50 Best Dive Bars near El Cerrito

“all of the above and then some!“

“Lama bar is the best local bar around! It’s the perfect place to watch the world cup with multiple Tvs inside and a big screen tv on the outdoor patio, so you never miss a game. They also have a pool table, fun karaoke nights, and a welcoming atmosphere with friendly bartenders and regulars who make everyone feel at home.highly recommended checking it out!“

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

“usually im a pizza and beer kinda guy but this time i wanted to try something different. tallboy is a great place to try the martini and hotdog combo. its sounds weird but the martini/hotdog combo kinda works! especially with the fancy glizzys they have on the menu. Updated from previous review on 2026-08-30“

“Good drinks nice music good prices“

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

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

“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.“

“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!“

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

“Stopped in randomly, great fun vibes! HUGE shoutout to Laurie on the bar!! She was slammed and was having so much fun the whole time, taking care of everyone quickly and was super kind! Just one of those people who you can just tell cares so much and loves what she does. This was one of 6 places we went to that night and she was just on another level. The passion is seen and appreciated !“

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

“This is a dimly lit bar where the night feels a little slower, the bartender is cheerful, and conversation flows as easily as the drinks. My partner ordered an Old Fashioned; I didn’t order anything but the bartender still asked if I wanted a glass of water. A small gesture, but thoughtful enough to stay with you.

Across the bar, skulls tied with ribbons keep their quiet watch, surrounded by neon signs, and stickers – little fragments of other people’s nights, layered into the city’s story.

It’s the kind of place where you don’t have to drink to belong. Sit for a while, trade some banter, watch the city glow through the darkness, and eventually step back out into the streets feeling just a little lighter than when you walked in - with or without a drink.“

“Way to be different lol“

“Best quiz in Oakland! Wednesday night“

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

“cheap and fun. please go.“

“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 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...“

“Lady E was in full effect last night! I love the ambiance here and the bathroom was clean and orderly. Bartenders made good drinks. The shoestring fries were a bit too crispy...but they were good. Well seasoned. The live music 🎶 here sets the mood. There is some dusting needed up in the rafters and ceiling area and maybe a deep cleaning in the near future. Overall clean and I would return, especially to hear Lady E and her live band sang the blues 💙 🎶“

“Tony is the fantastic bartender“

“Halloween vibes year around!“

“This place is phenomenal.“

“Never found a place with better people running it“

“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.“

“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.“

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

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

“awesome place! I highly recommend!“

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

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

“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.“

“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.“

“A fun dive bar with kind and friendly staff“

“2 gorgeous lady bartenders who are both sweethearts.“

“Fabulous dive bar, and being right next to Mother Tongue has the promise of being Oaklands next great punk/queer hole in the wall! It is certainly a dive though, not a cocktail bar, and unfortunately does not actually have a glory hole. Not yet, anyways. Limping distance from the hospital, but all the med staff prefer The Lodge- so great place to go if you’re trying to hide your drinking from your doc.“

“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.“

“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“

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

“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“

“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.“

“Neighborhood tavern on the edge of gentrification with mix of middle aged friendly patrons and staff. One pool table. Across the street from what was a 1/4 pound burger joint that’s still serving up a good burger among other fare.“

“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.“

“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.“

“This is my favorite spot in the entire state! Great people, stiff drinks and the atmosphere is amazing. During your visit here you sit and talk to locals as well as tourists on holiday from all over the world. This place is a whole vibe. Each bartender has a different personality and life story. The owners are absolutely amazing! Not a better place to have a drink or 20 on the planet.“

“As someone who does not hail from the area, we accidentally stumbled across this gem whilst upon our hobbit-esque adventure throughout the hills of Sàn-Frăn, by foot, having breakfast, second breakfast, lunch, and supper in need of a tasty adult beverage. Bar maiden Jenny was a kind and gracious host whom made our travels all the more worth while. If we were ever to venture these lands again once more in times of the morrow, we'd hence again visit this tavern!“