Joined some friends here for the Wednesday night comedy show and had a great time! There was a good mix of comics who were all pretty entertaining. The space is huge, with great outdoor seating. The space heater on the second floor was super hot, but staff were kind enough to turn it down. There is a great beer selection and a nice cocktail list. My drink, The Ponchorello, was a great mix of sweet and spicy. read more

Mad Oak - The Poncherello - Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Great ambience with indoor and outdoor seats, a vast range of drink options, decent bar food, and friendly staff. We were charged an extra drink by two different bartenders, two different times. Seems common practice so double check receipt before closing tab. read more

Love the security, the atmosphere, bar tenders, front street parking, and my drinks. The fries were good, and enormous. But this time I had a bad headache the next day. I had two drinks, and never had this issue before. I don't know how high quality the alcohol is, but I prefer my drinks didn't give me a bad headache the next day. read more

See all

Carlee is a phenomal star. Honestly was shook at the amount of people but super grateful for the consideration! Thanks, Mad Oak!

Came here for a happy hour and it was a great place to hang out! The vibe is cozy for any size. The outdoor area looked fun to be at when the weather's nice. There was a huge selection of drinks and everything was reasonably priced. The service was quick and friendly. Their shots are huge, like two shots per cup. The pours of the beers are to the very rim of the cup. It's connected to a spot with french fries and tenders which were amazing. Maybe because I was buzzed but they went so well with the drinks. If I lived nearby, I'd come by more often with friends! Definitely recommend. read more

I've walked by this spot before, but it took a break between atmospheric rivers for me to stop by. Y'see, when it rains hard, I tend to stick with concrete for my daily walks to avoid trudging through mud and puddles. That's partially why I decided to make a beeline on 12th Street from the Downtown Oakland BART station and make a pitstop here. It's just off Madison which explains the name, Mad Oak. Get it? It's definitely a convivial communal space with a huge tented area with picnic tables to accommodate big groups. There's also a large walk-up rooftop bar with not much of a view but plenty of room to carouse. At the same time, there was plenty of room in the bar itself including high-top tables for two...or in my case, just one. There was a lot of selection listed on the signboards above the bar. There were at least forty beers on tap. I was flummoxed and defaulted to a Happy Hour-priced $7 Makers Mark & Ginger (photo: https://bit.ly/3ll2yMN). I nursed it until I could review the Yelp app to see what other cocktails were popular. That was how I ordered the $12 Hibiscus Margarita which had a nice salty-sweet kick (photo: https://bit.ly/403PRVt). Enjoyed the experience enough that I brought Jamie W. the following weekend. COCKTAILS - 4 stars...I could still walk a straight line...sorta AMBIANCE - 4.5 stars...really appreciated the spaciousness SERVICE - 4 stars...pretty friendly TOTAL - 4 stars...more mellow than Mad RELATED - Exploring Oakland? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2ObVcpQ read more

See all

Even on a Tuesday afternoon, ten minutes after opening, Mad Oak is the place to be. There's an excellent selection of beers on tap (as well as ciders and hard kombucha). The house cocktails are tempting. I didn't get a chance to try one, but the descriptions were enticing enough that I'll be making a return visit. But best of all are the cheerful staff and the excellent space. I can already tell that having a beer in the rooftop area is going to become a bit of a habit for me, especially if I'm free on a weekday afternoon. read more

Mad Oak - Some of the on-tap offerings - Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

There's not many bars where I usually go to consistently in the town except Mad Oak. I have been coming here for years! Whether if there's a warriors game on or just catching up with my friends we always end up choosing Mad Oak. The security & bartenders are always super sweet and give great energy as soon as you walk in. The drinks are always on point. The food is cooked well, personally I enjoy the loaded fries the most. Come here if you need somewhere chill to grab drinks with your friends, unless it's the weekend then it will probably be super busy. read more

Mad Oak - Lemon Drop, Cosmopolitan - Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

Went to Mad Oak last night after work to celebrate a work event with about 15 people. You walk in and everyone gets carded, regardless of age. Plenty of space on a Thursday night around 6pm. Even though it was raining, the outdoor covering kept everyone nice and dry. This is a walk-up-to-the-bar-and-get-your-own-drink place. Probably helps keep the costs down of the drinks, which are on average $8-$9 for a beer. You can order food, too. The curly fries and nachos were good; chicken fingers a little on the dry side, but they came with sauce, which made it better. Great bar staff - very friendly and always served with a smile. Will come back another time for sure! read more

The food is good and the space is nice (indoor and out). Just don't forget your drivers license; required for entry.

Lively pub with a full bar, and pub grub that is actually well-made and delicious (and reasonably priced!). Staff is very friendly and positive, and the joint is conveniently close to Interstate 880 and the Lake Merritt BART station. What's not to like? HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. read more

Mad Oak is one of the better options for a chill night out with friends. They have two floors offering both indoor and outdoor seating. Each floor has its own bar so you can choose whichever is less busy. I always prefer the outside seating because they fit perfectly for large groups. Also, the string lights, music, and the overall atmosphere is such a perfect vibe. They offer food only up to a certain time of the night. Their food is typical bar food such as tacos and fries which I thought were pretty decent in taste and price. Their drinks are also decently priced, offering cocktails, shots, and beers. Despite being very spacious, Mad Oak can still be very packed, especially Friday and Saturday evenings. The seating arrangement is free-for-all, so if you have a small group, sometimes you might be sharing those large tables with another group. Overall, I highly suggest this place for a night out - it truly is a gem of Oakland. read more

See all

Great place! Great atmosphere and good people. The wings are bomb. Seems like a place to go 7 days a week! read more

See all

New to town and a coworker recommended this place. Had a lovely time here with out of town friends. Excellent service, excellent drinks and excellent atmosphere. Highly recommended for larger groups. Make sure to try the wings! read more

Ambiance of this is popping ngl. However the service was shitty, the gentleman with the beard who's a bartender was kind of an ***hole. I get that kind of behavior if you were busy but it was definitely not that at all.... We did not even want to order food because our bartender was rude. Kind of made us intimidated because we we weren't YT and I definitely do not throw this lightly. My cousin asked if they had Modelos on the menu and our server being as super condescending as he already said that all the beers were on the wall but how about some recommendations as a "bartender" that are similar? Definitely hire better staff as I heard gray things about your establishment from another bar or even do better. read more

Been here several times not sure why this is my first review Nice open seating Roof top available Photo booth availability (cute detail) Upon walking in ID is scanned Vaccines cards checked Street parking only No private parking lot Venue is clean Bartenders are friendly and great at what they do Several TV available to watch games Food is available through an on-site vendor Food was good No kids allowed since it is a "bar" Dogs are allowed though Lol No drama No attitudes Nice place to catch a game and or hang out with friends read more

See all

I absolutely loved my time here! When you mix a lil food, some good drinks and that mad oak energy...you're in a complete daze I had the hibiscus margarita and a prickly pear margarita slushy. Between the two, I highly recommend the slushy. It tasted like an adult slurpee! Wish they had it in a big gulp size. It was refreshing on a hot summer night. La Marcha was their pop-up kitchen and it was my least favorite part. It was a short menu so amongst our group we pretty much tasted all of the items. The taste just wasn't quite there...our oxtail tacos had some small pieces of bone in the meat and the Al pastor croquetas just didn't taste like Al pastor (they were out of the ham and cheese). Fortunately, mad oak has a lot of other pop-ups on their line up. Make sure to check their website in advance to explore their pop up kitchen so you know whether to dine else where first or even have something at home so you're not on an empty stomach. :) read more

See all

Great spot to grab a beer and enjoy their food fare in this rooftop/outdoor restaurant. Tons of parking available on the street if you come here early. Visited this place for a day party upstairs with my crew. The bartenders are the best. read more

I visited here for the first time for Trivia Tuesday and loved it! There is so much outdoor seating, which is really nice during Covid times. The trivia was also fun and unique with a pretty entertaining trivia master. For food, the Lumpia Company had a spot inside where you could buy lumpia, fries, and other items to fill you up. I tried the loaded fries and it was enough to feed me and one other person as a dinner. Mad Oak also serves lots of drinks and since I came during a colder day, I tried the hot apple cider with rum. It really hit the spot and was perfect for the season. They also seem to have plenty of beers on tap and drinks available in general. read more

Everyone is so friendly here! That is the first thing that really shocked us. Totally upbeat and positive like they really want to be at work.... which is rare nowadays. We got some nachos with the beef and it was delicious. Great bar food. They even have decent wine for those of you who like wine. And the Ghost Town West Coast IPA is phenomenal. Anyway if you're going to be stopping in Oakland before your flight or you live here I definitely advise it. And Eric rocks. read more

When in doubt 'bout being out, come through to Mad Oak for the neighbors and the flavors. Get in where you fit in, from the door to first floor, find ya spot on the second floor looking like a rooftop. The bartenders are not beginners, so the drinks are of variety, making you feel high-society. And yes, if you need food for the mood, then you check the menu. Mad Oak gotcha with the tapas. With wings 'n things, who denies fries?! On mamas, Mad Oak is one of my joints that won't disappoint. Peace. read more

Mad Oak - PB&J Highball Drink (novel) - Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

I genuinely like the vibes this place has. The downstairs and upstairs part of this place have a beautiful ambiance on a nice night in the East Bay. Well lit, plenty of tables, and both an upstairs & downstairs bar. When I last came here, the upstairs was set up totally different. Now there is a covering so it's not really a rooftop feel the way it used to be. The listed cocktails on the menu are ok. Kinda interesting how their version of a Whiskey Sour didn't have an egg white - it gave more of a lemonade flavor if anything. The whole experience and vibe is the reason I give this place a 4/5. Based on drinks alone, it'd be 3/5! read more

See all

I came here on a Wednesday night with coworkers for some drinks and a fun time. The room next to the bar sells Filipino fusion lumpia and fries- they were super good! Upon entry staff will scan your ID and check your vaccination card. I had about 3 or 4 drinks- can't exactly remember lol but they were good as well. My favorite one is the Poncherello- loved the jalapeño spice in it. There's an upstairs patio where people can enjoy their drinks at. read more

See all

Mad Oak was hands down always one of my favorite outdoor bars in Oakland pre-covid. They have plenty of outdoor seating downstairs and upstairs, perfect for get togethers and hosting groups of friends. Parking isn't too difficult as there is street parking surrounding the area. There's a bouncer out front and also a kitchen is connected if you want to order some bar food. At this moment it's currently in conjunction with the Lumpia company. As for drinks, this was my favorite place to come to get Grapefruit beer. But they were out this particular time. They have a ton of things on tap, we got the pineapple cider, the nitro cream ale was also really good. They have a gummy worm pale ale along with a cannibis cbd pomegranate infused kombucha which was also really good. They serve cocktails and hard alcohol as well. There's a little photo booth area and pets are allowed. No smoking or vaping within the facility, you have to step out. On busy nights there's usually another serving bar upstairs. They have large TVs that also show the games. When the warriors do well, they would project the game on the large brick wall viewable throughout the entire bar both up and downstairs. Perfect place to support the dubs! read more

See all

I understand when the nights are busy, but it's obvious when the female bartenders pick the men over the women. I waited over 30 minutes to be served, and no one attempted to take my order. I tried to be patient and let the bartenders serve me, but I realized they were blatantly ignoring me and other women waiting to be served. The female bartenders stayed on one side of the bar and left the other unattended. I tried getting their attention, but I was ignored many times. I would hate to think that the establishment prefers men over women in trying times like this. As someone who has visited this establishment many times, I'm surprised by the lack of service and the disrespect of the female bartenders towards another woman. I do not plan on returning. read more

My friends and I came here on a Friday evening. I decided to order the ElderFlower Whiskey Sour drink. I give it a thumbs up. Everyone else had something different. However, they all stated that the drinks were bomb as well. I was surprised that Mad Oak offered lumpia from The Lumpia Company! I've been wanting to go to the actual place as it is co-owned by the Bay Area legend E-40. Nevertheless, I got to try the lumpia here. The Bacon Cheeseburger lumpia was so delicious! It was even better dipped in the BBQ sauce. I highly recommend Mad Oak for good drinks, good appetizers, and a good time! read more

See all

Mad Oak is the best from this Oak Ridge (Tenn.) mountain man. Went there after trolling around OakTown looking up parking Ang potholes around Town. Have an upstairs downstairs bar equally good and quirky. I ain't Mad at you Mad Oak. Whiskey is the best. Rating- 4.999 read more

I'm new to California and this place never disappoints. The atmosphere, servers, and music are what keeps me coming back.

I went back because my friend asked me to happy hour and I was happily surprised that they had a happy hour! They have a more robust staff that keeps the lines going! A new cocktail menu! They have made vast improvements to customer service at the place. The bouncers were friendly, happy and polite! The food was so so... a new pop-up vendor. Not typical bar food, but still bar appetizers, so don't come thinking you're going to get full. My friend ordered Glad I went back and had a better experience! read more

See all

So. Freaking. Loud. I wish there were more places with this much outdoor space, but Mad Oak wastes it by blasting god awful EDM (even during the day) so it's impossible to have a conversation with the person next to you read more

I've been here numerous times. It's about time I leave a review. I love their outdoor set up. There's at least one strawberry plant on their picnic tables! The people who work here are always so friendly and welcoming. On my last visit I asked for a channel change to watch the college softball World Series. They gladly acquiesced. And when the channel was going to automatically change they made sure the tv I was looking at stayed on the softball game, which I really appreciated. Great cocktails, great selections on tap (they seem to rotate) and I've always enjoyed the food there. Not many options but always quite tasty. I also love the trivia nights here! read more

I've never had a bad time at Mad Oak. I've been going for the last five years. I've taken family, friends, coworkers -- my dog's even come along once or twice. This place is so chill. They deserve five stars for the vibes alone. They have plenty of outdoor seating, two levels. Not sure if they still do this, but when there's a game on, they project it onto the white wall that neighbors them. Pretty awesome to watch a game from their upper floor with a crisp craft beer in your hand. They have rotating food vendors, too. Get your grub on while you drink! There's something for everyone. It's a full bar and some so it's a great place to gather. The people have always been really kind. I'm talking about the people working and the crowd, too! Stop in if you're ever in town. read more

Mad Oak - Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

I don't go out to bars and Im not much of a drinker. Im thankful for the food and non alcoholic options here at Mad Oak. The prices were actually verrryyyyyy reasonable. I was super shocked at the bill when I got it. Two things to note is it is outdoors with limited indoor seating during peak hours, but on a beautiful day it's well worth a visit. The second is parking. You cannot find parking for the love of God on a busy day. Be there early or circle the blocks. Other than that, highly recommend. read more

Super open and spacious seating area with a second floor! I love the dangling lights and chill vibes of this bar. Solid spot to grab a drink with friends. Good cocktails and an amazing, extensive draft beer selection! If you like a fruity, light beer, get the Grapefruit Hefeweizen! The bartenders are always very friendly. One thing to note: The line does get pretty long any time after 7pm on the weekends, so plan accordingly! Covid notes: - Credit Card Only right now - You must wear a mask at all times unless you are sitting at a table - They have you read a list of Covid precautions to keep in mind before entering read more

Mad Oak - Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

You know...always a good time. The experience during COVID (March) was a good one. I mean...the ordering via app and then food is delivered to your table is not ideal but it is working as it has to. I just hate that I can't talk to the bar tender and customize my cocktail or ask for extra sauce with my food. The staff is nice tho. Music was coo. Chill crowd. I appreciate most that the bar is outdoor spacious and there's plenty of metered parking. At the time they had the lumpia factory provide food. I was complaining about the price but, you get HELLA food for $15 LOL I had the veggie lumpia with tater tots. Definitely didn't finish it all. I'd recommend the chicken wings tho. Also had a CBD hibiscus cider (?) from the bar, it was tasty...didn't feel the CBD tho...or did I read more

Mad Oak - Veggie lumpia and tater tots - Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Love Mad Oak. It's one of my favorite bars & the rooftop is so cute & they have a fan up there on blast if there's a dancey even happening.

My favorite Oakland Bar. Great ambiance, staff is always welcoming and friendly. Drinks and food are great too read more

Really chill vibes + lots of Oakland spirit! Loved seeing all the Oaklandish gear being repped :-) Our friend and I enjoyed the top floor vibes. We thought the hibiscus margherita + sour whiskey were both solid. The tacos were great; we loved the sauce. A bit pricey for the size of them but that's expected when you go to a bar for food - I'd recommend eating before hand. Definitely will be back for a chill vibe type of night. read more

See all

Love the ambiance and dark beers! Also dog friendly so that's always a treat! Good snacks and convenient location. Go to beer hangout. read more

Mad Oak - Luna was waiting for her glass. No beer for pups missy! lol. - Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

We had the mad oak margarita (hibisbus, tequila) the under the veil (jicama horchata, tequila), & the port jefferson (bourbon, strawberry lemon) & loved each one. The bartender was gracious enough to make me a spicy version of the margarita; I always appreciate their willingness to make me a happy girl I normally wouldn't go for the horchata drink but oh my, so milky smooth & flavorful. I had to stay for a third round just to try it Also, everyone was kind & had a good vibe, including the security guy! Thanks Mad Oak, we arent local but we loved the vibe read more

Mad Oak - port jefferson (left) & under the veil (right) - Bars Near Me - Oakland, California