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.“

“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.“

“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“

“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.“

“Came by for a hot chocolate and loved the ambience here! The piano was closed (didn't ask if could be played), but there different sits, tables and what nots. Great spot to chill a little and enjoy a hot beverage. Seems like they also do piano classes. I Also learned they have Bingsu (Korean shaved ice desserts), but didn't get a chance to try.“

“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.“

“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.“

“One of the state’s top ten breweries, and an option that flies in style, under the radar. Sante Adairius’s Oakland Arbor is a confident, quietly ambitious outpost that brings the Capitola-based brewer’s precision and ethos to the East Bay without losing the neighborhood feel. Housed in the former Trappist space, the Arbor respects its roots—original brick, polished wood, calm lighting—while projecting its own identity: more focused, less cluttered, and centered on the beer. The taplist is broad but purposeful. Signature saisons like Bernice remain touchstones, but the Oakland team expands the range with rustic lagers (Surge Capacity), unfined West Coast IPAs (New Brighten), and delicate low-ABV offerings (A Small Rest). Barrel-aged specials—like the layered, contemplative Bedside Manner—debut here and routinely impress. No filler. Even when they chase style trends, execution stays tight. Prices reflect the ambition ($9–$12 pours…) but the quality holds. Staff are attentive without performance. A small kitchen offers savory snacks, but beer is the point.“

“Great local brewery with spectacular beer. Loved the tasting, the history lesson about the brewery and learning more about the craft. The New Oakland Glow (Pilsner) and the Sleeping Car Giants (Baltic Porter) are our favorites. For now ….“

“Great bar and good food trucks out front“

“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“

“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!!!“

“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.“

“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.“

“The one of the best burgers I have ever had. The atmosphere was perfect, and the service was excellent. I was visiting from out of town and wanted a good burger from someplace local. It's a small pub with a lot of character. If you are in the area will worth checking it out.“

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

“I tried cali steak zapato and I love it. At first I doubted I will like it but I think this is one of the best rice less burrito in town. They have large serving portion and the price is reasonable. I think the place is popular to employees working nearby. For us, this is a very cool place to get food after a drink. The staff are accommodating and friendly. The vibe of the place is retro and this kind of restaurant really gives you good vibes. I will try eating here again. :)“

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

“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.“

“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!“

“We always reserve a table for lunch when we're in San Francisco. It never disappoints. Our server, Dhan (forgive me if I didn't get that right!!), was remarkable. Kind and funny, and very attentive to the food sensitivities in our group. We often start with a glass of champagne but this visit we changed it up with mocktails. The salads were delicious and the buttery lettuces were beautiful on the plate. My family went for Rotunda's famous warm chocolate chip cookies for dessert, but I ordered the strawberry sorbet, it tasted like fresh picked berries and was a blast of summer tho it was cool in the city. Plan ahead, they really can get booked up.“

“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!“

“Nice place to watch sports“

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

“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.“

“I ❤️ these guys chicken catfish💕💕💕“

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

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

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

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

“This place is fantastic! Great staff! Yoni made excellent beer recommendations and it was fun to chat about all things art and photography in Oakland. The Good Hop has an excellent array of beer on tap as well as a massive bottle and can selection. One of my favorite places in Oakland!“

“fantastic drinks excellent atmosphere and realy cool people“

“The best bar in Oakland. Hands down! They will make you anything you can imagine. They have the best mixologists in town. There is no other cocktail bar where you can order literally any drink and they can make it for you. I ordered an “amaro cocktail” and they gave me something that tasted like limoncello but is WAY better than limoncello. 10/10 we come here every week.“

“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.“

“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!“

“Amazing 🤩 Great service and tasty food“

“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!“

“They were pretty busy and seemed a little understaffed. There was a large twxh conference i n town so the management could have predicted this. The staff themselves were great just clearly struggling to keep up with the i creased demand. Coming from a family of german descendants this was comfort food, the snitzel was delicious and they understood the importance of how the potatoes and kraut were not just sides, but truly equal stars in the meal. The beer selection looked great, and made me wish that I could still partake, but having soild na offering helped. Especially the grapefruit soda which added the bitter element needed to complete the full experience of good German food.“

“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!“