I rented out Penelope for my birthday party and was so glad I did! Being able to reserve the entire bar and outdoor patio for my event made it feel really special, and the cost was comparable to renting a semi-private room at other bars in downtown or uptown Oakland. Johnny, the owner, was friendly, helpful, and easy to work with in the months leading up to the event. I had food catered from another local business, and he provided nice serving vessels, was flexible about how I arranged the tables and stools, and encouraged me to play my own playlist through the bar's sound system. He made the planning process and the night of the event stress-free. Penelope has a great indoor space with bar seating and tables, plus an outdoor patio out front with additional tables. I had 40 guests, and with the patio included, there was plenty of room for everyone to move around and mingle. The staff was great all night, efficiently mixing up tasty drinks while helping with a few things that came up. All of my friends loved the craft cocktails and mocktails, and the beer and wine were reasonably priced. I would highly recommend Penelope for a private event. It's also a great spot to stop by after work or for a late-night cocktail if you're just looking for a fun, welcoming bar! read more

Something unfortunate has happened here. I convinced my date to stop in for a drink and snack, recalling the delicious cocktails I had here years ago. We were stoked once we realized we had made it in 15 minutes before happy hour ended. But service was sooo slow. I understand there was one bartended working at the time but they really took their time, not meticulously crafting drinks, but rather talking to a friend. We contemplated going somewhere else when the bartender finally came to take our order, just before happy hour ended..sigh of relief! We made the cut off! We opted against the empanadas as we could see the cutting board in the kitchen area had a jacket on top of it. Well..the bartender slowly made our drinks, while still talking, then rung us up..just a few minutes past 6 and charged us full price. Lackluster customer service. Then, the drinks themselves were just bad..not balanced - one too sweet and syrupy in consistency; the other too bitter. This place used to be great but maybe they changed ownership. Used to see the owner here frequently working the bar. Now, I'd recommend Bocanova in the area instead - their happy hour also goes til 6, their drinks are top notch, service is pretty good, and you can get good food from the kitchen. read more

Trivia night was so fun! Definitely will be back.. but I hope the bartender is in a better mood this time

I had a good expectation of this bar because it would be pretty packed during the evenings even if it's a weekday. Unfortunately when I visited, those expectations were not met. It was roughly around 7 pm on a weekend, so there were not that many people yet. My friend and I took a good minute to see which drinks we wanted, and finally decided on the NSFW. To our surprise, it was already sold out. So we just chose our second option, and that too was sold out. There weren't anything else that intrigued us so I just went with the Penelope. That could be good right? Seems like their signature drink but the drink was just okay - nothing too spectacular or any defining factor to it. On top of that, it took forever for our drinks to be made. I appreciate the friendliness of the staff, but man were they chatty with the other customer. I don't mind it, but to stop making the drink to chat every 15 seconds kind of hit my nerve a bit. This is probably why my drink tasted a bit watery because the ice has already melted from the constant pauses to make the drink. I believe this is just an unfortunate one-off experience since this bar gets a lot of customers on most days. read more

Penelope - Penelope - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Penelope is such a cute bar ! Came a while back after my cousins wedding . The drinks are so unique you wouldn't think it's bomb but it truly is !! Service is great . Caw Caw !!!! read more

Another great hidden gem in downtown Oakland. Don't sleep on this quaint cocktail lounge that offers happy hours and expertly crafted cocktails. I recommend the banana old fashioned. read more

Really good chill atmosphere with great service and interesting delicious cocktails. Also if you're not into cocktails they have beers that are cheap. I had the guava slushie and the pinguino tejuino, both were excellent and not too sweet. The tejuino has a little scoop of sorbet in it that makes it so fun and interesting. Def check them out. read more

Penelope - Guava slushie - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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Great, chill bar in downtown Oakland. Had fun celebrating my birthday and the beginning of the weekend with friends Friday! Bartender was so nice and cool, even giving birthday shots. I love the patron saint photo of Penelope Cruz watching over the whole place lol. Drinks were delicious. The mango margarita was sweet and definitely a winner in my book. read more

OK for starters the address that is given is wrong ots across from 1150 clay There's some street parking but the I side is so cute and intimate I'm really glad I stumbled on this place and I look forward to coming back their menu had so many great options ! I asked about happy hour I hope their hours expand during summer if so I will update this review because I will be back to try other menu items read more

Penelope - Menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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Absolutely amazing service, and some of the best cocktails my partner and I have ever had. We visited for the first time a few months ago and have been back multiple times since. Great neighborhood bar! read more

Stumbled into this cozy little spot for happy hour and ended up staying way longer than planned--thanks to Sam, the bartender who somehow makes pouring drinks feel like a masterclass in hospitality. Seriously, Sam's the kind of person who remembers your name, reads the room perfectly, and makes everyone feel like a regular--even if it's your first time in. The vibe is relaxed, no-frills, and exactly what you want when you're winding down after a long day. Great drink specials, solid pours, and good conversation if you're lucky enough to grab a seat at the bar. I came for a quick drink and left wondering if I should become a regular just to hang out with Sam more often. Highly recommend for happy hour, first dates, or solo nights when you just want a good drink and great company. Just don't steal my seat at the bar. read more

Penelope - Old-fashion! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Good cocktails, and great empanadas for folks who maybe need a bite or two in between drinks. Great little hidden spot downtown, with some good non alcoholic drinks, too. read more

I was looking for a bar in downtown Oakland for a date night and thought Penelope looked promising. And it did not disappoint. It's a charming little fairly unassuming bar with three tables and a decent amount of bar seating, and some nice ambiance. When we got there it was maybe 1/4 full, plenty of room. The bartender was very welcoming and friendly, the service was great, and the drinks were outstanding. We tried three of the cocktails off the menu, all of which were quite good (I especially liked the Velvet Rope), and a couple that were more standard fare. All were great. And on a personal note, my go-to is an amaretto sour, but to my distress bars can be kinda hit or miss on if they even stock amaretto. Penelope does, and it was great. I highly recommend Penelope and will be back if I'm in the area. read more

The drinks were good and the staff was all so helpful and friendly! Would definitely go back.

Juan is super great! We have come here twice and it was a really great experience! We like to come here randomly and both times it did not disappoint ! The drinks are great and so is the service. They also serve empanadas 3 kinds: mushroom, beef and ham & cheese! We have had the mushroom and beef and we definitely prefer the mushroom the pastry is so crispy and the inside is yummy! We will be back soon! Especially now that they have taco Tuesdays! read more

Penelope - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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I love this little bar, it's hidden on the side of some corporate building but has such cozy vibes. I wish I knew of it sooner. I got 2 cocktails although not gonna lie I can't remember the names but they were both super tasty. Everyone in my group loved their drinks. The bartender was so friendly too. We also got their empanadas and honestly kind of fire. It was the perfect after work drink type of bar. read more

Penelope - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Walking from my hotel to a seminar the first morning I passed this place. It caught my eye and memory because my first dog was an Irish Setter I adopted from a race car driver family named Penelope. On returning to my hotel that day around Happy Hour I ducked in, figuring none of the politicians, corporates, or nerds from my seminar wd. be likley enter the place. The two co-owners behind the bar were great. We discussed wine, food, Spain, dog breeds, . . . and Penelope. I asked why for the name of your place? They just pointed reverently above and there was the church-like painting of HER!! I asked if they had ever seen "Elegy" in which she and her naked breasts co-starred along with Ben Kingsley. They were gobsmacked, saying they would rent it that night. Day 2, returning from my seminar I ducked in again and the 2 owners greeted me by name. A table of people from the Oakland office were there, surprisingly and a major dickhead who had spoken on stage the day before yelled, "Wait! you're in Oakland for less than 48 hours and the bartenders know you by name!?" Well, yes. And it's part of NOT being a dickhead. ______ So I read a question about Penelope on a Y-named-website. It asks, "Hey there - can someone please advise on the demographic of this bar? Students? 30-40? 40+? Thanks!" No one answered. My answer would be, "The only people who would feel comfortable here are those withOUT a bug up their ass and a phone taking selfies of their phony face for "Y" or "Instrajam." And "demographic"? It's restrictave. Pretentious people like dickheads from the Oakland office should not feel comfortable here. read more

Penelope - Yeah. That's her. Before the airline ads. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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Warm welcome, interesting drinks, and great ambiance on a rainy Wednesday night. Enjoyed the bartender's/proprietor's thoughtful discussion about the cocktails he had created! Wednesday night is also open mic comedy night (starting at 8 pm). I was there only for the beginning, but it seemed like a fun crowd. read more

Everything about this place has me eager to come back! Easily in the top 5 mixology programs in Oakland - every cocktail was balanced, creative, and absolutely delicious (and we tried a a range, from sweet to savory to traditional to innovative). The staff/owner was friendly and offered perfect recommendations when described what we craving for drinks. The giant painting of Penelope Cruz (Patron Saint of the bar, obviously) completed the immaculate vibes. I'm sure I'll see you there because this is definitely a regular spot in my rotation now! read more

Penelope - Spicy Tamarind Margarita - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Loved this cute small bar. The bartender made this amazing drink for us! Perfect for summer highly recommend.

Empanadas were ok, drinks were yummy and comedy show was cool. Service was decent and deco was cute

Such a great find. We stumbled upon this spot last Saturday and couldn't have been happier. Shocked to hear they had been open so long. Great vibe and awesome bartender. read more

I'd like to premise that I always meet the most interesting characters at Penelope. It's halfway to my work so it's a great place to head to after a long days work. The cocktails all have a kick to them, not sure if it's the extravagant mixers/syrups, or the garnishes that make them the whole package. The staff has always been great and the owner is very personable!The space is not very large so it's good for maybe a group of four, max. You can always find something new and quirky to make you fall in love more and more with the space and with the Town. Oh, and try the empanadas! I'll find myself in the near future sitting at the bar enjoying a Negroni with bubbles. read more

I'll be honest - I've only been here once and only had one drink. Still - it was amazing! I came on a Tuesday night at around 9 PM and there were a few people at the bar and the tables. It's a really small place, dark and intimate. The bartender greeted me right away and gave me the menus. This place came recommended by a friend who also travels to Oakland for work. Unfortunately, I wasted most of my "drink power" on not so great drinks elsewhere, so I was being good and only had the 1 drink at Penelope as it was a school night. I went with the Jali Berry cocktail which was an amazing concoction of Gin, jalapeño, blackberries, Luxardo Maraschino liqueur and fresh lime. I literally watched the bartender squeeze half a lime into the drink and pour out 4 long beats of gin into the glass. Before that, she took the time to muddle the blackberries and jalapeño. My, oh, my - that was one spicy, tasty cocktail! I was soooo tempted to try some other drinks, but I didn't want to get wasted. I will try to go back tonight before I head back to Boston tomorrow. If not - I know that Penelope will be one of my first stops the next time I'm in town! read more

Penelope - Deliciously sweet and spicy Jali Berry cocktail. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Great drinks. The owner and bartender was accommodating and welcoming..it was great place to meet friends and coworkers for cocktails.

Penelope is a super cute spot to grab a drink at. The ambiance is very welcoming and the drinks are really tasty. I love tequila so really liked that there were a lot of tequila based drinks, favorite was the hibiscus mezcalita read more

This is my GO-TO spot! The drinks, the atmosphere, just overall top tier. Johnny always makes sure you have a great experience. Make sure you try the weekly drink specials, they're always a great take on familiar drinks but the twist is he only has them while it lasts!! I'm tellin' ya come to Penelope's for a great time, solo or with friends regardless it'll be worth it. read more

Penelope - Mangomosa - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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YELP 100 CHALLENGE 2017 - PART 2: 51/100 Still my favorite watering hole in the East Bay. I'm a SoCal gal and I visit NorCal often, and when I do, I try to make it a point to make a stop here. (Well. Time permitting!) The staff is always amazing (Yay, JOHNNY!) and I've made friends with many of their regulars. They all collectively make sure you feel welcome here. It really is a great place to just have a glass or two to unwind from a long day. I stick to beer but they have a variety of wine and cocktails/mixed drinks they can make for you. I hear good things! It is a small place, but they do get crowded. Come out and find out why! Looking forward to that next visit! read more

Penelope - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Little spot in the corner of the building I use to work in. Been here with coworkers a few years back, so I knew the place was small but, it was just the right atmosphere grab a quick drink with someone special and have a good conversation. No loud music, not crowded and no distractions was a plus! read more

Love this place. They welcome yo like you're family and treat you like that the entire time you are there. Which is obviously too long as I have left my credit card there more than once. lol Seriously, great place. Johnny makes craft cocktails and has enough personality to run 10 bars. Definitely a place I will hit once a week. read more

Drinks were amazing! The bartender was very friendly and helpful in giving their recommendations and drink tastes!

Lame wine pours. I bet I have three ounce pours at best. I will not be back. A bottle of wine that costs $9 at lucky You charge me $9 PER glass? LAME! Good Luck read more

Perfect for happy hour with coworkers if you work nearby! ...did find it a little loud during their event nights (standup?) It's a small location so it's pleasant to sit outside when it's warm--not so much when it's windy and cold. Limited spacing. Definitely look inside before calling all your friends over! Would otherwise give more stars, but I found their menu and service inconsistent. Sometimes house wine was good, sometimes it wasn't. Sometimes the cocktail was strong, sometimes it's weak. The appetizer platter was similarly inconsistent where sometimes there were more cheeses/meats, sometimes less. Sometimes they were fast, sometimes slow. I prefer my regular spot to be consistent, don't you? read more

Wow! How did I accidentally avoid Penelope for years? Honestly, I think it may have been the "4pm-closing" hours listed on their website. When I go out in Oakland, it's usually a weeknight, and one too many times I've spent forever parking only to find that a place closed at, like, 9 or 10pm. In any case, all was well and they were open and hoppin' at 9pm on a Tuesday, but judging by previous reviews complaining about unclear closing times, I'd still exercise caution here. But back to what's important - amazing. cocktails. Spicy drinks are my favorite drinks and wow, do they know how to do them right. Both the "Los Pepinos del Amor" and the "Oaktown Heat" were awesome. The menu is pretty extensive and has a nice mix of sweeter and drier cocktails; definitely a good place to go with a group with varying tastes. Prices are on par with other good bars downtown, and the pours range from standard to generous. Service was quick and friendly, and the bartender dealt very gracefully with a patron who had, um, bebido demasiado. read more

Penelope - Disappointing...but adorable! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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This review is for the happy hour that they have a weekday. Well drinks are only five dollars which is such a great deal. They do not skimp out on the alcohol as well. They have outdoor and indoor seating. They do not have that much under settings so if it's a nice day I highly recommend sitting outside. This place is easy to miss if you are driving, but it is located right next to a huge construction site in between 12th and 11th street. I will definitely be returning for their happy hour! read more

Penelope - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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Gem of a place! So glad to see it survived the pandemic. The owner is great, friendly and makes the best cocktails! Love it, feels like home! read more

Lazy Friday after working and decide to meet my cohort at Penelope, as we always go to District and wanted a change that night. It is a small place and can be overlooked unless you are looking for it. There are a few outside seats, but there were smokers when I was there Friday evening, so I opted for bar seating while waiting for my cohort to get there. I started with the Manhattan Project, which was had coffee bitters that I liked a lot. Not over sweet and the cloves in it gave it a contrast to the usual manhattans. I also had an old fashioned and was surprised, as most places make it to sweet, this one was strong and punchy. My cohort got a creation the bartender made which we dubbed the unicorn for the color, and the base was tequila (which I am not the biggest fan of) but it was nice with the pineapple juice and pickly pear juice. read more

Penelope is a cute little (as in tiny) hole in the wall bar. We stopped in for some late night drinks and the place was almost empty yet still felt friendly. The bartender was prompt with drinks.....and secretly I love it when the bartender is also drinking. The drink selection was good and the pour strong, all that you'd ask for in a late night dive bar. read more

Definitely would come back here. Unique drink options, I would try each one if I could, lots to choose from for any palate. Although it was hard to decide because most of the combinations I've never heard of. I was visiting from Seattle and made a reservation here for a party of 6. The layout of the place was the perfect setting for our group, the music was lively the chairs were arranged for group conversations and causal talk. The bartender was accommodating and nice. We truly enjoyed ourselves. I highly recommend this place for any occasion. read more

Penelope - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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HAPPY SUSAN'S 200th REVIEW DAY! This review is dedicated to my favorite bar in Oakland. The Back Story-- Susan walks into a bar. The monologue in her head is running full speed. She is justifying drinking alone on a random weekday, at a bar, as totally acceptable behavior. The monologue was cut short as she began chatting with bartender Johnny and owner Tung. Witty banter, breath stopping jokes, and general good times ensued. I was hooked. The Vibe-- Classy yet homey; professional yet relaxed; laid back but efficient. The atmosphere here just invites people to hang out and be themselves. This place is trendy without being pretentious and always a source of a great time. The Consumable Items-- Mixed drink heaven! (On average $6-10): Freshly squeezed, pressed, muddled and chopped fruits are combined to perfection with a vast array of alcoholic delights. There is something here for everyone. From quality wines to top quality liqueurs, it's all here on a giant wall. I challenge you to know what everything is...I'm sure you wont. Don't like the preset menu (with a bit of focus on tequila)? Don't want a classic drink? Ask Johnny Kobra--expert mixologist to whip you up something with your favorite flavors. He'll far exceed your expectations. Don't forget the Cheese Plate ($10): It is the best cheese plate deal in town. Plentiful meats and cheeses, a little cup of olives, and perfectly toasty baguette. Mmmm! Keep and eye out on their facebook for special events and updates http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/penelopeoaktown This is an Old Oakland gem you really don't want to miss! read more

Penelope - Salmon toasts and wine - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California