21 Best Cocktail Bars in Berkeley

“I feel like the food could have more pop little more spice or salt or something. I enjoyed everything. I had the burrata pear salad and a flatbread, but perhaps my palette is used to more spicy due to all the Vietnamese and Thai food I eat.  the service was great and it's a cool old time room we were sat in. “

“Top notch drinks and personalities behind the bar, we will back. My only regret is that I waited this long to go there.“

“Great atmosphere and delicious food! Outdoor dining, too!“

“Loved the decor and the vibe，great place to hang out with friends.The food was absolutely delicious! The flavors were spot on.If you're in the area, this place is a must-try!“

“Pretty good food. I think we will go back“

“Why was the cabbage so good? She stole the entire table. Pleasantly fried & juicey chicken sandwich- not spicy but very well seasoned with a nice lil kick. Great burger- it's what I came for & I shall return to it; the sauce alone. Sweet potato fries at NO UPCHARGE!!!!! And yes, the bevvies are worth it. Ask your bartender for their preference and please do tip where able!“

“Got drinks here after dinner in the neighborhood and we were extremely impressed with the quality and inventiveness of the cocktails on offer. If you’ve been to East Bay Spice Company then you know the kind of creativity they offer- it’s the same situation here but closer to downtown. We loved our servers and would absolutely come back for drinks.“

“Great music venue, small feel with top notch sound and production, connected to a great ale house with good food, full bar and super professional staff.“

“My dinner partner and I both agree that the physical atmosphere, and food were excellent. The place was almost empty on a Sunday night yet the service was mediocre. We had to keep tracking down the waiter for our hot water for the tea, box for take away, etc. Inattentive. The staff also seemed unhappy or dissatisfied with their jobs. The prices have gone up so don’t feel we got value for our money“

“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!“

“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!“

“The food was very good, everything was delicious, but the waitress served us reluctantly. The waitress's service was terrible. I didn't ask her name, but she was a young woman with black hair and bangs, a bit chubby. However, another waitress with red hair, thin and very friendly and cheerful, served us. I wish they would hire more waitresses like her. The food was very good, but the service from the waitress was terrible. Thank goodness the other waitress served us better.“

“i’ come from marin to eat here with friends today i had 2 friends for lunch and we got 1buffet and 2 meals . i asked the young lady if i got a buffet could i take it out with my meal . i guess she misunderstood me and preferred to throw it away as to let me take it home i won’t return again. although food is good all the ethiopian restaurants nearby are good“

“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.“

“Visiting from out of state. Went here for Father’s Day celebration . Excellent food and service.“

“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: 👍🏼“

“Great food and friendly service! We've dined in and gotten takeout and both times the food has been super tasty. I like that they can open up the big doors to the main room on a nice day. There's some outside seating too. Highly recommend a burger on Hawaiian roll and tater tots!“

“Wonderful food service and beer! Very friendly owner! Will definitely return and recommend.“

“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.“

“What a wonderful holiday treat to have a lovely tea at the Claremont! The decorations were festive and perfect for the space. The food was delicious, plentiful (we had to get boxes to take food home) and our waiter, Arun, was kind and catered to our every wish. Our table had a beautiful view of San Francisco and the Golden Gate bridge on a lovely cloudless blue sky winter day. I'm looking forward to my next Claremont experience!“

“Great view of the waterfront along with great food!“