Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon

Great history of this place, bow of a ship still sinking, absolute must of your like drinks n history especially Jack London. Oakland icon

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Good drinks at a cool historic place.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Historical place, nice to visit

You come for the history, you stay for the atmosphere.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Legendary historic bar with a rich history. Jack London and Robert Louis Stevenson drank there and the former set a chapter in it in his novel John Barleycorn. Great outdoor patio and character. Oldest bar in the SF Bay Area.

TIME CAPSULE IN THE BAY AREA!

If you’re a history geek who also loves beer, you cannot skip this!

I went to Oakland just for Heinold’s First and Last Chance Saloon, and it was epic! It felt like I was in a time capsule! The place is pure history!!! The floor is slanted due to the 1906 earthquake and they kept it that way. And the walls and tables felt like they’ve absorbed over a century of stories. There’s also a WWI helmet in the ceiling. Wait!! Did I say this saloon was open since 1883? The place was small but I love history and time capsules! So amazing!

And!! I had a blast just chatting with the guys serving beer. They’re more than bartenders. They were storytellers. I kept asking them about the history and all the quirky details inside, and then one of them actually lit up the original gas lamp. Yes, gas lamp!! One of only two left in all of California. How cool is that!!! In that moment, I swear it felt like I’d been transported back in time. Touching the old tables felt like touching the past itself.

They don’t serve food here, just drinks, but that’s what keeps the focus on the experience. It’s not just a bar. It’s a living piece of California history.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I don't think they serve food. Everything else it outstanding. Truly. Drinks are priced decently and plenty of seating. Staff are all really nice

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 5

Dark and unbalanced. But in a good way. You will know what I mean when you visit. Great atmosphere. Much history. Go there just to go there!

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Nostalgic place bar tender really knowledgeable about the history of the bar and the author of call of the wild.

great for drinks, especially day drinking, reasonable priced cocktails & $6 drafts. sits right next to Jack London's cabin, this bar is still sloped inside, so sit on the patio

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Great place to grab a drink

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Go through time and drink at this historic place right next to Jack London's cabin. Tbh it's tiny inside so you will likely be outside like us. However the inside feels like a ship with the slant. You'll love the shack with brewskees. It's pretty good. I would say 7.5/10

Atmosphere: 4

Service: 3

Tried to go to this bar, but they’re close at nine

Why go anywhere else.

Racist and abusive staff that shouts at customers for no apparent reason. Avoid at all costs

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1