Welcome to the thriving nightlife scene in Oakland, California – a city brimming with eclectic bars and lounges offering everything from craft cocktails to local brews.
Whether you’re a fan of trendy spots or prefer cozy neighborhood watering holes, Oakland’s bar scene has something for everyone. In this blog post, we have curated a list of the 15 best bars in Oakland that are sure to create memorable nights filled with good drinks and great company.
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Top 15 Best Bars In Oakland
Discover the best bars in Oakland that offer everything from craft beer and cocktails to live music and neighborhood charm.
Make Westing
Make Westing is a bar located in Oakland, California. The address is 1741 Telegraph Ave, Oakland CA, 94612, and the phone number is (510) 251-1400. The bar is known for its indoor bocce court and is a fun place to drink and mingle. The hours of operation are Sunday through Wednesday from 5pm-12am, and Thursday through Saturday from 5pm-2am. The bar accepts credit cards and is bike-friendly.
The Starline Social Club
The Starline Social Club is a venue, bar, and restaurant located in a three-story Victorian building on the corner of MLK and West Grand Ave in Oakland, CA. It is a historic building in Uptown Oakland that has been converted into a bar, restaurant, and performance venue.
The club has a vintage-chic ground-floor bar and lounge, plus an upstairs ballroom in a historic former saloon space. The club is open Tuesday – Saturday from 4 pm to 12 am. The club has hosted concerts, parties, and other events in the past.
However, as of January 1, 2023, the Starline Social Club has permanently closed.
The Trappist
The Trappist was a Belgian-style beer pub that was established in 2007 in Oakland, California. It was located at 460 8th St, Oakland, CA 94607. The founders aimed to create a place that offered all the things they loved about their beer adventures in Belgium. The Trappist was known for its extensive selection of craft beers, including a variety of Belgian-style brews.
Here are some key details about The Trappist:
– Location: 460 8th St, Oakland, CA 94607
– Established: 2007
– Style: Belgian-style beer pub
– Offerings: Extensive selection of craft beers, including Belgian-style brews
– Status: The Trappist is currently closed
– Replaced by: The space previously occupied by The Trappist is now home to a Sante Adairius taproom
– New Ownership: Capitola-based brewery Sante Adairius Rustic Ales has taken over the iconic Trappist location in Oakland
Unfortunately, The Trappist is no longer in operation, but its legacy as a beloved craft beer bar in Oakland lives on.
The Double Standard
The Double Standard is a popular bar located at 2424 Telegraph Avenue in Oakland, California. It is known for its full bar and happy hour specials, which attract a large crowd to its low-key neighborhood lounge. The bar features a spacious patio, and it accepts credit cards.
The operating hours are from 5 pm to 2 am on weekdays and from 2 pm to 2 am on weekends.
The Double Standard opened in 2015, replacing the previous establishment, Kim’s Backyard. The bar offers a variety of drinks, including beer, cocktails, and a full bar selection.
The Layover
The Layover Music Bar & Lounge was a popular spot in Oakland, California, known for its vibrant atmosphere and diverse entertainment options. Here are some key features of The Layover:
– Location: 1517 Franklin St, Oakland, CA 94612, in the Uptown neighborhood.
– Phone: (510) 834-1517.
– Bar and Lounge: The Layover offered a full bar, lounge, and intimate dance floor.
– Entertainment: The venue showcased a variety of DJs, musicians, comedians, and mixed media artists, featuring both local talent and artists from the Bay Area and beyond.
– DepARTure Gallery: The Layover was home to the depARTure Gallery, which featured rotating artists on a monthly basis.
The Golden Bull
The Golden Bull is a lively hangout located in the heart of Downtown Oakland, California. It offers a full bar with craft beer and cocktails, as well as pool, live bands, and DJs. The bar is known for its support of local artists and musicians, aiming to create a space that fosters their growth while providing a hassle-free experience for patrons.
– The Golden Bull is a popular venue for local music shows, with a great staff and perfect sound quality.
– The bar’s address is 412 14th St, Oakland, California.
Drexl
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Drexl Bar is a snazzy bi-level watering hole located at 382 19th St, Oakland, California 94612. It is a friendly local bar that serves outstanding cocktails, carefully selected craft beers, and wine on tap.
The bar has preternaturally skilled bartenders who can make you whatever you’re in the mood for. Drexl Bar is located in Uptown Oakland near The Fox Theater. The bar has happy hour specials, skeeball, and Ms. Pacman.
Bar Three Fifty-Five
Bar Three Fifty-Five is a popular bar located in the Uptown neighborhood of Oakland, California. Here is some complete information about the bar:
– Address: 355 19th St, Oakland, CA 94612
– Phone: (510) 451-3355
– Website: (https://www.bar355.com/)
– Instagram: [@bar_355](https://www.instagram.com/bar_355/)
The bar is known for its music and dance events, offering a unique experience for its patrons. It has a full bar and accepts credit cards. The price point is described as “Cheap Eats (Under $10) – Moderate”. The bar is open from Monday to Saturday, from 4 PM to 2 AM.
The Miranda
The Miranda is an upscale cocktail bar and lounge located in the heart of Oakland’s Uptown district. It offers vacation-themed cocktails in a sleek and stylish setting with vintage accents. The bar is known for its elevated lounge experience and quality drinks. Here is some additional information about The Miranda:
– Address: 1739 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612
– Phone: (510) 740-5760
– Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
– Hours: The current hours are not available, but the bar is typically open in the evenings.
The Grand Tavern
The Grand Tavern in Oakland, California, is a closed restaurant located at 3601 Grand Ave. It was known for its funky and friendly atmosphere, as well as its high-quality ingredients. The restaurant offered a variety of dishes, including Mac and cheese and chicken bites. Unfortunately, the exact date of its closure is not mentioned in the search results.
Heinold’s First And Last Chance Saloon
Heinold’s First and Last Chance Saloon is a historic bar located in Oakland, California. Here is some complete information about the establishment:
– Location: 48 Webster St, Oakland, California
– Area: Less than one acre
– Built: 1880
– Architectural style: Queen Anne, Western false front
– NRHP reference No.: 00001067
– ODL No.: 3
– Significant dates:
– Added to NRHP: September 1, 2000
– Designated ODL: 1975
Heinold’s First and Last Chance Saloon was opened by John (Johnny) M. Heinold in 1883 on Jack London Square in Oakland, California. The name “First and Last Chance” refers to the time in which, for many sailors, the pub was the first and last chance to drink alcohol heavily before or after a long voyage. The pub’s central location near the ferry between Oakland and Alameda made it a popular first or last destination to drink alcohol, as its consumption and sale were illegal in Alameda.
The saloon was also a popular spot for sailors leaving or arriving through the Oakland port on long trips, known as the first or last place to drink alcohol in larger quantities.
Heinold’s is the last commercial establishment in California with its original gas lighting. The tables, which reportedly came from a whaling ship, and other furnishings date back to the days when Johnny Heinold ran the pub. The walls and ceilings are covered with business cards, hats of past patrons, and money, often signed by sailors about to deploy so they would have money for a drink.
The bar is a vibrant, circa-1883 establishment featuring cocktails and draft brews in funky Old West surroundings with a patio. It is located in Jack London Square and has been catering to sailors and locals alike for over a century.
Heinold’s First and Last Chance Saloon was also featured in a couple of Jack London novels and has a broken bar. The original building was constructed from the remains of a whaling vessel.
Mad Oak Bar ‘n’ Yard
Here is the complete information about Mad Oak Bar ‘n’ Yard in Oakland:
– Location: 135 12th St, Oakland, California 94607.
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– Neighborhood: Lake Merritt.
– Contact: (510) 843-7416.
– Website: http://www.madoakbar.com.
– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madoakbar
Mad Oak Bar ‘n’ Yard is a popular watering hole in Oakland, offering a unique experience with its patio and rotating chefs serving up cool snacks. The bar is known for its extensive selection of beverages, including 40 beers on draft, a full bar with a wide range of spirits, and cocktails. The kitchen is open late, providing a variety of food options for patrons.
The bar is located at 135 12th St in the Lake Merritt neighborhood. It opens at 11 am and offers brunch until 3 pm. Mad Oak is a favorite spot for sports enthusiasts, as it often hosts game viewings, such as the Niners starting at 1 pm. The bar is open all day, providing a welcoming atmosphere for visitors.
The Sausage Factory
The Sausage Factory is a restaurant located in San Francisco, not Oakland. It is a historical, wood-paneled space with vintage decor serving traditional Italian food and pizza. The restaurant’s address is 517 Castro Street, San Francisco, CA, 94114, United States. They offer delivery and pickup options through Grubhub and Postmates.
If you are looking for the best sausage in Oakland, you can check out Yelp’s list of the top 10 best sausage in Oakland as of October 2023. Some of the top-rated places include Taylor’s Sausage, Brotzeit Lokal, The Fifth Quarter Charcuterie, and Winky Dinky Dogs.
The Kona Club
The Kona Club is a popular tiki bar located at 4401 Piedmont Avenue in Oakland, California. Here is some complete information about the bar:
– Description: The Kona Club is a long-standing tiki bar that opened in 2005. The owner, Doug Miller, also owns the nearby Club Mallard. The bar is known for its satisfying fru-fru drinks with tiny umbrellas, served in a suitable Trader Vic’s-like setting. The attention to detail in the bar’s design is incredible, with wood paneling, island decorations, and dark lighting throughout.
– Address: 4401 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611.
– Phone number: (510) 607-7143.
– Hours: The Kona Club is open daily from 2 pm to 2 am, except on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
– Menu: You can view the Kona Club’s menu on Restaurantji, which includes a variety of drinks and food options.
– Meeting Space: The Kona Club offers meeting space for events and gatherings. For more information, you can visit their listing on Cvent.
Blind Tiger
Blind Tiger is a popular bar and restaurant located in Oakland, California. Here is some complete information about the Blind Tiger bar in Oakland:
– Location: 2600 Telegraph Ave, Ste B, Oakland, CA 94612
– Cuisine: Asian Fusion
– Type: Comfy, cozy basement tavern
– Menu: Blind Tiger offers a wide range of pan-Asian inspired tapas and gastropod fare. The restaurant specializes in handcrafted drinks and shared plates.
– Hours:
– Monday: 6:00 pm – 1:00 am
– Tuesday: 6:00 pm – 1:00 am
– Wednesday: 6:00 pm – 1:00 am
– Thursday: 6:00 pm – 1:00 am
– Friday: 6:00 pm – 2:00 am
– Saturday: 6:00 pm – 2:00 am
– Sunday: Closed
– Ranking: Blind Tiger is ranked #26 out of 43 bars and #190 out of 662 restaurants in Oakland.
– Services: Blind Tiger is an underground full-service restaurant and bar, offering a comfortable and cozy atmosphere for its customers.
– Reviews: The bar has received positive reviews for its food, service, and value.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you’re in Oakland and looking for a great drink or a fun night out, these 15 bars are definitely worth checking out. From trendy craft breweries to cozy neighborhood spots, there’s something for everyone on this list.
Keep in mind that the local bar scene is always evolving, so be sure to keep an eye out for new additions to the list. Whether you’re a craft beer enthusiast or a cocktail connoisseur, Oakland has plenty of options to satisfy your thirst.
Sources: https://chesbrewco.com
Category: Places
