I especially love the ladies here, Nicole, Yvette & Allison. No shade to the fellas. No, like I love everyone here & Allison should definitely be Elle Driver for Halloween because her likeness, especially during the Kill Bill V1 whistling scene, is uncanny in the most fabulous way! Girl, get that blonde wig & do it for the fans! read more

After leaving our last place that we were at. We were so full, but we wanted to continue having cocktails. As we know, Oakland can get pretty expensive so we were walking on by and all of a sudden we spotted heart and dagger saloon. This is definitely your run of mill local neighborhood bar. There is so much to look at when you enter. FYI I look over 21 and i still got carded.. so that was nice. The place was pretty packed at the bar, don't expect any Fūfu drinks here! Make sure to grab your drinks and on a great day hit up the patio and definitely people watch. The patio is great. It has so many different tables that you can sit, people were enjoying themselves celebrating birthdays. And just really enjoying an Oakland summer day. This place is definitely reasonably priced cocktails were not that much. The beers on tap were inexpensive. Definitely will be back if we're around the area because the drinks were strong and the price was good. read more

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by Heart & Dagger and had a great experience. The service was top notch, especially from Michael, who made the night even better. Drinks were strong and well-made not watered down at all . They've got a great beer selection with prices ranging from $2-$8, which is hard to beat. Cool bonus that they even sell cigarettes for $14, super convenient. The vibe is chill, and exactly what you want from a local bar. The service and drinks will bring me back :) read more

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Lovely place to go to if you like seeing rats run around. At least the drinks and service are cheap, definitely makes up for the jump scare that happens when vermin run past your feet. I'll take a cheap beer and cardio from jumping any day read more

One of my favorite stops after work about 4 days a week!. I love the bartenders, the service, the drinks, and the general energy of the place! read more

I came in seeking shelter from the rain storm and found myself bellying up to the bar. Pretty much every seat at the bar was taken and there was a large group playing pool. Per usual, the drinks were strong, inexpensive and spot on but to be fair my order is not very complicated. The music teleported me to something reminiscent of a KMEL Summer Jam. Thumbs up for that. And I happened to be there as someone celebrated their birthday. The bartender was kind enough to gift him a free shot and led the crowd shouting birthday pleasantries....with a touch of profanity. read more

Heart and Dagger Saloon - Cocktail - Dive Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

OK, I am not an expert on the Heart and Dagger Saloon. I've only been inside there once, even though I've walked by many, many times. It was a rather gloomy Saturday afternoon--after going to the farmer's market. It was quite welcoming from the street with its yellow stairs and bold signage. They have a low fence to separate their business from the sidewalk. The green painted cement patio gives a feeling of urban grass. There is a bike rack, lots of big plants in large containers, and some tables with umbrellas. Seeing how I like to take pictures, I thought this place had a lot of potential as I am enjoying snapping pics with my phone. Outside there was a small sandwich board proclaiming that they had some inexpensive drinks including $3 beers--which brought us in door --along with the fact that there was a pop-up restaurant out front, that was cooking Filipino food. It was way less expensive than the foods we saw earlier at the farmers market. We enjoyed the food we got from "Compost Kitchen: Filipino Comfort Food," and we were allowed to take it into the bar. You might want to go see if a pop-up is happening at Instantgram HeartandDaggerSaloon. We climbed the golden staircase, and as we entered, we were greeted by a bouncer who carded us. Then I was surprised to see a bright red pool table and a large bar that looked like it came out of an old black and white movie. They have a patio for drinking and smoking (ashtrays were available--not my preference but...), and hanging out with friends. read more

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service was terrible. bartender was rude and door h man was aggressive with my friend. never coming back here read more

This place only accepts cash! But theres a Bank of America ATM to the left of the place, and a Chase bank around the corner to the right so you're golden. This is my go-to place if I'm in the mood for a casual, laid back drink. They have a nice outdoor patio out back which is where you'll find all the smokers congregating. They normally have a jug of water to hydrate yourself located outside near the stairs. It can get pretty loud but I mean, what do you expect? lol Patio closes around midnight but the bar doesn't close until 2am read more

I wish I could rate higher, i love dive bars and this was advertised as lgbtq+ friendly, but the security showed otherwise. 0/10 would not recommend read more

I don't even know where to start with this place. If you're looking for a fun, relaxed spot to grab a drink and unwind, DO NOT come here. This bar is the definition of a dive, but not in the charming, nostalgic sense--it's just bad. The staff was indifferent at best. We had to wait 20 minutes for someone to even acknowledge we were at the bar, and when they did, the bartender couldn't care less about serving us. I get that dive bars aren't exactly known for their stellar customer service, but a little effort goes a long way. As for the drinks, they were borderline undrinkable. I ordered a simple whiskey, and it tasted watered down--if you can mess up whiskey, they somehow managed to do it. My friend ordered a cocktail that tasted like it was made from whatever random bottles they had lying around. To top it off, the crowd here is... well, let's just say it's not the kind of crowd you'd want to hang around with. Loud, obnoxious, and unwelcoming, I felt like I was intruding on some weird underground club that wasn't open to new faces. Won't be back and wouldn't recommend. read more

Place is cash only. -No problem. Nicole the bartender and another guy on staff were rude for no reason. We asked what the issue was and got no response just attitude. Me and my party weren't disrespectful or rude but that was the treatment we received . Why? Again, the reason was unknown. - Big Problem. Poor treatment of paying customers is bad for business. Happily Never coming back here. Thanks to Schmit (bouncer) for hearing us out and allowing us to finish our drinks we paid for. Why make our drinks and take them back before we have an opportunity to pay? Never got an answer. We ordered, paid for and attempted to enjoy our drinks. Again, Nicole was being disrespectful to us for no reason. Plus the drinks were weak. Bad for business, no wonder the place was dead. read more

Heart and Dagger Saloon - Bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Super welcoming, relaxed environment, great location and friendly staff. Not to mention GREAT (AND clean!!) bathroom for that classic #bathroomSelfie read more

Heart and Dagger Saloon - Female bathroom - Dive Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Anyone else go searching for dive bars + pool tables? If so, you're cool. This is a cash only joint so save your dollar bills from your daytime stripping gig. Also just a note, and you'll thank me later, when we were there, the coin slot on the pool table was taped out which meant it only accepted bills. There's a quarter machine in the back so people were exchanging their bills, $5 worth even, for quarters! It makes for good laundry money but just letting you know, check the coin slot before getting change. You're welcome. read more

awesome sauce its pretty awesome because they actually dont scam you and they are cool

Great place with friendly service. We can't wait to go again. We really enjoyed the vibe.

The manager thinks this place is too cool for school. First visit, I witnessed the bartender scoff at a customer for ordering a mixed drink. Like she was doing them a huge favor! Total attitude while mixing, giving off. Get the fuck out vibes to the customer. 2nd Visit. a cold response from the bartender, not bad, but not good. 3rd visit: Denied entry without my license, I'm 60, and a return customer. The manager, not the bouncer was an asshole about it. Finally, The way the employees behave around the manager: The bouncer was afraid of the manager. and you can tell the bartender has to kiss his ass. I'm recommending people go to other, welcoming bars around the corner. read more

Drinks are great, service is awesome, the place is awesome, the patio is super cool too. read more

Heart and Dagger Saloon - Dive Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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The place is so awesome.. nice clean ( bathroom ) relax. Best professional bartender ( Mr Eric ) I saw this place 5 years. Walk pass every time. One day my boss bring me here. Love it. This is a place relax after work. Not too high class.. no low . Feeling like home.the price drink is reasonable.. good quality drink. Friendly service .. read more

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Halloween and me and 2 other fem friends sit at the bar in our awesome costumes chatting and making friends. Some gross 30 something gym rat of a man decides to touch my friends head cuz he can't tell if it's her real hair. After the exchange of informing him that's worse, and no Halloween isn't an excuse. He comes back around again to assert dominance on my other friend and gropes her arm. I jump up to follow him as he swiftly walks out the front door. My friend holds me back and I tell to the Mandalorian at the door to not let that guy back in he's touched us twice. I got a head knod and signal he would stay out. But here's the thing, I was super flattered when he took 45 seconds to look at my ID but I was born in 1988 so it's pretty easy to ready IDs these days to know if someone is close to 21. But homie couldn't see through this helmet he told me so. Kind of a bad costume for a door person, especially one that took his job so very seriously he couldn't possibly leave his post to go escort the man out once we located him again. I know Charles and if he had been there that night this would have not happened. Yea, he walked right back in. Ran his hands for a third time across one of my friends. We located him told the bartenders and managers what happened because it's a crowded bar during Covid but I assure you, I was ready to handle this myself after years of men treating me like this working behind the bar. And I should have. Because none of the 3 white men working valued our safety over the awkward exchange of telling another man he's lying and needs to leave. To that joke of a manager literally saying, "you have to understand I didn't see it." I hope you hear that directed at you soon in your life This was the door man our night, guess he already has a reputation. read more

Heart and Dagger Saloon - A photo of a white man with a bear flipping off the camera. - Dive Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

How nice to have a place with outdoor seating to go out while still having space to relax. The drinks are cheap, the staff is nice and the bathroom is clean. They're very serious about covid guidelines and I love it. I've passed this place as a child but never came into the establishment until now. They're playing music in the back so you can still unwind and relax. They also sell cigarettes which is great for people who forget theirs. read more

Heart and Dagger Saloon - Dive Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

BREAKING NEWS: This place is still the best. Don't act like an asshole and you won't get treated like one. Case closed!

This happened a while ago but I'm still thinking about it, so here we go. I came in with my boyfriend and another couple to get some drinks, and we were served by the bartender who sounds exactly like Seth Rogan. The other woman and I ordered 4 shots and tecates while the guys got a table. She paid while I took the drinks to our table, no problem. For the second round I went in with my boyfriend and when I ordered, "Can I get four tecates please?" Seth Rogan yelled, "I DON'T KNOW, YA GONNA TIP THIS TIME??" It caught me off guard since I didn't pay so I just stammered, "Uh.. I didn't pay." He had clearly been stewing on this while we were finishing our first round (it was pretty dead that day) because he then went on a very rehearsed sounding tirade about how H&D is a locals bar (which I know, I'm a local and have been coming there for a decade), and we're lucky to be there etc. Then he told us that we I didn't have much time left on our 2 hour covid time limit (which was a lie, we had been there maybe 30 minutes), but if we tipped better maybe he'd let us stay. For the record, I agree with him. My friend DID leave a shitty tip and deserved to be given shit about it. If he had said, "You gonna tip this time? Your friend left a shitty tip." I would have apologized, tipped extra on both rounds, and given my friend endless shit. Which is what I did anyway, for the most part. But the self righteous, pretentious yelling and then literally trying to EXTORT us for table time was way overboard. Jesus christ dude, go to anger management. In my friends defense, she said she was out of cash and was planning to make up for the shitty tip on the next round she bought, after hitting the ATM. So Seth Rogan would have gotten those extra $3 he so desperately needs without being such an asshole. read more

Just had a very positive supportive interaction with these men that work here and I will come back! Thank you so much! Smokey, Twill and Jacob! read more

As a cash-only bar, this cozy spot has indoor and outdoor seating. The bouncer is friendly and serious while checking your ID. We usually go to the outdoor seating at the back of the building after we get our drinks. The bar service is top shelf! You're greeted with a smile and they make sure your drink is right. read more

Last night I went there for a drink, oh my god I haven't seen such a rude and racist bouncer in my life he is terrible, he shouted at me he gave me the worst experience that i got panicked for the rest of the night , I never go there and recommend everyone not to go there terrible terrible terrible I'm sorry for him and for the Bar manager they should seriously do something about that rude guy. read more

This place used to be fun, but now the staff are all assholes. Let their friends cut in line, if you get up to go the bathroom (you have to walk around building due to their COVID setup) they won't let you back in the bar, and nasty attitudes before all of that went down. read more

This bar has been on my radar for a while now and I finally decided to give them a try with a couple friends. I did not have high expectations to begin with, but this place is horrible. The entire staff has horrible snobby attitudes (for no reason, the place is a dump) and there is no clear communication on how things are supposed to be done during the pandemic. After being disrespected by a staff member because we attempted to sit at a table that was apparently a "staff table" (which was not marked or mentioned) we moved and tried to enjoy our night. My friend and I went to the restroom shortly after and while we were waiting to go in, we could clearly hear the staff at the bar talking shit and making fun of us for god knows what. Don't go here, there are plenty of other small local Oakland bars that actually deserve your support and business and will treat you with respect and kindness. read more

Day turns into night here much the same way it does at Roadside America in PA. Except there it's kind of an artificial day into night and the speakers play America the Beautiful when the gloaming comes. Here the happy lass on my High Life bottle simply catches the light in a simple soulful way. Three cheers to Shark Z coloring the felt with all that bloody chum. read more

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The dude at the front was a complete douche and now I know why there were only 2 ppl there on a beautiful night. Heads up this is a review I've been meaning to leave. I went there last month. Walked in and walked right out. read more

This is a friendly bar with a great patio in back. It's dog friendly and a great place to day drink.

I love coming to the Heart and Dagger Saloon to relax and unwind after a long week. The staff there (security, bartenders) are always friendly and the crowd in general is always fun. They have a pool table and bar goers are good at respecting the others time and you can write your name on the chalkboard for the next game. I enjoy the outdoor seating! there are plenty of tables, good lighting, and usually a lot of conversations going on. Drinks are reasonably priced! Cash only! They have an ATM inside so no worries if you forgot to bring some cash. Give it a try! Of the bars in the area, this one will become your favorite! read more

Can you curse in a fucking review? The bartenders at this bar are irreverent and sacrilegious. More than once I have drank a shot that the bartender dipped his magnificent beard in(by special request, of course). I have been served a shot so awful that I booted (ribeye, anyone?) when I got home, and it smelled like Worcestershire sauce. The door man made me debone my fucking fried chicken so that dogs would not choke on the bones. Often times if I stop for a single drink I have to stay until I have met all the other people that are there, and their dogs, and their fucking tinder date, and am allowed to finally leave. This is why I keep going, cause these shenanigans keep the fucking riff raff out. Five stars, can't wait to buy the staff round after round in an attempt to pour humor and light back into their souls. read more

First off- what is listed above relating to their "amenities" isn't true. They don't accept credit cards and they don't require vaccination. This place used to be a fun bar before these wanna be rockers turned into a dark dingy place with weird vibes. The patio is nice is you like to smoke but you will have to traipse into the bar and wait forever to get a drink by jerky male bartenders who will literally ignore you while they drink and socialize with their buddies at end of bar. We had a group of 15 people and six of us had the same experience of being ignored in a pretty much empty bar. They won't let you smoke weed but the security guy sits on the corner vaping all night and taking our glasses when it was obvious we had full pitchers of beer. At 12:30 with ten minutes notice they kicked us all out of the patio in the rudest way possible. The long haired bartender had complained about "dirty hippies" and has a reputation for treating customers with contempt. The other dude seemed wasted. Don't go here unless you want to be treated like crap. read more

Well, where do I begin. I will just say the very tall security card very rude and I think the guy with the long grey beard is the owner very disrespectful. Beware of visiting this place. I will never go back to that place. Explains why only 3 people where in there on a Friday. read more

I didn't really like the bartender tonight I didn't realize until after I had my drink that their cash only given that it was my first time there I felt like the bartender was very rude to insinuate that I was gonna run out and not pay my bill I said that my friend would sit and wait at the bar while I went to get my cash and she said that oh well she's not collateral. Honestly if you're that worried about me running off on the tab then maybe you should just shut down. It's Oakland people are dying here. Happy new year. Wish I hadn't spent money here. read more

Love, love, love! Awesome dive bar right in the heart of Lake Merritt, Oakland. Definitely a local favorite that can get pretty crowded on weekends and holidays. The inside is fairly small but lots of outdoor seating and I like the fact that they have security at the door. Huge Selection of spirits so finding your favorite cocktail will not be a problem. Ask for Wilkie, who is an awesome bartender and with a great personality. Cheers! read more

Visited Heart and Dagger for the first time since March and I was so impressed with the changes they've made to provide a clean, safe environment! They are taking temperatures at the door, providing hand sanitizer, and the outdoor dining area is well spaced and has a host making sure no crowding happens. Everything looked and smelled very clean and I noticed them sanitizing the tables between guests. ....and it still has the same charm and friendly staff we all know and love. So glad to see them back in action! read more

This is one of Oakland's great dive bars and I'm so stoked to be able to go there post vaccination. I went earlier during shutdown when you still had to have food. It was still great but everyone was (understandably) a little on edge. But things are getting back to normal and being able to just hang out here and have a few drinks feels amazing. Also the $8 tecate/4 roses special is a total steal. read more

I honestly never feel the need to post a negative review on yelp; however, the blonde bartender tonight seriously disrespected me. I live in the neighborhood and honestly usually avoid this place because most of the staff I've encountered had an attitude problem. I walked in tonigjt and the bouncer was very cordial. I noticed a gentleman with a dog walk in who had recently gotten kicked out of a local bar. As I attempted to warn the bouncer about this individual, the blonde girl stepped in and basically told me to back off. I tried to explain to her that I was simply trying to warn him about this patron and she proceeded to put her hands on me. I asked her to please not touch me, and in return, she basically kicked me out when I had done nothing wrong. I honestly try to give this place the benefit of the doubt, which is why I occasionally come here. However, this particular bartender completely destroyed any respect that I had left for this place. To be totally fair, I have come across some great bartenders here for the most part. I have also noticed other reviews which seem to mention the same blonde individual in question. As a former bartender in my early 20's, I feel that she was completelt unprofessional and think management really needs to re-evaluate this particular bartender. read more