50 Best Bars in Oakland

“Good service once you get their attention. Hostess should probably make it clear as she seats you that table Will be backorders are placed at the bar. Warm, clear Hi-Fi sound is excellent, as is DJ vinyl curation. Drinks v. well-crafted. Patrons vibe chill yet cheerful.“

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Double Standard delivers an exceptional dining and bar experience with creative cocktails, flavorful food, and a stylish, energetic atmosphere. Every dish and drink is thoughtfully prepared, well-balanced, and consistently enjoyable.
The vibe is modern, lively, and welcoming—perfect for a night out with friends, a casual date, or simply enjoying great food and drinks in a vibrant setting. It has a unique personality that makes every visit feel special.
The staff is friendly, attentive, and professional, ensuring smooth service and a comfortable experience from start to finish. Their hospitality adds to the overall enjoyment of the venue.
If you’re looking for great cocktails, delicious food, and a fun, upbeat atmosphere, The Double Standard is a fantastic choice. Highly recommended and well deserving of five stars! 🌟🍸✨“

“Enjoy the atmosphere and the tasty food !“

“They're always so nice to me here! Mama loves the craft cocktails and the book curations. We live nearby so it's a favorite neighborhood hang, and we appreciate all the thought that went into the menus.“

“An incredible spot to enjoy some top quality draft ciders. I'm not an expert on ciders by any means, but I've had some incredible stuff here (I've particularly loved anything I've had from Yonder). The vibes here are great, the bartenders are lovely, and they have some great merch for sale! My mom who visits from out of state has bought a tote bag, hat, and sweatshirt from Redfield just so she can flex to her friends back home how awesome this bar is. If you enjoy cider, or even if you just want to stop in for a quick beer, this is a great and classy place to come to. Love Redfield!“

“Nice cocktail list based on local music artists. I love that it changes with the seasons! Great space to bring a group; we had no problem getting a big booth on a Friday night (I assume it's busier if there's a show at the Fox.) Fast, friendly service from the bartenders.“

“Wow! Back in the palace of blended drinks and fine seating arrangements. The frozen drinks were theatrical, but colder than expected. Please sip with caution. The wooden interior reminded me of what it means to be alive. I am wistful for the glittered sea shell toilet seat. Where are they? Please. Someone respond. If you come here, you will leave. Then, you will come back. Here.“

“Just came to this Gem last night and we had SUCH an amazing time! The drinks were 🔥 🔥🔥 Cristine is a true mixologist and totally set the vibe 👌🏼They have cute games you can play like connect 4, card games, Jenga, and a cute Photo Booth. The vibes were everything! The music was a perfect Blend playing reggae, 90’s, and even some bad bunny💃🏼 awesome spot to go to for date night 👌🏼🔥 will definitely be back! You are awesome Cristine!!!“

“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!“

“Fantastic neighborhood bar. Full of fun people, great entertainment from karaoke to drag shows, live music and DJs. Trivia, skee ball and arcade games. And now bingo. Love the staff and owner.“

“A saloon with history from 1883! Worth having a beer or cocktail when in Jack London square.“

“We come by almost every Friday and have lunch at Cato's. The staff is extremely friendly and the service is top notch! It's always rejuvenating to be at Cato's and start our weekend with good food, tasty beverages and a few good laughs with the welcoming folks that work and patronize the Ale House.“

“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“

“Awesome chill space to catch up with someone. All kinds of flavors so you don’t even have to like kava to find something you like. Melo Colada was heavy on sweet/colada and I loved it. Melo Chai and Cream were also delicious. Go for happy hour 3-6pm I believe for $2 off drinks“

“Nice atmosphere, friendly staff.“

“A great local bar with the friendliest service! I love that they're always doing something festive (king cake for Mardi Gras, corned beef and cabbage for St. Patty's, all the sports games, etc.) They make a mean dirty martini, and the Irish coffee the owner made me for St. Patty's was perfection. I need to make it here on a Friday for their BBQ lunch, it always looks amazing.“

“Halloween vibes year around!“

“A very eclectic and open air patio area. Great vibe!“

“My partner and I were looking for a very casual, low-key venue to celebrate our wedding, and that’s when we came across Little Bird. From our very first interaction with Jen, we felt how warm and easy it was to work with her. She emailed us the different package options and was very transparent about pricing, explaining that we could add or remove items or move them around within the budget to make it work for us. That openness made the whole process feel stress-free.

We then met her at the bar to see the space and discuss food, drinks, and all the details. On the day of the celebration, everything was absolutely perfect. We had about 30 guests, and the space looked beautiful—exactly what we wanted. The food was delicious, the drinks were fantastic (we had three special cocktail requests in addition to the open bar), and the ambiance was just right.

Nate and the other two bartenders were incredibly kind, attentive, and genuinely friendly. So many of our guests told us how much fun they had and how great the service was.

We would absolutely recommend Little Bird for any celebration or event. Huge thanks to Jen and the entire Little Bird staff for making our day extra special, loving, and fun.“

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“Welcoming, laid back bar, weekend piano bar action, stellar cocktailian offerings. What's not to like.“

“Best bartenders, awesome owners, killer sound and all around good times always!“

“A fun dive bar with kind and friendly staff“

“Really nice speak easy giving 60s to 80s vibes mirrors everywhere. It’s one way in one way out leather seating wooden tables. I recommend it for business professionals looking to go out or a group of friends that don’t want to be bothered. Either way I will be back they do not serve food therefore they got a low food rating. But there isn’t a array of alcohol. Can’t give you a good sense of service considering there’s only five people here but that may be a good thing.“

“My favorite neighborhood spot! Love their pink house margarita and a large French fry (to share!)

It’s nice having the option to go upstairs or stay down. They often have music upstairs in weekends, sometime for a cover, but seems worth it because people dancing up there are really genuine and there to dance and enjoy one another—it feels like an older version of Oakland to me, that I miss but find sometimes upstairs at Mad Oak. I’m grateful for this place.

The bartenders here are especially kind and personable. I always look forward to interacting with staff here.

They check IDs at the door, so be ready for that.“

“Always enjoy talking with Johnny & Myra! Their drinks are good too!“

“A hidden gem of a venue in Oakland featuring eclectic sounds & the yummiest drinks. Check it out!“

“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.“

“The food was very good and the place is cute with a great soundtrack but the portions are ridiculous. $8 for a single very small dumpling that's about half a bite's worth of food, for example. If that's your thing, it's delicious.“

“Perfect for a drink and a snack before a show at the Fox, or for any night. Thoughtfully crafted original cocktail menu, and delicious bites of American fare with a Pakistani twist, fantastic ambiance, flattering date night lighting, music at the perfect volume, friendly staff and verdant plants. One of my fave spots in Oakland!“

“My favorite bar by the lake. Great atmosphere, super friendly staff (the kind that remember your name). Love to sit at the counter and do the crossword with my wife. I hope they're here for a long time. Outdoor seating on the street too if it's a nice day and that's what you're looking for .“

“Moody chic place that is perfect for a date night. The ambiance is dark and stormy with a moon somewhere. Drinks are tight and crisp. Lots of sitting and standing spots.

I wasn't a fan of my negroni, but the lychee cocktail was incredible. The bartenders were friendly and knowledgeable.

This is my go-to spot for date nights.“

“Dropped into this place to grab a few drinks before our show at the Fox theater and highly recommend. Great cocktails, local brews, and knowledgable bartenders. No food but you can bring your own, and the takeout from the thai place just down the street they recommended was amazing.“

“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.“

“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.“

“Loved the food!“

“I am a member and this place is great. I mean the membership basically pays for itself. The access to tastings and whiskey that are otherwise untouchable is worth every penny. The community is part of the deal no one talks about. Everyone there is interested in whiskey and does not care whether you're a billionaire or a janitor. Also Lamont makes a mean charcuterie board and that's worth the price of admission by itself!“

“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.“

“A beautiful place with a great vibe, delicious food, and AMAZING drinks.“

“Wow I didn’t realize how popular this place would be! 7pm on a Weds and we couldn’t find a table for our small group. But the super kind server, Josh, helped us and said they sometimes hold a few spots for larger groups so I’m glad we asked. Josh continued to impress - checking on us, making sure the kiddo with us was well-situated in the hidden kid’s book nook, and giving honest opinions of the drink offerings (letting us try samples before deciding). The vibe was great — screen-free, dimly lit, and full of books 🤩🤩“

“Warrior's Lamd🏀🏀🏀🏀 Nice AndFun People“

“How cool that this Oakland gem has adapted during the pandemic! All of the delicious drinks and all kinds of new menu items all for take-out in...wait for it...compostable containers...even the bottles the drinks come in! Please support this sustainability-minded, amazing and delicious restaurant. They have a few outdoor tables, too. Go. Go now!“

“Actually Hatch Oakland is superb, good, clean and healthy atmosphere as well as good drinks 🍻 and decor“

“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“

“The decor was festive and abundant in the best way possible, and the cocktails looked unique and curiosity-piquing. I narrowed my choices down to a Cafe Sua Daddy and the Soy Sauce Old Fashioned.

I love a savory drink and the sweet caffeinated espresso martini-esque drink had a thick blanket of just-salty-enough foam reminiscent of the salt cream that tops a boba drink. The Soy Sauce Old Fashioned catapulted me back to my childhood, eating slabs of tofu drenched in shoyu at my grandma's house. I loved the custom soy bottle presentation, it was just strong enough to tolerate being poured over a large rock while maintaining its flavor.

My partner had the Umami Tots and Mapo Tofu. I couldn't resist the siren song of some crispy potatoes dunked in chili oil cream, but managed to hold myself back on the tofu- even though it smelled amazing.

Can't wait to return and try the new seasonal drinks, along with more snacks.“

“Dope people, dope events!“