Finally got to check out Crybaby this past weekend! It was…read more$22 at the door at around 10:30PM. The crowd here is very young but it's a nice little spot to grab some drinks and enjoy some music. Drinks were priced pretty good and they also have a nice little outside area if you want to smoke or grab some air.

Keak the Sneak brought me out. A Town Legend who took part in creating The Hyphy Movement over 15…read moreyears ago. I had so much fun at the foot of the stage, we danced all night. The crowd had motion as we sang along!

This was my first time here. Jo's Lemon drop was amazing!! Music top tier! Service was really good.read more

I hosted my husband's 40th here May 2, 2026. Melanie was a…read morepleasure to work with and ironing out details. We had a Casino Royale theme with casino tables upstairs, caterer and photographer downstairs. It was nice because this venue comes with a DJ, security and bar. There is a parking lot across the street that only charges $10. It doesn't need decorations so it's a one stop shop. While we did have some hiccups day of, they were resolved and the owner was very receptive to the feedback. I would recommend this place and absolutely book here again if I were to host an event.

Hello Stranger has a convenient location with a small but decent-sized bar and dance floor. The DJ…read morewas okay, nothing special, but fine for a casual night out. Unfortunately, that's all I can really comment on because three of us sat at the bar for about 15 minutes and, even though there was no one else there, the bartender never approached us. We ended up leaving without ordering anything. It was disappointing, especially given how empty the place was. Based on this experience, I don't plan to return. The lack of attention and service made it clear why the bar wasn't busy.

Hello Stranger is THAT spot in Oakland. The DJ? Fire. The music? Had me forgetting I had bills due…read more The vibe? Safe, fun, and full of people who just wanna have a good time. Drinks are on point whether you're into cocktails, mocktails, or just pretending your Sprite is fancy champagne, they've got you. The staff is hella nice too like the kind of people you don't mind bumping into when you're three songs deep on the dance floor. Plus, the brick walls and whole setup make it feel like you stepped into a cool hidden gem instead of just another bar. Honestly, it's the kind of place you show up "just for one" and end up shutting down the night. 10/10 would lose my voice here again.

Forbidden Island is one of those rare neighborhood gems that somehow manages to feel both special…read moreand effortlessly welcoming. It's a longtime local favorite of mine and my go-to spot for meeting up with friends--equal parts escape and comfort. The cocktail menu is impressively deep, full of beautifully crafted, fancy tiki drinks that practically beg to be explored, and so far every single one I've tried has been delicious (dangerously so). Inside, the bar nails the classic tiki vibe--warm, immersive, and transportive--while the outdoor patio offers a lovely, relaxed option with plenty of extra seating on warm days. It's the kind of place where you can linger, laugh, and lose track of time. The staff deserve a special shout-out: genuinely friendly, attentive, and accommodating, which only adds to the overall experience. A quick pro tip: if you're planning to stop by during popular after-work hours, definitely make a reservation--it fills up for good reason. The food menu is on the smaller side, but the bites are tasty and thoughtfully done, perfect for sharing alongside a round (or two) of cocktails. All in all, Forbidden Island is a standout spot that keeps me coming back again and again.

4++ Tiki bar that feels like it's been around for a long time, located in Alameda…read more As soon as you walk in, the place feels a little diver, and I mean that with utmost praise. It feels comfortable and if you're regular here feels like you're just going to something familiar. There's a backyard area with seating as well. I came here with my brother and my sister-in-law for a drink after having dinner in the area. The people were friendly and helpful. We ordered a few of the tiki drinks. I got the banana hammock, lol. It was tasty and refreshing. Overall, great spot, and I hope to return in the near future. Parking on the street wasn't too hard to find. We parked about a block away in the residential area.

I love this place Best music, the best chai I've ever had in my life and good people always in and…read morearound. How good it is

Strolling through the neighborhood on my way to a meeting and I had some time to kill. The…read morestorefront caught my eye and when I saw vinyl I had to look. So glad I stopped in. The vibe is very relaxed. A great place for a mental break. Gabriel the bartender greeted me warmly. The music was good. Vinyl selection is The wine selection is exemplary. I had enough time for lunch and opted for the Cheese sandwich ( I do not recall the menu name) upon Gabriel's recommendation. I was not disappointed. Warm beef with melted cheese and accompaniments on a sandwich roll. It was reminiscent of my youth when my friends mother would make lunch for us. It was just sloppy enough to make it delicious without it splattered on my shirt. My new go to spot for a mental break and smiles.

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!

whack and got sick here last weekend…read more Why is it still open? the drinks suck and its not fun.

I had no idea this place had been around for over 10 years. It's kind of tucked away and easy to…read moremiss since the entrance doesn't really stand out. That said, once you're inside, it's a great little bar with a lot of character and a really welcoming vibe. We got there shortly after they opened on a Saturday afternoon, and it didn't take long for the place to fill up. We grabbed seats at the bar, and Eric was our bartender... he was fantastic. Super friendly, made everyone feel welcome, and somehow managed to keep the energy up and still give great service even as things got busy. You could tell he loves his job. We had a few beers and ordered the grilled chicken sandwich, chicken tenders, and the parmesan fries. Everything came out hot and tasted great, especially the fries. Definitely planning to come back in the evening next time to experience the full vibe. This feels like one of those spots that really comes alive at night.

We were looking for a sports bar where we could watch the NCAA basketball tournament, specifically…read morethe UIUC vs. University of Houston for final four game, and found this place near to my workplace! They offer a lot of beer selelctions from local breweries, with a solid food menu. The ambiance was nice too.

I came here on a Thursday evening for Stella Cole with a party of 6. It was a cozy place covered…read morewith tables and even a tatami area! I ordered the Spicy Miso Chicken, Snow Monkey Roll, and a Gelato trio along with getting a bite of the Kobe beef skewers + rib eye. The chicken was pretty salty and felt the sauce was unevenly distributed but it paired well with the mash potatoes. The mash potato's were very creamy and flavorful! By default, the dish itself was just chickens and mash potatoes but I did wish it had some form of veggies as well. I'll probably keep note and just order veggies additionally. The ribeye and skewered were great! Super tender and flavorful. I definitely preferred it over the chicken, haha. The snow roll was good and the tempura in it wasn't overpowering. Gelato was pretty average, didn't stand out to me. I really liked the banana gelato. The jazz club was fun and cozy! Sound was super crisp and clear. Next time I come, I'd love to actively have a dinner AND a show because we ate first before going to Stella Cole.

The service was beyond amazing. Everybody was super friendly. I love the vibe of the restaurant…read morevery spacious. The food was great came out in a quick time specially considering how packed the place was for the day 26 concert I would definitely recommend a date night here

Can't say enough about how Stacy and Sky worked their butts off AND made my birthday so special!…read moreThanks so much, Eileen

Just had dinner there with my sisters and had such a fun time. The food, service and ambiance is…read moreoutstanding! Everything comes together really well because it's a small restaurant that can deliver great service on every level. It's quality service and not about quantity. Talk about Customer service... they all work like a team, including the manager who is very much part of the team and works as a team member , all of them have great friendly attitudes, which makes a difference to the whole dining experience. They have a good variety of food options and drinks and everything I've ever ordered has been very deelish!!! My favorites are... scarlet cocktail, the Cesar salad, duck confit and tonight I had the waygu skewers, one sister had the branzino and the other sister had the burger... and she ate the whole thing ( which is unusual) and we also had two desserts, the chocolate bar and a raspberry thing... we loved them all!! I highly recommend this restaurant... Get some!! But make a reservation.. cause they're that good!!

Viridian, you stole the show this month! This was my first time coming back to Viridian after about…read morea decade, and we were not disappointed. Such a beautiful interior space vibrant in celebration for AAPI Heritage month, and a super fun cocktail menu that was the perfect post-meal moment (both photo-worthy and tastebuds approved). We also noticed they have a cool food menu too filled with yummy and innovative dishes like Cheesy Char Siu Tots, Szechuan Salt & Pepper Wings, Korean Fried Mapo Tofu, BBQ Char Siu Ribs, and more. They also have nice swag ~ we took home a hat that resembled a Kirkland hat that spelled out "Oakland Viridian" (IYKYK). Drink-wise we ordered the Soy Sauce Old Fashioned and the Café Sua Daddy, which essentially is an espresso martini with a fun twist with black sesame and an egg cream foam. Both drinks were outstanding and presentation was beyond..I wished we could have stayed for round two, but duty calls! Ride-share and or BART suggested in this area, it's just a bit congested downtown to park. Service was fun, prices fair for the whole experience. Loved it!

This place is so cute inside it's definitely a cool almost speakeasy vibe. Came an hour after they…read moreopened and it was already getting pretty busy on a Thursday night. Service was really prompt and friendly. The food was great we ordered all the classics such as the tater tots and the cucumbers, and we also got the salt and pepper wings, and the special mapo tofu. Portions are great and it's definitely a lot of food to share. There are also extensive cocktails on the menu running at $16-$20 each, which is expected for the creativity and expert craftsmanship of each cocktail. They have a large number of cocktails that are special and seasonal, and then their classics on the bottom. I don't think you can go wrong with anything that you try and I love that they have Asian fusion options for the cocktails and savory and sweet. I got one of the seasonal cocktails that was passionfruit forward and it had a nice tart crisp taste that I really enjoyed.