This place is music nerd heaven. They have a section of their menu dedicated to their speakers and…read moreamps, ferchrissakes. I love the atmosphere in here. Staff are always cool, vibe is relaxed. Even the security guard at the door is a cool guy. The interior decor and lighting are gorgeous. Silent Sundays are pretty fun: they play an album from top to bottom, and everyone has to shut the hell up for the duration and can't order any shaken drinks. See? Music nerd heaven. I almost forgot to talk about the drinks: the menu is solid. Good cocktails, reasonable prices, well made.

My sister and I were really excited to come here, but unfortunately, the experience was incredibly…read moredisappointing. We waited 15 minutes outside in the cold, where Taylor, the same hostess who later seated us, added us to the waitlist and then asked us to leave because there was "no standing room." After 30 more minutes, we finally received the text to come in. When we returned, Taylor didn't acknowledge us and told us to go to the back of the line. After showing her our text, she seated us. We noticed two open seats at the bar and asked if we could sit there. She said the bar was first come, first serve..yet moments later, she seated two walk-ins who had been behind us in line at those exact seats. The inconsistency and lack of hospitality made us feel completely disrespected. We were excited to finally get in, but ultimately decided to leave. Such a bummer!!

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!

Viridian on Broadway Uptown, one of the most awarded bars in the country and it earns every…read moremention. Esquire best bar, World's 50 Best Discovery, Tales of the Cocktail nominated year after year. Got the Tomato Beef which is their signature, savory and bright and not what you expect from a cocktail, in a good way. Soy Sauce Old Fashioned is the move if you want to understand what they're doing here. Umami tots with chili crisp sour cream disappeared immediately, Szechuan salt and pepper wings were the best version of that dish ive had in Oakland. The whole room feels like a Wong Kar-wai film set which sounds like marketing until you're actually sitting inside it. Get there before the line on weekends, worth every minute either way

I've gone four times and each time it's been soooo hard to pick a responsible number of cocktails…read more They have so much variety and a lot of unconventional combos; the staff is very good about helping guide you to something that matches your preferences, but everything I've tried there was really good. The bites are generally really good too, though I wasn't a huge fan of the chili cucumbers. Try the Tomato Beef cocktail-- it's really yummy! The Li Hing Ramos is a good go-to if you like egg white drinks, and the seasonal milk punch has always been good. The ambiance is very cool, not bright inside, but bright colors, very hip. Great date night spot.

The driiiiinkkksss omg. So yummy. The bartender paid such great attention to detail when making our…read moredrinks for happy hour. These were the best mixed cocktails ive had in a really long time. The wings were cooked to perfection and service was good. Im for sure going back for happy hour!

Nope. My friend and I stopped in here before heading out to dinner, and honestly, there was nothing…read moreredeeming about this place. The vibes were off, as the kids say, and the service was absolute trash. We were down in the lounge area, but no one came by, so we assumed we had to go to the bar to order, where it took forever to get the bartender's attention, who then barked that someone would be by and to stay in the lounge. Eventually, we ordered drinks, which were complete trash, and then we had to go find someone to actually pay. Also, the music is so loud that it's impossible to hear anyone. Lastly, since when is showing up to a club/lounge in yoga pants and workout shorts a lounge look?

While staying in downtown Oakland, I was looking for a bar to go to after a concert on a Sunday and…read morefound Little Bird Bar! It was within walking distance from my hotel and was still open until 2 a.m. which was perfect. We sat at the bar and ordered a draft beer and a Red Bull vodka with a splash of cranberry. Both drinks came with a cute little rubber duck inside, which was such a fun touch! The bartender was really nice and talkative, and the drinks were reasonably priced... not crazy expensive at all. We had a couple of drinks, hung out for a bit, and then headed back to the hotel for the night. If you're in the area, definitely check out Little Bird Bar! It's a cute spot with friendly service, fun drinks, and great late night hours. I'll definitely be back if I'm ever in Oakland again!

Drinks here are smooth and delicious! We ordered a flight to Oaxaca, suffering bastard, whiskey…read morejack, and a passionfruit drink that the bartender made on the fly for mex Everything was so good! No notes here- loved suffering bastard (more refreshing, ginger forward), and the whiskey jack (smooth, complex), the flight to Oaxaca was spicy and delicious too. Will definitely be back- recommend others to try!

Wow. This place has it all! Such a cool vibe, great music, drinks. The happy hour is absolutely…read moreworth it and get just a scoop of ice cream for dessert to finish it off - you will be so amazed by how creamy it is. Can't wait to come back!

I came here because of the high ratings and was excited to try it before my flight home…read more Unfortunately, the experience was a major disappointment. The space itself is attractive, with festive music and a lively atmosphere. It looks and feels like it should be a fun place to eat. I started with a Pisco sour, which was okay. Then I ordered the pulpo a la parrilla. The octopus seemed practically raw when it arrived. I sent it back, and when it returned it was incredibly chewy and still inedible. I'm not sure if the chef was having an off night, but something was clearly wrong with the preparation. I switched to the Costillas de Chancho, BBQ pork spare ribs with mashed sweet potatoes. The plate arrived with the mashed sweet potatoes literally steaming, in a way that made them seem freshly microwaved. The waitress tried to explain that the steam was from frying the ribs, which didn't really make sense, especially since the steam was clearly coming from the potatoes. Why are BBQ ribs being fried anyway? The ribs were also extremely chewy, and the mashed sweet potatoes were bland with almost no seasoning. The waitress had specifically asked about allergies or food preferences, and I told her I didn't like onions. The replacement dish then arrived completely covered in onions. Why ask if you're going to ignore the answer? Service wasn't great either. I had to take silverware from another table because I wasn't given any, the waitress wasn't particularly attentive, and the hostess seemed like she didn't want to be there. Then, to top it all off, the check had a 3% "operations fee" added to it. I didn't see this disclosed anywhere beforehand. Adding an unexplained fee at the end of an already disappointing meal just left an even worse impression. Nice-looking space and festive atmosphere, but unfortunately that's about where the positives ended for me. Two poorly prepared dishes, inattentive service, and a surprise fee on the check. I had high expectations based on the reviews, but I would not come back.

Honestly, this is one of the better bars in Oakland. They have decently priced drinks, good djs, a…read morelot of space to dance and mingle, and an entire back patio with a photobooth. I think the back patio might be more spacious than inside. It's a great usage of space with plenty of space heaters and plenty of seats and tables. The security and staff are pretty typical for what you come across bars, but, overall, I had a great time and experience! There's also a ton of seating room inside and doesn't feel too crowded or compact. Definitely will be coming back!

I visited a few weeks ago for the first time, and unfortunately, my experience started off on a…read morenegative note. After arriving, one security guard checked my ID and directed me inside. As I was walking in, I briefly stopped after recognizing someone I knew. At that point, another security guard began yelling at me and then grabbed me forcefully to move me along. I understand that security staff have a job to do and need to keep entrances and walkways clear. However, the way the situation was handled felt completely unnecessary. I was not causing a disturbance, and there was no reason for physical contact. Being grabbed so aggressively was uncomfortable and unprofessional. I hope management addresses this issue and speaks with the security staff about appropriate ways to interact with guests. First impressions matter, and this interaction immediately impacted my experience.

Love this spot! The back patio is great - super spacious, cool lighting, randomly feels like…read moreChristmas hahaha. They have cocktails, mocktails, beer/shot combos (including one with a High Noon! which I'm into, haha). No food served but outside food allowed! Dogs allowed too - lol there was some guy's dog there last time I went. The bartenders are super friendly and take good care of us whenever we go. Good vibes and friendly service. Come through and support your neighborhood bar!

I came here with a group of friends for a night out in the East Bay. We hit up this bar for a round…read moreof slushies after pregame at my friend's apartment. I got the Blue Hawaiian, a yummy classic, and it did not disappoint. Despite the cold front over the Bay Area this weekend, I instantly felt as if I'd teleported to Hawai'i. Service is pretty quick here, but they do have a minimum credit charge of $10. It's pretty easy to reach though if you order a cocktail or slushie.

What a cool and quirky place! Came here early on a weekend night and there was plenty of seating…read more You're able to bring outside food in, which was really nice. The patio in the back is so cute but very limited seating. Staff were very kind and patient. I was recommended the Dear Irene's and it was the best thing I've ever had. I can't wait to go back!

Stopped in to try a drink because I'd read that this was one of the best bars in Oakland. I tried…read morean old fashioned and it was pretty good. I enjoyed the open air seating area in the back and the overall vibe was good. I went solo, struck up conversation with strangers, and enjoyed my drink.

Intriguing shoppe with unique items to explore. Plus a chill spa e to hang and enjoy a cup of chia…read more Worth a visit.

Always enjoy checking out this spot when in Temescal primarily for the cool/relaxed vibes and…read moreassortment of offerings in the shop. There is a small but might set of records; primarily Jazz, African and some R&B available for purchase. Especially like the album listening area and have picked up at least one album over my last two visits.