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!“

“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“

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

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

“Amazing food and wine, great view“

“Fun experience here. We sat at the bar, and I overheard many customers asking who’s working or customers greeting the staff. Definitely felt like the staff is well known in this neighborhood and has a lot of regular customers. Great to see.

The menu is awesome. Very cool and caught me by surprise as I grew up as a wrestling fan. It felt nostalgic and made it fun to choose a drink.

It seemed like a seasonal or rotating menu since I heard the bartender say this was our new menu. The Andre the Giant drink was the best of the three we ordered (Roddy Rowdy Piper and Rey Mysterio).

The charred cabbage was great. Never thought I would order a cabbage dish, but the description made it appetizing.

They also played great classic hip hop music.“

“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.“

“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.“

“Great environment, lively, and tasty food!“

“Nice bar and really like the roof fan“

“Absolutely love this place! We recently had a pre-wedding family dinner here for about 50 people, and we ordered party platters. The planning process with them was easy, and they were great about making sure I didn’t over order.

Everything was delicious! I’m especially obsessed with the blue cheese they had on the cheese platter, and hands down their fish and chips are the thing that keeps me coming into this place.

In addition to how tasty everything is, the staff is what seals the deal on this special place. The hospitality is genuine - feels like you’re hanging out in Auntie’s back yard. They even have a photo booth which always is a plus! The inside of the bar is gorgeous, and as someone that’s been coming here for years now, I can attest to how incredible the glow up of the back patio space is - BRAVO!

TLDR; if you’re considering having a larger party/event here - DO IT! I truly love this place.“

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

“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😃😋“

“To be honest I had higher expectations of this bar considering it’s on the top bars list and pinnacle guide. Biggest note I’d say is don’t book the patio. I feel like we were given our drinks and then neglected. The ambience is obviously lacking sitting out on the curb. We didn’t order any food but I could say as someone who recently moved from nyc that the dirty martini was just ok. It wasn’t anything spectacular and to be honest I had higher expectations of a top ranked bar.“

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

“Got a chance to check out Parche while visiting Oakland with some friends and it did not disappoint. The space is beautiful and lively and the food was great for sharing. Everything was delicious especially the branzino and the drinks were tasty and strong. Definitely a must go to spot when you're Oakland. Check it out!“

“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 !“

“Our waiter was friendly and helpful. The pasta is very good as you might expect but I think to be completely full, a couple should order a pasta per person and an entree to split. The citrus cake was amazing and the Gnochetti’s texture was also amazing. The tiramisu also looked incredibly good but unfortunately they sold out, so I’d definitely recommend the desserts as well.“

“Drinks are good. Classic Greyhound (w/mid vodka) was perfection.
The true STAR is this bartender (white guy with glasses and a short beard).
He is the only employee (besides the door person) working at this bar. Serving, bussing, being amazing. On a Saturday night, at 10:30pm. The efficiency, the professionalism and politeness, and then the drinks are delicious!
Give this man a raise… or at least a fat bonus for the work he is putting in tonight.“

“Beautiful and intimately small location to hear some great jazz music! The musicians were all very into the music, bumping along with each other and having a great time making some great music. The food was great as well, definitely recommend the bao! The cocktails were all very diverse, something really for anyone's taste, and were really quite tasty. There is a 90 min limit at a table before they move you to a bar, which makes sense. I also loved how the smaller location and unique entrance made the location feel welcoming but secluded. Would definitely visit again!“

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

“Fantastic concept, fantastic cocktails“

“🌟 NOPA San Francisco: A Bucket List Culinary Triumph! 🌟 Review by: The Bucket List Coach Webshow. I recently had the distinct pleasure of crossing a major culinary destination off my bucket list: NOPA San Francisco. My dining experience on December 12, 2025, was not just a meal; it was an absolute masterclass in hospitality and farm-to-table excellence. Exceptional Service: A Shoutout to Zach! From the moment we sat down, the experience was elevated by our server, Zach. He truly went above and beyond, anticipating needs and offering spot-on recommendations, making the dining experience feel incredibly special and seamless. A massive shoutout to Zach, as well as the entire Culinary team, Management team, and staff—the level of coordination and passion was palpable. Appetizers and Beverages: Instant Classics The meal kicked off with the Date and Pear appetizer, which was absolutely fantastic—a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and texture. And for the beer lovers out there, you must try the Honey Beer 🍺. I'm officially adding this to my personal "Beer Bucket List!" I will absolutely be recommending it to all my followers on my podcast and through my travel agency. Thanks to Woods Beer and Wine Company! The Entrée: Perfection on a Plate For the main course, I opted for the Duck, and it was cooked to perfection. Seriously, melt in the mouth- tender meat was phenomenal. The plate presentation was stunning, far exceeding my expectations—it was a true work of art. The side of Grapefruit and Vinaigrette Salad was the perfect accompaniment. It was one of the best salads I have ever had in San Francisco; the brightness of the grapefruit cut through the richness of the duck beautifully. Desserts: Celebrating National Cocoa Day! To celebrate National Cocoa Day Dec. 13th-I couldn't resist. I highly suggest partaking in the Hot Chocolate for a decadent dessert item—it was rich, velvety, and a perfect holiday treat. And if you still have room, the Cheesecake with Brown Sugar is another truly fantastic dessert that offers a wonderful, comforting finish to the meal. NOPA is more than just a restaurant; it's a destination. The ambiance, the incredible staff like Zach, and the impeccable, thoughtful food quality solidify NOPA as a must-visit spot in San Francisco. It earns its place on any serious foodie's bucket list Cindy Lee Podcast Host at Bucket List Coach Web Show & Founder of Bucket List Coach Travel Tours“

“Lavay Smith sings there on Sunday evenings“

“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! 👍🏿“

“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.“

“Always an interesting experience and fun treat. Classic cocktails in a classic atmosphere. Service is on point! Food is innovative yet still comforting and familiar. Never disappointed.“

“Short wait on a Friday night for 7 of us. Really small place but the wait staff and owner very friendly and everyone was very happy with their meal. If I lived here I would go back.“

“Smuggler's Cove is a must visit. Christopher and Melissa made awesome drinks and made time to discuss rums during a busy service. All of the staff were wonderful and the doorman, was so thoughtful in ensuring we had a great experience. Show up early to ensure you get a spot.“

“Overall A: exceptional Michelin-starred, flavorful, warm, attentive. Weekday supper of charcuterie platter: duck liver mousse, duck rillette, spicy headcheese, Pâté de campagne, rabbit terrine, jagerwurst, pepperoni, chorizo, salami, prosciutto, and whiskey cocktails. Good pricing, though stingy on the carb accompaniment.“

“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!“

“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.“

“Enjoy the atmosphere and the tasty food !“

“Friends and I staying near here popped in for a quick drink on a Friday night (7pm) and had no issue finding a spot at the bar. Our drink orders were taken quickly and the atmosphere is really chill. I really enjoy the low warm lighting and wood look. I'm writing a review because my drink was DELICIOUS! I enjoy sweet flavorful drinks and the Pleasure Palace was a party for my tongue! Great dopamine hit, I highly suggest!

There is no parking, walk or ride share. I did not try the food.“

“We came here after watching Hasan vs. Ronnie at the Fox Theater.

They had so many options to choose from! I got the Thai Tea Conquito, and it was so good. It had a bold Thai tea flavor with hints of vanilla and warm spices. Highly recommended!“

“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.“

“My visit to Novela was such a great experience! The layout is warm, inviting, and sexy. The sofas, library books, chopped wood, and comfortable chairs create such a unique atmosphere.

The staff was very friendly, and the punch flight was delicious. I really enjoyed the Caesar salad, although the crispy chicken sliders were a little too crispy for my taste. I would have preferred the chicken to be softer and more moist.

The live jazz band was the perfect touch and created a relaxed, laid-back mood. Overall, Novela has a great vibe, good drinks, and a beautiful atmosphere. I’d definitely visit again!“

“My fiancé and I found your restaurant Saturday afternoon while sightseeing the city. We were so impressed with the atmosphere and hospitality. This place is the best for nice afternoon seafood lunch! Thank you so much for the delicious meal.“

“I absolutely love this place. I read some of the low reviews because I couldn’t believe there were some. Yes, the price is high but that’s most bars in the city. And yes, it can take a while to order but that’s because every drink is crafted and presented with care. This place has some of the most unique drinks I’ve ever had. They are always changing up the menu and doing some fun pop up’s and themes. Customer service is exceptional, especially Leo. I love that it is not easy to find and that you have to know the password.“

“Came here on a whim with someone who recommended it. Really nice thin crust pies; they’ll do half and half for you even if one side has arugula on top and the other doesn’t. The ingredients used are quality, and they cook the crust just right - browned and bubbly. They have a full bar which is nice for a pizza joint. The atmosphere is quirky, loved it. The old school CRT TVs are a fun throwback.“

“June 2026:
Stopped by for drinks to watch the world cup. Sat at the end of the bar and had a good time.

Just ordered a beer 🍺. But this place has an extensive list of liquor. Great place for cocktails 😃.

Next time when I am in the area.“

“Ottimo cibo, servizio veloce, locale molto carino.“

“Looking forward to the grand opening!“

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

“Great bar with a killer Hi-fi system.“

“Excellent espresso coffee, friendly service and a lovely brunch menu. I look forward to returning sometime for dinner. The chef’s were prepping a range of fresh looking ingredients and the smells emanating from the kitchen were beautiful!“

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

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