Love getting margaritas on a warm day and that's exactly what my fiancé and I did on a lovely…read moreSaturday. We sat on the outdoor patio and our server promptly came to take our order. Ordered two spicy margaritas and the brisket nachos to share. The nachos were tastyyyy! The brisket was tender and juicy and the cheese sauce was more of a béchamel which elevated the flavor. The margaritas were well balanced and SPICY just how we like them. So refreshing. Next time we'll bring our pups to enjoy the outdoor patio since dogs are allowed. I saw the waitress bring water out for the hot puppies sitting with their owners which was so sweet.

This afternoon the ten of us had our 19th hole here after a game of golf, and to celebrate two…read morebirthdays. Choice of indoor or indoor seating. We chose indoor. The staff shuffled tables together to accommodate our group. Given a two sided menu that listed starters, salads, and mains. Otherwise you scan the QR code to pull up the drink menu which is very extensive. Everyone enjoyed what they ordered to eat- * fish & chips * smoked beef brisket platter * strawberry arugula salad * buttermilk fried chicken sandwich * fish tacos Hubby & I also had draft beers - * he had double IPA that he liked * I had a peanut butter stout - sweet and peanut butter essence. Loved it. Before we began ordering we were informed one check only. No problem. Also 20% automatic gratuity if six or more people stated on the menu. Again no problem. Several of us had leftovers. Boxed to take home. Located in a strip mall where Safeway is the anchor store.

this bartender is amazinggg !!! such a vibe and very…read morehospitable!! yall gonna love her.

Solid 3.5/5 Came here on a whim with my sister on a Saturday night, as we didn't want our night to…read moreend so we decided to check it out. We were just looking for a place to chill, enjoy a drink and hear some music and that's exactly what we got. Wasn't too crowded, probably regular patrons present and a DJ playing a mix of Latin music, hip hop and rap. Definitely don't judge a book by its cover when coming here, it was nicer inside than the outside. The bartender Melissa was very sweet and attentive and made us some yummy strawberry lemon drops. They had a small DJ booth set up, TVs all around playing music videos (none of which matched any of the songs being played but we found it funny), a pool table and large connect 4 available for use with enough space for people to dance. Didn't come in expecting much but left satisfied and had an enjoyable time. And shout out to the guy in his shirt we found thoroughly enjoyed and the lady who was dancing all night like no one was watching, just out here living, I love your life lol

Saw a flyer in IG cigar and wispy event. Oysters and gumbo! RJ's catering…read more Daughter said sure let's go after work. We went and wasn't disappointed. Everyone was so nice! Oysters were tasty. We will be back!

I've been coming here on and off for years with my two friends whenever they want to celebrate…read moresomething. Personally, this bar wouldn't make my top 50 list, but for some crazy reason they're loyal to it, so I show up for them. Recently, I've popped in a bit more and wow, the "changes." They finally made an Instagram, which got me excited for a second--maybe they were stepping it up. Nope. Just like everything else here, it's inconsistent. They post food specials, I come in ready to spend money, and... no food. Overheard it was a management issue. Shocking. Then there's the alcohol selection--or lack thereof. I'm not even a big drinker, and I have a better bar setup at home. Half the time they're out of basics, or waiting on the owner to maybe, someday, bring more. Call yourself a bar? More like BYOB and hope for the best. I'll give credit where it's due: I've met some cool people here, and they're the only thing keeping this place alive. But even they seem tired of the chaos. I heard this is the oldest bar in San Leandro, and honestly, I'm amazed it's still standing. Must be sheer luck or nostalgia, because it's definitely not management. Two stars because I don't hate the regulars--but let's be real, if this place wants to survive, it needs way more than an Instagram and a prayer.

No exaggeration - I had the best cocktail of my life here. I ordered a strawberry lavender gimlet…read moreand oh my. It was such a layered drink. I'm usually a two drink gal but I only needed one this day because I enjoyed sipping on this so much. I went during the day so it was pretty empty but the vibe was still right. They played good music and the bartender was friendly. I'll definitely be back.

DAMN! I love THE DOOLITTLE! If you're from the Midwest, you'll love it too! We affectionately call…read moreit "The Michigan Bar". I ordered drinks and told the bartender I'd be right back to pick them up to which he replied "Nope. You're our guests, I'll bring them to you!" Good people! Don't miss their Hot Toddies! So good! I'd drive out of my way just to go there to have one!

Came here for the first time last weekend and it was so much fun! It definitely won't be the last…read moretime either! This Dirty Bird of Paradise/'Lounge' area is downstairs. Once you enter in the bar, go to the right, they'll give you a stamp on your hand, and then you can head downstairs. There are many lounge areas, and small tables & chairs to sit and drink at. There are also pool tables to use for free! There's also a DJ that plays GOOD r&b, hip hop, pop, and even some throwbacks too! The DJ that night took song requests and even gave a shoutout to the birthday girl in our group too. The cocktails were good, and I'm sad I didn't take pictures of it (had too much fun). The waitress will come to your table and you can order there OR you can also order at the bar. When I ordered at the bar, the waitress was so nice and helped me bring the drinks over to our table. I also had a taste of the fries, and the cups and guac and it was tasty too! There's some parking right infront or a parking lot behind the bar. I will definitely come back!

Drinks 4 Service 4…read more Ambiance 5 Food 4 We came here on a slow Tuesday night. They were about 10-15 other guests but the places so big and spacious that it almost felt like we had a place to ourselves. There's a spot for a DJ/music and I can only imagine that they have some great shows here. The bartender was attentive, and while they weren't very personable you could tell that they knew several of the regulars. I didn't drink anything fancy, bourbon neat, but it was a fair pour. You order food separately. We are fish tacos, wings & nachos. The fish was fried and coleslaw had a touch of mayonnaise but not too much. This was my favorite dish. The wings of the nachos or what you expect, definitely flavorful and cooked well. We liked the crowd and will definitely be back to listen to some music and check out the lounge downstairs.

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.

Cordial Cellar + Lounge (located downstairs at the Castro Valley Marketplace) is a great spot for…read moregrabbing a drink, eating some light bites and listening to music. They also have various events. :: Trivia Tuesday :: Wednesday Wine Tasting :: Live Music Saturdays :: Friday & Saturday: Olive & Finn Boutique and pop-up events throughout the month ** 5 Star Review: Pop Up Brunch and Saturday Live Music *** I recently attended Eats by E Brunch last Sunday and returned this evening to catch up with a friend and listen to music. Place is spacious, lively, dimly lit with music playing at a level you can have a conversation. Table ordered a steak sandwich with salad, cheese sandwich with tomato soup and a five-spice pork ragu over polenta. We all enjoyed our dishes. Food is 3.5-4/5 stars and would like to see a bit more to keep it interesting but know their kitchen setup is limited. No wine with this visit. Dessert: Orange brownie was simple with orange zest and the Hawaiian bread pudding was different and flavorful. Good to see the place bustling and look forward to future rotating pop up events. Got a chance to talk to the owner, Stacey as I recognized her from the Eats by E event the week prior. My bad, didn't know she was the owner of Cordial Cellar & Lounge but all good as she was super welcoming, friendly and was very accommodating when asked if we could pay for our own dishes separately. At the end of the evening perused the Olive & Finn Boutique and quickly welcomed by Jackie who was explaining items like the handmade jewelry and some hand stitched clothing. Such cute items and will visit another time. Recommend Cordial Cellar & Lounge for a date night, special group outing or relax and listen to some music. The Ken Seideman Jazz Trio plays the month of February. Great jazz!

It's been a while since I visited Cordial - I forgot how nice this place is! It's hidden in the…read morebasement of the Castro Valley market. The staff is very friendly, the food is absolutely delicious, and the vibe is super relaxed. I went for happy hour, and ordered miso hummus with veggies, Japanese eggplant bruschetta, and a half order of deviled eggs. I tried a French rosé as well as a Lambrusco. I will definitely be back again, and highly recommend this spot on a sunny day because it's nice and cool inside ;-). It's also in a building with many great restaurants and vendors. You can park once, and come home with pizza, pastries, sushi, olive oil, and so much more!

I was in Oakland for a concert and wanted to grab a drink after so we decided to check out Town Bar…read moreand Lounge. I have to say this is one of the prettiest bars I've ever been to! The lighting of the bar is amazing. I sat there mesmerized by the colors and organization of the bottles. The disco balls are also beautifully lit and fun to watch. There was a DJ when I went playing amazing music. The bartenders were friendly and attentive. I highly recommend checking out Town Bar!

Cool bar in the old I-Magnum building! Celebrating a friend's 65th birthday! Cute decor, good…read moreDj, lots of good looking gay men everywhere! The drinks were pricey but well put together! Cute bartender serving drinks. I would definitely come back - for a good time if I want to listen to music have fun and not be bothered by men! Happy Birthday Kenny!