50 Best Cocktail Bars near Albany

“Low key, relaxed vibe, cool tunes, best drinks. And a stellar taco truck in the parking lot. Very friendly staff. 5 stars all day, every day.“

“VERY nice bar tucked off in Albany, inside is a wooded theme fireplace, candle lit tables with umbrellas outback on the patio. They have games like checkers, pool etc,. Super low-key but very chill-romantic vibe. I enjoyed myself and will be back again.“

“I love this bar/club. It's a small dive bar with great shows. I saw Manic Hispanic this week. I was up front and center. A friend saw the same band last week in SoCal but was separated from the band by the typical bigger show barricade. The Ivy Room gets packed, but what a fantastic place to see bands!“

“Delicious food! Great Bar and desserts! Super friendly staff and owners.“

“It’s the best Restaurant in town came with Family and we had a great time! Food was great and drinks 🍹 we all loved the dessert as well! Just amazing service and food! My Favorite for sure! 2914 College Ave Berkeley Ca“

“Amazing food and wine, great view“

“One of the essential bars to visit in SF.
I have been to trick dog several times for their amazing rotating cocktails and the fun ambience. Last night I booked a table to try the food and it was delicious. I had the chicken sandwich and the kale salad which I enjoyed greatly.
Will definitely grab food next time Im visiting.
The service was great, they even made us a drink from previous menus upon our request.“

“The food in this restaurant is delicious, I hope you have time to try it.“

“Great night at Casements during SF Carnaval’s Fat Tuesday Season Kickoff! Free live music, fantastic vibes, friendly staff and Pliny the Younger on tap. Our Finnish friend (a serious beer lover) called it the “holy grail of beers” and has been dreaming of trying it his whole life.“

“Had such a great experience at Kona's! 🌺 The vibe is fun and relaxed, making it a perfect spot to unwind after a long day. The drinks were refreshing and well-made, and the food hit the spot with great flavors. Service was friendly and welcoming, which made the visit even more enjoyable. Definitely a 5-star place I’d happily come back to!“

“Lavay Smith sings there on Sunday evenings“

“Great environment, lively, and tasty food!“

“Really cool local bar…..the first time I ever tried Flor de Caña was from here…..all the proofs! Nice crowd, service, atmosphere, good drinks, vibe & bar bites! 👍🏿“

“We applaud all those who help PCH become Miracle @ PCH, it’s amazing!“

“Bring on the funny 😁 happy anniversary Lisa good times great atmosphere!!!“

“We walked in on NYE without a reservation and they graciously found us a spot in the bar area. Service was on point and staff were festively dressed! I love a crafty cocktail but most are too sweet. I had the Smokey mezcal cocktail 🍹. Perfection. Appetizers were delish as well. Perfect way to start our NYE celebrations.“

“Johnathan who was clearing glassware was very friendly and on top of his job and the bartender whose name I believe is Jake was great and very helpful with helping us choose cocktails we enjoyed! The live music was phenomenal, lively without being overwhelming. Shoutout to the guys at @magicschoolbusk on instagram. Definitely a must stop when your in SF.“

“5 Super vibey bar - perfect for dates imo. The drinks are interesting - they keep half their menu seasonal and constantly changing. That being said, while the drinks are good, Cold Drinks is prob still better in terms of nuance. This place is def more vibey than Cold Drinks tho - fun aura and is very lively (without being too loud to hear each other). Overall, excellent date spot and plenty of good bars around in case you need to wait. Definitely make a res on the weekend because you will wait for over an hour or not get in. Good set up for canoodling.“

“Had a lovely time both times I went. The speakeasy has very chill vibes and the board game room is really nice. Drinks were immaculate. Can't wait to try the escape room.“

“Enjoy the atmosphere and the tasty food !“

“We visited Blind Pig last night as a group of four and had a fantastic time. The concept of the bar is refreshingly original and gives the whole place a special vibe right from the start.

The drinks were outstanding - beautifully crafted and presented in a real special way. A big shoutout to the bartender, who did an excellent job!

This is definitely a place we’d happily come back to.“

“Tiki Bar with a definite 50’s vibe. Love the rum selection!“

“This is a classic Italian restaurant with a lively atmosphere and excellent service. The portions are generous and the food is delicious. We ordered the classic pepperoni pizza, the classic cheese and bacon pizza, as well as the lasagna and carbonara. The pizzas were cooked to perfection, with a crispy and delicious crust. The pasta was cheesy and filling.“

“The decor was festive and abundant in the best way possible, and the cocktails looked unique and curiosity-piquing. I narrowed my choices down to a Cafe Sua Daddy and the Soy Sauce Old Fashioned.

I love a savory drink and the sweet caffeinated espresso martini-esque drink had a thick blanket of just-salty-enough foam reminiscent of the salt cream that tops a boba drink. The Soy Sauce Old Fashioned catapulted me back to my childhood, eating slabs of tofu drenched in shoyu at my grandma's house. I loved the custom soy bottle presentation, it was just strong enough to tolerate being poured over a large rock while maintaining its flavor.

My partner had the Umami Tots and Mapo Tofu. I couldn't resist the siren song of some crispy potatoes dunked in chili oil cream, but managed to hold myself back on the tofu- even though it smelled amazing.

Can't wait to return and try the new seasonal drinks, along with more snacks.“

“Nice bar and really like the roof fan“

“We stopped by this pub to find an incredibly welcoming bartender and amazing drinks!
The food did look really good, but alas we came after dinner.
I'm not kidding, when I say, these were some of the best cocktails we've ever had!!
Definitely recommend if you are interested in artisinal cocktails made with care (go somewhere else if you want cheap shots ;))“

“Fantastic concept, fantastic cocktails“

“We brought our friend here to celebrate his birthday because we wanted to gift an experience. We saw you featured on Check Please . . . And you guys WOW’d us beyond our expectations!! Amazing staff! And amazing food . . And yes, amazing cocktails!! Down to the last finishing touches ! We will definitely be back !“

“Final date night before flight home tomorrow. Sausage plate. The British bangers are super flavorful and juicy, goes great with the spicy mustard sauce! The bratwurst is perfect with the kraut and horseradish. The smoked bison is a bit on the dry and spicy side. Reminds me of a Slim Jim. I wish I tasted more bison, but it's still good. The herbed goat cheese and lavash bread is to die for! The herbs are perfectly balanced with the cheese and spreads so easily on the bread!All paired perfectly with Zin-phomaniac red wine!“

“Historical significance with Jack Kerouac and very cool looking. Great location.“

“An amazing bar. Significant list of drinks, all unique and intriguing. A significant number can be made non-alcoholic and are delicious in that form as well. The staff is incredible (Paolo was great, as were everyone else whose names I forgot).

The atmosphere is wonderful, as is the food. Even the bottle list is fantastic if you're looking for something neat.“

“Awesome karaoke bar in Chinatown, SF! Definitely a Chinatown feel with the dim red lights & decor. There's a huge karaoke book to choose a song to sing. If the bar is full, they'd likely limit you to 1 song at a time so others get a chance. Space is small so it can get crowded. Loved the energy & atmosphere.“

“This spot is something special. The atmosphere is really what makes it stand out—it’s lively, welcoming, and just a great place to hang out for a while. You can tell it’s the kind of place locals probably come back to again and again. Honestly, I’d be surprised if you found a better vibe anywhere else.

Just a quick heads-up though: they don’t serve food here. It’s definitely more about the drinks and the atmosphere than sitting down for a full meal. Once you know that going in, it actually makes the whole experience feel more relaxed. You just show up, enjoy the space, and have a good time. It’s the kind of place that makes you wish you lived nearby so you could stop by whenever you felt like it.“

“The seafood here is absolutely superb in both flavour and service, with exceptionally fresh ingredients. It ranks among the finest seafood I've ever tasted😃😋“

“Looking forward to the grand opening!“

“good drinks, good food, friendly service, outdoor dining, i'll be back“

“I honestly don’t even know where to begin. From start to finish, it was the most mind-blowing experience I’ve ever had.

We met this beautiful, joyful woman named Luka, who was so kind. She sat us down at the bar, where we enjoyed some lovely drinks. They also gave us happy hour oysters, which were, of course, delicious.

Then we were seated at our table, where we got to meet the whole team. Each person individually welcomed us and attended to all our needs. Even the head chef came out personally, greeted us, and offered us items from the menu as a gesture of kindness—which, honestly, I don’t feel we even deserved.

The food was absolutely amazing. Everything was so delicious, and the flavors never clashed. I truly don’t have a single bad word to say. I can’t wait for them to receive their first Michelin star—they all deserve it.

I will definitely be coming back. Thank you to all the wonderful people for the hard work they put in—not just in bringing the food out quickly, but in doing so with love and care.

Thank you again.“

“H a wonderful evening at Holbrook House with friends. Great food and amazing cocktails. We tried the martini cart and the champagne cart (for dessert). Katie and Adriana gave us perfect service and Marco gave good champagne advice. They made the experience feel elegant but so warm and easy. We cannot wait to come back. It felt like old school San Francisco; upscale, but for the people. Highly recommend this place.“

“This is a totally random accident. Wanted to go to karaoke but they were having a private show. Ended up over at Harlan records with a small group of friends. From the moment we walked in it was an amazing experience. Greeted by a very friendly bouncer walked into some dancers and had a Vibe all the way over to our chosen seats. The DJ was so amazing he kept putting mixes I never would have thought to put together and it was amazing shout out to Paul. Bartenders are great, the drinks were amazing and unique. Truly something for everybody.“

“The food was delicious, especially the veggie dumplings and the vegetable dragon roll. And our server was incredibly nice! Also, the cute fish cup they served us in was for sale, so of course I had to buy it. Overall a great gem in the city.“

“Novela is an absolute standout in San Francisco! The book-themed concept is incredibly unique and beautifully executed, creating a cozy yet upscale atmosphere that’s perfect for a night out. Every detail—from the decor to the ambiance—feels thoughtfully curated.
The cocktails are exceptional, creative, and expertly crafted, with plenty of options to suit different tastes. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and provide top-notch service that really elevates the experience. Whether you’re a literature lover or just looking for a stylish spot with great drinks, Novela is a must-visit! 📚🍸“

“Finally came and was pleased with service! Expectations is low from previous experiences but the vive ans ambiance is so nice, I stopped by for a stiff drink (I knew to stick to shots...actually had a beautiful and it was perfectly beautifully) and service was pleasant! To bad Google don't have stars for beverages...lol“

“I have been twice and so far everything has been delicious. I need to go back a few more times to try everything on the menu. Don't forget to save room for dessert. The cocktails are fantastic.“

“A must stop when in the area. Nothing fancy, dive bar feel, but always a good time.“

“Food is delicious. Place is very nice. Service is great. Here is everything we tried and our rating:
- Sweet potato gnocchi : very flavorful! The eggplant and hazelnut sauce base is creative! Solid 5/5
- Empanadas: must try. We ended up ordering 2 rounds of these. The frying makes it a little heavy but the taste and the aioli dip are divine. 6/5 …awesome!
- Tumaco ceviche: interesting acidic flavors. The crispy plantain chips were the highlight for us. 3/5 …the acidity wasn’t hitting right but it’s still really good.
- Carpaccio: the sweet tangy sauce makes this really nice. 3.5/5“

“One great cocktail, one not as much. Can't remember the name but collins glass was very refreshing while the smaller one (smoked mezcal) was very smoky to the point where it was harsh. Went there around midnight, it was pretty damn hot in the bar.“

“We had a wonderful time here. Even though we were in a hurry, everything came out quickly and was delicious. We ordered the eggplant baba ghanoush, which was incredibly flavorful and served with warm, fresh pita bread. The steak skewers were another highlight—so tender and perfectly cooked. The service was great, and the staff were attentive. The atmosphere was beautiful and festive, making the experience even better.
If I could suggest anything to management, it would be to add a few more specialty non-alcoholic drinks, some hot beverage options, and a wider selection of desserts. Overall, though, we really enjoyed our visit and would happily return.“

“Great cocktails and service, not a massive venue so would be perfect to have a cocktail party“

“all of the above and then some!“

“The Food is good the service was great and the entrainment was awesome“