Kind of a small crowd and on the day we were here it was kind of dead. They have a pretty good happy hour menu but we got the chimay on draft and they charged me double for it for some reason. read more

I feel a bit ambivalent about this place. I loved the unusual and fresh-sounding cocktails (I had a scrumptious blackberry margarita with big chunks of blackberries); the bartender was really nice and friendly, but not too chatty; the decor is nice and I LOVE the big mossy "P" in the window. But I didn't love the noisy random dice game happening on the bar. It would have been a completely different experience without the dice game, but from the other reviews, it sounds like it might be hard to avoid. It made the place seem a little seedy and rowdy, but without the dice, I think it would seem cozy and chic. read more

This is a great place to go if you're in the mood for a classier, but not stodgy, night on the town. The mixed drinks are delicious and diverse. My favorite is the Oaktown Heat, a concoction that includes a habanero-infused vodka that provides a little spice and burn with every swallow. The bartenders are great and the atmosphere is intimate with lots of opportunities for rowdiness. read more

Great drink menu. Had the pear 75 it was great. Bar tender was amazing. Great ambiance and service. Wish it was a little bigger but great space for a drink with a friend and decent prices. read more

I live in SF but have been here 3 times with a buddy of mine. This place is awesome, all 3 times I have been they have had unique tasty specials of the day. The location is great with a nice patio for current summer days/nights and all the bartenders are so friendly and fun....especially Dan the Man! Dan pours the best pour I have seen, makes whatever you want and best of all plays a lot of R Kelly!! Such a fun place with a good loungey/bar vibe in a nicer part of Oakland. read more

Tiny space but good drinks. Parking is pretty tough around happy hour time (4-6pm, $4 drafts and $2 off all cocktails), but we found one around the corner. There was a baby shower for the bartender inside, so we felt like we were interrupting it since people started looking at us like we ruined the surprise, but the man of honor was totally cool with it and very inviting. Small high tables and a slightly long bar as you enter. Bar itself is fun, as the bartender, probably basking in the moment, felt compelled to "shake what his mother gave him" frequently. I had the Chica Fresa and in a rare turn of events, a tequila/scotch combination that surprisingly didn't trigger my upchuck reflex. Prices are reasonable at happy hour, but some drinks are pricey when it's off. Mezcal in the Los Pepinos del Amor drink is $2 btw, I learned that the hard way. Overall, solid place in Downtown Oakland to start or end the evening. Strong breeze from outside though when the sun goes down--bring a jacket. read more

Good food: Check. Good drinks: Check. Gambling at the bar: Check. The only downsides are that the bar closes early, and the tables are in the evening shade. read more

the super nice bartenders - tung and johnny - are amazing at what they do! since i'm all about the fruity, i love the penelope and la kristita, but really, every drink i've tried has been extraordinary. i will be back again and again and again... note: i have also heard that they are great with custom-making drinks, so if you fancy something specific, its worth a try! read more

Small space inside and out. Despite the cozy interior, it is still warm and inviting. The drinks here are original and tasty. You have to try the Penelope: Tequila and beets. Enough said! read more

The shady sidewalk seating is delightful on a warm afternoon. Small but very hip selection of draft beers. They should add some bar snacks, yesterday they had just the lunch menu of soup, sandwiches, and salads. read more

Great place for good drinks and good company. Friendly staff will guide u through their awesome drink menu!!!

Very cute, nicely decorated spot. First noticed the big "P" while walking by and loved the decor. Big plus because it's nearby work and the drinks are strong and delicious. The food? Also delicious. I had the veggie panini and my friend the Chicken panini. Both were equally good. Bartenders are friendly and welcoming and the music they had (on a Wednesday night) added a nice touch to the ambiance. read more

This is definitely a hard place to find. It is super cute! Johnny the bar tender was very nice. I had his famous Jelly Doughnut shot. I was skeptical at first. Then it really tasted like it had raspberry filling. I had a belvedere vodka tonic and a tequila shot. I paid about $20. Its a great place to talk and catch up with friends. read more

Really cool hip bar very close to work. It may become one of our regular happy hour spots. We all ordered their special blackberry margarita. It was delicious. Service is quick and friendly. Had to take off a star for the bathroom. Been here twice and both times it has been pretty gross. read more

Love the location and the drink menu. I need to get back to try the snacks!

Went here for lunch. Loved the decor and vibe. Food was good, but not excellent, I'll have to go back and try something else.

My earlier review was for a different bar. I guess it was a good Wednesday night. I came here with some coworkers to grab a quick drink. Its a little tight but still cozy. Happy hour prices were decent, no complaints. read more

Johnny the bartender is very nice, excellent bartender with the specialty drinks, and knowledgeable about the area. Good atmosphere.:)

I love the place and the BARTENDER. He makes the best drink ever because its all from his own creation. First the bar is in a great location. Nice atmosphere. Since its beneath all the business offices, they will have a nice crow of people. The owner told us the best nights are Thursday and Friday. I wish this place is in the city, but I would love to cross the bridge after my work hour on Thursday. If you like something spicy, try the Habanero vodka and he will spicy it up for you. anther thing that I like that bar is they have a real chef. I wasn't able to try the food because the chef went on vacation before 7/4. I believe they also serve lunch. A good place to hang out if you are in east bay. LOVE IT. read more

I've been curiously walking by Penelope for weeks as I'm new to the neighborhood. One night after dinner, my partner and I decided to finally check it out for some after dinner drinks. I was surprised by the expansive list, the quality of ingredients, and the friendliness of the bartenders all for a very reasonable price! Saw someone else order the cheese-plate and can't wait to try it next time. If you're in the mood for a unique cocktail swing by Penelope, you will not be disappointed. read more

Would give this place 10 stars if I could. This is my new favorite spot in Oakland!! I work across the street but am never off early enough to stop in and try the drinks. Last night was super slow so I hopped over to Penelope around midnight. It was nice out so we got to sit out in the patio area. They use only fresh fruits with their cocktails so I tried one of the menu drinks. I think I drank 7 La Kristitas! Now I am a mixologist myself so I am kinda hard to please when it comes to drink concoctions but their drinks are amazin!!. Met the bartenders Tung and Johnnie and they were very friendly and made my drinks perfect all night. We actually stayed until they were closing and they went out of their way to make me one last drink. My dream is to open my own bar one day and when I do it will be something quite like this bar. Really small, intimate and it's all about quality not quanity here. My hat goes off to the owner of this new spot. A real Oakland gem:) You will catch me here on the patio sipping La Kristita's in their supercute martini glasses if I get any free time this summer. read more

Penelope - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Best bartenders ever. This is the perfect place to go after a long day at work, after a bad date or just because. All of the ingredients are freshly squeezed, infused, extracted. But I like my liquor straight... and strong... and their brown liquor selection is excellent. read more

When I want to relax over a good drink I grab a barstool at Penelope's. They are always experimenting with the latest mixology... and now thanks to Johnny I found my new favorite thing. When you go, just watch him pump the little smoke machine and infuse smokey goodness into whatever he's making. All we need now is a stick for roasting smores and we'll be set for the night. read more

Very creative drinks that taste delicious. Its a bit small, but its a fun spot to go after a hard days work. Sometime they close early if they're not busy so have a back up plan if you coming later in the evening. read more

Impressed with the drinks. Any place with habanero syrup is a win for me. Would go back.

Tasty cocktails and friendly staff. Pleasant atmosphere and affordable prices! I'll definitely come back!

Penelope is AMAZING! Fantastic drinks made from fresh, quality ingredients, cozy space with an outdoor patio, and fun bartenders. What more can you ask for? Definitely on my Oakland hot spots! read more

Nice atmosphere... Very friendly bartenders & servers... A little small on the inside, but there's an outside section that helps compensate... Plus it's super close to my work... I'd definitely go there again... read more

Friendly bartenders, fun and innovative drinks, outdoor seating. What more is there to love. I'm hooked.

Went here for lunch today- nice day out so sitting outside was a great change of pace. I had the steak salad- nice tender beef and even though I don't like mustard the vinagerette was good. The fiancé had the grilled cheese panini and tomato soup. I loooved the fontina cheese! Total bill $18. Will have to come back for some drinks after work! read more

Love it!!! A tiny gem in this sea of bars. Keep your eyes open or you'll miss it. ;-)

The drinks are unbelievable!!!! Please try the "Abre Tus Ojos!" Fresh ginger, grapefruit and vodka....really, all you need is one!!! The entire drink menu is filled with fresh, seasonal fruits that make this place stand out! The chicken chile or pisole, reminds me of what my dad used to make every New Year's Day. I love it there! read more

Being referred here by a friend, I had the hardest time finding this place since my navi told me it was on 12th street but its really not, its on clay between 11th and 12th - just look for the outdoor area and christmas lights. Its not a big place by any means, and cozy would probably be the best way to describe the venue, but in no means stuffy as the place is practically a loft with incredibly high ceilings. I came here for a evening drink since I was in the area and you won't find a better barstaff. They're knowlegeable, fast, friendly, and the drinks are priced fairly. On top of that they even serve food (good news to my ears), although I wouldn't call the menu extensive by any means. If the ceviche is available (apparently they sometimes sell out), definitely try that. A perfect place for a mid-day, after work, or after dinner drink. read more

Interesting cocktails that are not what you would expect from a place in downtown Oakland.

This is a cute, chill place. Had cocktails with a friend on a Friday night and got a really good Hendricks & Ginger beer. The place is very small...but intimate. Bar fits 8-10. There are a few tables (4) and out door seating. 1 bathroom for everyone. Note: the Bar (not the restaurant ) is on Clay between 11th & 12th St/Ave. read more

My friends and I wandered into this joint about 9pm last night. This is by far the BEST bar I've been to in Oakland in a very long time. The drinks knocked my socks off. Delicious, creative, flavorful, and made with real passion and zest for spirits. My friends and I tried about seven of the drinks on the chalk menu. Some of the exciting stunners were, Oaktown Heat, Penelope, and Hali Berry. We were so pleasantly surprised by the flavor combinations and inventiveness. And they certainly know how to appreciate Tequila! The bartenders for the night were Johnny and Dan. Professional, attentive, friendly, knowledgeable, and so HOSPITABLE. You can tell these guys love what they do, care about the establishment, and are very down to earth. No attitude at this place. The vibe is that of a neighborhood bar where you just soak into the comfy leather padded bar stools, good vibes, and chill music. The crowd here also seems very chill. No pretentiousness at this place. They also have a very impressive Whiskey selection. If you are a fan of tequila or whiskey this is the place to go! I can't stop raving about Penelope and want everyone to visit! You will go home with a smile! And if you are from Oakland you will be tempted to call this your new favorite hang out. 4 stars instead of 5 for the small space. Wish it was bigger. read more

I went here with a bunch of coworkers recently and it was a terrible experience! The place is really small and super crowded. There was only 1 bartender working and despite advertisement to the contrary, there was no beer on tap. Because there was no beer on tap, we were unable to get the happy hour special. The bartender wanted to charge us $5 for a bottled or canned beer even though the beer they had was crap (Pabst, Corona, etc.)! There wasn't enough room for all of the patrons so my group go pushed out onto the sidewalk! read more

I really liked this place a lot...it's small, but very friendly and by saying it's "very friendly", I'm not using any type of code word...it's very friendly to pretty much anyone. The spirit selection was top notch, but they might as well carry Jack Daniels because at least three people asked for it during the brief time I was there... This would be a great place to bring a date or your mom...even your dad... read more

This is a cool place and I'm glad it's in Downtown Oakland. Great drinks and the owner seems nice. I have to say though that I am in the food and beverage business and was surprise at what I saw the bartender was doing in front of the owner. Drinking excessively and giving away too many drinks. I don't know if the owner is naive or just new to the business, but it's disgust me to see bartenders take advantage. To the Owner: There are lots of good HONEST bartenders out there! Ones that won't take advantage of you. read more

Penelope's is my best kept secret. It is an excellent bar with an expansive drink menu and an even more impressive staff. The bartenders are knowledgeable and funny, and will openly engage you in conversations. In particular, Johnny is an amazing person who I would love to share a drink with, nevertheless buy a drink from! If you're ever near downtown oakland on a weekday, pass by this bar; you will not be disappointed. read more