My student organization at Cal had their end of semester banquet at Hillside Club, and we couldn't…read moreask for anything better. Not only is the venue beautiful and spacious, but the organizer is super nice and accommodating. There are high ceilings, great audio, a nice stage, and lots of useful equipment. We pretty much didn't have to decorate at all on our end because when we got there, it was already beautifully adorned with holiday decorations and a huge Christmas tree! For such an amazing venue, it's amazing how inexpensive the total cost was! Aside from the venue itself, the planning involved to secure the venue and set everything up was made incredibly easy by the manager. She was very responsive by email and helpful in suggestions for what can be done with the event. She also owns a super cute doggo that's Instagram famous! All in all, great experience and couldn't ask for more.

Our youth choir, Kairos, produces a musical theater/opera performance every season. This year, our…read moreusual venue was closed for renovation and we were faced with the need to find a new theater. We knew about the Berkeley Hillside's affinity for classical music, so we thought our program would be a good match. The Hillside Club's manager Araceli was very responsive and informative about their availability, requirements and willingness to accommodate us. Not only did Araceli understand our needs but she was extremely supportive and volunteered to help us with anything we might need in order to offer a highly successful and professional production. We recommend this venue, not only for the amazing architecture and splendid acoustics, but also for the great communication of our hosts; their openness and their flexibility to accommodate our very specific needs. The venue has a beautiful stage, with ample backstage (a green room upstairs and one downstairs - with access to a bathroom) and it is great for small productions such as ours, or small chamber music concerts that they host often. If you do visit the Berkeley Hillside, be sure to make the acquaintance of Bella - the Boston Terrier of the club whom we adopted as our mascot. She is a real drama queen and will definitely brighten your day

I visited Urban Adamah for a weekend retreat and had a very positive experience! Considering I was…read morestaying on a farm, I was not expecting the accommodations to be so nice, that's for sure. The rooms had bunk beds, but they were study and relatively comfortable, with outlets by every bed. The bathrooms were very modern and clean, as well. I really enjoyed exploring the property and playing with the goats! It felt very safe staying here, as they locked the front gate most of the time, especially overnight. The staff here were also great and dedicated to the success of the farm. Shoutout to Jesse for cooking up some delicious food all weekend! I will definitely leave Urban Adamah feeling refreshed and rejuvenated! Highly recommend coming to the farm to learn more.

We held the welcome dinner for 130+ guests for our son's wedding this weekend. The year of planning…read morewith Tyler and team was a delight. There attention to detail and the final execution at the beautiful event was beyond our expectations!

Awesome place to see awesome live music. Saw a couple of independent bands. I will be back when I'm…read morein the area

Love the venue! I volunteer frequently, and the other volunteers are wonderful! Show up an hour…read morebefore the first band to volunteer and get into the show free! (U still have to have a membership card to volunteer, but totally worth it!)

First Oktoberfest sauerkraut the Nature Friends since 2019…read more Fresh German beer, delicious German food --- roast pork, mushroom spätzle, red cabbage, sauerkraut, potato salad -- and tasty cakes: Bienenstich, apple strudel, poppyseed, etc. Music provided by the fabulous Internationals, for open dancing on their spacious deck. And more professional German dancing by the Nature Friends Schühplattler.

Oakland Nature Friends is a nature-loving hiking club and an excellent place for yearly German…read moredances and German festivals. I attended the Biergartenfest 2018 and it is such a beautiful location. I enjoyed the entertainment. The costumed NF Schuhplatter dancers were fun. The German beer and food is delicious. I can't wait for Octoberfest.

If you've ever fantasized about spending the night in a Bernard Maybeck structure here's your…read morechance. The Faculty Club, on the UC Berkeley campus, was designed by the legendary Berkeley architect and is many things to many people. Most notably, it's: * A place to eat and drink; * A venue to rent out for events; and * A place to spend the night. I ate and drank there* but I also spent the night there and that's the reason for my 3-star rating and the focus of this review. The Faculty Club rents out rooms, some with private bath and some with communal bath, all situated along a long hallway up a set of stairs. If you've drank too much below, are in town to visit a student at UCB, or are just hankering to spend the night on campus it's not a bad option. The rooms for rent are functional (not fancy) and clean (but not new). "Utilitarian" is an apt description. A friend and I stayed in a room with 2 beds and its own bathroom and shower at a cost of $215. Rooms with shared baths are (obviously) less and an additional $15.40 will buy you a parking pass valid until 2 p.m. the following day at a nearby, on campus lot. I don't track the cost of lodging in the Bay Area but this rate seemed reasonable, especially considering the inclusion of a continental breakfast for 2 the following morning. Before falling asleep the night of my stay my friend wondered whether the Campanile's toll would wake us. Fear not; it didn't. Instead, 52 beeps from a garbage truck backing up was followed by the crash of glass recyclables being collected, all before sunrise. So, be sure your room is on the west side of the building if you desire a quieter experience. I can't imagine returning for an overnight here but I'd certainly be comfortable recommending it to others. It was fun and serene to step outside in the morning, right onto the beautiful Faculty Glade of the UCB campus. I can well imagine others enjoying the reasonably-priced experience. * Food and drink are reviewed under Faculty Club Kerr Dining Room

I stayed at The Faculty Club for one night for business. The setting is beautiful, serene, and in…read morethe middle of the Berkeley campus. The atmosphere I loved, the hotel room not so much. I tried to embrace the history and think of all the families and students who have stayed here over the years, and that worked somewhat. I did have a good stay and ultimately enjoyed my room for what it was. Things to know: - The building is challenging to find and GPS is marginally helpful. - There was no place available to park to check-in so I had to risk it and park in a 30 minute loading zone up the hill. - It was hard to find the right door to get the lobby - no helpful signage at all. - After checking in you have to navigate to one of the parking lots they allow you to park in, which is not right at the Club. - You have to navigate your way back to the place after parking - I was lugging my bags. - You have to lug your bags up a significant flight of stairs to get to the rooms - no elevator. - The rooms are like an old cabin - not updated, dark wood, very basic accommodations. - If you get a room with your own bathroom, the bathroom is tiny with nowhere to set your toiletries or even hang your hand towel. - The bed is just okay - nothing like nicer hotels. The bedding is very thin and looks like something you'd find in a Motel 6. They could at least give you a nice mattress and comfy bedding even while keeping the basic/historic look of the rooms. - There is a flatscreen tv, but it's small and uses Dish network - remote is somewhat confusing. - There was a small fridge, but it wasn't plugged in. - There was a glue trap for rodents in my room which didn't instill confidence. Some positives: - The room was very spacious and had a high ceiling. Although it felt very old, it was clean. - The windows open wide letting in a nice breeze and adding a serene feel. - The price is reasonable in my opinion. - The atmosphere is relaxing and the area is safe. - The restaurant has good food and also reasonably priced in my opinion. - Free breakfast.

No childcare or kitchen staff today. How is that serving the community? The holidays are the most…read morestressful times of the year and the staff decides this is the appropriate time to take vacations. What is the message to parents and people who need to have a respite, who look forward to sitting down and eating together without family, housemates and work associates? Also, the staff and volunteers need to be educated on Hostile Work Environments, Food Handler Certification, Anti-Harassment policies, Data Privacy and the Beloved Conversations movement. Also, there needs to be a healthy rotation of responsibilities to timelines, so entrenchment doesn't continue.

I can not say enough good things about how the humans at UUCB took care of me. Of course my…read morehusband's funeral was a hard day for me but everyone did so my CV to make it easier! Helping through tough decisions and last minute changes, I recommend them for any large important event. Also, you literally can not beat the view from this church. For pictures or for chilling and talking, the back patio space of the church is beyond compare. You will not regret trusting uUCB with your event.

Amazing venue in every way shape and form a 60s Time Warp if there ever was you go back to a really…read morecool place where everything was colorful beautiful and positive it's a great place to have a birthday party too!!

One of my close friends and his band had the wonderful opportunity to headline a show at the…read moreBerkeley Art House. Loved the cozy atmosphere, the people, and being able to view beautiful pieces of art all while listening to live music. I've never heard of this place until my friend's show and it is one of the coolest and most unique places I've even been to in Berkeley. I will be back in hopes of purchasing some pieces for my home and supporting local artists!

THE Place for materials for Bay Area Artists & Teachers!…read more Everything creative, at rock-bottom prices. Stock changes briskly!

Interesting place. Lots of stuff! Some good finds. A bit overwhelming and lots of people with not…read moremuch personal space.