50 Best Cocktail Bars in Oakland

“Had a fantastic lunch here last week. Paul was an amazing host and it was truly humbling to be graced by an E-list celebrity ;)

I got especially excited when I learned the kitchen is fully gluten-free. Everything we ordered was a banger, their food (and drinks!) absolutely delivered.

We’ll definitely be back for dinner next time we’re in town, and we can’t wait to try his wife’s restaurant (Jaji) too.

Thank you to the whole team at Parche + Paul, for sharing your culinary magic (and personality) with us.“

“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 !“

“Enjoy the atmosphere and the tasty food !“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“Drinks are good. Classic Greyhound (w/mid vodka) was perfection.
The true STAR is this bartender (white guy with glasses and a short beard).
He is the only employee (besides the door person) working at this bar. Serving, bussing, being amazing. On a Saturday night, at 10:30pm. The efficiency, the professionalism and politeness, and then the drinks are delicious!
Give this man a raise… or at least a fat bonus for the work he is putting in tonight.“

“The ambiance is A1. Really appreciate the change of pace and the attention to detail/aesthetic. As far as food and drinks we did the wings and lamb which was pretty good and the fries (elite) and broccolini.

Drinks were tasty as well.

Will be back!“

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

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

“A great place to go work when you have a lot to get done. More outside spots than inside so its better on a sunny day. Its open late which is great. Never issues with the wifi bht limited charging spots.
Drinks are very yummy.
No designated parking so you will have to drive around for a spot.“

“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.“

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“I came in last Friday while trying to explore bars in Oakland, and think I may have found my favorite bar of the area.

The atmosphere is dark, comfortable, subdued- perfect for lounging and conversation. The service is friendly and professional. I can't speak to the quality of the music and listening equipment, as I didn't interact with that on my visit, but I have heard it is excellent. What really made me love this place, though, was the quality and creativity of the cocktails.

When I go out for drinks, above all, I like to try new things. The drinks on offer at Bar Shiru were this and more: unexpected twists on classic recipes and fantastic original creations. Ingredients I never though could work together were paired incredibly well, with a delicious balance I didn't think possible. My favorite was a variation on a manhattan, with dry vermouth and fernet among the components--and I could taste the best notes of all of these ingredients together in a wonderfully smooth and unique finish. The bartending staff who developed these drinks are exceptional. I only regret that I couldn't try the whole menu--all of which looked fantastic--which means I'll just have to come back.

If you want chill bartenders, good vibes, and excellent craft cocktails, swing by.“

“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.“

“One of my favoriteeeee bars! I know if I want to hear good music, I’m coming here. It’s one of those places that truly goes above and beyond to create an experience, not just serve drinks. No matter the occasion—Halloween, Christmas, Love Island watch parties, birthdays, or any other special event—they completely transform the space with themed decorations and even create custom menus to match. You can tell the owners put so much thought and care into every detail, and it really makes every visit feel unique and memorable. The back patio on a summer night is my faveeee ☀“

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

“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.“

“I didn’t know this place existed until I saw some people go inside on a Friday night out. Ordered the Pandan Sazerac and it was delicious. Lovely vanilla-y pandan flavor but not too sweet, paired with smooth buttery whisky. Perfection. Will be coming back“

“Fun and lively place for drinks and light snacks. Drinks were great, and the manager was very friendly. She was vibing and talking to us a lot. It was nice hospitality.

The wings were great! Loved it. It was very juicy and would recommend getting them. The ceasar salad was okay.

Great to come here for happy hour or for a game as they have TVs around.“

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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! 🌟🍸✨“

“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.“

“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.“

“Great Food, Great Service“

“Omg! this place ess awesome! the chicken & waffles were to die for.. I will be returning.soon!“

“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.“

“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“

“Karaoke with KJ Mallory Every Wednesday night from 9pm-1am.“

“Fresh, delicious and great folks“

“I stopped into Soon's before meeting a friend for dinner last night. What a cozy, warm vibe. The bartender Bea introduced herself and asked my name. Showed me the bottles of wine they had available. Six dollars for a nice glass of merlot. Fun music. The patrons were friendly and having a great time. Looking forward to stopping in again soon.“

“Food are great. Very clean surrounding. Staffs are very friendly and respectful. very outstanding customer service 👏 Keep it up! 10 ⭐️“

“My first time and will not be my last. The food is delicious, atmosphere is great and service is wonderful.“

“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“

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

“Always a great time! congrats“

“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!!!“

“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 😋❤️😃“

“Huge thank you to Akbar and team. We hosted a family baby shower, about 50 people, at Saffron Kitchen. Our guest were all happy about the ambiance at the venue and gave us many glowing reviews about Saffron's wonderful foods. Setting up the event with Akbar was very simple and took a load off of us. Akbar let us come in early the morning of to decorate and ensure there was enough food for all guests through the event. We would definitely recommend Saffron!!“

“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.“

“We were looking to try something new & hit the jackpot! The food was delicious, the service was great, and the atmosphere fun. We had the Lao appetizer platter which gives a nice sampling of nibbles. Also ordered the som tum goong & the shrimp avocado panang curry, both very yummy. We would definitely come again & absolutely have the som tum goong. We also tried their signature cocktails & highly recommend the Japanese old fashioned“

“The food is outstanding!!“

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

“Great experience. The food is beautiful and delicious. As soon as you walk in you know you’re in for a treat as so much has been done to make this a beautiful space and the service is top notch. We had the Pave Potatoes to start which came out like a color sculpture with perfectly crispy edges and soft insides draped in a bright orange pepper sauce. The entrees were good sized portions, rich in flavor and plated well. Their Pisco sour was spot on and the Lucuma ice cream was a great way to finish the meal“

“Go to this place if you want to hear some blues on a Saturday nite. The jam starts at 6. Bring your harmonica, bass, sax, etc and play some blues. The local talent is dope! Get a stiff drink or two and chill.“

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

“I only gave this place 5 stars because Google won't allow me to give them 💯! This is one of the best restaurants in the bay area! If you love spicy soup I highly recommend the numbing spicy chicken soup. My girlfriend and I are regulars, and our favorite dishes are the chicken pho, the numbing spicy soup, and the honey chili chicken wings! 🤤“

“Just visited Oakland for a conference and our awards dinner was held at The Fat Lady. The staff and owner were all phenomenal! It was a preset buffet and there were a few of us who are Autistic with an Endocrine Disorder and needed alternative food options. They took care of us swiftly and it was delicious. The owner is also an animal lover and takes care of animals they need love and a home. How can you not support a business like that! Definitely recommend!!!“

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

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

“Will miss the place“