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The Ruby Room

3.9 (471 reviews)
InexpensiveDive Bars
Open 7:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

The Ruby Room Photos

THE RUBY ROOM ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
DJ
Moderate noise
Divey
Happy hour specials

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Recommended Reviews - The Ruby Room

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Reviews With Photos

The entrance area to the bar
Moon G.

Im so sad this bar will be shutting down. It was the first bar I went to in Oakland when I moved in October. The space was so nice and inviting, always nice people. Even if you didnt know anyone. There wasnt any food BUT there was good food spots near by. I loved the drinks, they didnt cost too much, and had an indoor smoking area if that was your thing. Long live the Ruby Room.

Cutie bartenders
Brie D.

I love this place, I e been coming here for over 10 years and it's still one of my favorites! Drinks are cheapish and strong, and the bartenders are awesome. Definitely recommend.

Pool table room area

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7 days ago

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7 months ago

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10 months ago

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2 months ago

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8 months ago

They have roaches and rats it's dirty in there please fix this problem and it's always dark

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1 year ago

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7 months ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

Place was super chill when I was there. I was told the temperament varied depending on the night. I had a great time. Thanks!

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

Beautiful atmosphere and super personable bartenders! Will be coming back again for sure

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3 years ago

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

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8 years ago

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3 years ago

Great (and strong) drinks, cool af bartenders and LOVE the ambiance. This place is the best!

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8 years ago

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7 years ago

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8 years ago

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

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8 years ago

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6 years ago

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7 years ago

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9 years ago

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

Classic oakland dive bar! Ruby room is an oakland institution. Dark,divey and fun. If you have never checked out this gem do it now!

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7 years ago

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8 years ago

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13 years ago

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16 years ago

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18 years ago

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Ask the Community - The Ruby Room

Why is that image ," kill all men" , on the front page of this place ? If it said " Kill all ( fill in the blank: gay people, immigrants, people of color ,etc) how long would…

Calm down... They've all been super fun people to interact with, but gr8 b8 m8. I wish I could just… Read more

Do you get asked for a valid ID at the door or when you order at the bar?

Yes

How many pool tables?

1 table

View All 6 Questions

Review Highlights - The Ruby Room

Light up a smoke, play a game of pool and throw back a couple of (hooked up ass) shots.

Mentioned in 8 reviews

Read more highlights

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Tallboy - Deli dog

Tallboy

(171 reviews)

$$

Temescal, North Oakland

This place is great! The drinks are delicious and very affordable. Service can be a little slow at…read moretimes but that's completely understandable since it's usually packed. Making drinks for a crowd takes time and the staff always does their best. The people who come here are super friendly which adds to the welcoming, cozy vibe of the place. It's the kind of spot where you instantly feel comfortable. If you love a good martini this is definitely a place you should check out.

I'll give it to them, Tallboy is a solid concept with their "tinis & weenies". However, a clever…read moreconcept can carry a place so far. Customer service is a close second to concept. Tallboy's martini menu is well-executed. While I didn't personally try one of the slushies, a friend ordered the espresso martini version and gave it a solid thumbs-up. Unfortunately, the experience falls apart when it comes to food and service. Waiting 30+ minutes for two hot dogs (after paying) is hard to justify. When I checked in with a server, she was curt and dismissive. She was quick to explain there was only one person in the kitchen, with no effort to offer a solution, timeline, or even basic courtesy. I understand staffing issues happen. However, customer service is a close second to concept. How an issue is communicated and addressed is what separates good service from bad. What's more frustrating is that these aren't customer problems to absorb. If the kitchen is understaffed, if tables aren't being cleared in a timely manner at a seat-yourself spot, those are management problems. Guests should not have to choose to leave without the food we paid for. There's a lot of competition out there, and concepts alone aren't enough to bring people back. I genuinely wanted that hot dog. That's probably the most disappointing part of the whole experience. Great drinks, solid ambiance, but the service needs serious attention.

Space Lounge Oakland - Live music

Space Lounge Oakland

(7 reviews)

Uptown

Date: 2/22/2025. Time: 4:00 PM. 63°. Sunny…read more I was supposed to be at 1701, but they are not opened yet. Thus, I met my friend next door at Space Lounge for drinks. Usually I don't imbibe. I am not much of drinking the Henny. All their cocktails have exactly that. The only one that looked appealing to me was the expresso martini. The service could be a little more attentive. My friend and I were the only two people in the lounge at the time. We sat and waited for somebody to come by to ask what would I like to drink. It did not happen; thus, my friend had to go the bar and purchase the expresso martini. The expresso martini was smooth and mellow. The only time I had the Henny was years ago at a Chinese wedding banquet. I added some to the shark fin soup, which enhanced the flavor of the soup. Yes, I enjoyed the expresso martini. The atmosphere of the lounge is one of sophistication and upscale. Comfortable seating all around. Nice place to hang out, do some chillaxin' with friends. Rating: 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.

Super chill spot with hella cool people! Wandered in here with a friend while waiting for a concert…read moreat Fox. So we had a few drinks and chatted it up with Rick. He's super knowledgeable AND passionate about his craft, plus an overall fun person to hangout with. We heard that this spot isn't getting much love these days and just wanna say it's totally worth the visit! You get excellent service, people who love what they do, community and also some bomb a** lumpia if you show up when the lumpia ladies are taking orders! Come thru!

The Alley

The Alley

(484 reviews)

$

Grand Lake, Lower Hills

The Alley is a popular dive bar and nightclub in Carlsbad known for its lively, atmosphere,…read moreaffordable drinks and diverse crowd. It features DJs, a packed dance floor, and events like karaoke and live bands, attracting locals and visitors looking for a fun, no-frills night out with a wide range of music. Had no idea what to expect but had a blast. You just dance the night away with people you don't know. What a vibe.

I visited The Alley for their famous piano bar and sing-along. The atmosphere was definitely lively…read moreand the place was packed, but the experience was a bit of a mixed bag. It was pretty frustrating at the start. Starting with the parking situation, couldn't find parking anywhere but what do you expect from San Francisco... When we got inside it was super busy and we couldn't find a place to sit, and no one really stepped in to help us. After wandering around for about 15 minutes, we finally snagged a spot at a long shared table. Luckily, a bench table right next to the piano opened up shortly after and we jumped on it. I ended up facing the opposite direction, so I didn't have much of a view, but at least my sister and girlfriend got a front-row seat to the show! The drinks were just mediocre, and it took about 5-10 minutes for them to arrive. For the price and the wait, I was hoping for something a bit better. Why it's a 3-star review: Despite the rough start, there were three things that really saved the night: The theme is awesome. There is so much detail on the walls; you can tell a lot of work went into the decorations. Our waiter was great. Even though the place was slammed, he checked on us constantly to see how we were doing and if we needed another round. The piano player was the highlight. He really knew how to hype up the crowd and his skills were top-notch. Overall, a cool spot for the history and the music, but the seating and drink wait can be a challenge. Glad the girls got to see the show, as they are more interested in piano bars than I am.

The Ruby Room - divebars - Updated May 2026

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