50 Best Dive Bars near El Cerrito

“all of the above and then some!“

“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! ❤️🥰“

“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“

“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.“

“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!“

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

“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!!“

“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“

“Best quiz in Oakland! Wednesday night“

“Way to be different lol“

“Tony is the fantastic bartender“

“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“

“cheap and fun. please go.“

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

“Halloween vibes year around!“

“This place is phenomenal.“

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

“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...“

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

“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.“

“Never found a place with better people running it“

“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.“

“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!“

“A fun dive bar with kind and friendly staff“

“2 gorgeous lady bartenders who are both sweethearts.“

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

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

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

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

“awesome place! I highly recommend!“

“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.“

“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.“

“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“

“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“

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

“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.“

“Hole in the wall bar with a lofted area with underground DJ's and great music. I wouldn't call it divey but well lived in.
Cast of funky local characters included.
The bathrooms are next level but that's part of the charm right? Or a great filter to keep out the well-heeled snobby types.“

“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!“

“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.“