What a gem! I've…read morebeen here about 5 times. It's like a whisky speakeasy. Hidden away, hardly branded outside, you enter a gorgeous haven for vinyl albums and bespoke drinks. The vibe is lively yet subdued, respects the music yet encourages conversation. My guests were shocked and want to mirror this design at their homes. My wishlist would be the ability to order at the table. The model is order at the bar and drinks are brought to the table. The net result is a bit awkward, and it discourages buying a second drink. In sum, an amazing place.

If you know me, you know I love a vinyl record bar so I was excited to check out Bar Shiru while in…read moreOakland. It came highly recommended and it lived up to the hype. It's a dope spot with a cool, relaxed vibe that was a perfect nightcap after dinner. I stopped by for a few cocktails and they were great and well made. You can tell that they take care in preparing their drinks which I always appreciate. The prices were on par with what I'd pay in DC so be prepared to spend a little bit. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in town.

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.

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!

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?

While staying in downtown Oakland, I was looking for a bar to go to after a concert on a Sunday and…read morefound Little Bird Bar! It was within walking distance from my hotel and was still open until 2 a.m. which was perfect. We sat at the bar and ordered a draft beer and a Red Bull vodka with a splash of cranberry. Both drinks came with a cute little rubber duck inside, which was such a fun touch! The bartender was really nice and talkative, and the drinks were reasonably priced... not crazy expensive at all. We had a couple of drinks, hung out for a bit, and then headed back to the hotel for the night. If you're in the area, definitely check out Little Bird Bar! It's a cute spot with friendly service, fun drinks, and great late night hours. I'll definitely be back if I'm ever in Oakland again!

Drinks here are smooth and delicious! We ordered a flight to Oaxaca, suffering bastard, whiskey…read morejack, and a passionfruit drink that the bartender made on the fly for mex Everything was so good! No notes here- loved suffering bastard (more refreshing, ginger forward), and the whiskey jack (smooth, complex), the flight to Oaxaca was spicy and delicious too. Will definitely be back- recommend others to try!

Such an amazing service, went there for Brunch and loved it. Had such a good service, and Melvin…read morewas such an amazing server. We have gone there so many times, and will keep coming back

We had another excellent meal at Lucuma. Both the host and server were amazing. We sat at a table…read morethis time and honestly it was a little too cramped and noisy for a date, our neighbors were right next to us. We were seated near the entry to the kitchen and there was heavy foot traffic, I might try the main dining room next time or just stick with the bar at the far end as I'd prefer a more calm dining environment. Nevertheless it was overall a great experience. I loved the Ensalada Cesar (Cesar salad) with quinoa and tons of parmesan, and I loved the Aji de Gallina (chicken stew) with gnocchi, olives and egg. All the dishes were unique and delicious. They only offer Lucuma ice cream on the menu with espresso (Affogato) but they were nice enough to serve it alone as it's one of my favorite flavors of ice cream. They say they import it from Peru!

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.

Love this spot! The back patio is great - super spacious, cool lighting, randomly feels like…read moreChristmas hahaha. They have cocktails, mocktails, beer/shot combos (including one with a High Noon! which I'm into, haha). No food served but outside food allowed! Dogs allowed too - lol there was some guy's dog there last time I went. The bartenders are super friendly and take good care of us whenever we go. Good vibes and friendly service. Come through and support your neighborhood bar!

I came here with a group of friends for a night out in the East Bay. We hit up this bar for a round…read moreof slushies after pregame at my friend's apartment. I got the Blue Hawaiian, a yummy classic, and it did not disappoint. Despite the cold front over the Bay Area this weekend, I instantly felt as if I'd teleported to Hawai'i. Service is pretty quick here, but they do have a minimum credit charge of $10. It's pretty easy to reach though if you order a cocktail or slushie.

What a cool and quirky place! Came here early on a weekend night and there was plenty of seating…read more You're able to bring outside food in, which was really nice. The patio in the back is so cute but very limited seating. Staff were very kind and patient. I was recommended the Dear Irene's and it was the best thing I've ever had. I can't wait to go back!

I popped in on a random weeknight. From the bouncer to the bartender, everyone had a warm, friendly…read morevibe. I ordered a drink at the bar and admired all the cat decor lol. There's also a small/intimate back patio. This seems like a good spot to catch up with a small group of friends or go on a date!

Intriguing shoppe with unique items to explore. Plus a chill spa e to hang and enjoy a cup of chia…read more Worth a visit.

The photos here misrepresent and should be updated. I was expecting a beautiful bar/cafe store…read morespace but they moved to a tiny spot in Temescal. The chai was quite weak/milky/sweet and $$$$ for what it was. I enjoyed browsing records and the smell/vibe of the place. But pls update photos as I rode my bike out of the way to check it out.