Finally got to check out Crybaby this past weekend! It was…read more$22 at the door at around 10:30PM. The crowd here is very young but it's a nice little spot to grab some drinks and enjoy some music. Drinks were priced pretty good and they also have a nice little outside area if you want to smoke or grab some air.

Keak the Sneak brought me out. A Town Legend who took part in creating The Hyphy Movement over 15…read moreyears ago. I had so much fun at the foot of the stage, we danced all night. The crowd had motion as we sang along!

I hosted my husband's 40th here May 2, 2026. Melanie was a…read morepleasure to work with and ironing out details. We had a Casino Royale theme with casino tables upstairs, caterer and photographer downstairs. It was nice because this venue comes with a DJ, security and bar. There is a parking lot across the street that only charges $10. It doesn't need decorations so it's a one stop shop. While we did have some hiccups day of, they were resolved and the owner was very receptive to the feedback. I would recommend this place and absolutely book here again if I were to host an event.

I went to a 75th birthday party for a barber at Parliament on Friday, March 27. This happens to be…read morea great venue. The first thing I had when I arrived with a glass of water and a Cuba libre, basically a rum and Coke with a twist of lime. Our drinks came up quick and they were delicious. The service was great. This is a nice spot. I hadn't been here since they had changed his name. It used to be a different club here, but I have to say the place is very nice. They have big giant TV screens and it looks very festive in there. It's very clean. The restrooms are clean and it just happens that it's accessible if you happen to need an accessible location.. They had a food truck outside that served delicious food and there was plenty of space in a DJ. I have to say I'd be happy to go here again. There was parking right across the street. It was free and there was a security guard there at the lot. here again anytime and I'd highly recommend it. If you want to give an event there they would accommodate you.

Hello Stranger is THAT spot in Oakland. The DJ? Fire. The music? Had me forgetting I had bills due…read more The vibe? Safe, fun, and full of people who just wanna have a good time. Drinks are on point whether you're into cocktails, mocktails, or just pretending your Sprite is fancy champagne, they've got you. The staff is hella nice too like the kind of people you don't mind bumping into when you're three songs deep on the dance floor. Plus, the brick walls and whole setup make it feel like you stepped into a cool hidden gem instead of just another bar. Honestly, it's the kind of place you show up "just for one" and end up shutting down the night. 10/10 would lose my voice here again.

Hello Stranger has a convenient location with a small but decent-sized bar and dance floor. The DJ…read morewas okay, nothing special, but fine for a casual night out. Unfortunately, that's all I can really comment on because three of us sat at the bar for about 15 minutes and, even though there was no one else there, the bartender never approached us. We ended up leaving without ordering anything. It was disappointing, especially given how empty the place was. Based on this experience, I don't plan to return. The lack of attention and service made it clear why the bar wasn't busy.

Forbidden Island is one of those rare neighborhood gems that somehow manages to feel both special…read moreand effortlessly welcoming. It's a longtime local favorite of mine and my go-to spot for meeting up with friends--equal parts escape and comfort. The cocktail menu is impressively deep, full of beautifully crafted, fancy tiki drinks that practically beg to be explored, and so far every single one I've tried has been delicious (dangerously so). Inside, the bar nails the classic tiki vibe--warm, immersive, and transportive--while the outdoor patio offers a lovely, relaxed option with plenty of extra seating on warm days. It's the kind of place where you can linger, laugh, and lose track of time. The staff deserve a special shout-out: genuinely friendly, attentive, and accommodating, which only adds to the overall experience. A quick pro tip: if you're planning to stop by during popular after-work hours, definitely make a reservation--it fills up for good reason. The food menu is on the smaller side, but the bites are tasty and thoughtfully done, perfect for sharing alongside a round (or two) of cocktails. All in all, Forbidden Island is a standout spot that keeps me coming back again and again.

Forbidden Island is a usual pitstop for us after the Antique Fair in Alameda. The drinks are solid…read moreand the interior decor is fun, but fall short of its neighbors in the surrounding area. It's got a hybrid dive bar with dollar bills on the ceiling, mixed with Tiki. I have tried the Grog, Rum Barrel, and Sunday Special, all of which were solid, but not out of this world.

Strolling through the neighborhood on my way to a meeting and I had some time to kill. The…read morestorefront caught my eye and when I saw vinyl I had to look. So glad I stopped in. The vibe is very relaxed. A great place for a mental break. Gabriel the bartender greeted me warmly. The music was good. Vinyl selection is The wine selection is exemplary. I had enough time for lunch and opted for the Cheese sandwich ( I do not recall the menu name) upon Gabriel's recommendation. I was not disappointed. Warm beef with melted cheese and accompaniments on a sandwich roll. It was reminiscent of my youth when my friends mother would make lunch for us. It was just sloppy enough to make it delicious without it splattered on my shirt. My new go to spot for a mental break and smiles.

Love this space. Just visited recently for an early scene before it got crowded. I absolutely loved…read morethe way it is done up. There is a warmth and comfortability that sweps you in as soon as you enter. Staff is so warm and friendly. They have some kick ass cocktails and also non alcoholic drinks which is great for those who want to keep it light. The vibes are very cool and chill type scene. I loved spending time here. I need to return for a girls date night or friends get to gather to experience the full night scene. Bathrooms are clean and very psychedelic scene with the lights effect :) If you want to experience something different that is comfortable and relaxed while having some lovely drinks and listening to sick beats then this is the place for you. Its location is super convenient right by downtown very close to bart and bus if you fancy public transportation:) Love couchdate and can't wait to be back for more Love

You should check out The Ruby Room if you like drinking. This might get crowded and close be…read moreprepared for that. Occasionally there are DJ's playing music here. Right next to The Main Library on 14th!

whack and got sick here last weekend…read more Why is it still open? the drinks suck and its not fun.

I had no idea this place had been around for over 10 years. It's kind of tucked away and easy to…read moremiss since the entrance doesn't really stand out. That said, once you're inside, it's a great little bar with a lot of character and a really welcoming vibe. We got there shortly after they opened on a Saturday afternoon, and it didn't take long for the place to fill up. We grabbed seats at the bar, and Eric was our bartender... he was fantastic. Super friendly, made everyone feel welcome, and somehow managed to keep the energy up and still give great service even as things got busy. You could tell he loves his job. We had a few beers and ordered the grilled chicken sandwich, chicken tenders, and the parmesan fries. Everything came out hot and tasted great, especially the fries. Definitely planning to come back in the evening next time to experience the full vibe. This feels like one of those spots that really comes alive at night.

We were looking for a sports bar where we could watch the NCAA basketball tournament, specifically…read morethe UIUC vs. University of Houston for final four game, and found this place near to my workplace! They offer a lot of beer selelctions from local breweries, with a solid food menu. The ambiance was nice too.

Had dinner at Yoshi's Oakland on Mother's Day before the evening show. We ordered the calamari,…read morespider roll, fire dragon roll, warriors roll, and avocado maki. The calamari was definitely my favorite! Loved how lightly fried it was, and the jalapeño sauce was such a nice touch. The sushi rolls were on the smaller side and felt a bit too rice-heavy with not enough filling. After dinner, we headed into the music venue side of Yoshi's to see The Best Intentions and they were incredible! One thing to note: seating is assigned by the venue and can feel pretty tight since tables are often shared.

I've been contemplating writing this review for a few months. I wanted to give a raving review as…read moremost of the experience was great. Anyhow, we had dinner first for a party of 9. The restaurant itself was a nice atmosphere. We ordered salads, appetizers, sushi, entrees, desserts, and plenty spirits/cocktails. Our server, Owen, was on top of his service. He was great with suggestions and checked on us often. The food was a bit pricey but expected. Nice presentation and food was good. For the show afterwards, we had a booth with a great view. It was a good time. Good vibes and all. The service was there as we kept the drinks coming. My only thing that knocked two stars down was the host. Which I think his name was Chung. He was absolutely rude and had such a condescending attitude towards my party when they were checking in. If you're a host, act like it! You represent the restaurant and the front line of it all when patrons come in. Such a disappointment for a nice establishment! Luckily, the rest of the experience was pleasant.

Can't say enough about how Stacy and Sky worked their butts off AND made my birthday so special!…read moreThanks so much, Eileen

We don't get out much, so I'm always "the last to know" about the Saltbreaker bandwagon, but when I…read morefinally jumped on, it was SOOOO worth it...!!! My oldest daugher has been there serveral times and finally got us to join her here to celebrate my wife/their Mom's birthday a few weeks ago and it was GREAT....wonderful food, exceptional service, all in a very warm and comfortable environment..!!! Order up the filet, the chicken, the duck, and the mushroom wellington, as well as the Brussel sprouts/everyone FAV and a couple of their delicious NO BOOZE Cocktails...every bite and each drop, all so very yummy.....so GOOD in fact, we're going back tonight with a larger group and can't wait to report back with MORE raves, I'm sure...!!! UPDATING after our family dinner last night: Believe it or not, lightening DOES strike twice....Saltbreaker came thru and hosted my family of 12 for a traditional "opening" the Lunar New Year dinner, but enjoying a "non-traditional" menu that was again, just like my previous visit, thoroughly enjoyed...from starters, to entrees, drinks and dessert. Only two new pics to share....my DELICIOUS special of the day, Lamb Shanks and, the "star" of the evening, the special "Prosperity Orange" dessert....a visual masterpiece that tasted as good as it looks...topped off by a visit to our table by the dessert chef who created it...it was so impressive and make our dining experience that much more special....a GREAT start to the Year of the Horse...thank you so much to Saltbreaker, and especially to Cameron, our waiter...until the next time...."Gung Hay Fat Choy" to all...!!!

This place is so cute inside it's definitely a cool almost speakeasy vibe. Came an hour after they…read moreopened and it was already getting pretty busy on a Thursday night. Service was really prompt and friendly. The food was great we ordered all the classics such as the tater tots and the cucumbers, and we also got the salt and pepper wings, and the special mapo tofu. Portions are great and it's definitely a lot of food to share. There are also extensive cocktails on the menu running at $16-$20 each, which is expected for the creativity and expert craftsmanship of each cocktail. They have a large number of cocktails that are special and seasonal, and then their classics on the bottom. I don't think you can go wrong with anything that you try and I love that they have Asian fusion options for the cocktails and savory and sweet. I got one of the seasonal cocktails that was passionfruit forward and it had a nice tart crisp taste that I really enjoyed.

4.5 Stars. My friends and I have been meaning to try…read moreViridian out. We finally got to check out Viridian out for Oakland Restaurant Week 2025. Technically, we got to try it out the week after, but they extended their menu for the week after. We came that Sunday evening. Parking can be a bit of a hassle because it is indeed Downtown Oakland. Your whole party has to get the Restaurant Week Menu. So we all got their: Aperitif Cocktail - Tomato Beef or Purely Passion (Non Alcoholic) I got the Purely Passion. Good, nothing to write home about. Umami Tots This was really good! Very Crispy. Chili Cucumbers This one was actually really good. Szechuan Salt and Pepper Wings Good, but maybe too crispy? Wings are always good but this one didn't stand out for me. Mango Sorbet (They changed this from the Apple Sorbet that day) My favorite of the whole night. I usually don't like sorbet but this one was soft and easy to eat and has like a creamy like texture? Trying this made me want to try their other dessert item. We also ordered 2 add ons - the Hojicha Miso Tiramisu and the Korean Mapo Tofu. Hojicha Miso Tiramisu was OK. It contained too much alcohol for all of us and was bitter. Disappointing. I liked the Mapo Tofu! I liked that it was Crispy and that it came with rice. Drinks wise, my friends also got to try the Tomato Beef and White Rabbit. I don't really drink alcohol so I just sipped a bit. Tomato Beef was too alcoholic for me, couldn't really taste the tomato or the beef, but I could see what White Rabbit was going for. Overall, I'm really impressed by the food. I usually think Bar Food isn't very good, but this blew me away. Drinks are OK.