1. Merritt House

0

Oakland, CA

Cancel

Open app

Search

Merritt House

4.9 (15 reviews)
Closed • 5:00 pm - 11:00 PM
Updated 2 months ago

Merritt House Photos

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Merritt House

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Oakland, Smokin
Suzi G.

First visit and the place was empty, which I loved because I didn't feel social. Great bartender. Delicious drinks. The interior is a bit unusual because the space is shared by the wings place and the coffee shop. I prefer Portal for beer, food, ambiance but they don't have a full bar. Baggy's has a full bar but is really packed with people and is good for run of the mill beer and basic liquor drinks. Would definitely come back to Merritt House again for specialty cocktails.

Irma L.

Great environment, especially if you are looking for something low key and the bartender made some amazing drinks! 10/10

Paul L.

Just checked out this place, and it's awesome. The staff are super friendly. The vibe is perfect--cozy and cool, but also spacious. It's a great spot to relax with friends or be on a date. The drinks are fantastic. Every cocktail I tried was spot on. Great addition to the neighborhood. Chill atmosphere.

Michelle C.

Nice classy bar by lake Merritt, decor was chic, drinks were both tasty and well presented and if you have late night munchies, you can order chicken wings and fries from Fire Wings next door. My favorite drink was the gin and tonic with plum cocktail . Great place to hang out and catch up with friends!

Drinks -
Mishelle L.

do you have chicken wings beside this restaurant so you can get chicken wings, chicken breast sandwiches or whatever food you want is close to a grocery store is close to the lake. Merritt is awesome. It's a nice way to get a ride and get away and the customer service is great. The drinks are greatservice great atmosphere. the music is wonderful. Come on over and over and have a great time over here is wonderful nice spaces everybody to sit down bars, booths, and single tables.

Drink and menu
Keira H.

My husband and I love this new spot! This side of the lake has been in need of a trendy bar like this. Love their Oakland inspired drinks and the staff are very friendly. There's a wing spot next door and you can bring the food over if you're ordering drinks. Tons of space inside and a great place to bring a group. Be sure to check this place out!

Oakland Smokin' and Sunfire cocktails

See all

9 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Love the folks who were here- Oozy and Mandolin are both so lovely- and glad another chill bar opened in my neighborhood

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Paul L.
680
24
34

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Mishelle L.
293
404
609

2 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Keira H.
266
43
17

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1
Photo of Christina B.
246
125
183

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

We really enjoyed our time here! The house drinks were unique and well prepared! Excellent addition to the neighborhood

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Ask the Community - Merritt House

Review Highlights - Merritt House

“My husband and I love this new spot!”

Mentioned in 2 reviews

Read more highlights

You might also consider

Nosso - Oxtail sliders with fries

Nosso

4.2(45 reviews)
1.2 mi•Old Oakland

Service 5/5: We came when they just opened so we got great service. They attended to us quickly and…read moreour meal came out promptly Ambiance 5/5: Again, we came early but they were playing great songs and the place was clean and well kept. Food: Thai Chili Wings 5/5: great portion, wings were coated in sweet & spicy sauce that wasn't overly sticky and they were still crispy Shrimp Skewers 4/5: cooked great, plump shrimp with a good bite, light dish Loaded Fries 5/5: amazing choice of fries, beef was tender and exploding with flavor, great portion Wagyu Sliders 3/5: good slider, nothing special, buns were dry, garlic fries were great Drinks: Forgot to take a pic of the menu but the drink I got had Nosso in the name and it was delicious! It was refreshing and not overly sweet

Nope. My friend and I stopped in here before heading out to dinner, and honestly, there was nothing…read moreredeeming about this place. The vibes were off, as the kids say, and the service was absolute trash. We were down in the lounge area, but no one came by, so we assumed we had to go to the bar to order, where it took forever to get the bartender's attention, who then barked that someone would be by and to stay in the lounge. Eventually, we ordered drinks, which were complete trash, and then we had to go find someone to actually pay. Also, the music is so loud that it's impossible to hear anyone. Lastly, since when is showing up to a club/lounge in yoga pants and workout shorts a lounge look?

Photos
Nosso
Nosso
Nosso - Pornstar Martini

See all

Pornstar Martini

Viridian

Viridian

4.5(506 reviews)
1.1 mi•Uptown
•$$

I love Asian inspired cocktail bars so after trying a couple of Viridian's offering at a popup they…read morehosted at Bar Maritime in SF, we swung by when we were next in Oakland. The bar itself is long and narrow, decorated with paper dragons. Really liked how we could just walk in at 10pm on a Saturday and get a seat without having to make a reservation, like we need to do in SF or NYC. The menu looked amazing so the two of us tried : * Tomato Beef (4 stars, $17): I was super looking forward to this since I adore savory drinks. While tasty, it was a disappointment since there was zero beef flavor, it tasted like a decent clarified tomato cocktail - which is pretty popular in cocktail circles these days. Good but I wouldn't order again unless they added some hint of beefiness (which pho cocktails often do well). * White Rabbit (4.5 stars, $17): the condensed milk gave this drink that sweet creaminess associated with White Rabbit candy, and paired nicely with the oolong tea base. * Tom Yum Takeout (4.5 stars, $19): served in a cute takeout container glass, I liked how forward the lemongrass and galangal flavors were, along with the hint of spiciness. * Li Hing Ramos (4.5 stars, $19): my favorite of the drinks we tried that night, though I wish they did a rim of li hing powder. Very respectable foam on a refreshing salted plum cocktail. From the popup we tried : * Tofu Salad (5 stars): Their most interesting cocktail and it's not even on their current menu. Very similar to the Cold Noodle drinks but with more of that tofu water flavor. * Guava Island (4.5 stars): very solid and enjoyable fruity cocktail that's an easy drink. Nothing challenging, relatively straightforward except that the addition of cocoa powder gave it a bit of interest which elevated it from 4 stars. We're pretty serious about cocktail bars, especially frequenting those in New York City and London. For the SF area, Viridian is definitely one of the best and most exciting cocktail bars in the whole area, we're bummed it's all the way in Oakland else it would be on regular rotation, we liked it a lot more than pretty much all the bars in SF excepting True Laurel.

Viridian is definitely one of those gems that calls out to my Asian diasporic heart - creative…read morefusion-y drinks are my weakness! This was actually where my friend took me the first time I visited Oakland years ago, and now that I live here, where I take friends who visit from out of town. So many cool drinks. This time, I tried the wasabi mami, and it was wonderful. Very refreshing and lightly sweet, and only a hint of wasabi. I will say that my friend got the White Rabbit and we were not the biggest fans - the bourbon didn't feel like it fit. But they were very kind to make another drink for us instead: the Li Hing Ramos, and it was delicious. The li hing foam was so yummy! The Oko Blooming Onion was fantastic. So creative and hit the spot for a tipsy night. Beyond replacing the drink, service was above and beyond what I expected for a cocktail bar. They came to check in on us and refill our water often, and explained the menu for us before ordering. Vibes are GREAT! Gorgeous neon purple-y and vibey. Nice place for hanging out with friends or a date. I'll be back, a lot!

Photos
Viridian
Viridian
Viridian

See all

Tallboy - Deli dog

Tallboy

4.4(191 reviews)
2.2 mi•Temescal, North Oakland
•$$

Came by for an outing with classmates, after having heard so much talk about this place from like,…read moreeveryone! As the fun silly drink lover I am, I had to try the green curry martini the moment I saw it on the menu. And I made the right choice! Somehow, it really reminded me a lot of green curry, but not in an off putting way. It was tart and refreshing, with a hint of spice (though those with lower spice tolerance might have a tougher time with this drink), and pretty herbaceous. Bartenders were very nice and got the drinks out quickly (came in at 6:30 on a Thursday), but it didn't look rushed. SUPER cozy vibes, perfect for either a catchup with friends, or even a date. At the time we came in, there was ample seating. One thing I regret? Not trying their famous hot dogs and espresso martini slushie. Looks like I'll have to come back soon.

"'Tinis and weenies"…read more Tho my autocorrect insists on calling it "tiny weenie". Not the size shaming. =T If I lived in The Town, Tallboy would be on my rotation (along w/ 51 & Tel): (+) Opens at 2 pm. (+) Martini "dive" bar + Vegan hot dogs. (+) Stiff cocktails. (+) Complimentary self-serve popcorn with various seasoning options. (+) Spacious with horse-shoe shaped bar + cafe tables. (+) Low-key vibe, mainly millennials on an early Saturday evening. (+) TT friendly during the earlier hours. (+) Mostly friendly staff. (-) Street parking can be a pain...your best bet is the side streets.

Photos
Tallboy - The bat and the awesome bartender!

The bat and the awesome bartender!

Tallboy - Self-serve complimentary popcorn!

Self-serve complimentary popcorn!

Tallboy - Cheese in the trap

See all

Cheese in the trap

Merritt House - cocktailbars - Updated October 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...