50 Best Dive Bars near El Cerrito

“Retro classy neighborhood bar with fun regulars and great music!!!😎👍👍“

“Lama Bar in El Cerrito is a gem! Exceptional service, great DJ vibes, and a cozy patio – it’s the perfect spot to unwind. Plus, the added bonus of billiards adds to the fun. Big thanks for the wonderful service; it’s definitely the go-to place for hanging out with friends!“

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

“Always fun place wonderful experience“

“I know where Lucy Borden’s remains are. She was delicious. Barbecue was great, but the menudo was the best!“

“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“

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

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

“One of my San Francisco Bay Area Secrets..., that is no longer a secret.

Great Bar and Restaurant; old school making drinks (yes, heavy on the alcohol), a wide selection of worldly beers on the menu, a few beers on tap, and a good selection of amount of food that comes out of that kitchen of theirs.

I have been going to the Warehouse since I was a child, when my parents would take me there for dinner way back in the 1980s. Plus, there is a 11-foot tall polar bear, with another black bear for photography. Next door (random hours) is a clothing, antique store and on Sunday's (spring and summer months) is a live band.

If not live music, there is a jukebox with a very wide selection of music to choose from (with cash or on-line), only one (1) pool table, but because there is so much history in that place, there is no need for any activities like pool.

Overall, one of the best drinking holes in the Bay Area. We Love the Warehouse and shall never go to long without a visit.“

“Halloween vibes year around!“

“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!“

“Bartenders are all nice. Shirley is great she's my friend anyway so maybe biased. They actually have a lot of Chinese karoake songs too. My friend lives close so we go there kinda often. Always have a blast, and go home wasted after a great night haha“

“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!!“

“Best quiz in Oakland! Wednesday night“

“Way to be different lol“

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

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

“This place is phenomenal.“

“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...“

“Great service great vibe....a real community bar... They remember everyone and treat everyone with respect... But if you mess up and make patrons uncomfortable.... You are OUT. Always something good on the tvs or juke box, random art pop ups with no pressure...plus you can't beat the prices... Definitely worth the visit“

“Tony is the fantastic bartender“

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

“Awesome spot we dropped into. Nick was an awesome bartender! Very easy going place. Drink prices were reasonable. Seemed like a local spot. Good conversation all around. Nice place to meet locals and make new friends. The bar has been there for a while. Nice place to watch sports. Food is not served here. But Nick kindly gave suggestions for local places to visit! You need to drop in!“

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

“A fun dive bar with kind and friendly staff“

“2 gorgeous lady bartenders who are both sweethearts.“

“Never found a place with better people running it“

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

“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“

“cheap and fun. please go.“

“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.“

“By far one of my favorite bars in the area! 🍻“

“awesome place! I highly recommend!“

“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.“

“Kerry House, nestled on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland, stands as an exceptional local haunt revered by residents for its vibrant atmosphere and welcoming vibe. The establishment boasts a well-curated jukebox and an inviting outdoor patio where smoking is permitted, making it a rare find. Bartenders exude energy and friendliness, contributing to the lively ambiance that has been a hallmark of Kerry House for years. Flanked by exquisite restaurants and charming baguette spots to both the left and right, it's positioned in a bustling area, promising an engaging experience. While soaking in the locale's lively spirit, visitors should be mindful of parking regulations. Ensure you feed the meter or opt for paid parking to avoid the inconvenience of a ticket. Kerry House is more than a bar; it's a testament to Oakland's spirited community and a must-visit spot for an authentic local experience.“

“Chelsea Place saved my live. In 1967 I got my draft notice to go and die in Vietnam. Sitting at the bar I met Tom Kenny waiting for his wife, Mary, to get off work. Tom was a captain in the Army Reserves at the Hospital in SF. Tom used his influence to get me into the reserves that were not used in Vietnam. I owe Tom and Chelsea for this just being there. Can I give you a picture of that time to hang on your wall?“

“Great watering hole in the TL, especially if you're early for a show at GAMH. If you go between 2-8pm, there is a lovely Korean bartender who will teach you Korean while you drink. Solid jukebox, clean restroom, and entertaining regulars.“

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

“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“

“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.“

“More than a dive bar. But a piece of the community. A piece of history in the tenderloin. A safe place in a wild world. A place to feel that the tenderloin really does have a community. Never too busy. And always friendly. I've been coming here for about 15 years now. Always a good choice for a drink.“

“Outsider is a nice neighborhood bar with great staff. If you're looking for a spot to watch a game, play some pool or just hang out, this is a great spot. Open 7 days a week. Stop in for a brew and some chips, happy hour chow. Good place to be.“

“Excellent Browns Backer Bar!“

“If you've ever been to Heart and Dagger, then you know it's a quintessential Oakland dive bar.
No fancy frills or eccentric cocktail menus. Just decently priced booze, good music, and plenty of space for good company. The back patio is rather large and a cute little hangout spot with a gorgeous tree and some cool old signage! The only caveat is that it's a smoking patio, so if that isn't your thing, you'll just have to enjoy the inside and front. The staff gets their shit done and will definitely be nice to you as long as you're nice to them! But also, it's a dive bar: don't expect the fine dining experience and just have a good time!
There are lots of yummy food options nearby that you can bring in. Sometimes, they even have a food vendor in the front, but I don't know much about the frequency.

(Also, they play hella movies that range from funny to horrorifying! 🧡)“

“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. 😉“

“Friendly staff who are happy to give reccomendations for the area (both for food, bars etc as well as "cultural" advice).

Reasonably priced.

Nice vibe. Music, but not too loud. Cool rural on the floor you enter in.“