LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS PLACE!!! Lots of great options and a staff that's crazy helpful. And when you ask for advice, they always do a good job of offering choices in all price ranges. That way you never have to say you're looking for a cheaper bottle or feel embarrassed about not buying the expensive ones. And the best part? You can open your bottle and drink it there!!! Way cheaper than going to a bar and buying a few glasses of wine. We live nearby and come here on a regular basis. One of our favorite local shops! read more

This place is an Oakland treasure. It has *the* most knowledgeable people working in wine, and they are all super nice. Whether you are an industry pro or a wine newbie looking to pick up a bottle for dinner orna party, you are gonna find something interesting, fun, inexpensive, and expertly curated. Their wine club is top 3 in the bay area, and is a really solid way of getting 3 interesting bottles a month, in addition to 10% off everything else, and invitation to monthly tasting parties. The atmosphere is well lit, with a cool selection of vinyls on a record player. It can get a little busy on the weekends, but there always seems to be s pace at the long bronze bar anchoring the establishment. Pro-tip: go to the sunday blind tasting classes and learn from professional sommeliers how to sound like you know what you are talking about. Also a solid option if you are studying for your guild lvl 2's and 3's. read more

Anyone that carries Mikkeller, Dagueneau, and Emmerich Knoll are ok with me. But that's what you get when you have two people who've dedicated their lives to wine. Small succinct selection ordered by weight of the wine instead of by region. Long bar or communal section up front if you care to sit and enjoy your purchase. They've also got a section of non alcoholics with things stored cold for immediate consumption. Great place that I wish was closer to my hood but then I'd probably go poor on all the awesome beverages that they carry. read more

Bay Grape - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Oakland, California

I can understand why this place is highly rated after spending an hour or two in here. If you're driving and trying to find this place, especially when its dark out, good luck. Minimal signage makes it difficult to find, but its right next door to the Korean restaurant. Loved the sign stating "What the Heck is this Place?", and the best description "We're a wine bottle shop, we want to make wine less douchey". *applause Amazing selections of whites and reds, lights to darks, and the staff on hand is extremely knowledgable about what they offer. You can find a bottle for a $10 and all the way up to a couple hundred, but your best bet is to tell the staff what you like to drink and what you're willing to spend and they'll point you in the right direction. Ended up sharing a bottle, some cheese, and bread with the wife, sister and friend. Super low key spot and love the concept behind this place. I believe its pet friendly as well. Good for date night, or really anyone who likes to drink wine and have good conversations. read more

Bay Grape - What the heck is this place? - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Oakland, California

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This place is very new and I had a great experience on our first visit. The owners, Josiah and Stevie, are very friendly and very knowledgeable with their recommendations. We came here after dinner, just to wind down with my girlfriend and do my homework. Their choice of music, which are coming from vinyl, were very relaxing and fitting for me to be able to do my homework. It actually felt like a coffee shop, but serves wine and beer. So, the breakdown on how this place works. They don't serve per glass, but per bottle. Though, most of the bottles are priced reasonably that you can buy a bottle compared to a glass with some of the neighboring food establishments. The price are on the bottle and they add $5 on top of it. Again, it's SO worth it and it doesn't damage the wallet at all. They have plenty of red, whites, and rose to choose from from different regions, such as imports from France, Italy, Greece and so on. Along with choices from our well known, and not so well known, Bay Area wineries. They serve bottled beer from all over as well. They have tasting and classes several nights a week; they have a calendar on a wall letting you know of the schedule. They stated that they'll increase the amount of activities as time goes. My girlfriend will most likely frequent this place, as it's only around the corner from our house and the price will not break the bank. I will join her as well, as this place is very relaxing, they have free wifi for me to do some work, and plenty of wine and brew to choose from. As much as I want this place to succeed. I hope it doesn't get too crowded and noisy that it'll lose the appeal for me, just like why I haven't gone into Grand Lake Kitchen and Room 389 for some time. read more

Bay Grape - Great and very reasonable selection. - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Oakland, California

I have only good things to say about Bay Grape! If you haven't been, Bay Grape is somewhere where you can either pick up a bottle of wine and take it to-go, or you can buy a bottle and drink it inside. There's a $5 corkage fee, and bottles range from $12-40+. The staff was very helpful in picking out some wine for us, and they were very friendly in general as they educated us about Bay Grape and wanted to get to know us. You can also buy bread and cheese to go with your yummy wine! Minor con is that there isn't much seating inside. You can either sit at the bar (and by the way they do pour by the glass but this is very limited in wine selection/ not cost efficient), or you can sit at one of there tables. I wouldn't recommend coming with a big group though as it maybe fits ~10 people at their largest table. Something I loved was that you could buy a bottle, drink some at the wine bar, and then take the rest to go! Overall the space has a great chill vibe and I'm excited to go back for casual drinks! read more

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Super friendly owner and staff. Walked in today to check out this brand new spot that has been in the happening for almost a year and was pleasantly surprised. You would expect uppity, judgy experience in most fancy wine places but here the owner greeted me like an equal and made me feel friendly and welcome. Wine selections here are cool, my only caveat is the $5 corkage fee but i guess that's understandable. The bottle prices are reasonable and they have wifi. If you're bored of working at a coffee shop, come here and work at a wine bar while sipping some sparkly and snacking on a prosciutto. I think i will be back and give that a try. P.S they have bike parking inside! read more

Bay Grape - Tasting night!! Yum - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Oakland, California

Absolute 5 stars. I went with a friend for the walk-in $10 wine pairing. The first was an amazing white wine a Villard Viogneir. The second was a 'funky' wine as they told us, it was interesting! Not my taste but it was fun to try something that tasted so different. They aren't really a restaurant but you can buy a wrapped cheese, and other spreads, and theyll toast a baguette for you to enjoy with the wine. I really loved the atmosphere. It was so relaxing and laid back and I loved hearing about the wines. Both women who poured the wine were really sweet and open to any questions about the wine. Am really looking forward to going back for more of their tastings! Dog friendly! read more

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There's a laid back vibe when you walk into the wine shop. It's comfortable and quaint. They live up to their non-snobby wine experience. My husband and I walked in Not knowing much about the place but the workers there were very helpful and kind about explaining the premise of the shop. Basically grab a bottle you want to drink and open it there ($5 corkage fee) or take it home to enjoy! The employees are very helpful in finding a bottle right for your tastebuds. They have whites, reds, and bubbly all which have a wide price range (about $15-40/bottle on average). We chose to stay in the shop and drink some of our bottle, which was delightful and relaxing. Go for a fun night of relaxed wine drinking with a group,a partner, or even your canine friend. Tip: give yourself time to find parking. It took us about 15 min to find parking on a Friday night. read more

Bay Grape - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Oakland, California

I recently organized a wine tasting class at Bay Grape for 12 participants. We loved it! The shop is clean, well organized, and inviting. The class took place at the communal table in the front, and we tasted three white wines and three red wines. We also had light snacks. Stevie was our instructor and she was amazing! She led us through the basics of how to describe what we were tasting so that we are better able to understand what we like and don't like in wine. She was super knowledgeable and was able to answer every question we had about the wine making process, micro climates and growing regions, how to select wines, etc. I really loved the class and would highly recommend it - plus I'll be a regular shopper there. Conveniently located on Grand Ave with lots of street parking - plus the reservation process was super easy (all over email). read more

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This is a business that is taking covid precautions seriously. I felt very safe eating and drinking inside the establishment because vaccine cards were checked at the door. Thanks Bay Grape, for protecting the community. The wine selection is also excellent, along with the service. read more

Drinking in a casual environment! The answer to my dive bar anxiety! I love the aesthetic because it is open with high ceilings, bright and inviting! read more

Bay Grape - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Oakland, California

So glad we visited this place and we will definitely be back. Love the atmosphere and the vibe - relaxed and not pretentious at all. Plus, it's pet friendly. I love how the have a good and pairing class on Sunday's and also want to try their blind tasting class. Anthony and I came in on a Sunday afternoon and sat down at the bar. We had a tasting of 4 that consisted of a Nebbiolo, a Zinfandel, a super Tuscan and a Cabernet. The pour was generous and the flight was ok. I do like how they focus on local wineries that have a good product for a reasonable price. We will definitely be back for a blind tasting. read more

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Love my local watering hole. Come for chill vibes, juicy wines, friendly staff, and funky cheese.

I just left Bay Grape after being there to 2 times before (I usually just purchase bottles) And wanted to have a glass of wine with my boyfriend after a long crazy day. They had a Sangiovese and a Pinot noir available. I tried the Sangiovese and decided upon the red but to my surprise (and also my fault that I didn't taste it first) but the Pinot was a medium pink and very very sour. After the really nice gentleman poured our drinks he disappeared and we didn't see him again for the remainder of the stay. I would have hoped someone would have checked in on us as we were the only people at the bar, but I just ended up giving it to my bf as I just couldn't finish it. I, again I'm part to blame for totally not asking the price beforehand, but midway through I was surprised to find out that the glass of the Pinot was $14 each a glass ($31 for 2 glasses total with tax) and as I turn around I see the full bottle was only $25! Now at Bay Grape you can purchase wine bottles there and drink it. Being that the whole bottle was less than the 2 glasses wouldn't you think the bartender would let us know that? Honestly that hit my heart a bit. I'm a strong believer in supporting my community, but I think it should go both ways. It would have been really caring to let us know that by buying a bottle we would be getting more for our money. Also suggesting tastings for both wines would have been super as well. I'm not saying to not go there by any means, but I just want to share this experience in hopes that the team will be more aware and caring in order to keep customers coming in knowing that the team has their customers best interest in mind. read more

Where to start ... all the folks here are amazing, knowledae and full of heart. The wine selection is incredible and I love that there is a broad range in terms of price and also types of wine, but they never sacrifice quality. I LOVE being a club member and getting wines I know I would never pick off the shelf myself but love. I MISS the monthly pick up Parties (damn you Rona!) read more

Bay Grape is the absolute best neighborhood wine shop! They've been my go-to place to get amazing, unique wines for years and they're offering easy and safe shopping options during COVID times. You can walk up and talk to someone at a safe distance about your wine needs, and they'll hook you up with something delicious, or you can order online. They also have snacks and awesome merch! And they are family-owned, so buy your wine here to support an awesome family and crew! read more

Dog friendly, natural wine bar? Yes please. Super inviting environment, with very knowledgeable and likable folks running the joint. Go alone and make friends. Go to impress your girl with your good taste. Go and pick up a bottle to go. Go! The five star rating that they've maintained is real. read more

Bay Grape - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Oakland, California

The wine slush is incredible. Thank you for bringing this into my life. I really appreciate the kind and thoughtful customer service as well. read more

Amazing place for wine from small wineries with ethical and environmentally sensitive practices. The owners are passionate educators, and Sunday School is one of the best ways to get to know wine. The place is a treasure. read more

Bay Grape - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Oakland, California

Bay Grape is the absolute best! Have been coming here pretty much since they've opened. I used to live right around the corner so some might say I was there too much. It's the perfect place to grab a glass by yourself, share a bottle (or 3) and some snacks with friends, and always clutch with bottle recommendations for any occasion. Not to mention the amazing staff, killer music and overall amazing vibe. They're doing an amazing job adjusting during the roller coaster that has been COVID and are selling bottles, cases, snacks, meatballs and more from the shop. Please support this local business!! read more

Bay Grape is one of my favorite wine shops. Since covid, you can go to their door, describe a wine you're looking for and they'll bring over three selections for you to choose from. While I'm a bit of a control freak and prefer browsing for what I'm looking for myself, they gave me great recommendations and I loved the wine we went home with. Would really recommend going to Bay Grape soon, help keep it alive! read more

Wonderful wine shop with super nice and helpful staff. This is an excellent place to have a first date. Cute ambiance!

We love Bay Grape all day, every day, in every way, but this review is specifically about our recent wedding/happy hour/party/reception, which we hosted at Bay Grape! Do you need to throw an awesome, unforgettable party with delicious wine? Look no further than Bay Grape! Bay Grape is our go-to spot to have a drink on a Friday after work or try something fun and new on a Sunday afternoon, and it has just the kind of fun and laid back vibe we were looking for with our wedding. We reached out to Stevie when we first started wedding planning to see if hosting a party there (for about 40 people) would even be an option. Stevie gave us two choices - one was a partial buyout and the other was a full buyout. The partial buyout would be a great option for fewer than 20 people for a birthday party or other celebration, but our wedding was a bit too large, so we decided the full space buyout would be best for us. Working with Stevie and her team is an absolute dream. Of course, as the day got closer there were plenty of things to stress about, but Bay Grape was never one of them. A few weeks before the party, we met with Stevie and picked out the wines we wanted to serve (paired with Chinese dessert pastries) and talked through how the space would look on the day of the event. Our guests had so much fun trying all of the different wine and pastry pairings, and Stevie and the Bay Grape team was so spunky, gracious, and delightful through the entire process. We are so, so thankful to have been able to create such wonderful memories at Bay Grape and to share the space with our family and friends. Thank you, thank you, thank you! read more

Friendly and approachable wine shop with a lovely selection of wines. We have been part of their wine club for over a year and have never been disappointed. It has been an opportunity to learn about new wines and small producers, and we enjoy Stevie's authentic, humorous and engaging voice as she introduces the month's wines in their club's newsletter. Mama was our favorite date night spot. Now that Mama is closed, this is our date night in a bottle : ). We look forward to it every month. read more

This place has such a lovely atmosphere. Very warm and inviting!

I was asked to not have a drink at the establishment because I had my newborn with me. He claims this is against their liquor license (he's under 21) which I have never heard of before. Used to be a loyal customer and I will never come back to Bay Grape. read more

I see why this place has perfect ratings! At first glance I didn't know what to expect but the place is really cute. So since i had my friends back in town from NYC and they wanted to check this place out. I didn't know this place was here but i did see a few of my Yelp buddies have been here before. So after driving over i arrived earlier than the others so i get to talking to Delia. That girl is awesome she told me that they had mulled wine im like ok what's that. She schooled me on what it was and poured me a glass. it was perfect because the weather was cold and rainy outside. Ok so i grab my wine and start walking around the place checking out the different wines. Delia came over to offer advice and pointed out some great choices. After we got our wine and grabbed a spot at the table we started to catch up. A few minutes later i noticed my back saying i was triple charged for my transaction. I went up spoke with the staff and they took care of it immediately they even told me to send an email or call if it wasn't taken care of. After dealing with that everything was great no issues. A few days later i emailed Delia and told her everything was ok with the transactions and thanks for the great service. I love dealing with places like this that will go above and beyond for its customers. read more

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I LOVE LOVE LOVE Bay Grape. I've been going there for about 3 years, and it's hands down THE BEST wine store I've every been to, because it's so much more than just a wine store. Their classes and community are awesome! They have a super diverse staff with many employees of color and many women, which isn't nearly as prevalent as it should be in the wine world, AND all the staff are very knowledgeable and friendly, not snobby at all. Oh, the wine! Their selection is amazing, interesting, off-beat, thoughtful, supportive of small producers, and reasonably-priced. I've done comparisons many times to other shops' prices, and BG always comes out ahead. Owners Stevie and Josiah hit it out of the park, no question. Go now! Buy wine, or fish, or pick up your CSA, or meet cool new people, or just have fun talking about wine. P.S. Keep an eye out for Napoleon, he's the cutest little cherry on top! read more

This shop is a jewel in my beloved Oakland. The staff is incredible, generous and welcoming and beyond helpful, and the wine selection is always interestingly and satisfyingly curated. My partner and I have probably gone there nearly every week for several years, and we have never once had a bad experience. Highest recommendation! read more

Finally, wine for the masses. Oakland represents the new rise of urban wine, that has been sorely needed. Who needs to go to whine country when all the great wine and wine education you 'll ever want/need is here. Bay Grape is not all about the tannins, the supposed tennis ball smell of wine, or any other crazy wine related factoids that you are supposedly not hip to. Owners Stevie, and Josiah are about empowering you to make great wine selections. They are a welcome breath of fresh air in the Bay Area wine scene. Their wine knowledge is top notch, and their wine selections are excellent. read more

I need to come here more often and just drink. Play some games, I'd say a round of settlers is fitting. Staff are the friendliest. A ginormous selection of reds. My favorite! I used to be a fan of the white and sweet desserts wines... say no more. I cannot FW with the whites.... harharhar. I wish I can remember all the reds we had that night. You can honestly cannot go wrong with any bottle. I love the area too. Great option for a date night with your SO because you can walk the lake after. Just don't go too late! It is Oakland after all! Thank you to my homegirl Sierra for hosting a rockin' event here at Bay Grape. AWESOME choice! read more

Thanks to Josiah and Stevie for sharing their wine passion and expertise . . . all there at Bay Grape. A wonderful space for sharing wine with friends, with an amazing selection of wines from all over the world, and ongoing blind wine tastings to help us all broaden our knowledge of wine. read more

So if you haven't been then you need to go. In all seriousness, make the time, and get to Bay Grape. Located on Grand Ave., steps away from the NL/12 bus lines (for those without a car), Bay Grape brings you the class you'd love pairs with the comfort of what you'd have in your home hosting a gathering. Stevie (and Josiah) are simply fantastic. They're down to earth, fun, wonderful people. Their staff is just the same. They're knowledgeable and will make sure you find just what you're looking for during your time there. But why stop there, let's also discuss the type of people you'll encounter at Bay Grape. The other patrons are equally as friendly, funny, and sweet as you can find. Idk what they're putting in this wine, but it definitely brings people of all backgrounds together for joyful times. It's a cute setup with a place for you to sit at a bar or table. The wines range from $11-$50. But don't stop there - there's of course cheese to go with your wine, chips, sodas, beer, nuts, and meat for you to also indulge in because you have to have it all. Wines are typically sold by the bottle. If you come on a day when they've had tastings earlier, then you might luck out and be able to purchase wine by the glass rather than the bottle. There is a nominal corkage fee but don't let that deter you from experiencing one of the fastest up-and-coming locations in Lake Merritt. I can't wait to get back in there for a Sunday Funday or Wine Wednesday because it's a #chardknocklife for us. read more

I just found my new go to chill spot. This place is so cute and the staff are super knowledgeable with wine and beer. This place is definitely the new chill spot for me. You can buy a bottle of wine and they provide a glass and even pour and top off your glass. You cannot beat the price and atmosphere for a nice glass of wine. Also, not finished your bottle? Cork it up and take it home! read more

Bay Grape - Wine glasses provided and my wine was even topped off when low! Loved it - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - Oakland, California

I don't think I've ever seen a five star average rating for anything. But this place deserves it. First, the location is great. It's right by the lake, and they are open like alllll day. The owners are a married couple who genuinely like wine. Okay, so we all "like" wine. But they know wine (and beer, and spirits). Both are skilled professional Sommelier... sommeliers'... Sommelii? I don't know the spelling and grammar for plural Sommelier. But I'm sure if I asked, they would gladly tell me. That last sentence above is what gives this place its five star average. Sure, they have an excellent supply of wine, both high end and stuff that is similar to 2-buck-chuck. And you can take your booze and go, or sit at the bar and go for it. Either way, they will excitedly tell you all about it. They (the owners) engage. No mater what line of work, consumers respond well to knowledge and genuine engagement. And they hit both these marks well. I've attended vineyards or wine tastings where people are scoffed at for asking questions. Most of the time, it's in a small, smug manner, but noticeable nevertheless. Bay Grape, however, offers an alternative to this stigma. They are inviting, fun, warm, and they offer a skilled service for those of us who like alcohol (Jesus, I feel like an alcoholic writing this right now), but no where in our lexicon does the vernacular exist to discuss "why" one like is preferred over another (see what I did there?). Anyway, to the owners. We genuinely appreciate your philosophy, and congratulations on your, still new, successful business. read more

I love this place. It's wine without pretension. Come. Hang out. Buy a terrine of pig parts and a baguette. Get a bottle of wine. Sidle up to the copper topped bar and sip your night away. Stevie and Josiah are excellent hosts. Pick anything with their advice. Try something new! The pair won't steer you wrong. Plus, they're darn good company. The two owners have an excellently curated selection of wine at at all price points. Wines are arranged from light to dark, unlike by type or location at other wine shops. Bottles range from $10 up, but they have many bottled beers plus a variety of vintage-style pops, if you're a non drinker. There's a $5 corkage fee. All things considered, it's the most chill, and cheapest wine bar you're going to find. Bring a board game. Stake out a place at the table. Pet Napoleon the dog, the official shop greeter. And hang out and watch Grand go by. read more

I really like this new Grape spot. Both of the people who worked there were super friendly and helpful. You choose the bottle you want and you can either take it with you or drink it in house for an extra $5. They have little cheeses and crackers, baguette if you like, plus some other nibbles. 5 stars for having Jacques Puffeney. 5 stars for having a good selection of Loire valley 5 stars for those 4 bottles of Loire valley bubbles we consumed the other night and paid dearly for the next day. 5 stars for loaning us two nice glasses as we were just four doors away. 5 stars for friendliness and helpfulness in my selections. I look forward to trying many more wines from your great shop. Cheers UPDATE: I have been back many times since that first visit, and Stevie and Josiah the owners, along with their hairy family, the one and only snaggle tooth Napoleon are wonderful. I think Bay Grape is a very accessible way to learn about wine if thats what you want. They have classes and tastings, blind flights. Both Stevie and Josiah are warm and friendly and always welcome me by name. I have bought numerous friends here and they all love it as well. read more

My dog is welcome here. The owners are awesome! This place is great for stopping in to get a bottle of wine or sit down and chat with your friends. read more

Stevie and the whole Bay Grape team went above and beyond to deliver a congratulatory bottle of wine for me. They were so gracious and a pleasure to work this. Great recommendations too!!! read more