Trendy little spot in Downtown Pleasanton that plays classic hip hop and danceable music, but there is literally NO ONE dancing, though it feels like they should be. I feel like there is truly so much potential for this spot, but maybe they weren't set up that way. There was a taco guy outside of the venue the Friday night we stopped in. The cocktail menu is extensive and the drinks are delicious and unique, but this is literally just a place to stop in and grab a drink, then go. Walking back to our cars, we walked by a spot that was playing hip hop loud on speakers and the vibe was lively. We remarked at how we should've gone in there, then looked up and saw it was an insurance agency. Definitely the type of vibe Middle 8 should look into! read more

Middle 8 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pleasanton, California

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Bar/Lounge with live music - check Celebrating a friends birthday party - check Suave crowd down for a good time - check Cool bartenders whipping up cocktails - check I only wish they gave us 5 extra mins to order another drink after announcing last call :) We will be back for another round of fun and hit up the pool table next time ! read more

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Two weeks ago, I attended a good friend's birthday celebration at Middle Eight. Overall, the experience was great--the venue was beautiful and the energy was amazing. However, I encountered something that felt quite inequitable. The event had an open bar, but just minutes after arriving, I was told it had ended and was charged for my drink. Strangely, when I went to the other end of the bar just a few minutes later, I got another drink and wasn't charged. This wasn't just my experience--several of my friends and even relatives had similar encounters. I checked in with the host, who confirmed that the open bar was still active at the time and didn't close until much later in the evening. It's hard not to suspect that some bartenders may have been pocketing cash or tips from these questionable charges. I disputed the charges with my card provider and was fortunately reimbursed. It's disappointing when a great night is marred by something that feels dishonest, especially at a venue that otherwise delivered a lovely atmosphere. read more

This place is so fun and trendy The cocktails here were extremely good The bartenders are super friendly We didn't get the opportunity to try food. I'm actually not sure if they even sell food, but totally worth it for the cocktails and ambience read more

Middle 8 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pleasanton, California

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Didn't let me and my friends in because of one missing ID (although he acknowledged we all were the same age-jokingly). I get the process so we know better. He jokingly (ben) said, "oh you guys can buy a bunch of birthday shots while your friend waits outside". That's quite disrespectful and unkind. (kindness is free!) HOWEVER, I asked for the eenie espresso martini for $9, and they charged me $18 and the drink is called "Ariana Grande" which isn't even on the menu..... Confused. We were respectful and I gladly ordered a drink to thank them--- but I got ripped off on Thursday night. Welp, don't go here I guess. Would love to go to a bar that has more positive and groovy energy given the aesthetic they offer. 0/5 0/10 :/ read more

Middle 8 - Scam. drink doesn't exist, who names an espresso martini this, "Ariana Grande" . Love the artist, not the price - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pleasanton, California

We swung by Friday evening because the inside of the bar caught my eye as we were walking around downtown Pleasanton. The inside is currently decorated to match the Halloween season. Very cool! We ordered 2 drinks and appreciated the decor inside the bar. I think it originally is a 70s-80s themed bar since it had a lot of retro sound systems and disco balls. Even the bathroom has decor from that era. It has 1 pool table in the back that's free play but expect it to be busy! All in all, I quite like the bar. Although the drinks can be pretty expensive - $8 mocktail and $18 for a mixed drink, I think it's a great spot to either end or start your night. Not bad of a place! read more

Middle 8 - Cranberry, lime, and soda water mocktail. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pleasanton, California

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Came here after leaving bunch it was the perfect after party location. This bar was well thought out the decor is amazing and it's a vibe .. the music set the vibe they have a playlist so u can't make request. it's lots of photos options here . they have a large drink menu. They always offer cheese and crackers with a ton of hot sauces. . The service was good . When the new bar tender came in she was annoyed and has a smart comment something about they have a dishwasher when my friends complained about the champagne glasses were dirty. . She got new glasses and we moved on. Other than than that we had a good time and enjoyed our time and plan on coming out it was nice to be there at opening and having the bar to ourselves read more

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Our server Crystal was bubbly and friendly and made me a speciality cocktail that was delicious. I don't recall the name of the drink. The bar area was packed for a Saturday night. There's seating along the wall with couches and tables. There's a pool table towards the back of the cocktail lounge and around the corner where the bathrooms are located, there's a room for parties. This lively, hip cocktail bar is a nice addition to downtown Pleasanton, especially for a ladies night, or a date night. When you walk in to the left is a piano, and against the shelf on the wall is an assortment of old school records. There is a small but ample space for dancing in front of the bar area, but sadly no dancing was going on. I will be back maybe next a DJ will playing music to groove to on the dance floor. On more thing there was no menu and I didn't see any food being served just drinks. read more

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Service and Bartender interaction! Fun Time! We have been to numerous locations but never Really saw this location. Four of us were sure glad to Venture in after Scottish Games. On our list now! read more

We rolled in around 5pm on a Friday and ngl I thought that the place was going to be a ghost town and we'd be one and done. Except Savvy (I think?) made us some amazing drinks and got us to try some really cool stuf. More people came in and we ended up staying and playing some free pool and ended up not leaving until 10. They also had a taco guy out front when we left so we left more than satisfied. Everyone on staff was super cool and fun to hang with. We'll be back pretty soon. read more

Good luck on your future endeavors. So sad to see you closing down :( you were the best bar in the area. Great drinks and customer service.

Always a vibe- used to come here when it just opened so me and my friend could play pool (billiards?)(8 ball?). I miss when they served cheese and crackers with the dill-licious pickle sauce. Came here the day after my 21st and the bartender gave me a blowjob shot on the house... good times... #neverforget read more

Middle 8 - pickle sauce - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pleasanton, California

Such a cute bar with retro aesthetics. I absolutely love the decor. The drinks were amazing and well crafted. A perfect place to come with friends or bring a date! read more

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It's a great new bar in the area and I want to fully support this and other similar businesses because who wants to travel to SF for drinks!! But, the service here was very slow for us on a friday evening. The bartenders were not at their happy best self, you would have to Yell to have them pay attention to you asking a drink since a long time: Drinks are okay but the vibes is amazing.On Friday's they also have Your Taco Guy catering right outside this bar read more

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A haiku Doors locked, lights turned off Empty shelves gather the dust Dreams fade in the wind Seriously tho, glad I read that this place is closing, service is horrible and the bartender likes to cough in her hand but according to the owner "coughing doesn't mean your sick" still gross and I'm sure no one wants to be served when their drink gets coughed into. Owner seems to love haikus so hope you enjoy! Maybe some investor can save your condescending attitude and humble you to stay in business! read more

Benjamin and the strawberry infused tequila are just two of the reasons to visit this hotspot. He is super attentive and ready to make you a fantastic drink. Every time I'm here it feels super welcoming and I love the 70's vibe. Two very enthusiastic thumbs up read more

My fiancé and I love Middle Eight! Came here for NYE 2 years ago and it was packed and incredible. The classy vibe & the piano are everything I've been missing in Pleasanton, and honestly the bay area. The drinks are way better than anywhere else. Crafted with care and fresh ingredients. I've ordered over 7 different drinks here and they're amazing. Def my favorite bar. The owner here is very friendly and hospitable, as well as super friendly bartenders Luis and Sevy (?) thank you!!! read more

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Middle 8 is always a staple- never misses on the drinks, vibes, or conversation. A must stop! Benjamin makes the best bevs & is so amiable! read more

Middle 8 - Cute cumber and old fashioned - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pleasanton, California

I love this bar!!! Tuesday is karaoke night and it's always a great time! Crystal is always so fun and attentive and it's like a family reunion when you walk in here! I have a habit of leaving my phone and drink unattended sometimes and have never had an issue, ever! Great drinks, great staff and lots of fun! Highly recommended! read more

Middle 8 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pleasanton, California

When class of 85-87 chooses your place for their reunion you can at least play the genre of music in the front after when some of us kindly request. Your "we don't do requests" etc... BS IS RUDE and inconsiderate, especially when we are paying $20 per cocktail! Never coming back! Just a simple request for a Freaking HS REUNION on a LIMITED TIME schedule. read more

Middle 8 is an awesome bar! Hip, retro, trendy. Rick Dobbs and his team do an amazing job making sure their customers have a great time! I highly recommend both checking it out and throwing a private party there! read more

Looking for a cool place to hang out while attending a conference in the Bay Area, I found Middle 8. The ambiance is spot-on according to the website's description - vintage decor, large center bar and a baby grand piano in the corner. I came for the advertised karaoke, but boy was I pleasantly surprised! First off, the KJ/Host, James Day, not only queues up the songs for you, but he plays piano and accompanies your vocals as you perform. The sound system is powerful, yet not overly loud so your performance can be appreciated by all without leaving with the all-too-familiar ringing in your ears. The seating ranges from bar stools to very comfortable booths. Cozy enough for 1, 2 or your whole squad. I will chalk this up to a fantastic find in my book! Thanks! read more

Benjamin was friendly & attentive! First time at this bar and I will definitely be back. Great drinks and amazing music playlist. read more

Middle 8 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pleasanton, California

Rick is the best! We setup a killer party in their private room for after our wedding and he handled it all except for our amazing bartender Suvren!!! Middle 8 handled the food and the msuic sounded sooooo gooooood! Everything was totally perfect for the night and no one wanted to leave! All of my guests were still talking about it the week after. What a great choice for the party. These drinks are STRONG to! Thanks Middle 8 for taking great care of us! read more

We actually wanted to go find a spot to dance and we went here. It was surprising to find thatthey don't do that here but I'm so glad they don't! We had a great time sitting in one of the livingrooms and talking with each other. The drinks are so great. Try the Disco Lemonade! We alsogot to meet Rick, the owner, and he was nice and helpful! He even helped us find a place to godancing after. I really love the look of this place, it's like a million dollar San Francisco bar. read more

So this place is a nice addition to Pleasanton. It has an old school speakeasy vibe. They have a nice collection of spirits and many I haven't heard of. Bartender Ryan was so nice! I told him I love gin and he started showing me all kinds of gin! Well stocked with different flavor profiles. I had two cocktails, one with gin and one with mezcal. Both we excellent. Ryan can make some drinks ok. I wish I could remember the names of each. Sorry. Just tell him what you like and let him do his magic. The bar does holiday theme decor throughout the year which is fun. There is good music. There is a pool table too. Nice chill vibe. Enjoy. read more

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Karaoke Tuesdays was a nice surprise! My friend was in town & we had dinner across the street. I heard singing, so we had to go join in! The crowd was fun, interactive and tipsy in a fun way. Of course ya get a couple people too intoxicated- it is a bar. Lots of seating & couches are a nice touch! Drinks are pretty good & reasonably priced. Bartenders were just OK- not rude but not super friendly either. I took 1 star off for this reason. The karaoke VJ was nice & tried to please the crowd. I'll go back! read more

This is Pleasanton and it's the only dance club/bar where I feel comfortable knowing everyone is my age. It's a small nice hangout spot if you don't mind the basic necessities such as pool, drinks, live music and karaoke. Oh and a taco guy making tacos right by the entrance. He makes tasty tacos considering I'm picky with my tacos since I'm from San Jose ;-) Drinks do take a while for them to make and the music selection is quite limited. If you want real nightlife, go to downtown San Jose or San Francisco. read more

Came on a Saturday night and had such a great time! It was pretty lively compared to other spots in the area. The bartenders were super friendly and made bomb drinks! The music was my favorite thing! I will be back as soon as possible even though I live in the Bay Area read more

Middle 8 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pleasanton, California

Supercool spot. Great drink menu, ambiance and staff. Benjamin makes the perfectly balanced margaritas. Definitely going back

Came here yesterday for quick drinks at the bar! Super cute place, looks like they're possibly set up for live music? Drinks were slightly strong, but would definitely come back! read more

Middle 8 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pleasanton, California

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A great addition to Pleasanton's downtown scene, offering a limited selection of alcohol at the moment. The music was enjoyable and ambient, although it could have been livelier after 10 pm on a Friday night. The presence of a pool table added to the experience. However, there were occasional shortages in staffing, requiring multiple attempts to get the attention of bartenders for service, even during quieter moments read more

Middle 8 - Kamikaze shots!! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pleasanton, California

Maaaannnn, BEN !!!!!! The god damn man!!! Always wait ha great attitude and great personality to have around! Attentive and respectful to the people around us read more

I'm offended and embarrassed for the bartender working last night between 3-5 pm. He was so unbelievably rude to my friend from the second she walked through the door. We walked into the empty bar, sat down and while we looked at the drink menu, my friend orders a shot of tequila. He asked how she wanted it, to which she replied with salt and lime. I suggested chilled? He said "so you want a margarita?" We both said no and moved on, not clear on if the shot was room temp or chilled but it was tequila, I didn't think that was an outlandish request. Especially in an empty bar. We moved on, ordered a cocktail, my friend took his recommendation on the drink to order. Her phone rang, she was apologizing to me for taking a work call and was very brief and quiet, the man stacking glasses was louder. The bartender interrupted with "take the call outside." Once the drinks were finished I noticed the drink he made for my friend was half full. Still wondering if his behavior towards my friend was personal and why he was so rude to his only 2 customers. The gentleman behind the bar did not get tipped and we did not enjoy ourselves. Will not be back. read more

Middle 8 - The half full drink for reference - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pleasanton, California

Wow such a gem! We were in Pleasanton to attend a wedding, and some of us decided to hit this bar for an after party. TBH, we didn't expect to find such a hip bar in Pleasanton. The cocktails were all yummy, the service was awesome, and the atmosphere very cool. Loved all the retro decor touches. However, the place was kinda empty (maybe cuz it was a Sunday?). I hope they get more business other days, cuz this place definitely deserves to do well. read more

Middle 8 - Wall of retro - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pleasanton, California

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Located right in downtown Pleasanton, I was pretty excited to come hang out with friends on a Friday night. There aren't many cocktail bars in Pleasanton, so this one definitely stood out. It's a very groovy kind of bar, cute aesthetics with neon lights and a pool table. The furniture was cute with velvet couches and mood lighting in the entire bar. The service isn't all that great. We had to get up every single time to order drinks and even then it took some time for the bartenders to recognize we are paying customers. Definitely had to flag some down to get their attention. The drinks are pretty good. They have a huge selection based on alcohol type and they were presentable. I think that the SF prices for a bar in Pleasanton was a little surprising. But if you're looking for a cool place to hang out, this is your place (granted it's pretty loud, so you may be shouting). read more

Middle 8 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pleasanton, California

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This venue is right on the heart of downtown Pleasanton. Retro Vibe all the way All the bartenders were extremely helpful and so kind! Ben went out of his way to make some amazing Scorpion Bowls and espresso martinis! Depending on the night they have Karaoke and Live Piano playing. Plenty of seating around bar and comfy couches and tables available. Definitely going back!! read more

I went to Middle 8 for the first time last night and absolutely loved it! The drinks were delicious, the vibe of the place is incredible, and the bartender (Benjamin) was super nice. He took the time to explain how they made their strawberry infused tequila which made the drink THAT much better. I'll definitely be back! read more

The vibes are always the best especially when Ben is working. Highly recommend coming in here anytime of the week.

I'd give ZERO stars if I could. Don't even know where to start- Watered down drinks that are overpriced, horrible music, filthy floors and furniture with disgusting stains (which they cover up by keeping the place dark), RUDE manager who gets a rush out of bullying his paying customers. He should be reported for his obnoxious behavior. Avoid this place at all costs! So many better options with nicer looking and better behaved people. read more