Little Hill is what's you get when you cross a dive bar with a community center. People of all stripes gathering for drinks, meeting friends, chatting up someone sitting next to you, people watching, and listening to local musicians or DJs. Bartenders are friendly and drinks are great. The place is plastered with posters of upcoming events. The interior is classic dive bar with red lights, beer signs, circle booths, wooden bar and jukebox. I love being able to slide into a booth and watch everyone else stroll in to the bar. I try to support the occasional pop-up food booth outside to keep them coming back. read more

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Little Hill Lounge, what a gem for our little city of El Cerrito. I love a good neighborhood bar, and LHL is exactly what you want from a neighborhood spot ~ walking distance, cool peeps, friendly bartenders, great music, stiff drinks, fun foodie pop-ups, and cool events throughout the year. We've celebrated birthdays, holidays, and taken new friends and old here. The perfect meet up, place for one/done or sit and stay a while. Good value, great Little Hill Mai Thai. During the holidays they have one of the best hot buttered rums I've ever had. Most recently, we've enjoyed their live karaoke (you get to perform with a live band) which makes for a pretty epic experience, the addition of local bands performing in the back of the bar, and the pop up Double Barrel BBQ with the amazing Lorenzo cookin' it up (yes to the smash burger, grilled cheese, and chocolate chip dipped cookie). Dimmed lighting, curtained photo booth, booth/bar stool seating..simply the best. Recently popped in and noticed new napkins with their logo and pretty menus with new creative cocktails/fun, localish names. Looking forward to the future of this bar, rock on! read more

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I love and miss this place. It's small, cozy, and homey. The bar is a very nice wooden square that makes for a comfortable environment where you can sit around the square and chat. It has free video games. (Miss PacMan.) The drinks are great and it's a great place to chill while Firestone takes forever to fix your car. read more

The drinks were good. The vibes were nice service was pretty quick considering that it was a very packed the night we went. I really liked the local singers they hired. read more

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If you like hole in the wall spots this is you. When you come and actually want to talk with the people you are with... And if you come alone.. You won't be bothered. Perfection Plus Courtney will put you in your place and isn't ugly :):) read more

Jamie W. and I found ourselves with a bit of cabin fever during the recent torrential downpours and thought we should take a peek inside this longtime bar on San Pablo Avenue. We had never been before because we unfairly dismissed it as a dive since we were already satisfied with our visits to Club Mallard down the street. We were happily quite wrong. The bar looked like it had been renovated fairly recently. They went with a stylish retro-vintage vibe with a large wraparound bar, three comfy booths in front, and a very red cocktail lounge in the back. It would've looked appropriate in a Doris Day-Rock Hudson romcom circa 1960 when they sang "Roly Poly", a bouncy calypso ditty that turned into foreplay. There's no piano bar though. However, there was a DJ on our second visit, and he was playing some nice alternative rock. We found our inner tiki god with our satisfying first round. Jamie had the $14 Singapore Sling, and I went with the $11 Little Hill Mai Tai overflowing with crushed ice (photo: https://bit.ly/3XOHagq). The scene stealer though was the $13 Mexican Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows and Bourbon (photo: https://bit.ly/3XOHc82). Perfect libation for an atmospheric river. COCKTAILS - 4 stars...good tiki drinks but the hot chocolate was the one with the biggest kick AMBIANCE - 4.5 stars...great job on the vintage decor, all they need is a terrace SERVICE - 4 stars...solid mixing behind the bar TOTAL - 4 stars...nice find on a stormy night RELATED - Exploring El Cerrito? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2VyCP18 read more

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This is a nice dive bar to stop by when driving back home from the city, there was a live band playing in the back of the bar it looked it.

Dark, local, oldish, affordable drinks. No TV for sports viewing. Vinyls played. Bar oval style is very welcoming.

Came here on a random Thursday night with a friend. It wasn't busy, had a few patrons and we sat at the bar against the mirror/wall and wait patiently. I realize then, it's been 10-15mins and the blonde female bartender has yet to even acknowledge us. I'm trying not to be rude, but I was bartender before too and it was getting ridiculous. I then notice that she's making one drink at a time. The tipping point? A ground of ~5 women come in and stand at the well.. and she immediately gets to them before us! So I'm like.. do I need to stand with them to order?.. so I do. She made 2/5 drinks for those ladies, and then proceeds to go to another couple at the other end of the bar and ask them what they'd like to order. At this point I've had it and walked out with my friend. They're a close bar to me, but they left a bitter taste in my mouth without even sinking anything. We ended up at McBears.. simple great drinks and lovely bartender. read more

Love the vibe here. Good drinks. Good service. Had a band playing when we came on Thursday night. Plenty of space to chill and talk with friends. Old school vibe that's been updated and clean. We'll be back soon! read more

Little Hill Lounge - Prickly pear margarita - Dive Bars Near Me - El Cerrito, California

Great place up the street. I'm not much of a bar goer, I don't drink actually, but the atmosphere is great and they have great free (tip your musician) shows. I've seen Zachary James Watkins, Country Risque, and many others there. There's often local DJs spinning (often from the awesome KALX, haven't quite figured out the association between the two locales) the even have Record fairs. Between this and the Ivy Room, and the fact that Downhome Music is having In stores, it's like w e got our own little Music Row happening on San Pablo Avenue. They also have a b-movie night that sounds promising. read more

Great local small bar featuring live music. Great atmosphere. I went there on a Thursday and saw Nashville wedding. -I think that was their name. Great time was had by all. Check it out. read more

Such a cool scene. Tonight some bands played headlined by Slow Motion Cowboys, a band out of Louisiana playing Louisiana country/blues swamp jams that had the place hopping. When it's packed like it was tonight, you gotta get here early if you want to sit at the bar. Otherwise, gonna be SRO along the two by sixes lining the walls between the main house and back conservatory room or a booth-table if you're lucky. Tonight was the second time I've been here and the first time was equally as great and not as packed as it was on a late Saturday afternoon/evening with Karaoke (I was praised by the DJ for my rendition of Glass Animals' Heat Wave and was awarded a "You did Beary good Karaoke!" frig magnet with a pic of an adorbs bear with a mic in hand and everything- I'll post my scan of it) so you know I was immediately sold on the place. Since I was there while the DJ was setting up, I got a good table in the conservatory, but they filled up by the time it was time to sing. The Karaoke had a lot of regular locals it seemed and there was actually a pretty good singer or two in the bunch! The bar in the main room is huge and I'll post the crazy scene pic I took which reflects what a madhouse this place can be, but in a very good way and even tho it was packed, I didn't have to wait but 3 or 4 minutes at the most to have my drink order taken and served. A REALLY great alternative to the Berkeley and Albany scene (I went to Cornerstone but alas, no parking available and Hotsy Totsy had one of their snoozer nights.) The only thing I didn't like was that they close @ midnight on the weekends, but that's only because you don't want to leave before 2! Oh yeah, and they have a dude outside grilling up stuff with his canopy-on-the-sidewalk setup right in front of the bar - and it was a big setup too. Oh, and they have Bingo with prizes tomorrow night for free AND they screen B-movie showings for free sometimes as well! Even tho this place shuts down "early", I'm still giving it 5 stars cuz it's just that cool. read more

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Came here with my bestie last night after driving back to Oakland from Bodega Bay. Looks and feels like a VFW hall. Friendly service, good cocktails and reasonable prices. There's a little stage and dance floor in the back, and it was a country western band playing. Some complaints that the floor is carpeted back there, so they can't do their two step or line dancing. It's too small for that, anyway. Great date spot. Big cozy booths, plenty of bar space, old school jukebox and a Photo Booth. The musical line up changes, and sometimes it's a DJ. Highly recommended! read more

Little Hill Lounge - Photo Booth and Jukebox - Dive Bars Near Me - El Cerrito, California

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Small local bar w friendly owners and regular music schedule. Tiny, fun bar and friendly vibe!!

Cute little dive bar with a DJ up front and a band space in the back. The rockabilly band was really good. read more

Little Hill Lounge - Dive Bars Near Me - El Cerrito, California

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Extremely disappointing and dishonest! I forgot to close my tab and I was charged 3 times the amount that I should have been for drinks that I never ordered ($50 vs. $157). Contacted the manager and I was told that they do not do refunds and I should contact my credit card company. I would not recommend going there read more

This is a cute little spot that I've been passing for years. So, a little background - I went to Christian school and the idea of going to a bar all of these years later, still rankles. Not because of experience, but because of conditioning. So, I went because it was my husband's co-workers birthday. We crammed around a table, but we know each other so... We ordered drinks and they have a good cider. I couldn't eat the food there because of the wheat. But all in all, we had a great time. Someone discovered that the back room was empty so we played ping pong and threw darts. Another friend, was spinning tunes up front. The music was good. It felt like a family reunion of sorts. I'm definately going back! With my own food. This was far from what the school put into my head. I thought that bars had sad people, with bad sinful lives, who had nothing else to live for so they drank all day. What I saw was a lively group of people having lively conversations and one of those conversations was with us! Too cool! I'm looking forward to more. read more

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Good low key east bay rock n roll undercurrent in the room. Great jukebox. Super nice people. Just a good neighborhood bar vibe. read more

I really enjoy relaxing here. Whether I come in with my pup, my smartphone, nothing or drawing stuff, I feel comfy and safe. I really love pizza day. read more

Little Hill Lounge - Both specials of the day. Freaking touched every corner of my tastebud tongue palate - Dive Bars Near Me - El Cerrito, California

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I really love this place. It looks like nothing from the outside but it has a real charm to it. Totally retro, the music has always been super good with either DJs or live music in the back. All ages and all different peoples come here for a really good vibe. Honestly it is in my top 5 "dive" bars in the East Bay. Highly recommend to stop by!!! read more

Just a gem of bar! Excellent music venue, also a fun spot on a regular night. Bartenders are great, drinks are excellent, vibe is Twin Peaks, they have a photo booth what more do you need?!?! read more

Cute dive bar vibe with and horse shoe bar but not dive bar prices.. they recently just reopened after a remodel and The prices were remodeled as well. A bit too expensive to call it a dive bar anymore. I'll give it four stars for the energy and vibe of the place other than that not much to say. read more

Loved the ambiance, super cozy, clean and just the overall looks so nice. I loved the drinks, again people were super nice. Definitely a bar you wanna go to on a cold ass rainy night. read more

Little Hill Lounge - Spicy margarita and regular one - Dive Bars Near Me - El Cerrito, California

Very nice inside. They really fixed it up and there's a DJ with some good rock vinyl. Band stage in the back.

My girl and I came here to enjoy a quick night out. Service seemed decent enough - until we were ready to settle up. FYI this was about two years ago. Regardless... .. Bartender lady, had the audacity to come back to us and straight up to ur face in front of other patrons and said, "Oh you guys didn't leave a tip." The entitlement was disgusting. We always leave cash. And did. Never went back. Only here cos yelp algorithm. read more

Great little dive! Great cocktails and jukebox! Super friendly staff and they had a pizza popup to boot! Will be most certainly be back!

I Love this place! Beautiful ambiance, great cocktails and awesome events. Best part is there's a super friendly and knowledgeable bartending staff. Hits all the marks I'd like to see in a neighborhood cocktail bar. read more

I can't wait for Covid to be done so I can come hang normally at one of the best bars ever in the east bay. I have made awesome friends here and the staff is incredible. Love trivia nights and playing darts and so many other good times. Follow their Instagram to keep up on their Covid hours. read more

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Welcome to the Neighborhood Little Hill Lounge! I can't wait to see this place take off. The owner is a really great guy who is passionate about his business and bringing in local beer on tap. It was an odd location that I really never wanted to try out, as it wasn't very inviting. Since Little Hill has come in, they have renovated the interior and it looks great, classic classy dive bar style with projection TV, happy hour and a jukebox. They even have a separate back room that would be great for groups or parties. They have daily happy hour specials on drafts and well drinks, but one of my favorites is a gin greyhound made with fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, I call it the Ginhound. I'm really excited for this place, I feel like they have a good vibe and can't wait to see how this place can grow with the addition of more taps. read more

Little Hill Lounge - Refreshing - Dive Bars Near Me - El Cerrito, California

The. Best. Feels. Come in, grab a fresh-squeezed greyhound, sidle up to the bar--or tuck into a cozy booth--and take a breather. Soft lights, red curtains, and lounge music (think Henry Mancini). I'll be back for pizza night! read more

It should be pointed out that, going down the many reviews, it appears the majority of them were written between 2016, when a man named Ted opened the wonderful dive bar and named it The Little Hill Lounge and just a few years ago when a new owner took over, did some redecorating, raised the prices, and changed the ambiance but kept the name. The reviews near the top are for how it is now and the rest are for how it was when Ted owned it. Two very different places with the same name and location! read more

We like to come here, a chill atmosphere, comfortable inside. But our drinks were not strong by any means. Way way too weak. I don't get it. Why do they do that, just trying to save money??? read more

This is not a dive bar. It's a neighborhood bar with a discerning and kickass beer list. Love the booths. My wife and I had a great time and the regulars at the bar were friendly and even introduced themselves when we went up to get another round. Wish I lived closer but I'm sure we'll find an excuse to get to the Little Hill again! read more

Great hole in the wall. Free jukebox. Mostly good with a couple duds(Kansas?) but good overall. Good draft selection with craft IPA(the glorious Fieldwork!) occasionally there are honky think DJs or the like. Happy hour 5-7pm makes it $5 pints! Comfy atmosphere. My one big complaint is LOSE THE TV! Or at least put a dvd of a cool/ cult movie. I hate the ads on commercial TV. No need to show that. read more

Little Hill Lounge - Sign - Dive Bars Near Me - El Cerrito, California

Great little bar in my neighborhood. Love their greyhounds with fresh squeezed grapefruit. I reserved the back area for my 50th birthday. Super fun! read more

Little Hill Lounge - Little Hill is dog friendly - Dive Bars Near Me - El Cerrito, California

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Cute, chill little bar in El Cerrito. Definitely a faux-dive bar kind of place, reminiscent of Club Mallard down the street. As Midwestern transplants, we appreciated the hockey on tv, vintage Schlitz decor, and rustic northern living room vibe. Other positives include free (but shitty) Elton John(!) pinball, darts, and gender-neutral bathrooms done correctly (one women's, one unisex). They have respectable beers on tap and the greyhounds are delicious, strong, and reasonably-priced. As others have said, the place is HUGE, and it was only half-full on a Friday night. Definitely a good place to meet up with groups. Unfortunately the female bartender (clearly not the one everyone else is talking about!) was kind of grouchy, and the Manhattan wasn't anything to write home about. Guess we'll have to come back when this Ted fellow is behind the bar! read more

Little Hill Lounge - Dive Bars Near Me - El Cerrito, California

Very cool place. We will definitely be back. Love the retro vibe. Bartenders are attentive and friendly.

Hello there little dive bar. Just kidding, there's nothing little about this place and aside from the extra dim lighting there's nothing "divey" about it either. From the outside I was expecting a much smaller place because apparently I judge books by their cover.... my English teachers would be ashamed. I don't even mind the dim lighting, it brightened up once my eyes adjusted to the giant screen TV on the wall. The TV wall is connected to a giant mirror on the wall next to it so technically it looks like there are TWO giant TV screens. Winning! $7 cocktails hit the spot. I tried the Dark and Stormy and the Whiskey Sour my sister got. Sidenote: If you get the Whiskey Sour make sure you don't ignore the luxurious dark cherry garnish. Ted the owner made sure we appreciated the special sweet treat and he wasn't wrong. Don't throw it away!!! Very relaxed and welcoming vibe filled with locals. Inviting enough to show up alone if you ever have to because you know you won't actually be drinking alone if Ted is there! *high-five* read more

Good place to have a drink and listen to music. Larger and more charming than expected.