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    Low Bar

    4.1 (200 reviews)
    Open • 4:00 pm - 11:30 PM

    Low Bar Photos

    LOW BAR ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Low Bar

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    Menu
    Caitlyn L.

    Stumbled across this little bar while killing time in the area. I absolutely loved the my cocktail, the Satsuma Dreamsicle. I ordered two and will definitely be back for another one the next time I'm in Oakland. The fries were good and a generous portion. The service was great, friendly bartender, chill vibes. I'd definitely recommend it.

    Low bar nachos
    Amanda C.

    We decided to check out Low Bar, which is a very cozy and welcoming spot that locals frequently visit. As it was a Friday during happy hour, more folks slowly started to trickle in. As a group of 2, we sat at a table and the staff assisted us right away. They were very kind and helpful with provide recommendations and answering any questions we had about the menu. The food took about 10 minutes or so, along with the drinks that we had. The presentation of each plate was lovely and very appealing to look at! Starting with the blue corn hush puppies, these had a crispy exterior with almost a smoky-like flavor from the blue corn. As you bite into it, the interior practically melts in your mouth. Squeezing the lime on it added that nice citrus kick that really balanced it out. The low bar nachos were delicious - what really stood out to me were the refried beans and the kick from the fresh jalapeños and fresh red onion slices in each bite. It was perfect for my nacho craving. The beer battered fish tacos came in 2 which we were able to share. On a fresh tortilla, it had nice chunks of fish that were well seasoned and not oily at all - the batter was both light and airy. Combined with the fresh condiments, I kept coming back for more and I really loved it! I didn't try any of the drinks this time but did get a non-alcoholic mocktail, which was the pina con nada. Even without the alcohol, I appreciated the balance of sour and sweet flavors. For next time, I'm excited to continue exploring more of their drink menu with looked amazing. Come check out this local spot! You will not be disappointed.

    Shrimp tacos, salt and pepper wings, scallop and bacon tostada
    Christine B.

    Stopped by Low Bar before a concert at Fox Theater and it did not disappoint! Dishes came out piping hot (loved the shrimp tacos and wings) and the cocktails were tasty as well. We sat at the bar and everyone who helped us was super friendly. There was also live music on a Wednesday night too! Would definitely come back for a bite and a beverage. There's a photobooth in the back - don't miss it!

    Photo 1: Montage of images from Low Bar
    Ed U.

    There's probably some cool reason this popular place is called Low Bar, but given I'm not Generation X, Y, or Z, I'm not privy to its inner meaning. In my jaded geriatric mind, I immediately presumed they set a low bar when it came to their food. Fortunately I was wrong. Jamie W and I came here with another couple who live close by and consider this their hangout spot. We were looking to catch up. We had a round of cocktails of which I was tasteful enough just to photograph mine, the $14 Ping Island Strike, a rather bitter concoction of coconut fat washed bourbon (whatever that is), Starward two-fold whiskey (whatever that is), Campari, passionfruit, and bitters (Photo 7). It had kick, just not quite enough. The food, however, was good and pretty well executed for what were essentially bar bites. We first shared the Oysters on a Half Shell, a fresh dozen of them over ice at $3.80 each with green pepper mignonette, a spicy tartar sauce, and lemon wedges (Photo 9). Nice start. We then shared the $12 Mushroom Toast, a creatively flavorful mix of king trumpets, poblano pepper relish, garlic confit, champagne vin, and herbs on Firebrand sourdough (Photo 5). I kinda wished we ordered two. That was when the $8 bowl of Fries arrived, just plain house cut Kennebec fries with chamoy mayonnaise but they were just in time for our group consumption (Photo 6). Next came the protein double-header, first the $14 Pollo Asado Tacos, a pair of them overflowing with marinated chicken, queso fresco, and Haitian pikliz atop corn tortillas accompanied by braised greens topped with crunchy tortilla strips (Photo 4). The deliciously carnivorous finale came with the $29 Adobo BBQ Ribs, a generous half rack of pork ribs gratefully separated and covered with a savory guajillo adobo sauce, accompanied by thick slices of charred pineapple and grilled radicchio (Photo 8). The four of us felt quite sated by our order even though sometimes it took creative dissection to ensure everyone got a satisfactory bite of everything. It worked regardless of the low bar. FOOD - 4 stars...bar bites taken to the next level...my cocktail was a bit of a miss AMBIANCE - 4 stars...a good day to hang in the terrace even though passing traffic was a bit loud SERVICE - 4 stars...attentive throughout TOTAL - 4 stars...higher than a low bar, right? RELATED - Exploring Oakland? Here's my collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2ObVcpQKASF

    Paloma (right) and Pineapple Express (left)
    Anh T.

    Came in here for just some drinks on a weekday evening! There was plenty of seating available but I've heard that it's more crowded on the weekends. My friend and I ordered a couple of cocktails, including their Paloma and Pineapple Express. Our drinks took a bit longer to come out than I expected, but they were well worth the wait! Both drinks had a well defined fruity taste, with the Pineapple Express having a strong vodka base. Luckily, the alcoholic taste was not too overpowering! We had great service from our waiters, as they came by our table quite often to make sure that we were enjoying our time there. Would love to try their other drinks and some of the dishes they're well know for in the future, including their Low Bar tacos and oysters!

    Loriell L.

    I've always wanted to try this place because it's always packed on the weekends & I love oysters and beer so wtf not lol. Pricing was normal for Oakland & surrounding bars so wasn't too bad. I didn't like the fish taco, it was a bit plain but also I generally don't like fish tacos. The pink flag was delicious and definitely would go back to try more drinks during happy hour. The music was great and our server was attentive. Overall it was a fun experience & left with a good first impression

    Nicole M.

    We went to Low Bar on a whim when we couldn't find parking near our first two choices. Next time, I will go on purpose. The vibe is relaxed. The staff are efficient, and you can kick back with a drink and/or a nibble and relax. I had been planning to go there sometime to try the oysters. So, I did. If you visit, definitely do. They were fresh and delicate with a terrific mignonette made with cucumber and Fresno Chiles. It was both spicy and refreshing. My oysters were small, which I prefer, so I think they were west coast. Unlike some places, they don't tell you. I also didn't ask. My friend tried one of the holiday cocktails, the Coquito. It smelled like Christmas. I will have oysters again the next time I have a craving, and both of us plan to try the coconut milk bread pudding. It has passion fruit and kumquat, which sounds delicious. Recommended.

    Fish tacos  and a Baja Blast-Off Margarita.
    Kimberly H.

    Food...I haven't had fish tacos this good in a long while. Not skinny on the fish that is fried just right, also not overly battered. The slaw is a great blend and I added some of those house-made hot sauce and it is just the way I like it. I also appreciate the light crispy taco shell. Service...I was the first person in since they had just opened. Young lady at the bar greeted me & was very pleasant. Ambiance...always chill and laid back, variety of genre tunes playing .

    Fish tacos (they're hiding)
    Shanise T.

    Tried this place for the first time yesterday and I think I will be back. They have a regular happy hour from 4-6pm and a late night happy hour from 9pm-close. I did not end up ordering on their happy hour, but next time I will check it out. I did scream at the 6/$22 oysters but they must be damn good! I chose to have a pickle back and the fish tacos. Can't go wrong with a pickle back, even if they're $15 each and the tacos were ok but I don't think I would get them again. I have a baby mouth and the jalapeño crema was too spicy for me and I think that's where the flavor was, because they switched it out for regular crema and it fell a little flat. Overall nice experience and cute space. I will come back for the cocktails and the service. Don't be put off but their sometimes off putting demeanor, all the staff is pretty nice and helpful when it comes to recommendations. Shoutout to James for being a cool dude.

    Nicole M.

    Absolutely love this place. It's beautifully decorated with very artsy vibes. The food is delicious and drinks are amazing. Brunch has an amazing cross between traditional Mexican food and Filipino food. The best part of this place is at the service from the staff is extremely great. Everyone is friendly and has lots of great energy. Highly recommend this place for brunch.

    food menu
    Irena S.

    Came here last night for dinner and drinks with gal pals, party of 3. We actually stumbled upon this because the Athletic was charging a cover for the night bc of the Dubs game. Our drinks: hotel tropicana (gin based), satsuma creamsicle (vodka based), pink flag (mezcal), 2 cali craft tropica wheats, 2 barebottle muir woods IPA. Beers were $9 each and the cocktails were $16. Our food order: 12 oysters on half shell ($40), crispy tofu ($14), fish tacos ($17, comes with 2 tacos), and low bar nachos ($14). Pros: - Surprisingly, sharing those small plates between 3 people I felt pretty satiated and not super hungry afterwards. - The satsuma creamsicle is VERY tasty (pretty unique and doesn't even really taste like vodka - I'm not usually a fan of vodka based cocktails but this one blew me away). - the beers were great too, and the limited small menu makes it really easy to order - didn't feel any decision fatigue and felt like we got to try a decent amount of the menu - We stayed for 3 hours to watch the Warriors game, and they were really nice and let us dilly-dally and didn't kick us out! - Really great service from Helen!! She checked on us an appropriate amount and kept our waters filled, the table clear - I REALLY enjoyed the variety of oysters, super fresh and tasty. Would love to come back for that - Really easy location to find on the corner - Not crowded on a weeknight - The fish tacos were also very tasty, each taco comes with 2 pretty large pieces of fish. - All the cocktails were really unique - I wasn't disappointed by any of them Cons: - portions aren't huge, but I think everything was adequately priced, so just curb your expectations. Everything was delicious, I think the only thing that was mid to me was the tofu was a little bland. But everything else was super flavorful and delicious! - Minor complaint - because the TV is in the top right hand corner of the place, if you're trying to watch a game and you sit in one of the tables on the right side, the view of the TV is partially obstructed (which is not a huge con, this isn't a divey sports bar lol) Vibes: - Really cute date night spot! or also a great gal pal hang out spot. Probably not great for huge gatherings with a bunch of coworkers since it's a more intimate space. The bar space is beautiful though! Loved hanging here

    Cool glassware for their cocktails.

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    3 days ago

    Cool spot..service is nice but the music is loud on sat at 1230 pm. I coulndt hear the staff trying to order ! Jeez

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    2 months ago

    Absolutely obsessed with this bar, especially for brunch! The hamachi crudo has been a favorite for years as well as the huevos rancheros!!

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    10 months ago

    Great drinks, service and ambiance. Lydia is amazing!!! Highly recommend stopping in to check out Low Bar.

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    Page 1 of 5

    Low Bar Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Low Bar

    What is their outdoor seating like? Is it just cafe seats or is it a covered area with tables like a Parklet?

    It's sidewalk seating with cafe tables and chairs, not a covered area the way a parklet would be.

    Does this place have happy hour?

    Yes!

    What time does brunch start on Sunday's?

    I think it's 11-3 both Sat & Sun

    Do you take reservations?

    Yes!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Bar Shiru - Actual Proof - superb!

    Bar Shiru

    4.3(313 reviews)
    0.5 mi•Uptown
    •$$

    Have to update because I've been back since 2019 and this spot still is so classy! They also offer…read moremusic nights which is like a listening party for a specific record. You can find their schedule on their site. Very grown and sexy vibes. Cocktails are pricey but worth it. It's a great place to start date night or meet up for a first date. Staff is always prompt and friendly. Love that there are other places in walking distance too, if you're looking to bar hop or get something to eat. One of the nicer bars in the area, for sure!

    My sister and I were really excited to come here, but unfortunately, the experience was incredibly…read moredisappointing. We waited 15 minutes outside in the cold, where Taylor, the same hostess who later seated us, added us to the waitlist and then asked us to leave because there was "no standing room." After 30 more minutes, we finally received the text to come in. When we returned, Taylor didn't acknowledge us and told us to go to the back of the line. After showing her our text, she seated us. We noticed two open seats at the bar and asked if we could sit there. She said the bar was first come, first serve..yet moments later, she seated two walk-ins who had been behind us in line at those exact seats. The inconsistency and lack of hospitality made us feel completely disrespected. We were excited to finally get in, but ultimately decided to leave. Such a bummer!!

    Photos
    Bar Shiru - Negroni and mocktail

    Negroni and mocktail

    Bar Shiru - Mocktail

    Mocktail

    Bar Shiru - Velvet mood

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    Tallboy - Deli dog

    Tallboy

    4.4(188 reviews)
    1.3 mi•Temescal, North Oakland
    •$$

    So been living in Oakland for going on 15 years now. I'm not what you would call a "bar" person. I…read moretend to enjoy my cocktails, wine, and beer in the cozy confines of my own home. That said I'm occasionally inspired to go check out the local watering holes for a good pour, some food if possible, and just to be in the presence of the human pulsation. Walking into Tallboy on a Thursday afternoon was a bit like Nirvana for me. There is a comforting vibe of neighborhood and after work people shedding responsibility and "toe the lineness" and transitioning to pondering true meaning and the other side of the elliptical bend over nicely crafted cocktails and HOTDOGS! I am a hotdog fiend, and Tallboy has a very creative range on the menu that does not disappoint. From a basic onions/mustard, an Elote Dog, an a Coney Islandesque (it has chili) version. Some folk go to bar and line up shots (or craft cocktails). At Tallboy you can do that AND line up their hotdogs which I intend on doing in the very near future. The pleasantries don't stop at the food (there are other delicious snack items on their menu to choose from too). Tallboy has a fully stocked bar, and the menu has a list of really unique and delicious signature craft cocktails. I'm not a Mezcal drinker, but I ended up dubiously ordering their Guava Martini which to my smokey surprise is made with Mezcal. I stayed with the smokey fruitiness of this Guava Martini as it was my mistake that I did not read in the description it is made with Mezcal, and ended up chasing it with their Tamarindo Cocktail which also has Mezcal. To those who really enjoy Mezcal the Tallboy Guava Martini and the Tamarindo Cocktail do not disappoint. Both have that deep Smokey Mezcal essence, but cut with the fruit sweetness. I personally think the Tamarindo balances well with the Mezcal. The Guava Martini the Mezcal comes through stronger, but both are just the tonic to release any existential pinging going on in your head. If you really want to kick in the hyperdrive pair either of these with an Elote Dog. I had their Deli Dog which sufficed. I think the Deli Dog would pair better with their standard Martini, but hey let's us not bring that snobbiness into Tallboy. Tallboy has an element of cloak and dagger or secret treehouse club about it. What I mean here is there is no signage on the outside (please keep it that way!). When you walk past all you see is this quaint beigeish/yellow brick façade of an establishment which begs you to press your face to the glass and scan what in the blazes is going on in here! Before you know it you are caught in the Tallboy tractor beam, and you find yourself sitting at the bar with some kind of craft drank and hotdog pondering the space and the very nice old fashioned wainscoting painted a shade of green circa 1930 (my description of winning in life). The cadre of bartenders are all really pleasant folk, very attentive (checking in with you to see if you need another round, hotdog, or snack), have tight shaker skills, and they know their craft and the menu. Tallboy also has SLUSHIES, and I did not do a deep dive on them, but I'm positive they may/do put spirits in them; or not. Also I noticed other patrons with a beautiful enticing thing that looked like an ice cream sundae milkshake hybrid (it had what looked like whipped cream on top) in on old timey soda fountain ice cream goblet. This could be a craft cocktail they make with the slushie, but major props for serving it in that goblet. I will investigate on my next visit which I intend to be very soon. Tallboy is the kind of bar establishment I could easily adopt as my after work living room for a couple of hours everyday.

    Had an amazing experience at Tallboy!…read more Sat at the bar on a sunny weekend and immediately loved the vibes. Bartenders were friendly and seemed to know a lot of the regulars. Can't quite describe it but it didn't feel like an SF bar, felt more open and like a community watering whole. On to the food and drinks. I'm vegetarian so was so excited to try the dogs - which are vegan. And I may be biased but you cannot tell that you're missing out on anything with all the flavor packed combos. The bun was fluffy and soft and you have multiple fun themed options to choose from. My partner and I ended up getting the deli dog and truffle meltdown. Deli was perfect - classic mix of spice and crunch with the spicy brown mustard and giardiniera peppers. And the truffle meltdown was so savory and decadent - totally different flavor profiles from each dog! We were only going to grab one drink but the menu was so inventive we ended up getting two. I ordered the banana hammock (which comes with a fire show) and espresso martini slushee which was is up there with the frozen Irish coffees I've had in New Orleans. Man writing this has my mouth watering... definitely coming back for more dogs, drinks, and vibes!

    Photos
    Tallboy - The bat and the awesome bartender!

    The bat and the awesome bartender!

    Tallboy - Free AYCE popcorn with your dranks!

    Free AYCE popcorn with your dranks!

    Tallboy - Cheese in the trap

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    Cheese in the trap

    51 & Tel - Golden Girl: Vodka w/ lemongrass, hay liqueur, aloe, lemon, orange ($16) + Fuego: Tequila w/ mezcal, watermelon, italicus, habanero ($15)

    51 & Tel

    4.3(41 reviews)
    1.7 mi•Temescal, North Oakland, Rockridge

    Honestly, this is one of the better bars in Oakland. They have decently priced drinks, good djs, a…read morelot of space to dance and mingle, and an entire back patio with a photobooth. I think the back patio might be more spacious than inside. It's a great usage of space with plenty of space heaters and plenty of seats and tables. The security and staff are pretty typical for what you come across bars, but, overall, I had a great time and experience! There's also a ton of seating room inside and doesn't feel too crowded or compact. Definitely will be coming back!

    I visited a few weeks ago for the first time, and unfortunately, my experience started off on a…read morenegative note. After arriving, one security guard checked my ID and directed me inside. As I was walking in, I briefly stopped after recognizing someone I knew. At that point, another security guard began yelling at me and then grabbed me forcefully to move me along. I understand that security staff have a job to do and need to keep entrances and walkways clear. However, the way the situation was handled felt completely unnecessary. I was not causing a disturbance, and there was no reason for physical contact. Being grabbed so aggressively was uncomfortable and unprofessional. I hope management addresses this issue and speaks with the security staff about appropriate ways to interact with guests. First impressions matter, and this interaction immediately impacted my experience.

    Photos
    51 & Tel - People love to come and have a great cocktail  after or  before dinner.

    People love to come and have a great cocktail after or before dinner.

    51 & Tel
    51 & Tel - Frozen Halloween cocktail!

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    Frozen Halloween cocktail!

    Low Bar - cocktailbars - Updated September 2026

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