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!

Great place to hang out with other people! Also it's right near Mac Arthur Bart which is…read moreinteresting. Haven't been here since 2023, but there might be a way of going back to this bar. I heard about this place in 2010. The drinks are sorta affordable and good.

Great dive. I always have fun here and chop it up with folks of all walks of life. Could be a…read moreretired lawyer or a pro skater or a Norte metal head.

This is an old time dive bar. It is one of the oldest bars in Oakland but draws an eclectic group…read moreof customers from all walks of life.

Friendly neighborhood bar near Jack London Square. The inside is a visual feast for the eyes…read morecompete with pool table and stripper pole. What else could you ask for in a bar? Very nice atmosphere. Dark and cozy with high ceilings and many decorations on the walls to feast your eyes on. Some bumper stickers, a stuffed life like looking rabbit head with horns - and I could go on and on. Service was friendly and prompt and overall a great experience. Drinks are reasonable in price too.

This cozy little bar in downtown Oakland, just off Lake Merritt, hosts an eclectic mix of people…read morefrom all walks of life and backgrounds. What brings them together is the Clown Car Community and a shared passion for open-mic comedy on Sunday evenings. The atmosphere is welcoming, inclusive, and full of character. Let's go...COO-COO!

You should check out The Ruby Room if you like drinking. This might get crowded and close be…read moreprepared for that. Occasionally there are DJ's playing music here. Right next to The Main Library on 14th!

Great dive bar. Good service, good prices. Cool old school…read morevibe. 1000% better than Merchants

Perfect neighborhood five bar. Great bartenders, excellent cocktails, good selection of draft…read morebeers, very unpretentious - what more could you ever want in a neighborhood place?

I feel like a lot of my recent reviews have consisted on "how have I not known this is here", and…read morewelp, here's another one! I truly had no idea 19th Street Station (bar, not Bart) was and has been located on 19th street for quite some time...say what! The things you learn.. Filled with tons of Oakland artifacts and odes to all the Oakland sports teams (I know, tear shed), this spot is truly a unique gem and not so much off-the-beaten-path...but maybe more so a "if ya know, ya know" local hang bar. Upon entering, it felt like you could cozy up to the bar and truly chat about anything with other locals. Such a nice feeling and something truly amiss with other bars and sports bars these days. Service was quick, and the people were so kind. I think the bartender may have been the owner, and seemed so happy to be there sharing stories of the neighborhood. If/when I'm back in the area, I will for sure be on the lookout and come thru. Street parking available. Looks like you can bring your own food in with a new hot dog spot next door (Winky Dinky Dogs).

Love this bar. Roy is a delight and stepping into the bar feels like a bit of a time capsule of the…read moreMidwest mixed with California. Can bring your own food, food is often offered, people are nice, sportsball on the screens but it's no obligation to pay attention. Can't say how happy I am that I found this place.

This bar is a staple of the Oakland bar scene. It sits near the Temescal Neighbourhood and has been…read morethere for a zillion years. It's a classic dive bar and the clientele is true. Working class Oakland. The drinks are affordable and the service is decent, the ambience is OK but nothing spectacular. Be careful when parking in the neighborhood because lots of cars have recently been broken into.

We came here for the World Cup soccer game with a large group and had a blast!…read more The drinks and environment is second to none, we will definitely be coming back. The service was friendly and fast!

* F*king awesome vibes, there's so many cool stickers, posters, art and general old school saloon…read morevibes **Great options of drinks, beers and spirits. The staff are fun and interactive, and the cocktails are well done even in dive bar standards *** Piano night is sooo much fun ****Theres always something new to experience every time you stop by *****One of the fundamental Oakland feel vibe bars I'd recommend

LOVE The Alley. So last week after Michael & I went to the Grand Lake Tuesday $6 Disclosure Day…read more4pm show, & as usual, the spirits were calling us over. To supply a cushion to rest our booze on we ordered a snack of hand cut thick potato wedges aka fries. Well not to be too critical they were what we ordered..hand cut potatos & they were fried....however these had to be the least crunchy/crispy & most mushy/soft..."you call these FRIES??" ever. We ate some to do the job for which they were intended...absorb ETOH...after loaded with ketchup & I do mean loaded as the squeeze top came off when Michael squeezed..Oops! Bartender guy apologized for that & then later (& fries unfinished) after letting him know how subpar they were @ $12.00!! for maybe 2 potatoes worth of stuff ...he gave us a decent break on their cost... 50% off ADVICE!...get the 1/2 lb. burger for a couple of bucks more we still love you Alley but consider a change for those spuds

Heinold's is one of my favorite places in Oakland…read more Steeped in history, it somehow manages to be both a serious old-school watering hole and wonderfully kitschy at the same time. The bartenders are fun and lively while still knowing their way around their drinks, the outdoor patio is a great place to hang out, and the whole place has the kind of character you just can't manufacture. A true Oakland institution!

Nice chill spot along the waterfront. Outdoor seating and some indoor seating. The bar is slanted…read moreso be aware. Its on purpose though lol.

I absolutely love this place. It was my first time visiting. I will definitely be back. It's a cool…read morekick back vibe. A nicely decorated intimate lounge and great for dates or a night out with friends. The staff is welcoming and waiting time for drinks is minimal. I not sure if they sell food. I'll have to check that out next time.

Super chill, casual bar with great vibes!…read more Came here on a Monday evening, and the place had a good amount of people hanging out. Loved that there were lots of seating-bar seating, high tops, and cushioned booths in the back. Good music (D'Angelo, Fugees, Tupac...) which was at a perfect volume, so nobody was yelling! The string lights made for a warm, very comfortable vibe. Our martinis were perfectly chilled and delicious. There's a self serve water dispenser next to the bar, which is always nice. No food, so don't come hungry. They have a cute DJ booth, and looks like they have occasional DJ sets that are posted on their IG-Might be fun to check out! Really glad that we stopped by this place, and will definitely be back. Great way to close off a 3 day weekend!