Love this place it's Soo Old Oakland. Like a Newer version of Sweet Jimmy's club. Cheap good strong drinks! Older crowd with oldies showing off their best. Shantell is the best and ONLY bartender and she is always "P&P" Pretty & Prompt!! Always tip your bartender and she will keep u having a great night! So much activity outside with the store next door it's a great lil small club. It's always super active and packed. Great eclectic music and tiny dance floor to keep things exciting. Always bumping into someone. It's hot and small Inside but such a good time. Barely any parking on street but u will find something near without parking issues as long as you don't park in Walgreens P-Lot across the street, they don't play and will Tow! read more

Lakeside Lounge - Enjoying these shots late night - Dive Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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Old heads welcomed us with open arms. Bartender was attentive. We went in karaoke night and it was a great surprise. The DJ even sang a number or two. They were grilling out front but we didn't stay long enough to try the food. Maybe next time. read more

The DJ IS SO WEAK. I left because the music was so outdated. I was really over trying to stay.

Ayeeee!! Why am I just finding out about Lakeside Lounge? Well, I'm glad I did because this place is popping and it's a 30+ club which makes it even better. The environment and vibe is completely positive and all the patrons are super friendly. The drinks are cheap and strong which is a huge plus. I had a great time dancing all night and this is one of the best clubs I've been to and I will for sure be back. If you haven't been to the Lakeside Lounge please go if you are in the Oakland area. read more

Lakeside Lounge - a drink in a plastic cup with a straw - Dive Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

The music use to be good on Fridays I think the DJ play bullshit to keep the youngsters out now and it's working, me and my girls not young but soon as he start we leave it's horrible. We be yarning. Half the time he don't even be back there, just playing a WEAK AS PLAY LIST read more

No food Service provided Lakeside lounge is old school! Open Wednesday-Sunday 5pm-11. Club offers karaoke, dominos, and blues. A must visit if you come to Oakland. read more

I'm giving this place one star for a few reasons. The music sucks, the dj play some of the worse music. Leaves the dj booth and lose the crowd everytime. It's like he'll play a good song, every 5 songs. Horrible. The drinks are way overpriced for this hole in the wall. Like $14 for a crown royal when your floor almost broke the heel on my shoe. Let's not forget the mean lady at the front door collecting the $5 cover charge. I wouldn't recomment this place to anyone at any age. They old and played out. read more

This spot is a 40+ music and dance bar. I can't call it a lounge because there were no lounge areas. This is a black owned establishment and a place where Grown Folks go for an easy going Chill Session. I had family visiting from out of State and looked for somewhere to go after a concert @ Yoshi's. I'm glad I found this. It's a vibe. I can't comment on the surroundings outside because the Lyft driver dropped us off @ the door and we went right in. I recommend this place for grown folks. For younger crowd...this really isn't your vibe. read more

Been here a couple times this service is really good. It's a great place to listen to music and go dancing. Have a pool table is quite enjoyable. read more

The older lady at the door was very rude! She only cared about collecting that "$5." At the door, I told her I don't carry cash she said "so what that's not my problem" I would never pay to go into there to party with people who are my Great Grandparents age! I guess she needs the money to get her hair fixed! Trash will not be returning there.. It's an honor to have someone like me in an establishment like that anyway... read more

This little hole in the wall is the only place that I go to in Oakland, where I feel safe. The only thing I don't like is the small tiny women's bathroom! This is definitely the spot for an older crowd. Don't have to worry about the youngsters getting hifey and acting a dam fool!! read more

Thank an amazing night club!!! Love with all my heart! The people, the live music, the proprietors just love 'em read more

So much fun and enjoyed the music! I loved meeting all the grown folks and the drinks were great!

My 1st visit but not my last. I like the feel of a neighborhood bar. The live entertainment is everything.

YES I'm being generous with the 5th star. Because just the week prior, I traveled to 5 different bars looking for a chocolate cake shooter. None of them had frangelico!! All these "fancy" bars in Uptown, Downtown....heck one lady told me she didn't have kahlua, which led me to further believe she didn't know what I was talking about. Whatever. Fast forward...came to this neighborhood dive bar. My friend tried to throw the bartender threw a loop and asked if she can make a chocolate cake shooter, thinking she too would say she doesn't have frangelico, she said YES!! I had 2. Now that was a surprising nite cap coming from the local dive bar! read more

Went on Thursday for the Chicago Stepper lesson and dance, taught by Tim Perkins. http://www.gentlemensteppers.com Free 6:30pm beginning lesson, DJ/dance $5 after the lesson. Class started late, waiting for more people to show up. We were three single ladies in the class, Tim showed us two basic steps, he said if we practice this week, we should be able to hit the dance floor the following week. Both are 8 count patterns and has a shuffle at the end. The followers steps are different then the leaders, so you have to know your patterns. This is a man's dance, so the women keep the time by doing the basic counts with some stylized variations. The venue is a long bar when you enter, the small tiled dance floor and DJ booth then a raised platform for pool. At 6:30pm half full, by 7:30pm the place is packed with the over 40 crowd. People in various dress, from women in jeans to dresses and heels. Drinks were reasonable, $2 for a non alchy, $4 for a 7 and 7. People are very friendly and nice, I and my girlfriend felt welcomed and were the 'minority' there and even though we didn't have the basic steps down yet, men were asking us to dance that night. So lots of fun and love the slow jazzy, R & B music you dance to. You can West Coast Swing dance to this music too. Women's bathroom is small and a cute old time perfume dispenser was in the stall. Parking is street, one regular patron said she parks in the check cashing place next door without getting towed. Neighborhood is a little dicey, I suggest women coming in pairs or groups. Heard on Sunday nights in Oakland at Arsimona Bar and Gril there is another dance and lesson http://www.yelp.com/biz/arsimona-oakland-2 and the first weekend in May is a Chicago Steppers dance convention in Oakland, around 400 from across the US are in attendance. Contact Tim Perkins for more info. read more

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Oakland's Sweet Spot! The Sanctuary of Live Music against the odds of what has become a City Once Known for its Engraved Reputation for Live Jazz, Blues, Swing, and R&B! Lakeside is the Treasure of What Was and STILL IS! The Owners hold true to the Characteristics of What a Grown Up "Night On The Town" Feels Like! Good People, Good Music, and A Dance Floor That Never Let's Up! Especially Fridays When the DJ IS SMOKIN' HOT! A Signature Spot where Some of the Best World Renowned Blues and R&B Live Bands Performance every Sunday! You'll NEVER FIND HIP-HOP ON THIS JUKEBOX. . . Now Figure That Out! read more

If you don't appreciate dives, stop. If you DO, go to Lakeside ASAP...preferably on a night with live music. Band was great, prices low, and everyone was welcoming. (I'm guessing that the bad experiences of some reviewers were self-generated.) read more

I came for karaoke and ended up being part of a big party of people. Everyone is very welcoming. The list is pretty long because everyone here are definitely singers so I suggest coming early. The sound system is great and my date seemed to have a good time. The drinks are pretty well priced. I've gotta come here again and get some songs in. read more

Nice spot with decently priced drinks. Great DJ with selection of music. Plenty of seating area. Apparently they charge a cover ($5) after 9p. Tends to be a more mature crowd. No food but you can bring in food. read more

it is nice, friendly and fun. its for the older crowd. good music and friendly. civer charge $5.00

This is an OG spot straight-up. It is an older 30's-50's mostly black crowd, with a sprinkling of a few white folks. It is a cool spot for cool people who come to drink, hang out and dance. They have real solid security, i.e., big dudes with guns. The majority of the people there are regulars, only there to have a good time. There is the photographer, the flower seller and a DJ on Saturdays (which is when I have been going.) The bartenders and the waitress are real cool. The music is old-school R&B and rap, good stuff for an older crowd to dance to. Periodically, the ladies take the floor to do step dancing which is fun to watch and occasionally to try to join. Come with the right attitude, bring no drama and just get on the dance floor and ...DANCE!!! I really appreciate being able to just dance on my own and with the ladies, having a good time and being myself. I have been given a lot of love at this spot as I have been dancing. It is just a fun place! As far as getting down low to the floor and/or doing stripper dances, ain't nobody in this club feelin' those dances...even if it is your birthday! So, if you are cool and love to dance to R&B and old school rap, ain't nobody trippin' off your race, so just get down on it! read more

If what they say is true; that FIRST IMPRESSIONS is the BEST IMPRESSION - this place is one of the WORST. If you want to be treated with some dignity, this is NOT the place!! I respect my money better than to spend it where you get poor treatment at the door. The staff needs to learn how to treat their patrons read more

Two things: It's an over 30 bar*. It's a black bar**. *There's a big sign on the doorway that says 30+, you will be ID'd! **Thankfully there is no sign that says you must be black. Drinks were reasonably priced and strong and they had no problem running a tab on my credit card, even when they were super busy. We went to go check out the first presidential debate that was being shown on all screens plus a gigantic projector. And if 30+ 40+ 50+ black ladies yelling expletives at McCain isn't a recipe for fun, I don't know what is! read more

Great combination of old school and new school music. Definitely a spot for the OG's bartenders are cool and prompt especially for it to be packed. I would recommend it if you had some older relatives in town visiting and they wanted a good time out read more

I never thought I would find such a safe, clean, old-timers place like this and so close to Lake Merritt. As a New York transplant to Oakland, I was wondering if a good place to have fun and dance all night long existed in Oakland without expensive rates and high profilers. This is it!!! It's almost an addiction and at 30 years of age, I'm usually ten years younger than the youngest person there. You want the electric slide? To boogie during the week and on Sunday? This is Oakland's best kept secret! read more

Me and my husband were trying to find a place to chill and have a drink. We stopped here and never turned back. We come every Friday. We love the music, drinks and the atmosphere. Everyone is super friendly and we have an good time dancing to grown folks music. Keep up the good job read more

Lakeside's theme song, "The smaller the club the bigger the party", about sums it up. Thursday nights The Gentlemen Steppers offer an intro lesson to Chicago Style Steppin 6:30 - 7pm, followed by DJ'd dancing until 11pm. ($5 cover 7 - 11pm) Yes, the dance area is small, and ceramic tile doesn't make for a great dance floor, but the crowd and the music are great; and Julian, one of the owners, always has a big hug for me. So I bring my hard-soled shoes and ear plugs, and have a great time dancing with my buds. If you just want to get out and "shake that thang", the DJs spin great dance music on Friday and Saturday nights, and there's live music on Sunday nights. And don't miss the Liquid Motion Divas 3 - 6pm every 2nd Sunday. Or go on a Monday night outside of football season and get your funk on with excellent selections from the jukebox. If you're not into alcohol, stick with the bottled water; the fruit juices are more sugar than fruit - nasty sweet. Do NOT park in the Walgreen's lot across the street - they are rabid about towing folks. read more

"the number you dialed is not a working number" website shouldn't work either. guess this explains why the doors at Lakeside Lounge been closed the last few times i've went. the few times i've been here, the crowds were mixed, older, and diverse. traditional pours, no fancy drafts. read more

My only wish is that they feature more live, and varied music. Although small, I think they can and do accommodate live bands as evidenced when I occasionally go to hear the likes of ALVON on Sunday afternoons. For the most part the atmosphere is congenial. More live music venues are needed as opposed to DJ'ed events and/or Karaoke. read more

Nice place... Cool jazz club feel. Not very busy during happy hour; mostly regulars. The bartender was very friendly, which was not the case for some of the regulars who were none too happy that we were there. I'd be interested to see how this place is in the evening... read more

I have officially fallen in love with Sunday nights at The Lakeside Lounge in Oakland. I randomly walked by this spot a couple months back and was drawn in by a live band playing soulful R&B and funk. Lucky me, I wouldn't have been able to find it any other way. According to Yelp the venue is closed tonight. They play the best mix of covers and originals, but the song about loving a woman with no teeth was by far my favorite. The crowd is 98 percent black folks almost twice my age. To say they come dressed to the nines would be an understatement. Yet I couldn't imagine being more at home. However, next time I think I'll wear a more fancy outfit. The music kept my feet moving all night. More than a couple times I realized I had my eyes closed without thinking because I was feeling the music so much. I am so stoked I thought to return again tonight and I know where I'll be next Sunday and probably the one after that. I cannot believe the quality here for no cover charge when top 40 clubs think they deserve 20 at the door. I am so grateful I found this place read more

My Sunday night happy place. Strong, cheap drinks and music to move you. I love coming here... I get my drink from an awesome bartender and I groove to amazing live music while absolutely no one pays me any mind. I love hitting this place up after my Sunday shifts bc things are poppin when I arrive around 8:45 but finishes early enough that I don't feel bad for drinking before the start of the work week (done by midnight). I tell everyone about this place, but I rarely invite others to join me bc, honestly, I never want this place to change from exactly what it is and I wanna keep it to myself. read more

so i found this place by accident. was lost and wandering around like a tourist on the 4th. stopped for a smoke and directions, and to swear like a sailor at my damn phone's gps navigation. (smart fone my ass.) then this really hot guy walked out and started talking to me. then he offered me a smoke. then he offered to by me a drink. it was really strong, and best part. NO ROOFIES IN IT. it was straight out of a movie. (no not silence of the lambs) the music is sick, the ambiance is super chill, they let us order pizza and have it delivered to the bar. the tender was cool, even though she was having a super bad night. read more

Lakeside is what you call a Grown Folks spots where you will have a good time the place is always packed with men and women of all ages 30 plus mostly having a good time service is good drinks are good price is good music is old but good so everything Good read more

Neighborhood Dive by Lake Merritt, older crowd. Good music, strong drinks. They could work on keeping the bear colder.

Now this is a bar/dance house where you can have a good time and dance the night away. I recently went there on a Friday night after I hit up the local upscale bars on Broadway in Oakland...and nothing better than topping off your night with good music, great down-to-earth folks and dancing. I like this place because it's a grown-folks club where you feel safe and right at home. I recommend this place if you like to dance or watch Monday night Football to step dancing on Thursday nights! Have fun at this joint...go for it! read more

The music in this spot is cool if you want to come chill out and get your groove on. I have only been here on Fridays. Normally this place jumps on Friday , but today is mediocre. Overall, this is a Martin Pain has been type of spot but the atmosphere is great for a hole in the wall. read more

A bit frightening but hey, if I can handle the Serenader, I can handle the Lakeside Lounge!

This is a nice place to enjoy yourself, drink, have a good time and laugh at the Super OG's dressed up in their Sundays best. The bartenders are really cool and make great drinks. I guess I must've caught the light skinned bar tender with the burgundy hair on a bad night, because she was SUPER RUDE and DISRESPECTFUL. If I do go back, I will NEVER allow her to make my drinks or tip her. For me customer service goes a long way and I don't even think "she" knows the meaning of the word. Other than that, a pretty nice place. read more