The drinks are tiny and precious, as though the 4 ounce coups were the mead of genius. I had a Pisco Sour, frothed by the cloud of albumin, as my first dram, at $17. It was followed by a brisk Vesper Martini perfumed with the oils of fresh citrus, that brought my bill for two drinks to $33, before tip. I haggled over the bill, and walked away with a complimentary tamale, that was aromatically corny yet firm, dotted with inclusions of pork accompanied by a deeply flavorful red Chile sauce. This bar is a destination worth visiting if your in the East Bay, and it's best experienced on an expense account. read more

Prizefighter - Complimentary after a two drink evening. - Bars Near Me - Emeryville, California

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Pet friendly was what made me come here. I had my dog with me during a city outing and I needed a place to hang out to pass up the evening traffic. They'll give your pooch some water too and trust me, the thirst was strong with my four legged friend. Bartenders were nice and informative with their drinks. Also, they were happy to make recommendations if you had no idea what you were in the mood for. I have nothing to complain about and I could potentially see myself making breaks here during traffic. read more

Prizefighter is a bit hidden from all the other surrounding stores and restaurants, but it's probably best that way for any rowdy customers who come in for a drink. It's kind of like a hole in the wall, but you immediately walk up steps to their outdoor patio with stringed twinkle lights above, creating a chill ambiance. There are tables set up for groups and smaller tables for parties of 5 or less. As you walk up a few more steps, you'll get carded and enter into the bar. The interior has a rustic feel, but has a classy 1940's feel to it. They have an extensive menu of various drinks to choose from! I just went on Friday night and the crowd was still going after 10:30 p.m. One bizarre fact was that this bar allows dogs to come in and hang! SAY WHAT!? Well, I at least noticed one patron who brought their dog... although that dog looked rather bored, he got attention from some of the customers ordering drinks. I was glad to find a place for drinks on the East Bay instead of having to travel to the city for a nice time. We need more places like this - I'm glad this place is a start! read more

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Cool cocktail bar in an industrial area. The drinks were good and the bar had a nice aesthetic. Crowd was a little loud for my liking but I went on a Saturday evening so that's to be expected. read more

Great spot to meet a colleague for a drink. Lovely selection of craft beverages, great liquor selection and an extensive been menu.

Great drinks & a perfect outdoor covered patio. Easy parking too. Cozy backyard feel to it. Will not disappoint.

Never had a bad drink here. Bartenders are good at what they do even if it's an off menu item. Very cool spot for a lounge and cocktail.

Grabbed drinks here and I really enjoyed the atmosphere. It's located between Emeryville and Berkeley. I especially liked how it was walking distance from Spoon! Yumm Try their tamales.. my boyfriend and friend enjoyed it very much!! read more

Not very clean, no staff to come take your order, bathroom pretty dirty. Drinks were very sweet for no apparent reason. Not worth checking out. read more

Great atmosphere, Good Drinks, Helpful and friendly bar staff. First time at this place and I loved the outside area. The only downside was that the outside heat lamps weren't turned on until we were leaving at 11p. Other than that Cool Place. read more

Prizefighter - Awesome Drinks - Bars Near Me - Emeryville, California

Nice patio area with a lot of seating available! Everything was spaced out for covid safety and the cocktails were definitely good. I recommend a tequila cocktail! read more

I debated writing this review for the longest time, afraid if I did, then this awesome spot would become so well known, there would be a line to get in! Legit one of the best bars in the Bay Area. The staff - all of them - are amazing! Speed, consistency, personality - they have it all! Special shout out to Coco for being the bright unicorn that she is. And to Merrill and his baby blues! read more

Good bar to get a beer or cocktail from. Outdoor seating is nice. Only seen it crowded a few times.

How have I not written a review about this place yet? It's one of those things that I take for granted because I live less than a 12 minute walk from here but after making a recent visit, I realized I could not kick it to the curb anymore. Prizefighter is definitely my favorite bar within a 20 to 30 minute radius (driving) from Emeryville. The joint is not a dive bar but has a hipster feel to it and the selection is on point. The bar itself consists of an outside patio area and then an inside bar with seats at the bar and sofas within the bar itself. It is covered up by wooden fences and is very unassuming besides the distinct logo outside of the building. The vibe in here is always chill with the patrons always being low-key and the bartenders are chill/laid back so everything is on point. They have limited food menus but what they do have on the menu are all solid. The Zap's chips, the jerky, the its-it, pretzel all on point. I believe you are also allowed to bring food in so that makes it a bit easier but honestly this is a solid bar. The mixed cocktails are really strong and amazing. They have a wide variety of beers, to cocktails, to frozen shots, to punch bowls, to anything you want so just name it. Prices are also super reasonable here and will not break the bank like some of the other bars around the area. This is definitely a bar that is top notch and my favorite so im glad its within walking distance. read more

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Chill and sexy vibe. Good drinks and a great spot to end the evening earning a substantial buzz. Would return again but would also drink more water. Worth a stop. read more

Because of Prizefighter, if you live in Berkeley you will always know of a place to meet for drinks. You can make even make reservations and your intimate patio table will be waiting there empty with it's Reserved sign on it, which is a amazing on crowded nights. read more

*** In Short *** Dark, moody bar serving up strong, classic drinks. *** In Depth *** As someone who lives in SF, I don't really get out much to East Bay to drink (or much else in general, if we're being honest here). So while I can rattle off a number of great bars in the city, I've always been at a loss for where to go once I'm over the bridge. But wonder no more! I came across Prizefighter while looking for a halfway point for a date with someone in Hercules, and, well, let's just say it contends pretty strongly with my faves over in the city. Their drinks tend more towards the classics, but are made well, and with heavy pours. And with the staff as friendly as it is, what more could ya ask for? ***Accessibility Info*** Venue - Huge, and pretty accessible! Tables and counters are all a bit on the high side though. Bathroom - Accessible, but keep in mind that there's only two private bathrooms, one per gender, so if you take a while, be prepared for some annoyed patrons. read more

Such a great crowd no matter when you show up to Prizefighter! I've enjoyed two memorable evenings here. One quaint Sunday evening with my girls in the patio and a loud crazy Friday night with a friend. You will see grown-ups and not so grown-ups (21+ obviously) which makes the atmosphere diverse. Gives you the feeling like you would most likely run into your high school English teacher and have a few drinks with them . Parking areas feel pretty darn sketchy so take an Uber/Lyft here if you can. DUI's aren't the only reason to leave your car safely at home. I saw a lot of broken glass from previous busted windows all along the parking areas. That's honestly the only CON to this whole place. Great cocktails and creative bartenders make for a nice experience. If you manage to get a seat outside, you will be golden. Inside is great for loud talkers and good listeners lol. SO much energy, you can't help but chime in with the crowd at the bar. Make a new friend or run into old ones. I'll be coming here again soon! read more

Let's talk daiquiris. They are simple. They are easy to screw up. They are awesome here. Prizefighter is a welcoming yet packed bar with a great design concept and a neighborhood vibe. You are id'd at the front entrance and then order at a usually crowded bar and then proceed to find a place to sit. Seating gets tricky later into the night but I have never had a problem enjoying myself in this packed establishment. One of the few bars where I ordered a daiquiri and the bartender didn't look confused and or tell me they didn't have a blender. Awesome aesthetic - every different type of person welcome. read more

Prizefighter - Bars Near Me - Emeryville, California

Prizefighter is a FLAWLESS cocktail bar, and I have no idea how I haven't left them a review yet given how many times I've been here. All of the wonderfulness: + Amazing, extensive, rotating selection of cocktails. Words cannot do their cocktails justice, but I can say they are NEVER too sweet, the presentation is always on-point, and there are no stupid gimmicks; just quality ingredients. + Great sherry selection and sherry-based cocktails - always a plus! + Excellent beer list for those who aren't into the cocktails + The bartenders are super knowledgable and skilled, always happy to make drinks that are no longer on the menu. + Nice outdoor patio with heat lamps + Diverse, chill, non-wasted clientele (though yes, as other reviews note, leaning ~25-35) + Dog-friendly. I don't have a dog, but drinking with dogs is the best :). read more

Prizefighter - Brandy + Rye Mint Julep garnished with a blackberry - so perfect! - Bars Near Me - Emeryville, California

Definitely a hidden gem. Good energy and vibes. Usually come here to meet up on one and one type of company, but end up talking to everyone. Very friendly. Drinks strong and prices are affordable. They allow outside food. read more

Prizefighter is now my favorite bar in the East Bay! The atmosphere, drinks, and staff are amazing! Met up with a buddy of mine here recently to catch up over drinks. He highly recommended their "Prescription Julep" cocktail which was Spanish Brandy, Rye, and mint served over a glass of crushed ice. There aren't a lot of places that even have Juleps on their menus so it's nice to finally find one. The second drink we had was their Abuela's Old Fashioned. This drink is what I usually use to gauge a bar. No surprised that this was made perfectly! $12 for all cocktails! There's plenty of outdoor seating, indoor booths, or if you're lucky to find a seat at the bar. Street parking is not an issue at Prizefighter. There aren't many other businesses nearby besides the excellent pizza joint 2 blocks down. read more

Cool bar in Emeryville. There is not much in the way of food so I wouldn't come here hungry. They have a variety of beers, wines, and I'm sure they can make whatever cocktail you want. Old fashioned was especially good. They have a shuffleboard table but that's kind of it as far as provided entertainment goes. There seems to be ample space on the streets to park. read more

Prizefighter - Punch bowl - Bars Near Me - Emeryville, California

What a great place!!! Delicious cocktails, great music, and friendly staff. I can't believe I had never tried this place, and I live right around the corner! How refreshing it is to find a place around here that's open until 2am on the weekend! Will definitely come back here. read more

The absolute nicest, warmest, most professional and friendly bartenders in the entire bay area. The vibe in here is warm and friendly. The drinks were delicious and the moment you walk in, you are greeted with a smile and treated right. Whoever is hiring the bartenders is doing it right. The culture of th read more

Drinks are great. Safe very knowledgable. And the homemade bitters are great with soda... I heard the pretzels are great, next time I'll try them. Cheerio! :) read more

Prizefighter - Bars Near Me - Emeryville, California

TL;DR threatening aggressive behavior by front staff for asking a simple question; will not return. A massively huge disappointment. The staff at the front was outstandingly rude and outright aggressive. The owners / managers should appreciate that the people at the front are the first experience people have coming their place, train them accordingly, and expect them to behave as such. After hearing greatness of Prizefighter and seeing the Yelp reviews, I decided to go in early on a Saturday night. I walk in, and there were no seats at the bar (my preference), so I walked out and asked the fighter-looking fellow at the door when was a time that it wasn't crowded (except of course, right then because it was more crowded than I preferred). He proceeds to start correcting my sentence syntax (unnecessary, I was being casual). When I clarify, he continues to hang on that first question, correcting me again, and accuses me of having had a few too many to drink (wrong since I'd just walked in and then out). Next, he steps into me an inch from my face (was he trying to pick a fight with me?; I think so; !!! highly aggressive and absolutely uncalled for !!! ). After I clarify my question again, he answers that there is rarely a seat at the bar, for which I thank him and walk away. I get to the end of the block and mister door-fighter yells out to me "A**!". Wow; what a rude and end-of-block-shouting coward; or was he hoping to motivate a fight with me again?; not how I'd expected my first (and last) time at Prizefighter to end. read more

My GF and I were having dinner at the Public Market and wanted to find a place nearby that would be open later for drinks so we turned to the Prizefighter. Prizefighter has a cool, laid back atmosphere. It looks like it's a repurposed warehouse or industrial building. Parking was easy to find (on a random Thursday night). I mess with boxing so I appreciate the theme a lot. Drink selection was good, I had a beer and my GF had a mixed drink. There were plenty of options for seating, inside and out. Will definitely consider coming back if we're in Emeryville again! read more

The best place to hangout with friends. Great crowd, great selection of beers. Ambience is sooo chic, can sit there for hours. Just the place to be. And yes, they allow dogs ... isn't that cute? Well there's no food, but the pretzels are pretty good, and you can get food from outside. All in all a pretty good deal. read more

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Dogs are allowed. That's my prize. Love the outdoor seating area, they have heaters if you get cold. Love the Inside, love the setup, they've got options. There are some couches to sit on, bar area seating, or a large table in the back to sit at. Cocktails aren't cheap, but worth it. It's a craft cocktail bar. Try the prescription, you only need one and you'll be cured. Bartenders are nice, they have soft pretzels, it's easy to find parking, there's a pizza place 1 block away, and for the win, they have shuffleboard. My favorite bar in Emeryville. read more

What happened to the it's it's?! This is coming from a place of love. Bring back the it's it's.

Awesome bar! Amazing beer on tap! And get this- dogs are welcome!! You read that right!!! It was my dog's first adventure at a bar where he got to go inside and people watch. He definitely enjoyed the scene as there were other dogs hanging out as well. The staff is super friendly. It was chilly outside after a day of rain and we asked if they can turn on the heat lamps. Without any hesitation, they did it with a smile. The staff even checked up on us periodically which shows their great service. Also, there's a water bowl outside for the thirsty dogs. read more

Prizefighter - He's enjoying himself - Bars Near Me - Emeryville, California

I call it SADD (Service Attention Deficit Disorder). I think that explains my experience. I came alone and had hoped to find a new place in my new neighborhood where I'd feel welcome, that I could possibly make my new neighborhood bar and bring my new friends. That fantasy was quickly distinguished. read more

It's a done deal. Prizefighter is going to become my Cheers. I want everyone to know my name, and my punch bowl preferences. I'm going to spend lots of time and money here. I hope that's okay with them. I was not prepared for how fantastic this place would be. Everything from the back-street urban location, to the ideally dim lighting, antique-looking wooden bar stools and living wall, to the clever menu of unusual drinkables (an entire section for Mezcal! Punch bowls that serve 6-8!)...it's just thoroughly awesome. You will walk in, absorb the awesomeness, and you and your friends will nonchalantly nod in unison, as if to say "Yeeeeeeeah, I can dig it." I dove deep into the cocktail list, starting with a Mezcal Margarita type thing - a glorious fusion of smokey & tart. I guzzled with gusto and moved onto the "212" (tequila, grapefruit, and aperol) - a dainty sipper with a stiff backbone. The quality of their quaffs is tip-top, so paying $9 a pop seems perfectly acceptable. But I do wonder...is there a happy hour? Lushy minds want to know. That back patio would be so perfect for discounted day-drinking... They've been open two weeks now, and doing some good business considering the steady crowd on a late Tuesday night. We met one of the owners (Dylan - a seriously cool dude), and got the run-down on their intriguing drink list. The 6-8 person punch bowls come in posh varieties like the gin, elderflower, cherry tea, and mint "Mutiny on the Bounty." One friend mentioned punch bowls being "veritable petri dishes", but Dylan described them more romantically, as a way to take drinking back to it's social roots. Indeed, it would be easy to make friends with a bowl full of booze to scoop and share. No food is served, but they're fine with you bringing your own. Apparently, Rotten City Pizza down the street is legit. I'm kinda in love with you, Prizefighter. Won't you be my real-life Sam Malone? read more

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My number one local bar in the East bay for sure Great atmosphere all time, nice bartenders They have outside seats allow the dogs, and it's amazing, i can chill with my little creature read more

Its a strange thing, I'm kind of anal about punctuality. It might be because of my training as a musician (if you're late, you're dead, they would hammer into our skulls), or because of my grandmother's insistence that lateness was one of the cardinal sins of man. I hate when I'm late, I hate it when others are late. Yet, I don't mid it when my long-distance trains are late. If a train is late, I get to explore cities, drink good beer, talk to people. Even better, a late train usually means precious extra minutes in a city center, near culture, near food. At the very least, it means I can sleep in. The only exception is the Northbound Coast Starlight, which leaves me stranded in Emeryville. If a libertine isn't prepared for that, it can be a major moment of suck. Luckily, Emeyville has a fantastic bar scene near the train station which has sprung up within the last several years. Prizefighter is one of these places: despite being a goddamned schlep from the train station (oy), its worth a trip, no matter if you're waiting for a late train or just looking to get good and drunk (which I am, always). On a Sunday night, Prizefigher is the only place open. A marvelous patio allows hipsters and smokers and dog owners to enjoy the warmth of the evening, while a sumptuous interior--with lounge style seating, communal tables, and dim lighting--await those whose constitution isn't quite up for the cold. Plop yourself at the carved wood bar and marvel at the tower of booze that awaits: they specialize in whiskey, carry a fantastic selection of mezcal and rum, and aren't slouches with their beer selection either. An axe, reading "all nations welcome but Carrie" titilates my inner historian. The cocktails are magnificent, and, at $10 a pop, incredibly reasonably priced. A "Butchertown" graced my palate with the slight oxidization of sherry, a hint of orange from Countreau and a smack in the chops of Rittenhouse rye (standard in all of the house cocktails). Are you sober? Not for long. How about the Temescal, a subtle blend of pineapple shrub, rye, and bitters? A little spicy, a little sweet, with a marvelous top-note of cinnamon and a great hit of acid. The perfect cocktail to represent an up-and-coming neighborhood. The service shines. My bartender on this sunday night (by the name of Patirck, tip big if you meet him) spent a good half hour gabbing with me about wine, spirits, food, and California life. Prizefighter is my sort of place, no matter if my train is late or not. Five gleaming stars: this Prizefighter is a champion. read more

For its outdoor party pad alone, Prizefighter is worth checking out. You can hang out there with your sweetheart or a big group of friends and enjoy your drink under the stars. No need to get too cozy with your friends to keep warm as the heat lamps will do that for you! Even at midnight, there were more people out there than inside, so clearly, people love Prizefighter's outdoor patio. Apparently, pups are allowed outside, so by all means, bring Sparky along while you have that beer or cocktail! Our group had our drinks inside. Their indoor space is not bad. It wasn't too dimly lit, and the space was open to the outside, so it seemed very spacious as well. They have lots of seating by the bar, and lounge chairs/sofas across from the bar. I ordered the Leave It To Me cocktail (gin, maraschino liqueur, etc), as did a couple of people in my group. It's a strong drink! I had to drive home, so I had to stick with that one drink. I don't like sweet cocktails, so this was perfect. And thanks to Prizefighter, I just discovered another classic cocktail that I can easily make at home. Draft and bottled craft beers, wine, punches, Trappist ales, and mezcals are also on the menu. Lots of other good stuff that I wanna try next time! Make sure you're not hungry when you get here though. They don't serve meals, just spiced nuts, soft pretzels, and It's It Ice Cream. We tried the pretzels and though they were tasty, they will not fill you up! Cheers! read more

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The place is amazing, the vibe is great. Always a great experience. The one star less is because of the lack of food and drink options, very limited spirits catalog, no food except chips which takes out another star. All in all the vibe is 10/10. Must visit when nearby won't disappoint. read more

No matter if you're a lightweight or heavyweight, you should come to the Prizefight for a few rounds! Co-owned by a champion mixologist, Dylan (from Bloodhound & Cesar fame), using the most modern bar tools (the swisher), and hand chiseled ice cubes (I kid you not), pours up potions that will knock you out! The afternoon I was there, a Pixar crowd (think hipsters w/Amex), climbed into the ring and proceeded to stack the bar three rows deep. Yes, an "animated" crowd and entertaining to say the least. Ugh. But I went three rounds, made a few new friends, and had a nice day drinking time. Here is an OG tip, you're in Emeryville and the Po-po are just waiting to see your license. Drive responsively. read more

I first attended Prizefighter during a fabulous YEE (http://www.yelp.com/biz/yelps-love-is-a-battlefield-elite-event-prizefighter-emeryville#hrid:uug9TQ0Ge4D_pCsTwNs6Wg) and in reviewing my review of that event I realize that my visits were almost exactly a year apart... My second visit was on the tail end of a Saturday night out with friends to celebrate Rachel H's birthday. Our group of 10 grabbed a table outside but quickly moved to an available table inside which was good for two reasons: 1. it was warmer inside and 2. people weren't smoking right by our inside table. Our group split two varieties of the punch. I don't remember the names but after a brief peruse of their website, I'm pretty sure one was Mutiny on the Bounty. Regardless, both were quite tasty with interesting flavors (not too sweet) and plenty of their respective booze. Each punch option is $50 and serve 6-8 people each. read more