Great club for family . Lots of different options. Wonderful to place to socialize with friendsread more

The Colombo Club holds a significant and bittersweet place in my heart, woven with memories of my…read moregrandfather, Raymond Fratangelo, who served as past president and spent years on the board, dedicated to preserving the club's family-oriented spirit. As his granddaughter, I grew up there as his shadow, learning the values he championed, sharing in his commitment, and even pitching in myself. I was down there almost every day doing homework in the board room on men's nights to eventually becoming a server. For our family, the club was more than a building; it was a sanctuary for connection and tradition. After my grandfather passed, the atmosphere at the club grew noticeably colder, almost unrecognizable. One evening, I visited on a family night, feeling the need to be near his presence. I went to his board room, where I used to help organize his files as he spoke to vendors. I remember opening up his drawer and looking lovingly at his business card and his rulers I used to use for geometry. I was suddenly interrupted and informed that no one was allowed in there anymore and then I was accused of stealing - (what was I going to steal invoices? For Christ sake) this was a blunt reminder of how much the club had changed. I expected to be embraced during this time and people were extremely tone deaf. Adding to the heartbreak, I learned that my uncle, Vince Fratangelo, who had become vice president, played a role in widening the rift within our family. Like my grandfather, he is been in a leadership position at the club, yet when my grandparents both passed away, he cut off all contact with all family members. Later, it became clear that he had intentionally created a wedge between me, other family members, and even club members. It's a sad irony that someone so active in a club that once upheld family values would choose to outcast his own and undermine the very relationships my grandfather had treasured. For me, the Colombo Club will always be tied to warm memories of my grandfather's legacy and the values he cherished. But with his passing, those values seem to have been replaced by a colder, more divisive atmosphere. The club, once a symbol of connection and tradition, has lost the warmth that once made it a true home for families like ours.

SHACK15 is part coworking space, part social club, and part event venue, located on the top floor…read moreof the Ferry Building with views of the Bay. The space is stylish, modern, with lounges, work-friendly areas, meeting rooms, phone booths, lockers, a café/bar, and plenty of room to connect with people. It's a community space for entrepreneurs, founders, investors, creatives, and changemakers. They host events, talks, cultural programming, and networking opportunities; you can meet interesting people, get work done, or attend a curated event there.

I come here for a lot of conferences and work meetups, and occasionally to cowork when a friend…read morelets me in! It's bougee. Snacks and amenities are good. The view can't be beat! It is a bit pricey IMO to be a member, but they have cool events and gatherings.

I came here for a high school reunion and it's a nice club. It's big and spacious inside and it has…read moretwo rooms. There's a stage in front and it reminds me of the type of gymnasium that my elementary school had where you had a place on the floor with people to sit at tables and eat and a stage where people could Act, scene, do presentations and so on. I was going to get a drink there and I'm glad I didn't! They had a full bar and you could get drinks there and I don't know what the prices were because as I was going, we were being called to dinner. The dinner was in another building and a roller door was lifted to let us in. We are allowed to sit at a table, and that was good. We saw salads that looked lame, but tasted much better than expected. Being that I hadn't eaten any veggies, I decided to go with the salad and eat some. yes I knew I couldn't eat the pasta. So, it was a nice spot. Unfortunately two of my friends had to go home because they had an appletini and got really sick. One almost went to the hostpital. The other, a nurse, was up all night and took care of herself at home. They said that the person put something, a cherry maybe in the drink and used their hands, no gloves. They thought that the alcohol would kill any germs. Apparently they did not. Lucky me, because I was going to order something when we were called to sit down for our meal. So, the food was clunky, the food was OK, and they had wine on the table. I didn't get sick which is why they have three stars. It's a building, it's standing, so it has the basics.

we had such a great time and a very good dinner there. What a fun group of people very welcoming…read moreand friendly. This club has been going on for decades as I found out and I only just went last month.

I attended a memorial service here last Saturday for my son's grandfather and my former…read morefather-in-law. Tom was always kind and generous to me, and I was honoured to be able to attend this very heartfelt and classy event for a really great guy. He was a Renaissance Man of sorts, whose 87+ years spanned a distinguished University career and a love for competitive sailing and tennis, skiing, wood working, music (oboe), gardening, language, and family. His impressive obituary also appeared in the New York Times and it's entirely possible that his path crossed with that of Gayle's Dad at around the time of 3 Mile Island. And a short while ago, Gayle and I were invited to his home for dinner, as he was curious about her and how I was doing. My favourite memory of Tom was a family conversation when he calmly and politely asked me a logical sequence of questions based on some "factual" statement that I had made. I answered then in turn and was initially quite sure of my position. By the 3rd or 4th question, I realized that I was logically trapped and by my own rope! He kindly let me off the hook, but I left that conversation impressed and humbled. I previously knew of the Town and Gown Club and had walked past it on the corner of Dana and Dwight many a time without recognizing it as such. It was founded by Emmanuel Marie Paget in 1898 as a club house for Berkeley women. It is a striking, yet simple redwood structure, of which the tall core is the work of Bernard Maybeck. The first floor features a common area with dark woods and angled ceiling beams, plus a library, kitchen, cloakroom and a small, but elegant outdoor garden. Upstairs is a meeting hall and auditorium, which is where Tom's service took place under the watchful eyes of his family, friends, and his beloved bonsai and flowering cherry plants. I was also grateful to be welcomed into the family again for this brief period by Tom's wife and my sister-in-law's family. There were kind words and hugs all around. And as each person stood up to celebrate Tom's life and accomplishments, I felt proud and grateful that I had the privilege of knowing him too.

Beautiful historic club. Wonderful events and lovely members.read more

I attended an event at Groundfloor and found the venue to be super cute and cozy…read more It's a short walk from MacArthur BART and has tons of private booths and plenty of seating to get work done. The kitchen area was nice and clean, as were the bathrooms, and overall I enjoyed the vibes of the space.

From the owner: At Groundfloor, we bring people together–whether to work alongside others, socialize at events, or…read moresimply hang out. It’s a place to build community and be in good company.

We had such a blast getting married at the Berkeley City Club!…read more The staff: Spencer helped with our room block. Brianne, Nicole, and Maria handled all the wedding details. Nicole was super responsive during planning. Nicole and Maria were amazing on the day of, checking in, helping with last-minute changes, and even making sure my husband and I got a plate of hors d'oeuvres. The whole team was awesome. The venue and logistics: It's an older building, so heat isn't always adjustable, but you can turn it to the lowest setting. Towels were soft, water was hot, and the honeymoon suite was quiet. There's always a coffee and tea bar near the lobby and fresh water with fruit in it. Pool sign-up is required. One person found it a bit cold, but others liked it. Shampoo, conditioner, lotion, body wash, and makeup removers were provided. Location and vibe: Stunning historic building in the heart of Berkeley. Guests could walk around the city easily. Amazing Golden Gate Bridge views. Explore the courtyards and hidden spaces--you'll find new spots everywhere! Overall, a gorgeous, unique, and super fun place to get married. We can't wait to come back for our one-year anniversary!

Built in 1927 as a Club for Woman by architect Julia Morgan. About 15 minutes away you can find…read moreChapel of Chimes also by the same architect which I highly recommend visiting. She was the first American woman ever accepted into the top Paris architecture school back in the day and her fusion of Gothic and Moorish design represents the best of early California architecture. My friend wanted to stay here and while the price is high it's worth it to stay in a piece of history. The rooms are historical so don't expect anything too modern, the check in area and atrium behind it have some gorgeous architectural details and the sounds of running water. The parking lot next to the hotel costs 40 a night, if you don't mind walking you can park at a structure a couple blocks away for 20. Part of the hotel cost includes a free beer or wine at the Morgan bar on the second floor. If you've ever seen the pool at Hearst Castle you'll get something in the same vein but smaller in scale here. The big difference is you can swim in this pool if you are a guest!

What a hidden gem of a place. Looks like a great facility with solid trainers. Not sure there's…read moreanything like it in the area. Lena is a stud athlete and can help train runners as well as multiple sports. PLUS, this is a great place to hold private gatherings with friends - there's fun activities including ping pong and just bring your own (BYOB) refreshments. Lastly, they have many adult teams that members can join so get involved and PLAY!

Lena and Brian have created a really great community space for working out. They accommodate…read moredifferent ages, athleticism, and sizes. They push me to work harder without judgment.

My husband and I were married here in December 2025, and choosing this venue was one of the best…read moredecisions we made. There were so many reasons we fell in love with it. The historical architecture and elegance immediately stood out to us. From the high vaulted ceilings and exposed beams to the stunning chandeliers and large windows that fill the space with natural light. We loved that the venue offers a beautiful blend of vintage architectural charm in the front and a more modern feel in the back, surrounded by lush greenery. We also took advantage of the golf course at hole 11, where the sunset provided a truly breathtaking backdrop for photos. Another major reason we chose this venue was the exceptional communication and organization. Andrea and Sally were incredibly responsive, always answering our questions promptly and thoroughly. From the planning process to the wedding day itself, everything ran seamlessly. Our guests repeatedly commented on how smooth the entire day felt and how convenient it was to have the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all in one place. Many also complimented the delicious food and wonderful staff. We truly could not be happier with our experience at this venue. Highly recommend for anyone who is planning their wedding here. It was an amazing, unforgettable day.

Attended a Christmas party here last time and had a great time. This place has a lovely rustic…read morefeeling in it. The food and drinks they served last night were delicious. All the wait staff were friendly and helpful. There're ample parking spaces around too. Overall, it's a great venue to host any special occasions

Renew Collective is such a wonderful community! I've only been to a handful of events so far, but…read moreeach one has been such a positive and uplifting experience. Rachel puts so much thought and care into planning everything- whether it's a hike, yoga, dance party, crafting event, or mocktail tasting, every detail feels intentional and welcoming. What I love most is the variety of activities and the chance to meet new people who are also looking for fun, meaningful ways to connect without alcohol. Every event has been filled with laughter, great conversations, and a genuine sense of community. Rachel is an amazing leader! She creates a safe, inclusive, and creative space where people can really enjoy themselves and make memories together. I'm so grateful this group exists and look forward to joining more events!

I love the fun and creative events Rachel hosts, always an inclusive and welcoming vibe.read more

We just did an amazing team building event with OLBC. On short notice, they provided us with four…read morecoaches and led a fun tournament for our staff, then we hosted an ice cream bar in their beautiful historic clubhouse. Team building events help support this all-volunteer organization. Such a fun day!

If you have ever played bocce, this is just like it. The biggest difference is the balls are oblong…read moreso they roll at a curve--making it a little tricky--but a great challenge! As well as offering a club membership and free lessons to beginners, it is also a great place to host a fun daytime event. The pros: - A full kitchen, so you can self-cater - Indoor tables, chairs, etc. - A lesson/intro into lawn bowling, plus an hour++ to play - Reasonably priced - Fun and easy for all types of folks Cons: - Children under 12 are not permitted to play - Contacts a little tricky to reach a first, but they deliver! Check them out and support this organization that's been around for over 100 years! That's some Lake Merritt History!!