Camille is my favorite bartender, no question. Stars on her cheeks and amazing vibes.
Just put aside some dinero to select the music on the jukebox.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
W Lincoln Jr
Best selection and service in the bay area. The staff is very knowledgeable about the whiskey inventory. I would recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Local Whiskey Flight
Sabrina Lim
Recently hosted my partner's 30th birthday here. From beginning to end, Jennifer was extremely accommodating. She worked with me to figure out which of her several party packages would work best for me -- she truly offers something for every price range! Once we hammered out the basic details, Jennifer made sure to capture the smaller ones too. For example, the party I hosted was a surprise party. She asked me to share a photo of the guest of honor, to ensure that none of the staff accidentally ruined the surprise when we walked in. The music, drinks, staff, and atmosphere were all great. Loved the back patio as some extra space to grab some air. Since we came during the holiday season, the bar was beautifully decorated with ornaments and lights, which made everything feel so fun and festive. Overall, can't rate this place highly enough. Thank you, Jennifer and Acme staff!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Dave Timmons
Around six months before we got married in Berkeley in August, we started reaching out to possible welcome party venues for the night before the big day. We wanted to find a place that would allow for outside food at a reasonable cost, provide quality drinks for a fair price, and has a nice access-controlled event space on premises. As someone who has run a number of large events previously, I know well that this task can be somewhere between tough and impossible. The minute one uses the term “wedding” to any vendor, costs can go way up. Or venues can charge exorbitant fees for space reservations, or have minimum spends that are crazy. And, honestly, it is really hard to simply find venues that allow for outside food.
So we started the search, and emailed venues throughout the East Bay area (Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, Albany, Alameda), At first, the only possible venues I could find were craft brewing establishments. The one with the best location for us charged a lot for space reservation, and for a space that was not access controlled, and without our own dedicated bar. So, in effect, we would be paying thousands for a craft beer spot to a few “reserved” signs on some random tables for us. Suffice to say, we were starting to get discouraged.
Then, after another internet search, I found a listing for Acme Bar in west Berkeley. Having never been there before (it has been a few years since I have lived in the East Bay), I asked around and realized that it’s a pretty cool bar with good service and great drinks. We checked in out in person, and was pretty impressed with the available event space. But our greatest surprise was when we actually emailed Acme, and got to know the owner of the bar. She must have had a previous life as an event planner or something, cause she was amazing. The prices she quoted were quite fair, and she helped identify possible outside food vendors that met our needs. She helped arrange special drinks for our event, which ended up being really tasty. The beer selection we ended up having was top notch as well, as was the wine selection. We arranged for our own dedicated space on a Friday evening, with our own bar. She helped identify our needs for us, and went out of her way – along with her great staff – to ensure we had a great event.
Some of my friends are quite experienced with events, and others are pretty hard to please, and everyone had a great time. The price quoted was on target, and there were absolutely no surprises, price-wise. I have never been more satisfied with a venue, or had a better event for the price. Working with Acme was, in two words, both fair and fun. We highly recommend working with them – you will not be disappointed.
Wheelchair accessibility: My mom is confined to a wheelchair, and she had no problem moving around this place, including using the bathroom.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Sonchai
I love this place and have been coming here for years. It was with such disappointment that I noticed a junk fee on my receipt. I take full responsibility that I personally am tired of junk fees being added to bills. But it will make me hesitate coming back. It was called a cost of goods fee and it wasn’t very much money. Just fold it into the cost of the drink. I really wish we could get a law passed and have transparent pricing like all of Europe.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Jorge Solis
Okay, This was supposed to be one of the 100 best whiskey bars in the country. Let me tell you, not even close. I had the Manhattan #1. It was water down, and it felt that it was made with cheap whiskey. And to top off, the bartender was rude, biased, and racist towards me. Try to avoid this one.
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 1
Nicola
Super cool whiskey bar and I was even more impressed that they had Old Overholt. I appreciated it even more when both bartenders knew how to make an Old Fashioned.
Jocelyn Hernandez
Terrance was greaaaat! Drinks were on point!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
P Sand
Great place for a drink or a Cocktail education. Extensive scotch, mezcal list of cocktails, among many others. Friendly local neighborhood and mature. Have a craft beer conversation or talk Classic Whiskies. Dig deep or just relax. Best bar in a 5 mile radius.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Local Whiskey Flight
Emre Ulkucu
Cool little bar (seemingly the only one open late night). But definitely try the Camile watermelon drink. I don't like gin, but I couldn't even taste it.
We’ve always gone to Acme for a neighborhood nightcap so when it came time to throw a milestone birthday party I could think of no better place. Jennifer was amazing and so flexible! She embraced the sparkle theme by throwing edible glitter in the punch bowls. I wanted a taco bar and oysters, and that’s what I got. All my guests were raving about the space (back room + patio). Highly recommend for any private event!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anna Benincasa
Amazing selection and a friendly staff. We greatly enjoyed perusing the expansive selection. I was able to finally have a Japanese whiskey! Delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Nathan Yannone
I have loved this bar for many years. I am sad to say that the service has really gone down hill. Bartender Knowledge on whiskeys used to be amazing. Top notch. This is simply not the case anymore. I have to admit our bartender was actually rude to my group during our last visit, completely unprovoked. Will not be going back unfortunately.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 1
Wilfred Cho
Not too far from the highway makes it a good rest stop.Drinks are good. Flack magic is a good cocktail. It has a very local vibe.
Camille is my favorite bartender, no question. Stars on her cheeks and amazing vibes.
Just put aside some dinero to select the music on the jukebox.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Best selection and service in the bay area. The staff is very knowledgeable about the whiskey inventory. I would recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Local Whiskey Flight
Recently hosted my partner's 30th birthday here. From beginning to end, Jennifer was extremely accommodating. She worked with me to figure out which of her several party packages would work best for me -- she truly offers something for every price range! Once we hammered out the basic details, Jennifer made sure to capture the smaller ones too. For example, the party I hosted was a surprise party. She asked me to share a photo of the guest of honor, to ensure that none of the staff accidentally ruined the surprise when we walked in. The music, drinks, staff, and atmosphere were all great. Loved the back patio as some extra space to grab some air. Since we came during the holiday season, the bar was beautifully decorated with ornaments and lights, which made everything feel so fun and festive. Overall, can't rate this place highly enough. Thank you, Jennifer and Acme staff!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Around six months before we got married in Berkeley in August, we started reaching out to possible welcome party venues for the night before the big day. We wanted to find a place that would allow for outside food at a reasonable cost, provide quality drinks for a fair price, and has a nice access-controlled event space on premises. As someone who has run a number of large events previously, I know well that this task can be somewhere between tough and impossible. The minute one uses the term “wedding” to any vendor, costs can go way up. Or venues can charge exorbitant fees for space reservations, or have minimum spends that are crazy. And, honestly, it is really hard to simply find venues that allow for outside food.
So we started the search, and emailed venues throughout the East Bay area (Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, Albany, Alameda), At first, the only possible venues I could find were craft brewing establishments. The one with the best location for us charged a lot for space reservation, and for a space that was not access controlled, and without our own dedicated bar. So, in effect, we would be paying thousands for a craft beer spot to a few “reserved” signs on some random tables for us. Suffice to say, we were starting to get discouraged.
Then, after another internet search, I found a listing for Acme Bar in west Berkeley. Having never been there before (it has been a few years since I have lived in the East Bay), I asked around and realized that it’s a pretty cool bar with good service and great drinks. We checked in out in person, and was pretty impressed with the available event space. But our greatest surprise was when we actually emailed Acme, and got to know the owner of the bar. She must have had a previous life as an event planner or something, cause she was amazing. The prices she quoted were quite fair, and she helped identify possible outside food vendors that met our needs. She helped arrange special drinks for our event, which ended up being really tasty. The beer selection we ended up having was top notch as well, as was the wine selection. We arranged for our own dedicated space on a Friday evening, with our own bar. She helped identify our needs for us, and went out of her way – along with her great staff – to ensure we had a great event.
Some of my friends are quite experienced with events, and others are pretty hard to please, and everyone had a great time. The price quoted was on target, and there were absolutely no surprises, price-wise. I have never been more satisfied with a venue, or had a better event for the price. Working with Acme was, in two words, both fair and fun. We highly recommend working with them – you will not be disappointed.
Wheelchair accessibility: My mom is confined to a wheelchair, and she had no problem moving around this place, including using the bathroom.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
I love this place and have been coming here for years.
It was with such disappointment that I noticed a junk fee on my receipt. I take full responsibility that I personally am tired of junk fees being added to bills. But it will make me hesitate coming back. It was called a cost of goods fee and it wasn’t very much money. Just fold it into the cost of the drink.
I really wish we could get a law passed and have transparent pricing like all of Europe.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Okay,
This was supposed to be one of the 100 best whiskey bars in the country. Let me tell you, not even close. I had the Manhattan #1. It was water down, and it felt that it was made with cheap whiskey. And to top off, the bartender was rude, biased, and racist towards me.
Try to avoid this one.
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 1
Super cool whiskey bar and I was even more impressed that they had Old Overholt. I appreciated it even more when both bartenders knew how to make an Old Fashioned.
Terrance was greaaaat! Drinks were on point!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Great place for a drink or a Cocktail education. Extensive scotch, mezcal list of cocktails, among many others.
Friendly local neighborhood and mature. Have a craft beer conversation or talk Classic Whiskies.
Dig deep or just relax. Best bar in a 5 mile radius.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Local Whiskey Flight
Cool little bar (seemingly the only one open late night). But definitely try the Camile watermelon drink. I don't like gin, but I couldn't even taste it.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Amazing selection of whiskey- great service
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
We’ve always gone to Acme for a neighborhood nightcap so when it came time to throw a milestone birthday party I could think of no better place. Jennifer was amazing and so flexible! She embraced the sparkle theme by throwing edible glitter in the punch bowls. I wanted a taco bar and oysters, and that’s what I got. All my guests were raving about the space (back room + patio). Highly recommend for any private event!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing selection and a friendly staff. We greatly enjoyed perusing the expansive selection. I was able to finally have a Japanese whiskey! Delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
I have loved this bar for many years. I am sad to say that the service has really gone down hill. Bartender Knowledge on whiskeys used to be amazing. Top notch. This is simply not the case anymore. I have to admit our bartender was actually rude to my group during our last visit, completely unprovoked. Will not be going back unfortunately.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 1
Not too far from the highway makes it a good rest stop.Drinks are good. Flack magic is a good cocktail. It has a very local vibe.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
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