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The Factory Bar

4.0 (209 reviews)
ModerateCocktail Bars, Pubs
Closed • 4:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)
Updated 2 months ago

The Factory Bar Photos

THE FACTORY BAR ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Hipster
Casual
Trendy
Moderate noise

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Recommended Reviews - The Factory Bar

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Reviews With Photos

A view the bar and inside seating facing San Pablo Ave.
Rob I.

The Factory Bar is one of those places that just feels right the moment you walk in. From the outside, it has that clean industrial look, but once you step inside, the space opens up into something warm and layered. Exposed beams lined with old Richmond street signs, vintage photos, leather chairs, soft lighting. It feels thoughtful without feeling staged. You can tell someone cares about the details. The drink program is strong across the board. Good beer selection, a nice mix of wine, and a full bar for cocktails and spirits. What really impressed me, though, was the quality of the cocktails. They are balanced, well-crafted, and made by bartenders who clearly know what they're doing. Some of the best cocktails I've had at any bar, not just locally. The staff is friendly and genuinely helpful. You never feel rushed or overlooked. It feels like a neighborhood place that also happens to take its drinks seriously. And the patio is a standout. String lights woven through the trees, heaters for cooler nights, tucked-away seating that feels almost like someone's backyard gathering spot. It's intimate and relaxed, the kind of space where conversations stretch on longer than you planned. This is not a flashy club and it's not a pretentious cocktail lounge. It's a well-run, character-filled bar that brings people together. Richmond is lucky to have it. Five stars, easily.

Oopsy Daisy
Nicole P.

I'm so happy that I came because I am counting down the days until I go back! Factory Bar is a great place to unwind after a long day at work or just hanging out with friends! Great drinks, lots of seating (both inside and outside) and even better vibes. My favorite cocktail was the Como La Flor, which is their seasonal margarita. The staff were personable, helpful, and attentive. Oh! I forgot to mention that you can bring your own food! There is a food truck outside and my favorite taco place is right next door! What more can you ask for?

A cold one
Jezabel D.

Local water hole. Best mixed drinks in town by far. The space is intimate with amazing art and Richmond memorabilia. I love coming here for drinks with hubby. They allow food from el tucán next door or the food truck. Their comedy events are always a great treat. I've attended multiple. Service is fast and friendly, drinks are always innovative and fun. I love their Halloween and fall drinks. Over all is a great hangout. Come one come all. The factory has the best mixed drinks in the area.

tacos from popup
Tsu K.

I always enjoy going to The Factory Bar. My daughter took me there for a Mother's Day cocktail and tacos. I ordered a bloody mary which came with a strip of bacon and a skewer of shrimp and misc cocktail veggies. It came pretty quickly and was tasty. We sat in the patio which is quieter than the indoor seating areas. It was warm enough that the heater were unnecessary.

Dog friendly
Craig G.

We had drink tokens we needed to use up! But I was pleasantly surprised at how big, fun and funky this place was. No food, but often a roaming foodie truck or two will park out front to help the patrons slow down the effects of all that alcohol. Or next door is a hella busy but good Mexican place. The bar allows you to bring your own grub in so that makes for a lengthy fun and action packed evening. So said token in hand dog in tow we headed out for a Friday evening of drinking. I left the cocktail tokens for the ladies to use and I wound up downing several on tap Guiness beers. Very eclectic Friday night crowd from 20 something's to ol foggies like us, after work office types and construction crews alike. Place was packed and hella busy @ 5 pm! No wait service so getting the cocktails can be daunting unless you turn on that New York attitude and bogart your way to the front without a second thought. And heck yes, the bar tenders all ladies were great. So we were sure to give em some $$$ even tho our drinks were free. If it wasn't such a blustering cool evening we would have been content on the ample patio but the owner saw us shivering and suggested we go in side. Either way Koa loved it... becoming a 62 lb lapdog! Not exactly our hood, but it was a nice inexpensive deviation from where we normally go to get lit.

Mike P.

My favorite go-to local bar! Great vibes and ambience, and nice people all around. This place is spacious enough with different areas to hang out even when it's crowded (which it can be at times). Cool thing is you can get food and bring it in also. Many options at the bar for whatever you're in the mood for.

Montage of images from The Factory Bar
Ed U.

I tend to underestimate Richmond and all it has to offer. OK, give me a minute...Point Richmond. Tasty Mexican food on 23rd. Rosie the Riveter. Tasty Mexican food on San Pablo. Oh look, there's 3 Hermanas and Tacos El Tucan within strolling distance. I wasn't aware this bar was even here since it feels like it should be in a more hip neighborhood. But hey, maybe this IS a hip neighborhood and this spot could be leading the way. It's a nice welcoming space with a long bar where you can gather with your friends or sit in relative solitude. I've done both now, so I can attest to the satisfaction found in either situation. The big draw, however, is the open patio, and even on the weekend, it didn't get overly crowded. Jamie W. and I came here on a Sunday as we waited for his car to get serviced. It was pretty quiet but we were seduced by their specialty cocktail list. We both went for the $12 El Coco Piña, a refreshing albeit a bit sour mix of Plantation Pineapple Rum, Navigator Coconut Rum, and lemon juice topped with pineapple foam (photo: https://bit.ly/446abr9). Sitting on the patio made us want to go back to Waikiki. With Jamie out of town, I stopped by for a little libation and ordered the $12 Princess Peach because I'm secure with my own masculinity. It was a tartly winning combination of Buffalo Trace, Bank Note, Combier Peche, lemon juice, and egg whites (photo: https://bit.ly/43MsK45). The scene was livelier on a Saturday as were the bartenders. We need to come back for Tiki Tuesdays because I could go for an ube piña colada. COCKTAILS - 4.5 stars...nicely relaxing combos of tropical treats AMBIANCE - 5 stars...unexpected find in Richmond of all places SERVICE - 5 stars...very convivial spirit at the bar, relaxing on the patio TOTAL - 5 stars...another attraction to bolster Richmond's reputation RELATED - Exploring this part of Contra Costa County? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2VyCP18

Erick T.

A fantastic local bar with solid cocktails. There are lots of fun spaces inside, including a really comfy lounge with leather chairs and boardgames. There's also an expansive space outdoors in the back where you can relax while soaking in the sun. The cocktails are well made and reasonably priced. The service is friendly. Best of all, you can bring in your tacos from El Tucan nextdoor and enjoy them with your drinks.

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22 days ago

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7 months ago

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19 days ago

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Tom L.

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7 months ago

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3 months ago

Lovely ambiance and staff, but terrible drinks. Not much else to say (I almost never post negative reviews) ..................:-/

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

Great bat and scene. Plus they invite food pop ups to sell tasty foods. We had grilled cheese sandwich vendor when we went. Sooo good!

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3 years ago

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5 years ago

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Ask the Community - The Factory Bar

Is there a happy hour? If so, what are the times and menu?

I asked them about happy hour and they said their drinks are so reasonably priced, they didn't feel a need for a happy hour. They don't serve food, but there is often a food truck outside and you can bring in your own food. It's a very cool place -… 

Could I reserve a small section outside, party of 6, for my birthday?

We don't take reservations at that size. You can reserve the space for parties 20 and larger (with a deposit). Usually for parties of 6, if you come early enough, there is plenty of space to post up.

Is the bar dog friendly?

Yes it is!

Are they currently selling half shell raw oysters?

The Factory Bar does not serve food, although there is Tacos El Tucan next door and food trucks most days

Are there outdoor TVs?

No outdoor TVs

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Review Highlights - The Factory Bar

“The Factory was born 8/92020 in the darkness of Covid and we sat outside 6 feet apart wrapped in blankets.”

Mentioned in 11 reviews

Read more highlights

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FYI, this spot is cash only. Schmidt's Pub is so unique. Solano Ave. in Albany/Berkeley doesn't…read morehave too many watering holes, and this pub is the perfect mix of quirky and community. There's an exterior in the front to sit outside and enjoy a beautiful late summer evening, and also an exterior in the back of the building to do the same. Or enjoy purchasing a tobacco pipe/tobacco/papers. No food here, but Solano is lined with eateries for pre/post pub action. They have a fireplace for the cold nights, and board games. A fun mix of locals working or hardly working :) This is a beer/wine spot also. Great mix of local sips, and some fun snacks too. Love the art and wall artifacts. A great addition to the area and meeting place for new and old friends alike. Easy on the wallet, metered-parking on Solano.

It's a wonderful tobacco shop and bar/cafe to visit with friends…read more If you travel alone though, the crowd is very introverted, the most of any bar I've ever been to, so much so it may take years of going before there someone says hello to you, let alone bring you into the conversation. I spent my first ten years going there maybe six to ten times a year. That was what it took I immediately sensed. Socially, the Pub moves glacially. I had fun with it. In my eleventh year, I went regularly for two years, after being officially invited "in". It was then I got to see the depth of the cowardly bully culture there. It's bullies and those that play along. I've never been anywhere like it. Ironically, the Pubsters say , "It takes ten years to be a considered a regular." They don't realize what they're saying. It's not inviting. It's also the only bar I've ever been where they give regulars nicknames.....that are only used behind their backs. That said everything to me.

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Schmidt's Pub - 02.2023 fieldwork blueberry parfait

02.2023 fieldwork blueberry parfait

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Kensington Circus Pub - Shepherd's Pie  01/18/25

Kensington Circus Pub

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I really love this place I do. I've been coming here for years and Heidi was so awesome and nice…read more Sad that she left. The food is great. The only thing is this one shorter heavy set woman with a bun (I think she is a manager). She should not work customer service, because she is not a very friendly person. She ruins my dining experience every time. When she asks you a question, she barks at you and she has this mean countenance all the time. She is constantly frustrated at the new Asian dude, who is nice, just not very good at his job. But hey, there might be a steep learning curve. The thing is, he can always get better, but the lady can't just change her attitude. Hope she gets the help she needs.

I recently went back to Kensington Circus Pub with friends for an early dinner, and unfortunately…read moreit was a very disappointing experience. To start, they didn't have a single British beer on the menu. Guinness is Irish, not British, so that was already a letdown. On top of that, they were out of Scotch--pretty surprising for a pub. The service was friendly, and our server was very sweet and apologetic, but it was clear he had not been properly trained and didn't seem familiar with the menu. It took multiple trips to our table just to clarify that the clam chowder did not contain meatballs; the other soup of the day was meatball soup. Even then, the explanation we got was confusing. We also asked for our soup to come before the entrées, but everything arrived at the same time. As for the food, three of us ordered the fish and chips, and it was disappointing. The fries were cold and soggy, and the fish was soggy on the bottom where it sat on the fries. The fish itself seemed decent and tasted fine, but it was not prepared well. One person had the burger and had no complaints, and another had the shrimp scampi pasta, which looked good and seemed to be enjoyed. Overall, the experience just didn't live up to expectations.

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Kensington Circus Pub - Dog at table! Not a good look.

Dog at table! Not a good look.

Kensington Circus Pub - Pork

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The Factory Bar - cocktailbars - Updated October 2026

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