CUTE and COZY, in that I'm-wearing-pajamas-with-lingerie-underneath way. I saddled up to the bar with two senoritas to try the famed Pisco Sour. I had to take 'er easy with this bevvie because, whoa nelly, that was strong. ::end cowboy theme now because it has nothing to do with the place:: The bartender became more of a buddy then just a drink doctor when he noticed me run up to the door and press my cheek against it, not out of drunkenness but because I thought I saw a Warrior baller walking by (their practice facility is kitty-corner to the bar...good to know if you plan on stalking Klay Thompson in the new year). I really enjoyed the friendly conversation and attentive service. And concern for my cheek. I wasn't sure I wanted to have a drink that night, both for caloric and work related considerations, but I am glad we stopped by. And I signed up for a membership at the nearby Club One gym that very evening so I hope to treat myself to more of Penelope in the future. Note: the patrons were playing some game of dice on the counter and not using it as a pickup, "notice me I'm smart" tactic as I've seen chess players do at Lukas. I like this. read more

Great happy hour!!! Atmosphere is amazing!! A group of us found this bar to pre drink before dinner and the playoffs. The place has outside seating with heat lamps, and plentiful seats at the bar inside. The happy hour menu is great and they have a big selection of liquor, beer, and wine. The service is exceptional and fun all around to go in for a drink or two.....or maybe three. read more

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Penelope has it address on 12th St. but it's entrance is on clay st. very small bar counter with just a few tables inside and some tables outside Flatscreen: sports Happy Hour: 4-6, wells (5) wines (5?) blackberry margarita (7) pour: gin & tonic(5) -strong pour blackberry margarita(7) -strong pour, fresh blackberries, buzzed after this drink. on draft: -no draft beers, just named micro bottles(5) -uber friendly barristas -hipster clientele, upscale ambience -shelf full of named hard liquor. -barrista acknowledged heavy pour pleases clientele -some sammies, cheeses available -saruno burger on site 3/1. read more

We were looking for something in the City Center area that wasn't a dive bar and this was perfect! Happy hour is from 4-6 pm and it's the perfect stop for Thirsty Thursday because their specialty cocktails are actually $2 off! Score! We came here after work and there were already a few couples at the bar when we entered (it's a very intimate bar), so we grabbed a seat at one of the tables to the side. The drinks were amazing. We tried three of them, but if you're only having one I would definitely recommend La Kristita! We liked it because of how sweet it was (: The interior is nicely decorated and it's just a pleasant establishment that's not too pretentious. Atmosphere is very pleasant and I would recommend taking a date here for a drink! Would definitely recommend stopping by if you're around the city center! read more

Penelope - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Excellent drinks. Cool bartenders. Yelp Drinks participant! I love this place. I used to pass it all the time on the way home without noticing it, it's a little hard to see without knowing what you're looking for. Fortunately a friend started checking in there, and I stopped by. The drinks here are a little on the pricey side (usually about $10 apiece, although I may just be used to dive bars), but Penelope is the first bar I've been to where it was worth every penny. Luckily I was able to try a few drinks for half off during the Yelp Drinks promotion, but I will have no problem coming back again and paying full price. Dan put together some of the tastiest cocktails I have ever had. And I've had a lot. A LOT. The three drinks I've tried so far are the Oaktown Heat (Hangar One Mandarin Blossom Vodka, muddled ginger, lime, a kick of habanero vodka), the Pepinos del Amor (Tequila, cucumbers, lime, habanero tequila, spiced salt rim), and the signature Penelope (Tequila, fresh beets, apples, pears, lime). The Oaktown Heat is my favorite. I'm not even a ginger fan, but it works so well in this drink. It's refreshing, has a nice bit of heat to it, and has a good amount of booze without tasting too much like it. The Pepinos del Amor is similar with tequila and a less sweet flavor, with some of the habanero heat tempered by the cucumber. Genius. Did I mention they do their own habanero infused vodka and tequila??! The bartenders are extremely cool guys that make everyone feel welcome. On Thursday nights, Rolando and his FiveTen Burger truck come by to serve up some good grub. I haven't tried Penelope's food yet, but I can't wait to. Maybe on a day off I'll try it for lunch. I think I've finally found my regular neighborhood bar. I will definitely be back! read more

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

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This is a really nice bar inside and out. If it's nice out, the sitting area in front is perfect for grabbing some drinks and chatting it up with friends. The customized cocktails are amazing from what I hear. I stopped here for the Old Oakland celebration and I was quite impressed by this place. I will be back with friends in tow. Oh and it's supposedly named after Penelope Cruz...the actress. read more

Love, love, love this place. A friendly staff. Soothing tunes. Drinks featuring fresh, atypical ingredients like prickly pear cactus juice and beets. Plus really good bar grub. It was enough to make a cranky girl smile. read more

Penelope - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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I was excited to try this place, as it's in a neighborhood I frequent, it has good Yelp reviews and looks nice from the outside. I went with two friends, around 8 PM on a Friday night after eating in Old Oakland. It's a very very small bar. We grabbed one of the few high top tables, as the bar was full. The bartender was friendly, and seemed pretty involved with the "regulars" who were a group of extremely loud middle aged men playing dice games on the bar. We ordered some drinks - they were out of two of the beers I ordered so we settled for some lager called "Buddha" it wasn't that good, but, the bottle is shaped like Buddha so that's a novelty. The bar had beer spilled on it. It appeared to not have been cleaned up after the previous patrons, so I got beer spillage on my hands when I went to order a drink. Ugh. The decor is attractive, however, the bathroom was a wreck. Perhaps it's the Virgo in me, but, it was horrifying, and I made the mistake of turning the fluorescent light on when I went in. The bathroom hadn't been cleaned that morning. There were garbage overflowing from the trash can, long women's hairs on the ground, and urine around the floor by the toilet (it is unisex) of the toilet. I understand the latter happens in shared bathrooms, but, it was really disgusting. I was practically gagging while attempting to use the restroom. The bathroom is enough for me to never want to go back here again. I'd avoid using the bathroom here. And if you do, don't turn the lights on. read more

A small intimate bar with just a handful of high tables in addition to the bar seating. Our bartender, Dan, was genuine and awesome, taking great care of me and my friend from start to finish. For the cocktails, the signature selection is quite extensive with a number of more unique concoctions very much worth exploring. Being a fan of the brown stuff, I thoroughly enjoyed my Manhattan Project made with slight variations on all the classic Manhattan components and a base of Lexington bourbon. And on top of all this, we happened to drop in on a stand-up comedy night that was absolutely hilarious. Highly recommended for quality drinks and a fun experience in uptown Oakland for sure. read more

Tried to come here on a Wednesday night at 10pm based on Yelp hours. Closed. To be fair though, their listed hours on the premise and website just say 4pm-Closing. Not sure how Yelp can account for it but places should abide by definite hours rather than winging it on how slow it is. I went earlier the next day around 7pm and found it to be a nice intimate place that would make a great happy hour. The features are custom cocktails and the two I tried, blackberry margarita and the Penelope (a beets and tequila based drink) were delicious. read more

A true hidden gem in Oakland! If you live near downtown Oakland or work around the city center, you've probably passed this hidden treasure a hundred times. (located on the street level of the tall ASK building) You will always find Saigon and Johnny at the bar. This duo runs the joint and will always invite you to play a game of dice. I recommend trying Saigon's "Oaktown Heat" or Johnny's "Jali-Berry", but if you want something sweet and girlie, ask for "La Kristita." The bar serves light snacks and sandwiches, which is great for lunch or a snack before a BIG night in the town. Food in the tummy before a long night of drinking is always a good idea. I'm looking forward to the Julieta Venegas After Party at Penelope this Cinco de Mayo! read more

One of my favorite bars in Oakland! Johnny who is the owner and bartender, such a great service and makes amazing drinks. Love the ambiance and drinks are top notch! They also have comedy night every Wednesday. Highly recommended read more

Small, friendly, fun space with great drinks! Interesting ingredients and superb execution - also, plenty of actual liquor!!! (Penelope pleasantly does not bend toward the more-juice-less-alcohol trend.) Maybe the best Manhattan ever. The Appassionatta was also lovely! Buzzed after the first round; quite happy after the second. From Penelope's Web site: "We specialize in awesomeness." We were there on a Tuesday night and the place had some solidly happy regulars. It was busy, but not packed. There was baseball on in the corner and social people throughout. There were a few board games off to a side if your group wanted additional reason to sit around and be contented. Bartender was welcoming and warm. Ample outdoor seating, for smokers or nicer weather. It's not a place I find myself in very often, but it's just a few short blocks to Swan's Marketplace, other downtown spots, or Chinatown. read more

Penelope - Good, strong drinks :) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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I could drink my life away here. Johnny the barkeep is devilish. With fresh-pressed juices, handmade infusions, excellent spirits and many a hat trick up his sleeve, the man's arsenal of creative cocktails is wicked. The Oaktown Heat with habanero and Hangar One Mandarin does me in, but I pretend not to notice as it creeps to my cheekbones in a crimson flush. The patterned wallpaper swirls, the intimate bar fades away. After work, a dapper crowd gathers for happy hour on the patio, indulging in the drink du jour. My liver is lucky I don't work in a mile radius. Oooh, love hurts so good. read more

Q: What can get Tom to take BART to Oakland on a weekday? A: A cute girl inviting me to her birthday party First off, this place is hard to find. There's something wrong with the address listed. I traveled all the way to Oakland to hang out with a bunch of people that went to high school together, one of them I know a little, and a Chihuahua. They have dog friendly front porch seating. I had a decent Old Fashioned; they make their own Maraschino Cherries. The food looked good. The staff was very friendly. If I remember correctly the beer selection wasn't great but I'm kind of a beer snob. There are a lot of bars in the area I like better so I probably wouldn't go back unless invited. read more

I subscribe to the school of thought that bars should be dimly lit, bartenders should be conversational, patrons ought to be unreserved and cocktails ever-flowering and aspirational. Penelope, the intimate bar that it is, packs a mean punch and captures a slice of Oakland life I knew not existed. Imagine artisan cocktails and dopeness bartending meeting a jovial clientele (Roland, owner of the fivetenburger truck hangs out after selling out of his meaty creations). A fantastic spot to hit day or night, don't miss the libation after their own namesake. The Penelope combines a homemade beet, apple and pear puree with tequila and then some. For a true hater of beets to regale you with stories of its grandeur should tell you something. Go here and you'll be pleasantly surprised. read more

Yes, Penelope as in Cruz. Bonus points! I'd heard reliable rumors about Penelope's sexy cocktail list, which seemed a perfect way to kick off a Friday night. We had a hard time finding the place, as it's located at the base of a big corporate building, not quite what I expected...but hey, life's full of surprises. There's about 12 seats at the bar and a few small bar tables, low lights, and sultry bosa nova. Intimate, for sure. If I had an extra liver or two, I would have ordered every spicy/ exotic/ ultra fresh cocktail on the menu. Feeling patriotic, I went with the Oak-town Heat: mandarin and habenero vodkas, ginger, lime, liquid happiness. The Saigoninha was another winner: Cachaca, fresh muddled lime, fresh orange. You'd almost think it was a smoothie shop, judging by all the fresh fruit and herbs hanging around. The cocktails are legit! The owner chatted us up in a most genuine fashion, telling us about the huge Penelope Cruz mural that will be installed soon (hell yeah!) If they added some kind of plush curtains to the front windows, this place would be thoroughly smokin'. read more

Went here last night specifically because I wanted a spot with food and drinks. Got to the bar, ordered a drink and asked for a food menu. Bartender brought my drink, charged me for it, and then said that they're not serving food tonight, they have a food truck. Hold up. You're a restaurant and you've just decided to not serve food? On a Friday night? Ok, so I order a super heavy breakfast sandwich from the food truck, not at all what I had in mind for dinner, but too hungry to go look for a new spot, plus I already bought a drink. Go back inside to eat and there is this group of like 6 fools playing dice at the bar, which here, is about 18" away from where I'm eating. Dice seems innocent, I know, but imagine that every 45 seconds there is a crazy loud disconcerting noise behind you that sounds like a car backfiring (the thing being slammed down onto the bar) and then a bunch of middle aged drunks screaming like they just won in vegas. Add to that super loud sports on the TV, the radio blasting a stand-up comedy show (really guys?), and you get an environment is just painful. Also, cold. Doors open all night, people huddled up on the patio, heaters can be seen but are not on. And bright. All in all, I can't figure out for the life of me why this place has so many stars. No food, terrible ambiance. So so drinks. read more

Beets in a cocktail? Who would have thought? Not me, but once I had it, I was sold - best cocktail I've had in a very long time (tequila, fresh beets, apples, pears, and lime juice). Penelope has created a way to get your fruits, vegetables and happy hour buzz, all in one place! A few other personal favorites are: Chica Fresa: bourbon, strawberry, sweet vermouth, baked apple bitters, lime Los Pepinos del Amor: tequila, cucumbers, lime, habanero tequila, spiced salt rim And of course, the: Blackberry Margarita: tequila, fresh blackberries, lime Not to mention, it has a very homey neighborhood feel; the patrons actually talk to each other, and the bartenders treat you like a bff. And perhaps the best kept secret - Wednesday is comedy/open mic night, which is always a blast! read more

The bartenders were wearing white dress shirts and hats at the time of our visit to Penelope. One of the guys even wore a vest. The drinks seemed a little pricey (Two cocktails cost me $20 before tip.), but the organic ingredients and inventive combinations more than made up for this. There is even a small food menu. Blink and you'll miss Penelope's from the street. We only discovered it on our way back from Kuwa to our car. We were lured in by the Christmas lights and open doors. Penelope's is super small inside too. It's a fun atmosphere, complete with piles of pyrite built into the bar and silver chairs. The patrons even play cards together. read more

I suppose the owner Tung T. (who is not registered as the business owner so I am unsure) has informed me that "1) We are small yes, but we actually have 25 seats inside and 18 seats outside not 8 and 6 like in your review." My apologies on that note. I did not mean to incredibly mess up the amount of seats available. No intentions of doing that, but it did look small. I am also lowering my rating because I was falsely accused of wreaking havoc on their bathroom, which I am extremely miffed by since I did no such thing or anything like. I have much more respect for other peoples' property even if it is something revocable. Tung T. states and I quote, "Lastly, one of the guys in your party went in our bathroom and pulled out all the drawers and left them out for no good reason. Why did you guys do that? If we screw up on service or product, please let us know and we will rectify that, but to vandalize the place was not cool." Thank you for also insulting me. read more

Identity Crisis. I've been here 4 times. the drinks *are* nicely made and there isn't much in this part of the neighborhood. Loved it the first time, the following three times the atmosphere was sports bar but the decor and cocktails are not - creating such a disconnect that I downed my drink and was out of there in less than 30 minutes. All I could think was "identity crisis". Something very off putting about the chic interior mixed with the blasting television or the radio pop at top volume. Television up very loud (not on "major game or news days" just general wednesday night) and it felt like a sports bar heart stuffed inside an urban loft. Like, my girlfriend is into this urban chic and ahi but I just want a cheeseteak and the game with my feet up. The experiences I've had there just don't mix with the look and feel of the bar or the cocktails or the pricing. I thought it was just me or a mood or just once but I have a studio in the area and have been in several times. I like loud, I like sports bars, I like chic, I like intimate, I like dive - I'm an equal opportunity bar goer. I've resisted reviewing this place, but it needs to be said... One experience, I took a good friend from out of town thinking it was close to his hotel and it was nice for a lot of cocktails and a lot of talk at a little table... but with the tv blasting on high, the bartender eating take out BBQ in a plastic container on the bar with bbq sauce on his hand taking our order, the other proprietor egging on the sloppy drunk regular to sing songs, I thought I was just there on an atypical slow weeknight. We had a better time at another bar near the hotel that we expected to be loud & raucous, and that was great! I guess I'd rather be at a bar that matches its advertised style than be aurally assaulted at one that looks like it will be quiet and chic and is anything but. Anyway, I thought "well they had a bad night". The next two times I took friends it was basically the same - TV blasting and destroying the atmosphere making me feel like a chump with my $8 cocktail or as though I was steering my friend wrong and we moved on immediately after. The last time we were in and out without even having a drink, as we were waiting for the tender, we looked and said "you wanna go to "...other bar nearby..." and we scooted out. I guess I won't be back. Suggestion for the bar - just pick your style and go with it. Oakland will still want a bar in the area. Bars and Restaurants are often about "feeling" "style" and etc. Your style doesn't match the feeling I've had there 4 times, time for me to find another watering hole. read more

You gotta love my good friend Tina, always pro-Oakland, pro-Business, pro-Local so in that spirit she brought a friend and I to Penelope to experience her favorite bar evah! She always has a plan and the plan was to drink, have some La B vittles, then do a walking tour of Oakland for our friend's sake. The plan was a bit askew however we still were able to chill at Penelope for a while and of course the vittles which being the non-drinker aka DD was the highlight for me. While Penelope was small it still had an energy I couldn't quite explain but what I can comment on is the feeling. Not like a Toyota slogan kind of feeling and especially not the feeling of uncontrollable acceleration but more of a welcome to my bar we're glad you're here and maybe if you come back more often we'll yell out your name, can anyone say NORM?! The owner is very kind as is his bartender. They made all of our drinks EXACTLY to our specifications and even concocted a non-alchoholic Juicy Juice-esque drink just for me with the fruit they had on hand, BRILLIANT!!! Now I know why my dear friend loves this place! read more

Stopped by this little place when we visited a food truck parked out front. Just before six on a Thursday night, we had to pay for a half hour of parking, but were able to park right out front. Not crowded, but comfortably full. There were two friendly guys behind the bar - no problems getting their attention or ordering drinks. We got a couple beers and a cocktail, all happy hour prices. Beers on draft included Stone IPA, Sierra Nevada, Dos Equis, Franziskaner and Chimay ... all except Chimay were $4 during happy hour. The $6 cocktail was made with muddled fresh fruit and a generous pour of rum. They seemed to be having some foam issues with their beer lines, but our pours ended up just fine. Overall, a nice spot for a drink after work, with some decently made cocktails and a couple good beers on tap. Would come back again. read more

Penelope is a lovely little spot in downtown Oakland. It's mostly a bar, with a small kitchen and a few cramped tables. I'd hesitate to call it a restaurant because it is really just a slim cozy hole in the wall, but there is food, and you can get a whole meal here. The space is clean, casual, and elegant, perfect for a calm drink. My mom and I met two of her friends for a drink and a bite at Penelope one late Wednesday afternoon. The place was mostly empty, and one bartender saw to all of our needs. He was attentive and friendly. I needed a bit of fortification, so I ordered a cocktail and a beer in quick succession. The Smoking Gun was a neat little cocktail, made with tequila, orange liqueur, guava, 10 year Laphroaig, and citrus. It was smokey and sour, and though the balance was slightly off, it was a nice, tasty drink. I followed it up with a glass of Chimay White, which was on tap. The beer selection was small but decent. No one was looking to eat a full meal, but we shared a few things to munch on and these were good. We ordered smoked salmon toasts, a cured meats and cheese plate, and a steak sandwich, all of which split very easily. The smoked salmon toasts were pleasant mini pizza wedges of golden toast topped with smoked salmon, pickled shallots, creme fraiche, and chives. They were fresh, zesty little bites. The meat and cheese plate came with a couple salamis and manchego and fontina cheeses, with some seasoned pumpkin seeds on the side. Nothing mind-blowing here, but all very good. Finally, I really liked the steak sandwich. It was a sizable sandwich, with tri-tp steak, tomatoes, and mixed greens with vinaigrette on a crusty white roll. The steak was tender and delicious, and the vegetables were fresh. I thought the sandwich was a particularly good deal for $8, and I'd stop in and eat it again if I lived in Oakland. I may not have occasion to come back to Penelope, but I enjoyed my time here and would recommend the place highly to anyone who is around. It's a pleasant place, with good food and drink. I'd love to have it in my neighborhood. read more

I was introduced to Penelope by a LivingSocial Voucher. The bartenders are very friendly and give a generous pour. I would come back to try out their other drinks. Which from the reviews of other yelpers look and sound delish! I went during happy hour 4-6pm, their well drinks are $5, and some tap beers are $4. They also have a HH special that is listed on their counter. Otherwise their cocktails are listed on a menu Cute and Quaint place. The entrance is actually on Clay, on the corner of clay and 11th st. The spot is very small and it has many patrons but is not overly crowed where you are gasping for air. The outside has some tables for small group of people to sit and relax to have their drinks. read more

this little fucking hole in the wall is amazing. I had no idea it was here until last Wednesday. they do AMAZING comedy and the drinks are to die for. I will definitely be back. convent bit slightly hidden in downtown oakland, close to the post office (behind the city center court). really friendly bartender as well. (super cute too). read more

Penelope - Abre tus Ojos, without ginger. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

I go to Penelope on Wednesdays for comedy, and it's the best. Great open mic, great bartender (Johnny!) and great drink deals. And that's not to mention happy hour, which offers great deals as well. It's really intimate, so you get to know everyone in the Penelope Cruz-inspired bar. It just seems like the people who work here really care about their clientele, making it a great place to hang. read more

We stopped in for a couple of drinks and a bite to eat prior to a show at the Fox and the experience was definitely a mixed bag. If I could use one word to describe Penelope it would be tiny - tiny bar area, tiny food menu and unfortunately, a tiny amount of meat on my panini. Chorizo and apple was more like apple and chorizo essence. One of the bartenders was uber friendly while the other really couldn't care less. Happy hour was decent and I really enjoyed my cocktails but based on my food experience, I'm not sure that Penelope will get a second chance. read more

Came with a group of friends for happy hour. We grabbed a table outside and imbibed like crazy. The great happy hour specials definitely helped with this. The hang up, was that it was difficult to get service, and the food was pricey with small servings. It's location is great, far enough from downtown that it is quiet, close enough that it is easy to get to by BART. read more

"Oh hey! Did you hear about the Bay Lights ceremony? Let's go watch it!" Alas, yesterday, I had to say no to this grandiose event. Cold, windy and rainy would not bode well for my health. Instead, I met up with JoJo at a newish bar (new for me), and the 'tender was kind enough to switch the tube to the news that was covering the ceremony whence it was time. That was much better; great company, warm insides, alcohol... Who could find a better way to watch a momentous occasion? Besides, the light sculpture will be playing every night for the next two years; we weren't missing a thing holing up inside a cozy space. Upon arrival and long lost greetings, I surveyed the cocktail list and picked the mix with bourbon and strawberries in it (I can't for the life of me remember the name of the drink). Oh my, was it tasty! I highly recommend that one if you decide to drop in. The bar itself is quite cozy in the smallish way, but you don't care about that, do you? It's about the cocktails, the atmosphere, and the service, right? I knew you'd agree. You can find all three at this lovely little gem in the downtown area. Go on now, don't be shy. read more

I hate to say it, but this is close to my idea of the perfect bar. Simple and well designed, without feeling pretentious, and very comfortable. It's a small, manageable space that is laid out well to put one immediately at ease. My first thought upon sitting down was, "I'd like to own a bar just like this some day." The guy behind the bar was friendly, and it was slow so he was playing dice with a friend, but not at the expense of service. He whipped two great drinks, including the bright red Penelope, which was a well balanced tequila, beet and pear cocktail. Don't be scared by the beets. It really was quite lovely. I thought the flat-screen was out of place, but otherwise I love Penelope. read more

Came here for a small meal and drinks. Some helpful bits: 1. The address says Penelope is on12th St. LIES!!! This place is actually on Clay, between 11th and 12th. Hopefully this will save you some time walking along the cold cold streets of Oakland. :) 2. Penelope has a small but very tasty menu. I had the chorizo + apple sandwich. Very tasty and just the right portion for a small dinner (or snack for fattys like me). Also tried the smoked salmon on toasted bread with chives + creme fraiche. It's pretty good, but a tad pricey at $7 for 4 pieces. I will be looking to try the flank steak salad next time. 3. Expect to pay about $8-12 for any drink. They are, however, as tasty as everyone says. If you're up for an odd concoction, go for their tequila + champagne cocktail. If you want to try something sweet, their guava cocktail (guavalupe?) is pretty awesome as well. 4. The bartenders are really nice, so be good to them. Glad I checked this place out. Will probably be back for some more tasty tequila-heavy drinks. read more

Skip it unless you can't avoid it. It seems to be a place that was once passable, but has since lost that special thing that made people like it. Plenty of other diamonds-in-the-rough in downtown Oakland! I stopped by as part of a trio, after work but before a Warriors game on a Wednesday night. There were only two other people at the bar and it was early, but half of their food AND drink menu was unavailable... unfortunate, because it wasn't impressive (or even mediocre) to begin with. The two males in my party were horrified by the size of the meal portions, and my salad was nothing to write home about. The boys' jack and ginger drinks were lacking the ginger; my happy hour drink, in contrast, was lacking liquor. Despite being the only other party in the bar, it took about 20 minutes to get our drinks, and then some to get our "food." To top it off, we got our receipt on a hand-written sticky note... 20 minutes after we asked for it. Heat lamps only occasionally work, according to the barkeep, so if you're hoping to sit on the so-so porch on a chilly night - forget about it! read more

A true gem in downtown Oakland. This is by far my favorite bar of all time! Can't beat a sunny afternoon, sitting on the patio, and drinking wonderful drinks! Miguel is the bartender and he is so nice, humble, and that man can make some amazing drinks! There are a lot of drinks that have tequila and thanks to horrible college experiences I don't like to touch the stuff. Until now...I had the Jamaican and it was so delicious and the favorite surprise was the basil. Miguel also made us a special cucumber drink which was on the house. Even the way he puts ice into the drinks is fan-freakin'-tastic! It's not shaved but it just goes down so smooth ugh I just can't get enough of this place. He made my friends a fig drink with a bit of tequila. Another friend got a lemon leave infused gimlet. Most of these items were not on the menu. I LOVE that he shops at local farmer's markets to get fresh fruit for all of the wonderfully creative drinks. Miguel is a true artist! We also had the beef pannini and it was damn good! It's served with a side salad that had a lemon dressing. mmmm. He topped off our evening with a refreshing peach, ginger, vodka drink. You just can't be the service and wonderful drinks. The owner is also super cool and approachable. For the quality of drinks this place is very affordable. I told my co-workers that they should be wary when I say "gonig to lunch" because I might just stumble here at noon and not go back to work ;-). Now if only they opened on the weekends. Oakland definitely needed a place like this!! read more

What makes a bar great is having a fabulous bartender who can create custom-made cocktails for the client! I have been here several times and each time the bartender has been able to mastermind unique, delicious-tasting cocktails. I asked for a simple refreshing-tasting drink and the bartender came back with a cocktail that was full of fruit favor yet balanced well with the tequila. It definitely quenched my thirst! On my last visit I just ordered what the bartender suggested - a rum drink he called "Dark & Stormy." Out of this world! The second rum drink which he called "Tinalicious" was as addicting and delish as the "Dark & Stormy." Besides offering unique cocktail creations, the ambiance at Penelope is of a classy hangout place. The food options here are also quite appetizing - many dishes have a Latin favor to them. Penelope has definitely become my favorite bar in Oakland! read more

I found out about this place through an email from Yelp! and was so excited to check it out. We found parking easily and strolled up to the door. It smelled like shit outside (literally, like someone stepped in it or there was some kind of sewage problem nearby) so while we wanted to sit on the patio in the warm summer breeze, we decided to go in and escape the stench. Inside, no one greeted us. There were two people who appeared to be employees chatting it up at the edge of he bar. We stood there waiting for at leat a glance and maybe a non-verbal signal that we could sit anywhere. Maybe they could've handed us a menu and continued their conversation. Apparently, we were not cool enough or important enough to give them our business because NO ONE ever looked up or said anything to us. So, unfortunately I can't tell you that the food was delicious, the service was great, or that I had the best cocktail ever because they never gave me the chance. We walked out. Maybe I'll go back and give 'em another try; maybe I won't. I'm disappointed, Penelope. read more

I am utterly charmed by this "storefront" bar in downtown Oakland. Beware the parking meters in effect until 8pm, and note the surprisingly early closing time (it stopped me from going there at 10:30 on a Saturday night). The location is tricky, but once you know that the 555 12th St. address really means 11th and Clay, you're completely set! The bartender was friendly and charming; the cocktails were certainly interesting (to me), and not the run-of-the-mill. I had a "non-spicy" beef sandwich that was too spicy for me so I traded with my friend, who'd ordered a pork sandwich. The sandwiches did take an inordinant length of time to make, but I wasn't in a hurry. I went here because I'm on the mailing list for Hot Club of San Francisco, so I heard some lovely gypsy jazz live music. That, combined with the friendly staff and yummy food and drink, will certainly bring me back for more. Just beware of parking/location situation and early closing hours. Oh, and it's cooly decorated too. And, I love a bar with hooks for purses under the counter. read more

Really about 3.5, but I'll round up since I've been here so many times they must be doing something right to bring me back. I've only gone after work, so I have no idea how this place gets Friday or Saturday night at 10 p.m. but it's pretty chill once 5 p.m. rolls around. The bartenders are friendly and will make sure you get your drink and your second and your third. They have about 4 rotating beers on tap and about 5 or so bottles, so there's enough variety to please the beer drinker of the group. Their specialties are cocktails and they make some excellent ones. Our group is partial to the Oaktown Heat, Guavalajaras. and seasonal margaritas. Added bonus for using some local favorites like Hangar One and LInden St. brew. The place doesn't have a neon sign, so just look for the patio next to It's A Grind. My one gripe is that the place is tiny so it can fill up quickly. read more

Penelope is an adorable, tiny spot. I got there with a friend around 3:30 and it was totally empty. We got a strawberry and blackberry magarita...yummm. Decor is adorable and girly, and once it turned 4 or 5 ish the place became packed. Super laid back and casual. our check was hand written on a post it note...real casual! Overall, a cute spot. read more