The Hotsy has provided me with years of great memories, laughter, and good times. It is one of…read morethose places that has more character and charm than many bars twice its size. The menu changes regularly, which keeps things interesting, but one thing that never changes is the consistently excellent service. One of my favorite things about this spot is how dog-friendly it is. The owner's dog is practically the co-owner of the bar and is often lounging around, adding even more personality to the experience. If you are lucky enough to meet him, just know the dog has standards. The dog only accepts meat, so do not bother offering him the tortilla from your taco. Trust me, you will be judged. Another major perk is that they allow outside food. Conveniently, there is a taco truck right next door serving some of the best carnitas tacos around, making it easy to pair great food with great drinks. Also, keep an eye on the TVs. They always seem to be playing some delightfully over-the-top late-night movie programming that inevitably sparks random conversations and plenty of laughter among the crowd. Overall, this is a fantastic neighborhood bar with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere and a ton of personality. It can get crowded, so try to grab a spot early if you can. You'll notice plenty of regulars who come back again and again, and to me, that is always one of the best signs that a place is doing something right.

Came in on a Saturday for the $15 cocktails, left an hour later when they turned on the soft core…read moreporn at 6 pm. Is the Hotsy Totsy Club a secret porno theater or is the owner just trying to make his female patrons feel uncomfortable? According to the too cool for school bar tenders, it's his choice to play soft core porn on the TVs behind the bar. "Well, we do play soft core porn," she said when I complained. So, hate to break it but I'm a middle aged white lady, who is only now learning that people like the bartenders at the Hotsy Totsy Club in Albany really hate middle aged white women! The lady bartender, who is not of the sisterhood, was not interested in answering my questions about the $15 cocktail menu. She was over it. She was too busy talking to the boys at the other side of the bar. It's okay girl, I get it, you want them to like you. But I'm about to drop $100 at a dive bar, so can you answer my questions without a side of attitude? Will you treat me with some shred of dignity? No? Too much to ask? So there we are, me, my friend and my husband, enjoying well made drinks (they were good even if the bar tender was a jerk), watching what was on the tv behind the bar. It was the 1988 Run DMC-Beastie Boys joint called Harder than Leather. We were enjoying it... until 15 minutes into the movie when the male bartender comes in to work at 6 pm on a Saturday, and turned OFF Harder than Leather, and turned ON soft core porn. Within minutes, I was drinking a $15 cocktail in a crowded bar while being forced to deal with a woman being fingered on screen. Before I left, I told the boy bartender that I thought it was really a bad look to be playing soft core porn in a bar three weeks after the Cornell/ Phi Chi Rape case broke - that this is Berkeley (Albany, close enough!) and women should be able to feel safe in a bar and not be confronted with their own dehumanization. But here's where it got really weird: when I attempted to speak directly to the boy bartender, he wouldn't answer me, and instead, the lady bar tender jumped in and defended him, energetically. She said he was just doing his job and that the OWNER actually picks out the porn to play every night, and that he was a good boy for doing his job without taking any accountability for his actions. She wasn't going to let me talk to her good boy, who btw was genuinely acting like a child, as he wouldn't look at me except with a sneer on his face. (He had one of those faces you just want to punch.) His keeper, the lady bar tender, told me the owner is the one who picks out the porns to play at the bar where no one can change the channel. It's the owner's choice. And don't give me any bull about soft core porn being edgy or artistic - this is 2026. A bar owner playing soft core porn depicting naked and semi-naked women being fingered by fully dressed men on the only screen on one side of the bar isn't edgy - no, it creates a sense of entitlement to men and dehumanization to women, and in this climate post Jane Doe v Cornell, post Shane Gillis calling women who work out whores, post Trump grab em by the pussy, post capitalist patriarchal bs - well that's a choice. He made a bold choice and I think the owner must hate women because how else can I explain such a hostile experience? How cynical must he be to think it's perfectly fine to play pornography at a bar full of women at any point but especially now? Forcing your patrons to watch porn is only good if you're a pornography purveyor and not, say, a purveyor of expensive intoxicating liquors. And let's be real - the cool 20 something kids who go to the Hotsy Totsy, they can't afford drinks like women my age can. We can drop $100 on a few cocktails and not bat an eye. And yet you're playing the porn for who, exactly? The pos young dudes who buy PRB on tap and then go off and assault women? Is that your clientele? Is that your legacy? You'd rather send the message that adult women are unwelcome here? Is that it? You don't want my money? That's fine by me. So, if you're looking for an expensive but well made drink, rude bartenders, and forced pornography, boy do I have a place for you. If on the other hand, you'd rather not engage with the dehumanization of women, if you'd rather spend money while being treated like a human and not with abject contempt, then you might want to stay away. Needless to say, I won't be back. I think it's gross and everyone who works there needs to really examine themselves and their behavior.

Club Mallard can easily become anyone's favorite bar! The venue is two stories and offers a lot of…read morespace for friends to gather. Entering it feels very much like a cabin vibe and you wouldn't think there's more beyond the back patio, but when you head back there, you'll notice a staircase that leads to the second floor. There's several pool tables to place a game at and there's even a rooftop patio to chill at. The drinks are good and the bartenders are super nice. They're great at making recommendations if you don't know what you want - just don't hold up the line! Club Mallard is easily one of my favorite bars in Albany! Check it out if you haven't been before!

Our second bar of the night! Stopped by Club Mallard after Blue Rabbit Bar for something more…read morespacious so our group could all be together. This was very nice; it was very spacious and offers outdoor patio with tiki vibes! Our group was able to snag the outdoor patio upstairs! Other people were free to also hang out in the patio too, but because we got there early and our group was big, we were able to put the tables together and it really just felt like we were the only ones there; very intimate. There is a pool table and a bar on the second floor, so you don't have to go back downstairs. The staff were very friendly and helpful. They provided great customer service and came by to our table to pick up empty glasses. There was an incident that happened where a man was taking pictures of people in the bar and he came outside to the patio and started taking photos of our group, which we felt very uncomfortable about. We alerted staff and they were able to handle the situation and came back to check on us. They don't serve food here, but they do allow you to bring food from other places! That was very convenient because we were already comfortable and didn't want to leave to go somewhere else. Tacos El Autlense is a 5 min walk away and it's one of my fave places to get tacos; that's where we got our food at! I literally had it the night before too hahaha, but I wasn't complaining! This place was so cute; the music, the ambiance, the service... a whole vibe!!! I would definitely come back.

I got the Temaki Gochisou Lunch Set…read more The edamame is surprisingly filling and cucumber sunomono is refreshing. I enjoyed all the hand rolls, but I had been hoping to be handed a handroll directly from the chef at the bar as I eat. Since the hand rolls are open taco-style, you get a nice presentation of the toppings. Service was great, keeping my water cup filled several times. 3 rolls would have been enough for me to not be hungry by itself, but with the lunch special appetizers I left full. I think this is fairly approachable Japanese handroll restaurant with a diy trio for a more interactive dining experience, cooked fish options, and accommodating to vegans.

The service was very attentive and friendly. The lunch special with 3 rolls for $30 (seared…read morealbacore, blank cod and mackerel) was delicious. They were all served warm and thoughtfully seasoned. I had to order another Saba (mackerel) because it was a surprise hit for us. Don't get me wrong, the black cod with truffle butter is their stand out for a reason but their mackerel was nicely seared on top and had perfect umami with the miso ginger. I hope they never change that lunch set. We also ordered the 5 omakaset, and they were all good, but I have to say my 3 set was the best. A delicious meal and well worth the price for the quality of fish and service.

Zaytoon on Solano in Albany, Palestinian-owned spot named after the Arabic word for olive and the…read morefood makes that heritage feel meaningful. Kefta wrap was the move, well seasoned meat, warm pita, comes together right. Lamb shawarma plate with the saffron rice and yogurt sauce was the other highlight, big cubes, proper seasoning. Mint lemonade is a must, fresh squeezed with just enough tartness. Room is bright with skylights and blue walls, feels elevated without being stiff. Sunday brunch is worth knowing about, they run the full lunch menu alongside brunch options.

STEPH JUDGEMENT: Great modern Mediterranean spot…read more We came here for dinner with local friends on their recommendation and had a lovely time. It had appealing upscale modern decor and the service was very friendly. I started things off with a Coffee Date cocktail, which was excellent. Our group shared: - Complimentary crackers and dips (great) - Mezze platter with babaganouj, hummus, tzatziki, tabbouleh, pita (all our favorites, done well) - Mujadarra (absolutely delicious lentils and rice with caramelized onions and veggies) - Vegetarian moussaka (eggplant-forward, which was fine with us) - Brussels sprouts (good, but not particularly Mediterranean) Our friends also had a beef kebab dish that they enjoyed. It was a very nice dinner overall--a bit pricey but great for a special occasion.

10/7/26. Had lunch here today at 11/15 am. Emmanuel was our waiter. He is the nicest waiter I've…read moreever had. He made the best margaritas and he was very knowledgeable about the food and drinks they serve. If I could give this place 10 stars I would. This is one of the best waiters we've ever had. Thank you Emmanuel. The food and drinks were delicious too.

I went there three times - food was meh the first time, gave them a second try and the food became…read morebetter than 1st time; went back for a 3rd time but then I got food poisoning from the octopus tacos. Atmosphere is good and happy hour deal is solid, tacos that are non-seafood is probably a safer choice here, unless you are into food poisoning... I don't think I will be returning. Food safety is of utmost importance when it comes to a restaurant.

Just off the corner of Solano and San Pablo, not too far from the 80 freeway exit…read more At the tip of the epicenter of gastronomic delights-Solano Avenue in Albany. I was there the other night with my beer buddy and all around friend with the same first name as I (and that's another story!) for the tribute to the local beloved character that passed recently, Mr. Bailey Pendergrass. A longtime institution in the Berkeley music scene from way back in the day till present. An interesting, kind fellow who still walked around in skinny trousers and a leather jacket- even on very hot days. And a hairdo like no other! He kind of reminded me of a character from Rocky Horror Picture Show or someone who could be played by Johnny Depp in some hip artistic movie. A bit of an eccentric, soft-spoken, amazingly charming man. A joy to sit down and chat with who had strong opinions and a distrust for doctors and their prescribed medication's,etc. I don't go very far back other than six or seven years when I met him at a popular watering hole called the Cornerstone on Shattuck. He would invite me to hang out while he ate his standard hamburger and fries and wash it down with what I remember was cranberry juice. He could never finish the whole burger so he'd take half home but would eat the fries usually, with a little help from me. We would talk about Minneapolis (where I'm from) and Prince of course, and he would share interesting stories. I'd keep him company until the music event would start where he had carte blanche, complementary entry with a plus one at the Cornerstone. I was his plus one and it was fun one night. I'll have to dig up the mixed CDs that he made for me that he presented in a recycled/repurposed "In-n-Out" bag, it was a nice touch. There was a little hand written note as well. The IVY ROOM put on a nice event and many showed up to pay their respect. Some were given a chance to get on the stage and recall memories. However, the crowd never stopped talking, so it was very hard to hear their praises, etc. The bartender was superb, but I'm sorry I didn't catch her name, very kind and approachable and humorous and of course, extremely efficient! It's a nice cozy room with a lot of history and an eclectic group of patrons. I chatted with a couple of extremely friendly kind people. However, I left before the music started as after a long day of work, I started to fade. Thank you Ivy Room for opening up your space to honor Mr. Bailey Pendergrass, and the wonderful people attending this event.