The Barbary is one of the best cocktail bars in Oakland, bar none. The prices range from $13-$16 per cocktail. My partner said this place has the best Old Fashioned they've ever had. I'm a fan of the Spice Trader and the Black Tot Grog. Don't let the prices deter you; the quality makes it worthwhile. The pirate/nautical theme has good ambiance. It's not overbearing, but definitely not something you can overlook. I'd call it cute and whimsical, and I appreciate that the art on the walls was bought from small artists on Etsy. It vaguely reminds me of the vibe on Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Like, a little homemade and dated but done with love and extreme attention to detail. On weekends they have live music, often jazz, and it's been good stuff every time I came here. The staff is all great. Owners are often on-site. Jorge, the door guy, is friendly and helpful and welcoming. I highly recommend this as a place for a date night. It's classy, cool, and serves up good drinks. Really happy to have this place on Grand!
Happy Singh
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐My wife recently hosted a surprise birthday party for me at The Barbary and I couldn't have asked for a better experience! The staff went above and beyond to make our celebration truly special. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warmth and professionalism.The back lounge area, where our private party was set up, exceeded all expectations. The ambiance was perfect for our gathering, with cozy seating and just the right lighting to set the mood. The decorations added a festive touch that made the birthday celebration even more memorable.The patio out front is a wonderful place to hang out and get some fresh air. Outdoor heaters and the seating makes it a very comfortable space to hang out outdoors when you want to step out from the bar.Throughout the evening, the staff ensured that all our needs were met, from keeping the drinks flowing to attending to any requests we had. Their attentiveness and friendly demeanor truly made us feel like valued guests. George (Security) was very welcoming and friendly and has such an inviting personality that you can’t resist going in for a drink.Nargis was our contact and assisted in organizing the party and everything from A to Z. She is amazing! Nala and another gentleman who tend the bar were also very friendly, inviting, and made it a point to ensure we were taken care of.Overall, I can't recommend The Barbary highly enough for anyone looking to host a private event. Thank you to the entire team for making our birthday celebration unforgettable! We'll definitely be back for more memorable moments. ???
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Shani S.
The Barbary is a beautiful space, but the second restroom near the fireplace needs serious maintenance. It has a strong mildew stench, so bad that you can smell it in the seating area near m the restroom. It would behoove the establishment to simply close the second restroom until it has been fully repaired, to prevent such a poor experience. Not sure if I have a second try in me, but time will tell.
John L.
Great low key Vybe at this bar. Just came in to pick up my debit card after leaving it here over the weekend. I got an Old Fashioned & a Manhattan. Both drinks were really well made, super friendly bartender who handed me back my debit card too. I love how quiet the place was tonight, let me think & speak to my coworker over the phone while having drinks.
Ed U.
I'm not sure how to describe this newish bar on Grand Avenue. How about "whimsically posh" or maybe more accurately "pirate-meets-tiki"? Owners and sisters Narges and Nala Gardizi worked at Trader Vic's in Emeryville for over a decade (review: so they know a thing or two about what makes a tiki bar work. With Kona Club right up the street (review: they probably knew they had to come up with something unique and introduced more of a pirate ship vibe with surreal portraits of humanized animals on the wall. It's too stylish and meticulous to be mistaken for a dive bar, but whatever hybrid it's supposed to be, the sisters succeeded. Jamie W. and I hung around for just one round since customers appeared epoxied to the seats in the back lounge area and the bar itself was getting a bit populated. We chose winners though. Jamie had the $16 Black Tot Grog with bourbon, vanilla liqueur, pineapple, allspice, and intriguingly, activated charcoal (photo: Shiver me timbers, me hearties. I decided to go more tropical with the $13 Coconut Mojito which mixed coconut rum, coconut milk, pineapple, lime, and of course, muddled mint (photo: Both sisters were present and working hard. Their efforts were paying off as we're curious to try their other craft cocktails at a quieter time. DRINKS - 4 stars...superior craft cocktails to bring either your inner pirate or beach bum out AMBIANCE - 4 stars...evocative decor with the unique animal paintings SERVICE - 5 stars...sisters are doin' it for themselves TOTAL - 4 stars...pirate meets tiki...yep RELATED - Looking for a tiki bar? Here's a collection of places I've patronized and reviewed:
Salad Clifton
Great place!really good vibes @
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Lovey Sidhu
New spot in the area and it didn’t disappoint! The decor is absolutely amazing inside. Skilled bartenders make some great tasting unique drinks! I’ll be back whenever in the area for sure!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Madina S.
My husband and I recently went here to end our anniversary night, and what an amazing time we had! The bartenders were so attentive and fast with preparing our orders. The drinks were delicious and recommended by our amazing bartender! The atmosphere was beautiful. Everyone there was having such a good time. We went on karaoke night and it brought us and strangers together it was lit! If you're in the Oakland area I HIGHLY recommend you stop at this bar you won't regret it!
Hasib M.
This place is classy with an awesome vibe. I went for my bday and the drinks were amazing. The crowd was chill & friendly. The bartenders are absolutely incredible! This last visit has made this one of my favorite spots. I would recommend if you are in the area and want a chill spot to have some drinks. Might take my gf next time as I went with the boys.
Husna M.
I attended a Mediterranean night with pop up hookah and lovely belly dancing performances. The customer service was excellent, the vibes were immaculate, and the BOSSLADY sisters have done a lovely job beautifying the place. Cozy outdoor seating is a plus!
Awesome place!!! Amazing selection of drinks. Had a great time. Will definitely come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Steven B.
Their mai tai was terrible. And the ambience also bad - karaoke?!? Sorry, but they need to up the game.
Mara Gericke
My friend I walked past this bar on our way to dinner and couldn't help but pop in. The drink menu is mostly cocktails but they have some beer as well, and some solid NA options (not just juice). The staff were so friendly and down to earth, the other patrons were cool, and the atmosphere was kinda dark and lounge-y and clean. The patio outside looked nice but we didn't hang out there.We happened to be there on Live Jazz Night (every Saturday) and the vibe was so good! The bartender said they have Middle Eastern Night once a week too. I can't wait to go back and get to know this new spot better!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Cejana F.
The music is always bumping on great vibes and drinks are always on point! Had their weekly special "English Wreck" mint, pimnas, vanilla, and lemon
Claudio R.
The Barbary is an absolute gem of a cocktail bar! From the moment you step inside, you are transported into a world of elegance and charm. The ambiance is cozy yet sophisticated, perfect for a night out with friends or a special date. The cocktails are expertly crafted and bursting with flavor, using only the freshest ingredients. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly, making you feel welcome and attended to. The Barbary is a must-visit for anyone seeking a memorable cocktail experience.
The Barbary is one of the best cocktail bars in Oakland, bar none. The prices range from $13-$16 per cocktail. My partner said this place has the best Old Fashioned they've ever had. I'm a fan of the Spice Trader and the Black Tot Grog. Don't let the prices deter you; the quality makes it worthwhile. The pirate/nautical theme has good ambiance. It's not overbearing, but definitely not something you can overlook. I'd call it cute and whimsical, and I appreciate that the art on the walls was bought from small artists on Etsy. It vaguely reminds me of the vibe on Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Like, a little homemade and dated but done with love and extreme attention to detail. On weekends they have live music, often jazz, and it's been good stuff every time I came here. The staff is all great. Owners are often on-site. Jorge, the door guy, is friendly and helpful and welcoming. I highly recommend this as a place for a date night. It's classy, cool, and serves up good drinks. Really happy to have this place on Grand!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐My wife recently hosted a surprise birthday party for me at The Barbary and I couldn't have asked for a better experience! The staff went above and beyond to make our celebration truly special. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warmth and professionalism.The back lounge area, where our private party was set up, exceeded all expectations. The ambiance was perfect for our gathering, with cozy seating and just the right lighting to set the mood. The decorations added a festive touch that made the birthday celebration even more memorable.The patio out front is a wonderful place to hang out and get some fresh air. Outdoor heaters and the seating makes it a very comfortable space to hang out outdoors when you want to step out from the bar.Throughout the evening, the staff ensured that all our needs were met, from keeping the drinks flowing to attending to any requests we had. Their attentiveness and friendly demeanor truly made us feel like valued guests. George (Security) was very welcoming and friendly and has such an inviting personality that you can’t resist going in for a drink.Nargis was our contact and assisted in organizing the party and everything from A to Z. She is amazing! Nala and another gentleman who tend the bar were also very friendly, inviting, and made it a point to ensure we were taken care of.Overall, I can't recommend The Barbary highly enough for anyone looking to host a private event. Thank you to the entire team for making our birthday celebration unforgettable! We'll definitely be back for more memorable moments. ???
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
The Barbary is a beautiful space, but the second restroom near the fireplace needs serious maintenance. It has a strong mildew stench, so bad that you can smell it in the seating area near m the restroom. It would behoove the establishment to simply close the second restroom until it has been fully repaired, to prevent such a poor experience. Not sure if I have a second try in me, but time will tell.
Great low key Vybe at this bar. Just came in to pick up my debit card after leaving it here over the weekend. I got an Old Fashioned & a Manhattan. Both drinks were really well made, super friendly bartender who handed me back my debit card too. I love how quiet the place was tonight, let me think & speak to my coworker over the phone while having drinks.
I'm not sure how to describe this newish bar on Grand Avenue. How about "whimsically posh" or maybe more accurately "pirate-meets-tiki"? Owners and sisters Narges and Nala Gardizi worked at Trader Vic's in Emeryville for over a decade (review: so they know a thing or two about what makes a tiki bar work. With Kona Club right up the street (review: they probably knew they had to come up with something unique and introduced more of a pirate ship vibe with surreal portraits of humanized animals on the wall. It's too stylish and meticulous to be mistaken for a dive bar, but whatever hybrid it's supposed to be, the sisters succeeded. Jamie W. and I hung around for just one round since customers appeared epoxied to the seats in the back lounge area and the bar itself was getting a bit populated. We chose winners though. Jamie had the $16 Black Tot Grog with bourbon, vanilla liqueur, pineapple, allspice, and intriguingly, activated charcoal (photo: Shiver me timbers, me hearties. I decided to go more tropical with the $13 Coconut Mojito which mixed coconut rum, coconut milk, pineapple, lime, and of course, muddled mint (photo: Both sisters were present and working hard. Their efforts were paying off as we're curious to try their other craft cocktails at a quieter time. DRINKS - 4 stars...superior craft cocktails to bring either your inner pirate or beach bum out AMBIANCE - 4 stars...evocative decor with the unique animal paintings SERVICE - 5 stars...sisters are doin' it for themselves TOTAL - 4 stars...pirate meets tiki...yep RELATED - Looking for a tiki bar? Here's a collection of places I've patronized and reviewed:
Great place!really good vibes @
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
New spot in the area and it didn’t disappoint! The decor is absolutely amazing inside. Skilled bartenders make some great tasting unique drinks! I’ll be back whenever in the area for sure!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My husband and I recently went here to end our anniversary night, and what an amazing time we had! The bartenders were so attentive and fast with preparing our orders. The drinks were delicious and recommended by our amazing bartender! The atmosphere was beautiful. Everyone there was having such a good time. We went on karaoke night and it brought us and strangers together it was lit! If you're in the Oakland area I HIGHLY recommend you stop at this bar you won't regret it!
This place is classy with an awesome vibe. I went for my bday and the drinks were amazing. The crowd was chill & friendly. The bartenders are absolutely incredible! This last visit has made this one of my favorite spots. I would recommend if you are in the area and want a chill spot to have some drinks. Might take my gf next time as I went with the boys.
I attended a Mediterranean night with pop up hookah and lovely belly dancing performances. The customer service was excellent, the vibes were immaculate, and the BOSSLADY sisters have done a lovely job beautifying the place. Cozy outdoor seating is a plus!
Restaurantji Recommends
Awesome place!!! Amazing selection of drinks. Had a great time. Will definitely come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Their mai tai was terrible. And the ambience also bad - karaoke?!? Sorry, but they need to up the game.
My friend I walked past this bar on our way to dinner and couldn't help but pop in. The drink menu is mostly cocktails but they have some beer as well, and some solid NA options (not just juice). The staff were so friendly and down to earth, the other patrons were cool, and the atmosphere was kinda dark and lounge-y and clean. The patio outside looked nice but we didn't hang out there.We happened to be there on Live Jazz Night (every Saturday) and the vibe was so good! The bartender said they have Middle Eastern Night once a week too. I can't wait to go back and get to know this new spot better!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
The music is always bumping on great vibes and drinks are always on point! Had their weekly special "English Wreck" mint, pimnas, vanilla, and lemon
The Barbary is an absolute gem of a cocktail bar! From the moment you step inside, you are transported into a world of elegance and charm. The ambiance is cozy yet sophisticated, perfect for a night out with friends or a special date. The cocktails are expertly crafted and bursting with flavor, using only the freshest ingredients. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly, making you feel welcome and attended to. The Barbary is a must-visit for anyone seeking a memorable cocktail experience.