49 Best Dive Bars near Berkeley

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

“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“

“Bring on the funny 😁 happy anniversary Lisa good times great atmosphere!!!“

“I'm only giving this bar four stars because it doesn't have the same grit and dive bar feel after the remodel and reopening. And that may not be fair, because it's a great bar. And it's great that it's open again. I love the place“

“Always fun place wonderful experience“

“Outstanding spot to watch sports, chill, and more“

“Great venue. L, X“

“Good food under the towering Bay Bridge- great views 😍“

“Great bartenders, so welcoming& makes an awesome Old Fashion, makes you feel like a family“

“This was my 1st visit to San Francisco on my birthday! Hidive was welcoming, with great staff, good drinks, and a great bar top food menu! Started the day out there with margaritas, and stopped back in for some wings and a nightcap at the end of the day. It was great!“

“This is one of my favorite bars in Oakland! I love a martini and they of course do great ones here. So many options so there's something for everyone. They have an extensive non martini drink list as well if you're not into martinis, including cocktails, shots, beer, wine, sweet drinks and slushies. They can be quite busy depending on when you go, but luckily the space and bar are pretty large.

They have a completely vegan menu which includes some really fun vegan hot dogs! I'm not vegan, but they were very tasty. We got the elite and the lion dancing. There's also free popcorn in the back!

Speaking of dogs, they are dog friendly which is always a plus for us! I think they allow dogs before 6pm? Or some time around then, so it's more of a casual afternoon drink place then. It's fair because we've been in the evening and it does get crazy busy and loud sometimes which most dogs would not be into.

Service has always been super nice and even in their very busy times they try to keep an order of who hasn't been helped yet. Overall a great place!“

“Dude SUCH an awesome kava bar!! Great vibes, solid kava and I was welcomed with open arms. This was my first time here and I really liked it. I will be back for sure id highly recommend checking this place out for some good conversations and kava.

Jay and Andrew were the ones working - AWESOME peeps!!“

“all of the above and then some!“

“Best quiz in Oakland! Wednesday night“

“The staff here are amazing, as are the patrons. I left my wallet there and they went out of their way to post it back to me. We had such a great time visiting on our layover in San Francisco and so happy we stumbled upon them. Thanks The Red Jack Saloon“

“Halloween vibes year around!“

“Super cute place. Come as you are kind of bar. There are food vendors, gaming activities, pool, darts, wonderful people that are super chill. Legend says if you're there on a Monday there's There 2 islanders that cook amazing food...The only thing is that they show up randomly. They will post on the Second 2 None Facebook 5 hours before showing up. If you want to be there when they cook best to like this page so you can get the latest updates and last minute events and after parties.. PS. mention Alice or Ichigo referred you to the Bartender so they know. Also real men wear miniskirts if you can do that, kilts count too...“

“Can’t believe this place is still open!Just stopped by cause the outside light was on. Got 2 Anchor Steam beers on draft. Bartender remembers me after all these years. Beers are only $6 each!Great spot as a low key, neighborhood bar.Stop by for a chill time!“

“cheap and fun. please go.“

“Very small dive bar in the Tenderloin! So much fun…..say hi to Davy Jones……😉“

“This place is phenomenal.“

“2 gorgeous lady bartenders who are both sweethearts.“

“First time going in and the place is bigger than it looks outside. The bartenders are super nice and welcoming. Mostly locals that frequents the place. Seems everyone know each other. Very laid back with outdoor area for pingpong or card games to dominoes and 5 dice, wow! Inside is a jukebox, a dart board game. Over by the corner they have video games. 1 pinball and 1 bowling game. If your not interested with the games they provide, I can almost garantee that someone there will find you and engage in a long but good conversation. The walls and ceiling is draped with one dollar bills all over inside. Interesting to see and count. I'd say there's about 2356 dollars in one dollar bills but not up for the taking.“

“It was a great positive experience and true local hidden gem! Come say hi to the owner Ann, tell her I sent you.“

“A must stop when in the area. Nothing fancy, dive bar feel, but always a good time.“

“Good drinks, great atmosphere, best food!!“

“Geo Kaye’s in Oakland is the quintessential dive bar experience done right. This place has that perfect blend of no-frills charm and a laid-back vibe that keeps you coming back. But what truly sets it apart is Winston behind the bar. He’s a master at his craft—quick with the drinks and even quicker with the wit. Whether you’re a regular or a first-timer, Winston makes you feel right at home with his warm, welcoming energy. If you’re looking for a spot with character, strong drinks, and a bartender who knows how to make your night, Geo Kaye’s is the place to be.“

“Tony is the fantastic bartender“

“A fun dive bar with kind and friendly staff“

“I had such a fun evening here with YuKIko and friends, drinking and enjoying the metal and hardcore tunes. Sincere thanks, especially, to a generous fellow drinker and music lover. Thank you all for making my week in SF that bit more memorable!“

“Better than expected. Streamline. Not too busy today. We went there for cocktails. Thats what we got. Moderately priced. Clean. Friendly. I would go back. Thank you. We were on vacation. It was not wow but, still good. Dim lighting which i get.“

“Great local bar. Been around since 1930's.“

“In town for the Cat Power show at the Fox Theater. Came to have a drink. Warm welcome from the friendly bartender. I see the No Kings sign and the rainbow flag. It's $3 cans and a full bar. Divey but cozy. Full of characters, lively buzz but unpretentious. And they play punky/emo music from when I was in college. Great spot.“

“The bartender Carlie is a true sweetheart. The service is stellar. They give you HUGE Shots here. I've never seen anything like it. She gave me 4 shots and it's like 2+ shots in each drink. Money will spent and they're not expensive. Based on quality of service I would've given them a 5 star review but it's just a dive bar. I'll be back #FACTS“

“I stopped by to see a buddy from work band play. The atmosphere was nice but I didn't buy any food. Parking was hard to find within a block so I had to park 3 blocks down which wasn't an issue for me other than I was running late to see my buddy and his band perform.“

“I hit this bar anytime I’m in the area. Quirky, friendly, funny… perfect! It’s a full bar so you can get all sorts of cocktails made, or just have a bottle of Buddha beer in the green bottle. Definitely worth a stop if you’re in the area.“

“awesome place! I highly recommend!“

“If you want to sit on a throne in San Fran“

“The owners are the sweetest people in the world and the loved my Lady Blu thank you so much I had a blast and yes Dee Dee Simon is the truth it was so worth the trip to see her and meet you all. A very friendly place that makes really good drinks Tory from Vegas“

“I recently stopped by Ruby Room in downtown Oakland, located along 14th Street in the city’s Uptown district. The area has developed into one of Oakland’s main nightlife corridors, and Ruby Room stands out as a long-running local bar that blends vintage character with a relaxed neighborhood vibe.

The atmosphere feels eclectic and unmistakably retro. The interior décor mixes dim lighting, vintage furniture, and a slightly old-school lounge aesthetic that gives the space a personality very different from more modern cocktail bars. It feels like a place that has evolved over time rather than being designed to follow current trends, which adds to its charm.

The bar program focuses on straightforward cocktails and drinks rather than elaborate mixology. The environment encourages guests to relax, talk, and spend time with friends rather than treat the bar as a formal cocktail destination. The space often attracts a mix of locals, artists, and visitors exploring the Uptown nightlife scene.

Service during the visit felt casual and friendly, fitting the laid-back nature of the venue. The staff maintained an easygoing tone that matches the overall character of the bar.

From a global travel perspective, Ruby Room reminded me of the vintage neighborhood bars I have encountered in cities like Portland, Berlin, and Montreal where personality and atmosphere often matter more than polished design.“

“It's a wonderful dive bar which is why service is two stars. Three and I wouldn't walk in.

This is the third happiest place on earth behind Disneyland and The Double Down in Las Vegas.

Go there. Ask for Hicksmokey, and tell him Shatter loves him.

Best bar in Oakland.“

“Never had the original Irish coffee and just saw they have it while walking at 1pm. We got in and were greeted by a very friendly bartender.

Their Irish coffee was really strong and it was not my favorite but it was a great experience and was nice to try it. Would love to come back here for some drinks next time especially that they don’t skimp on the alcohol. 😉“

“Fun vibes and cool decor! Love the beats ! So fresh 😎“

“Lama Bar is honestly one of my favorite spots in the Bay Area. The drinks are really good, and you can tell they know what they’re doing. You have to try the ‘Lama in Love’—it’s something different and super good. The vibe is chill, and overall it’s just a great place to hang out. Definitely recommend checking it out! ❤️🥰“

“Great Atmosphere & Friendly Bartenders.Most Of All It Has Karaoke On Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays Starting @7pm-11pm. I Enjoy The Breakfast Club Wit The Bartender Stephanie On Saturday & Sunday Mornings“

“🤏👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇“