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    Swell Bar

    4.1 (73 reviews)
    InexpensiveBars
    Open 2:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    Swell Bar Photos

    Business Info

    SWELL BAR ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Swell Bar

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    Reviews With Photos

    Darts on Tuesday
    Amy S.

    I like the upgrade. It feels more open and there is more space to move around. There is One extra dart board and easier access to outside. They have darts to borrow at the bar. When we arrived a situation had gone down and everyone left in the place was tense. We left after one round since the recap of what happened earlier took a turn. Not sure I'm looking forward to going back. Service was good it was the folks in the bar that seemed like they should have been cut off. They do not serve food but there is a convenience store next Door if you need snacks.

    Their ceiling!
    Joyce T.

    An intimate bar with bar seating and a couple of table/booth seats. Super friendly bartender that even made a pretty good Margarita drink. There are a couple of side benches outside in the back in the patio area. Friendly patrons.

    Nathalie P.

    Definitely a cute neighborhood divey bar and that's why we love it! I always bump into people I've seen before and everyone is super sweet. Drinks are good, not too expensive and strong and you can bring outside food if you'd like. They usually have some kind of celebration as well, someone's birthday, a little party. It's cute and I'm glad it's in my neighborhood!

    Saturday night at Swell with fabulous DJ!

    Gabe, the owner, has created much more than a bar. He includes art nights, karaoke, wellness nights and great DJ's. I love to dance and have found a wonderful safe bar to enjoy. Oh sports too!!

    The bar!

    I really like the Swell Bar. I went there a few weeks ago with my partner and his brother. We got a warm welcome and had a couple rounds of cocktails. I like that they have a darts section and an outdoor area. That's super nice. The space overall is nice, but the bar area was full so we sat at a high table in the middle of the bar. What's neat is this is really a neighborhood bar - one which I wish I had next to my house! It's not on Park Street - so you have to choose to go there or live nearby, which I like. I'd probably go 5 stars with a few more visits - want to try out the darts and come in the daytime to try the outdoor area. Overall though, worth a stop if you are in the neighborhood.

    Nice Friendly Service, Chill, great service Good prices, Definitely coming back for a couple of drinks, Trevor has a good vibe!!

    r.e.m. zZz

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    3 months ago

    Amazing drinks and amazing staff! Great setting inside with tons of fun bar games definitely a staple in alameda!

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    3 months ago

    Awesome friendly place. Great place to watch a game and hang with some good people. Friendly staff, and good drinks at a reasonable price

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    4 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    3 years ago

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    8 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    Great local bar in Alameda. Good soot for a small private event. Ownership is very nice.

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    2 years ago

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    8 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    8 months ago

    pleasant place to hang out and welcoming. good service from the bartenders and drinks

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    3 years ago

    Business owner information

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    Chris T.

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

    Small, cozy local pub with outdoor seating. Service is excellent and the drinks are good.

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

    So for a place that gives off dive bar vibes it has the cleanest bathroom I have ever seen at a bar ever

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Great vibe. Loved the employees and atmosphere. Has the COOLEST CLOUD CEILING. loved it

    Business owner information

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    Chris T.

    Thank you so much Edeth! We look forward to seeing you again soon!

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    3 years ago

    It is a cozy place with Friendly local crowd. Great bar tenders, nice dart board setup for practice.. cheers

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    Chris T.

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    4 years ago

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    Chris T.

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    3 years ago

    Love the bartender Crystal!!! Very fun chill ocean vibes! Great drinks and people too

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    6 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Swell Bar

    Is there bicycle parking nearby or in the bar?

    You can chain it up outside or they don't mind if you bring it inside.

    View All 2 Questions

    Review Highlights - Swell Bar

    Great place to watch a game and hang with some good people.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Forbidden Island - Full view of the bar at opening time

    Forbidden Island

    4.2(1.6k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Forbidden Island is one of those rare neighborhood gems that somehow manages to feel both special…read moreand effortlessly welcoming. It's a longtime local favorite of mine and my go-to spot for meeting up with friends--equal parts escape and comfort. The cocktail menu is impressively deep, full of beautifully crafted, fancy tiki drinks that practically beg to be explored, and so far every single one I've tried has been delicious (dangerously so). Inside, the bar nails the classic tiki vibe--warm, immersive, and transportive--while the outdoor patio offers a lovely, relaxed option with plenty of extra seating on warm days. It's the kind of place where you can linger, laugh, and lose track of time. The staff deserve a special shout-out: genuinely friendly, attentive, and accommodating, which only adds to the overall experience. A quick pro tip: if you're planning to stop by during popular after-work hours, definitely make a reservation--it fills up for good reason. The food menu is on the smaller side, but the bites are tasty and thoughtfully done, perfect for sharing alongside a round (or two) of cocktails. All in all, Forbidden Island is a standout spot that keeps me coming back again and again.

    Forbidden Island is a usual pitstop for us after the Antique Fair in Alameda. The drinks are solid…read moreand the interior decor is fun, but fall short of its neighbors in the surrounding area. It's got a hybrid dive bar with dollar bills on the ceiling, mixed with Tiki. I have tried the Grog, Rum Barrel, and Sunday Special, all of which were solid, but not out of this world.

    Photos
    Forbidden Island - Outside patio area

    Outside patio area

    Forbidden Island - More of the atmosphere of the forbidden island, and I love all the money hanging from the ceiling

    More of the atmosphere of the forbidden island, and I love all the money hanging from the ceiling

    Forbidden Island - The two mugs that they have available. The mug on the left is a special edition mug and $150. The mug on the right is $40.

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    The two mugs that they have available. The mug on the left is a special edition mug and $150. The mug on the right is $40.

    Faction Brewing - Massive sign

    Faction Brewing

    4.3(732 reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$

    Having had Faction beers for many years, we've always wanted to get over to the brewery and check…read moreit out - and finally we had the chance. Wonderful place. Amazing view outside. We had the dogs so we had to sit outside (dogs are not allowed inside the venue) and it was packed but we managed to share a table with a single person. Dogs loved it. We had some great beers. Area is also great because of the distance of the three breweries right there. I put Bay Area or even Northern California breweries up against any region in the US. I firmly believe we have the best breweries quality-wise of anywhere. They had the flea market going while we were here which was kind of funny to me because most of the sellers had the same thing but it's nice to have and this is a perfect place for it. Parking was kind of crowded but that's to be expected with a popular place like this. Definitely one of the best physical breweries to go to in the Bay Area and great beer here.

    Honestly didn't know what to expect from this brewery but was excited for the view of the city…read more The location honestly is perfect with it being a little hidden so it wasn't overly busy. They have some great beer options as well as have (had) an area with some food that smelled great (just came from breakfast so didn't eat). Definitely would go back to try the food.

    Photos
    Faction Brewing - Penske Files pale ale.

    Penske Files pale ale.

    Faction Brewing - Outdoor seating

    Outdoor seating

    Faction Brewing - Birria Nachos - 3.5/5 (LA SANTA TORTA food truck)

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    Birria Nachos - 3.5/5 (LA SANTA TORTA food truck)

    Swell Bar - bars - Updated May 2026

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