An inclusive space for everyone. Great cocktails and food/snacks. Awesome vibe, friendly staff, and cool space. Parking can be challenging. ---
We went to Friends and Family after reading about it in the SF Chronicle and Resy. Navigating the area and parking was difficult on a weeknight, but we were able to find street parking near the bar after circling around for ~10 minutes.
I appreciate the mission statement of providing a safe space where everyone is welcome. The space is full of thoughtful details, and the outdoor space looks amazing with the mural. The pink lighting, the tableware, and the warm and friendly staff really make the place intimate, welcoming, and personal. I really felt like I was being taken care of in a way that's so rare nowadays.
I asked for a recommendation for spirit-forward drinks, and was delighted by both the "for rei" (and "the colette." "For rei" came with a block of coconut water ice, which I popped into my water after finishing the tasty cocktail way faster than I should. It reminded me of a cocktail from another place in SF, but it differentiates with its coffee flavor. Friends and Family also offer a "Daily Affirmations" mystery drink, which benefits gender-affirming care fundraising. It was a nice strawberry-flavored drink that particular night.
The Asian-influenced food also shines at Friends and Family. The hot-and-sour mushrooms pairs with the drinks nicely with its assertive flavor. The "les eggs" was a genuine surprise with its creamy yet refreshing sauce. We also had the yaki onigiri (grilled little rice balls) and the sardine banh mi toast. The tune miso was definitely interesting and an umami bomb. Overall, the dishes are on the salty side.
If I can use a single word to describe my memory of Friends and Family, it would be "warmth."
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Greta Mensah
Very gay-friendly, intimate setting, reasonable prices, and excellent food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Erin Leigh Pribyl
I want to love this place so much, but the prices do not reflect the portions, nor does the quality of the food justify the steep price. The olives were delicious, and worth the cost, but nothing else. I love to support Oakland businesses and I’m sad to speak my truth, but here we are. It’s cold inside, expensive & I left hungry.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Tammy Vinson
Simply adore everything about Friends & Family! Every single time I’ve been the atmosphere has been perfect, service is on point, and drinks and bites are delicious. Blake and her staff are so kind and accommodating, all with a genuine nature and happiness to be there.
This past Friday was my first time having les eggs, and omg, so good!! My friend and I had to order a second order when other friends joined. Tip: get a side of bread to dip in the leftover cream sauce with smoked trout roe.
My only wish is that they were in SF…or a second F&F in SF!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cynthia Medina
Excellent service and food! They graciously accommodated to my bf’s gluten and dairy allergies, and the lasagna I ordered was amazing. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Danny Lynch
They are amazing, Monday lasagna is a must. Food is exceptional, they are able to accommodate easily.
Dietary restrictions: Gluten free and dairy free
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sophia D
Loved the customized martini, best I’ve had in a while. Cute vibes inside and out
Alexandria Maisoka
Awesome bar, great food & drink program. A Queer safe haven and a trusty standby. The bartenders are beautiful and fun. They host events like industry night family meals where service workers can come eat, Queer Speed Dating, and Story time.
What a special treat to experience a space that is not only curated with thoughtful details but also mouth-watering delicious cocktails & bites. We were happy to have a reservation as it was a full house, and our server Rosie was so kind & knowledgeable on the entire menu! They gave the best recommendations on cocktail pairings and were very attentive, thank you for such incredible hospitality! The owner Blake stopped by our table to say hi and made us feel at home. Friends & Family is a gem & one of our favorite spots!!! Excited to go back ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Popcorn, Carrot Cake
Matt Easton
Whoever designed the logo deserves a big ole raise — I mean, how cute (and clever) is that?!This spot has a relaxed and creative atmosphere and was the perfect place to grab drinks with old friends. It had some delicious mocktail options and a chill, queer-friendly vibe (for example, the menu politely asks for all staff to be referred to in the gender-neutral. Love this!)The service was friendly and not pushy or overbearing. The lighting was dim and romantic and had a back patio for those wishing for a bit of fresh air.The one caution I will raise is that it can be kind of hard to find — there is no sign at the front of the building! Be prepared to follow Google Maps precisely, or risk spending a few minutes wandering the alleyway (like I did). However, the low-key entrance seemed to add to the mystique and underground vibe of this hidden gem, and I kinda liked it!Whether you need a romantic first-date cocktail bar or a spot to meet friends before a night out in Oakland, Friends and Family is the perfect place to go.
Super cute bar with great cocktails. Loved the “affirmation” shots which I believe change daily.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sarah Heindel
This place is super cute. Good mocktail options and food- love the vegan options. A great spot for queer people to hang. The service was also really good- everyone that helped us was really friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sarah H
This place is super cute. Good mocktail options and food- love the vegan options. A great spot for queer people to hang. The service was also really good- everyone that helped us was really friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elizabeth Flatbush
Stopped in before a concert at the Fox theatre. We sat on the enclosed back patio which was warm even on a cold evening. Really enjoyable atmosphere and delicious cocktails and appetizer.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Popcorn
Rosheila Robles
Love the beautiful space, the cocktails are amazing and so is the food. The servers are so nice too! One of the best bars in Oakland.
An inclusive space for everyone.
Great cocktails and food/snacks.
Awesome vibe, friendly staff, and cool space.
Parking can be challenging.
---
We went to Friends and Family after reading about it in the SF Chronicle and Resy. Navigating the area and parking was difficult on a weeknight, but we were able to find street parking near the bar after circling around for ~10 minutes.
I appreciate the mission statement of providing a safe space where everyone is welcome. The space is full of thoughtful details, and the outdoor space looks amazing with the mural. The pink lighting, the tableware, and the warm and friendly staff really make the place intimate, welcoming, and personal. I really felt like I was being taken care of in a way that's so rare nowadays.
I asked for a recommendation for spirit-forward drinks, and was delighted by both the "for rei" (and "the colette." "For rei" came with a block of coconut water ice, which I popped into my water after finishing the tasty cocktail way faster than I should. It reminded me of a cocktail from another place in SF, but it differentiates with its coffee flavor. Friends and Family also offer a "Daily Affirmations" mystery drink, which benefits gender-affirming care fundraising. It was a nice strawberry-flavored drink that particular night.
The Asian-influenced food also shines at Friends and Family. The hot-and-sour mushrooms pairs with the drinks nicely with its assertive flavor. The "les eggs" was a genuine surprise with its creamy yet refreshing sauce. We also had the yaki onigiri (grilled little rice balls) and the sardine banh mi toast. The tune miso was definitely interesting and an umami bomb. Overall, the dishes are on the salty side.
If I can use a single word to describe my memory of Friends and Family, it would be "warmth."
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very gay-friendly, intimate setting, reasonable prices, and excellent food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I want to love this place so much, but the prices do not reflect the portions, nor does the quality of the food justify the steep price.
The olives were delicious, and worth the cost, but nothing else.
I love to support Oakland businesses and I’m sad to speak my truth, but here we are.
It’s cold inside, expensive & I left hungry.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Simply adore everything about Friends & Family! Every single time I’ve been the atmosphere has been perfect, service is on point, and drinks and bites are delicious. Blake and her staff are so kind and accommodating, all with a genuine nature and happiness to be there.
This past Friday was my first time having les eggs, and omg, so good!! My friend and I had to order a second order when other friends joined. Tip: get a side of bread to dip in the leftover cream sauce with smoked trout roe.
My only wish is that they were in SF…or a second F&F in SF!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent service and food! They graciously accommodated to my bf’s gluten and dairy allergies, and the lasagna I ordered was amazing. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
They are amazing, Monday lasagna is a must. Food is exceptional, they are able to accommodate easily.
Dietary restrictions: Gluten free and dairy free
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loved the customized martini, best I’ve had in a while.
Cute vibes inside and out
Awesome bar, great food & drink program. A Queer safe haven and a trusty standby. The bartenders are beautiful and fun. They host events like industry night family meals where service workers can come eat, Queer Speed Dating, and Story time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mezcal Margherita, Kaufman Sisters
What a special treat to experience a space that is not only curated with thoughtful details but also mouth-watering delicious cocktails & bites. We were happy to have a reservation as it was a full house, and our server Rosie was so kind & knowledgeable on the entire menu! They gave the best recommendations on cocktail pairings and were very attentive, thank you for such incredible hospitality! The owner Blake stopped by our table to say hi and made us feel at home. Friends & Family is a gem & one of our favorite spots!!! Excited to go back ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Popcorn, Carrot Cake
Whoever designed the logo deserves a big ole raise — I mean, how cute (and clever) is that?!This spot has a relaxed and creative atmosphere and was the perfect place to grab drinks with old friends. It had some delicious mocktail options and a chill, queer-friendly vibe (for example, the menu politely asks for all staff to be referred to in the gender-neutral. Love this!)The service was friendly and not pushy or overbearing. The lighting was dim and romantic and had a back patio for those wishing for a bit of fresh air.The one caution I will raise is that it can be kind of hard to find — there is no sign at the front of the building! Be prepared to follow Google Maps precisely, or risk spending a few minutes wandering the alleyway (like I did). However, the low-key entrance seemed to add to the mystique and underground vibe of this hidden gem, and I kinda liked it!Whether you need a romantic first-date cocktail bar or a spot to meet friends before a night out in Oakland, Friends and Family is the perfect place to go.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Super cute bar with great cocktails. Loved the “affirmation” shots which I believe change daily.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is super cute. Good mocktail options and food- love the vegan options. A great spot for queer people to hang. The service was also really good- everyone that helped us was really friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is super cute. Good mocktail options and food- love the vegan options. A great spot for queer people to hang. The service was also really good- everyone that helped us was really friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stopped in before a concert at the Fox theatre. We sat on the enclosed back patio which was warm even on a cold evening. Really enjoyable atmosphere and delicious cocktails and appetizer.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Popcorn
Love the beautiful space, the cocktails are amazing and so is the food. The servers are so nice too! One of the best bars in Oakland.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loading...