This is the go-to place if you're in looking for Cal or East Bay gear, and t-shirt orgy has a pretty good collection of cute/clever/funny tees. At times, I've had some attitude thrown my way by one of the clerks when checking in my bag, but nothing bad enough to get me to stop shopping there. Like some others have said before me, the required bag check in policy is a little ridiculous, I'll admit. But I like the stuff they carry so for me it's still worth checking out if you're in the Telegraph area. read more

Great, cheap variety of locals-only east bay type shirts as well as larger selection of Cal Bears apparel, and an entire downstairs w/ any kind of band or pop cultural shirt you could possibly imagine. 3 stories of HUGE selection and priced toward broke college students which is why I find myself ending here a lot when looking for new clothing. Some of the stuff you can find downstairs is downright hilarious and unlike t-shirt selections I've seen anywhere else. My only issue with this place is that despite their cheap pricing, I constantly find myself spending $100+ just because I find so many awesome, bizarre, and ridiculous shirts. Great place to get gifts for people too as their selection is pretty much unrivaled - you can find literally almost anything on a t-shirt. read more

You can find a good variety of shirts here, but it seems like they have less variety of band tees, which is the reason why I went there in the first place. Lower level - punk, metal, alternate, goth, rap, hip-hop, political, comedy, nature tees posters and hats. Upper level is mostly UCB merch. read more

This has to be the worst customer service I have ever received. My 15 month old daughter, fiance and I walked into the store looking to purchase some items. As soon as we walked in we were shouted at "No drinks in the store!" It's a sippy cup! We poured the contents outside. Back in we go to do some shopping and again "Sir! You're going to need to check that bag at the register!" The diaper bag? Really? We were done after that. read more

This placed is over hyped. T-shirt Orgy is basically like a oversized basement hot topic store. Typical band shirts, local shirts, and "funny" shirts. They are all pretty much over priced unless you go to a discount rack and get a shirt for a now unpopular band or over used/ played out movie reference. I guess its worth checking out but it wasn't my thing read more

All I can say is RUDE. The employees are obviously young and students, but a little customer service is not that difficult. The moment you walk in they look you up and down to obviously see if your suspicious or not. Apparently we were, got followed thru all 3 stories, but whatever I had no bad intentions anyways. The prices are pretty expensive, especially discovering after paying 50$ for 2 items they don't validate parking......... Seriously.......? They have a lot of cool stuff but I'd rather spend money else where. Customer service = sh*t. Won't be back read more

Starting this review off saying it's not about the policy or the shirts, it's solely about the terrible customer service.. I walked in with a drink in my hand. Sorry I didn't read all the signage posted in the window upon entering. Apparently they have a no food/drink policy which is totally understandable given their clientele and location. However, I was greeted at the door by a very rude young man. I tried to leave my drink on the counter && they said no. I said "well I know exactly what I want. Can you just go get it for me so I can buy it?" No. Apparently the people from downstairs can't come upstairs and vice versa. So now I'm just standing awkwardly in this store at a standstill practically getting yelled at by this rude ass employee. Then he goes "you're still here and your hella mad. Your options are throwing away your drink or leaving" whoa. So now I'm getting kicked out the store for just having a drink? My smoothie is worth your hourly rate; I'm not throwing it away sir. Then I asked him if I can just put in my bag. I had no intention of drinking it on the sales floor. He said no. I work retail too so I understand rules && douche bag customers but I just needed one specific thing. I offered alternate solutions && was refused. In the end, I sucked down my drink hella fast went in, && got out. I am not a young Cal student so I expected to be treated like a normal patron. But fuck them. Because although I was unknowingly breaking a rule, I was still greeted rudely, offered no alternate solutions && instructed to leave the store for no reason. Other than that, great shirts. Especially if you're looking for novelty. But don't walk in with a drink or you'll be put out. Rudely. read more

Seriously, just check in your bags or leave, the people who work here don't make the rules, they don't think you're a criminal, they're just doing their jobs. Giving them a hard time for doing their job is childish, it accomplishes nothing besides maybe giving you a chance to take some sort of pseudo-moral high ground so you can further coddle your own pathetic ego. read more

3 Floors: Top - Girl's clothes. I once went here (to shop for a gift, before you start presuming!). Eh, there were T-shirts and stuff. Main - Cal gear. Very go bears! There's a good selection, and some shirts/sweatshirts you can't get at the Student Store or Bancroft Clothing. Prices are not significantly cheaper than either of those places, but not much more expensive either. Bottom - T-Shirt Orgy! Where all the interesting T-shirts are. There's a big selection, basically an extremely expanded selection of shirts you'd find at Hot Topic and then much more! Punk, Metal, Simpsons, Superhero, politics, hip-hop - all those shirts that people wear to draw attention to themselves - they've got it. Some are generally funny/unique, many I had seen before. Expect $15-20 per shirt. They have a person standing by the door whose job is to anally tell each person to check their bags when they walk in. What a waste. How about they get rid of her and the guy spending all his time dealing with checked bags and pass the savings on to us consumers? read more

So expensiveeeeee. I like the clothing and I'm sure they're great quality but you will never see me purchase anything because I can't get over how pricey everything is. Even their little sales area between the first and second floor is disappointing. In terms of the T-shirt Orgy downstairs you can definitely find a few funny graphic tees and some clever designs referencing the bay area or Oakland or San Francisco. Another complaint, which has been pointed out in previous reviews, is the lack of customer service. I had to check in my bag when I first walked in and then afterwards waited for 10-15 minutes just to hand them the tag to get my bag back. I wasn't even lining up to buy anything. It took that long just to get someone's attention so they could hand me back my backpack. Overall, their customers are mostly visiting parents or tourists. No student or Berkeley resident would pay these crazy prices for Cal gear. I recommend Bancroft Clothing Company or Joy's Sportswear if you want better prices and decent customer service. read more

Bear Basics is the place to go if you are in need of cheap, knockoff Cal paraphernalia. The CAL merchandise is not the best quality, but it will last you through a football season. This huge store keeps changing its name, so it is sometimes confusing. Just look for the big glass windows on Telegraph. This is not the primary reason I am an avid Bear Basic shopper. I go for the local Bay Area t-shirts and sweatshirts. I buy all my "Am I not cool in my East Bay cranes shirt?" gifts for non-locals at this shop. Today, however, I discovered the basement, and I am now in love with the dirty little secret. They call it The T-shirt orgy, and they are so right. We were on the hunt for a communist party shirt, a very specific one. Did you know these are hard to find? I walked into the basement and heard a choir singing! I could shop here for hours, and find novelty t-shirts for all of my friends. Comic book shirts, movie slogans, political satire, religious icons, fighting dolphins, crude humor, nostalgic 80's images. You name it, they got it. My husband finally had to drag me out before I spent our entire Christmas budget on t-shirts! read more

Ummm. The workers here are just downright rude. I mean I expect general university level service to be subpar, but Bear Basics is just downright rude. I mean it was rude even on the level of if they were strangers and not being paid to help customers. I asked them for where the fitting rooms were and they first ignored me and were when they did answer were overly bitchy and visibly annoyed. She might have just been having a bad day, but that was just ridiculous. I was going to buy my sweats from there (they were nice) but decided against it solely because of how rude the worker was. I'm just hoping they reconsider who works there and reevaluate their employees/screening process. I don't usually go this far, but I'd say their customer service is just shocking. read more

Perfect name T-shirt Orgy, they have alot in the store. Get your local Cal gear right here..They even have Bay Area themed shirts. Take a trip downstairs and find all of the old school music T-shirts..wide variety of shirts,,,Rock, Hip Hop, Grunge..every genre of music is downstairs. You can literally spend a few hours in here. Just typing this review, gives me the urge to go their now.....Go Bears read more

just go here for the t-shirts downstairs. just that. might be expensive, but it's worth it once you leave with a baggie full of awesome t-shirts with pics of superman on them. heehee.... it's really cool. i like. read more

On family vacation, came to Berkeley to enjoy game day, and support, went to buy hoodies and for my whole family, but apparently if you are a woman and wear an xl or xxl, you must be a mom of a student or alumni, I neither just a fan of the school and a sister in law of an alumni. So if you're a " plus size" female student or fan forget you. That's a foul. read more

I have never actually bought a shirt here, I just go to look at the shirts and get a good laugh. They are UrbanO-esque shirtswith catchy lines and vintage looks, there are band shirts and images of all your favorite icons. Not all are G rated so be sure not to take your 7 year old sister along. read more

Best selection of shirts and Cal apparel in the Bay Area. They have every conceivable style of shirt, especially if you are looking for a vintage band or cartoon shirt. Easy to get lost and buy way too many shirts in one session so watch out! read more

I took my brother here on Sat, and he LOVED it. He said he would go broke in this place. Guys will love all the printed/graphic t shirts. He ended up getting a Rocky shirt, and a shirt that said Old School, with a crate of records below it. I even saw a bay area collection on the second floor for all the hyphy folks. read more

I see others have had the same experience as I. I was told I had to check in my PERSONAL purse in order to shop here. I have not had this experience anywhere else. It is not a huge purse, mid-size. I told the clerk it is MY purse and I absolutely would not turn in MY purse to shop there, and i will GLADLY take my business elsewhere so I left the store. They obviously did not need my business and I did need not need to shop there. Let's see how long a place that treats customers like criminals stays in business. If you're that concerned about being ripped off get a FUCKING security system!! read more

Kick ass selection of tshirts. They now sell Threadless shirts! It's really nice to see them in person, as computer monitors sometimes don't render the exact color. Plus, you don't have to pay for shipping! I also love their accessories. I got an Angry Little Asian Girl bag there. Where else would you be able to find that, if not online? I don't need much Cal merchandise, but they practically have every possible thing you'd want with a Cal logo on it. A place you must stop by if you're ever shopping in Berkeley! read more

Don't waste your time here. The first time I went in, I had a drink in my hand. They told me I couldn't bring it in, so I had to stand outside to drink it. I'm not some little kid who is going to go spill my drink on the clothes. I'm a mature adult who is capable of drinking my beverage without spilling it. They should treat me as such. After I finished my drink, I was stopped again because I had a bag from a previous purchase. I was told I had to check it in at the register. So I had to go wait in line behind customers that were paying so I could check in my bag. After checking in my bag, I could finally look at their merchandise. They sell the same stuff as Joy's, but at a much higher price. Since Joy's is located right next to their store, I left and bought all my items at Joy's. I will not be going back. read more

Nice place to shop..just wish the customer service was better..at least say hello but other than that I'd shop here again.

It's a shirt place to support your local team..3 floors of shirts, however, never made it past 1/2 the first floor as one of the workers there was just rude to me so I bailed before I had a chance of seeing if this place was awesome or not. read more

I'll shop at T-shirt Orgy - Bear Basics for two things and two things only: Cal gear and their ridiculously ginormous t-shirt collection. This place is Cal gear central. You can get any basic apparel you'd fine in a Cal Bookstore/Student Store, but most of their clothing is slapped on American Apparel hoodies, t-shirts, and sweaters. There is a huge selection of hoodies, Cal t-shirts, and much more. They have a good selection at a great quality, but also at a realistic price for most students. The t-shirt selection is crazy! The "orgy" is located down in the basement level. There are over 200 screen-printed t-shirts (humor, bands, Cal, regions, slogans, etc.) in all sizes and colors. I guarantee you'll find a "favorite tee" here at T-Shirt Orgy. The rest of their clothing isn't that great. They have a small collection of tops, dresses, and basic stuff you'll find at any other retail store. I really recommend going to here for your Cal gear basics! read more

I'm not a big t-shirt person, but I could NOT resist a super soft shirt featuring Dolph Lundgren. LOVE.

Great store for close to campus. I like the large selection of t-shirts. The only things i've bought from there are CAL attire, and sweats. you have to leave your bags with them when entering, this makes you feel slightly unwanted, but the friendly workers compensate. read more

This place is awesome! BEARS GALORE! They have 2 stories of clothing... and lots and lots of stuff! License plate covers, keychains, sweatshirts, pajamas, mugs, kids clothes, women's, men's, etc. The people that worked there were very helpful and friendly, which is always a plus. They were still a little pricey for my taste, but they were definitely cheaper than buying any of that stuff at the store on campus! My only complaint is that they didn't have too many things in my size...I'm a xs-s in women's. Maybe I'll just have to go back when they get in more shipments. But definitely check this place out before buying anything on campus!! read more

The variety of T-shirts is vast and at first I walked around like a kid in a candy store. I would have walked out with 6-7 shirts either for myself or as gifts but nothing I wanted was there and all they had to tell me was they don't know when they'd be getting more. I couldn't special order any or leave my number for when something does come in. Not very helpful at all. I came back a week later and it was the same story. Big disappointment. read more

Don't shop here. They have terrible customer service and an awful return policy. I tried to return a gift and the item still had the tag on it but they still wouldn't exchange it for another item. Go to BANCROFT CLOTHING. They are so much better and have way better customer service. Don't waste your time here. Also, the manager here is so rude and doesn't care about customer satisfaction. You guys suck. read more

I usually don't write reviews ever, but I think today it's necessary since I wonder how the managers even hired the employees. POOR customer service. The moment my siblings and I walked into the store, no one greeted us. As a matter of fact, all of the employees seem to really avoid the customers-- especially when you try to ask them a question. The associate on the first floor was RUDE. The two girls behind the front desk never gave any of us eye contact, nor a smile. On the other hand, the associates on the third floor definitely saw us and made eye contact BUT they just carried on with their own conversation and completely ignored us. And the cashier just kept looking down the whole time she was ringing me up while her hipster glasses were falling off her nose. Anyway, this place does have some great tees. As a matter of fact, their t-shirt selection is the only reason why I even gave the place a star at all. I won't make an effort to go back there since the associates for a lack of a better word, suck. read more

This is my first review on yelp. i was compelled to write a review on this store's employees. let's talk good things first. if you like awesome t-shirts, tank tops which makes you look cooler, this is the place to go. but on the other hand, if you value customer service as much as the product, you might wanna avoid this place. i've been to many other small clothing store around northern california,but i've never seen all employees treat their customers like they were there to disturb them from enjoying themselves or with other fellow employees. i wonder who owns and manges the store and what their attitudes looks like? read more

VERY poor customer service. My mom asked this slender guy with a beard and glasses if they have this particular sweat pants in a size and he just said "whatever is on the rack" and walked a way. Prick. Then Livia ended up ringing up the products wrong and gave us attitude kept rolling her eyes which I don't understand since she made the mistake read more

This place is alright. If you are a fan of band tees or those tees with the really dumb sayings on them then you definitely need to check out the store downstairs. On the street level it is all Cal merchandise. On the top floor there is a mini boutique and more Cal stuff. There was some cute stuff in the boutique but when you tried it on you could tell how cheaply made it was. When you walk in, you get harassed by an employee to leave your bag behind the counter. I don't quite understand this. Shoplifting was so middle school. Anyways the employees weren't all that friendly and the clothes were cheaply made and overpriced so I walked out with no purchases. read more

All the shirts I didn't buy online because of shipping costs were found here. My wallet is in trouble.

Great place to go if you are looking to get some Cal State Berkeley wardrobe....you know, in case you want to front and say you go to Berkeley when you don't. It's 3 floors, so not all the stuff there is from the prestigious campus. Feel free to pick up your Korn, Lim Bizkit and Blink 182 Tee's here too. LOL, who listens to Korn anymore....or Limp Bizkit for that matter. Despite the jokes, fun place to shop for a t-shirt cause the have bajillions...hence the name. read more

Ditto the comments re rude staff. Not many customers in the store and overabundance of totally disinterested, annoyed employees, one of whom was wandering around the store focused on her Blackberry/IPhone. Also, no returns. Really? Won't be back. There are other stores that sell Cal stuff and might appreciate business more. read more

This store is one of many on Telegraph Av. that has really gone down hill in a major way! you used to be able to find the best embroidered new era hats and high quality embroidered hoodies here.Now all they have is cheesy zephyr brand hats and overpriced hoodies that look like they were made in a sweat shop in the back.Occasionally you can find a nice embroidered hoodie here still,chances are you will not find it in a triple or even double xl .due to how much these hoodies shrink these sizes are popular and rare at this store.i used to spend five hundred to a grand in this store,now I can take a quick walk around this store and easily see I need to find a better store down the street.This store went from awesome to horrible.....WTF!!! read more

Always a great place to find some awesome shirts. I do wish that they carried more women clothing like they use to a long time ago. Now it's just puny. read more

Right near the BART station, open really good hours when others are closed. Excellent selection for a small place and prices were very reasonable unlike some Berkeley/Cal clothing stores. read more

Once you go Barack, you never go back. You can easily spend a couple hours in this place going through all the latest Threadless shirts. PLUS I once saw a Hedwig (& the Angry Inch) shirt here...too big but I was excited anyway Also, I have found some great quality, serious steals in their 'sample sale' type corner upstairs. read more