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    Penelope

    4.2 (225 reviews)
    Open 4:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 2 weeks ago

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    Services - Penelope

    Bartending services

    Catering services

    Post-event cleaning services

    Penelope Photos

    Business Info

    PENELOPE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Penelope

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    Reviews With Photos

    Guava slushie
    Jude D.

    Really good chill atmosphere with great service and interesting delicious cocktails. Also if you're not into cocktails they have beers that are cheap. I had the guava slushie and the pinguino tejuino, both were excellent and not too sweet. The tejuino has a little scoop of sorbet in it that makes it so fun and interesting. Def check them out.

    Menu
    Vanni C.

    OK for starters the address that is given is wrong ots across from 1150 clay There's some street parking but the I side is so cute and intimate I'm really glad I stumbled on this place and I look forward to coming back their menu had so many great options ! I asked about happy hour I hope their hours expand during summer if so I will update this review because I will be back to try other menu items

    Old-fashion!

    Stumbled into this cozy little spot for happy hour and ended up staying way longer than planned--thanks to Sam, the bartender who somehow makes pouring drinks feel like a masterclass in hospitality. Seriously, Sam's the kind of person who remembers your name, reads the room perfectly, and makes everyone feel like a regular--even if it's your first time in. The vibe is relaxed, no-frills, and exactly what you want when you're winding down after a long day. Great drink specials, solid pours, and good conversation if you're lucky enough to grab a seat at the bar. I came for a quick drink and left wondering if I should become a regular just to hang out with Sam more often. Highly recommend for happy hour, first dates, or solo nights when you just want a good drink and great company. Just don't steal my seat at the bar.

    Kendra W.

    Juan is super great! We have come here twice and it was a really great experience! We like to come here randomly and both times it did not disappoint ! The drinks are great and so is the service. They also serve empanadas 3 kinds: mushroom, beef and ham & cheese! We have had the mushroom and beef and we definitely prefer the mushroom the pastry is so crispy and the inside is yummy! We will be back soon! Especially now that they have taco Tuesdays!

    Vicky L.

    I love this little bar, it's hidden on the side of some corporate building but has such cozy vibes. I wish I knew of it sooner. I got 2 cocktails although not gonna lie I can't remember the names but they were both super tasty. Everyone in my group loved their drinks. The bartender was so friendly too. We also got their empanadas and honestly kind of fire. It was the perfect after work drink type of bar.

    Yeah. That's her. Before the airline ads.
    Dr. 7.

    Walking from my hotel to a seminar the first morning I passed this place. It caught my eye and memory because my first dog was an Irish Setter I adopted from a race car driver family named Penelope. On returning to my hotel that day around Happy Hour I ducked in, figuring none of the politicians, corporates, or nerds from my seminar wd. be likley enter the place. The two co-owners behind the bar were great. We discussed wine, food, Spain, dog breeds, . . . and Penelope. I asked why for the name of your place? They just pointed reverently above and there was the church-like painting of HER!! I asked if they had ever seen "Elegy" in which she and her naked breasts co-starred along with Ben Kingsley. They were gobsmacked, saying they would rent it that night. Day 2, returning from my seminar I ducked in again and the 2 owners greeted me by name. A table of people from the Oakland office were there, surprisingly and a major dickhead who had spoken on stage the day before yelled, "Wait! you're in Oakland for less than 48 hours and the bartenders know you by name!?" Well, yes. And it's part of NOT being a dickhead. ______ So I read a question about Penelope on a Y-named-website. It asks, "Hey there - can someone please advise on the demographic of this bar? Students? 30-40? 40+? Thanks!" No one answered. My answer would be, "The only people who would feel comfortable here are those withOUT a bug up their ass and a phone taking selfies of their phony face for "Y" or "Instrajam." And "demographic"? It's restrictave. Pretentious people like dickheads from the Oakland office should not feel comfortable here.

    Spicy Tamarind Margarita
    Brianna Y.

    Everything about this place has me eager to come back! Easily in the top 5 mixology programs in Oakland - every cocktail was balanced, creative, and absolutely delicious (and we tried a a range, from sweet to savory to traditional to innovative). The staff/owner was friendly and offered perfect recommendations when described what we craving for drinks. The giant painting of Penelope Cruz (Patron Saint of the bar, obviously) completed the immaculate vibes. I'm sure I'll see you there because this is definitely a regular spot in my rotation now!

    Deliciously sweet and spicy Jali Berry cocktail.

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    Photo of R B.
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    10 years ago

    Impressed with the drinks. Any place with habanero syrup is a win for me. Would go back.

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    10 years ago

    Tasty cocktails and friendly staff. Pleasant atmosphere and affordable prices! I'll definitely come back!

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    17 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    15 years ago

    We had a great night and the booze was perfect. That tomato soup was superb, by the way!

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    16 years ago

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    11 years ago

    this place is a gem. very intimate, has outdoor seating, and a very unique cocktail menu. the staff was very friendly.

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    17 years ago

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    13 years ago

    Very good drinks! If you like spicy, try the oaktown heat! Also, ask Johnny the bartender to tell you his awesome jokes! :)

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    16 years ago

    Technically it's the size of a closet. Enjoy the outdoor sidewalk seating. Fine for a quick drink and on to the next stop.

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    15 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    16 years ago

    La Kristita is the bomb but have you tried Pear Melons? i think it''s pear and watermelon with rum and lime. SCREAMMMMING!!!!

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    14 years ago

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    11 years ago

    nice tequila bar, fun drinks, a little pricey but fun...cute space

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    Page 6 of 6

    Ask the Community - Penelope

    Hey there - can someone please advise on the demographic of this bar? Students? 30-40? 40+? Thanks!

    View All 2 Questions

    Review Highlights - Penelope

    Johnny makes everyone feel right at home, serving up some very classy mixed drinks and dope selection of beer.

    Mentioned in 25 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Hops & Scotch - Back room with screens and kegs: Back room with tap lists, kegs, and TVs

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    Blossom & Bourbon - House Dip Trio ($16)

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    Blossom & Bourbon - The far left side of the restaurant- bar is directly in the middle.

    The far left side of the restaurant- bar is directly in the middle.

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    Legionnaire Saloon - Karaoke stage

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    We had been hearing about the karaoke competition since last year and finally got the chance to…read morecheck it out tonight for the f i n a l s. We drove in on an extremely rainy day because we couldn't miss witnessing this event and the place was packed to the brim with just enough room to still move around. We grabbed some delicious beer and watched all the teams perform for three rounds. We enjoyed the enthusiasm, the energy, the talented singing, dance moves and chemistry the teams were giving as they belted each songs. Confetti poppers and sashes were utilized and made the night all the more snazzy. The stage is a bit small and snug. Overall, a fun time and perhaps we will join in on the next season~

    I always loved going to the karaoke shows here. The karaoke league competition tonight (Monday,…read moreMarch 30, 2026) was amazing! And the talent was topnotch! The bartenders were also amazing. For as busy as it was tonight, they did an outstanding job! What made this potentially 5-star review downgraded to a 3-star review was because of my interaction with the KJ here tonight, right after the karaoke league competition. When the karaoke queue was finally open to the public after the competition, I signed up for just one song, and I looked at the KaraFun queue and saw my song at 8th (#8) in the rotation. I looked at the queue again a minute later, and my song was suddenly at #10. I looked again a few seconds later, and my song was suddenly at #14. And then, a few seconds later, it was at #16. I went up to the KJ to ask him what was going on, and he said that he's just making a living, and if people tip him, they get moved up on the queue. Being a KJ myself and being part of a KJ team in the Bay Area, we do accept tips at our shows, but we don't move people up even after getting tipped. We get tipped by merit, by giving our singers their rockstar moment. Tips just come with the show and everyone's hard work. So, at this Legionnaire Saloon tonight, I felt disrespected. Before I found out I was being moved down from the queue, I was planning on tipping the KJ between $10 to $20 just for one song... just because KJs gotta support each other. I would have even waited my turn (at #8 on the queue), because it's just the right thing to do. But after this disrespect, and after the KJ even offered to move me up to #3, I just told him I was leaving, and I walk out. The damage has been done, and I wanted nothing to do with this show. I'll still come back here for drinks, but I will not come back when this KJ is working. 3 Stars. From a potential 5 stars. My two centavos.

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    So been living in Oakland for going on 15 years now. I'm not what you would call a "bar" person. I…read moretend to enjoy my cocktails, wine, and beer in the cozy confines of my own home. That said I'm occasionally inspired to go check out the local watering holes for a good pour, some food if possible, and just to be in the presence of the human pulsation. Walking into Tallboy on a Thursday afternoon was a bit like Nirvana for me. There is a comforting vibe of neighborhood and after work people shedding responsibility and "toe the lineness" and transitioning to pondering true meaning and the other side of the elliptical bend over nicely crafted cocktails and HOTDOGS! I am a hotdog fiend, and Tallboy has a very creative range on the menu that does not disappoint. From a basic onions/mustard, an Elote Dog, an a Coney Islandesque (it has chili) version. Some folk go to bar and line up shots (or craft cocktails). At Tallboy you can do that AND line up their hotdogs which I intend on doing in the very near future. The pleasantries don't stop at the food (there are other delicious snack items on their menu to choose from too). Tallboy has a fully stocked bar, and the menu has a list of really unique and delicious signature craft cocktails. I'm not a Mezcal drinker, but I ended up dubiously ordering their Guava Martini which to my smokey surprise is made with Mezcal. I stayed with the smokey fruitiness of this Guava Martini as it was my mistake that I did not read in the description it is made with Mezcal, and ended up chasing it with their Tamarindo Cocktail which also has Mezcal. To those who really enjoy Mezcal the Tallboy Guava Martini and the Tamarindo Cocktail do not disappoint. Both have that deep Smokey Mezcal essence, but cut with the fruit sweetness. I personally think the Tamarindo balances well with the Mezcal. The Guava Martini the Mezcal comes through stronger, but both are just the tonic to release any existential pinging going on in your head. If you really want to kick in the hyperdrive pair either of these with an Elote Dog. I had their Deli Dog which sufficed. I think the Deli Dog would pair better with their standard Martini, but hey let's us not bring that snobbiness into Tallboy. Tallboy has an element of cloak and dagger or secret treehouse club about it. What I mean here is there is no signage on the outside (please keep it that way!). When you walk past all you see is this quaint beigeish/yellow brick façade of an establishment which begs you to press your face to the glass and scan what in the blazes is going on in here! Before you know it you are caught in the Tallboy tractor beam, and you find yourself sitting at the bar with some kind of craft drank and hotdog pondering the space and the very nice old fashioned wainscoting painted a shade of green circa 1930 (my description of winning in life). The cadre of bartenders are all really pleasant folk, very attentive (checking in with you to see if you need another round, hotdog, or snack), have tight shaker skills, and they know their craft and the menu. Tallboy also has SLUSHIES, and I did not do a deep dive on them, but I'm positive they may/do put spirits in them; or not. Also I noticed other patrons with a beautiful enticing thing that looked like an ice cream sundae milkshake hybrid (it had what looked like whipped cream on top) in on old timey soda fountain ice cream goblet. This could be a craft cocktail they make with the slushie, but major props for serving it in that goblet. I will investigate on my next visit which I intend to be very soon. Tallboy is the kind of bar establishment I could easily adopt as my after work living room for a couple of hours everyday.

    Had an amazing experience at Tallboy!…read more Sat at the bar on a sunny weekend and immediately loved the vibes. Bartenders were friendly and seemed to know a lot of the regulars. Can't quite describe it but it didn't feel like an SF bar, felt more open and like a community watering whole. On to the food and drinks. I'm vegetarian so was so excited to try the dogs - which are vegan. And I may be biased but you cannot tell that you're missing out on anything with all the flavor packed combos. The bun was fluffy and soft and you have multiple fun themed options to choose from. My partner and I ended up getting the deli dog and truffle meltdown. Deli was perfect - classic mix of spice and crunch with the spicy brown mustard and giardiniera peppers. And the truffle meltdown was so savory and decadent - totally different flavor profiles from each dog! We were only going to grab one drink but the menu was so inventive we ended up getting two. I ordered the banana hammock (which comes with a fire show) and espresso martini slushee which was is up there with the frozen Irish coffees I've had in New Orleans. Man writing this has my mouth watering... definitely coming back for more dogs, drinks, and vibes!

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    Cheese in the trap

    Penelope - cocktailbars - Updated September 2026

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