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Theory

4.6 (17 reviews)
Closed 2:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)
Updated 3 months ago

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Wanda R.

From the looks of it very hyper local for the downtown scenes. Dipped in, can't say much other than great vibe right near Broadway you can hop right on the bus or get on the bart.. but I will have to stay for one drink. I paid almost $16 . That's Hella expensive but I guess the people in this neighborhood can afford it. Bless up!

Bar
Rachel S.

Solid spot! Divey with a little art deco charm to give it that Oakland flair. Cocktails are bomb and plenty on draft. They have the games rolling and are a Valkryies watch spot!

Spicy Margarita
Adeeva M.

Cool little dive bar to pop into for a quick drink with friends. Definitely a pit stop type a place for a night out! Drinks were decent.

Gina H.

This is a decent bar in the heart of telegraph, very casual setting. We were greeted by dogs so I'm assuming it's a dog friendly bar which I love! Great place to catch a drink and even watch tv. As for the drinks I wouldn't consider them craft, more like a cocktail you would get at a night club. They're also connected to another bar which is more of a lounge style and you can order between the two which is really cool.

Street signage
Robert R.

We went recently on a Date night and had a great time!! It is a stone's throw away from the Fox Theater and has a small, cozy Bar vibe. The Bartenders were super friendly and their drinks were Amazing!! Sarah had made us a Sazerac and a Hemingway Daiquri with Pineapple instead of the grapefruit juice. Drinks were expertly made and definitely were precisely executed. We were able to sample a Mezcal and loved the quaint setting whichi is pretty nice ambiance for a small Bar. The menu looks enticing and had drink specialties and a lot of spirits you can choose from. A nice cozy Bar and right in the middle of Uptown Oakland. If you're looking for a cool Bar, definitely worth a try when you need Alcohol bevie in the Dtwn area of Oakland.

17 & Telegraph - Theory

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6 months ago

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8 months ago

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29 days ago

GREAT DRINK! Came after work because I had a lot of time to kill. The bartender is so so nice!!! Will be back

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1 year ago

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5 months ago

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1 year ago

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11 months ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

The mock tail French 57 was excellent. The bartender was very friendly and the vibe was very comfortable for women.

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2 years ago

Great spot to hit before a show at the Fox Theater or for a nite downtown. Stiff drinks and a solid selection of beers.

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2 years ago

A cozy spot close to Fox Theater with awesome drinks, fun music and lovely bartenders. Highly recommend!

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Review Highlights - Theory

A cozy spot close to Fox Theater with awesome drinks, fun music and lovely bartenders.

Mentioned in 4 reviews

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The Punchdown - Took a bottle home to San Diego--it was our favorite from the orange flight cwd

The Punchdown

(228 reviews)

$$

Uptown

This has been on my list of places to check out for awhile and today I finally popped in…read more I was told they've been in business since 2010. I loved the decor! Once you're seated inside, you can imagine you're in just about any rustic wine region kicking back with some local wines and people. I did the sparkling wine flight. I really enjoyed what I tasted (see photo). I think because there was going to be a Georgian food pop up, the kitchen wasn't as it usually is. I had a little board of brillant savarian triple cream and salchichon salami. What a treat! The service was unusual. Part of it is that it's a wine bar and shop. The person staffing the bar was really busy doing many different things. As that was the case, interacting felt a bit strained. At the same time, considering how much she had going on, she kept it together. I appreciated that she kept track of who was next. Something that stood out to me was how reasonably priced the wines are. Great "bang for the buck." I see myself being a regular.

Came here for a little wine moment with the girls after work. Overall good vibes and wine!…read more Ordered: A bottle of an orange wine and the cheese plate. Highlights: Everything on the cheese plate was delish (always could use more bread though). The wine was also good. Notes: I feel like the service could have been more clear. We got seated but didn't know if it was an order at the bar of place so were just sitting and waiting for a bit. Someone eventually came by and got our order but we ended up just going to the bar to order more and pay at the end.

Couchdate - The lovely bar

Couchdate

(6 reviews)

Temescal, North Oakland, Rockridge

Strolling through the neighborhood on my way to a meeting and I had some time to kill. The…read morestorefront caught my eye and when I saw vinyl I had to look. So glad I stopped in. The vibe is very relaxed. A great place for a mental break. Gabriel the bartender greeted me warmly. The music was good. Vinyl selection is The wine selection is exemplary. I had enough time for lunch and opted for the Cheese sandwich ( I do not recall the menu name) upon Gabriel's recommendation. I was not disappointed. Warm beef with melted cheese and accompaniments on a sandwich roll. It was reminiscent of my youth when my friends mother would make lunch for us. It was just sloppy enough to make it delicious without it splattered on my shirt. My new go to spot for a mental break and smiles.

Love this space. Just visited recently for an early scene before it got crowded. I absolutely loved…read morethe way it is done up. There is a warmth and comfortability that sweps you in as soon as you enter. Staff is so warm and friendly. They have some kick ass cocktails and also non alcoholic drinks which is great for those who want to keep it light. The vibes are very cool and chill type scene. I loved spending time here. I need to return for a girls date night or friends get to gather to experience the full night scene. Bathrooms are clean and very psychedelic scene with the lights effect :) If you want to experience something different that is comfortable and relaxed while having some lovely drinks and listening to sick beats then this is the place for you. Its location is super convenient right by downtown very close to bart and bus if you fancy public transportation:) Love couchdate and can't wait to be back for more Love

Alta Vina - Wine bar

Alta Vina

(10 reviews)

Jack London Square

I had such an amazing experience here that I had to leave a review. From the moment I walked in,…read morethe energy was welcoming and professional. The owner, Henry, clearly takes pride in running a top-tier business--everything felt well-organized, clean, and thoughtfully put together. What really stood out to me was the team. Kylie and the rest of the staff were incredibly friendly, attentive, and made me feel comfortable right away. It's rare to find a place where everyone genuinely seems to enjoy what they do, and it shows in the service. One unique touch I loved was the fun board games available--it adds such a relaxed, social vibe while you're there. They also host fun events, which really brings the community together and keeps things exciting. I especially appreciated the local artists displaying their work on the walls--it gives the space a creative, ever-changing feel and shows how much they support the community. I also have a membership here, and it's become a weekly spot that I genuinely look forward to visiting. It's not just a service--it feels like a place you want to spend time in. You can tell the clientele reflects all of this too; everyone was friendly, easygoing, and contributed to the positive atmosphere. Overall, this place goes above and beyond. Great atmosphere, great people, and great results. I'll definitely be coming back and recommending it to others!

Henryyyy...why do you make me leave you a poor review?…read more Came in for a glass & saw the $5 off on the tablet. Signed up & decided to treat myself to another glass. Well, apparently I signed up already back in Nov '25 but never redeemed it & told it was expired. I don't live in the area (as evident by my area code & past interactions) He offered an industry discount. Okay...but would the original $5 discount really break the bank?? I've been a manager in the service industry also....I would've just honored it & went about my way. Not like you don't know my face or name. Menna "w/ two Ns" wouldn't have tried to claim it again lol (but I'm sure there's some vino-managerial reason for not doing so). Cheers!

Theory - wine_bars - Updated May 2026

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