50 Best Beer Bars near Berkeley

“Such a terrific little bar! Top notch, small batch beers from talented local brewers. Something for everyone: IPAs, pales, pilsners, saisons, sours, and (often) my favorite Belgian beer styles. Casual, friendly vibe. A great place to go with friends, on date night, or solo (laptops fine). Can bring in food, games, or your dogs. Hoi Polloi is a real gem.“

“Outstanding burger with outstanding service!
I have been craving a really good burger for a while. My standard places (Five Guys or Habit) just haven’t been doing it for me. I was in the Berkeley/Albany area and decided this would be a good time to try a different burger place. Oh G Burger x Chimmelier was the best rated burger place in the area that I was in. It was also the most out of the way. But I never been to that area so I decided to go for an adventure. I am very happy that I did! 😃
I ordered the standard double smash burger with Oh G sauce and tater tots. The burger was thoroughly greasy in the best way possible! A hamburger is not health food. A good hamburger should be 20% fat and thus greasy. This is an outstanding hamburger! And I’m so glad that other reviews mentioned the tater tots. They were fluffy, crunchy pillows of potato delight. 🥹 I had forgotten how wonderful a tater tot can be!
And the burger and tater tots together were just over $18 before tip. That’s right in line with what I pay at the other places I go, but this is a far superior burger. I will be back again, hopefully soon.
An unexpected plus was the outstanding person working the front of the restaurant , Nivea (pronounced Ni-VAY-ah, NOT like the hand lotion). I’m a very observant person and my work involves increasing productivity (nerd alert!), and I developed as habit of observing how people do their work, especially in service jobs. Sadly, it seems that most people working in customer service jobs today have little to no interest in serving customers. That is not the case with Nivea. I came in at 7 PM on a Sunday night, so it was late in the shift the restaurant was full. She greeted me quickly and with genuine warmth and a smile. When I asked where the restroom was, she gave me clear instructions and also warned me that it might be a little wet in there. I watched her move around rapidly, serving all the different customers. Then she took the opportunity to clean up the restroom, then she was back filling up the water, pitcher moving rapidly to get it done quickly. When a large group that was seated at the counter, asked her what type of ice cream was used in the milkshake because they really liked it, she went to the back and got the information. I think there were only three workers in the restaurant at that time, two in the kitchen and Nivea in the front of the house. That’s a lot of work and responsibility to be on one person and most people in food service would not manage it, but she handled it with grace.
I’ve never met Nivea before, I just think it’s important to recognize outstanding work whenever I see it, as it is becoming increasingly rare. She was totally caught off guard when I told her what I thought about her work. The group seated at the counter agreed with my observation that Nivea is an excellent server and worker.
Nivea, if you happen to read this, there are many jobs in and out of customer service where your positive energy and diligence will take you far. Don’t sell yourself short.
And to other restaurant owners in the Berkeley/Albany area: if you’re looking for a good food server, come by Oh G Burger x Chimmelier, and ask is Nivea is working. If she is, order some food, sit down, and enjoy the food and the service.“

“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“

“I love this place so much, it's great to play board games (they have 700+ games) or just to hang out and study. Open pretty late at night as opposed to other cafes. I appreciate the sustainable approach with reusable cups and such. The staff are also very nice and welcoming. There are also many events that they have weekly.“

“Staff is always on point. Good food. Always comes out promptly.“

“ton katsu rice bowl: amazing!!!
spam rice bowl: not good.
kimchi fried rice: pretty good
beef kimbap: good
japchae: not good, too oily and soggy
beef bulgogi: good
pork belly: good
dumplings/potstickers: good!
corndogs: decent

croffles: not really that good
mochinuts: very yummy
drinks: all very yummy, my favorites are ube and horchata“

“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.“

“Friendly and they had the eagles 🦅 game on . Great environment“

“Intimate and cozy bar with an excellent wine and beer selection. The interior is gorgeous but small, dominated by the bar. The walls look like they’re made of green velvet but it’s actually concrete. The service was friendly, and they made to sure to keep our glasses full. The food is from Ernest, which was a treat. The bread is from Rize Up Bakery and highly recommended with the wine.“

“A put bull was allowed to attack our dog tonight, they were sitting at the bar by the door. Our dog is well-behaved and well-trained and was attacked walking out of the restaurant. I appreciate places being dog friendly but plz be safe. The food and drinks are great but this ruined the evening.“

“The best beer bar and bottle shop in Oakland; a draft room and chill setting for the famed Capitola
brewery; offering bottles and cans of the freshest beer, with analogous verisons of your favorites
with fresh ingredients, and a brewmasters touch. They’re also Hella queer and trans friendly, and you could belly your wheelchair up to the bar! (Like me, see you there ♿️!!)“

“I love this brewery! It is so refreshing to go somewhere that doesn't just have 20 IPAs. The vibes are chill but fun, the upstairs with its games is great, and the owner is super nice and accommodating. He was passing out free samples of their new beer. There are food trucks on the weekend as well as regular events.

Having been to almost all of the breweries in the Bay, I'd rate the overall quality S tier. Most of the competition is boring and frankly not great. This place and Tenma have been the most impressive of the East Bay establishments I've tried.

If you're in the area and looking for a place to hang out for a little bit and grab a beer or two you can't go wrong. Highly recommended!“

“I liked the chicken quesadilla. The cheese fries were also the best fries I’ve ever had in my life. One of the best halal Mexican spots I’ve been to in the bay.. maybe even the best. I went on a Friday afternoon and the parking situation wasn’t so bad.“

“No pics but it’s a great “dive.” The dishes are very original and flavorful. I had the spicy chicken sandwich and a friend had the fish tacos. Sounds unoriginal, but the flavors are what make it special. We didn’t even order sides and were very satisfied with the portions. They also have a great variety of brews to choose from to go with the meal. I’m definitely going back. The atmosphere is great, even if it gets crowded, it wouldn’t feel like it. There’s good spacing between tables unlike a lot of places in San Francisco. The decor is slightly rustic and good atmospheric Latin music in the background, not too loud at all.“

“Over in San Francisco from Perth Australia and popped in for a couple of beers, awesome spot and great beers, staff were super friendly and even grabbed some merch, get yourselves over and support these guys and have a cracking pint or four“

“Great bar and good food trucks out front“

“Came in on a Saturday morning and stayed for a few hours. Really quiet and enjoyed the ambiance, only a few people coming in and out. Coffee and service was wonderful, just a bit pricey.

My two concerns are, first, cleanliness; windowsills are dirty of spider webs and dead bugs. Looks like they've been there for a LONG time. Second, plants haven't been watered in a long time too.

Overall, great experience.“

“really like this place because it's family-friendly and has a variety of food. I like it because they have burritos. I highly recommend it.“

“Really lovely spot perfect for snacks or full dinner. We love the service - kind and helpful, but with a light touch (non invasive!) - and have had great experiences every time. The location is convenient for getting to a second spot or to the city. Highly recommend!!!“

“This place is sooo BOMB!
I mean wicked good!
Staff are awesome.
The food is awesome.
The vibe is awesome.
Always catering to US.
I’m sooo glad this place is still here.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO WORKS HERE!“

“Harmonic Brewing Thrive City is a fantastic spot for craft beer lovers. The selection is diverse and flavorful, with fresh brews that highlight local creativity. The lively atmosphere and friendly staff make it a great place to hang out with friends and enjoy quality beer.“

“Stopped by twice in the past week. They have around five beers on tap, mostly craft. The craft beers are high quality like Sculpin IPA, and the Elysian Space Dust IPA. They also have several European and other American beers in bottles or cans. Had the New York steak sandwich once, and bacon burger the next time. Both were tasty. Burger was cooked medium rare, as asked. Strong recommendation if you're in the area and want good pub food with a good beer selection.“

“Awesome and women-owned! Let's bask in the light of this great community of women in the Bay! Love this place!“

“The delightfully friendly staff serve up truly delicious caffeinated concoctions...a wonderful way to start the day.“

“I love the afternoon tea service here! The setting, food and service are all wonderful. Some hotel afternoon tea services in the city are overpriced for the quality but this restaurant offer the perfectly balanced service. I recommend you try the tea called “Nuit à Versailles.” I live 6 blocks away from this restaurant and I will be back soon again.“

“We come by almost every Friday and have lunch at Cato's. The staff is extremely friendly and the service is top notch! It's always rejuvenating to be at Cato's and start our weekend with good food, tasty beverages and a few good laughs with the welcoming folks that work and patronize the Ale House.“

“Nivea took care of me while dining in the Montclair location. The food was excellent, rivaling in-n-out, truly. Nivea was kind, attentive and very professional. Her service with a smile would draw me back time after time. And did I mention the smash burgers are number one.I would overall recommend this place to anyone looking for a friendly and welcoming environment.“

“The ramen tastes very good, the soup base is rich and the noodles taste great“

“Cool tour, and The Rake has an excellent selection of their customers’ beers on tap!“

“Amazing 🤩 Great service and tasty food“

“Great beer selection, friendly staff and sunny warm patio to enjoy it all.“

“I ❤️ these guys chicken catfish💕💕💕“

“Best bartenders, awesome owners, killer sound and all around good times always!“

“My brother loves beer and we get together a couple times a month. We had not been there in years, and this is where I remember them having a great beer selection. They have really done a great job on the remodel and the music is at a level you can talk at! The food was good and the beer was great. I will be back!“

“good food and drinks! Laid back, fun , casual neighborhood bar, New England pub atmosphere,.“

“great location downtown Oakland. price is good. Food is good.“

“fantastic drinks excellent atmosphere and realy cool people“

“Don’t get to Alameda very often, but was pleasantly surprised when I stumbled across Alameda Brewing. Nice, spacious indoor seating area. The brewery stresses community and employs a nautical theme throughout the brewery. Restrooms were clean and the staff helpful.“

“Absolutely excellent meal! We usually go to Indian restaurant in Berkeley but wanted to try something closer to home. We got the samosas, chicken momo, chicken tikka masala, goat curry and the butter naan.

The goat curry was one of the most flavorful dishes we’ve had in a long time. The meat comes on the bone so expect a little bit of work but it’s well worth it for the flavor. Extremely rich, flavorful, and spicy. Chicken momo is also worth calling out as a must have. Odd yet true, but the water was surprisingly pure and fresh. Don’t know the last time a restaurant’s water caught my attention for a good reason. Overall a surprisingly great meal with a nice view.

Service was wonderful and all the food came out hot. Definitely our new favorite local Indian spot and we’re already looking forward to returning.“

“Dropped into this place to grab a few drinks before our show at the Fox theater and highly recommend. Great cocktails, local brews, and knowledgable bartenders. No food but you can bring your own, and the takeout from the thai place just down the street they recommended was amazing.“

“Nice place to watch sports“

“Wonderful experience and everyone is friendly The music is great And drinks are amazing“

“Love the live music of the Ripplers And Secret Sauce!“

“The best! Great hospitality; Lalo is a great cook!“

“My go to. Constantly delish for the past 30 years.“

“The Library was a neat speakeasy experience on a bustling Saturday night for our group of 4. Not the best drinks I've had in the city, but the atmosphere was exciting and we didn't have to wait for a spot inside to hangout which was awesome.“

“The lady running this place is amazing and really sweet! She cooked a delicious Ethiopian dinner for the 8 of us by herself. It took a bit, but it was well worth the wait because every dish was so good and the bread was light, spongy, and plentiful. Please give her your business!“

“If you’re looking for a full service bar, with great apps and some good food definitely the spot to check out. Nicole was very attentive and the best part very keen to having lighthearted and enjoyable conversation.A clean bar, with great ingredients and great presentation. I’m definitely glad to have stopped by, thanks Nicole!“

“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“

“Food is great, staff is even better, and the interior of the place is absolutely magical. Drinks are amazing, definitely a must visit for any cocktail historians as the Mai Tai was invented here! (Albeit in their old location on San Pablo which has since been demolished) Overall amazing, and absolutely will come again!“