50 Best Cocktail Bars in Oakland

“We brought our friend here to celebrate his birthday because we wanted to gift an experience. We saw you featured on Check Please . . . And you guys WOW’d us beyond our expectations!! Amazing staff! And amazing food . . And yes, amazing cocktails!! Down to the last finishing touches ! We will definitely be back !“

“Some of the most high-quality and innovative cocktails I’ve seen in the bay. Service in general was great. William is brilliant, friendly, and not shy about nerding out with guests about his cocktails and spirits. He made the experience one to remember, and one to hopefully repeat soon. Thank you.“

“Enjoy the atmosphere and the tasty food !“

“Spent my 42nd birthday here by my self. The atmosphere is amazing. The walls are covered from floor to ceiling in knick knacks that will keep your eyes searching the walls for a long time. The Bartender (Shy) was AMAZING. Kind, sweet and patient. Thanks for a fun birthday!“

“good drinks, good food, friendly service, outdoor dining, i'll be back“

“Came in on Sunday afternoon for some drinks and bites. We got the Wagyu and Chicken sliders. Wagyu sliders were 10/10, it was tender and had so much flavor. We thought that the chicken sliders were good, the chicken was fried well and it was juicy, but we thought it lacked a little flavor. Maybe more seasoning on the chicken or make the aioli a bit more flavorful.

Our drinks are Now You Nosso, Smashski, and Melas Beles (in order clockwise from lychee drink). They were all super refreshing and delicious.

If you want great food/drinks, good music, and friendly neighborhood vibes then definitely check out Nosso!“

“Not a huge fan of the seating layout. I sat on the left side to avoid the loud chatter of people but that meant being on a hard bench with uninteresting decor. Empanadas were wonderful, the ceviche with coconut milk was a pleasant surprise. I wanted to try the arepa but it seemed like the portion was tiny. The chicharron was very flavorful!“

“The best! I highly recommend you make a visit and enjoy good company.“

“I’m so happy we gave this spot a try! I absolute love the ambiance, service and all of the food was HOT and fresh. The sliders were delicious and made with quality meat, the catfish boa bites were great as well! One thing I look forward to seeing is a creative spin on wings.“

“Always an interesting experience and fun treat. Classic cocktails in a classic atmosphere. Service is on point! Food is innovative yet still comforting and familiar. Never disappointed.“

“Large, stylish and spacious. We were a group of seven people and three dogs and could spread out when we first got there Saturday opening at 3 PM in the back patio. A few other parties came after us, but we were just there for one drink so I’m not sure how busy it got afterwards.

We ordered at the bar and they have a full menu of interesting cocktails.

I got the golden girl and it was a great balance, making it way too easy to drink.

Did not try the food, but there was a vegan pop-up in the back patio with the QR codes around the bar to order online.

The restrooms were separated by men and women and are spacious and clean.“

“Yummy Drinks, good vibes, outside patio...💥🔥💣💨😎“

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“Short wait on a Friday night for 7 of us. Really small place but the wait staff and owner very friendly and everyone was very happy with their meal. If I lived here I would go back.“

“4.5 ⭐️ This place is cozy! Afro-futuristic art and vinyl bar in uptown Oakland serving select cocktails with dim lighting and a casual
atmosphere. I tried the Taloma, a tamarind version of a Paloma and it was a great cocktail. Plenty of seating. Check out their socials for upcoming events and DJs. I’ve yet to attend any of their vinyl events since I’ve only come here a few times but I do like their record collection. Good location, near plenty of other bars and dining in the area.“

“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“

“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.“

“Smoker friendly sports bar with the best owner/ operator in the world. Roy treats you like he's hosting you in his own living room, often beginning in delicious homemade tamales to give out to hungry and grateful pateons. This bar is one of the gems of Oakland.“

“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“

“My hometown spot. One of the only local spots I feel comfortable. Thanks!“

“Great food and drinks, friendly comrades on staff, great cocktail names, solid leftist propaganda and excellent events. 🖤🔥✨“

“Haven't been here since Pac died...lol. This is a classic spot and I had such a blast. Memories of when I used to be hitting the streets in my clubbing days lol. Older crowd and a lot of bikers but such a vibe. Security was hella cool too“

“Always a great time! congrats“

“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“

“Mother Tongue Coffee Roasters is one of those rare finds that feels both approachable and extraordinary at the same time. From the moment you step in, the space carries an artistic, community-focused vibe that immediately sets it apart from your typical coffee shop. It’s warm, welcoming, and filled with the comforting aroma of freshly roasted beans.

What truly makes Mother Tongue shine is their dedication to sourcing and roasting coffee with care. Every cup feels intentional. I tried both their pour-over and a flat white on separate visits, and each drink highlighted the unique flavor profiles of their beans—bright, complex, and beautifully balanced. Their single-origin options are especially impressive, showcasing the diversity of regions and farms they partner with. It’s coffee that not only tastes amazing but also tells a story.

The staff is equally memorable. They’re passionate, approachable, and eager to share their knowledge without being pretentious. Whether you’re a casual coffee drinker or someone who loves diving into the details of origin and process, they make the experience enjoyable and engaging.

Another thing I love about Mother Tongue is their commitment to inclusivity and community. It’s not just about serving coffee—it’s about creating a space where people feel connected and inspired. Between the exceptional drinks, the thoughtful mission, and the friendly atmosphere, Mother Tongue Coffee Roasters is a place you’ll want to return to again and again.“

“Cute little "dive" bar. It's nice and put together. Clean. The bartend (Sherri) was very kind, attentive and and fast. There's a pool table and a online juke box. It wasn't packed but it's Wednesday. Older crowd. Like the 50, 60 plus. They were very nice and friendly as well. I'll be back

Dj Nash Chanel.
(If Sherri sees this, the was made by the tall lady with the good skin) ? thank you for the service“

“A put bull was allowed to attack our dog tonight, they were sitting at the bar by the door. Our dog is well-behaved and well-trained and was attacked walking out of the restaurant. I appreciate places being dog friendly but plz be safe. The food and drinks are great but this ruined the evening.“

“I thought this would be a dime a dozen dive bar type spot, but thankfully I was wrong. It was pretty poppin for a Monday evening, but not enough to where it was overwhelming. The trees are fantastic, and the cocktails were actually good! We even got a nifty NA cocktail as a nightcap. I'll be coming back next time I'm in the area.“

“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.“

“I have to share a post from my favorite restaurant the FOB kitchen in Oakland. Chef Janice’s dishes are incredible. Being a queer person it is great to have a fantastic place to dine and feel safe and excepted. If you are in Oakland you have to try it. My favorite is the adobo and halo halo.“

“This was my first time in this establishment. There's actually sand on the floor/ground! ID is checked at the door. We sat at the bar. Our bartender was great! She's a great mixologist, hilarious conversationalist, and an asset to the Sandbar.“

“This is a must visit for anyone in Jack London Square“

“This is my favorite restaurant in Oakland! The food is amazing and so are the cocktails. The vive is is unreal!!!“

“It was the friendliest salsa scene I've been to in years--Sunday at four to eight. And the food was gorgeous, and the staff super helpful.“

“Absolutely delicious, colorful, healthy food! We ordered takeout for dinner tonight and had the chicken and mushrooms, Mela platter, beef tibs and sambusa. The portions were generous and everything was fresh and seasoning was off the chain!!! Try the brownies for dessert - you will not be disappointed!! When in Oakland, order from Mela Bistro 😋❤️😃“

“Shi is wonderful and is a joy to watch make drinks. I sit at the bar specifically for this reason. She’s super friendly and you can tell she enjoys her job and is very talented too. I will be coming back again and again. Even Ryan at the door made me feel welcome. I have gone to Shiru both with my boyfriend and just by myself and I look forward to bringing my friends here too! Vibes are great, drinks are amazing and the music selection and volume is perfect.“

“Pleasant environment, friendly people and delicious food❤️“

“Fresh, delicious and great folks“

“meal and the roti for sure will be going back“

“I visited for lunch on Christmas Eve, and it was quiet (which was fine to me). I had the mixed kabob platter and tried some of the lamb shank and beef qurma. The food was very good, and service and atmosphere were just fine. If you like Afghan cuisine and are in the area, consider having a meal here. The lunch menu prices are good values considering Saffron Kitchen has tablecloth covered tables and wait service.“

“Been coming here since 1977. Always great food and adult beverages. Best is fried zucchini!!!!“

“The Saap Avenue is an amazing place! The curry is so warming and delicious. The people who work here couldn’t be sweeter. The bartender and the bar can’t be beat…so creative. If you want Laotian food and a wonderful cocktail or two, this is your place!“

“Great food and service, would recommend, love it 😋“

“I recommend the Saturday blues jam. Friendly staff, safe location. Nice to find this event.,if you like blues,and we all get them, this is the place Sat eve. with actual real blues musicians.“

“Very tasty and carefully seasoned. All dishes were perfection“

“It was our first time at Lucuma, and we plan to go again. The service and food were great, and we were accommodated with cheerfulness and respect. Thank you! It's a bit too loud for me as I am sensitive to the music and my wife is hearing-impaired. So this made it difficult to communicate. Everyone at the restaurant seemed like they were having a good time. It was our Anniversary, and we were provided with a comp. dessert plus glasses of champagne. Very classy! The broccolini was exceptional, and my wife's steak got rave reviews from her. The menu is extensive and I will choose other entrees next time. We were seated on time and liked our table and the ambiance of the restaurant. ¡Gracias! Robert“

“Great Food, Great Service“

“Holy Basil is one of our absolute favorite places to get delivery from in the Bay Area. Our kids are addicted to the bao buns and garlic noodles. I'm obsessed with the tofu vermicelli. Nothing is cozier on a cold day than their Chili Lemongrass soup. Nothing is more refreshing on a hot day than their fresh rolls and ginger lemonade. We love Holy Basil food!“

“Will miss the place“

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