders can make almost anything. Wished there were more bartenders when busy, long wait. Music is awsome. The theme is different every day, like Monday Motown

I finally made it to the Oakland cocktail and dance bar, Hello Stranger. After passing this bar so many times I was amazed by how large this space is. There is a VIP room in the back with it’s own bar. The loft space is fabulous you can look out on to the street from the windows up there but why would you when you have an excellent designed long bar and dance floor below. The raised DJ booth is perfect! This place really checks off all of the things I look for in a drinking establishment in 2020. I took note of the well-labeled and clear back exit in case of an emergency. I was impressed with the diverse, caring and friendly staff. The cocktails are inventive and layered with flavor. I had the “Boom Box” a shaved coconut with Four Roses bourbon ginger & lime soda conncoction. I also had the cannabis flavored “Oaksterdam” cocktail that is flavored with OG Kush terpenes. I took note of the champagne selection, the high-end Japanese Scotch and the Gin. I will definitely be returning.

They literally asked for a tip along with the cover charge. The DJ with the wonway sticker on their laptops plays some good music though.

This spot is the best bar in Oakland, Bob and Alex are legendary bartenders and the selection/options are awesome; if you're in Oakland make sure you stop by for a drink.

The beer menu on the wall is extremely dark. Add some lights or use brighter writing.

My friend and I were trying to enjoy some drinks here, but during our visit, she was physically assaulted by one of the staff members, completely unprovoked. Shockingly, the bartender broke a wine glass in my friend’s hand, causing serious injuries, with blood everywhere. This incident occurred well before 2:00 AM when my friend was simply trying to finish her drink. Management tried to justify this excessive force by saying it was “the law.” How do you enforce the law by breaking it? Using unnecessary violence is never acceptable, especially when it leads to someone being hurt. What made this situation even worse was the lack of appropriate action from management. Instead of handling the situation with care, the owner completely disregarded the seriousness of the assault, showing a total lack of accountability for what had happened. No customer should ever be treated this way, and it raises serious concerns about the safety of this establishment. My friend, and every other patron, deserves to feel safe when out enjoying themselves. Unfortunately, this bar has proven they do not prioritize the safety of their customers. Until Drexl Bar takes responsibility for this incident and implements significant changes to ensure their patrons’ safety, do yourself a huge favor and avoid this place at all costs.

Great ambience, skilled and personable bartenders, unique and tasty drinks! Definitely making a return trip on my next visit to Oakland.

Nice bartenders, but the cocktails are poorly executed, and super inconsiderate host. Not a placed I’d recommend hanging out

Decent drinks for the price. Some were a little too sweet for my liking. It tasted like I was drinking straight up sugar syrup with a hint of alcohol. Great environment to socialize with other people. Drinks did take a little longer to make. If you come a little later the bar clears out and you’ll have a space to hangout with friends.

The handsome fella with the bowling shirt treated me and my friends so well even tho we came in the last 45 minutes. He let us have our drinks and enjoy the ambiance. He specifically told is not to rush🥹. He made me want to come back just based on his energy, and the drinks were fire too!

And I really wanted to try the food... The ambience and decor look great. People looked like they were having fun. Unfortunately, my wife and I stood at the front for about 6 grueling minutes of staff passing by and not acknowledging us. We didn't want to sit at the bar. And maybe business is booming and they can be selective about the customer service they offer. Our experience was a little disappointing but yours maybe better. I do hope they can better this area of their business. -----REPLY TO OWNER 11/28/18 We were not seated. After 6 minutes of standing around making eye contact with staff behind the bar and in front (passing by) I took out my phone, snapped a pic, and we just left.

This place is one of my favorite local bars in the Lake Merritt area. It's pretty, the bartenders are friendly, and the cocktails are innovative. This place easily captivates you and makes you feel like you are exactly where you should be. Every time I go, I have a good time. Prices are average for the area.

I rushed in a while back right after they opened (I think it has been at least two years) and liked my meal but it was pretty spendy and I wasn't totally blown away. I'm a big fan of great food served in casual settings and when I finally returned recently Plum hits the perfect balance so I'm giving a full five stars. We had seats at the counter and got a great show as they carefully prepared all the dishes. Herbs torn and placed just so by yes, hip kitchen staff who look pretty cool doing it. I had house made ricotta in ravioli in a fresh tomato sauce, joined a little unexpectedly by little chunks of fried okra... and you know what? It totally works. Delicious. The chicken was great as well, I'm so glad chicken is getting treated well in restaurants again after so many years as a throw away dish. My dining companion and I sipped our way through most of their barrel aged cocktails (passed through a window by the bartenders at Plum Bar next door) and could not resist indulging in two desserts. It was an exciting meal so when the check came it felt worth every penny. Well done! Random notes: street parking was quite easy on an early Sunday evening and we saw many of the other restaurant guests at the concert at the Fox we were on our way to after.

Awesome place, super friendly staff, and the drinks are exceptional. They make several cocktails barrel-aged in-house! The decor is awesome, especially their walls that are plastered with pages of poetry... My wife and I celebrated our anniversary here. Not only did the manager Eli make the Opentable reservation for us, but he also gave me suggestions for champagnes that he offered to have chilled and ready for us. They even setup a flower jar for us and candle and let us take home the flower jar. Easily one of the top bars in Oakland. If you visit, try the happy meal - cheeseburger, fries, beer, and bourbon. Can't go wrong :-)

Romantic, artsy, and cozy! I love that each cocktail has a poem associated with it, and that the cocktail can really resemble the poem. The wallpaper is also full of poetry! Their food isn't too shabby either, but it is a little small on the portions side of things (but hey, it's bar food). Great spot for dates, relaxation, or just getting away from the world for a bit.

I would have to say the cocktails are what shines at the plum bar. The bar itself is trendy and designed beautifully but the food was just a little lacking. I expected more unique menu options and twists rather than the standard type bar food. But the cocktails were what sold me.

The bourbon and rye selection offers a variety of choices. The food is quite good, and the bartenders are friendly and fun. Plum Bar is always a great spot for after work drinks because it's a chill vibe and never gets too loud that you can't hear.

Cocktails were creative, delicious and executed in an artsy way. The vibe was bohemian hipster and very inclusive and friendly. Much cooler than the hippest spot in Brooklyn! We tried most of the menu including the special Wednesday night wings.

We really enjoyed our group dinner at Friends and Family. We got a bunch of items to split, which made a lot of sense for our party size. I really enjoyed several of the items, including the rice cakes, the eggs, the wings, and more. The cocktails were also quite solid – we each tried each others, and most of them were very good, with some misses. Overall good experience here!

Really cute place and really friendly staff! I love that all the tables have crayons and paper place mats and thought it was fun everyone was drawing, even the adults. The food and cocktails were good, portions are really small so I'd suggest getting a bunch of things to share.

I enjoyed my evening at this cozy spot, the lighting and the staff were warm and welcoming. I started with a For Rei, which was exactly what I was hoping for- a fresh balance of coffee, herbs, and coconut. Any of those flavors could have been overwhelming but they complemented each other so well. Our favorite dish was the Rice Cakes, the chewy little buds bathed in a savory broth with fresh basil and corn.

Vibe is so cute and sexy and everyone is soooo nice and attentive but I ordered the wrong things so it’s on me, but the Sophia Loren (drink with the little yellow flower) is amazing, the other two were not to my liking, and I feel like the popcorn could’ve been warm/hot? The shishito peppers were delish. Going back for sure and asking for the servers faves 🥰💞

We ordered the Les Eggs, shishito peppers, and watermelon salad, and everything was spectacular! The eggs were my absolute favorite: a true explosion of flavors and textures, perfectly balanced and so delicious that I just wanted more! The non-alcoholic drinks were also excellent, refreshing, and thoughtfully made. We also tried the carrot cake, which was really good, not overly sweet, with beautifully balanced flavors.

Amazing experience. Some of the best food we’ve had. Most of the menu is able to be made either vegetarian or vegan. The vegan rice cakes were phenomenal. The cocktails were all amazing. Definitely would recommend.

Used to find this spot a safe space for queer women of color but when I went this past Saturday, one of the bartenders yelled at me and my friend for having plastic water cups from the bar right outside the door. I understand not wanting the bar to be liable for anything but we weren't being rowdy or loud, and yelling "go back inside" multiple times is a vibe killer. I left before the drag show I paid for even started.

Go to see music and get good cheap drinks just outside of downtown Oakland on Telegraph. The bands vary, so everyone can find something they like. The bartenders are great and knowledgeable about their drinks, which can vary from a cold Miller High Life to a fancy cocktail. Get pizza or burritos across the street. What more could you want?

Went to the stork club last Friday to unwind and have a drink but ended up leaving cause of the bad vibes of one of the employees. There was a super nice dude with long hair serving us when all of a sudden I don't know what happened but someone came in and started screaming at him behind the bar. It was a ridiculous scene. The bartender apologized to us for the behavior of his coworker. Felt bad for the dude serving us- not a good look for stork club.

I tried to leave the bar and the security guard pushed me. This isn't the first time this has happened to me. I feel a lot of racism and as if they were supporting Trump.The worst thing is that the security guard is a Latino and when we were outside, one of the staff and the security guard were provoking us and pushing us. It was a tall guy with glasses

My friend got bit by a really reactive dog here, he just walked through the curtain and got bit on the thigh. The white lady who had two dogs that she couldn’t control tried to blame our dog we walked in with for the bite. After that she took a little responsibility and then say she knew someone who worked here and offered my friend a shot. When all he went over there was to make sure the dog had been vaccinated. Since this was my first time here it wouldn’t matter if dogs couldn’t go inside as long as it meant people like her who are “friends with the bartender” can’t bring their dangerous dogs. Also id like to add that nobody who worked there did anything or said anything to the lady after her dogs started barking or bit my friend.

Walls all covered with art, tagging, talking about liberation and decolonizing spaces... They want punk aesthetics but from the comments and our own experiences they are just another gentrifying, policing space. I was not kicked out, but told my behavior was "disrespectful" because I had pens out while drawing on the walls?? I was truly confused as they continued with "if they [the pens] were in your pocket it would be okay... but you have them all out like some project and that's disrespectful to my bar [truly do not think they are the owner]" proceeded to blow smoke in my face and when I told them I didn't mean to disrespect them and if they feel it's disrespectful, that I can leave they back tracked by telling me I was not kicked out, but that I was being disrespectful and to keep that in mind. If they flat out told me that it was not allowed to draw on the walls and this was an ongoing issue they've had- I'd totally understand. I've been here before- staff have given me and others pens to draw with- I've been complimented by staff and others in the past for drawing. The truly confusing part was the focus on having pens on the tables- telling me I am being disrespectful for something that is normal in the space- and to blow smoke in my face. Power tripping cop behavior- you want a punky dive bar but you get butthurt over something that people actually appreciate about your space? Also does not surprise me that in a group of people participating- including people not in our group- they decide to target the only non white person. Keep cosplaying radical- loser behavior.

Great spot. Decor is like something out of Swingers. Staff is super friendly. I don't make it to Oakland much but I will be here again.

Great service and great atmosphere. That's why I gave 4 stars. Lovely seating everyone was nice . The food was pretty average. I enjoyed the appetizer the best calamari was fresh and fried just right. I order a dish without fish and the cook decided to replace it with another fish. Can't hurt him for trying however the fish would have nearly killed me 😆. The manager was ultra nice about it. Kevin was his name, great way to make up for the mix up . We left smiling and happy The hamburger that replaced the fish item was a good size and alot of toppings. I'd come back because everyone was so kind.

Only for the catering in our event. We opted for chicken and others had the salmon, beef. The chicken was a bit dry but still tasty. The shared veggies was a pleasant change to individual. The venue was nice overlooking Lake Merritt. Overall a great experience at the 100 person event. The appetizer was very good on skewered beef and veggie. Besides the catering area, the chalet had an excellent bar stool overlooking the lake. Friendly bar mates. As always, post wherever u end up. You never know who you will run into..

We went there for a lunch, party for 7, celebrating the wedding of my sister in law. The food was great and the atmosphere was great, but the most important part there was a issue and my mother in law was very disappointed, but they really make it happen, they were very good solving the issue and all the family was very happy. For me that kind of things matters more. 100% recommended

Went to lake chalet on a Friday afternoon the food was good and the service was good as well, I wanted to do outdoor dining but there was an event going on that day so it wasn’t possible but the inside dining area still has good views. I got the chipotle wings and half garlic crab with potatoes and corn, they were both delicious and my girlfriend got the blackened catfish and grits and she said it was good as well. We both also got the butter cake desert and it was very good as well. I would come again so I could experience the outdoor dining.

This is such a beautiful place! Right on lake Merritt in Oakland you can't beat this scenery! Friendly staff, great food and amazing drinks 😎 My bartender was Diego, and he was amazing. He needs a raise!

Food is very good overall. Very nice part of Oakland, nice setting by the water,, inside or outside dining. Had to ask a couple of times for drink refills and other. Overall, a good place to dine in Oakland.

We came here for lunch to celebrate our arrival in the neighborhood, what a nice way to start something! We really enjoyed the lunch in the sun, the delicious dishes, very tasty and we were able to pair well with the chosen wines. There were happy hours and we didn't like the martini very much, but the atmosphere made everything nice. The waitress is very attentive.

This place is a beautiful venue for concerts and I am absolutely in love with the art deco type of architecture. I recently came here for a concert and the staff were willing to help anyone and they were dressed nicely. I highly recommend this place. :)

We saw Neil Degrasse Tyson in this beautiful Art Deco venue. It's such an amazing piece of history we should all feel lucky to be able to enjoy this beautiful old world building.

Everybody who works here is super nice, friendly, and very helpful. The theater is beautiful and well-maintained. Sound is decent. Shows are always fun. The men’s restrooms need to be cleaned more thoroughly and more frequently. Overall, a truly great venue.

Had an amazing night!! The theatre was gorgeous, and we got our seats upgraded!

Came here for a comedy show. This venue is gorgeous! All the architecture was incredible. Seating is tight, chairs are some what small but comfortable enough. Easy to find.

Even though the theatre is in downtown Oakland there is a large parking garage next to it (we paid $20 though the posted sign said it would be $36) so easy parking. The interior is beautiful and all of the staff were nice and helpful. The only drawback (with a slight positive) is there's only one ladies multistall restroom. The upside was that they let women in to the men's side so we could use stalls while they used the urinal. Nobody seemed to mind at all and it made the line move MUCH faster.

Stunning, absolutely stunning! I was in complete awe. This entire building, inside and out, is so beautiful that there just aren't enough words in the English dictionary to depict the beauty of this place! I loved my experience here, and I look forward to being inside of this historical epic theater again. The walls, the ceiling, the bathrooms, the furniture, the stage and stage curtains... I loved every single thing about the Paramount Theatre!!! My pictures do not do it justice. You just have to see it in person!!!!

If you’re looking for a magical, educational, and family-friendly way to spend an evening in the Bay Area, Chabot Space & Science Center’s First Friday Nights are an absolute must. Held on the first Friday of each month from 6–10 PM, these themed nights transform the Oakland hills into a vibrant celebration of science, creativity, and community.  Each month brings a fresh theme—from “A Galaxy (Not So) Far Away” to “Pride” and “Spooky Science”—offering a unique blend of hands-on activities, live music, and engaging presentations. The center comes alive with interactive exhibits, DJ dance parties, and opportunities to explore the cosmos through telescope viewings and planetarium shows.  Admission is accessible, priced at $10 for adults, $5 for kids and seniors, and free for members. Whether you’re crafting cosmic art, dancing under the stars, or delving into the wonders of the universe, First Friday Nights at Chabot offer an unforgettable experience for explorers of all ages.  Located at 10000 Skyline Blvd in Oakland, the center’s setting amidst the redwoods adds to the enchanting atmosphere. It’s a perfect evening outing for families, friends, or anyone with a curiosity about the cosmos. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this stellar event—mark your calendar for the next First Friday Night at Chabot Space & Science Center!  

I visited the Center twice while in transit in Oakland to a professional development course in Napa. First visit was during regular hours. I used my membership from the Maryland Science Center for admission and having it reciprocating was smooth. The staff was friendly and they made me aware of things going on at the center that were worth seeing. All planetarium shows were entertaining. All exhibits were clean and well kept. Food options in the cafe cover a wide range of quick preferences, I got a southwestern salad and coffee. As an avid coffee drinker (I am from PR), I gave compliments to the staff who brewed the coffee, it was really good. In my way back from the course, I got a ticket for the moderate sip and hike event at evening. Staging and check in was smooth, and the guides were very knowledgeable and attentive to the guests attending. The pace was comfortable and we got to see interesting wildlife. The wine and cheese served afterwards were also very good. I was concerned about getting back to my hotel in Oakland at the time that the event ended, however getting a Lyft was fast and easy. I highly recommend visiting and checking out these recurring Sip and Hike events.

I would like to commend the customer service representative for their excellent service. Today, I accompanied my daughter and grandson to the special "Bubble Day" event. My grandson thoroughly enjoys this occasion, as it marks his third visit, and he consistently finds immense joy in the activities offered. He particularly enjoys playing with the Legos, engaging with the interactive exhibits, and observing the spacecraft. We look forward to returning for future visits.

Exhibits are sponsored by the NASA Ames Research Center. The garage and parking spaces accomodate guests. The show schedules hourly in the doom screen is very astouning. The cafeteria is not busy like many other museums. The family can explore the planet on a fine weather day. The gift store has so many to choose for the science and planetary feature. It is amust go place for family day trip.

I’m reviewing Chabot as a wedding reception venue space. If you want an unforgettable, unique experience for you and your guests, this is the perfect place for you! The event planning team at Chabot is super professional and caring. You can utilize the planetarium for ceremonies for your guests and still have all the traditional aspects of a reception in the main museum or in the halls they offer. If you book on certain days, your guests can also partake in the free telescope viewing. It was an incredible venue and the best part is your venue rentals are used to support science education and the museum’s main mission of inspiring the next generation! Definitely recommend for couples looking for a different type of venue and an unforgettable experience. Thank you Chabot for helping create a lifelong memory!

Outrageously expensive ($24.00 adults). A large pseudo scientific playground for hundreds of kids. Dont go there if you are an adult and are interested by Astronomy and Science. You don’t feel welcome at a place where kids are kings, whatever their behavior.

A space nerd like me can have a great time here. Learning about astronomy, being close to the stars through the telescope viewing or just from the naked eye. The center has multiple telescopes with different angles and settings. On Fridays and Saturdays, visitors can show up for their free viewings. It runs from 5:30-10:30 PM PST on both days. Many schools also plan their students field trip for the viewings. The science center has a lot more to offer within their campus itself. They also have clean restroom facilities and ample of free parking space with accessible parking access and wheelchair ramps. It’s also a very nice secluded drive far from the huddle bustle of the city. You can enjoy both the green nature and the beautiful sky. It’s a nominal hike depending on where you park. I went there for the aurora viewings which happened on May 10, 2024. But unfortunately we didn’t see it from this place. While driving to Berkeley at around 12 AM on May 12, we could see the glance of auroras. Good visit if you are space nerd.

The outdoor patio is the real star here—huge space, fire pits, and a great vibe. The beer selection is top-notch, tons of local options. Pizza was solid, but nothing mind-blowing. Service was hit or miss, depends on how busy they are. Still, a great spot to chill with friends over drinks.

The food and drinks are great. I came here to catch up with a friend. We ordered beers, pizza, and pickles, and the food was excellent. It came out fast, with no complaints there. We arrived for dinner at 5 p.m. on a Saturday, which seemed like a perfect time as it wasn't busy. However, the moment I got there, the server took five minutes to seat us. The servers seemed slow and overwhelmed. My friend and I asked for water on three different occasions. Each time, the server said he would get it but forgot multiple times. He didn't forget our beer or pizza, but not getting the water was frustrating. I would give it two stars for the food, but ultimately, the poor service ruined the experience for me. It's a great bar in a great location, but they need to improve their service.

Strolling through what felt like a small-town square in the middle of Uptown Oakland (who knew?), I stumbled upon Drake’s Dealership. At first glance, it doesn’t look like a dealership—unless you’re in the market for craft beer and carbs instead of the latest Dodge Charger. The name may harken back to its Dodge roots, but this place is a hidden gem disguised as a sudsy varietal urban oasis. I wandered into the outdoor beer garden—a wide-open space with fire pits, string lights, and the kind of gravel floor that screams “this is going to get stuck in your shoes, but who cares.” Seating was self-serve, which I appreciated. I don’t always want to be guided—I just want a chair, some shade, and something to tickle my palette. And that’s when I met my waiter: a QR code. Yes, Drake’s has joined the digital age in style. Tap, scan, scroll—it was honestly one of the more intuitive and pain-free ordering systems I’ve encountered. The menu was interactive, highly customizable (shout out to the “no onions, add avocado, extra cheese” crew), and even better, it didn’t judge me when I ordered a salad and a burger - sans bun. QR quietly let the carb cutting move in this high carb zone slide. Let’s talk about that burger. Juicy, flavorful, and stacked, just the way I wanted. The side salad? Crisp, fresh, lightly dressed—like it knew it wasn’t the star but still showed up looking good. Beer lovers, rejoice: the tap list here is a borderline novella. From hazy IPAs to malty lagers, there’s a pour for every palate and then some. While I didn't partake in the brew fest offerings, I know where I'm bringing friends and family that crave well crafted suds. They also offer cocktails, which is always a fun bonus at a beer-first joint. I gave the margarita a go—decent, lacking the bold personality I’d hoped for. Kind of like hanging out with Jose Cuervo's younger cousin - right family, needs to learn a few more family secrets before bursting onto the prime time bar scene. In all, Drake’s Dealership is a vibe—part industrial nostalgia, part modern beer garden, with food that surprises in the best way. Come for the beer, stay for the burger, and soak up the friendly, easy going atmosphere.

Great spot in Oakland - always lovely and friendly. Most recently I had a very tasty burger (cooked to perfection) and side salad (crisp and flavourful). Excellent selection of (Drakes) beers.

This place is a little Gem in Oakland. Lots of beer selections , people are friendly I had a pizza and it was good. I must say I like this place!

Pizzas, fries and salad were good. Service was horrendous. We had about 50 people and once the food was dropped off so did the service. It’s probably because the tip was added on to the bill because it was a large party so no one cared.

Love the outdoor space. Our salad was solid but the pizza is doughy and bland. Service was frankly terrible. The hostess might as well not existed. She didn’t great us or smile or anything. She was the same way for all customers. Horrible choice for “front of house”. All the food was unceremoniously dropped off at our table by the zombie staff who obviously would rather be anywhere but here. I had to walk into the kitchen to get my own plates since none wee given. The manager noticed and tried to recover. Nice gesture but service here is broken. This was my second time here. Fire time was better. This trip kinda ruined my afternoon date.

Pretty food but honestly bland and mediocre. I had the Hopscotch Brunch at the Itani pop-up event by surprise and was severely disappointed. The salad I was given was nearly impossible to pick up with a fork, the pork belly benedict was not seasoned and bland, and the best part of my meal was an accompanying fruit salad and my yuzu lemonade.

paid a lot of money for a whole fried chicken and sides. and was sent a bunch of scrappy unidentifiable pieces of chicken. We were guessing if it was a light or dark. the breasts were the size of thighs. basically they're the tender strips cut in half. although they weren't dry and traveled well. I find some type of a boneless wing and thigh??? and the pasta was a complete waste. my lady didn't mind the beans. the chicken wasn't bad or great and ketchup helped (plus not a negative). but I feel they failed in the promise of the menu. the chicken alone was $35 for a whole chicken not 2 legs and a bunch boneless of scraps. note: this review started with 1 star. however I found clean cooking oil. props to the Chef on that!

Nice brunch / dinner spot with a Southern food mixed with some Japanese influence. We had the fried chicken with biscuits which came with a generous portion of fried chicken cooked Karaage style and a nice savory gravy over well made biscuits. The Pork Belly Eggs Benedict was also quite lovely but more or less what you'd expect from a well executed version of this dish - hollandaise with a lemony twist and thick cut pork like bacon and a nice slice of challah. The donuts were outstanding and worth getting, they came with a unique and not too sweet butterscotch sauce on the side that I hadn't tried elsewhere. We had mimosas and they were well made and a good deal for the carafe. The service could have been better. The waiter was quite friendly but not very attentive and maybe checked in with us twice and never did bring the desert menu. We just grabbed one ourselves after waiting for a while. Overall it was a good reliable spot that executed the dishes well but you won't be finding anything that's going to raise the bar flavor wise.

Great service, delicious food, and awesome cocktails. The location is conveniently close to the freeway and had plenty of street parking too. We made a reservation so there wasnt a wait. It wasn't too busy on a Sunday afternoon even if you don't have a reservation. Definitely coming back here again so we can try all the different cocktails and meals.

Nice spot, had the pork chops and a burger that’s not pictured. Are outside which could have contributed but the items weren’t as warm as they could be. Our pork chop dish might have been missing some Okra as well as a table next to us got the same dish but with the Okra on top. Would try again in the future but this is currently why it’s a 3/5 for me.

Overall not bad, but there were multiple dishes we ordered that had major flaws. The eggs benedict had a really terrible hollandaise sauce (I can make a better one at home), and the eggs were completely overdone. The bright spot was probably the tonkatsu sandwich, which was crispy and well-seasoned. I personally didn’t really feel the japanese influences on the american classic dishes like the eggs benny, so that was quite disappointing.

This restaurant has great food and very attentive staff members! I would definitely recommend coming here for dinner. The tater tots were crispy on the outside and warm and fluffy on the inside. The servers made my entire experience enjoyable.

We were excited to try new restaurants. Walking in, we were welcomed and vibe was great. The food menu was limited so I was expecting each dishes to be amazing…oh boy!! We ordered 4 items. Pickles cabbage…no other aromatic other than vinegar. I see passed menu had different types of pickle vegetables but we were served with only cabbage. Second, vegetable tempura…it was crunchy with light batter…good. Third, tuna sashimi, this was delicious…fresh and other components enhance the dish. Lastly, the spicy garlic miso ramen for $28! The broth was flavorful with a heavy chard/ burnt note, it was mediocre comparing to other great ramen around the Bay. On a good note, service was excellent! This is one restaurant in all my years of eating out will be remembered as a huge disappointment >.< (sorry photos was great). P.S. Originally, I had posted 1 star but I don’t like disagreeing with the establishment regarding their interpretation of ramen. It’s just not my cup of tea but could be someone else’s.

This place is a foodies dream. Revolving ramen selections, elevated dishes with thoughtful ingredients, always super fresh, and a fantastic bar program too! This is one of the east bay’s top 10 eateries for sure.

I’ve been wanting to come here for so long and I didn’t like it 🥲 The matsutake mazeman was topped with raw mushrooms which was so strange to me. The flavor of matsutake really comes out when it’s cooked so I didn’t really taste its flavor :( The noodle texture is good but the sauce was like a yuzu vinger and soy sauce and wasn’t very special. The tonkatsu ramen was pretty thick and not that flavorful to me but I only had a few bites. The turnip cakes were really overpowered by the sauce so I couldn’t taste what was going on in the center nor the matsutake in it. I loved the texture though - crunchy outside and a gooey inside. 2 ramens and 1 app, no drinks came to $99 w tip.

One of the best bowls of ramen I have ever had in my entire life!! And I’ve had a LOT of ramen. Their mocktails were super tasty too. Everything is made in house here, and you can taste it! High quality nourishment 🙌

Not the best ramen but the vibes were cool. I like a bold rich ramen but it was lacking that in the signature. Also they didn't have chicken ramen for my girlfriend who is restricted for dietary reasons and it was out of stock. I thought the egg was good and they had good (2) draft beers. I would say that the noodle texture was divine. Besides that, the pro tip would be to go shopping at the thrift shop down the street before you go and make a date out of it. 7.4/10

The ramen is good but not for the price they're selling it at. Atmosphere is very cool and it was my favorite part about my visit. I've had Ramen made with the same handmade ingredients from other Ramen spots in the Bay and they are better or same level as this Ramen. Not to mention, portions at these similar places are a bit bigger. I just cant justify spending $30 on a bowl of Ramen.

Holy heck, I was not expecting this level of flavor and impact from this ramen shop. The depth of flavor and composition of ingredients made for a super impactful bowl of ramen. I tried and shared the veggie meyer lemon shoyu which was my favorite, the spicy garlic miso which was tasty but a little rich for me, and finally the chicken shio ramen which was a close second in flavor. SO good! The dumplings were good, but a small portion and not as flavorful as the ramen counterparts. I don’t know if I’d order them again. Overall, just a wonderful meal, fantastic service, and worth the cost. Amazing beverage selection too. I’ll be back! 🍜

I had an awesome night at District Oakland—definitely one of the better dining experiences I’ve had in a while. We sat at the bar and were lucky to have Teddy taking care of us. He was quick, super friendly, funny, and just had great energy overall. You could tell he actually enjoyed what he was doing, which made the whole vibe that much better. Teddy gave us spot-on recommendations for everything we ordered. The margherita pizza came out perfectly blistered with fresh basil and gooey cheese—simple but done right. The burrata with prosciutto and crostini was rich and flavorful, and the spinach arancini with that tomato sauce might have been the sleeper hit of the night. Everything came out fast, hot, and delicious. Also, gotta say—the Prosecco Teddy recommended was probably the best I’ve ever had. Crisp, refreshing, and way better than anything I’ve been served at most restaurants. Service was on point from start to finish. I’ll definitely be back soon, and I’ll be asking for Teddy again.

It was my 1st time having brunch and I was pleasantly surprised. The food was tasty and the service, as always, was great

Look, the food was fantastic and the staff were great. It was so unexpected but the vibe was just right for an evening out coming from DC. No doubt if we are ever in Oakland again, we are going back. We missed out on the pizza but when we come back, for sure we are getting it!

We landed in this fantastic little gem in Oakland.. The customer service and vast array of drinks available were on point! I cannot praise the staff enough… !!! Genuine, attentive and personable… anyone visiting Oakland. Please give this place a visit.. 🥂 B & Mon.

Great happy hour! Nice selection of $7 appetizers, well cocktails, and wines. We really enjoyed everything on the appetizer menu but probably wouldn't have paid full price for what it was. Large area with tents for covered outdoor seating. We were overcharged for our bill which we didn't look at until after leaving, so make sure to double-check your bill before leaving.

Food is nothing to rave about, small portions for the happy hour snacks, we ordered chicken wings, fried avocado and risotto balls. Our server was friendly, the couch/seating area is very large so I think good for groups but there’s nothing about this place that was worth mentioning or recommending from the 3 hours spent here for happy hour.

District is a good to for good food and music. Happy hour is a must! The owner, server and bartenders are all friendly. Busy sometimes.

Came here during restaurant week and I already want to come back. Non alcoholic pairing was one of the best I’ve had so far. The food was also excellent. Menu was portioned well and I left full but not overly. Very friendly staff who spent time at our table with brief but memorable conversations.

A casual Colombian restaurant that gets serious with the tasting menu. Fun beverage pairing that includes wine, sake, and cocktail. Service is adequate, but they are learning and trying. The weekday tasting menu is probably a better deal. It costs more on the weekend. ---- The mission statement on the website sounded admirable: The tasting menu is cheaper on the weekdays to make it more accessible. We were seated at the chef's counter, which offers a direct view of the kitchen. We quickly decided on the tasting menu and the beverage pairing with an add-on Dungeness crab dish. After a relatively long period of waiting, we were presented with the food. There are some highlights! But sometimes, I wonder if some dishes need an extra boost of flavor. First were the finger foods. We love the plantains that contrast brilliantly with charged allium. The arroz de coco brought to mind arancini but with a thin crust and coconut flavor. The tostada with amberjack brightened by the kiwi. The arepa was flavorful and puffy, but the butter beans seemed lacking. A general complaint: Please give us a wet napkin or something to wipe our fingers after finger foods! The larger format blue shrimp was cooked to perfection, but the veins were in some pieces. The achiote ponzu was amazing, but the romanesco might be a tab overcooked. Dungeness crab guacho, honestly, is a little disappointing. The components are done well, and it is an homage to the regional dish, but it just tasted...fine. The fish dish was a counter-example of that. I am not sure if there is a traditional dish where it drew inspiration, but it was an elevated dish that we thoroughly enjoyed. The cilantro and pineapple spread that came with the bread had such a bright flavor we couldn't have enough! The grilled pork is definitely the highlight of the evening. It was carefully tended by a chef over the grill, and it was flavorful and juicy. The carrot was grilled slowly until it was almost dehydrated. The intense sweetness and texture worked very well with the pork. The first dessert course, the banana custard, was terrific. The sweetness was counterbalanced by the subtle sweetness from the caramel. The dish was not overpowered by bananas, which so often is the case. The coconut and lime foam on the top provided a contrast and relief from the custard. The final dessert course was a bit too sweet and heavy for us. We were told that it was inspired by mole. I like the concept. Overall, we enjoyed the food. For a meal at this price point, maybe we expect a little more. However, I saw a kitchen with a mission that served some brilliant dishes. I saw service staff striving to be better despite some oversights. Maybe Mago needs to think about where it wants to position itself, but I am rooting for them.

Weeknight tasting menu 85pp I think pretty worth it w/o drink pairings I tried some of the nonalcoholic pairings and while interesting non blew me away. First time trying Colombian cuisine so don’t have great frame of reference but I thought the flavors were strangely nostalgic! Non of the mains stood out and I didn’t rly enjoy the first two small bites. but sweet treat girl forever and loveddd both desserts. Honestly would not be mad if they just did 7 courses of dessert🥹 they also game us a lil marshmallow at the end. GIRLIES: the kitchen is super cool and open concept but this means your hair will smell like campfire so plan your hair washing schedule accordingly ***

What an amazing tasting experience! So many Latin American ingredients and dishes presented in new and exciting ways. Each dish was better than the next. The pairing was perfect. Will be dreaming of the rock cod, the arepa, the rice pudding, the coconut rice ball, the sake, etc etc Lovely and welcoming service too. Everything was perfect. Definitely get the kitchen counter seats to watch the action!

We had a very underwhelming experience at Mago. The food was just good most of the time, sometimes too greasy and a couple of plates had way too much salt. to the point were we couln't finish it (the white fish plate and the meat were too salty). While the experience overall was not horrible, Mago pretends to be at a level they're clearly not, cruelly lacking of subtlety. For this, it is such a bad value. For a $300+ meal, you can get a way better experience at a Michelin stared restaurant (I'm talking night and day difference). The service was friendly but very slow. The couple of drinks we had, though, were good. While I love a wood fire smell, it was so strong at Mago that I had to wash all my clothes and hair coming back home. I definitely don't recommend Mago.

Just wonderful - everything a tasting menu should be. The food and service were outstanding. This is our new special occasion place.

Love the experience here. The food and service are amazing. We ordered a wine pairing as well. My fiance is vegetarian and they also have a vegetarian menu available as long as you inform them in advance. We're both amazed by food + experience! We had a great night there!

Fun, local gay bar! It's small, but the drinks are great, the people are friendly and it's not a 'dive'. Great spot to chill low key during the week, or get your dance on during the weekend! It's definitely my go-to gay spot in Oakland!

The Port Bar is so accessible and a welcomed LGBTQ+ bar centrally located near 19th Street BART on Broadway Street in Oakland. I loved the rainbow and colorful design and innovative use of shipping port containers. The music and disc jockey was poppin'. The bartenders make a strong and potent drink, no lie.

kayla is an amazing bartender and we had an fun experience at your establishment. I recommend this bar and I will be returning with my coworkers more often. The only concern I have is that there needs to be security available at an earlier time - we experience individuals who were not paying and arguing with the bartender just to take space and for free drinks. There were no security guards at the time m. She needs security and it needs to be a safer space .

The music slap. The crowd was cracking. Drinks had ya girl lit, 😆 🤣 😂. I truly enjoyed myself. The community is inclusive.....love seeing everyone enjoying themselves being authentic themselves.

So much fun! Relatively new, but a great venue. I went for a RuPaul's Drag Race party and stood for the great atmosphere.

Always have hella fun when I come here. Great drinks, amazing vibes and the entertainments are always fun. This drink is called The Impeachment

The busiest bar I went to on a Thursday night. The DJ created great energy with the music. Small dance floor in the back, crowded bar up front. Friendly staff and patrons as well. Overall, clean, nice bar with good drinks. Parking is typical downtown parking meters, sometimes free after a certain time.

Hamza made our 1st time to The Hatch AMAZING he was so KIND, patient and it was his 2nd work shift of his day! I had 20 million questions as a 1st time customer and he was amazing! We'll be back for sure!

Went for pride bar crawl in September 2023. Pretty small hole in a wall bar. There’s tables and seating on second floor. They have movies playing on the projector which is cool. It was a little hot upstairs, no fan or ac playing. Cool vibes and I would come back. It was surrounded by plenty of eats and drinks. Very great walking distance.

The Hatch serves up delicious, affordable pizza with a variety of sauces (including several really spicy ones I truly appreciate!). The chef is not only incredibly kind but clearly takes a lot of pride in the food. The outdoor patio is a gem—super accessible, relaxed, and welcoming. One thing I truly admire is that this spot offers great food at prices that make it accessible to everyone in the neighborhood, including folks experiencing homelessness. It feels like a place built for the community, where everyone is welcome.

I was so excited when I heard Hoza Pizza stayed open and moved next door. Unfortunately it’s only in name. The pizza is not even close to the same and the price is nearly double. $9 for a slice of bad pepperoni pizza is sad. I would encourage this business to improve. If it was different but good it would be okay, but it’s not.

I was really disappointed with my hot chicks burger I had here. It tasted a frozen chicken pattie you buy at the grocery store and it wasn’t even hot all the way through, as if they just threw it into a microwave or not warmed it enough. It has a mediocre sauce. The only reason I gave them 2 stars was because the pulled pork was decent, nothing exceptional but decent.

This is a no frills, delightfully grungy dive bar with great food. Enter and you may find that there is no AC, but the ice cold beers certainly make up (mostly) for that. I went in for a Happy Hour beer (very affordable at 4 bucks a pint!), ended up also getting the fries add-on for only $1.50. I mean, how could one turn down add-on fries for a buck 50? Happy hour specials are incredible - strongly recommend. And there are some all-day all-time specials that are pretty cool too - check out the MIYAGI.

The burgers come with lots of options al ingredients and are really so so. Prices are decent and sitting area is huge both in hall and upstairs. The menu is not big as can be seen in photo. Quite crowdy after 8 pm. The beer range is quite limited and IPA is not that great. Will not come again. Expected more.

Smart old-school tavern with small plates and special classic drink menu. Good gin, bourbon and scotch options. Bustling happy hour and savvy crew at the helm make this a winner.

Nice bar, friendly bartenders, GREAT food. Turkey and peppers panini grilled cheese was amazing. Tiny pickles on the side were an added pleasure. Not drinking alcohol at the moment and the custom mocktails were amazing as well!! I'll be back!!

Stopped in for a drink. Very cool bartenders. Nice vibe. It was crowded, but could still easily talk with friends. I had just eaten so didn't try the grilled cheese sandwiches. They looked and smelled amazing though.

This place has a great atmosphere and good music. It is a nice place for a date because of the ambient lighting and decor. However my date and I waited for over 10 minutes to be helped while we were sitting at the bar top. We finished our first round of drinks and waited over 20 minutes to be asked if we wanted another round. We ended up waiving down the bartender (who had been chatting with another employee) and asking for the bill. There were only about 7 customers including us. I would be willing to give them another chance though.

Good drinks, good prices, excellent grilled cheese and “cubanito” sandwiches. Super chill and perfect for a Tuesday night. One bartender was distinctly wonderful and sweet, the other slightly surly. I guess it evened out.

Late night grilled cheese is awesome and the drinks are super good and fresh.

What happened to this place? It was cool and it had great balanced cocktails. We came in on a Monday and ordered a Sazerac and an Aviation. They were both off. Not balanced and the bartender looked as if she did not want to be here. Music sucked. Hopefully it was all because it was a Monday.

🍗 🍞 🥒 Simply delicious fried chicken sandwiches here, big chunks of chicken, tasty pickle, and your choice of spice level. There’s limited seating so it’s perfect as a to go option. Around lunchtime it can get busy so it’s good to order ahead online. It was so good I forgot to take a photo until after the first bite. That is how you know it’s good.

Good food and great customer service. Outdoor seating only and one gender neutral bathroom available for patrons. Their chicken sandwich is good but I really like the loaded fries. They do NOT play with their spice levels. Take it easy if you can’t handle it. Have some milk on standby if you decide to challenge your palette. Enjoy!

Hit up Hotboys in Oakland and got the Sando Combo—swapped one of the sides for their étouffée, and it was 🔥. The sandwich was stacked, juicy, and full of flavor, and the étouffée was a wonderful surprise—rich, buttery, and just the right amount of spice. Everything tasted super fresh. Chill vibe, friendly service, and good value for the portion size. Definitely coming back to mix and match more combos!

A small hole in the wall place with limited outdoor sitting, serving spicy dishes. We ordered a Take Away, they did not pack a part of the order and we check after reaching home. You may try for once.

There is a long wait for the food. The person standing at the front does not call out the names as orders become ready. So your food is sitting in the window and you have to return to the desk to ask them each time. Is your food ready. I don’t understand why he doesn’t call out the names as the food becomes available. Customers would like to have their food hot. And by doing that you’re causing more people to congregate at the front desk. The people waiting to order the people waiting for their food and the people who have to keep coming back to ask if the food is ready. Nobody wants to eat cold fries.

Pretty good fried chicken. I like that they have an option to choose dark or white meat. I got the tender(white meat) chicken sando, medium spicy. It was spicy enough for me to enjoy it (go higher only if you really like the heat).

The good: Flavorful chicken, well made fries with a touch of seasoning that make them more interesting, and good amount of pickles and slaw on the sandwich. This location appears to be a pickup window/table only (at least on the weekend day we went), which is great for airborne safer takeout. Food was ready when they said it would be. Why not 5 stars? The spice levels were totally off, at least for me-- reviews/reports had indicated HOTBOYS was spicier than typical. I like very spicy, but not so spicy that you don't taste anything, even if I can handle it. So I got Med+. A friend got Mild+. Neither of our sandwiches were spicy to any extent, though the seasoning had a good flavor. I might try again but get either max spicy or the one just below. Also, all the pickles were scrunched up in one area and before I realized it, they all came in one bite. :( This wasn't a factor in the review, but cost wise, this is still pretty expensive, though quality a step or two better than Popeye's for sure.

I love everything about this place. The vibes, the theater, the events, and the food. The community aspect has been helpful through hard times for me, having a cool spot to hang out and meet new people. Their food is also really good for the prices. And they bring it to you in the theater, which is full of comfy couches and armchairs. Truly a unique experience! (The only thing I wish was better parking, but nothing can be done about that.)

Omg this place is so freakin cool! You really have to see it in person to appreciate how unique it is. It’s covered in art, quirky, and totally one-of-a-kind — every corner has its own character. It’s the kind of place you actually want to hang out at before and after the movie. The community vibe is seriously amazing.

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! My fiance and I came here and it exceeded our expectations. We always get uncomfortable during long films, but the sofas made the experience so much better! Great service and friendly staff. I was charged with an extra pizza, but after the film finished they gave me a refund for it. I really appreciated the effort from the staff, it made the evening that much more enjoyable. HIGHLY RECOMMEND to anyone, but especially for couples, friends. Side note: They have fairly brief promotions before the actual film starts, so I'd say 10 minutes after the start time, is when the film begins.

I have heard of this place for decades. One thing really stood out was how friendly all the staff was. I went there to see Good Boy. After the movie, I found 2 theater Good Boys in the cafe. I am going back so I can pet them again. I also love all the vegan options on the menu.

The new Parkway Theater is awesome! Loved the food options, and the theater room is super cozy and fun. Seating is limited, so I’d recommend getting there early to grab a good spot. They have a great selection of movies, and the area around the theater has plenty of cool bars and restaurants to check out after. Street parking can be a bit tricky, so arriving early definitely helps. Such a chill spot in Oakland — can’t wait to go back!

Only been there once. Got there late so I went straight into the theater and can't speak much to anything else. However, the theater was a vibe! There were couches with a coffee table and a water station off to the side. Don't know if it's always the case (or if it was just the folks I was with!), but it felt like just chilling with your friends watching a movie - as opposed to going to a movie with friends. The staff I interacted with were great, too. I guess it just felt like community. Check it out.

This is way more than a movie theater: it's where community comes together. Be it through board games, shared art activities or karaoke, they make a point of providing a space for people to come together. They have great movie options - the usual but also some more artsy ones. They have a full f&b menu, their popcorn is delicious and I've never had such an amazing stout milkshake (yes, you read that right, a beer milkshake). They keep their prices low by being very sustainable and locally sourced, all in all an amazing place!

Love this bar. A chill, cozy bar with excellent cocktails and a coffee counter with snacks till 3. You can easily meet friends or do work here. Dogs are welcome! They have a small outdoor patio, and plenty of indoor seating. With skylights the place is well lite. I'm never disappointed when visiting here.

Room 389 in downtown Oakland had potential — cool location, decent crowd, music was alright. But all of that went out the window thanks to one incredibly rude bartender. I was out celebrating my birthday and asked, politely, if they offered any kind of birthday discount for a drink. Not only was I met with a flat-out “no,” but the way it was said was condescending and dismissive, like I was out of line just for asking. No smile, no courtesy — just straight attitude. The energy shifted immediately. It made me — and the people I was with — feel unwelcome, like we were bothering them by being there. It’s one thing to not offer a discount, but it’s another to treat a customer with zero respect. Especially when they’re out trying to enjoy their birthday. That bartender’s attitude single-handedly ruined the vibe of the night. Won’t be coming back Wouldn’t recommend to celebrate birthdays here. 60 bucks just on three drinks

Love the cocktails, atmosphere, and friendly service. Coffee is good too. Large group tables, and pet friendly. DJ booth in back near the restrooms. There was a food truck parked outside (on a Sunday) which was great too! Accepts cards.

Loved the vibe of this bar, went in to meet some friends. I love the location, decent street parking for 5pm. The drinks were well made and the bartender was nice to chat with. Next time I’m in the town might have to swing by again!

A great place that starts out as a cafe and turns into a bar. Have stopped by for chill drinks on a Sunday afternoon and also to bring the house down for a Warriors game. They don't do cash (as of June 2022). Occasionally have food pop-ups as well.

Nice bar, good prices. Friendly staff. Good vibes. Parking can be a little bit hard

Came here for the world cup finals, bless them for opening before 8a. Super chill atmosphere and great Irish coffee. The dogs loves it too

The place is nice, food amazing when you eat is like you’re enjoying every piece that you take I have oxtails collard greens green beans and crack and cheese was delicious big portions and Kids size meals is like for an adult great love that. I wouldn’t forget the service was very nice people. Thanks Chef Smelly he was very nice.

The had good flavor, and the portions were great. Service was nice,the vibe was FAMILY.

The food was ok. I probably should have tried something different. The service was great. My only problem was the signage on the building ( where is it ) it said AU, but if you look down on the sidewalk, there's a small sign that has Chef Smellys written on it. Overall, I would go back.

Place is very clean and atmosphere is relaxing. Food smells and taste wonderful. Staff is very consistent is taking care of the patrons. As I said before the vibe is so great. Music is very retro .

I absolutely love Au Lounge. Uplifting vibes, comfortable atmosphere & friendly, professional staff. A well stocked bar with a solid pour, good music and a well used dance floor. Did I mention the two big screens and open patio? This place is one of my favorite spots.

I am very picky with food but this place was just amazing. Everything was great the food, the drinks, and the service. It was all amazing, I highly recommend this place. Thanks to Tiffany, the bartender, and the waiters.

I came for a networking event at 6:00pm. It is a nice location with a comfortable decor. The DJ played regular R&B no Afrobeats but that might come later. I enjoyed my East African flavored "afrobite" appetizers. The bartender was nice and the drink pours are generous.

I thought this was going to be a community event but I would be scared to bring my kids here. Just not a family friendly environment with other community members blowing smoke into your face or screaming profanities. The food is really good and all the vendors were friendly, welcoming and had cool Oakland products. I’d definitely recommend adult going but leave your kids at home.

Another amazing example of people getting together to just have a good time and celebrate the Bay Area's diversity. Blocks of food trucks, performances, small demonstrations, Music, and LOTS OF PEOPLE! This was my first time at First Fridays and I had no idea it was so big! Plan early for parking, carpool, or take bart, but go.

I enjoy frist Fridays every time I go, I like to visit the art galleries over walking the streets, there are food, arts and crafts vendors and music on the streets. At some of the galleries the artist is there for Q&A, also some galleries serve d'oeuvres and wine for a fee. It is very crowded with lines of people waiting for food and walking the street. It starts from Jack London to 26th St. These are old pictures from 2013.

Leave your kids at home , it’s for adults , don’t expect much things , food trucks are expensive than restos.

This event is magical ! I love bringing my grandchildren every month the safest event i know!!

So much fun, great food and music. I had a total blast and definitely will go again. So proud if my town!

I think Oak First Friday has great rapport, the team works really hard to get this out for our community

Bar Shiru is an incredible spot in Oakland for anyone who appreciates great cocktails and an amazing vibe. The focus on high-quality vinyl music sets the tone perfectly — the sound system is crisp, and the music selection is thoughtfully curated. The cocktails are expertly crafted with a balance of creativity and classic flavors, and the staff is knowledgeable and welcoming without being overbearing. The atmosphere strikes that rare balance between lively and intimate, making it perfect for a date night or catching up with friends. Highly recommend for music lovers and cocktail enthusiasts alike!

Shi is wonderful and is a joy to watch make drinks. I sit at the bar specifically for this reason. She’s super friendly and you can tell she enjoys her job and is very talented too. I will be coming back again and again. Even Ryan at the door made me feel welcome. I have gone to Shiru both with my boyfriend and just by myself and I look forward to bringing my friends here too! Vibes are great, drinks are amazing and the music selection and volume is perfect.

I've never been to a bar I've liked more. Everything about my experience was top shelf. The service was impeccable - attentive, engaging, and helpful. The listening experience was divine. The interior decor was a perfectly executed intersection of mid-century modern and industrial. What isn't to love? A gem.

Cute spot with Tokyo-style chic vibes, the ambiance is definitely the draw here. Minimalist, trendy, and would make for a great date night or IG moment. That said, the service was noticeably uneven. The male staff felt aloof, bordering on indifferent, one even greeted me with “are you trying to order something?” which set a weird tone. The women behind the bar were more attentive, but overall it gave the impression that anyone was hired to bartend, not necessarily folks with hospitality experience. If you're just looking for a bar, it is just a bar, but if you're expecting something elevated, you might be underwhelmed.

Best craft cocktails in the east bay, hands down. Nothing else over here even compares in this category, far as I'm concerned. As good as any of the top bars in the City. The great ambiance and music is just a plus.

I was looking for a cozy place to meet up with friends. I found it in my internet search and the concept sounded intriguing. It was just as described. A beautifully designed space with delicious cocktails and great music. The laid back and upscale atmosphere was the icing on the cake.

Some of the tastiest cocktails around, and incredible music being played all night. Couldn’t have had a better time at a bar than at this place.

The Smash Burger That's Worth the Wait. From the crispy, lacy edges to the juicy, flavorful patties, these burgers are on another level. Friendly vibes, easy service, a killer spot right next to the pub, and chill outdoor seating? It all adds up.

Their fish and chips is AMAZING but is out of stock most of the time. Their burgers are awesome too. But their chicken sandwich is overcooked. Wait time can be little bit long, specially in the weekends but the atmosphere outside is great so it's not bad.

The incredibly long line at Lovely’s would make you think the burger must be worth waiting an hour for — the reality is it’s more likely that they’ve just got the market cornered with all the folks at Two Pitchers hungry for a bite (Lovely’s is located in the brewery’s courtyard). My honest verdict? The burger is good, but the fries are a bit underwhelming. I wouldn’t recommend going out of your way to visit Lovely’s, but if you’re already enjoying a beer at Two Pitchers then Lovely’s is a good addition to make it a meal. Be prepared for a long line before ordering and a decent wait once you’ve paid, but once the freshly made-to-order burger arrives you’ll forget all the hassle it took to get it to your table.

Best Smash Burgers in the East Bay...that is a bold statement! Awesome - all around! GREAT burgers, easy friendly service, great location adjacent to the pub, fantastic outside seating. The smash burgers will stand up to any in the Bay Area! Well worth a drop in.

Great place to grab a bite and stroll into 2 Pitchers Brewing Company & get some good beer. The food is fresh and quite tasty, corn fritters are a MUST! However, the queue and wait for the food can be very discouraging but if you can overcome these 2 issues…it is worth every single bite.

It’s worth the wait! Lovely’s makes the best impossible burger I’ve had — both the drive through and the original are excellent, but I lean toward the drive through because of the sauce. I go for the classic when I want to upgrade it to all- vegan. I love the outdoor space they share with Two Pitchers, a really great brewery with a decent range of drinks at good prices. They have lots of picnic table seating which fill up fast. I try to get there before 5:30 especially if I’m meeting up with friends because the line gets pretty long, but thankfully you can enjoy a beer while you wait.

Amazing drive thru burger, especially with the overflowing bits of patty sticking out in the burger. Be forewarned that it can be messy, but fortunately they also give you a lot of napkins. The corn fritters were also delicious. The best time to get here is right as they open, as the line starts filling up later in the day.

Came in from Texas for a music fest here. Awesome 300-400 capacity venue. Little tight toward front of stage but sound was phenomenal. Place was crowded but never a line for the bathroom and the bar is easy enough to elbow your way to the front of. Real gem of a place.

Wonderful and quaint venue! Loved the owner and the bartender Melissa. Came to listen to DJ Shindog spin and he was great too...danced for hours!

Great bar with great vibe, solid drinks in the midst of tough Oakland. It's worth a visit!

Love shows at the Golden Bull, they always sound good. Fun spot to see a band, you get what you expect with the women’s bathrooms. Sometimes there is puke, but there’s always people having fun. Be careful parking anywhere near it though!!!

Great dive bar! Good drinks, killer live music!

A dive in the best way possible, this was hands down the spot if you're in Downtown Oakland. The bartender was cool and made some stiff drinks. Stay for the goth/punk shows!

Didn't have much drink here, but listened to the mesmerizing chill trance music. Seems likea great bar, nice place to hang out

Awesome wine selection! Such great variety and you can get tasters or a glass, or bottles to go. Loved that I could try orange wine before buying. Area doesn’t always feel the safest. Service is hit or miss. I’ve had amazing servers before. Today I asked the server to close me out, and he served 5 more people before doing so. I had to ask 3 times before he would close me out. Really weird. He also gave me the wrong bottle that I asked for. I didn’t have time to check because he took 10 minutes to close me out so I had to leave fast to catch my bus. He probably would have gotten the bottle right if he grabbed it immediately instead of taking 5 orders in between.

Really nice place, bartender was very generous. Love the natty wine here and the small bites were tasty and fresh.

Easily the worst "service" in a wine bar. I can't say "the worst service I've experienced" because there was nothing to experience here. Came in with my wife, nobody even looked at us for the first 10 minutes. Then when we sat down at a random table, there was literally NO ONE coming to talk to us. So we chose the wine, brought it to the bar counter and thankfully someone opened it for us. That was the extent to which this hospitality went. Don't cry when AI takes your jobs, because they never existed in the first place.

Great, cute little place. The service could be a little better but I know the servers are also working behind the bar. This can be remedied if you just go up to the bar and order there and sit back down. But I still had a great time! Happy hour prices are great.

Amazing wine selection. Like nothing I've ever had before. Awesome staff as well. It's easy to have a conversation there. The food is simple and delicious.

Excellent selection of wine from all over the world. There wine club is an absolutely amazing I regret not joining sooner love everything they send me. The bartenders are super knowledgeable and great to hang out with.

The best! If you are in the bay area and enjoy natural wine then you should not miss this gem. The selection is mindblowing with rare wines from all of the world

This is one of the coolest spots I've ever gone to, it requires a password to enter, the decor is like being back in time. The drinks were awesome and the service was great. Jewls was our server, she get an A+ for her service. Her personality was awesome. She went above and beyond on a busy Saturday night she made drink recommendations and offered to take a picture of us without being asked to. Thanks Jewls for making my date night special. We will definitely be back!

The Layover is a little bar with a surprisingly small stage for all the music and other events that it hosts. The staff is pleasant and efficient. You won't find the crazy array of craft cocktails, but you will get your drink in a timely manner and it won't make your wallet bleed. The crowd is friendly and it's not hard to find parking.

Been coming here for years pretty much a well known regular of the place! If you want to chit chat come early before 11pm after that it is time to dance!! They have a great sound system the vibe is still good years later even though the crowd has changed. There is a cover of 5 dollars after 10pm. And you are pretty much paying to keep out the drama and just vibe out!! There are also very cool events that happen the weekdays such as comedy on Tuesday that is FREE!! How can you not like this place!? A beacon of Oakland!

A tight gem to party after work, dj,bands, parties and decent drinks. All types of music, all ages,all colors kicking it, all genderless...just a funky good time. Shake yo a$$ or get a rare seat on the cushions. Bar service can be slow but just enjoy the night. Oakland fun!

Fun dive. I came here on Tuesday night for their free comedy show and was able to also get great happy hour deals. Well drinks are pretty cheap for this area. I will definitely come back for another free comedy show, too!

Fun place to dance on weekends! There was a diverse crowd, and I didn't feel old as a 30-something breaking a sweat on the dance floor. They also have a good comedy show that is free during the week. And there's a guy who sells Italian food outside the door at night for cheap

The layover is a place unlike any others in the Bay Area. The vibe is real and always has good music and drinks. This has been my go-to after long days of work for years. I enjoy the music, and the dancing on the weekends. For me, this is an authentic Oakland bar that offers a great experience.

A good mix of music. A nice selection of custom drinks with a regular bar. There was a food truck in patio area. Next door is a restaurant who'll deliver to the patio. Stop by and make a good time!

Great spot to stop for a game. They had several TVs and they were playing multiple games. Of course at the 4th quarter, they changed all the TVs to the warriors game. It felt like a good mix of people in the place. There is a coin-op pool table. The service was quick. The mezcal cucumber cocktail was very refreshing on a warm day. The mezcal flight for $15 was def worth it.

Cool bar in Oakland near the BART station I love the Tamarindo margarita it was so good! And great prices

This was a chill place to go on a Friday night. They had Tv's playing the news but no music. Still was a nice spot. And they had a nice outside patio area

Local dive bar. Great vibes. Quick service. Cute little juke box to play your own music and a pool table for fun. I'll be back for sure!

Great bar, the atmosphere and hospitality felt like we were back in Texas. Will definitely stop by next time we’re back in town!

I used to go here frequently about 2 years ago and paid a visit tonight... Boy what a change. It looks great. Kind of an upscale dive now. Great patio area, across the street from one of Oakland's best taco trucks that is open at least until 2am and across from Fruitvale station. Just look for the flashy lights and signage. Cant miss her!

The first leg of our flight arrived in Oakland at about 10:00pm. We had an overnight layover. This was one of only a few restaurants that opened at 4:30. The associate was patient and kind, the cook was amazing, and we were thankful. To top it off, breakfast was great!

Hands down, the BEST food I have ever eaten at ANY airport ever. In fact, their Smash burger is the best burger in all of the Bay Area, I kid you not! And I am very picky when it comes to meat. Amazing flavor! My husband and I fly into Oakland often and eating here is something that we look forward to always! Excellent and fast service is just the cherry on top! The reviews for this gem should definitely be higher!!

The carnitas tacos were so so good! Plenty of meat and we also got a mangoneada. My wife loved it so much! The corn was not so good, but we also really enjoyed the piña colada smoothie.

Delicious breakfast burritos. Both carnitas and bacon are very good. Make sure to ask for salsa. I will be back to try the lunch menu. Big thanks to Calavera for showing some love for Southwest folks this week.

The reviews on here are so polarizing. The smash burger comes with two patties and the cheese is supposed to be fried, that's the style! I really enjoyed the burger and the chips. The salsa was bland (pico de gallo) but they also had alternative hotter salsa which was great! The tacos were good, the carnitas was a bit on the cafeteria side of flavor but the presentation and the amount of food was decent. Service was typical for an airport, not bad but also not like a sit down restaurant. They did forget to add a side of guac we purchased and they gave it to me fairly quick. They do offer soda fountain with Coke Zero on tap which was really good. Lastly, for price - again you're in the Bay Area in an airport. It's going to be pricey. For two of us without alcohol and tip it was $52.

If you're ever at the OAK airport, right next to gate 29 is a really good spot to eat. Calavera is a Mexican spot that was amazing good. I ordered the deal of the week. The two tacos were really good and just enough of a mess to eat with your hands. The fresh chips and salsa was on point. I really wasn't expecting it to be that good. The customer service was top notch and welcoming. Alot of people around and laughter at the bar. Seems like the people working there took the time to enjoy all the traveler going in and out. Really recommend going there if you ever have a 5hr layover like I did. I know I'll probably end up going back knowing the food was worth it.

We shared the chorizo breakfast burrito and it was amazing. The burrito was super fresh and good sized (big enough to share) and the salsas were so great (the red is a little hot - but we like that!). The service was warm and super helpful in deciding what to order. We’ll definitely eat here next time through.

It's a cool bar with arcade games and dj performance on Friday nights. It's a lil bit loud so you might come here as a later stop of your night.

I don't get the good reviews. Maybe I went in on an off night. I went in for a beer, there were only a couple of people in there, it was very dark, dead silent, no tap beer and only 4 basic bottle beers to choose from. If they were nice I would have given them more stars but they seemed bothered by me being there.

Saw my friends band play upstairs. Pretty cool little venue in Oakland's Jack London area. Parking was easy, so I would come back to see more shows.

The power went out 3 times. Delays caused me to miss headline act b/c the venue hadn't hired a proper electrician to check their system and i needed to catch the last BART train at 12:30 am.

I had such a wonderful night at The Night Lightwith my friends. This place is so cozy and full of good vibes. Even I was in CA just for one week I spent two nights here with no regrets.

Great drinks, fun atmosphere, DJs and/or live music every night. Has 2 bars and the upstairs bar has a stage where bands play.

The music is not that good and the DJs never put any of our requested songs even though he had said yes. The place has a lot of potential but their music needs to change.