Great space! Hung out at the bar for happy hour. Big space with tons of seating. Huge bar area, with several televisions for watching. DJ plays the latest hits all evening. Service was amazing. Bartenders were great and very accommodating. Food was very tasty and served at a good temperature. Definitely a vibe. Get there early as this place fills up quick. read more

District - Oakland - Wine Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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I love this bar so much! From management to the whole staff, to the food and the drinks, and don't forget the amazing atmosphere. 3 cheers for District!!! read more

District - Oakland - Wine Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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Great spot for diver and drinks. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. Our water glasses were always filled; never empty. The fried chicken sliders were tart and so were the Brussel sprouts. The devils eggs really stole the show. Of all the drinks, the Port Authority was the best. Highly recommend it. The old-fashioned was good and so was the Bluegrass. read more

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Honestly , not the best experience. We ordered the sparkling wine flight. They came in wine glasses, not sparkling wine glasses. Which mattered, by time we got the 2nd and 3rd glasses, they were flat. The Brussels were the best item we eat. But we honestly didn't understand it. The menu describes them as "gochujang-cider glazed pork belly, toasted pine nuts, crispy shallots". You could not taste the gochujang at all. The arancini was average , the sauce tasted burnt a little. Every single one of the dozen oysters had a piece of shell in it. The chicken and caviar , was honestly just not good. The chicken was large , a whole thigh. With a large amount of crème fresh and the tiniest amount of caviar. I didn't expect more caviar. I wanted a lot less chicken. Just the right amount to match the caviar. A bite or two. The restaurant itself was very cute, but the staff were not that attentive tbh, the server checked on us once maybe. Just overall subpar. Most likely would not come back. read more

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Came here for the half off oysters and they did not disappoint. They were large (sometimes places have smaller oysters for their deals) and weren't too creamy or briney. We also tried the fries with truffle aioli but it wasn't super truffley... the oxtail tacos were very rich and melt in your mouth and FULL of meat which was very much appreciated. The fried chicken and caviar was also an interesting experience - the chicken was super good (truffle honey on top) but the caviar was not very flavorful/I couldn't really taste it. I've never had caviar before though so maybe that's what it's like? That dish was $31 which I feel like isn't horrible but again not sure. It had a very fun and lively ambiance and seems like a place I'd kinda wanna hit up again for a night out read more

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This is my second time at District - Oakland and enjoyed both times. The first visit was with colleagues and we shared a few appetizers, all were delicious. The drinks were great and staff were very friendly and made great recommendations. The second time was also lovely. My friend and I had their homemade ice cream and the flavors we tried were delightful - strawberry rosemary and chocolate as recommended by staff. Highly recommend their desserts. I like the ambiance and loved the music at both visits. The first time there was a local DJ and music was on point. The second time the music was more subtle but wonderful playlist. Again, staff were welcoming and had positive energy. Thanks for a great experience during my last two visits to Oakland. Excited to go back. read more

District - Oakland - Wine Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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Came here with friends for happy hour post work training last night and we had so much fun! The lighting is dim, leaving the ambiance just right. I love how their happy hours are extended to 7 pm, making it feel inclusive for those of us that work into the evening. I had an Albariño that was incredible, their oysters were meaty and bright, the homemade catsup with the fries was 10/10, the arancini was perfectly balanced and not overly rich, and the chicken wings had such a nice dipping sauce that complimented everything else. I will 10000000% come back. The menu looked like it had some great entrees and I look forward to trying them! read more

District - Oakland - Wine Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Nice vibe in the downtown Oakland area. We came in for dinner on a Saturday evening. The space is dark with high open ceiling and a large U shaped bar that appears to be a big draw. There were a couple good sized parties on one side when we came in. They seated us at one of the high tops on the other side. Seating is pretty equally low tops and high tops here, plus the bar. Our server was ok. Nothing spectacular, but got the job done. We appreciate that in this particular economy, District offers a dinner for 2 for $35 at this time. We had the arugula salad, lamb meatballs, and then a pizza. It was all good but be needed to add another small plate of the arancini to fill us up. read more

District - Oakland - Wine Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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Great Mexican find in downtown Oakland by convention center with a fun vibe. Was open until 830 pm on work night so easy to jump over. I got the shrimp taco and a chicken quesadilla taco. Both were really good and reasonably priced. You also can get a beer if you choose. read more

District - Oakland - Shrimp taco, chicken quesa taco and tots. Too much foods for 1. Two tacos would have been enough. - Wine Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Really solid restaurant that turns into more of a lounge with a DJ on weekends. This is a regular spot for me and friends if we are bouncing around to different places. Mostly street parking and it can get hard to find parking at night on the weekends. My go to food options are their fries , the Calabrian chicken sausage pizza, the district burger and the hangar steak....and the bread pudding is so good! Great ambiance, service can be hit or miss but it's always a good time. read more

Another place I can't believe I haven't reviewed. Fun place for Oakland night life. Usually can get parking close by but Uber/Lyft is the prefered mode of transportation. Massive U shaped bar seating close to 28 people which is usually packed unless you get there early. Side tables on both sides and a nice lounge area in front. DJ on Friday and Saturday nights, so either sit close if you want to lose what hearing you have left, or further away for those of us trying to preserve what we have left. Also, I like to talk to my partner when out, well all the time. I know, I know, who talks to their SO nowadays. Well I/we do so try to sit towards the back. I think most here are locals or frequent flyers like us. They know us and treat us right which is appreciated. The food menu is extensive. Someting for every body. We have had the ceviche, oysters, deviled eggs, pizza, cheese plate and others. All worth it. The other night we finished off the night with the cheese plate and there was nothing left. Seriously, licked clean, "put that board back on the shelf". Great food, great place and fun. Just a note, it is Oakland, so pay attention. read more

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First off, let me say I worked in Oakland for seven years and throughout the years I have come to this establishment for business and non-business purposes. I was saying that it's always been a great time when I have been able to come here. This recent visit did not disappoint. It was on a Saturday, and the vibes were on point. It wasn't crowded, but it was just right. Our server was on point. She was amazing. We had appetizer bites and I love their French 75! It's been a year since I've been working in Oakland and I can tell you come to district made me miss Oakland all over again.I definitely have to venture back periodically. read more

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Updating a previous review. District continues to be a really good bar/lounge space in Oakland. Despite the challenges during COVID and some of the standard challenges of running a business in Oakland, they're still kicking and doing a great job. I've mentioned before but they still have a strong happy hour menu from 4-7pm. Their pizzas, burgers and truffle fries are still consistently good. I'm a whiskey drinker and really like their whiskey selection and having their whiskey flights which I feel are decently priced. Lately I've really enjoyed their New York Sour which is a whiskey sour with a little red wine on top adding a little tartness on top and also making the glass look really good. Shout-out to one of the managers John running a pretty strong team on the food, bar and server sides. I've been there for special/private events and while I can't comment on the pricing of the big parties, we've had a good time and they have been pretty accommodating. read more

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We stopped here on our way home after an evening out in Oakland. District is in Old Oakland. Parking is easy and the menu is good. We love their French fries and tried their oxtail tacos and a salad. The tacos needed more seasoning. The staff is always very attentive and kind, the music was good. This is a nice spot for drinks and bites. I've been here countless times and always look forward to coming back!! read more

District - Oakland - Fries - Wine Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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Been here a few times in the past two months and really enjoyed the vibe of this place. There's an intriguing local art on the walls and a cool DJ with style on weekend evenings. While I've been here before for a great happy hour, we came for brunch this time. My partner had the organic green salad, well I had the breakfast slam. Both dishes presented well and the home fries with aïoli and spiced sunflower seeds in the salad were perfect. Good attention from the wait- staff. We also got a nice check-in from the head chef, Nicholas ! Will definitely go back! read more

District - Oakland - Organic Green salad - Wine Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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Popped in to catch-up with a friend and was terribly disappointed by the service. The good parts were:the dj was playing great music, the other patrons were friendly, and it was very clean and bright. The bad parts: we were overlooked multiple time for placing drink orders despite sitting at the bar, although I ordered food, the order was never entered and when I inquired I was told "oh well, the kitchen is closed" and then bartender attempted to blame me for not checking back sooner to make sure the order was placed. What?!? Talk about a lack of. The final kickers were, I had to literally walk to the other side of the bar to place a drink order and then asked the bartender to deliver it to my seat despite him saying he'd be right back. I fear his memory is escaping him. And when I ran into a friend and turned to greet them, the bar back cleared my plate and drink. Clearly the signs were in the air that my presence was unwanted. What a shame, I often recommend this place, but if this is their operating procedures I'll find a new place to patronize. read more

Always a great choice for a good time. Come for the food. Stay for the vibes. Also they do comedy, sometimes.

I haven't been to the District-Oakland since pre-pandemic and visited for an after work gathering . The place is still casual, cozy (cushioned seating) welcoming with a variety of drink and shareable food options with music from a DJ. Happy Hour menu simple and straightforward like french fries, brussel sprouts and wings but the kitchen does them well: French fries crispy yet creamy on the inside, brussel sprout have depth of flavor with sauces made from scratch! Their dinner menu (meatballs, sandwich sliders) seem like bar food but equally delicious. Service basic and limited: order at the bar and food delivered to your table. District Oakland is an energetic spot to nosh on small bite (for sharing) while imbibing on a cocktail, beer, or glass of wine. Happy Hour: 4-7 M-F, 5-7pm Sat. with full menu available. Plenty of metered street parking in Old Oakland read more

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You never know. Local favorite. Food is good. Crowd varies... i liked to get there early. Happy hour time! Bar tenders could be a little more courteous and aware. Always waiting. No acknowledgment. Like you have to track them down. Definitely some bias, in regard to speed of service, if the crowd is mixed. Otherwise an ok place read more

It was My fiancé birthday and we wanted to hit up a happy hour spot for a chill Friday afternoon and this place was a great choice. Love the vibe in there from their friendly staffs to the music playlist. We sat at the bar and Our bartender teddy was so hospitable and awesome. He was so helpful in crafting a custom cocktail that my fiancé wanted. He checked on us frequently. We ordered a few of their happy hour menu items and took advantage of their $35 Dinner for Two special with a choice of appetizer, salad and pizza. This would be a great place to bring friends. read more

District - Oakland - Lamb Meatballs - Wine Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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Good food, terrible service and a lack of customer centric focus. Took over an hour for food. Will NOT return. I was here for an event and we reserved 8 tables and had our own section. I came up to the bar to order and was told by the bartender (tall Caucasian guy, short wavy/curly hair) they would not run the order to me and had to wait at the bar, even stating "I have too much going on right now and I'll wind up losing your order". Huh? It wasn't even that busy (1/4 full) and isn't that the point of hospitality: accommodate your customer, not the other way around? Why would I sit at the bar waiting for my food and missing half of an event for the bartender's convenience? It took over an HOUR to get my ceviche and 40 min to get oysters - a friend got them 15 min before me and I ordered 15 min before him! At least the manager comped the ceviche, which was a very small portion (think appetizer size for ~ $22). read more

Nice happy hour menu. I came with a friend for the first time to chat and catch up. We had the chicken wings and Parmesan truffle fries which were great. I am not sure if I'd get the poke taco again since it lacked flavor, I would skip it. Service was good we asked for extra condiments and they gladly provided us with. The we sat inside which they let us self seat and maybe next time I'll sit outside if the weather is nice. read more

District - Oakland - Guava and peach Bellini - Wine Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Great drinks, good customer service nice ambiance. Great place for Happy Hour! Can hold company functions as well.

District was packed last night which was a Friday. There were only a couple of bartenders so the service was slow. They had zero urgency and the tall AA bartender kept looking at me then would walk past and help other people around me so I decided to just leave! Not sure what that was about but I'm not sure if I want to go there again? But it's nice in there and the music was great. read more

Do not get a table here. We got a table here and they did NOT serve us well. They took forever and we had to go find them to remind us. Then when we were thing to leave they chased us saying it's not cool to not tip. Mind you we were not the ones who reserved the table they just chose us to chase outside. Terrible service. read more

GREAT PLACE FOR HAPPY HOUR!!!! If you are looking for a happy hour spot, this is your destination! They have affordable bites: wings, oysters, fries, deviled eggs, Brussels sprouts, and they have reasonably priced wine and spirits! This will always be my recommendation for happy hour in the bay. The fries were good, and they give you a large/shareable portion. The wings were tiny and almost looked like chicken nuggets, but my friend ordered though and I didn't try them. The deviled eggs are topped with a pickled radish. I didn't try that either, but it looked good. The drinks were good and staff was friendly. Love it here! Great location, but you have to find street parking or park in the lot across the street. I took Lyft. read more

District - Oakland - Happy hour menu - Wine Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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The 7 of us had dinner there last week, on 11.17.25, and the food was disappointing. 4 of us had burgers and they were all overcooked. One of us had shrimp (gambas) with risotto and for $21 there was less than a cup of risotto on the plate. The restaurant was quiet but the service was slow. Only one of the servers was familiar with the food. There was one friendly, outgoing server. There was an automatic gratuity on the bill but it was not pointed out by the waitstaff. Will not go back. read more

Giving this five stairs for a delish food and causal vibes! I work near this very unassuming restaurant bar with great big windows and the food was delicious! The arancini and the wings were so good! Can't wait to make this a regular after-work spot! Thanks down the nice time! read more

I just have to take a moment to shout out Chef Nicholas -- because WOW. The bread pudding he made for me was hands-down the best I've ever had. The flavor, the texture, the warmth, the presentation... everything was perfect. You can taste the pride and passion he puts into his craft. Not only is he incredibly talented, but he also brings a level of care and hospitality that makes you feel valued. It's rare to meet a chef who cooks with skill and heart, and Chef does both effortlessly. If your district is looking for culinary excellence, consistency, and someone who genuinely elevates the dining experience -- Chef Nicholas is it. Highly recommended! read more

Halloween night, I left my tab open at District. I've been a bartender, so I understand the risk of leaving without closing out. The tip can end up being more than generous. But what shocked me was a subsequent charge for Chinese food from a neighboring restaurant. When I returned to collect my card, it was handed back to me, meaning the card was in their possession when the charges occurred. This wasn't a lost or stolen card--it appears it was used by District staff for personal purchases at 2am. I calmly explained to the bartender. He went to the manager who then left me waiting. When he finally walked over to me, he said my card was given to someone else, they ran that person's charge on my card, and then that person returned later with my card. At one point he said she said she charged something on it, but then backtracked saying he didn't know if she used it. There was no reversal of charges, no note with my card, and frankly his story doesn't add up. When I expressed doubt, this manager erupted in anger and walked away. My money was stolen and yet, he is angrier than me? I followed and said as much to him. He insisted on his "integrity and credibility" while gaslighting me. He finally said he would "make this right" , gave me a personal gmail address--not a District email address-- and told me to email him. I did. It's been a week, and he's never replied. Is his story a cover up? You decide. I've always defended Oakland against unfair criticism, but when local businesses abuse customers like this, it's disheartening and unacceptable. read more

Was in town for the weekend and stumbled upon The District. It was a 5 minute walk from Courtyard Marriott and well worth it. Chill vibe with good R&B music. Mixed crowd, good food and drinks. read more

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The atmosphere? Pretty nice! We grabbed a table, sipped on pineapple and rum, knocked back some tequila shots, and tried the rocket tonic and fries. Drinks were solid, vibes were decent, but the service? Meh. Our waitress was subpar -- cleaning, handling cash, and then casually touching our straws like it was a new bar trick. Not exactly appetizing. And let's talk about the music. The DJ was giving "I'm playing at home and making my own playlist". He was horrible Would I come back? Sure, if my !friends really wanted to. But would it be my first choice? Not quite. District has potential, but a little more attentiveness and a better DJ could really elevate the experience. Here's hoping for a remix next time! read more

We've been coming to District off and on for years. It's a fun bar with a club-like vibe (but without the ear-shattering noise), and with great food, a hard combination to find. Food-wise, I recommend the HH oysters ($1.75 apiece), the beef sliders, and the chicken sliders. The chicken sliders in particular are BOMB! Perfectly prepared, with not too much batter, and the most tender chicken. Their HH drink selection is somewhat limited, but you can find other options on the regular menu to quench your thirst. If you're fortunate, you will get Max as your bartender. I'm always surprised by genuine kindness in this day and age, because it is rare, but Max managed to surprise me. One word of warning, don't drive here if you can help it. Our car door window got smashed parked only a few yards away from here. And be extremely cautious of your surroundings outside. However, these are Oakland problems (that's a lengthy review for another day), not something within District's control. Be careful in the area, but if you get a chance, District is definitely worth a visit. read more

District - Oakland - They call this their menu.... I can't make out the selections on here, can you? - Wine Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Enjoyed a nice house red and tuna poke on crispy rice, delicious! Great service. Football game on big screen. Happy patrons and staff. All wins here! read more

Located in a historic building in downtown Oakland, the District serves artisanal level food. I ordered the district burger with their fries. The burger was amazing: cheddar cheese, house bacon, black garlic aioli, takikomi onion, b&b pickles. This sandwich came straight from a test kitchen. The burger was not only seasoned well but juicy. The fries also were well seasoned. The catsup and aioli dipping sauces were house-made. The eclectic music playing made this a place you want to return again. read more

District - Oakland - Wine Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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I've started coming to this place with friends, Mark and Shell, and so far, each time has been a great experience. The owner/manager recognized me and my dude and immediately found us a table for the four of us Music is always popping with a variety of old and new school. It was Halloween weekend, so there was a costume contest, which was fun. Usually we would order food but we had just come from dinner. But we sure did drink plenty. Always good on the drinks. If you wavy to chill, listen to great music and people war h the check out the district. We will always come back and bring folks when they are in town. read more

District - Oakland - Me and the dude - Wine Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

We have been coming here for ever since Doc John ended up behind the bar. So about 4 years. Happy hour is good and the food is over all tasty. The wife loves the oysters at happy hour. So she and the crew always come through and get like 4 dozen. I personally like the lamb meatballs and pizzas. But they have things on the menu for everyone. Drinks selection is good. Plus they can make almost anything you can think of. If you go you need to have John make you a New York Sour - damn good. read more

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Food: 4/5 Out of all four dishes I tried here, I found the crispy spiced chicken wings to be the showstoppers. The tamarind sauce they come with is delicious, sweet yet tangy. The oysters tasted fresh, ceviche mixto had an interesting twist with the octopus, and deviled eggs were likely the best I've ever had. In addition to the taste, these were from the happy hour menu, great prices and portions. Service: 4/5 Friendly and attentive. Ambiance: 5/5 Lovely artwork and decor. Love the music choices, even the glassware. read more

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We first checked out District Oakland a few years ago before a comedy show at Oracle, and ever since, my husband has been saying, "We gotta go back!" We finally did, and it was just as great as we remembered! The vibe is perfect--chill but lively--and sitting at the bar was a great experience. The bartender was amazing, the drinks were on point, and the small bites were just what we needed. Definitely a spot we'd recommend and will keep coming back to! read more

Came in at the start of happy hour, very light crowd. That changed by the time I left at 6pm on a Tuesday. Full bar in the back-middle with the surrounding dining area, in clouding high tables. Slightly dim inside, there are a couple of flat screens and several liquors encased in the wall. I sat at the bar, comfortable seating. Ordered the Buffalo Side Car, a Buffalo Trace bourbon based cocktail, good mix of flavor and strength. Next was the Honey Ryder, made with vodka, honey and guava juice. Tasty. Try the meatballs and fried chicken sandwiches, both really good. read more

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