Slainte! Solid Irish dining experience. The service was spot on. We sat outside because of the dog, but the server was attentive and super kind. The soda bread had a different texture than what I remember from Ireland. and the Guinness tasted a bit different as well. Both were still very good. The butter and cheese served with the bread were excellent. The atmosphere was welcoming, and it was a fun way to enjoy traditional Irish cuisine. I'd highly recommend stopping by if you're interested in trying Irish food or just looking for a friendly pub with excellent service. Parking is a challenging. read more

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- Ambiance; Maybe best overall among Irish pubs in the bay area. One of the few with an open fireplace. The kitchen closes at 9pm. - They have Irish Seisiun music Sunday 6pm-9:30pm. - Best acoustics and low noise of any sessiun in the Bay Area. Food: - 5/5: Lamb sliders. Very flavorful. Perfectly medium-rare. - 4: Guinness Ginger cake $11. Very moist, and great ginger flavor. But can't taste the Guiinness. - 4: Fish n chips. flavorful, and coating stays crisp. Large portion. Mushy peas are OK. - 3: Pretzel with cheese beer dip. Very ordinary. - 1: Sausage roll: sausage is flavorless and mushy, puff pastry is not light/crispy enough. Drinks: - 4/5: Magner's cider. Must let it warm up for the flavor to bloom. - 3: Winter orchard cocktail: too dry, and the pepper ticture doesn't work. Add 1/4 oz maple syrup to bring it up to 3.0 - 3: House made Eggnog. It's missing all the things that make eggnog good. - 3: Nollag Old Fashioned. Not enough of an alcoholic backbone. Heavy gloopy orange note. Very sweet. Not enough bitters. Unbalanced. - 2: Barrel aged rosita. Should have barrel aged a regular negroni. The dry vermouth just waters it down. Should be served with a big cube to prevent fast dilution due to ice melt. read more

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Just discovered this spot even though it's been there for awhile. Been there on a busy night and a slow night. They have live music on some nights. Good for a date night, not too loud that you can't hear each other. The staff were friendly. Nice vibe. Guinness is good. Food is good. We liked the Sausage Roll. The seafood chowder was small for a large and pricey but tasty. Ginger Cake was a bit too gingery so probably won't get again though I heard it's a favorite. I have positive memories of visiting Ireland 30 years ago and would go again though I don't think any of the staff are Irish..LOL. read more

The only Irish pub in Oakland! Loved the hospitality here, and got to talk to the owner and learned a little about the place. This place feels intimate and has some outdoor seating as well. I'd definitely come back to try some more drinks! I must admit I am not familiar with their game. read more

Sláinte - Irish Pub Near Me - Oakland, California

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Me and my mom were on our way to have dinner at Everett & Jones across the street, we noticed the Guinness Block Party at Slainte in Jack London Square. After we ate we joined in. The live music was outstanding, it was still lit by the time we walked over! read more

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Visited Slainte before seeing a movie at the Regal down the street and it was great to be back! The minute you enter it has a cozy, welcoming vibe, and I love the atmospheric lighting and well-worn tables. I was seated and given a menu and it had some of my favorites from past visits, like seasonal winter cocktails and classics like Irish Coffee, fish and chips, and more! We ordered Irish Soda bread and cheddar cheese along with two hot buttered rums. All delicious. I got the Fish and chips, and the portion was huge, enough for a second meal the next day. Fish was perfectly cooked and the chips were great. Service was swift and friendly, and we got our food quickly and easefully made it to our movie! It's a great place to go in general, or like us before seeing a film down the street. Highly recommend! They have cozy indoor seating, some outdoor when it is hotter outside, and a quick walk from bus or bart to there and all of Jack London Square. read more

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Proper Irish pub in Oakland. Fantastic, properly made Irish Coffees, which aren't easy to find. Due to Slainte, I've been introduced to Irish gin. Quite tasty! On top of that, they've this excellent martini glassware, Nick and Nora, based on the Thin Man movies. Best glass I've ever had a martini in. I don't like the traditional martini glasses at all. I find them very impractical and I always spill. This glass is a great shape and the glass itself is very light weight. If you'd like to feel like you've all the sudden been transported to Ireland, this is your place :) read more

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Slainte is one of my favorite places in Oakland due to the vibe. It's one of the only Irish pubs I've found in the Bay Area that feel like the ones I grew up visiting on the East Coast (and later drank at in Ireland). I love going on a rainy afternoon or cold evening to take in the ambiance and warmth from their fireplace. Service is always personal and friendly. I tend to go there for drinks and snacks most often. Their Guiness pours are velvety smooth, and the Irish coffee is well-balanced and not too hot. Their cocktail list gets changed up fairly often, but I've enjoyed all of the ones I've tried. The Irish whiskey list is also very comprehensive, and I've been introduced to some great unfamiliar brands that way. (When in doubt about which to order ask the bartender, who knows a lot and gives great recommendations.) For food, my favorites are the soda bread with Irish cheese (pairs great with a Guiness), the shepherd's pie (contains lamb, which is always a plus), and the fish and chips. read more

I may or may not have entered this establishment a little tipsy. With that said, I'm not sure what these ducks mean. They could just be an ornament next to your drink or perhaps a collector's item. Both drinks came with the ducks. As for the drinks, I loved the BloomsDay cocktail! I didn't find it too sweet, which is usually my concern when ordering cocktails. My sister, on the other hand, didn't want to take a chance on it, so she opted for whiskey--not with a pickle back, but with an olive back chaser. Why an olive instead of a pickle? It's because they don't carry pickles. Based on what my sister said, the olive back was much better than the pickle back. If you haven't tried it, she highly recommend it. read more

Sláinte - Bloomsday - Irish Pub Near Me - Oakland, California

My new go to Irish Pub. Not close to home but if I'm in Jack London Square again we will definitely be returning. Come and ask for a Whiskey sampler and you won't be disappointed! Fish and chips, Whiskey and local Irish music can't be missed. read more

I woke up wanting an English Breakfast (not sure why, never had one). Yelped it. Irish came up at this spot. Best breakfast ever, and I eat out, a lot. Food was delicious. Service was perfect. Cool Sunday breakfast, instead of my typical weekend Mimosa went with a chocolaty stout. I will be back for other offerings. I feel like this place has been here forever and for some reason I've never dropped in. read more

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We came for the Irish beer selection and their signature Guinness ginger cake!!! I had the Magners cider on draft and it was really good not too sweet. I also enjoyed the seafood chowder and I was pleasantly surprised it was hearty and good. Next time I'll try the bangers and mash my siblings ordered because they enjoyed it and it looks good too!!! As for their signature Slainte Guinness ginger cake it's so decadent and the perfect way to end the meal or simply accompany your drink. Definitely an Irish pub worth visiting when in Oakland!!! read more

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Very attentive. Shepherd's pie was worth a 2-mile walk. Parking out front and at dinner time was free.

This is a great and cozy spot. Feels like a second home and neighborhood spot. We got service right away and drinks came out fast. Food came out extremely fast and hot. Delicious brussel sprouts and juicy lamb burger. So yummy! The waiter even has a big bag of little toys to give to my kids. We went for the live music and it was on point. We loved this spot and there is so much to see here. Staff was attentive. They just need a Celtic FC banner or scarf! read more

Love me a bowl of delicious mushy peas just the right amount of salt. Would definitely get again. The chowder might have been the best I've ever had. The smokey flavor was great, and there was actual seafood in it, which I feel should be the norm but it's not lol while I prefer a thick and creamy chowder, I would def get this again AND say I'd order it over any other version I've had to date. Just the right amount of salt and cream. I enjoyed the chips and curry but don't think I need to get it again. All the cocktails were good, but can't recall the names. The Guinness ginger cake is great. Ginger is a highly underappreciated and underutilized ingredient in savory and sweet treats. This was just the right amount, and the cake was not dry. Would get again. Great ambiance and great playlist! We've been to old Irish pubs that play loud trash pop and it ruins the whole experience lol read more

Had a good time with the hubby here the other day for some lunch. I was really craving an Irish Breakfast, so naturally had to go to the best Irish Pub around. My hubby had the Shepherds Pie and we both had some drinks at the bar to go with our meal. The bartender was great. Service was good. Didn't wait too long for our meal. Parking is a little sketchy in the area, so I suggest parking at the Jack London parking garage down the street. Not too far of a walk. We also went to the St. Paddy's Day celebration they had last year and THAT was fun. Line could've been better handled for food and there could've been more seating, but still so much fun. Looking forward to going again this year! read more

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Walked in here around 6pmish on a Saturday night for a meal after seeing that our original intended restaurant had a very long wait. No issue finding a table for the 3 of us--it was actually almost 'uncomfortably' empty--perhaps just a lull though, as we dined the place filled up more. We ordered Shepherd's pie, fish and chips, and lamb sliders--all were good. Was not the best fish and chips I'd ever had, but I was satisfied. Order curry sauce for your chips (I think it cost an extra 3-4 bucks) and you won't be disappointed! The vibe was nice and cozy there and our server was friendly and attentive. Definitely will be coming back! read more

Sláinte (pronounced slawn-che) is such a fun and cozy spot in Oakland to tuck into or to try and beat some of this heat ~ when you enter you can feel the love, and heart/soul of the place from the decor to the awesome staff. Under new ownership, they have a menu full of delicious Irish fare, music and events weekly (check their website for event calendar), and even boozy Irish breakfast on weekends. A few things from the menu we thoroughly enjoyed ~ the fish and chips (with the mushy peas), house baked Irish soda bread, Irish seafood chowder, the mac & cheese, traditional Shepherd's pie, and to top it all off and wash it down, a Guinness & Guinness ginger cake. Everything ordered was thoughtfully mastered, prepared, and executed. I felt as though I was at my husband's home being served by his family ~ comfort in every mouthful. Don't sleep on this menu ~ the fish & chips are hearty and tastefully done without any additional grease, the mac & cheese is something alone I would come back for..the right balance of rich and creamy without going overboard, the Irish seafood chowder and soda bread could be its own meal in itself..unique and traditional, and the Shepherd's pie was a great closer..ample portions for a hungry crew! Would love to come back to experience music and more from the menu ~ maybe even their Iced Irish coffee, yum! Metered parking is available and I did hear there are smashburgers now on the menu! read more

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Sláinte Irish Pub Oakland is the place UK Expats recommend, and for good reason! Last week I was eating fish & chips at the Rock & Place, the oldest such restaurant in London. Sláinte, in my backyard, was recommended for a try upon my return. Today, jet lag gone, we headed over. The beautiful dècor, the delightful fireplace, and the enthusiastic and welcoming staff set our scene. It felt like coming home to a place one's never been. The good doesn't disappoint. The cod & chips with beef tallow mushy peas satisfies. The Guinness Autumn Stew tastes like Mom's. And the Guinness Ginger Cake is delightful, what with it's deep taste and sticky-crunchy texture. Comparing London's offerings with Sláinte isn't fair; the former serves hundreds daily since 1871, the latter far fewer, since 2017. Still, Sláinte satisfies and doesn't require an 11-hour flight. We'll return, certainly for the food, perhaps for the frequent live events. read more

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First time here. I am partially Irish and my partner maybe has some. I also like music and back in the day played alot of music all over the place. So given that we landed here on a live music Sunday night. I appreciate the talent of the fiddle players, mandolin and other stringed instruments but 2 hours of this is a bit much. Seriously, if they played this all day long instead of Britnay they would have all talked after a day. The bright spot might have been the young lady singing "Long Black Veil" which I have performed many times. This Irish bar actually had some good tequila, which I ordered, and a red ale; my partner had a Tito's Lemon Drop and the same beer. Prolly the darkest beer I've seen her drink. It goes without saying if you want to find some Irish whiskey, this is the spot. We also had the mac and cheese. It was OK. Not sure what an Irish bar is doing in Oakland but it's been here since 2017 so something is working. It's also a short walk from the parking garage, but hey yall'z it is still Oakland and you really need to pay attention. read more

The service was amazing. The Mac and cheese was very filling. We added a little Tabasco to the mix for personal taste. The beer was perfect not flat or too hoppy. Music was perfect level to talk without yelling. Perfect for a date night. read more

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Great food, great vibe, great service. Location is godawful and I have to ding them for it. It is not safe at night. Our car got broken into right out front. Oakland sucks - literally starting to feel like Escape from New York. Best to Lyft there. Besides that way you can drink more! We'll be back. But we won't be driving. read more

Sorry but...Buena Vista has nothing on this place for Irish coffee!!! They r the absolute best at this establishment! They also have great Irish whiskey tasting events. They were closed for a while but it's so AWESOME that they r back and in the East Bay! Very nice people too! read more

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I had a wonderful time at Sláinte's. Please, please go on a Sunday evening and enjoy the live music. The space itself feels like a getaway when you walk in but what really put the space over the top was the bartender Kelsey. Kelsey was very inviting, very friendly, helpful and engaged. He was fun to be around and it helped me relax. In addition to that Kelsey shared information about what was made in house. The food was well executed. I had the shepherds pie, which was served hot and hearty. The curry fries are good and the sausage wrap was good. Looking around at other tables food everything just looked well executed and people were enjoying themselves. I'd definitely say Sláinte provides that caring, catering, engaged experience for their visitors and I highly recommended. read more

RIP Slainte, the last Irish pub in the area Visited a handful of times, always a nice vibe. Came for a last full Irish breakfast before they closed. Place was lively, despite the rain. read more

Sláinte - Full irish - Irish Pub Near Me - Oakland, California

Best Guinness in Oakland!!!! Food is amazing and the service is top notch. Such a great place for a quick pint or grabbing lunch with a pal. read more

Sláinte - Guinness - Irish Pub Near Me - Oakland, California

Ambiance A+ authentic Irish Pub Food C meh! Fish was kind of soggy Service D owner/bartender was without personality. So unlike an Irish pub. read more

I've come here on and off over the years, mostly for music nights. Great atmosphere. A recent visit with two dinner entrees with 3 total beers was almost $100. The fish and chips are $25 which I have a hard time wrapping my head around. My banger and mash came out literally room temperature. As much as I want to support unique local businesses, I've turned a corner here. This isn't your neighborhood place to pop in for a bite and a beer - they've totally priced me out, unfortunately. read more

I love the full Irish Breakfast, reminds me of home, great food all around. The ambiance is great too. Service is always top notch. You are always in for a good time at Slainte!!! read more

My boo and I always like to stop by for a drinky poo or two before a movie at Regal. Chantée (sp?) is ALWAYS the best bartender, has great convo, and you can tell she knows her regulars! She was her amazing self today, but right before we left, we learned her sister passed away. She was the ultimate professional the whole time she was helping people. She deserves the world and a day off the Pineapple Buck was delicious, beef tallow fries are always good, the the Guinness was flowing. I wish they had more events here!! read more

Zero stars if I could. This is a poser Irish pub. Some patriots portraits, Shaw, Wilde, Thomas, some football banners, like checking stuff off. Actual Irish are warm, fun, they have the gift, craic it's called. I've only had drinks. My first visit was fine, there was a group of musicians, four fiddles and flute. Service was good it was 5ish pm on a Sunday. My next and last visit was a Friday around 5pm. Not busy when I arrived...but it got a bit busier. But not busy. I ordered a beer and a shot. My beer is now gone as the shot and for the next 20 minutes my glasses sit empty and not once did the bartender say a word to me. He's not filling orders, he's doing what amounts to prep, pulling stuff out of fridges and filling bottles of mixers. 20 minutes!! I finally said, with as much courtesy as I could, I'd like to order a drink please. As he's turning to the taps, I decide, screw this and ask for the check. He asks if he did something "wrong"? You ignored me!! You did busy work instead of serving a customer!!! Too many other good bars nearby. Go up the street to the brewery. Fine people, business owners selling their product. Not posers. read more

The fish, chips, curry, and burger here were so delicious! We already decided we'll come back next time we're at Jack London Square, just to be sure it wasn't a fluke. read more

This is a good place for a nice hearty meal with friends. It's quaint, warm and the service is excellent. read more

Sláinte - Shepherd's Pie & Bangers and Mash - Irish Pub Near Me - Oakland, California

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Visited Slainte for the first time tonight, for a night cap after an evening out. Fun vibe with a lively crowd. We enjoyed the ambiance and the Irish Coffees. Service was friendly and attentive. We'd love to return when they have live music. read more

Sláinte - Excellent Irish Coffees - Irish Pub Near Me - Oakland, California

Slainte has everything you would expect from a classic Irish pub - Guinness, Fish and Chips, Bangers and Mash, whiskey galore, heavy grease and a massive portrait of Oscar Wilde. The servers were quick and friendly and the food tasted great. Unfortunately, the tasty food also was very heavy food and caused some gastro issues later on in the evening. Still a good experience overall! Cheers! read more

Sláinte - Exterior - Irish Pub Near Me - Oakland, California

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Irish bars are almost always a good time! This one didn't fail with the spirit of the thing - a little rowdy, a little rustic, everything one could ask for in an Irish bar. That said the food fell a little flat for me - I had the bangers and mash, along with mushy peas. The sausage was the highlight, and the potatoes were okay! The peas weren't good though, not a fan of that flavor. This is a good spot to get your traditional Irish vibe though! Just beware of the peas, and don't forget that fried food can be heavy! read more

Sláinte - Bangers and Mash! - Irish Pub Near Me - Oakland, California

I love an Irish pub, but often the food is mediocre. Not here! Met some friends here before seeing a movie around the corner. I ordered the bangers and mash, which was affordable at $17. I'm always looking for good value these days. It was good and hearty and went perfectly with my Guinness, which was also poured perfectly. I also sampled the shepherd's pie. This is a dish that is often bland in restaurants, but it was delicious and savory at Sláinte. I found the soda bread to be too dry for my taste, but for all I know that's how it is supposed to be. I've never had it before, so what do I know? But I think it would have been perfect with a stew or some such. Waitress Jasmine was friendly and attentive without being intrusive. She made our stay even more pleasant. We will be back! read more

Great Irish pub in the Jack London area. Whether just dropping in for a Guinness, sharing a meal with friends, or attending a special event, Sláinte is a welcoming pub with plenty of seating. Their food is hearty and tasty, and the beer and Irish whiskey are always flowing. There is even a fireplace if you want to get extra cozy. Whether you're just starting your night here are hanging out for a while, you will be comfy and your belly will be happy. read more

Sláinte - Soda Bread - Irish Pub Near Me - Oakland, California

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We've wanted to get to this place to support the new owners and finally made it in on this rainy night. What a great place! Very cool art, fireplace and nice people. We were off to a good start! They had several types of seating areas. We sat at the bar and ordered Shepherd's Pie and Fish and Chips and both were superb. We also tried their up-rev Irish Coffee called Dirty Old Town. Fabulous. Great food, great drinks and great people. They'll be seeing more of us. read more

Sláinte - Dirty Old Town. Delish! - Irish Pub Near Me - Oakland, California

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Slainte (pronounced "slawn-che") is the Irish way of saying CHEERS! This is an awesome Irish pub and restaurant in Jack London Square. They perform live traditional Irish music every Sunday at 4pm, as well as some weekdays. And the musicians are really good, playing a range of instruments (flute, violin, banjo, even some I don't recognize), it's a beautiful sound to hear while enjoying some good food and drinks at this venue.  The food is amazing. We just got a few "wee bites" for sharing, but it was so delicious and satisfying. The Garlic Bourbon Mushrooms were flavorful with a perfect garlicky buttery taste. We also tried the Slainte Soda Bread & Irish Butter with Irish Cheddar Cheese (because I was curious about all things Irish on their menu, and obviously I love butter). It's hard to describe, definitely unique. The bread is grainy and somewhat crumbly, the consistency almost like a scone, but brownish in color with taste that goes so well with whipped butter (or in this case, "pure Irish butter"... yes, you can easily get Kerrygold at the store, but this combination was soooo good). The portion sizes are small, but the taste made up for it. And we washed it down with Slainte's Irish Coffee and the Doctor's Dilemma, which were made really well, good flavor and alcohol content. The venue is so cute with lots of character, exposed brick, charming wall decor, and wood furnishings creating the perfect ambience. And all of the employees were so helpful and friendly during our entire visit this past weekend, the excellent service adding to a wonderful experience overall. read more

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