Yes, yes, triple yes. I can't believe East Bay Spice Company is back! If you didn't know, know ya…read moreknow...located essentially across the way from CAL in Berkeley, East Bay Spice to me is a hidden gem filled with such nostalgic memories shared with friends over the years. They closed for a time, and now seem to be thriving again! Heading to the Greek for a weekend show, we wanted to pop in somewhere close-by. We cozied up to bar seating, and enjoy a couple of martinis featuring local gin and vodka, and ordered some food to share: the Original Tikka Masala Flatbread (we had to finally try it!), and the Sev Puri Chaat (first time trying this ever!). Service was amazing, and if I could write this review purely on the originality and creativity of the menus, I would (see pics!) The menus were CD cases (remember those, ha) with a fun take on 'Spice Girls', titled 'East Bay Spice Company'. For Spice Girls fans, you will recognize what album this was derived from. Each page of the cd book was a different part of the menu, including drinks, happy hour (from 2-6pm), and food. So fun, and unlike anything I've ever seen before. The food was so fresh and delicious. Loved the pomegranate seeds and lightness from the Sev Puri Chaat, bite size garbanzo bean/potato goodness! And standing O for that flatbread..pro-tip: get a side of the Tikka Masala sauce to pour on top. Absolutely amazing. I'm a huge fan of Tikka Masala, and having that sauce be a base for a pizza...come on!! We did chicken as the protein. Overall, so happy to return and have East Bay Spice back apart of the Berkeley rotation again. Small, dimly-lit, cool digs. Also check out their sister spots: Tap in Lounge and Tipsea in Berk, Blue Rabbit Bar off San Pablo, and Lemon Drop in Alameda.

I saw someone post a photo of the chicken tikka masala here and immediately made plans to visit…read morethat same week. I ordered the same dish, and it absolutely did not disappoint. The presentation was impeccable, and the sauce was rich, creamy, and full of flavor. The chicken seemed like a leaner cut, possibly breast, but it was still tender and not overcooked. I thoroughly enjoyed this plate and would 100% come back to order it again. My husband ordered the flatbread, though I can't remember the exact name, and it was surprisingly delicious as well. It tasted almost like a pizza version of the chicken tikka masala, making it a great shareable option if you're looking to snack, chat, and enjoy cocktails. Speaking of cocktails, the bartenders seemed very knowledgeable and helped me choose a drink based on my preferred spirit and cocktail style. I ended up with the Skeleton Key, which was strong, but still paired well with the meal. I'd happily come back to try more cocktails and, of course, order that chicken tikka masala again.

Save water, drink tequila…read more We tried finding a nearby cafe to kill time but every one of them was busy with no seating. So here I am, sipping on Fortaleza Blanco ($19).... *Cheers* to the Sunday scaries and Monday hangxiety! O T H E R I N F O * HH Specials: Tuesday - Friday, 4 pm - 6 pm and all day Sunday. * Bring your own food. They also have chips and tamales for purchase. * They have a bottle shop next door where you can find small-batch, hard to find spirits. * Hip, industrial vibes with indoor seating and a covered patio. * Well-behaved, leashed dogs allowed in the patio. * There's a spacious lounge area inside that's perfect for large parties and available to reserve. * Plentiful of street parking.

Came here for the first time during my friend's bachelor party, and I have to say -- the vibes were…read moreimmaculate. The crowd was friendly, the atmosphere was welcoming, and as a minority, I still felt comfortable here. Security at the front was super chill and made a great first impression for someone visiting for the first time. I decided to try the espresso martini, and unfortunately it just wasn't for me. It tasted very vodka-forward, and I was expecting a smoother balance with more coffee flavor. Definitely not my favorite drink of the night, so I probably wouldn't order it again. Expresso martini- 1/5 That being said, I'd still come back for the energy and overall experience alone. Stars are based on overall experience.

Service: Ambiance:…read more This rooftop is such a vibe. The view is beautiful, especially as the sun starts going down, and the whole atmosphere just feels relaxed without trying too hard.

In the hotel for an overnight…read more Went upstairs for dinner. Great outdoor seating area. Friendly staff and nice atmosphere. Had brussel sprouts, truffled fries, and wagyu sliders. The food was very good, especially for a hotel.

Crazy good selection of whiskey, if you can't find your unicorn bottle here, you may not have hope…read more Get to acme and have a drink

I'm not sure whether it was the bartender who assisted me that evening, but unfortunately the…read morecustomer service I experienced was very disappointing. I tried to start a friendly conversation and ask a few questions about the drinks, however the responses I received were very brief and limited to only the drink names, which made the interaction feel unwelcoming. I also noticed that we were the only Latino guests there at the time, and throughout our visit we felt largely ignored. As a result, the overall atmosphere did not feel comfortable or inclusive to us. Based on this experience, I did not feel welcomed at this bar in Berkeley and would not recommend it. Even though we live only a few minutes away, it didn't feel like a place worth returning to or spending our time and money at.

Had an amazing experience at Tallboy!…read more Sat at the bar on a sunny weekend and immediately loved the vibes. Bartenders were friendly and seemed to know a lot of the regulars. Can't quite describe it but it didn't feel like an SF bar, felt more open and like a community watering whole. On to the food and drinks. I'm vegetarian so was so excited to try the dogs - which are vegan. And I may be biased but you cannot tell that you're missing out on anything with all the flavor packed combos. The bun was fluffy and soft and you have multiple fun themed options to choose from. My partner and I ended up getting the deli dog and truffle meltdown. Deli was perfect - classic mix of spice and crunch with the spicy brown mustard and giardiniera peppers. And the truffle meltdown was so savory and decadent - totally different flavor profiles from each dog! We were only going to grab one drink but the menu was so inventive we ended up getting two. I ordered the banana hammock (which comes with a fire show) and espresso martini slushee which was is up there with the frozen Irish coffees I've had in New Orleans. Man writing this has my mouth watering... definitely coming back for more dogs, drinks, and vibes!

I've heard all the hype about Tallboy, so I had to check it out myself…read more I do think it lived up to some of the hype, but I think they could've used their space better. It is a unique layout to a bar, and probably better concept for earlier hours, when it isn't as crowded during the night. It can fill up really quickly, since the area to order a drink, dance, and mingle is narrow, since the bar is literally in the middle of the room. Some of the staff can be extremely nice and kind, and there are some who you can tell are fed up, upset, and don't have the best attitude. I get it, though. It's a cool bar to check out or be the first stop of the night. The djs they have always turn up. Good luck getting a drink under 15 minutes though!

Tiger Lily in Berkeley delivers a standout dining experience, and two items in particular make the…read morevisit unforgettable: the mango chicken curry and the Tango Foxtrot cocktail. The mango chicken curry is a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and aromatic spice--the mango adds a natural richness without overwhelming the dish, and the chicken is consistently tender. Every bite feels layered, comforting, and beautifully crafted. The Tango Foxtrot cocktail is just as impressive. It's bright, refreshing, and expertly balanced, with a flavor profile that complements the curry without competing with it. The presentation is polished, the ingredients taste fresh, and it's the kind of drink you immediately want to order again. Tiger Lily pairs these standout dishes with warm, attentive service and a lively atmosphere that makes the whole experience feel special. If you're looking for a place in Berkeley that delivers bold flavors, thoughtful cocktails, and consistently great hospitality, Tiger Lily is absolutely worth a visit. Thank you again Atul and Alka.

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!

Ok...so...the website says they're open for all the fifa games. Husband and I drove down to…read moreBerkekey to watch the game. Nope! Not open. Waited outside for a few minutes but still nope. Highly disappointed...left and went to Dog Haus!

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.

Beta Lounge on Durant Ave Berkeley, been around since 2009 and just relaunched as 3.0 in 2025 with…read morea new tapas menu, wine flights, spirit flights, and fresh herb cocktails. Happy hour runs 3 to 5:30 with $8 wine and cocktails which is genuinely hard to beat in Berkeley. Wednesday wine night is 50% off bottles including reserve, so that one is worth planning around. Spring rolls and hummus plate are the go-to snacks, light menu that works well with the drinks. Comfortable couches, good music, dog friendly, bartenders that actually remember you. 5 stars, solid neighborhood spot that keeps getting better, Wednesday wine night alone earns it

I had no idea Beta Lounge existed off of Durant Ave. and what a cool space and place off-the-beaten…read morepath! We heard this building has been many different iterations over the years, but happy to have found this spot in Berkeley for a fun happy hour with friends. We enjoyed the wine flight (choice of 4 wines), each with a nice pour, and shared the spinach dip with chips. We also enjoyed an espresso martini to cap off the evening. The staff were super friendly, and the lounge was filled with what seemed like regulars. The lounge couches were super comfy and it was an overall very relaxing yet intimate experience. I would definitely come back again with a group, or even stop by for a date night. Parking is a bit tough in this area, but there is street parking (if lucky enough to find it) and garages nearby.