Stepping into Cafe Van Kleef makes me feel as though I'm on the set of a movie directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Taxidermy, unusual sculpture, chandeliers, boxing gloves, and skeletons help provide the ambiance. Sipping one of their delicious greyhounds amid the eclectic clutter, I am transported to another time. I envision records being played upon a gramophone, Old Oakland in its heyday. A true gem. read more

Always wanted to check out the Van Kleef because I love anything Dutch. I'm not a fan of "stuff" however it totally works at this place. There's something totally quaint, cozy, and welcoming here. Planned to go for the Isaac Hayes tribute band but arrived too early and hunger got the better of us. That said, the bartender was adorable, the whole fresh grapefruit thing is awesome, and the music was perfect. Will definitely be back. read more

OH MY GOD! The Alameda Antique Fair just exploded in this bar! Calm down, it didn't, I was just joking. Relax. Have a greyhound. So, this bar is pretty rad, but the few times I've been here, I've sort of stuck to the front because we've just popped in for a quick one before hitting up another event. I feel bad because our time here is always fleeting, but the bouncer always seems to let us sneak in for one without dealing with the cover. Nice bouncers are hard to find these days, maybe they pay them in knick knacks. read more

My second time visiting this little gem! Fantastic Jazz band, delicious greyhound and PACKED PACKED PACKED. What a wonderful little spot! All this for a $5.00 cover...amazing. Do yourself a favor and stop in. read more

I went here for the CLeavage Night event. I thought it was a really neat place. There was live jazz, tons of fun shit to look at on the walls, and they squeezed the fruit juice for everything freshly! The drinks we very good, and I enjoyed meeting a gaggle of East Bay yelpers. I'm gonna get creamed for this but, -1 star for being in Oakland. Although to be honest, it would probably start to suck hard if it was in the city. The city would tear it apart. Oh well, so I take it back, +1 star for being in Oakland. However, the everyday crowd was definitely a little older than I'm used to hanging out with, but they looked they were getting down so I was happy to see that. Congrats to Karen N for putting on such a fun event at such a neat location. It was really nice to get out of the city to be honest, and I could see myself going to more East Bay events down the road. Oh, the bartenders were really nice here too. read more

This was the first ever place that I'd consumed a greyhound. Soon after, I began to order them at other bars. I learned my lesson quickly. (For goodness sakes, if you're a bar owner and offering a drink named after a ridiculously fast and large dog, at least have some pride in serving it! Like, invest in a grapefruit juicer and put some fake squirrels on the wall or something.) Cafe Van Kleef has spoiled me by consistently serving the greyhounds fresh, teeming with goodness, and accompanied by fat wedge of grapefruit- all while being surrounded by swords, hats, chandeliers, bras, beads, and enough things on the walls to keep my buddies from running out of conversation topics. (THAT, my bar-owning friends, is how you properly serve greyhounds) read more

Best bar in town only for the greyhounds. Theres a smoking section outside so may not be a place for everyone. The restroom is at one toilet, so it can get cramped on a busy night with live music. Best time to go when it's the weekday, easy to grab a drink. read more

Any place that has a borderline hoarder for the owner wins in my book. The walls on this place are SO RAD. I enjoyed my fresh and delicious greyhound beverage while scarfing down their very unique flavored free popcorn. Conversation with friends was endless as we kept finding such unusual items on the wall to talk about. Bar tenders were friendly and willing to play a game of eye spy. Awesome! read more

I learned a few things about myself here last night: 1) I think I'm allergic to fresh grapefruit. The gigantic fresh slices that come perched on top of the famous greyhound cocktails look so tasty, but when I started eating one, my lip got all itchy and swollen. The drink itself was FANTASTIC and full of yummy pulp. 2) I'm not in college anymore (okay, this one was not a totally new realization, since I graduated ten years ago). The crazy "grandma's attic" decor would have really floated my boat back then, but now I'm into a different vibe (think Flora or Grand Tavern). 3) The odor of cigarette smoke will always be gross to me, especially stale cigarette smoke. I'm not sure what the smoking policy is here exactly, but it definitely smelled like cigarettes. Ew. read more

It would take me days to absorb the seemingly infinite details of Cafe Van Kleef . I heard some refer to it as just " Van Kleef" throughout the evening with same kind of reverence and admiration a Buddhist would render the Dalai Lama. Who is in fact, featured in a rather intricate painting in the center of bar. After a few strong drinks I seemed to forget about my life and all of its monotony because the room is so overbearingly engaging (and liquor has that power anyway). It became a gypsy den and I was having memories of a former life in which I sold flowers on the street and wore bangles around my feet. Really, it's not that serious but I can understand why this bar is a local treasure. It's not the kind of jewel I'd wear every day but it will definitely sit in a secret box I keep hidden beneath my bed and take out when no one is looking. read more

The best part of waking up... is not folgers in your cup. It's getting a sip of Cafe Van Kleef's freshly squeezed greyhounds. It's all part of a daily balanced breakfast with all your essential vitamins, minerals and alcohol and is my new breakfast of choice. I came here last night and found THE bar. It's the one. I love the eclectic collection of artwork and other random bits of culture all along the walls. The bartender was super cool and poored some stiff drinks. Plus how can you not love a place that serves freshly squeezed greyhounds and absinthe? read more

Hit up this place on an older friend's recommendation. Needless to say, my 25 year old friend, my 24 year old self, and another 21 year old friend felt like the youngest people in the entire spot, but we were more than cool with that. Fantastic music, coupled with deceptively strong, yet surpassingly delicious greyhounds made for one of the better nights out I've had in recent memory. I also love how the building utilizes the tardis effect. A seemingly forgtful hole-in-the-wall from the exterior transforms suddenly into this lofted intense, surreal phantasmagoria that feels almost isolated in time and space in the most epic way. read more

This is the kind of funky bar I think of when friends talk about going out in Oakland. Kind of divey, kind of jazzy, dark and mysterious but not dangerous. Lots of junk lines the walls and I love it. Happy hour goes til 6 and get the greyhound. It's $7 and they squeeze fresh grapefruits right at the bar. Perfect place if you're going to bar hop before a show at the fox. There's some parking garages nearby too, but why drive when the greyhounds are this good. read more

From the supper clubs of Amsterdam to the Dutch windmill of the Golden Gate Park, the Dutch influence on modern culture is profound. Can you imagine a world without Manhattan or Van Gogh or Spinoza? So when I saw the name Caf Van Kleef so prominently displayed on yelp's website, I decided to trek to that corner of Oakland popularly known as Oaksterdam due to the proliferation of Medical marijuana clubs. From the faux colonial baroque dcor to the hot music major bartender squeezing fresh fruits into delicious cocktails to the touchy feely vibe of the other patrons, this place has made a strong entry into my list of favorite BARS in California. read more

1) Crazy, jester-hat wearing, skeleton on a saddle, on a ladder... check. 2) Live blues band... check. 3) STRONGassmofo rum drink mixed by the (very friendly!) owner hisself... check. Eclectic without being too hip, kitchy without being too cluttered, and funky but tasteful. The only thing I could have asked for was a bit more floor space for dancing. oh, 4) Clean bathroom! Finding gems like this really makes me miss living in Oakland sometimes. I feel like I've found my home away from home. read more

I'm not a regular here but its down the street from my usual bars and they do have really good greyhounds/salty dogs - freshly squeezed grapefruits!!! ( they do not strain the pulp so be warned! ) I called my alcohol but the bartender still used vodka out of some nondescript glass bottle. ugh. Still $7 wasn't bad. I'll skip describing the decor since many here already have. I like it here but i am not a fan of second hand smoke so I normally pass on this place too bad though because its funkiness is right up my alley. They do charge usually on weekends but i tend to go when its not packed (early). If you are visiting Oakland this place is a MUST. read more

If you had one lone 'shroom (of course I don't do such things), this place could keep you occupied for the rest of this decade! The time warp whiplash I got from going from a Native American Medicine Man "statue" (my fave) to the African safari Rhino and Wild Boar on the walls....man...that's shyt kept my senses on maximum overdrive. Add to that all kinds of good peeps from Yelp...some I already knew...some I hadn't yet met and some, I wanted to meet, but never got the opportunity to! If you were there and perhaps we didn't get a chance to talk, shoot me a note and maybe next time we will. Good music, strong margaritas, GREAT cause (thanks Karen), great owner and barkeeps (one small rememberence though...the "tonic" in my gin and tonic was flat, but that is what spawned maragaritas so it's all good!) We should really do more Oaklandish gatherings like this! read more

Eclectic and eccentric, dimly lit bar provides atmosphere and strong, fresh cocktails whether it's for early evening drinks or Saturday night partying. Get the Greyhound: a mix of vodka and grapefruit juice served with a massive slice of the citrus fruit to boot. $7 Friendly and attentive bartenders can suggest something else to try as well. Grab your drink and take a look at all the eye candy from animal heads hanging on the wall to christmas lights and plastic silhouettes. Perfect if you're looking for a chill out spot in Oakland's city center. Oakland needs more places like this. read more

Cafe Van Kleef is an absolute home run in my opinion; there are too many characteristics about this place that set it completely apart from the rest. It's truly amazing to me that an establishment of this size can be BAY AREA WIDE famous for a drink (obviously, specifically their Greyhounds). You can talk to anybody and ask them, "Have you been to Downtown Oakland?" and you'll most likely hear: "YEAH I've been to Oakland! I love the Greyhounds at Cafe Van Kleef!" Probably the first bar that would come to everyone's mind when they think of Oakland. Next, this place has style unlike anywhere else. It's quirky, eccentric, strange, weird, bizarre, and fascinating. You'll find knick knacks everywhere and random trinkets collectively creating the ambiance of Cafe Van Kleef. Live music, events, an age range that is much larger than most bars in the area; everyone wants to stop by this bar at least once in their life. Check out their events here: http://cafevankleef.com/events/ Yes, it is small but they provide plenty of chairs for patrons. It's close to Bart so you don't need to worry about a far walk. It's also located at the "beginning" of night life so it's a great place to start the evening right. So absolutely, in every qualification: 5 stars. For standing out while being small and being an imperative must see and try bar for people of all ages and places, Cafe Van Kleef deserves all the praise. You don't want to be that person who cannot join the conversation. read more

Quirky fun bar in Oakland! Great live music, delicious greyhounds (freshly squeezed grapefruit- sweet, not bitter- and vodka), awesome people! read more

This is a groovy little spot a stone's throw from the 19th Street BART. The crowd is a friendly eclectic mixture of folks out for drinky-drinky or to see live local bands. The night I was there the band was "Damon & The Heathens" playing "horn fueled" Oakland style ghettotech/punk/soul. Totally multifarious! 5 Stars! read more

I want to host a living funeral here...for myself. As many have previously raved, the Greyhounds are amazing. I hate vodka and I loathe grapefruit juice, so whatever fairy dust I didn't see them sprinkle on my drinks was much appreciated. I could have drank them all night, and then likely passed out on the street corner, woke up, repeated the steps. The inside is a virtuoso carnival of oddities, too much to absorb in one sitting. A super find of hoarder goodness. The spicy popcorn was also complementary to both the drinks and the atmosphere. \ The Kleef will become a regular spot for me. read more

Cafe Van Kleef is great, I usually bring visitors to the East Bay here if we're spending anytime in the neighborhood. Van Kleef is an uber-long bar that's decked out like a wacky thrift shop. Tons of odds and ends everywhere, if you're lacking for conversation there's plenty of fun stuff to look at. I think I've only ordered greyhounds here - they're served fresh-squeezed and come with a quarter-wedge of grapefruit. So, yeah that's a lot of grapefruit. The bar area can get pretty packed, but that's a minor complaint as there's a fair amount of seating in the back. read more

Oh my Greyhound! Hello! I love you! If I am sick and need some Vitamin C, I know where to go for my fix! They have delicious...DEE-LICIOUS drinks with fresh grapefruit. And I'm not talking a little slice for garnish, I'm talking the whole shaaa-baang...grapefruit in your draaank! It was so amazing and refreshing. Perfect for these hot summer months. It is also very close to public transportation. They also have live music and clean bathrooms. AND big communal tables. I had so much fun, I can't wait to come back. The bartenders are awesome. Make sure you go before 9pm or else you may have to pay cover for the band (I think...) BUT the doorman said he would remember be and I did a yoga move so that he would remember me. He did :) I wanna come back and try the Salty Dog! Make sure you have a minimum purchase of $10 or $20 (i forget) if you wanna use credit card. read more

I miss Cafe Van Kleef! It's still there, but I'm not, and I truly miss this wonderful cafe that sent me all the way back to Amsterdam. The owner, Peter Van Kleef, has made of this tiny space in downtown Oakland a true bruine kroeg, or brown cafe. Brown Cafes are traditional Dutch bars, filled with knick-knacks, camaraderie, and can best be equated to the Irish Pubs that unite the local neighbors. UPDATE 05/17/2008: Now that we are back in the Bay Area, we come back to CVK frequently. Every time we've been here, Eric has been the most awesome bartender and the guy makes an awesome greyhound with freshly squeezed grapefruits... Un-fucking-believable! There's some strange characters, I'll give you that, but it makes the atmosphere all the more interesting, and Eric was way cool yesterday as he put a bowl of freshly cut watermelon for us to eat! That beats beer nuts with me anytime!!! read more

This is seriously one of the only reasons I go to the east bay lately. The music and dancing and drinks are always great. Peter's always sweet and friendly (and not in the creepy, grab-your-girl's-butt type of way, which always surprises me, since he IS an older man that owns a bar). I highly recommend ordering the Lemon Drops and going for the first Saturdays of the month with Blue Bone Express and Hot Pink Feathers. And dress fabulously, it will be appreciated. And for g-dssakes, DANCE! read more

One of my favorite places in Oakland. Very unique, great bar staff, amazing ambiance, and fun customers. They have live music pretty often, and are famous for their greyhounds. The entire bar is decked out in New Orleans decor which really sets the mood. If you're anywhere near here, be sure to stop by! read more

We walked in. I've never walked into a room and said "man, this place smells like grapefruits" but I turned to my friend and said "man this place smells like grapefruits!" I told him the place was famous for their greyhounds. He ordered one for me and a beer for himself. I looked around the room. Every single person there had a greyhound; short red straw, giant quarter of a grapefruit garnish. "Are you sure you want a beer?" He promptly changed it to a greyhound. Months later, we're regulars. I think they think were married because we don't talk to each other much and play I Spy with the trinkets that litter the wall behind the bar. The bathroom always seems to have a line, but only right when it's your time to go. Why did someone write "please knock first" on the door or the bathroom? I'll never know, but I'm sorry. I'm not pooping. I'm taking bathroom selfies. read more

What an awesome place. You walk into darkness and are surrounded by what seem like jewel tones (including lots of red) emanating from objects at the bar and on the wall and ceiling...it's like you've just walked into an artist's cluttered but very cool attic. Actually, not a coincidence because Mr. Van Kleef is an artist, and his incredibly tall paintings hang on the walls. Seems like there's a lot of movie set things too, including a huuuge floor light. The seating is all interesting -- case in point, a big globe aka table whose ledge you can rest your drinks on. As I quickly learned from my colleagues -- who go here all the time because our office is two doors down (and six floors up) -- the greyhounds here are what's happenin'. Fresh squeezed -- 'nuff said. I'm going to be here a lot. read more

Warning: this review will probably seem redundant if you have read all of the others... *FRESH SQUEEZED GRAPEFRUIT JUICE for Greyhounds and Salty Dogs: hellz yes! *Trippy decor. *Hipster vibe (real, over 30s hipster, not lamo, kid, "I will out weird you because I'm so cool" hipster) *Complementary cheez-its. I looooove me some cheez-its, so this was a super plus. I'll be back, for sure. read more

What can I say about Cafe Van Kleef that hasn't been said before by countless others? This place is OFF THE HOOK! For someone who doesn't go to bars in Uptown Oakland, *this* place in particular opened the door and introduced me to my city on the come-up: seriously, if you haven't made it to this spot, get off your ass and do so! First thing's first: the place is small, narrow (from the front entrance to the stage, located at the back) and jam-packed to the hilt with people...but people don't generally seem to mind if you're trying to squeeze in between to find a place to sit...which you probably won't. It gets hot quick, so do yourself and don't wear more than two-three layers of clothing like I did.... The night I went was for my 25th, there was a LIVE New Orleans-style marching band which did a cover of Jay-Z's "Big Pimpin'" - how friggin' marvelous that was, with everyone vibin' and groovin' on the dance floor, which added to the feel of an alcohol-induced fever dream in a darkly-lit bordello. The band which performed that night was *phenomenal*, I just wish I had stayed sober enough to remember their name... sensory overload in the best possible way - seriously, from the floor to the ceiling, it's expansive and all kinds of odds and ends/knick-knacks to stare at in ogle at: WOW. Drinks are reasonably price, but I wouldn't know really since I stuck to Greyhounds all night and they were all free; if Greyhounds are not your specialty, they will be after your experience here: served quickly by the speedy staff behind the bar, and topped with a thick-as-hell grapefruit slice, you'll be making between 5 to 6 trips from your seat or to the bar. All in all, if you're out on a Thursday night (or any night for that matter) and need a spot to kick it and shoot the breeze with a couple of friends, go to Cafe Van Kleef's! read more

I've enjoyed going here before, but after my latest experience will not be coming back. The bouncer was sexist, asking my 2 female friends to step back over the crack in the pavement that marked the 'outside' of the bar when they crossed it, but confiscating the drink my male friend was holding when he accidentally put one foot over the line and prevented him from entering the bar again. He was our designated driver (only holding a drink for a friend in the bathroom) and we weren't about to leave him outside while the rest of us drank. All 6 of my friends ended up leaving. read more

Flew up from San Diego for the day on a business trip and stopped here on my way out. Pure awesomeness hole in the wall bar with a lot of character, history and fun people ! read more

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*Fresh squeezed Greyhounds *Eccentric and entertaining owner *Fresh squeezed Greyhounds *Close to Bart *Fresh squeezed Greyhounds *Free happy hour appetizers *Fresh squeezed Greyhounds *Fun decor *Fresh squeezed Greyhounds *Outdoor drinking area *Fresh squeezed Greyhounds If you noticed a pattern above, I should note that I don't even like Greyhounds. They're just that amazing. read more

I want to like this place more. I love the decor. It's a great place to see live music. Sadly, the best times I've had here are at weird hours when too many other people aren't around. It's just too tragically hip for Oakland. Too much posing. read more

Amazing Greyhounds. The best I've had so far. Red grapefruit freshly squeezed with a generous slice that sits right on top of your drink. There is a guy behind the bar whose sole job is to squeeze grapefruits all night! Decor is haphazard with all kinds of random items but it seems to work. Every time I go there, I'll spot some item I had never seen before from previous visits. The only negative of this place is the one shared bathroom. Unless you plan to stay for hours to get legless, it's tolerable. read more

Let's see.... oh yeah, I LOVE THIS PLACE. Greyhounds of complete perfection with 1/4 of a grapefruit perched on the glass (both the vodka and gin ones are amazo), crazy shit on the walls (a la Shenanigans), fun live music, randomly cool Oaktown crowd, realtively easy parking (yay), and only 15 min from my house. Why go anywhere else? read more

I kinda agree with Max. This is a great little watering hole smack dab in the middle of downtown Oakland (on the shittier side, not the nicer lake side). I went last night and remembered why I like it. It's all about the greyhouds. Sers, I don't even like grapefruit but when it's squeezed fresh and mixed with vodka...come on, even I know it's amazing. The times I've been with a band playing are generally okay. Usually a bit to loud for me, no fault of the band, the space is just small. AND, they charge a cover. Please people, I just want to drink. Just give the band some of my drink money...trust me, with my friends in there, you'll have plenty to spare. The chairs are not the most comfy, but I don't think people come to sit and relax. Go to the easy lounge if you need an effing couch. More importantly tho, my co-worker (who is quickly becomming my friend but we are in the "still figuring each other out, don't have too much to talk about" phase) and I were able to sit and stare at the walls filled with beautifully random objects-instant convo starter!! Thing is, I'd never want to see it in full light. I mean, would you wanted to see Disney's Haunted Mansion in full light? No. Kinda takes away the mystery. read more

This place is a hidden gem! Reminds me of Latin America Club in the Mission with all its crazy kitsch. I had heard lore of their greyhounds, and you know what? Totally lived up to the hype. They squeeze the juice at the bar with an awesome pump juicer and put the juice in carafes...that they cap with a whole grapefruit. Gotta keep it fresh, amirite? Also, they give you an enormous wedge of grapefruit to add to your shot of juice. Yes, please. Anyway, those greyhounds...yeah. Vodka, usually not my thing, and yet, here we are. Definitely going back. The good: solid drinks. Nice bartender. Called me ma'am; can't win 'em all, I guess. The bad: the cup of greyhound overfloweth, so make sure your table is level, otherwise you might get some dirty looks for spilling. Protip: show your ticket to a show at the Fox and get a dollar off your drink. Can't get mad about that. read more

This bar wasn't a delight in my life. Their whole "fresh grapefruit greyhounds" don't entice me either because that is not a feat, it's just a convenience. Anyway, that said, this bar is not only painfully narrow as it is already packed all the time but the bartenders here are super paranoid about who comes in and what their status is. I used to be a bartender and I get the "all eyes on deck" idea, but you have to be a lot more choosy in what you think is weird or not. I'll tell you my experience, I came with a friend once and as they were ordering (we had shown IDs, mind you) I went to relieve myself in the restroom. I literally had a worker follow me and act like they were just taking a stroll. Yeah right, right behind me in a crowded as hell bar. okay. As soon as I arrive to the restroom, 10 seconds probably go by or less, I hear a loud rambunctious knock and almost crap myself when I was merely taking a whizz. I mean I look kinda rock and roll at times but what, you think I'm shooting up or just lolly gagging in a restroom? Please. So I finish up, come out and see this worker try to walk off fast like if they weren't all up in my grill seconds before. Never going back or coming back since. Van-(k)LEAVE. read more