50 Best Bars near Orinda

“Excellent! We had a great experience!“

“Easily my go to favorite place in Oakland and favorite place to bring people that are visiting. All the food is really tasty and affordable. The drink menu is so thoughtful and wonderfully crafted. I like that the place is a giant horseshoe shaped bar so it’s like dinner and a show because these bartenders are working their butts off. One of the best nightlife experiences in the East Bay, hands-down. Oh, also, bonus points for the popcorn machine in the back!“

“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.“

“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.“

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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! 🌟🍸✨“

“An incredible spot to enjoy some top quality draft ciders. I'm not an expert on ciders by any means, but I've had some incredible stuff here (I've particularly loved anything I've had from Yonder). The vibes here are great, the bartenders are lovely, and they have some great merch for sale! My mom who visits from out of state has bought a tote bag, hat, and sweatshirt from Redfield just so she can flex to her friends back home how awesome this bar is. If you enjoy cider, or even if you just want to stop in for a quick beer, this is a great and classy place to come to. Love Redfield!“

“Enjoy the atmosphere and the tasty food !“

“Wow! Back in the palace of blended drinks and fine seating arrangements. The frozen drinks were theatrical, but colder than expected. Please sip with caution. The wooden interior reminded me of what it means to be alive. I am wistful for the glittered sea shell toilet seat. Where are they? Please. Someone respond. If you come here, you will leave. Then, you will come back. Here.“

“Nice cocktail list based on local music artists. I love that it changes with the seasons! Great space to bring a group; we had no problem getting a big booth on a Friday night (I assume it's busier if there's a show at the Fox.) Fast, friendly service from the bartenders.“

“Amazing place, a bit unexpected when you drive by. Ihad great moments and made best friends. Cocktails are best in region! Try!“

“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!!!“

“Great experience, had walked by this place and someone leaving seeing me reading the menu insisted that I try it out. Wasn’t disappointed, great menu where seafood is the star of the show, recommend the aguachili appetizer and fish and chips. Will return for other menu items. Great service, reservations via resy recommended“

“This spot is a lot more informal and hipster than I thought. I wanted a cozy pub-type place with a comfy chair or couch where I could drink a beer and read a book and this fits the bill. I know it's a wine bar but as I'm not really a wine drinker I can't comment on the selections but I'm sure they're fine. Plus they play records on a mostly vintage hi-fi the whole time.
If you like wine, go here. They also have cheese and charcuterie plates and olives etc.
Groovy places like this are pretty rare on this otherwise fairly bleak part of San Pablo Ave. A welcome addition. Cheers!“

“Fresh ingredients, friendly staff, and delicious food and veggie options!“

“A saloon with history from 1883! Worth having a beer or cocktail when in Jack London square.“

“We come by almost every Friday and have lunch at Cato's. The staff is extremely friendly and the service is top notch! It's always rejuvenating to be at Cato's and start our weekend with good food, tasty beverages and a few good laughs with the welcoming folks that work and patronize the Ale House.“

“I love this bar/club. It's a small dive bar with great shows. I saw Manic Hispanic this week. I was up front and center. A friend saw the same band last week in SoCal but was separated from the band by the typical bigger show barricade. The Ivy Room gets packed, but what a fantastic place to see bands!“

“Dude SUCH an awesome kava bar!! Great vibes, solid kava and I was welcomed with open arms. This was my first time here and I really liked it. I will be back for sure id highly recommend checking this place out for some good conversations and kava.

Jay and Andrew were the ones working - AWESOME peeps!!“

“Awesome chill space to catch up with someone. All kinds of flavors so you don’t even have to like kava to find something you like. Melo Colada was heavy on sweet/colada and I loved it. Melo Chai and Cream were also delicious. Go for happy hour 3-6pm I believe for $2 off drinks“

“Best quiz in Oakland! Wednesday night“

“Fantastic neighborhood bar. Full of fun people, great entertainment from karaoke to drag shows, live music and DJs. Trivia, skee ball and arcade games. And now bingo. Love the staff and owner.“

“Strong cider, strong playlist, staffed by legends.“

“Wide variety of Peruvian treats especially fried plantains and pisco chilcanos“

“Nice atmosphere, friendly staff.“

“I always make an “excuse” to visit ØL. Such a great vibe, amazing curated selection of brews and down to earth staff. I lived in SF forever and moved out to the East Bay a few years back and this place is equal to or beyond some of the best beer cafes in the city. Huge thanks to the staff here - this place is awesome!“

“How cool that this Oakland gem has adapted during the pandemic! All of the delicious drinks and all kinds of new menu items all for take-out in...wait for it...compostable containers...even the bottles the drinks come in! Please support this sustainability-minded, amazing and delicious restaurant. They have a few outdoor tables, too. Go. Go now!“

“A very eclectic and open air patio area. Great vibe!“

“Shawny C was an absolute beacon of light from the moment we met her. Her warm personality, genuine kindness, and welcoming spirit made us feel right at home. She didn't just serve drinks—she created an experience that made us feel valued, appreciated, and cared for.

It's rare to meet someone who naturally makes people feel welcomed and loved, but Shawny does exactly that. Her positive energy was contagious, and her authenticity stood out in the best possible way. By the end of our visit, we felt like we'd come back just to see her again.

Rob Ben's Restaurant & Lounge is fortunate to have someone like Shawny representing their establishment. She turned a good visit into a memorable one, and we can't wait to return.“

“I was here for my bachelorette for Latino night and OMG !!!!!! It was so much fun!! I was on top of the benches with a girl named Andrea and the way they cheered me on, the love and support I felt - was so amazing!!!!! Me and my friends had so much fun and we are not from the area and we felt so welcomed and loved. I had the GREATEST time ! Thank you so much. It was such a girls night at a beautiful place“

“I really like this place. I always feel welcomed and it's a great place to chill out and have a drink. No muss, no fuss deal. The place can get crowded on a good night and also be lively in the daytime at lunch. Pool table, maybe some days, and good music creates a positive fun vibe. Also, It's a puppy palace! Dogs welcome, keep them close/on leash and be respectful, people love to see them and interact. Take a friend, go alone, whichever it is, I hope you enjoy. Appetizer like food is prepared and served until 9 or 10pm, not sure which one it is.“

“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.“

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“My partner and I were looking for a very casual, low-key venue to celebrate our wedding, and that’s when we came across Little Bird. From our very first interaction with Jen, we felt how warm and easy it was to work with her. She emailed us the different package options and was very transparent about pricing, explaining that we could add or remove items or move them around within the budget to make it work for us. That openness made the whole process feel stress-free.

We then met her at the bar to see the space and discuss food, drinks, and all the details. On the day of the celebration, everything was absolutely perfect. We had about 30 guests, and the space looked beautiful—exactly what we wanted. The food was delicious, the drinks were fantastic (we had three special cocktail requests in addition to the open bar), and the ambiance was just right.

Nate and the other two bartenders were incredibly kind, attentive, and genuinely friendly. So many of our guests told us how much fun they had and how great the service was.

We would absolutely recommend Little Bird for any celebration or event. Huge thanks to Jen and the entire Little Bird staff for making our day extra special, loving, and fun.“

“The staff here are AMAZING! Is this a dive bar? Yes. Are they gonna look at you funny is you try to order a speciality cocktail that you’re used to getting downtown San Francisco? Yep. But that’s the whole point, you’re here to drink traditional and familiar fantastic drinks! I started coming here with friends a while back and over time many of the bartenders and other employees became like friends! As a woman I always felt safe as they had their eye on everything going on, and I always had a blast anytime I came. Specifically, Peppi and Michelle, really went above and beyond to make me feel welcome. I had to move away and they spent money out of their own pockets to throw my a going away party at the bar. I have never experienced a closeness like this to an establishment where I’m a guest, and it was very appreciated. I am moved away now and very much miss the service and atmosphere I had at Lucky 13!“

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

“A fun dive bar with kind and friendly staff“

“Halloween vibes year around!“

“I love exploring new places every time I’m in town. This was the perfect place to start my Saturday. Went in right at opening. Chill, calm vibes. Weather was amazing. Fries were BOMB. Erik at the bar was very friendly and lively. Drinks were so good and exactly what I needed to catch up with friends.“

“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.“

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

“Un rendez-vous avec la bonne gastronomie le service rapide et l’endroit agréable merci 🙏“

“awesome drinks, ambiance and some good food.“

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“Loved my birthday dinner tonight! Portions small for the prices in our opinion. A scallops main dish with 3 scallops is small. Drinks were amazing, decor fabulous and great service. My son had to go eat more food afterwards as he was still hungry. Bigger portions would be good. Loved everything else! Great choices, appetizers, main dishes and creative drinks were delicious. Kind of surprised knowing they knew it was my birthday that they didn't offer me a birthday "something" to make it special. For these prices I would expect something.“

“My favorite bar by the lake. Great atmosphere, super friendly staff (the kind that remember your name). Love to sit at the counter and do the crossword with my wife. I hope they're here for a long time. Outdoor seating on the street too if it's a nice day and that's what you're looking for .“

“I am Salvadoran. I had the hongos pupusa, the chicken pupusa, the yuca con chicharrones. Every bite was an adventure. The Salvadoran dishes are made so creatively. Flavors stayed on your tongue as the sauce of la yuca. The drinks exceptional good. I had the mango verde cocktail….so rico. It was like eating Salvadoran food on fine china.“

“First time going in and the place is bigger than it looks outside. The bartenders are super nice and welcoming. Mostly locals that frequents the place. Seems everyone know each other. Very laid back with outdoor area for pingpong or card games to dominoes and 5 dice, wow! Inside is a jukebox, a dart board game. Over by the corner they have video games. 1 pinball and 1 bowling game. If your not interested with the games they provide, I can almost garantee that someone there will find you and engage in a long but good conversation. The walls and ceiling is draped with one dollar bills all over inside. Interesting to see and count. I'd say there's about 2356 dollars in one dollar bills but not up for the taking.“

“A hidden gem of a venue in Oakland featuring eclectic sounds & the yummiest drinks. Check it out!“

“Always enjoy talking with Johnny & Myra! Their drinks are good too!“