What a beautiful place to have a drink! I was super happy with my visit to Bar Shiru. First of all, the vibes of this spot are completely immaculate. You definitely feel 10 degrees cooler in here. From the dark moody lighting, tons of vinyl on the wall, beautiful people, everything was stunning. Definitely bring your ID since they will check at the door, once you're inside, you definitely feel like you stepped into your older brother's cool friend secret hideaway. Drinks were great and there was so many to choose from. I can't remember the drink I got but it was served up in a cute glass and was delicious. The DJ was fantastic and played a ton of old and new school hits. I think this qualifies as a "listening bar" so cool. Totally great trip to Bar shiru! I will, without a doubt, be back. read more

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Service is amazing here! We came here for the first time and it was lovely. The space has great decor and there are so many records. We tried moonglow, lucky spring, and actual proof. I ordered moonglow not knowing it's a very intense drink, so had to order actual proof as backup. They're very accommodating and can make any drink sweeter, so I opted for that. Actual proof is very refreshing with a nice citrus flavor! It seemed to be a popular drink since other folks also ordered it. Moonglow has a lot of complexity to it, and it's concentrated (no ice). Lucky spring was very citrus forward with some bitter notes, but we couldn't taste the guava. We also got free pretzels to munch on! This spot makes great cocktails and they also have a sister bar and restaurant called golden palm nearby. Worth trying this spot for good vibes and delicious drinks! read more

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Definitely the best listening experience not just in the Bay Area but might be in the country . Being in vinyl and having a basic understanding of what it takes to set up a Hifi listening bar, they are serious about it and not just gimmicky or wanting to just get on the trend train and cash on it. The staff are serious and knowledgeable and they focus on not just good cocktails but on your overall experience. Love their concept of no talking sundays and wish to see it more esp. in Boston area. The vibe makes you calm and much needed a lot of times. Did I mention their cocktails are really good and even with happy hour they took care of making it with same precision and care which again is missing from a lot of businesses. Bar Shiru, you are awesome and I'll definitely be back next time am in town, even if it is SF and not Oakland. read more

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Spent a lovely Valentine's Day here! Walking into the bar felt like entering another world. It is so tasteful, chill, and intentionally designed. The lighting, carefully crafted menu, and the live DJ mixing makes it an experience in itself to be there. We were lucky to have a short wait on a Saturday night. I saw a lot of small groups, which is more fitting considering the size of the place. The noise level was not too loud. The service was nice. They took our photos and refilled my Owala when I asked. :) I got two gin-based cocktails. Both were STRONG. I'm a big fan of gin, and these tasted sharp at first, but mellowed into their notes/other ingredients once you swallow. It is definitely a very slow sipping type of vibe. Freezer Martini (junipero gin, dry vermouth, shio koji, olives) - I got this as an olive lover and because I wanted to try shio koji! This cocktail is so savory. As a savory girl, it was a delightful twist on a classic drink. Moonglow (gin, cardamom, jasmine, mango eau de vie, lillet, saline, crème de cacao, amaro rinse) - This drink has the most beautiful notes! The gin is sharp at first, but you can smell and taste the fragrant notes after it subsides. I haven't had any gin drink quite like this. I loved how the menu has its sound systems on the back and a short biography too. Overall, this has got to be one of my favorite bars in Oakland! It brought our night out to another level. read more

Bar Shiru - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

This is a cute place to grab a drink with a friend or date night. We came here without a reservation and were able to wait for a table while seated at a mini bar with stools. I tried the spring rain and the spellbinder. Both were strong, had very different taste profiles and were worth the try! The ambiance was really nice, it's a bit dark in there but definitely had a fun vibe with records playing. Service was pretty quick and our server was very kind and attentive. All in all great vibe, would come here again. read more

Bar Shiru - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Checked out Bar Shiru for the first time and I enjoyed the jazzy, low key , chill atmosphere. A quick tip on seating: if you can, avoid the window stools. They are a bit uncomfortable since the stools lack back support, the tables are very low and narrow. I moved to a different seat as soon as one became available, which made the experience much better. Regarding the drinks, they have a wide selection Japanese liquors, wine, cocktails, etc. I tried the Roku Highball, but unfortunately, it felt a little watered down. A proper highball should be effervescent and highlight the spirit, but the ice/soda ratio here felt a bit off during my visit. Despite that, I really enjoyed the cozy ambiance, music and interior. Definitely recommend for a chill night out in Oakland! read more

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Such a cute cozy vibe bar Low lights, smooth music, and the kind of cozy vibe that makes you want to sip slowly and stay longer. The music was soulful without being too loud, perfect for chatting and people-watching. Drinks were solid and the atmosphere felt intimate and charming. Service was excellent and quick. Definitely a sweet spot for a relaxed night out. read more

Bar Shiru - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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This place is such a vibe. My partner and I came to have a drink here on date night at the recommendation of a friend of mine. The service was attentive, the drinks were stiff (exactly how I like them), and the vibe was cozy and intimate. Definitely will be back read more

Now that I've been here a number of times, I'm thinking this place isn't hitting its potential, and it has incredible potential. I've observed that it technically isn't a listening bar. It's pretty much a bar with a most excellent sound system that plays vinyl. That alone is a lot to appreciate. Also, as is somewhat common when it comes to music appreciation, it feels a bit male centric. I have to say that this was the first time I'd "fell in love" with a business. That's why my review is so wordy and impassioned. I'm super into music and I love the concept and the look of the place! I was expecting it to be my haunt. I'm a bit heart broken that it ended up not being a fit for me (plus I'd made a bit of a fool of myself by getting a crush on one of the bartenders, but that wouldn't have made a difference if I still loved the over all experience here, as I'm a bit of a nutty personality anyway, ha, ha...). I hope that as this business grows it finds its sweet spot. I don't think it's there yet. read more

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My friends described this as a "hifi audio" bar and when they text me a link to see if I wanted to join I immediately said yes. It's a very convenient 5 minute walk from the 12th street Bart station and Fox Theater is only 3 minutes from here. We came at 5 pm and it was very easy to get seating for 5 people, by the time we left at 7:30 is was totally full. Interior is so well done! The wall opposite to the entrance is a wall of vinyl and on the right side is a DJ booth where they spin actual recordS. The day we were there the owners of Moonglow were DJing and helping at the bar. Design is amazing, it feels inviting and relaxing and is conducive for drinking, listening to jazz, and enjoy hours chatting with friends and meeting new people. Actual Proof: toki whiskey, lemon yellow chartreuse, vermouth, and pandan. Good way to start the evening. Refreshing and light. Moonglow: gin, cardamom, jasmine, lillet, aquavit, cacao crème, saline, Amaro. Heavier drink, loved it. I'll always associate the taste of lillet with a Vesper and when mixed well it's one of my favorite cocktail bases. They don't serve any food, they do have $3 mini pretzels during happy hour and that's what ended up having for dinner. In hindsight I would have grabbed some fried chicken from Gus and eaten it before heading to the bar. read more

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Excellent bar in downtown Oakland - I went twice this week for post-event networking as I was in the area for a startup pitch event. * Vibe - cool, not too loud, with comfy seating and top notch music. ** Location - conveniently located a few blocks from both 12th and 19th street BART stations. *** Food - decent; they served tasty appetizers on both days. **** Service - friendly and efficient. *****Drinks - outstanding. I had an old-fashioned on my first visit earlier this week, and a superb cocktail (Actual Proof) this evening on my second. Will be back. read more

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One of my friends really wanted to try this place so off we went. We got there around 8 PM on Friday night and this place was pretty busy. Luckily, we didn't have to wait that long for the seats. We all enjoyed our time that evening. We got to order two rounds of cocktails. The drinks were tasty and strong. The ambiance was nice. The music they played was lovely with a great service too. Worth to visit and revisit! read more

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I went solo to enjoy a drink and the music on a Sunday evening around 5. There was a silent listening event that ended just before I arrived. The bar was pretty full, but plenty of seating everywhere else. Great vibe, solid drink (mezcal old fashioned) read more

I've been here several times, and the oddest thing happened this past visit that left a bad taste in my mouth, and I'm not sure if I will ever go back. I went to close my tab, and the server added 20% gratuity without my consent. I'm an overly generous tipper (former service worker) so I mentioned to the server that it didn't give me an option to tip. I can't remember the server's response but it just felt gross. I'm not sure why they did that. Nobody helped us at a table. We had to order our drinks at the bar the entire night. I mentioned it to the co-owner who was very apologetic, but the excuse also didn't sit right with me. She mentioned that it was a mix of user error and that the POS had just updated. I mean it's not a huge deal because the 20% is less than what I would've tipped but adding gratuity without my consent just feels really gross. read more

Very cool, swanky hip bar. I was a little hesitant coming here, based of a friend's review LOL. I can see this place has a bit of intimidating, but mostly chill vibes. The bartender was friendly and informative. The drinks were pretty tasty. Nice spot to chill and have good conversations but I think there were a bunch of rules where you can't be too loud and what not. located not far from the fox theater, so one of the main reasons we stopped by. read more

Bar Shiru - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

This place is a gem if you go before it gets busy. Visited twice on a Saturday on a recent trip to Oakland. 1st time - we were first in the place, enjoyed great cocktails stirred just for us, the place was quiet and not packed, a Robert Glasper record was playing. 2nd time - after the night crowd already arrived, had decent pre-batched cocktails (not a complaint....just an observation), place wasn't LOUD but it was for sure noisy and 100% full, couldn't tell you what record was playing. Before the night rush, this place is absolutely amazing and I loved every minute of it. During the night rush, a compromise is inevitable and this felt a bit more like any other nice bar. I would 100% go back here - just not on a Saturday night when having too many humans inevitably ruins something great. read more

I have been to Bar Shiru a few times, have brought friends for birthday drinks, or have come for a happy hour drink, and every time it is cozy, relaxing, there are delicious and thoughtfully made drinks and great warm and welcoming service. I often get the Freezer Martini and a non-alcoholic drink after that, and my partner got the Toki Highball. Love the vibes, the service, of course the drinks! I try to come by around 6 or so because it is quieter or earlier on weekdays for the happy hour. read more

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Beautiful space with great hifi music. The bartender was nice and skilled at craft cocktail. Very good spot for grabbing a drink and staying awhile. read more

Bar Shiru - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

From a guy who no longer lives in the immediate area,....A BREATH of, "Damn, I wish I lived here again" ....Drinks and Ambiance on Point, chilled out and Smooth wrapped in Class-Aye : )...what really made it was (for me ALWAYS will be) the PEOPLE!!! and the Bartenders set the TONE (I believe) and what I know to be ALSO TRUE-- the M.U.S.I.C. needs to be "right" and this bar seems to understand that...playing Heliocentric (the record) really captured the perfect Ideal LOUNGE vibe...Bartenders recommended and produced High Quality Cocktails that fostered a great evening for me : ). Thank you very much as I was starting to think (because of were I live now) "NO one Gets It" ...hope to hang with y'all again soon read more

Bar Shiru - Manhattan@Bar Shiru - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Really nice interior. Modern and chic! Very friendly staff. Had a great experience! Definitely worth a check out! read more

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I really enjoyed their whiskey flight! Not usually a whiskey person, but it was so good! Cane here with a group of friends- gotta come early if you want a table for 4. Vibey, great spot for those who love music and sound. read more

Bar Shiru - Whiskey flight - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Bar Shiru provides guests with a very intimate experience. The dimmed lights and vinyl record aesthetic creates an atmosphere that is truly one of a kind. The music setup does not only create a beautiful arena, but is also a staple and a part of its identity. My wife and I ordered the Sun Goddess and the Freezer Martini which were made exactly as we ordered. Our server was sweet, caring, and provided great advice. She even went out of her way to give us recommendations on the nightlife nearby and what she would have chosen amongst the drinks we were interested in. I see ourselves returning with friends down the line and am excited on trying more of the menu when we return. 5/5. read more

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This spot is serves up great drinks and just the perfect laid-back vibe. We stopped by on a Monday night for a few drinks, and from the moment we walked in, the atmosphere immediately stood out. Theres a wall adorned with vinyl records, and the bar, with its aesthetic portraits on top of all the spirits, creates a cool, inviting feel. The music selection is spot on, enhancing the laid back vibe of the place. The host greeted us warmly, and since we were happy to sit at the bar, we were seated right away--though I was surprised by how busy it was for table seating. We would've waited for a table if needed, but the bar was a great choice. The bartenders were friendly, attentive, and got our drinks to us quickly. As for the drinks, the Mystic Bounce was a fantastic choice--an excellent alternative to an espresso martini. The Whiskey Smash was light and refreshing, both cocktails I'd happily order again. My wife tried the Moonglow and Oka Yuzu Highball, and she enjoyed them as well. All in all, this place offers a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere and fantastic cocktails. We'll definitely be back next time we're in town! read more

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Omg, fell in love with this place! Stopped by for happy hour and totally enjoyed the vibe. While I didn't necessarily order anything from the Happy hour menu (I wish it was a little more options), I will definitely be back. I ordered a strawberry drink and it was delicious! We also ordered an old fashioned and that was really good too. We were greeted by security at the door, Cenoi (I'm pretty sure thats mispelled, sorry!) And he was super friendly. We came right at 5pm, so it was pretty empty, but such a cute vibe. Music was great, drinks were great! read more

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A hidden gem in downtown Oakland. If you're looking for a cute bar with vibey music (hi-fi) and want to get away from the loud crowded bars and lounges I highly recommend this place. It's a dim bar with lots of music artist art pieces and an incredible vinyl wall collection. The host and bartenders were great, very attentive and kind. They have craft cocktails ranging from Japanese whiskey to tequila to beer/wine/sake. They also have cute mocktail options for those that prefer non alcoholic. I would definitely come back! read more

Bar Shiru - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Came here for the atmosphere - am not a big drinker, but friends are. They leave the menus with you when you sit, but you must order drinks and pay at the register. There are no food items/snacks here. I just had a nice ginger beer, which I sipped while lounging on their super comfortable couch. The music was outstanding (such a mood) and the sound quality was definitely top notch. I don't ever remember being in any bar and being able to hear friends so clearly AND also hear the music so clearly. They really set up the space well - no negatives from me. read more

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Very classy bar, quiet ambiance, with surprisingly mediocre cocktails. We had ~15-30 minute wait for seats at 11pm on a Friday. * Moonglow ($16) - 3 stars * Velvet Mood ($16) - 3 stars. Overly strong, not well balanced. read more

Bar Shiru - Cocktails menu. Fri night 2024-11-01 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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Tries too hard to appear cool and exclusive, often coming across as pretentious. Needs to relax and focus on being a welcoming and friendly bar environment. read more

Very beautiful and relaxed vibes at Shiru. I haven't tried any food items here but their cocktail selection is great. The service is overall excellent and the staff is super friendly and welcoming. Highly recommend this place if you're in the area. read more

Visited before a show at the Fox theater and immediately as you walk in you are teleported to an amazing vibe and ambiance. A real gem in Oakland. Simple decorations set a classy vibe with a wall of records taking up an entire wall in which the music playing inside the bar is strictly from those records. The security person at the door was incredibly polite when we arrived and the staff inside was great as well. We were sent to the standing room only area as it was full and we were completely fine with standing but were promptly seated as a table opened up without us asking. The drinks were excellent, unique, and flavorful. read more

Loved the vibe as soon I stepped in! It gave me the vibes I get a good lounge bar in NOLA. We sat at the bar. The drinks are so good and strong. They had some really unique cocktails on their menu. The bartenders were extremely attentive and made the cocktails pretty quickly, even though they were busy .Lately, I've been trying cocktails that I wouldn't normally try! Most of what I ordered came looking like a gentleman's drink, LOL! Please add this to your list if you go to San Francisco! read more

Bar Shiru - The rules! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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OMG, I can't believe I hadn't reviewed one of my favorite bars on the planet. Bar Shiru quickly became an Oakland legend within months of opening. It's the kind of place you want to share with your favorite friends. And sure enough my favorite friends all enjoyed meeting me here so much that it became their favorite place too. One of my buddies just calls it his living room now. Shirin and Daniel are the real deal. They were impressed and inspired by the bustling jazz cafes and hi-fi bars of Tokyo. He's a DJ. She is one of the few female music promoters in the Bay Area. Together they make one bad azz couple. What to expect. A stylish scene. Downtown loft vibes. Large-scale black and white photos of jazz royalty above the wall of bottles behind the bar. A wall-sized display of albums comprise the back wall. High-quality audio. As in audiophile heaven. Often jazz, sometimes neo-soul or Latin. Often a guest curator/DJ. Always vinyl. Always tasty and tasteful. Through their patient audio balancing of a series of top-flight speakers, Bar Shirin offers the perfect musical environment. You and your table can converse at a normal level, but the music just is loud enough so you could focus on it over all the other conversations if you'd like. A perfect audio environment is like that, no shouting necessary. It is a bar, so you're probably interested in hearing about the drinks. Bar Shiru offers an incredibly high-quality cocktail program featuring top-shelf whisky AND whiskey. Happy hour until 7 on weeknights. The unique and tasteful cocktails include my fave, Green Eyes - vodka, lime, cucumber shrub, elder flower liqueur, and mint gomme. Exquisite. They know what to do with gin, mezcal, rum and tequila too. So it's obviously not just a whiskey bar. Although, if you need some whiskey education, get a flight and they will hook you up. read more

Bar Shiru - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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Went to bar shiru last night for the first time. My friend and I arrived around 7:30. The drinks and vibe were great. Unfortunately, as we were two drinks in around 10pm we were told it was last call for us. The staff person then abruptly told us we had about twenty minutes left and would have to leave due to needing the table. He shared that there is a two hour limit which he DID NOT share when my friend arrived. This staff person was not friendly in how they shared with us and we were pretty offended. We proceeded to continue sipping our drinks as my friend was not close to being done. We actually ended up being able to stay as whoever was waiting seemed to be seated elsewhere. However, none of the staff actually tended to us the remainder of our time and didn't ask if we wanted another drink. I really am hesitant to return to this bar based on how we were treated. It's too bad because I love the music and the vibe. read more

Beautiful decor and ambience. Music and company is amazing, but sadly sitting at the bar feeling the bar tender having a bad day. Hearing him with angry sighs. Obviously agitated. And unenthusiastic explanation of cocktails made me not usually go to a bar have even less of an interest go to a bar: and ended up ordering tea. I hope he has a better day: but will not recommend this place if you want a lovely bar experience read more

I have to give credit to my husband for finding Bar Shiru. We've been coming here for a few years and I always feel super hip, like I've been transported to a trendy little well-kept secret. Bar Shiru is a straight up cocktail bar, which is very on brand for me. Their cocktail menu is different and interesting with a Japanese flair. I usually order from the menu to try something new and let the mixologists do their thing. The bar is doubles as a vinyl "listening bar." What that means is that you get to listen to smooth jazz tunes as you sip your hand-crafted libation. All around, this makes for a pretty fantastic pre- or post-dinner destination. read more

This bar features that kind of stereo system that is rarely found in people's homes. It's tubes and high-end vinyl gear. They also have an excellent collection of LPs. Many bars are so loud you couldn't hear what they were playing anyway, so the quality of the sound is not a focus. Not so here. They attract a quiet crowd, and the sound is excellent. As are the craft cocktails, mock tails, and "near tails". While it's right on Telegraph, It's not the easiest place to find, especially at night. The address 1611 Telegraph seems to go into the lobby of an office building. You're in the right place. Just go outside go to your left and back in that door. There is some signage, but it's very small and subtle. No big parties here, maximum of 6 per group. read more

Bar Shiru - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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The service here left something to be desired. When I came in and sat down the waiter didn't explain the menu to us (which I heard is something that they have done for others). I felt this was important bc their menu was unorthodox, had a lot of rules, and contained information that didn't pertain to just the drinks offered. The second red flag was that the waiter took the menu while I was reading it. Not in an aggressive way but in a lack of social cues way. The waiter left his shift in the middle of serving us without saying anything or handing off to a new person and we sat there chatting until we realized 30 mins had passed without anyone checking in. This place has a lot of rules (see menu). It also has a lot of potential, perhaps under different management. So many amazing vinyls from various artists on display but none of that music was on the playlist. Make a reservation! read more

Bar Shiru - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

They get one star for the ambience. Otherwise, the entire experience was appalling. Waitress couldn't be bothered to with us for a full 20 mins after we sat down and then, didn't listen and made it our fault she heard the wrong thing. She kept insisting all their drinks are "batched," even when that made no sense for the drinks we were ordering. My gin martini, extra dry, a little dirty came as a vodka martini, extra wet, with a twist and the guy dropping it off acted like I was at fault for not specifying what kind of garnish I wanted when olives are standard?!? Suffice it to say, completely undrinkable to me, given what I normally order. My take? DON'T BOTHER. Spend your money elsewhere where the staff will actually care to get it right and do their best if there's a mistake or mishap instead of acting like they can do no wrong. If you do bother? Order a beer. At least they can't mess that up and blame it on you, the patron who is paying the bill. read more

Awesome Tokyo inspired bar in Oakland. All the cocktails are delicious. Must try & they have happy hour as well. Cool ambience. read more

Bar Shiru - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Bartenders know what they're doinnn the music is laid back ambiance is vibey definitely a great date spot wether it be your first or 70th drinks are tasty and some nice twists on classics read more

Bar Shiru - Boulevardier riff (forgot the name) and high heel sneakers (almost like a boozy herbal soda) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California