Cafe Van Kleef

1621 Telegraph Ave, Oakland
(510) 763-7711

Recent Reviews

Becca Gomez Farrell

Cafe Van Kleef knows what they do - greyhounds! - and they do it well. Very few options for beer/wine, but you're here for their famous greyhounds, and so is the rest of the crowd. Relaxed vibe inside, even when packed, and it's an eclectic collection on the walls that's fun to peruse.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Arjun Nair

Really light and cozy ambience for hanging with a group of friends. Definitely recommend the house special cocktail with Gin.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Mitchell Wichter

I hate spots that don’t have accurate hours. Travel far af to come to a spot that says open.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Fabiola

Disappointed!!! Was there last night and the female bartender was on a bad one. She got mad because we asked for our drink???!!! And proceeded to ask the bouncers to kick us out! She didn’t have anything nice to say…Super rude and discriminatory. The bouncers were even worse! Everyone around was as confused as we were…we couldn’t figure out what ticked her off! Sad disappointing experience! Do not recommend!!!

Atmosphere: 1

Service: 1

Kate Hall

Fabulous dive bar in downtown Oakland, famous for its squeezed-fresh pink grapefruit Greyhounds. Indoor and outdoor seating. Live music.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

J.J. Perez

Great place! The statue out front is the real

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Nick Richardson

Fresh squeezed grapefruit is the key to your favorite cocktails!

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 4

Joseph Seibel

I came here for the ambiance. This place sure is eclectic! Some of the other bars in the area feel... well... sterile. But then again, they aren't art bars. I came on a Friday night, and it was quite busy. I kinda wish I came here more, but duty calls (by that, I mean work .?‍?) I don't think they offer food here.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 1

Service: 4

Melissa Archie

It's a unique dive bar experience. The decore of the space is the conversation starter of the evening. The effects of the lights give swanky while the random art, animal forms, statues & paraphernalia give hoarder uncles man cave.The music was just as random when I visited on a Saturday night. 2000s r&b and pop kept me in a groove.Their fresh squeezed grapefruits made for refreshing Paloma's. Standing room. It's a tight squeeze - the space is narrow with the long bar run down the front 2/3rds and a few sitting tables in the back 1/3.Expect to stand and chill. Music was at a volume only moderately competing with conversation, so you can still chat and enjoy a vibe.Overall It's a cool spot for a casual assortment of vibes. Diverse crowd. Although it would not be a destination for me, I'd stop in if I were in the area and just wanted to grab a drink to kick it with a friend.

Atmosphere: 4

Service: 4

Davis McElwee

Awesome bar in Downtown Oakland. Rad decor. The greyhound is their

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Gregg Early

Great bar. Certainly an unusual Negroni but I'll forgive them that, not exactly that kind of spot. Well worth a visit!

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Chad Hedstrom

Drinks, service ,staff, atmosphere and crowd were great. It has a kind of funky atmosphere, if you're in to that. If you order one drink here, get they greyhound.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

C Hadlock

Drinks, service ,staff, atmosphere and crowd were great. It has a kind of funky atmosphere, if you're in to that. If you order one drink here, get they greyhound.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Jerry Gordinier

Excellent cocktails in an electric setting. some dudes at the bar invited me to play a game of weapon, helmet, strangest thing based on the assorted knickknacks on the wall. recommend. much flare. very solid crowd great for a date or pre-concert.

Phillip Goupille

Best place for drinks before a show at the Fox. Grapefruit is squeezed fresh at the bar for drinks.

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