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Tipsea

4.4 (184 reviews)
Closed • 2:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
Updated 2 months ago

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TIPSEA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Trendy
Outdoor seating
Dogs allowed

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Recommended Reviews - Tipsea

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Reviews With Photos

Cucumber basil mint vodka gimlet
Max Y.

We came to the bar because our friend who worked in Berkeley used to work right up the it was super close and the timing was perfect because it was right after the city's very first Pride festival. Super convenient spot to end up at. The bar is on the smaller side, but unless you show up during peak hours it doesn't feel crowded. When we got there, I saw maybe four or five booths, a couple of tables in the back, and some bar seating. The whole place has a cozy speakeasy vibe and it's really cute. When we left is when it got super busy!! Everyone from Berkeleys pride was showing up! They've got a solid selection of liquor, especially if your into whiskey, mezcal, or tequila. The owner apparently isn't a fan of vodka, but they still keep it on the menu since a lot of people like that liquor. I loved how all the bottles are lined up on these bookshelf-style racks with a rolling ladder. Such a cool detail. The bartender was awesome! super sweet and she made really good drinks. I stuck to the menu, but added in a couple of other items lol. The only thing I regret is not snapping a picture of the menu because they have happy hour every single day and the food and drinks looked really good. Definitely a spot worth checking out if your around.

Stephanie A.

Discovered this spot on Yelp while looking for a place to enjoy a pre-dinner drink before our reservation at Chez Panisse. They offer some really unique cocktails, and the bartender was both friendly and helpful. Definitely worth a visit

Pretty pink tequila drink
Avongold E.

My friend and I came here for some late night eats because they closed at 2am. We had a drink each. I didn't really know what I wanted to drink so I asked the service whatever is pink and pretty. she brought out a pretty pink tequila drink for it which I enjoyed a lot! I had the B.L.A.T burger and it was good. I like how the fries were small and crunchy. They didn't have honey mustard or ranch though so that was a little disappointing. The venue was pretty. It's not that big but they make do of the space and it's very cute in there.

Wings
Jude D.

Cute bar with friendly bartenders and a great happy hour! My friend and I had the ten dollar margaritas, the sangrita, ghost fries and wings. Margaritas and sangrita were on point, wings were crispy and spicy, and the seasoning on those ghost fries was fire.

Happy hour onion rings
Alicia B.

The service here is always impeccable .Both of the bartenders that I've encountered have been great ! They are friendly and don't have ego problems like most do .haha .Anyways ,this is my new go to bar in Berkeley

Great place to have a drink after work . Especially on a Tuesday night. Attentive and friendly staff . Definitely be back.
Jacob O.

Love this place. Amazing and attentive staff . Great music and tasty food . Highly recommended.

Andrea T.

Good options for food and drinks during happy hour. Prompt, attentive and efficient service. A nice variety of unique mixed drinks. Small intimate booths with plenty of seating at the bar.

Super cute cocktails & vibe
Jazlene T.

2nd review with food: we ordered the oysters, fish tacos, fish and chips, the tikka fries are amazing btw! I recommend anything because I actually trust their food. Fish Tacos - fish on the smaller size, otherwise 7/10 Oysters - super fresh and enough for 2 people to share! Fish & Chips - yummm can't complain, the fries pair well with the tikka sauce (ask for it on the side) The drinks never fail and they pour strong. I love the staff here, they're welcoming and helpful. I always come here for a chill night out, this time was during the day and it was fun.

The Kelp Forest (left) & The Baltic Pearl (right)
Jasmine C.

Their drink menu is SO fun! There are honestly so many good selections that you'll want one of each (pls be responsible). The bartenders are friendly, speedy, and artists creating these yummy cocktails. My favorites were Caught in the Riptide and The Baltic Pearl. Their hamburgers looked really good but we just got a side of fries extra crispy. Amazing compliment to the drinks with an ambiance like you're by the water. So looking forward to being back one day!

Tequila that the bartender recommended
Amber H.

Jess was the best bartender around! Really nice bar if you're looking for a lowkey vibe. We were referred by the crew at Eggy's and Tipsea did not disappoint.

Weathered brick exterior entrance
Roy A.

Intimate nautical themes bar with unique cocktails. Enjoyed the "Unseen Depths" which featured a unique blend of buttered bourbon and other artisanal flavors. Efficient friendly service and enjoyed conversation at the bar.

Christine F.

Food was delicious !! Sam was amazing! gave great service , will make sure you're always good . drinks were good as well .

French Fries with ketchup and Tikka sauce! Freshly made, Perfect texture and saltiness, tikka sauce 11/10
Lenia M.

First time visiting Tipsea! Already had a welcoming vibe from the security guard and the bartenders. The menu is available online on their website and the physical one is very cute resembling a pirate's journal. It lists the key ingredients and there are plenty to choose from. We tried: Floral Reef $16 - Ginger guava tequila Lightkeepers Daughter $15- pineapple coconut rum The Green Flash $14- Basil Fuji apple Vodka Unseen Depths $16- Bourbon with hint of sesame oil French Fries $7.95 - perfectly fried, salty and the tikka sauce is Bomb! There's bar seating as well as booths. Great spot to hangout with friends. I visited around 9pm on a Thursday and was able to get a booth with friends. 10/10 bathroom, pretty clean and extra toilet paper was stocked. I normally don't expect nice bathrooms at bars but was pleasantly impressed and it matched the sea theme! Will definitely be back during happy hour to try the rest of their menu!

UNDER THE TIDEPOOLS. Refreshing. It'll creep up on you hahaha

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1 year ago

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9 months ago

Great cocktails! Service can take awhile, but that's what you can expect with specialty drinks. Friendly service.

Business owner information

Photo of Neetu A.

Neetu A.

Thank you for visiting us and sharing your experience.

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

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10 months ago

Bartenders that close on tuesday are a vibe. Drinks are great got the Lightkeepers daughter.

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1 year ago

Food and service was very good. It's small but I f you go on the right day it does feel crowded. I think happy hour is 4-6 everyday.

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1 year ago

Love this place. Bartender was very friendly and the drinks were excellent. I'll definitely be back.

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

Drinks and vibe were 10/10. 100 percent would recommend. Coming back next time I'm in San Francisco

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4 years ago

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1 year ago

Food great drinks great Sam was so sweet and had very good recommendations. Ambiance is great 10/10

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4 years ago

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1 year ago

Sam is a very lovely and social manager. We love the food and the service and I love coming here when I can

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3 years ago

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1 year ago

Great food and drinks. It was Happy Hour which made things even better. We look forward to our next trip to Tipsea.

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4 years ago

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Page 2 of 5

Tipsea Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Tipsea

I see "dog friendly" on the listing but no reviews or photos with dogs. We always have our small dog with us. Can someone confirm if/where she would be allowed while we drink & dine? Thanks.

they have a contact button on their website.

Hey there - can someone please advise on the demographic of this bar? Students? 30-40? 40+? Thanks!

It definitely depends on the night! We cater to a wide variety of guests, but the weekends can attract a younger, more college aged crowd.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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East Bay Spice

East Bay Spice

4.0(732 reviews)
0.2 mi•Downtown Berkeley
•$$
Vegetarian friendly
Full bar

East Bay Spice Company on Oxford, Indian cocktail bar right across from campus that does both…read morethings well. Cocktail program built around rum and gin with exotic spices shipped in from India, the Lassi Come Home with mango, cream, cinnamon and gin was the standout, the Love and Other Demons mezcal cocktail was close behind. Tikka masala flatbread is the food move, tandoor fired, good portion, pairs well with whatever you're drinking. Happy hour runs until 7 on weekdays which is worth planning around if you're in the area. Sneaky back room with self-serve beer taps is a nice touch. Lively spot with good bartenders who actually know the menu. Comes through on both the cocktail and food side, which is harder to pull off than it sounds

Overall a good place for serious drinking…read more Good vibe, not too loud, most seating is comfortable. For service. Yeah, ya gotta be proactive if you're feeling snubbed or invisible. Even during slow days/times they get distracted or wander away. You expect that at cattle call places House cocktails are candy sweet if that's your thing. Best part of ESB is the collection they have. You can do a deep dive on any spirit category you can name- Amari, Ryes, Rums, etc, etc Prepare yourself for when the bill comes. You might think they made a mistake but nope, a few drinks and snacks and you're staring at a very LARGE number.

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East Bay Spice
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Tallboy - Deli dog

Tallboy

4.4(194 reviews)
2.5 mi•Temescal, North Oakland
•$$

Came by for an outing with classmates, after having heard so much talk about this place from like,…read moreeveryone! As the fun silly drink lover I am, I had to try the green curry martini the moment I saw it on the menu. And I made the right choice! Somehow, it really reminded me a lot of green curry, but not in an off putting way. It was tart and refreshing, with a hint of spice (though those with lower spice tolerance might have a tougher time with this drink), and pretty herbaceous. Bartenders were very nice and got the drinks out quickly (came in at 6:30 on a Thursday), but it didn't look rushed. SUPER cozy vibes, perfect for either a catchup with friends, or even a date. At the time we came in, there was ample seating. One thing I regret? Not trying their famous hot dogs and espresso martini slushie. Looks like I'll have to come back soon.

"'Tinis and weenies"…read more Tho my autocorrect insists on calling it "tiny weenie". Not the size shaming. =T If I lived in The Town, Tallboy would be on my rotation (along w/ 51 & Tel): (+) Opens at 2 pm. (+) Martini "dive" bar + Vegan hot dogs. (+) Stiff cocktails. (+) Complimentary self-serve popcorn with various seasoning options. (+) Spacious with horse-shoe shaped bar + cafe tables. (+) Low-key vibe, mainly millennials on an early Saturday evening. (+) TT friendly during the earlier hours. (+) Mostly friendly staff. (-) Street parking can be a pain...your best bet is the side streets.

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Tallboy - The bat and the awesome bartender!

The bat and the awesome bartender!

Tallboy - Self-serve complimentary popcorn!

Self-serve complimentary popcorn!

Tallboy - Cheese in the trap

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Cheese in the trap

Tigerlily - Michael's Pollen (yum!), and a shot of Glenfiddich 12

Tigerlily

4.3(802 reviews)
0.9 mi•North Berkeley, Gourmet Ghetto
•$$

This was a great find! Made reservations for 4 to celebrate a birthday. Parking can be a little…read moretough in this area, so leave extra time. It's a nice, earthy, hip vibe. Both the drink and food menus are well thought out. We asked for some advice when ordering and the server (owner?) was very kind, honest, and helpful. Everything we had was excellent! We tried some standard choices and unusual ones and it was all amazing. Best veggie pakora (flavor, texture, and sauce) in the area. The spices across the board were artfully dimensional and delicious, not just hot or overwhelming. The cocktails and mocktails were really nice- a little unusual (distinctive, but not weird). They were well balanced and beautifully served. This is our new favorite Indian spot and we'll definitely be back!

I was so happy to hear Tigerlily on Shattuck is still open! I hadn't been a patron there for…read moreyears..so much has changed (in a great way) in this sweet area of Berkeley. I can't wait to come back and order food, but the drinks and ambiance remain just lovely, and the family that runs this spot are also just the most kind. We came ironically during their happy hour and ordered Espresso Martinis and watched the end of a big college basketball game. We started to see Shattuck 'wake back up' if you will, as most places close and reopen around 4:30-5:00pm. Service was quick, and if we weren't on our own food tour de Berkeley, would have ordered a couple of happy hour snacks or just stayed for dinner. We heard the Tikka Masala Fried Chicken and the Indian fusion brunch are something to def make our way back to try. Other unique menu items: Tumeric Mashed Potatoes, Sesame Avocado Fry Bread, Tigerlily Nachos & Tacos, and the North Indian Style Meatballs. Oh, and the brunch cocktails :) If you're looking for a date night spot in the month of love, grab some friends on the weekend, or just saddle up solo to catch a game, Tigerlily checks all these boxes.

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Tigerlily
Tigerlily
Tigerlily - Loved the beautiful draped inside

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Loved the beautiful draped inside

Tupper and Reed

Tupper and Reed

3.7(316 reviews)
0.1 mi•Downtown Berkeley
•$$

Good friendly staff. Lots of room to move around at big events near Berkeley U. Good selection of…read moredrinks. Even bottled coke!

I have a fairly large at home bar with plenty of ingredients, so it gets harder to find a place…read morethat serves craft cocktails that I couldn't make myself. Tupper and Reed still stands tall above everyone else. I stopped in on a Saturday evening, feeling pretty mellow. After I arrived, a band started up that reminded me of the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack. You can't beat the ambiance, since this was an old music store, and the please is littered with antique record players and instruments. There are some negative reviews here about rude, more accurately, unresponsive bartenders, and I don't think they get what this place is all about. If you want a chatty, friendly bartender, go to an Irish pub. This place is all about creating unique concoctions in volume. Having said that, I'll tell you a story. In March 2019, I was with a chatty bartender here, since it was a quiet night. I was looking at the vast array of bottles, and noticed something that said "Buffalo Trace" but looked different from their usual bottle. I asked her what it was, and she didn't know. It had about three fingers left at the bottom, so she looked at me mischievously and said, "wanna finish it with me?" So we did. Turns out, that 375 ml bottle was worth about $300. It was one of their experimental batches, made with oats in 2002. I found a bottle online in England and got it shipped here. Best whiskey I've ever had.

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Tupper and Reed
Tupper and Reed
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51 & Tel - Golden Girl: Vodka w/ lemongrass, hay liqueur, aloe, lemon, orange ($16) + Fuego: Tequila w/ mezcal, watermelon, italicus, habanero ($15)

51 & Tel

4.3(41 reviews)
2.1 mi•Temescal, North Oakland, Rockridge

Honestly, this is one of the better bars in Oakland. They have decently priced drinks, good djs, a…read morelot of space to dance and mingle, and an entire back patio with a photobooth. I think the back patio might be more spacious than inside. It's a great usage of space with plenty of space heaters and plenty of seats and tables. The security and staff are pretty typical for what you come across bars, but, overall, I had a great time and experience! There's also a ton of seating room inside and doesn't feel too crowded or compact. Definitely will be coming back!

I visited a few weeks ago for the first time, and unfortunately, my experience started off on a…read morenegative note. After arriving, one security guard checked my ID and directed me inside. As I was walking in, I briefly stopped after recognizing someone I knew. At that point, another security guard began yelling at me and then grabbed me forcefully to move me along. I understand that security staff have a job to do and need to keep entrances and walkways clear. However, the way the situation was handled felt completely unnecessary. I was not causing a disturbance, and there was no reason for physical contact. Being grabbed so aggressively was uncomfortable and unprofessional. I hope management addresses this issue and speaks with the security staff about appropriate ways to interact with guests. First impressions matter, and this interaction immediately impacted my experience.

Photos
51 & Tel - People love to come and have a great cocktail  after or  before dinner.

People love to come and have a great cocktail after or before dinner.

51 & Tel - Frozen Halloween cocktail!

Frozen Halloween cocktail!

51 & Tel

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Tipsea - cocktailbars - Updated November 2026

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