Always solid here - inside bar also - pool table - great live music - local dive - good vibe oread more

I'm gonna be very honest with you. The only reason why they're getting three stars is for a…read moreBartendar. I think her name was Alex not sure who told her how to serve drinks but at any rate my first Bartendar (Wu Tang Clan tank top) curly hair with glasses was freaking amazing freakin rocked..full pour definitely worth the money, an extremely hospitable. Atmosphere was exceptional and the vibe was good, but then I went for another round of drinks after getting amazing service and good pours.. and then there was Alex. I didn't even get a full pour when she freehanded then she pulled out the measuring cup (after I observed the micro shot I got told her to make it a double) and she didn't even fill the measuring cup up, kindda was like "whatever"so I literally got (1) drink and paid for a double. I'll be back for sure because my BFF loves karaoke and this is my first time here so first impressions are lasting. The guys at the pop up food were so hospitable and very nice as well. I'll go the other way when I see Alex- yikes!

Great place to come eat a bite, drink a bear, and sing a karaoke song!…read more I came here with some friends on a week night. It was pretty empty and had two nice pool tables. There's a food guy in the back that serves Japanese food (pretty good!). The karaoke sound system is pretty janky but functional and the DJ is very nice.

The place is bigger than it looks from the outside. They have a nice little game rooom with pool…read moretables and pinball machines. The service was friendly, but terrible--as in the bartender managed to get both rounds wrong. In one case, she took my order and then promptly forgot to make the drink. I had to go back and ask her again.

As I was in this neighborhood, I decided to stop in here for a drink (it was recommended when I was…read moreacross the street at Burma Superstar for lunch). Friendly, low-key bartender, jukebox, pool table, and lots of cool stuff to check out throughout the bar. As no one was playing the jukebox, I got to play to my hearts content, which was very fun. I'll definitely be back, hopefully to play some pool.

All right so we came here on the Fourth of July and we were greeted wonderfully. It's a crazy bar…read more Lots of things to look at. The ambience is your grunge look but not if that makes sense. They do have a great happy hour that's until 7 o'clock. It's a dollar off well drinks and the prices are great. Since today was the Fourth of July they were having a barbecue outside that had hotdog and hamburgers for FREE!!! There were great people around us lots of different diverse groups of people and what was awesome was when they were giving out hotdogs to the people that were driving by. While you're inside it kind of looks like a graveyard but hey, I love it! They also have a pool table back in the back so you can really enjoy your time there. The drinks are definitely strong. The people work in there are definitely nice. Here comes uncomfortable situation. As we're all celebrating Independence Day, we need to include everybody within. My friends and others around us started to feel uncomfortable when an individual on a bike came out with the confederate flag.... right afterwards an employee who works there came out with a don't tread on me with the snake flag... if you don't know what that means, look it up. As an establishment we're all there to really enjoy independence Day and just really be happy that we live in such a democracy. To see that someone that worked there had that flag on their head that represent politics really made me feel uncomfortable. Everybody has their opinion, but when you're working at an establishment politics need to be kept out of it! When you bring politics into your establishment, you're really turning off other people that really want to enjoy themselves. You did a great job of giving out to the community by providing a barbecue, but when you start to have political means on top of your head , it makes your establishment look like there is bias. I WASNT THE ONLY ON WHO FELT THAT WAY. This is a 5 star place... take the politics out and you'll encourage everyone to come.

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.

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.

If you're looking for a laid-back neighborhood spot with great drinks, Hotsy Totsy Club is it…read more A friend of mine used to live nearby and always raved about this place--especially the drinks and the taco truck parked outside. When I finally met him there, I immediately understood the hype. It's got that classic old-school bar feel: plenty of seats right at the bar if you're in the mood to chat, plus some more tucked-away seating in the back if you want something a little more low-key and private. I honestly can't remember the exact name of the drink I ordered (which probably says something ), but it was a mezcal cocktail--and it was so good I had two. Smoky, smooth, and dangerously easy to sip. You order at the bar, the bartender was super friendly, and the overall crowd had that welcoming, neighborhood vibe where everyone seems to know each other--or at least is happy to talk like they do. We also grabbed burritos from the taco truck outside (pro tip: do not skip this), and you can bring the food right into the bar. Great drinks and legit tacos? That's a winning combo. Overall, it's a fantastic local watering hole--unpretentious, comfortable, and exactly the kind of place you're happy to become a regular at.

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

Great cocktails and service. The bartender had a large group ahead of me, so he hooked me up with a…read moreshot of a mixed cocktails he had on hand, to make up for the wait.

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.

Sexy cabin themed bar for the win!…read more Relaxed and fun spot with lots of spaces to explore. Pool, the bar and a bamboo themed patio on the ground floor, and then an upstairs too for a more intimate vibe. Drinks seem above average quality, but I just stuck with Guinness (poured quite well). Street parking.

This cozy little bar in downtown Oakland, just off Lake Merritt, hosts an eclectic mix of people…read morefrom all walks of life and backgrounds. What brings them together is the Clown Car Community and a shared passion for open-mic comedy on Sunday evenings. The atmosphere is welcoming, inclusive, and full of character. Let's go...COO-COO!

You should check out The Ruby Room if you like drinking. This might get crowded and close be…read moreprepared for that. Occasionally there are DJ's playing music here. Right next to The Main Library on 14th!

Once known for good beer selection and entertainment, it is still all that but also with solid pub…read morefood. The entertainment and community feel of the place is the #1 highlight. Open mic night gives young people a voice. Older musicians act as unofficial mentors - the best advice from one was to 'make me feel something!!' I love the art scene - and to me there is a special intersection of utility (maybe articulating an important message - or building a useful couch) --- and the beauty of that piece. How you put it together, how it looks and most importantly how it makes you feel when you sink into the couch or words. I have a lot of opinions and a lot to say. These days you really can't complain much - in the world you are a nag and in church you are labeled a legalist. The secret is if you say those things in a beautiful way or tip toe around a subject asking questions and letting the audience come up with their own conclusions. The young people today I have lots of sympathy for. The 50 year olds could get away with earning $50k/yr - the 40 year olds could get away with earning $100k/yr but the 20 and 30 year olds in the bay area with 2 kids need to earn $200k in their household to make ends meet. Gentrification is the enemy - those who are 'rich.' Lets blame the boomers. Maybe there are some other 'enemies' of the unaffordable nature of the bay area. A witch hunt aiming at tech workers or the unhoused or maybe today AI robots. My brother pays $4000/month for babysitting. I think his house tax is another $1000/month and we aren't even talking about the mortgage yet.... In San Francisco a family of 4 can qualify for free babysitting if they earn $178,300 or less per year. Maybe you can't call this the poverty level - but you qualify for everything including housing assistance. I'm sorry no beautiful poetry for you today. No lit slam. No soup for you!! I will continue building my couches - you take the stage!!

Starry Plough....Oh wow! This is really a cool scene…read more There's a different event seven nights a week. Today the day after July 4 celebration is sort of an Irish music session in the place is packed at 5:45 PM! Great musicians and a fun atmosphere, but it seems like the same continuous song plays between breaks with a slight adjustment of the melody. Sort of a hypnotic repetitive groove, not so unlike "ON THE CORNER" by Miles Davis but not really, ha ha! OK kids, please plug that into your little machine and have a listen. Feel that groove in "BLACK SATIN" The Starry Plough is a full service restaurant, pub and nightclub that has been a staple of the East Bay scene since 1973. With deep roots as an Irish Revolutionary watering hole, the history of protest runs as deep today as it did when they opened five decades ago. And they have really good food and a great tap beer list. Also, the very best bartenders and staff throughout! I just had a half order of the handcut french fries and they really are top-notch man, they're served with different condiments that you can help yourself to. I chose the Sriracha sauce and ketchup. I couldn't find the horseradish tonight. I've been coming in here for several years and I really dig it. Very special people hang out here, kind of a hippie Berkeley vibe. I've had great long conversations and met very groovy folks. It's a great watering hole.

Cute decor, love the name, and very nice staff. Cocktails are crafted really well and tasted high…read morequality. Didn't try the food, but saw lots of people ordering with good happy hour deals. Love that the workers were having fun and playing music. Lots of bars were closed during a Friday early afternoon, but tipsea was open! Can't wait to come back here anytime I go to a concert at the Greek or Cornerstone.

Shattuck is full of fun bars to slip into, Tipsea being one of them. I've been here twice, and this…read morewas the first time trying snacks while here besides cocktails. Looking for an in-between spot (a sip and bite before dinner), we cozied up to the bar here for a quick cocktail and bar food snack. We ordered onion rings that came with the choice of a variety of sauces including Tikka Sauce, Siracha Mango, Sweet Chili, Korean BBQ, Hot Honey, and more. Both the cocktails and snacks came timely, and we enjoyed conversation and community chatting with other locals/tourists visiting Berkeley for a short time. The vibes are right in Tipsea and I dig the nautical ambiance/theme/play on words. Worthy of a stop through; street parking on Shattuck/paid garages nearby, but ride-share sometimes easiest for these locations. NA options available and full menu including burgers, a fried chicken sando, seafood options, other bar snacks including Navi's and loaded tots, and dessert.