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Oakland may seem like a large, intimidating city, but breaking it down into neighborhoods can make it much more inviting. And by going to any of Oakland's neighborhood bars, you'll feel like a local after just one cocktail or beer infused night. Downtown Oakland is rich with history, culture and, you guessed it, bars. Downtown is home to the Oakland East Bay Symphony and the Art Deco Paramount Theater, making the area bars popular before and after shows. Berkeley boasts some of the best neighborhood bars in the Oakland area, from hip college hangouts to alehouses and breweries. Don't forget about Walnut Creek's upscale lounges and wine bars, or the neighborhood favorites of Albany. Oakland's diversity makes its neighborhood bars unique and fresh.
Cato's Ale House
3891 Piedmont Ave., Oakland, California; Tel. 510.655.3349
Bring a date or some friends to Cato's Ale House and all of their preconcieved notions about you will instantly change. This local bar has that undiscovered, low-key hipster vibe that you've sought all your life. The grub is classic pub style and, while serving only beer and wine, the libation selection is extensive. Also, on most nights, a cosmopolitan mix of live music acts play, but never drown out your conversation; because now, through your choice of watering holes, your opinion matters. |
Hotsy Totsy Club
601 San Pablo Ave., Albany, California; Tel. 510.524.1661
We'll take local dive bars over a sleek club any day of the week, mostly because the low-key, unpretensious atmosphere and heavy pours mask our true alcoholic nature. Plus it's during incoherent ramblings that you can discern life's little thought about, hidden secrets. The Hotsy Totsy Club embodies this local dive bar feel to a tee: it's a favorite spot for regulars every night and for twentysomethings hitting that weekend bender. |
The Mallard
752 San Pablo Ave., Albany, California; Tel. 510.524.8450
A highly touted local bar that has more games than a Milton-Bradley convention, The Mallard has a surefire hipster attitude and enough flair for three joints. Downstairs, this two-tiered palace of fine libations is your basic, local dive bar, with blue collared regulars rubbing elbows with college kids and a back patio sporting a kitschy-cool Polynesian look. Upstairs there are more pool tables and dark booths perfectly suited for a private conversation. The bartenders are friendly and aim to please, making The Mallard a great spot to start and end an evening. |
Shattuck Avenue Spats
1974 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, California; Tel. 510.841.7225
A local bar favorite of the Berkeley set, sporting cool shabby-chic decor and serving a decent selection of libations, Shattuck Avenue Spats is perfect for catching up with old or new friends while catching a buzz. There are no pretensions and the attitude is completely "come as you are"; a perfect local bar for languid conversation. |
Heinold's First & Last
48 Webster St., Oakland, California; Tel. 510.839.6761
That tipsy feeling you get at Heinold's First & Last isn't necessarily from the booze. This local bar fave was damaged in the "Big One" (that's right, it's been here that long). Still decorated like a creepy old fisherman's cabin mixed with the nostalgia of the Pacific theater of WWII, and still rocking the original gas lamps, Heinold's is the perfect local bar to take out of towners so they can see firsthand that living in the paradise that is the Bay Area doesn't come without its perils. Also, Heinold's is situated right on Jack London Square, so while downing your hot buttered rum you can watch lazy boats on the Bay. |
McNally's
5352 College Ave., Oakland, California; Tel. 510.654.9463
Oakland's oldest Irish pub, situated in the Rockridge district, McNally's is the quintessential neighborhood bar. A large stone fireplace that burns real logs (environmentalists be damned) dominates the middle of the room while the long, highly polished wood bar screams out for patrons to rest their weary elbows and down a Guinness. On the weekends, when a band occasionaly plays, McNally's is invaded by Cal college kids blowing off steam from a grueling week hitting the books. Cheerful, witty bartenders perfectly round out the neighborhood bar atmosphere, serving drinks as quick as you can order them. |
George and Walt's
5445 College Ave., Oakland, California; Tel. 510.653.7441
Try to find a seat at George and Walt's during a Raider's away game; go ahead, we'll wait. You simply can't do it. An inviting and comfortable neighborhood bar in the Rockridge District during the week, G&W's gets transformed into the Raider Nation on Sundays, making it a raucous sports bar. The drinks are no-frills, straightforward bar type, although G&W's does have a fine list of hot drinks for those chilly Oakland winter mornings, or noons, or nights. |
Ben N' Nick's Bar & Grill
5612 College Ave., Oakland, California; Tel. 510.923.0327
Ben N' Nick's prides itself on an ever rotating selection of draft beers—domestics, imports, and microbrews—that perfectly reflect the season, but that's not all that's attractive about this neighborhood bar in Rockridge. No, a staggering stockpile of single malts and premium tequilas, along with always friendly bartenders that are genuinely having a good time, perfectly compliment the extensive choices of beer. |
The Graduate
6202 Claremont Ave., Oakland, California; Tel. 510.655.8847
A no-frills neighborhood bar that serves up stiff drinks at reasonable prices, The Graduate doesn't try to be anything more than it is; and that's refreshing. The bar's name suits it perfectly—you're likely to find patrons older than your typical college bar crowd. The conversations can get heated between regular patrons, but we're convinced that alcohol is a fine social lubricant; don't you agree? No? Want to argue about it? It's all good by the end because everyone always buries the proverbial hatchet with a shot and a beer. See, that's how adults do things. |
Cabel's Reef
2272 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, California; Tel. 510.451.3777
Cabel's Reef is a shabby chic gay and lesbian bar where everybody pretty much knows everybody else—or maybe the ultra-friendly atmosphere just makes it seem that way, probably why this club is always crowded. Either that or it may be because Cabel's Reef attracts the most well dressed set of any place we've seen, and we're not talking three-piece suits here—go there on the weekends and you'll get the idea. The drink pours are heavy handed and reasonably priced, and the dance floor gets bumpin'. |
The Alley
3325 Grand Ave., Oakland, California; Tel. 510.444.8505
If your life is in a rut, you can certainly break out of it at The Alley, a neighborhood bar that's home to a funky little cabaret where patrons get up and sing by the old piano without the benefit of those newfangled karaoke machines. The crowd is very encouraging to rookies, but veteran singers usually dominate the amalgamated decor. Drinks are good and reasonable, but if you want the best value, stop in for dinner when you can get a steak for less than a sawbuck. |
Smitty's Cocktails
3339 Grand Ave., Oakland, California; Tel. 510.834.1591
Smitty's is a quintessential neighborhood bar that refuses to get sucked into the modern era, but that's the reason to frequent it. Seriously cheap cocktails (try around four bucks for top shelf booze) are the norm, the quarter pool table beckons for a game, and the jukebox (quarter driven as well) spits out the classics. Smitty's Cocktails is one of Oakland's oldest neighborhood bars and still recalls the old days when bars were nothing more than just bars. |
Egbert Souse's
3758 Piedmont Ave., Oakland, California; Tel. 510.658.4740
A classic corner neighborhood bar, Egbert Souse's pays homage to the late comedian W.C. Fields, my little chickadee, and the prices seem almost stuck in that bygone era. You can get a heavy pour on mixed drinks for about three bucks and beer is even cheaper; what more could you possibly ask for in a bar? The shabby interior and antiquated jukebox haven't been updated in forever, but the decor is not what draws patrons here; if you're lost on the draw, see above. |
King's X Bar
4401 Piedmont Ave., Oakland, California; Tel. 510.653.4200
Stiff drinks and an everybody knows your name atmosphere prevail at King's X Bar, a long standing neighborhood establishment. Many an after work patron call this watering hole home and that crowd gives way to a younger set later in the evening who bop their heads to some DJ stylings on Fridays. With a friendly bar staff, free flowing drinks, and even a seperate pool room, it's no wonder why King's X is one of our favorite neighborhood bars. |
Dorsey's Locker
5817 Shattuck Ave., Oakland, California; Tel. 510.428.1935
Down home soul cooking blend with the extremely well made cocktails at Dorsey's Locker to keeep customers smiling and coming back. Seriously, how often can you find a neighborhood bar with food this great? Not often. The kitchen definately pumps out some genuine Oakland fare, so come hungry. Dorsey's Locker also sports probably the most hospitable staff around, so leave your attitude at home. |
Barclay's
5940 College Ave., Oakland, California; Tel. 510.654.1650
Do you like beer? We like beer and can muse for hours on it, but let us tell you this: Barclay's, a friendly neighborhood bar and grill is a beer drinking paradise. With about thirty of the frothy libations on tap and located just below street level in the Rockridge district, Barclay's recalls the taverns of old where friends meet to converse and enjoy life. The food is excellent and plentiful, the beers are many (Barclay's also has a full bar for those of you not into suds), and the boisterous crowd gets a little louder on the weekends. |
Pat's
1517 Franklin St., Oakland, California; Tel. 510.452.3338
Pat's has got to be the groovinest local bar in Oakland and anyone popping in on a Friday night can certainly attest to that. The drinks are stiff and plenty, the dance floor is always packed with patrons jumping to 70's funk and soul or hip-hop, and the overall atmosphere is friendly, sometimes very friendly. |
Baggy's By The Lake
288 E. 18th St., Oakland, California; Tel. 510.763.5721
A venerable dive bar in the Lake Merritt district, Baggy's makes you feel immediately welcome in its friendly confines. Everything is seriously inexpensive here and the bartenders, who also co-own the place, are like the hosts at a feel good neighborhood keg party. Baggy's is Lake Merritt's hang out place for everyone, we go there and, believe us, if we're welcome, so are you. |
The Hut
5515 College Ave., Oakland, California; Tel. 510.653.2565
You just can't help but like a place that crossed over from serving up Sunday morning sermons to serving booze. The Hut, now a classic neighborhood bar, saw the change coming back in 1933 and hasn't looked back, yet still adheres to the church philosophy of welcoming everyone. The cocktails and beer are extremely cheap, the crowd is very nice, and the pool table still takes quarters. Amen. |
Raleigh's
2438 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley, California; Tel. 510.848.8652
Cal students rub elbows with East Bay punks while swilling a good selection of microbrews at Raliegh's, a neighborhood bar that also offers more than decent pub style grub. You can shoot some stick here without hitting anyone or chill on the outdoor beer garden, the prices aren't going to break the wallet and the staff is quite nice; easy on the eyes too. |
Cozy Den
1524 Peralta St., Oakland, California; Tel. 510.893.7540
A little local bar, the Cozy Den offers up that distinct Oakland neighborhood bar feel. The drinks are served strong and there's some video entertainment for those of you that get bored with your own thoughts easily. |
Kerry House
4092 Piedmont Ave., Oakland, California; Tel. 510.652.4032
You know why we love little hole in the wall local bars so much? It's because most of them open up at 6am, seriously we don't have to be to work until 9 or so, and as many a great would preach, liquor makes everything you write better. Kerry House opens at 6am, so all you would be Hemingway's can wake up early and get the creative juices flowing. |
Connolly's
4822 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, California; Tel. 510.654.1423
A no frills bar catering to the neighborhood's need for an inexpensive watering hole. Seriously, you can pull up a stool and revel in your anonymity while slugging down a decent cocktail at Connolly's. |
Little Al's
3329 Foothill Blvd., Oakland, California; Tel. 510.533.1767
With a name that sounds like another tired spin-off of Happy Days, Little Al's local bar, does the one thing you always wished they did at Arnold's, serve heaps of booze—Ha, try riding that motorcycle now Fonzi. |
Nick's Lounge
3218 Adeline St., Berkeley, California; Tel. 510.652.4166
Serving the diverse cast of Bekeley good drinks at a reasonable price is the foundation that Nick's Lounge, a little neighborhood bar, is built upon. At any time of day, you can catch some Cal students "studying", or just local yokels escaping the patcouli scented local streets toughs. |
Sam's 58 Club
1035 Heinz Ave., Berkeley, California; Tel. 510.843.0416
Okay, so we've only been there a couple of times and there's one thing about Sam's 58 Club that has always bothered us: what's the 58 for? We like to know everything we can about our local bars and that 58 has perplexed us for quite a while. There's no 58 in the address, no 58 beers on tap, no 58 anything; we keep meaning to ask someone that would know, but we're always a little too drunk to remember. Oh wait, 58 shots! That has to be it. |
Acme Bar
2115 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley, California; Tel. 510.644.2226
Acme bar is quickly ascending our rankings of great local bars to while away a couple of hours without whiling away all of the money in our wallets. Nightly drink specials keep the prices in check and DJs spin all of your favorites. That is if your favorites include everything from classic and new punk to bluegrass and rockabilly like ours do. And plus, you just can't beat that name. |
Shamrock Irish Pub
1403 Webster St., Alameda, California; Tel. 510.769.9788
If you're looking for some inexpensive fun and happen to be in Alameda, you've got to check out the Shamrock Irish Pub, an easy local bar to always have a good time in. Everyone is friendly at Shamrock's and you can amuse yourself with pool, darts, or kick back and scope some international soccer matches on the tube. The drinks are inexpensive and strong; what else would you expect in an Irish bar? Also, on some nights, Shamrock's houses an unexpectedly awesome band. |
Wally's Corner
1600 Webster St., Alameda, California; Tel. 510.522.4412
Wally's Corner is just that, a little corner neighborhood bar where you can escape for a few hours, have a decent conversation and relax with a drink; because, this is exactly what neighborhood bars are there for. |
—Oakland nightclub reviews by Ryan Osterbeck
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