Ok, the truth is I was going to coffee next door and much to my surprise... there was this cute shiny new bar just sitting there. So, I for-went the coffee experience and went right to alcohol! I was not disappointed. They have great health-ish drinks. I had a drink that was made with fresh apple, pear and beet juice with taquilla! Soooo good. Then...Yes there was a then... I had a blackberry margarita with fresh blackberries. That was yummy too. My husband had a hibiscus martini and that was good too. There wasn't food there that day so can't say much about it. The bar tender felt sorry for us because we were hungry so he shared his own sandwich with us (which he made there). Yummy! Must go and visit and support the local bar! read more

This place is super cute, chill and fun to drop in for an after work (or workout) cocktail. My friends and I enjoyed ourselves and were so glad we stopped in. If I still lived in Cali...I'd be there more often. In fact, I wish I hadn't waited till my last visit to stop in. My only complaint is that there aren't any light snacks on the menu. There is a menu and I'm sure the food is delish but we really would have loved some nuts or popcorn to munch on while we drank. However, I definitely recommend stopping in... read more

Cool little bar attached to the Ask building. Happy hour pricing isn't bad, and the atmosphere is fairly laid back. The spot is more of after work crowd and are not open super late, but a good spot for a post work drink. read more

I volunteered with a non-profit org in downtown Oakland this summer. They invited me here for a round to show their appreciation. Others used the word "charming" to describe Penelope, and I would agree that she is charming. She's got clean lines, but there's definitely character a-brewing. The green walls, high ceilings, and outdoor seating makes up for the size. Since I was with a group, our options were more limited and we ended up near the part of the bar where servers needed to get in and out. I'm sure it was a bit frustrating for them. The drink list seems to be the highlight here: tequila and vodka concoctions with words like ginger, honey, pear, and tastiness. I'll vouch for the martinis because all the martini-drinkers finished their drinks, while the cocktails went unfinished for being a bit too buff. This spot has room to grow. Although there seems to be kinks that can stand to be ironed out, they're offering something special to the area. Good for us. If I worked in downtown Oakland, I'm sure I would be caught arriving early enough to snag outdoor seats to sip for happy hour and continue exploring this spot. I don't though, sooo, I will simply be back next time and offer an updated review! read more

Drink Recommendations: Pair-O-Melons, Penelope, & Blackberry Margarita. Food Recommendations: - Smoked Salmon Toasts with Pickled Shallots, Creme Fraiche, & Chives - Smoked Salmon Sandwich with Cucumber, Goat Cheese, Pickled Onions, & Basil - Chorizo & Apple Sandwich with Spicy Chorizo, Shaved Apples, Pickled Onions, and Herbs I Love their Beverages & Food. I am never disappointed when I come here. read more

Cute cozy spot in DT oakland that's serves yummy cocktails using fresh fruits and other awesome blends. Has about 30 seats.. perfect for a starter place or quick drink. Pepinos del amor is a must try! Dan is the man! They also serve lite food there as well as play awide variety of cool beats but not loud which was perfect for conversation, I wanna go back already! read more

Penelope - One of Dans blends. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Great bar! I don't really like mixed drinks but when you add fresh fruit to the mix you can't go wrong. Their Hennessey with passion fruit is refreshing. I actually love all their drinks and bartenders. Lost one star because why do you have to close do damn early! read more

Penelope - Drinks and celebrations! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Tung and Johnny are AMAZING!!! Hehee...always have a great time here as I've been here with my friends who are regulars here... We always have a great time and I am always sneakily trying to get my name on their drinks list. I haven't been there in awhile since I don't live in Oakland, so when I made my triumphant return I said they should name a drink after me....didn't work but they did make a delish fruity but strong shot called 'The Revenge of the C' ask for it and see what happens :) Sometimes John Street Eats stops by here and so this completes the night, Great street food, great friends, great drinks = perfect night :) I'll be back soon Tung and Johnny and get the Revenge of the C shots ready!!!!! :) read more

Great cocktails! We came for happy hour and got a discount. The bartenders were friendly and welcoming. The decor is hip and fun to look at. I recommend their cocktails, we will be back for more drinks. read more

This is a good mid-week happy hour joint. Its exactly what this part of Oakland needs. They have a great selection of specialty cocktails - and we're not talking Mojitos, we're talking tequila with fresh beets and pear, vodka with grapefruit and ginger and other unique parings you've never seen before - when's the last time you had hibiscus or elderflower in your cocktails? The bar snacks are great too, the olives and anchovies are by far my favorite. Now all I need is for BART to run later! read more

A pretty chill bar to hang out with friends or co workers. The bartenders are nice and have a great sense of humor. We met some friends there then felt compelled to stay and watch the opening ceremony for the 2012 Olympics. When watching Danny Boyle's over-the-top production, the bartenders were good to exchange jokes with. We wanted to order something from the small menu, because it had been hours since we ate at that point. Even though the kitchen ran out of food, the bar tender scrambled a much appreciated cheese plate for us. Unfortunately, while in the back creating our dish, he missed the best part if the ceremony (an army of Mary Poppins fighting Voldemort), so we were even more grateful for his services. Penelope's is a relaxing bar where you can find a decent selection of well, taps and cocktails. Paired with a good humored staff, it's the place to go in Oakland after work or anytime really. read more

Came here based on Yelp reviews. We liked it. While the venue is small (it was cold so outdoor seatings were out), it was made up with pretty good cocktails and friendly bartender (also the owner?). Food was not available the night we came due to lack of staff, so we were prepared to leave, however, the bartender put on his cooking hat and started to prepare food for us. Talk about multi-tasking! I would come back. read more

Took my client here since he was quitting his job. Drinks were great, Juan the owner is cool too.

Love this place! We met up with some friends last Thursday after work and had such a great time at this hidden gem. The drinks are really fun and different. After my first, a blackberry margarita (super yummy!), I asked the bartender for something a little lighter, clean and refreshing. I'm not sure what he made, but it with so fresh and well balanced, I had no idea there were 2oz+ of vodka in it until my husband congratulated me for taking down a "big girl" drink all by myself :-) We were also impressed with their food options - quite tasty! We had the chicken pozole with hominy (I'm not a fan of hominy, but it complimented the dish well and I don't think I'd have liked it as well without). We also had the asparagus salad which was light with good contrasting textures. All in all, Penelope's is a really fun, new, sophisticated place to hang out - we'll definitely be coming back! read more

Penelope - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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I feel like Penelope's is a bar that is always neglected. It's small, but they always make strong, great cocktails. As small as it is, it can get very busy, but doesn't get the attention it deserves. read more

If all you want is a great drink and simply forget about all your stress for only a drink or two...this is the place to go! make sure you try the amaizing PEPINOS DEL AMOR- a great cucumber mix with tequila that will have your pallet asking for more~ aside from that the bartenders known as KOBRA, DAN, AND TOM are simply cool folks.....i give it a 5 of 5 in my personal chart of places to go for a drink while in OAK. read more

Started coming here a few months ago when we popped in for a drink after eating dinner in Old Oakland. Even though I don't live too close by, my boyfriend and I keep coming back. It's a great place to chill over delicious cocktails (the Guavalajara and Kristita are amazing!!) or a nice whisky (that's my boyfriend talking). I was hungry late one night and discovered that their tomato soup is delicious too. Will definitely keep on coming. read more

Wow, I've never had drinks this good. I literally drank 3 incredibly tasty drinks over the course of 2 hours...talking with Johnny the bartender and my friends and I got the most pleasant, euphoric buzz I've had since I was 15...and snuck my parents gin to my room.... only to refill half their bottle with water. Super high end drinks at a reasonable price, insanely cool service....Johnny was telling jokes and making us all laugh. It's not crowded, so no wait to order. 100% the best drinks in the Bay Area. I go out a lot and can honestly say that this place and The Battery in SF are the two best drinks. read more

Inaccurate web site, inconsistent hours, often out of ingredients...I'm just trying to relax with a nice cocktail! Jali berry is fantastic, but even after I told the owner his hours are posted wrong online he didn't fix it. read more

i'll try this again. rude bartender. workers didn't know the rules of the promotions they run. got charged for an alleged free drink. of course the owner explained the rules to me 2 weeks later. like that helps. small. loud. they do take care of locals from what i've seen, which is a definite plus. since i wasn't a local, i apparently got the shaft. i hope this was substantial enough for yelp. if you remove this review, please feel free to delete my account. k. thx. read more

A wonderful, if small, spot for tasty, fruity, spicy, complex drinks in downtown Oaktown. Love the décor, and the cocktails are a kick in the pants and the palate. You'll end up sharing drinks to taste some of the more exciting flavors they've conjured up, fair warning. I had the Pisco Portón cocktail (don't know what it was blended with, but it was a sour drink) and it was excellent. She had the spicy drink - Pepinos del Amor I think - and it was a spicy relief from the Pisco cocktail. Any time I'm in the neighborhood Penelope will be high on the list, especially on a hot summer day. read more

Penelope is da bomb! The drinks are fantastic at this intimate and friendly joint, not to mention Johnny the owner is a master of conversation and cocktails. Definitely a good spot to hit up after work with some friends, before a celebratory dinner downtown, or to stop by for some of the best local comedy during the week. Johnny makes everyone feel right at home, serving up some very classy mixed drinks and dope selection of beer. Penelope's might be small, but it packs just the right punch. read more

Very cute interior, top-shelf liquor (including very decent wines by the glass) (no plonk), and a small sandwich menu that sounded inventive. My sandwich was a little pricey, but I liked it a lot. They warmed the bread, and the meats (salume) were excellent. It seems like the kind of place you have a small bite and a drink. I took my sandwich to go, but it was a very cool spot. The cocktail menu veered heavily toward the hand-created, and they looked great (but they were expensive). All that being said, the stock on the wall (old Raj, very fancy bourbons way beyond the usual -- and delicious -- Woodfords) was impressive. Looked like a cool spot for a post-work drink. read more

Maybe I am getting old, but it's just not fun to try to have after work drinks with BLARING music going, necessitating either cross-table yelling or stare-off-into-space silence. My visit went something like this: Me: "So, have you been here before, I've heard great things about this place!" Work Pal: "What? Anthony Kedis: "UNDER THE BRIDGE DOWN TOOOOWWWN..." Me: "DO YOU LIKE IT HERE?" Pal: "I GUESS SO. IT'S KIND OF LOUD, AND IT'S ONLY 6 O'CLOCK." When we asked the bartender if he could turn down the music, he looked as if we asked about committing ritual sacrifice on the patio. Maybe next time I'll bring earplugs and flash cards. read more

Penelope (and the Fox Theater) are the only two reasons I bother to cross the Bay Bridge. The drinks at Penelope are divine and creative - made with fresh seasonal ingredients and thoughtfully constructed with just the right amount of sweetness and tang. As a bit of an ode to the fabulous Ms. Cruz, most of the drinks and small plates have a Spanish/Latin theme. The bar exudes a warm, trendy ambiance, and nicely reflects the beauty and sophistication of its namesake. This is a great place for Saturday evening drinks before a show or dinner. read more

Cute bar that doesn't seem to fit with Oakland, but fits in with a more downtown crowd. It's very sleek and modern inside. We grabbed tables outside under the heat lamps. They have a cocktail selection, wines and beers. They also have happy hour specials. I had the Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc which was tasty. Penelope also has a small food menu with a meat and cheese plate, soup, and selection of sandwiches. read more

This place may be good for downtowners after work, but is kind of lame come 7 pm.. When we arrived at 7:15 they were already out of the ingredients for their signature drink (d'oh) and bread for any sandwiches on the menu. It took forever to get the bartender's attention, and the food we ended up ordering showed up before we ever received any drinks. When the drinks did finally arrive one of them was not even what we ordered. Sigh. I wanted to like it, but with so many other great places to eat and drink in Oakland these days, Penelope is one you can miss. (They do have some swank wallpaper however.) read more

This place is very cute. The outdoor door tables on the sidewalk remind me of new york, and you gotta love that. Even if it is in the downtown of Oakland that is abandoned after dark. When i walked in this place, both the guys there (I think the owners) were extremely friendly. I immediately had a warm and cozy vibe from them, and I wanted to be their patron. They were easy to talk to, had a great beer selection, and when I inquired about using their space for a ten person dinner, they were quick to say they would make us whatever we wanted. I am a very loyal customer when i like a place- and this is a place I defintely will be having some beers on the sidewalk during some hot summer nights. read more

My company was having it's holiday party down the street and we decided to crash Penelope afterwards. We got there about twenty minutes before they were supposed to close and had about 30 people meander in unannounced. The bartenders were really accommodating and stayed open really late for us. The drinks were unusual and creative and tasty - I tried the Penelope, which was quite earthy, and had the blackberry margarita, which was fresh and very good. Inside it was small and quiet inside, but it was just enough space for us. Thanks Penelope! read more

Wow! They have a great selection of booze and creative cocktails for $10 and under. Friendly service and atmosphere. They are open early (7p) on Saturday night. Perfect for girl-talk after an early dinner, or before your normal people dinner. read more

Love this bar. Great cocktails and a friendly staff. Get the smoked cocktail - so cool.

The drinks are amazing!!! Plus free comedy night ever Wednesday night. Try the Oaktown,.and any of the haberno drinks!!! They are so read because they let you bring your own food. Johnny is the bar tender and he is the best. read more

Cute little bar near the Oakland City Center. There is limited seating both indoor (at most like 3 tables and a bar) and outdoor on the patio. It's a good place to come grab your drinks after work, between work, etc. They have a good happy hour menu with $2 off all cocktail drinks, $4 for drafts and $5 for house wine. It seemed like there was so many things missing like they ran out of taps (so soooo sad because I'm such a beer lover) and even wine glasses! The drinks are pretty good from what we ordered so next time so I'll try another one of their cocktails. read more

Really cute place. The drinks are strong, but smooth. I passed by the bar on my way to the BART station and stepped in for a quick drink. The happy hour prices are excellent ($4 draft, $5 well, $5 Palomas). The bartender was very courteous and quick. I can't comment on the food, but I would come back the next time I am in Oakland for business for a quick drink.. read more

Lots of drinks with fresh squeezed juices, great whiskey selection, really cool bartenders and owners. Kind of hard to find/spot since it's not a huge place, it's on the West side of Clay street between 11th and 12th. The food is great, and there's a great outdoor patio that I'll definitely take advantage of come this spring! read more

Great atmosphere, great drinks, and Johnny (the owner/bartender) is a great guy!

What a great spot in downtown Oakland. It's nice to find a place in downtown that is open beyond the business hour window. A girlfriend and I came here for dinner and a drink - well they were in between menus so we ordered from the lunch menu (which means I'll have to come back to try the mac and cheese... boo hoo) and were SO happy with our beef sandwiches. Delicious! I had the "Oaktown" cocktail and the jalepeno, while spicy, was not overpowering. My friend's hibiscus martini was fantastic as well. I can't wait to go back and try their dinner options. Oh, and did I mention this place is SUPER affordable? And the bartender is adorable and the owner is super charming. Looks like I've got a new go-to spot in Downtown Oakland! read more

This place is so cute! It's a tiny little bar - literally, it has maybe a dozen seats inside and a couple of tables outside. There is a decent happy hour, great cocktails, and a decent enough wine and beer menu for such a small place. The bartenders are friendly. Bathroom isn't too gross. Not a bad place for a drink or two after a long week at the office. read more

Really it's 3.5 stars for room to grow. Came here during the soft opening Friday night. I love love love the design of Penelope. Rich dark woods, with saturated foamy green wall paper, white crown molding and "natural accents" such as shiny sand dollars under glass in the counter top. As we came here after dinner, I only took a nibble off one of their sammies that they had out to sample. It was pulled pork on a crispy roll which was decent. I wouldn't call it AMAZING like The Sentinel but if I worked in the area it would be a great lunch item. The cocktails are mainly infused vodka drinks, and yes, they make their own infusions. I sampled the Hibiscus Basil which was good but very hibiscus-y. My favorite of the evening was the the Jicama and Habanero cocktail. Muddled jicama turns out to be pretty darn tasty and it's a great compliment to habanero infused vodka. For a fire eater like me, they make it a bit on the weak side of the spicy spectrum. But! if you tell the bartender you like hot flavors he'll gladly add more fire to your cocktail. Penelope is pretty tiny BUT it does have outdoor seating which you can't beat! The next warm day that we have, you'll find me at Penelope tipping back a margarita and enjoying the sun on their sidewalk patio. This spot is definitely a great addition to downtown Oakland and worth a visit even if you don't work or live in the area. read more

Penelope is great. Johnny the bartender is AWESOME. Came here on a random Wednesday night with a girlfriend. It was probably about 8:30. Bar was empty save for a couple kids that looked like regulars. We were warmly greeted and given menus right away. I didn't get to try any food, but I have to say, the cocktail list was quite impressive. We only wanted to get ONE drink to check the place out. We started with Blackberry Margaritas which turned out to be a bad choice. They carried a heavy aftertaste that I attribute to the triple sec. A little perfume-y for me. But then, THEN Johnny swooped in to save the day and brought us something I think he knew we'd like more. A blissfully creamy and sweet coconut milk concoction that was spiked with vodka and berries. Reminded me of one of those Asian desserts with the jelly and red bean on the bottom (Halo Halo). It was delicious. And alcoholic. A combination that always wins in my book. I think it's something new he's trying out that will be called the Panda. I felt quite proud to be tasting something before it went on the menu. We had to stay after that. The second drink I tried was the Gauvalajara - which by reading its ingredients, I knew was impossible to disappoint me. It definitely didn't. This is a drink I'd absolutely come back for. We had a great time. And another little gratis shot from Johnny for the road. A gem in the ghost town that is downtown Oakland on a weeknight. read more