Great little garden within the Lake Merritt Garden. Unfortunately part was under construction so…read morewe'll be back. The "curator" (not sure what to call him) was super nice. They have classes on the fourth Sunday of every month. Definitely will check that out.

Beautiful gardens hidden away in a busy city…read more Sad to see a group of teen throwing trash into the lake. They don't even respect their own area.

So grateful to be sharing this review!…read more We booked the "Secret Society" room for my daughters birthday. Location is easy to access, although you may miss it if you're driving fast. Remember to remove belongings from your car to keep it from being a target. There is plenty storage on site if needed. Staff was friendly and helpful. Facility was clean. The escape room experience was engaging, challenging, and full of surprises. The children had a ball and escaped (40% escape rate).

This was a smaller and less intricate escape room than others I've been to but we still had fun. We…read morehad a group of 4 adults and 1 kid and everyone was able to get involved to successfully escape. We chose the spy room which was rated as the most difficult but we found it very doable and I probably wouldn't want a room any easier than that. I do wish there was a more involved storyline and more details in the room setups! There's street parking next to the location, a waiting lobby, and bathrooms. Overall I think it can be a fun first time experience for kids or for people new to escape rooms!

The free Friday nights are such a vibe with live music and the DJ was TOO GOOD for the crowd…read more Food trucks outside were the most diverse options including Swahili, Nepal, South African also ice cream!

This museum is so underrated!…read more There are plenty of exhibits to explore, along with interactive areas that make learning fun for kids. It's a great place to spend a day with the family, whether you're looking to learn something new, relax, or simply enjoy a beautiful day in Oakland. I especially appreciate that this museum participates in the Museums for All program, which helps make cultural and educational experiences more accessible to families. We had a wonderful visit and I'll definitely be coming back more often. If you're looking for a family-friendly activity that's both fun and educational, this museum is worth checking out.

One of the absolute gems of Oakland and East Bay. Coming here is not just for the movie but for the…read morecommunity experience. - They show unique films: mainstream, old classics, camp, documentaries that you won't be able to find elsewhere. - seats that are couches, recliners, love seats, bean bags, etc. - Lots of free community events: karaoke, board games, crafts, trivia/bingo, etc. Or unique events like Saturday morning cartoons, World Cup games, Oscars, etc. - full kitchen on site. Not just popcorn with a huge self-seasoning counter, but also full course meals and many drinks, all delivered right to your seat. - tax and tip are included in all prices. What you see is what you pay. - they don't accept Tap to Pay, so bring a physical card or cash. - parking is hard to find but you have options within a 4 block radius. Busses stop right near it. - friendly staff and management!

One of the coolest theaters I've ever seen!!! My friend rented out one of their rooms for her…read morebday-- such an awesome experience! So grateful she introduced us to this community gem. Grungy, unique vibe-- from the reels of film tape festooning the lobby, to the eclectic assortment of couches and artwork in the open auditorium. Pays homage to Oakland quirkiness all throughout the space. Variety of snacks and drinks available for purchase at the cashier. Staff can be a bit aloof and the dishes were not super clean, but great atmosphere overall~~~

So fun!! The team makes it very accessible and easy. Minimal instruction and felt super safe…read moresmashing some stuff up. Good memories and great to do with friends!

Had high hopes based on reviews but came in and waited at front entry for someone to talk to for…read moreten minutes. Then after 10 more minutes a room was ready. My son went in and a couple came in was greeted with oh I am sorry you"ll have to wait while we set you up as they (meaning me) were late. I kept it together and left but that was a straight boldface lie and I won't ever come back to a place that does that. Also the facility is run down and a dirty. Treat those that come in with better contact and don't lie about delays by your lack of time management !

I attended an event at Groundfloor and found the venue to be super cute and cozy…read more It's a short walk from MacArthur BART and has tons of private booths and plenty of seating to get work done. The kitchen area was nice and clean, as were the bathrooms, and overall I enjoyed the vibes of the space.

From the owner: At Groundfloor, we bring people together–whether to work alongside others, socialize at events, or…read moresimply hang out. It’s a place to build community and be in good company.

I dined in Saturday for Teddy Riley what a great show! Drinks were even better.Erin gave amazing…read moreservice!

My favorite singer is the remarkable Lisa Fischer so I couldn't wait to bring a friend tonight for…read moredinner and a show. We had a lovely salad, which could have had more beets on it. My salmon was not medium rare as I asked, but was very delicious. My friend's risotto with scallops was creamy and luscious. Lovely prompt service and we got great seats for the show.

NARRATIVE Approaching and passing the West Oakland BART…read moreStation giants and giantesses constructed from metal begin to fill the skyline. As the sun sets, fire tongues lick and leap from metal sculptures. Robots lumber and throw flames. Leather pants, and fire tools abound to the marvel and disbelief of the attendees and to the satisfaction of the artists and performers. CONTACT INFORMATION The Crucible 1260 7th Street Oakland, CA 94607 Phone: 510-444-0919 Email: info@thecrucible.org HOURS Wednesday-Saturday, 2nd week in July 8 pm - midnight * Fire & Arts Soiree is held on Saturday. PRICE RANGE Luxurious (but worth it!) or ask to volunteer! SUMMARY After 7 years of watching this flaming spectacle from the freeway and that BART-way I finally decided to volunteer to get a grounds-eye view of the goings-on. From the gorgeous Serpent Mother to the stories upon stories of metal sculpture gods and goddesses surrounded by a flaming garden of spectacle, art, robotics, pyrotechnics, demonstration, and interactivity (DANCE DANCE IMMOLATION!), the entire site is alight with elements that entice and delight all ages. Last night I served as a youth escort and worked with another youth escort to introduce the little 5 years olds to the fire arts and explain how it all worked. Their eyes (as well as mine) opened wide at the wonder of so much fire, noise, music, performances, and characters that abounded on the grounds. The Fire Oddesey combines dance, theater, opera, live and recorded music, humor, acrobatics, aerobatics that filled the bleachers and held the audiences delight. All hail the Fire Arts Festival and the Crucible for an excellent event! SERVICE Awesome. Well organized from the layout to the volunteer experience and the participant logistics. RESTROOMS Port-o-potties with handwashing stations! (Always appreciated.) SUGGESTION More demonstrations of the how these pieces were created or perhaps a pre-festival gallery walk where we can ask the artists how these pieces were created!

So, there were some big improvements to the previous year's FAF. First, it is in a much larger…read morespace. You had to shuttle from Bart this year, but that looked very organized. I drove this year, and parking was very easy and the security for the event was on top of everything. Second, they do have a few new exhibits... not many, but the Pendulum of Fire, which I think is new, just rocked. On Saturday, it did full loops and it was amazing to photograph. Third, they did seem to improve the bathroom and food situations. Now, I'll speak from the photography side of things. First, I would recommend going on the earlier days as it is difficult to maneuver through the Saturday crowds. I love the ease of being able to get credentialed for the event, but you still have to battle people just walking in front of your shot. Since they paid the same price as you, you can't really get upset at it happening, but it did ruin some nice shots. Second, I did feel that I was repeating my shots from last year. The new exhibits were great, but after 2 hours of shooting I felt like I had exhausted my captures. Last, for some reason, I was not as impressed with the stage entertainment as I was last year. I can't really explain. Don't know if it was the acoustics or what, but it just seem to be off. I think I might be in the minority. http://www.flickr.com/photos/kicksaveandabeauty/sets/72157621569257643/

I've been going to Merritt Ceramics since 2019. I have worked in multiple shared-space ceramic…read morestudios over the years, and Merritt is hands-down the cleanest and most well-organized one I have found. ​The staff is incredibly kind, caring, and knowledgeable. I've taken everything at the studio from multi-week wheel throwing courses and one-on-one tutoring to special workshops with world-renowned artists, and I have been impressed with all of them. I am now a 'Daisy' member, which allows me to drop in and work anytime the studio is open. I have learned that I really enjoy sculpting animals. I love working here surrounded by other people who are just as deep into clay as I am. The space is well-equipped with supplies and tools, and the kiln turnaround time is fast. Come join us!

Great creative community, well established studio, very inclusive. Instructors are solid!read more

I adore everything about Lovey Day! Their food is…read moreincredible. Tasty, unique, and totally delightful. (Related to Grace Street Catering, of which I was a huge fan.) Their outdoor patio takes advantage of the awesome Oakland weather and their multiple high-ceiling indoor areas are secret worlds of raw brick industrial + live plant art installations. Don't even get me started on the craft cocktails and bespoke wine list. (Take my money!) Jen and her team go above and beyond with thoughtful & attentive service. They're a hidden gem and I'm so glad to know them for event rentals and the restaurant!

From the owner: We offer fun, unique and often cuisine-centered events…read more Or rent our space, where we can bring your unique imaginings as a host to your guests. With fully staffed industrial kitchens on site, full bar service, tasteful furnishings, discounts from partnered vendors, sound and lighting, and more — we’re here to make your special gathering delightful and unforgettable.