Natural wine and snacks in uptown Oakland. They have a good wine selection and sell bottles to go, even my favorite Tessier from Berkeley! There's a miso sample plate from Shared Cultures and other little salty snacks and food with good bread. The service is great, they know the wines and give good recommendations. It's a nice place to have a wine or cider and chill.
Elí Rodríguez
Wines are amazing, but man the service is bad. The bartenders are not attentive, I went 4 weeks straight while waiting for my gf to finish her classes. These guys never offered me water, had to ask for it and whenever I sat on a table, and having the bar practically empty took forever to take my order and never came back to ask if everything was ok. And last time went with a friend and asked for suggestions, she interrupted me and never came back to answer. Never were friendly with me and I saw them being friendly with others. Was reading some reviews about people feeling racism, and I am hoping that was not the case. But yeah, the wines, the menu design and the concept are legit, but the bartenders are really a heavy downgrade. They need some serious hospitality training.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1
Emily J.
We enjoyed a glass of wine here before a show at The Paramount, which is less than a 10-minute walk away. Our group of three grabbed spots at the bar (there are also tables of various sizes) and were greeted promptly. Along with wine, we had also planned on eating their delicious sounding burrata and/or other food options, except we didn't realize that the only food option that day was a pop up starting at 4 pm, which was the same time as our show. The staff person helping us was super nice and helped us select delicious glasses of wine, and volunteered her recommendations of food at other local businesses nearby. It was a short and sweet visit so I look forward to returning for more wine...and hopefully some food. Even though I am terrible at guessing wines, the blind flight sounds like a fun challenge.
Rita Madarassy
Natural wine without additives, friendly welcoming people, delicious food, reminds me of small Lisbon eateries, stays open late weekends but would love it if stayed open even later :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sandwich
Jennifer Yoldi
Such a cool spot serving unique, interesting and delicious wines. The food menu is light but appetizing and will satisfy any palette. If I were to build my perfect wine bar to hang out at, it would looked like this. It also helps that the staff makes a point to remember their regulars and make them feel welcome. Don't sleep on their wine club, I can promise you won't find wines like this elsewhere.Vegetarian options: They cater to both vegetarian and vegan palettes and have some gluten free options as well.Wheelchair accessibility: Easy entry, easy to navigate within the establishment, attentive staff if you need extra assistance
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burrata with Fresh Baked Bread
Jasmine R.
I stop by here had nice great vibes and Good service and recommended some great choices of white wine.
Genoa D.
Long time love of mine. This used to be my go to place for happy hour. I loved that there is close bike parking, and comfy bar and window seating. I have tried some very nice organic wines here and made some beautiful memories here as well. I usually opt for a house red or flight. This time I enjoyed the Cali Sunshine Mix, each wine unique and did not disappoint. This is a great place for a date or to catch up with a friend. They offer a great food menu of offerings that pair well with the wine of course. Cheeseboards, dried fish and large salads are just a few of the companion offerings. The punchdown has also been known to hold food pop-ups and have a small library of books on organic wine.
Mike R.
Simply put, these people know wine. The curated menu and wine offerings provide an experience that's as-non-pretentious-as-possible. I mean, it's wine. Wine is gonna wine. But they make it fun and approachable. Great service. Great ambiance. Be patient when this spot is poppin'. They will get to you. Good things come to those that wait. Cheers
Nanette Mocanu
No chef in Sundays, so our experience was limited.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Bob K.
A natural wine bar, which means that a varietal might taste different than you expect. I've been there twice this week, and the house chardonnay was the most fruit forward dry chard I've ever had. Both times, I was waiting for the Fox Theater around the corner to open, and the Punchdown is like an oasis in a frequently chaotic area. I love the savory vittles. If you get the baguette with oil, you may gasp at how much bread you get for $3 (happy hour price) but the baguette is wonderfully light on the inside, absorbing the scant oil quickly. Try it with the burrata. And marcona almonds are another of my vices. I need to try more options, including the intriguing wine tasting menu (their choices). Clean non-gender bathrooms.
Lovely place to drink some imported wine. I love that they have a selection of orange wines, as they’re difficult to find. They also have a large assortment of wine in the cellar that you can purchase bottles from to-go.
Thunersee V.
So glad we have this place near our office in Uptown! A small intimate spot with a bit more upscale feeling than the other bars (which are also good for some occasions, but we really need this place to stay in the neighborhood too!)
Elizabeth H.
Went in while in Oakland last night as I live close to their sister location in Sonoma County. To say the staff were dismissive would be an understatement. We sat at the bar and it was almost comical how much they went out of their way to ignore us. Took forever to get someone to even acknowledge us, and they literally didn't say one word as they dropped off our drinks and food. We ordered two flights and a cheese plate (which was tasty). The white wines were decent but the reds were borderline undrinkable; horrible smell and aftertaste. I was very grateful to be leaving a wine bar that had THE WORST vibes. I'm super disappointed as I work in the industry and have been looking forward to checking out the second location in Sebastopol, but probably won't bother to avoid a repeat of last night.
Kasey Carll
Comfy wine bar in the center of Oakland! Worth the trip
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Orange Wine
Heidi K.
Walked in at 9:15 for a quick post dinner wine and snack but when we walked in the two girls behind the bar were counting their money and said they were closed. Hours say they are open until 10pm. Please update the hours.
Natural wine and snacks in uptown Oakland. They have a good wine selection and sell bottles to go, even my favorite Tessier from Berkeley! There's a miso sample plate from Shared Cultures and other little salty snacks and food with good bread. The service is great, they know the wines and give good recommendations. It's a nice place to have a wine or cider and chill.
Wines are amazing, but man the service is bad. The bartenders are not attentive, I went 4 weeks straight while waiting for my gf to finish her classes. These guys never offered me water, had to ask for it and whenever I sat on a table, and having the bar practically empty took forever to take my order and never came back to ask if everything was ok. And last time went with a friend and asked for suggestions, she interrupted me and never came back to answer. Never were friendly with me and I saw them being friendly with others. Was reading some reviews about people feeling racism, and I am hoping that was not the case. But yeah, the wines, the menu design and the concept are legit, but the bartenders are really a heavy downgrade. They need some serious hospitality training.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1
We enjoyed a glass of wine here before a show at The Paramount, which is less than a 10-minute walk away. Our group of three grabbed spots at the bar (there are also tables of various sizes) and were greeted promptly. Along with wine, we had also planned on eating their delicious sounding burrata and/or other food options, except we didn't realize that the only food option that day was a pop up starting at 4 pm, which was the same time as our show. The staff person helping us was super nice and helped us select delicious glasses of wine, and volunteered her recommendations of food at other local businesses nearby. It was a short and sweet visit so I look forward to returning for more wine...and hopefully some food. Even though I am terrible at guessing wines, the blind flight sounds like a fun challenge.
Natural wine without additives, friendly welcoming people, delicious food, reminds me of small Lisbon eateries, stays open late weekends but would love it if stayed open even later :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sandwich
Such a cool spot serving unique, interesting and delicious wines. The food menu is light but appetizing and will satisfy any palette. If I were to build my perfect wine bar to hang out at, it would looked like this. It also helps that the staff makes a point to remember their regulars and make them feel welcome. Don't sleep on their wine club, I can promise you won't find wines like this elsewhere.Vegetarian options: They cater to both vegetarian and vegan palettes and have some gluten free options as well.Wheelchair accessibility: Easy entry, easy to navigate within the establishment, attentive staff if you need extra assistance
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burrata with Fresh Baked Bread
I stop by here had nice great vibes and Good service and recommended some great choices of white wine.
Long time love of mine. This used to be my go to place for happy hour. I loved that there is close bike parking, and comfy bar and window seating. I have tried some very nice organic wines here and made some beautiful memories here as well. I usually opt for a house red or flight. This time I enjoyed the Cali Sunshine Mix, each wine unique and did not disappoint. This is a great place for a date or to catch up with a friend. They offer a great food menu of offerings that pair well with the wine of course. Cheeseboards, dried fish and large salads are just a few of the companion offerings. The punchdown has also been known to hold food pop-ups and have a small library of books on organic wine.
Simply put, these people know wine. The curated menu and wine offerings provide an experience that's as-non-pretentious-as-possible. I mean, it's wine. Wine is gonna wine. But they make it fun and approachable. Great service. Great ambiance. Be patient when this spot is poppin'. They will get to you. Good things come to those that wait. Cheers
No chef in Sundays, so our experience was limited.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
A natural wine bar, which means that a varietal might taste different than you expect. I've been there twice this week, and the house chardonnay was the most fruit forward dry chard I've ever had. Both times, I was waiting for the Fox Theater around the corner to open, and the Punchdown is like an oasis in a frequently chaotic area. I love the savory vittles. If you get the baguette with oil, you may gasp at how much bread you get for $3 (happy hour price) but the baguette is wonderfully light on the inside, absorbing the scant oil quickly. Try it with the burrata. And marcona almonds are another of my vices. I need to try more options, including the intriguing wine tasting menu (their choices). Clean non-gender bathrooms.
Restaurantji Recommends
Lovely place to drink some imported wine. I love that they have a selection of orange wines, as they’re difficult to find. They also have a large assortment of wine in the cellar that you can purchase bottles from to-go.
So glad we have this place near our office in Uptown! A small intimate spot with a bit more upscale feeling than the other bars (which are also good for some occasions, but we really need this place to stay in the neighborhood too!)
Went in while in Oakland last night as I live close to their sister location in Sonoma County. To say the staff were dismissive would be an understatement. We sat at the bar and it was almost comical how much they went out of their way to ignore us. Took forever to get someone to even acknowledge us, and they literally didn't say one word as they dropped off our drinks and food. We ordered two flights and a cheese plate (which was tasty). The white wines were decent but the reds were borderline undrinkable; horrible smell and aftertaste. I was very grateful to be leaving a wine bar that had THE WORST vibes. I'm super disappointed as I work in the industry and have been looking forward to checking out the second location in Sebastopol, but probably won't bother to avoid a repeat of last night.
Comfy wine bar in the center of Oakland! Worth the trip
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Orange Wine
Walked in at 9:15 for a quick post dinner wine and snack but when we walked in the two girls behind the bar were counting their money and said they were closed. Hours say they are open until 10pm. Please update the hours.