24 Best Bars in Berkeley

“A game day classic, but also a great place to chill with your friends or family on other days in the cozy banquettes. Great space, excellent drinks, and the new burger is amazing.“

“Great food and great service“

“Ordered 1/2lb of Brisket, 1/2rack of pork ribs, Vaquero Beans, Arroz verde, Texas frito pie. The only thing my wife and I weren't happy with was the brisket (a bit dry and tough). Everything else was stellar!!! Will definitely go back! Next time we'll leave off the brisket and try the chicken instead. Yum!“

“A Berkeley treasure in the making! Stellar cocktails, delicious dishes, friendly staff and awesome Dj appearances make this place shine. Finally a quality bar in South Berkeley!

2022 Update: Still excellent.

2025 Update: They're back!

2022 Update 2.0: 👍🏼“

“My dad used to drink there in the 1980s and the Asian husband and wife couple who owned the bar bought him a last drink and told him never to come backThe bar was closed for about 10 or 20 years in the 1990s and the 2000sMy favorite part of the bar is spinning the wheel and trying my luck at free drinks cuz half the time it's a l**** deal but half the time it's a winner deal it's a nice bar most people are really coolFor a while they had a 8-bit Nintendo system and I'd play Castlevania and Super Mario Bros over and over again but they do have some arcade games and pinball games really nice“

“so fun With our friends. I hope to see you guys all soon.“

“EDIT: I felt its necessary to make the amendment that, although walking in without a reservation was a thing previously, we've now had multiple visits where we've stood at the counter for 2 hours never to be seated.

You can still eat the whole menu there, but its generally very crowded.

Getting reservations seems to be catered towards friends, or some type of mysterious system, as we no longer have been able to get a reservation even weeks in advance. The food is still the same.

Original Review: I can’t believe that I haven’t left a review for Ippuku; this is as close as you can get to a Tokyo alley izakaya, from the sasami raw chicken special menu (to do for), to the epic yakitori, to the massive shochu selection.

By far one of my top 5 favorite restaurants in the Bay Area, we’ve been here a good 30 times over the years and it has never once changed at all, thankfully!!! Never want it to change, it does everything so well.

Hokkaido squid, chicken oyster, chicken tartare, agadashi tofu, crab croquettes, these are some favorites.

Make a reservation if you can, but otherwise we often walk in and are seated within an hour. Fun to hang out at the bar and wait.“

“Jennifer is a great host, and the venue is absolutely beautiful, featuring two sparkling chandeliers and a hallway lined with game spaces. Located right in the heart of Berkeley, it offers plenty of liquor options and is easy to set up—perfect for happy hours, student mixers, and social events for both professionals and students. We highly recommend this gem for anyone looking to create lasting memories with friends, family, and classmates!“

“Things haven’t gotten going yet so you can still make it.“

“ok so bear with me here. this is like the tiniest silly thing to be thrilled by when everything else cool about this place is more interesting (the mermaid arts! the creative cocktails! the tikka masala queso!) but like you know how a lot of the time cheese fries look more exciting than they are because all the topping is on top? the ones here do not have this problem. there is sauce on all the fries. they were crispy and flavor balanced the whole way to the bottom of the tray. this is terrible for my calorie count but amazing for my heart.

also the charming snake shaped mug brought me great joy. needlessly adorable thank you.“

“good service good food had a avocado bacon burger & beer was Casey Jones IPA !!!✌🏽💚“

“just down the hall from the lobby and lounge is a restaurant with outdoor seating as well as indoor. it's a terrific place to go for lunch or dinner or any meal at all. the food is very good. the service is also excellent. we didn't spend much time in the lounge itself and the hotel is just a very nice one all round.“

“Amazing food. Love all the vegan options. Especially vegan sauces, that's always a hard find. Nice and spacious. Great atmosphere. They have games and a full club situation downstairs. Highly suggest for a quick slice or a late night. They make everything fresh in house. The chef takes a lot of pride in his work, I was able to chat with him during a sample give away day. Everything is made from scratch. They bread their chicken in house. Really delicious, and prideful food. Not necessarily the cheapest place on the block, but definitely the most delicious and deliberate. Absolutely worth the price, and it's not expensive, it's just in comparison. This is my go to spot every time I'm in the area. And close to cheap parking garage“

“Ronald and John keep Tap Haus on point. Always professional, but still laid-back and approachable. They create a safe vibe while keeping the energy fun. Definitely the kind of guys who make the night run smooth without ever forcing it. Solid crew, solid spot.“

“Juan's Place has been proudly serving the Berkeley community since 1972, and being a customer for about 30 years makes the connection to this iconic spot even more meaningful. The restaurant’s remarkable history is rooted in a commitment to authentic Mexican cuisine and a welcoming, family-run atmosphere that has drawn generations of locals, Cal students, and visitors for over five decades.

Having been a loyal patron for around 30 years, it’s clear how special Juan’s Place is—a true staple where the flavors and traditions of Mexico are celebrated with every meal, continuing a legacy that began more than 50 years ago.“

“free water is a life saver here, it gets so hot here, especially with a sold out show. stage is pretty big and the sounds awesome. always a good time and show here. although the merch line sucks, it gets really crowded and everyones stuck in one line for everything“

“Great Hamburgers and garlic bread.“

“Enjoying the ambiance in front of the fire place, We had such an amazing experience at three.one four pizzeria! The food was absolutely delicious — the pasta was perfectly creamy and full of flavor, and the meatballs with the dough were SO good! Everything came out fresh and beautifully presented. I also couldn’t believe how smooth and tasty my $7 glass of wine was — such a great value for the quality! The cozy fireplace setting made the whole evening feel intimate and relaxing after such a long, emotional week. Definitely recommend this spot for a comforting, romantic night out. 🍝🔥🍷 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Very good food and great atmosphere“

“Stopped by this café in Berkeley and loved it. The place has a warm, relaxed vibe with just the right amount of buzz from people studying and chatting. The coffee was excellent—smooth, rich, and clearly made with care. I tried their cappuccino and it was perfectly balanced. The staff were friendly and seemed to genuinely enjoy what they do, which adds to the atmosphere. There’s plenty of seating, good Wi-Fi, and a nice mix of indoor and outdoor spots. Great place to work for a few hours or just hang out and unwind. Definitely coming back.“

“We all agreed that the food was first rate, the staff was friendly and helpful, and the French toast was excellent…“

“Love this place. Great service and food!!!“

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“Since the place is kind small, the seating is communal (it can get tight). There were a few fruit flys when we first walked up to the taps. (I have to be honest) However the atmosphere was still smooth it was great big portion of chicken / fries and they were very tasty. I definitely would be back. My video i didn't save so I'll post pictures after my next visit.“