Came here when visiting some friends. Super cute spot, great ambiance. You order at the bar and then the food comes to where you are seated. The food was decent for hot dogs. They were very inventive and creative so if you got something with lots of flavor you could get past the blandness of the actual hot dog. Drinks were great, especially the basic martinis. Only the lychee martini did not taste like a martini. Tasted great but not like any lychee martini I've had (and I have had a lot). read more

Tall Boy has quickly become my new favorite bar spot. The drinks are solid, the music is always good, and the whole vibe just feels easy and fun. The staff are super friendly and make you feel at home right away. It's the kind of place where you can start the night with friends, post up for a chill drink, or just slide in solo and still feel comfortable. Every time I've been, the energy has been right without trying too hard. Oakland has plenty of bars but Tall Boy already feels like a go to. read more

Tallboy - Bar area - Dive Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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We came to Tallboy on Thanksgiving Eve and somehow landed in the perfect version of the place. A live jazz band, the smell of nutmeg hanging in the air, and a room that felt cozy and refined with just a hint of dive. The kind of atmosphere that makes you immediately relax and want to stay for one more round. Tallboy is a martini bar, and the drinks are excellent. Thoughtful, well-executed, and serious without being precious. For cocktails of this caliber, the pricing feels more than fair. About $14, which in the bay and for these drinks, is a gift. Then there is the food. The hot dog menu from Lion Dance is straight fire. Unexpected, craveable, and exactly what you want alongside a strong martini. It works in a way that feels obvious once you are eating it. Tallboy nails the balance. Great drinks, great food, great vibe. It feels special without trying too hard, and that is rare. I am recommending this place to everyone. read more

First time? There's no signs to tell you to order at the counter so find a menu and order with the bartender. Wait for drinks at the bar and seat yourself anywhere. There's free popcorn in the back too, go heavier on the seasoning cuz they're pretty light. Note: water station at the bar and napkins by the popcorn. Drinks: Banana Hammock: 5/5 there's a reason there's a limit of 2 per person! It is strong! But they set it on fire and it tastes good too! Lion dancing dog: 4/5 solid hot dog and the topping went well with it. Vibe: it was super cozy earlier in the night with jazz and the Christmas decor. They started playing louder music later when more people came and we were right under the speaker. Great for dates, meeting friends, or going with coworkers. read more

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even on a monday night, this place was bustling. tallboy has such good energy and ambience -- dim lighting, loud music, and constant conversations. upon entering, it was kinda confusing at first if we were supposed to get seated (as there were workers bringing around food orders?) but it seems like you can seat yourself & you just go up to the big bar area to place your order. we got the - lychee martini (im not a fan of mezcal but if u are, this would be up your alley) - melon drop (another version of a midori sour? i enjoyed!) - green tea jello shots (was very cute but i prob wouldnt get again) - line cook (a modelito and a well shot) theres also free popcorn in the back so we snacked on that as well! overall, can see this being a fun, solid place for any type of occassion and will be back to try their slushies and their food (-: read more

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First time here. I came on a whim. I had no idea this restaurant/bar existed until a friend mentioned that their office holiday party is scheduled to be here I went on YELP and I looked at the menu ....Saw they have Lychee Martinis...say no more I am on my way!!! Venue has a lot of seating available Bar is the focal point. Bartenders are friendly and efficient Menu pretty cool Hot Dogs and Martinis what else do you need??!!! LOL Lychee Martini was very good, so good I had 2 (14$ each) Located on Temescal, Street parking only. This place is a vibe and I cant wait to come back and try other items read more

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Very cool "dive" bar in Temescal (I think it's much nicer than your typical dive bar...). Great vibe, super friendly and helpful and talented staff. The drinks were quite tasty (their house martini was strong and nicely flavored and the carrot/honey mocktail was very flavorful). The spicy house Chex mix was very tasty and salty with a nice spicy kick. Definitely want to come back to try more drinks and food (especially the famous vegan hot dogs!). read more

It breaks my heart to write this review as Tallboy is one of my beloved neighborhood bars that I frequent almost weekly. Amazing music, great vibes, food is delicious as well, and martinis are my favorite cocktail. However, I had an extremely unpleasant interaction with one of the bartenders. I approach the register to close out my tab. She asks for my name and I pull out the debit card I to show/tell her the name on there. Rolling her eyes, she says "I just need your name." I told her it's on the card I was attempting to hand her. And she goes "let me explain this to you. We ask you for a card to open a tab. You give us a card. We swipe it. And the name on that card is the one I was asking for." I then responded to her that I have two first names and wasn't sure which was on the card. Totally unnecessary attitude and the other bartenders were just laughing listening to this interaction?? Total vibe killer. Very sad that I will not be returning to Tallboy at least for a while as this experience left a bad taste in my mouth. read more

I came here during Halloweekend expecting a fun, social time, but honestly, it was kind of a letdown and I was happy to leave. They had live DJ's all night, and a couple of my friends who are DJ's were part of the lineup, so I went to support them. The night started early around 8pm on Saturday night. I ordered a cocktail and bar snack shortly after arriving. The drink was pretty inexpensive for the Bay Area, but it wasn't very good. The pretzel tasted like a frozen pretzel that had been microwaved, definitely not freshly made. Later, I bought a couple friends and myself a round of jell-o shots, which were cheap but watered down. None of us felt any type of buzz from them, as they tasted like barely any alcohol had been added. While the energy overall was high due to the live music, the dance floor was a tiny triangle section of the bar with barely enough space for anyone but the rotating lineup of DJ's to dance. The wrap-around cocktail bar itself takes up the majority of the space situated in the center of the venue. Most people were coupled up and only talking to each other, while the rest of the guests were seated in small groups at adjacent tables. I've never felt so isolated in a crowd on the biggest party weekend of the year. read more

Tallboy - martiña colada - Dive Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Vegan dogs and delicious cocktails? Say less!! Friendly bartenders, stunning and yummy cocktails and enticing vegan hotdogs!! Chill vibe Must visit if you're in the Oakland area! read more

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I've heard this spot is known for their martinis which did not disappoint, the staff is friendly and made it a point to acknowledge me at the bar. Much appreciated! read more

Tallboy - Dive Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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This was a happy accident. Jamie W and I were traipsing through Koreatown Northgate and in the mood for espresso martinis (shocker, I know). Not knowing what would be within proximity. I actually typed 'espresso martini' in Google Maps and found this spot on Telegraph at 42nd. We didn't know it existed but apparently it's been open since May. There's just something about a horseshoe-shaped bar that automatically draws us in. Now we probably increased the median age of the customers exponentially, but the chill ambiance didn't make us look too conspicuous by our presence. We were kinda thrilled with the all-martini menu, including the tropical Martina Coladas (photo: https://yelp.to/o7gumV2u8s), but ironically their $12 Espresso Martini came in the form of a slushie. Funny thing is we happen to love slushies. We thought it could be kismet because it arrived with a mountainous swirl of whipped cream. The deceptively desserty libation made us feel like we were in an alcohol-drenched version of Serendipity (photo: https://yelp.to/dNWYOqUi3L). In fact, we were so enamored with our libations that we perused their hot dog menu and decided to split the $9 Classic (Gross Pointe Blank). We thought the brioche bun and spicy brown mustard overwhelmed the frank (photo: https://yelp.to/yxTVcymLTr). No big as they had us with the slushie. Yeah, we'll be back. COCKTAILS - 4 stars...an espresso martini slushie is wonderful concoction...so are the other martinis FOOD - 3 stars...hot dog needs work AMBIANCE - 4 stars...spacious and not overly loud in the afternoon SERVICE - 4 stars...well staffed and quite professional TOTAL - 4 stars...great find in Temescal RELATED - Exploring Oakland? Here's my collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2ObVcpQ read more

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I've tried coming to Tallboy three times, and each time it's been completely packed. There's rarely any space, and it can be hard to even get a drink. If you want to go, you really need to arrive right when they open. The vibe is fun once you're in, but getting in can be a challenge. read more

From the acclaimed culinary duo Shane and Marie of former Lion Dance Cafe acclaim, you can expect a menu of bangers, which they easily deliver in a slim volume of approachable eats. Emphasizing the unexpected glizzy, everything is plant based (except for jello shots), offering an effortless gateway into meatless meals for otherwise unaware omnivores. Impossible dogs are at the base of each composition, convincingly spiced like the genuine article, further disguised by the battery of bold, inventive, if not downright whimsical toppings. Soft, buttery, sesame-speckled buns cradle each savory creation. The Deli Dog appeals to classic sensibilities with a complete garden of pickled vegetables and a lavish drizzle of spicy brown mustard forming a tidy mountain on top. For more adventurous tastes, the Lion Dancing Dog is a must, as the namesake creation of this power couple. Sambal mayo sings alongside crisp cucumbers and crunchy fried shallots. Don't discount the Cheese In The Trap, fusing funky fermented kimchi with gooey, slightly sticky American cheese. It's a veritable and literal melting pot of flavors, as dog intended. Martinis are highly recommended, as you have an expansive list of flavors and styles to chose from, though far from the only option. The entire cocktail program is robust, thoughtfully curated to appeal to every possible taste with a creative twist. Cocktails are equally well crafted for our sober friends who deserve more than a watered-down compromise. Hot dogs and martinis are the new power couple. Like salt and pepper, peanut butter and jelly, coffee and cream, they belong together, no matter what anyone else says. It's not that serious and a night on the town shouldn't be either. Tallboy is the relief we need from being a straight-laced, responsibility-laden adult for just a minute, while still being able to imbibe like one. read more

This place is great! The drinks are delicious and very affordable. Service can be a little slow at times but that's completely understandable since it's usually packed. Making drinks for a crowd takes time and the staff always does their best. The people who come here are super friendly which adds to the welcoming, cozy vibe of the place. It's the kind of spot where you instantly feel comfortable. If you love a good martini this is definitely a place you should check out. read more

We had a group of people here for happy hour and it was a good time. I loved Lion Dance's food (they provide some of the food), though I focused on drinks at Tallboy. The tallboy martini was bitter and I liked it that way though was too boozy for a few others. I also liked the wine selection - the pet nat is easy to drink. read more

Tallboy - Dive Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

The vegan hotdogs were really amazing! My favorite was the one that was similar to our Chicago dog. I also liked the chili one. Will definitely come back for more hotdogs!! read more

Everything is top notch here, and we're grateful. It gets busy and you need to be attentive to get a seat, but the trouble is worth it. Great drinks, amazingly efficient bartenders, good music, and good vibes. Even the food options are nice, reasonably priced, and well prepared. I'm a fan. read more

Tallboy opened in Hawk & Pony's long vacated space. Totally furbished to a glam, stylish "dive bar". Not much seating. Expect to stand when it's packed. Bites: dogs & sides. Imbibes: martinis, beers, slushies, cocktails, wines, non alcoholic drinks, craft cheekies, jello shots Sips: sous chef (8) well shot + 16 oz. Miller's high life. -gordon's gin, my fav traditional gin, easy sipping -Miller's: an old time favorite Nibbles: peanuts (7) -Lion's Dance special mix of roasted peanuts, markut lime leaves, aromatics, Tientsin chiles... -very addictive, slightly spicy, smooth tasty yummies Lion Dancing Dog (14) -wrapped on soft potato style soft bun with impossible beef dog garnished with sambal mayo, peanuts, cilantro, fried shallots, lime, cucumbers, soy pickled chilies. -flavas meshed as single unami unit, great comfort food for a light snack.. read more

Tallboy - Lion dancing dog L. (14) sous chef (8 center), peanuts (7 right) - Dive Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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Fantastic cocktails in a nice setting. Very conducive for a fun evening, providing you brought the right people. We really enjoyed it here. read more

Tallboy - Dive Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Wow. What a gem. I popped in on a Friday night and was able to snag the last two seats in the whole place at the bar. The space has nice backlighting and the music was loud and upbeat, but not so much so that I couldn't have a conversation. I was greeted nearly instantly by the bartender and put in an order for a dirty martini and a deli dog. The martini was well balanced although I think I prefer my dirty martinis stirred as there was a bit of ice floating at the top. The dog was delicious with just the right amount of salt and acidity wrapped up in a slightly toasted bun. This is a great spot to start or end the night. I will definitely be back. read more

Tallboy - Dive Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

I love this place. Martinis are great, and there's a good selection of other drinks including draft beer (which is often my go-to) and mocktails. So many vegan hot dog options; I plan on eventually trying them all. Lots of other vegan choices too, all of which are definitely going to appeal to anyone, whether they are plant-based or not. Pro tip: the Lion Dance Cafe peanuts are not to be missed; make sure to get them for the table when you order your drinks. Nice atmosphere with a mixed crowd. (That's code for me saying I didn't feel weird being there as someone who is, uh, kind of on the older side) Service is fast and friendly. read more

One of Oakland bar scene's latest additions, this place is about to hit their one year! Hidden in plain sight on Telegraph by all the Korean gems in Temescal, with no notable signage from the street. On a weekend night you can expect to hear the busy crowd from the street, with Dave saying hello at the door! Extensive menu with just about a little something for everyone: yummy cocktails, a million martinis, jello shots, and crowd favorite slushies (espresso martini with CREAM). Prices are super fair, and their food menu (kitchen cut off at 11:30 PM) is made by the beloved vegan Lion Dance Cafe that recently closed. Orders are walk up at the horseshoe bar, flag down the bartender closest to you (can get difficult on busy nights). Same process for closing out your tab - make sure you have cash or a physical card as they don't take apple pay quite yet. Sometimes they have DJ nights or other special events - updates on their Instagram!! Bonus: there's free popcorn in the back right by the bathrooms (: read more

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We came around 6 and the place was already busy. You can only order at the bar for drinks and food so we hung at the bar for a little until we were able to snag a table. The bartenders were attentive and quick especially the one with long hair and gave the drinks and shake. I can't remember his name but he's awesome. The drinks were delicious. We had the lychee martini, the Tallboy and game, blouses. Plus the free popcorn in the back. We also had the deli dog, chips and dip and peanuts. Trying to soak up all the alcohol lol. The deli dog was pretty good. As it got later the crowd picked up. I look forward to coming back here! read more

Tallboy - Lychee martini and Tallboy - Dive Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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Came here on a Friday night. The place is really cute and has a great aesthetic. Seating is based on a first come, first serve basis, even for the tables surrounding the bar. Warning, there were several tables that were just being held by one person waiting for the rest of their party, so would highly recommend doing that or getting here early if you don't want to wait for half an hour to sit. (Which we did.) Also I want to say 95% of the staff is just at the bar, which makes sense. They all seemed friendly. Didn't try the food but the espresso martinis were actually a slushy which was cool! Also the prices were a little bit lower than I was expecting based off the ambiance of this place. Overall really good, just wish there was a better arrangement for the seating. read more

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Tallboy is a great bar to catch up with your friends or just to go to for a casual drink. It is really beautiful inside. The bartenders make great strong drinks. They offer a great food selection, and provide popcorn in the back for free. My favorite drink from here would have to be the espresso martini slushie. read more

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I don't hang out in bars much since I don't really drink, but this bar had enough interesting NA cocktails to warrant a visit - and they were great! Not just an afterthought, homemade ginger syrup... The other draw was the vegan hot dog and all vegan menu. I'm not even vegan, but when there's a Detroit-style Coney dog on a menu, I'm trying it. Was impressed with all the food - we got a wedge salad, Chilly dog, Cheese in the Trap dog (with kimchi), and the Frito pie. Solid spot and looks like they have an amazing regular cocktail menu too! read more

Tallboy - Chili pie, wedge salad and Chilly Dog - Dive Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Visited around 3pm on a Friday afternoon with 4 other coworkers. The bar had a couple other groups but plenty of space at 3, as the afternoon progressed, definitely got busier and louder so plan accordingly. Drinks: Martina colada - delicious, a clarified Pina colada, pineapple forward with a bit of line and coconut, sweet but balanced, super tasty and drinkable Espresso martini slushy - delicious, like a coffee slushy with a hint of booze, definitely more of a dessert cocktail, non-dairy whipped cream added creamy richness, really enjoyed Food: Corn Gratin - okay, this is vegan so keep that in mind, was a bit bland and could have used a bit more cheese and seasoning overall Olives - fine nothing special just a generous bowl of olives, these seemed packed in brine not oil Chorizo chex mix - again this is vegan keep that in mind, was mostly a blend of chex cereal and peanuts in a slightly spicy smoked paprika seasoning, wish this was a bit more savory with more snack variety like pretzels and bread stick or crouton pieces Service was fine, bartenders were pretty efficient taking orders but preparing drinks took a bit of time which is totally understandable. Overall fun new cocktail bar with an emphasis on martinis. The food was pretty lackluster so would probably skip given there are so many options in Temescal. Bar gets pretty loud so keep that in mind but definitely worth a visit for drinks. read more

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Good drinks but the service leaves much to be desired. Idk if it's the orientation of the tables but it can get pretty crowded and hard to get around the U bar at night. They have booths, bar seating, and tables. It felt a little like the wild Wild West trying to wrangle chairs for the tables. There is a private room on the right hand side with built in seats. I've come here 3 different times and it's always busy whether it's 4pm, 6pm or 10pm. Coming early before dinner time seems to be the sweet spot. Frozen Espresso martini - 9/10 George Clinton - fruity tiki drink 10/10 Martiña Colada - 7/10, a bit too sweet for me Apple martini -10/10 Lychee martini - 8/10 Pretty privilege- 10/10 I love a strong sweet and sour bourbon drink They do sell food but I haven't tried it yet. They have a popcorn machine in the front with seasonings for snacking. read more

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Came here for the vibes, left a fan. Me and my friend checked out Tallboy, one of the newest bars in Temescal. From the super spacious interior to the creative cocktails, as well as the friendly bartenders, this spot is truly a gem. My favorite drink was definitely the espresso martini. It's a slushy version with vegan whip cream on top, which is basically an adult desert. It was so good. I followed that up with a dirty martini, which seemed to be a crowd pleasure because almost everyone around me had it. It was definitely a new drink for me since I usually like my drinks a bit on the sweeter side but the olive cut through the vodka quite nicely. It did get pretty packed on a Saturday afternoon so be a little patient with the bartenders. Oh yes and tip! read more

Tallboy - Dirty Marini - Dive Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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Ambiance is chill, but it can get loud there. Service is as expected. I didn't try the food, but I heard it's good. Drinks are priced very reasonably. You can take anyone here who's old enough to drink. It's a nice place and it's friendly. read more

Tallboy - Tall Boy Martini and Lychee Martini - Dive Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Exploring Oakland for the first time and discovered Tallboy, a new "martini bar." (Note - Seen this great spot been categorized as a "dive bar," but can misrepresent Tallboy due to the lack of timeworn patinated furnishings and obvious patrons pickled from happy hour well drinks or PBRs. Perhaps "Nouveau dive" or "Neo dive" bar better fits this unique establishment.) Loved Tallboy on many levels and would recommend it for locals as well as others visiting the East Bay Area! Here's why: First, Tallboy offers a combination of fair priced craft cocktails, including low budget small craft shots called "Cheekies" and Jello shots, respectively $3 and $4, plus a range of reasonably priced vegan food. While I didn't select the eats, but noted the enticing gourmet vegan hotdogs the people next to me ordered, the comfort foods on ranged from a well decorated wedge salad to their own version of Chex Mix and Nissin Noodle Cups. The Tallboy team's curated offering addresses something special that I've not seen elsewhere, at least to that extent - a cocktail venue with attitude for those can enjoy "champagne tastes" yet something for people suffering a "beer budget" in these inflationary times. Their martini range start at $12 and caps at $16, but with a flight of assorted unique premade Cheekies setting you back only $9... you can still have some fun. Second, Tallboy's craft cocktails taste fantastic! Asked the bartender to recommend a main drink to try out. Note, I'm not a traditional martini person. He recommended at Lychee Martini. Although I've had that once in Hong Kong, this was their own recipe, with mezcal, their lychee mixture, lemon and fino sherry. WOW! Smokey delivering also those wonderful lychee notes. The only thing that could have topped that would have been decorated with one lychee! Then I ordered a CIA Cheekie of Cynar, bonded apple brandy, and Angostura. Also, WOW! About the space, Tallboy's U-shaped bar of freshly milled pine counter and dark stained lumber posts provides seating and occupies about 1/3 of the space. There are tables around for additional, more intimate seating. Definitely it has a style, yet it feels like it has just been "unboxed," so it would be interesting to see how it adjusts over time. Note, the nondescript storefront has been tagged. I'd make Tallboy a destination the next time I'm in the area, certainly to test out more on their menu. read more

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Such a fun addition to the neighborhood! Love the expansive menu - everything from amazing martinis, cocktails, shots, and beer. Loved the dirty martini and lychee martini. The dirty martini was so well balanced and lychee martini felt refreshing. Had the lion dance spicy hot dog with peanuts and it was so good! So glad the flavors of Lion Dance still continues on through this location. Super packed, but the wait wasn't too long- about a 10min wait to get in. Such a fun vibe and looking forward to coming back! read more

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Cute bar on telegraph! Fairly new! They had a bunch of martinis that my friend approved (I don't drink)! I had a mocktail that was delicious. I loved the self help popcorn station! Def recommend for dates or girls night read more

Went here for Valentine's Day/my bday. Sat in the back area where it was a bit more private. Delicious drinks and perfect bar food - had the frito pie and free popcorn! read more

Amazing drinks, great staff, and vegan baked pretzels!! Worth a trip to Oakland for a little snack and innovative cocktails.

This place has been on my to go list and finally found time to check it out. Arrived on a Friday eve around 330. A hunky nice looking lad was tending the bar and fell in love with the setup. There was two gals (customers) who arrived shy of me and were scanning the menu. Jordan the one I mentioned earlier greeted me and asked me how I was doing and welcome. Like whoa...that's awesome. He handed me the menus and serve me some h2o. I was tornes between two and went with the melon drop. I did get the chorizo chex mix which is great. Next time I will get a dog. Jordan is awesome!!!! read more

Tallboy - Dive Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

It's dimly light with a loud, lively vibe on a Saturday night! I highly recommend a cocktail and getting the hotdog with kimchi. It's pretty hardy and something new and fun. It is very hard to find a table so consider sitting at the bar. It's a great place to start the night have some drinks and they have free popcorn in the back. The overall lighting and decor is very cool. They have mocktails too! read more

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First time here and nice vibe. Crowded Sat night. Great drink and vegan deli dog. Music a bit loud for conversation with friends. read more

Yelp erroneously categorizes this as a dive bar. I assure you it is not despite the name. The Avenue up the street is a proper dive bar. The $15 martinis are delicious, tho, as well as the hot dogs. But these are SF prices in Oakland. c'mon. AMI (area median income) of Oakland residents is lower than SF. Things should be priced accordingly. Oakland hipsters don't make that much money. The suggested tip amounts start at 20%, then 22% and 25%. You're looking at a $20 cocktail in Oakland. (Of course, you're not obligated to give the suggested tip amount, only under pressure by the predominant tipping culture and employers setting low base wages for employees). read more