Wow - hard to believe some of the recent negative reviews, given I'm an Extremely Sensitive customer, and I've been treated with such care, respect and beyond-the-call-of-duty customer service, I just HAD to write something here. I tried to go to the cheaper route of Netflix, but Video Room gives Concierge service - Literally, they know me, my tastes, and have recommended movies that I never would have known about in any other way. Please give Video Room a chance: the staff is so knowledgeable, and with the mulitiple-movie card, it's almost as inexpensive, but ALOT more human, than Netflix. Give 'em a try! read more

I still find things i want there after twenty-five years. Not locked into current box office, though well stocked in such, but if you want a 1930s Rosalind Russell comedy, or a 1950s bad science fiction, or may Kurosawa, or even some John Wayne. They've got it. The shelves are oddly stocked (i love the fact that 'Eating Raoul' is in the cooking section); if you don't find it, ask. read more

This is one of the two video stores left in the East Bay. It's cheaper than streaming VOD and the selection is way way better. They have a huge selection of older movies, and many of them arranged by director. They have a lot of great foreign films as well. The staff varies, but I've liked them all, even the dude who has an attitude problem. Whatever. There's been at least one weirdo at every video store since they became a thing. read more

Update: I should have given this place 5 stars from the beginning. They are awesome. The owner shut down his own business in solidarity with the Oakland general strike. read more

The people who work here were very rude even though I paid the late fees that accumulated on my account. Very bad customer service. I would not be sad if this store went out of business. read more

video room makes me feel guilty as hell about netflixing. so I netflix AND go here even though we really have no need to. this place rules. best employees ever, cheap, easy parking, and they have an incredible selection of hard to find films. also, they even have film reference books by the counter to peruse (i.e. the best of the 70's films, etc.) before you make your final decision. I completely heart this place. you should too. read more

I haven't been to a video store in such a long time, and walking in I felt so happy. I don't know why I use only Netflix, I should be supporting places like this too. The staff were SUPER nice and friendly and knew a lot about movies. The selection is really well organized as well. I hope they stay open for forever...forever ever???Forever Ever. read more

Better than Blockbuster up the street. More *good selections and friendlier more regular and knowledgeable staff. Also they arrange some movies by director which is awesome. read more

the best video store i've ever been to! the guys there know me on a first-name basis and have become half the reason i love going there! TV on DVD selection is amazing. movies are organized according to directors. very helpful staff, great atmosphere, and they love dogs! GO HERE! if you're in oakland, looking for a great place to support, let this be the place. i hear they're slowly going under. blockbuster is right down the road. they need our support! read more

The only thing more you could ask of this place is lower rates. Their rates are reasonable, and their selection is excellent. The staff is very knowledgeable and can often be heard arguing whether Batman could beat Spiderman. That's when you know you've found a good video place. The person who said they "have an obnixious (sic) habit of calling when your movies are overdue" must have had VERY late movies. I've had lots of overdue movies and have never been called. read more

Netflix had failed to deliver Princess Mononoke in time for our day-long Miyazaki marathon so we had to find it locally. Our experience at Video Room was 100% positive. They were pleasant to deal with. When I called and they had the movie, they offered to set it aside for me. When I walked in, there the movie was waiting for me. The price was reasonable and the video disk was problem-free. They're conveniently located on Piedmont Ave (just down the street from my acupuncturist, so I was able to return the disk on the day I saw her). read more

it's been a while since I've been in a video rental boutique... it's as if they are on the endangered species list. my babe wanted to watch the newly released wolverine [redbox & on demand didn't have it out yet], called video room & they were nice enough to put it on hold. great service, good selection... & will return. read more

Love, love, love this store. Extensive Kung Fu section. Lots is shows on tv available, the traditional "cult/recommended" is great, and there's a "directors alley." sometime hard to fond a specific title but the fabulous staff is always helpful and kind. And non-judgemental on your choices ;) read more

A long time ago this was a chain store, but all that remains of those days is the tacky awning and some weird marque boards that are posted under the ceilings. What they have morphed into though is something wholly amazing, a small yet insanely comprehensive rental store with no connections and thus no objections to carrying whatever it is they please. The store takes a bit of time to truly reveal itself, but they do have maps posted, in case people need directions through the ever shifting ever growing assortment of titles. Easily the best argument against netflix if there ever was one. read more

Video room is great- not aware of any other video rental places in Oakland, but even if I was, video room would be my place of choice. The employees are all super knowledgable and helpful, and one in particular started to recognize me after a few months and recommends movies to me I always end up loving. Video room is a must for any film fanatics in the Bay Area. read more

Aww, Video Room, I have loved you. I moved away once (to Berkeley) and shacked up with Reel. But it was just a phase and I came back to you (and Oakland). You are everything that Reel is except less organized and... smaller. I left you again for Netflix after a few too many late returns, but Netflix wasn't always there for me like you were so I came back to you. Well, I didn't actually leave Netflix, but I started seeing you again on the side to supplement some lonely nights. Now I am moving away yet again, this time for good, and I haven't found a way to tell you yet... My sad story aside, I often use the Employee Recommendations Wall when I want something great and just can't find it myself. And yes, the employees are not smiling customer service robots, but over the years, I've had memorable interactions with several of them. There's not a lot of employee turnover, which I really like. At the right time (when there isn't a big line behind you), these guys can be fascinating and talkative - they have strong opinions about movies and will recommend discs for you if you're open to it. Sometimes it's just fun to eavesdrop on whatever they're loudly chatting about while browsing the discs. Twice I've gone in repeatedly looking for a particular, not super popular disc, and failed to find it on multiple visits. I should have just asked from the start - both times it was misplaced and they found it for me. They've extended their borrowing period to about 5 days for everything but very new releases so now I can always manage to return the discs on time. I'm only giving them 4 not 5 because of the cramped layout and hard-to-read sideways titles. They only have so much space. But there are treasures here for a videophile snob like me, lots of independent and foreign films, guilty pleasure TV series archives, etc. And the place has personality and a culture all its own. I really will miss it. read more

I love Video Room. I'm too last-minute-let's-see-a-movie for netflix. VR has lots of great movies, lots of offbeat stuff. And the people have always been wonderful to me. It IS hard to find stuff, but I usually go in for a specific movie & just ask them where they've hidden it. Right now they're reorganizing & going to reduce their size, which is sad. I hope it's just cuz they got rid of the VHS, and not because they're reducing stock. read more

wow. this place is awesome - - I felt like a kid again! When I walked around the store, I realized that having online videos, streaming, etc. (sorry Netflix... you've been good to me... but I'm seeing someone else now...) was leaving me unsatisfied, the novelty has worn off and something was missing. Thank god for Video Room; I found my former self and videos I want to watch! Renting a video has become an experience again! See you again soon. p.s. I love the way all the movies are organized! I've never seen such a great way to browse! read more

So far I've found just about every movie and series (HBO, BBC, etc.) here that I've wanted to see. And these folks know their movies/ series! If you like one, they give apt, related recommendations. read more

This is a business establishment that is as good as any get. Staff are friendly, helpful, resourceful and they always have been. I have been a very frequent customer there for the last four years or so. I notice they treat all other customers the same as they do me. The parking is usually good. And, it is near Honey Baked Ham. read more

When I lived off Piedmont, in the days before Netflix, the Video Room and the Piedmont Theatre made this cinefile one happy girl.

This place is great, they have everything you could ever want. Including a great selection of music/concert video's. Also the place for literally ever TV series you can get on DVD. Since I don't have HBO, it's the place for my Deadwood fix. read more

Update. Assistant manager apologized for the incident regarding the clerk from before. I really appreciate managers touching base with customers and that's why I am adding a star. I still go here to rent videos, especially T.V. shows where they have a vast selection of T.V. shows to rent! read more

This is our local video library, with expert video librarians on hand!

It's so much fun to come here with my husband.l We'll be browsing the titles and something will ring a bell and I'll say, "Have you ever seen ...?" And sometimes he says "no'" and I ask the clerk if they have it and they almost always do. In fact, I can only think of one movie they didn't have that my husband said, "Have you seen 'Cold Turkey?'" I said, "no" and the clerk said that they used to have it on VHS but didn't have it on DVD. You just can't ask them about a movie they don't know about. You know, like sometimes you go to a restaurant and you ask the waiter what's in the soup and when he/she tells you, you really wonder if they know what they're talking about. That's not true here -- they do know what they're talking about. Great, great video store. read more

I LOVE Video Room! Staff loves movies, the collection is esoteric but still very rich. The people who come here are also cool, and have good ideas if what we're looking for isn't there. Plus they give out doggie treats. What's not to love? read more

We started coming here after our neighborhood place, Silver Screen, closed down. Great selection and very friendly/helpful staff. Very much hope they stay in business! read more

I swear this place has every movie and TV show ever made! It's crazy. All the people are really knowledgeable and really nice. It shits on blockbuster and movie express. read more

I really like that there is an alternative to the obvious movie rental place. I could probably spend hours in here browsing the many many movies that they have. They do have new releases they just aren't as in your face ao you need to take minute to look. The prices are good, they probably have what you are looking for, and it's a neighborhood place. read more

Just a great local video store where the folks know their stuff, the inventory really really good for TV and film, and the people who work there are kind, helpful, and funny. They'll even forgive your late fees if you're really nice and just wait a couple of beats. read more

Great selection and great service. Not sure if it's still there, but they used to have a section titled, "Movies Blockbuster won't let you rent/see." I love it! Also, unique sections like Cult Classics are always appealing. read more

How can you not love this place? We were having our monthly movie club and needed Labyrinth (1980s David Bowie!) in a pinch. This place had it, as well as newly released foreign films that I had heard about but didn't know where to see them. Go here. Become a member. $5 per rental. Pretty good. read more

It's amazing what a little competition will do. Before the rise of Netflix, Video Room was one of the few places to find old and obscure videos, indie films, and a wide selection of new releases. Back then, Video Room was a huge store front, with a cryptic system of organization and a staff of disaffected art students. Ahh...how times have changed. The place is now half the size and, more importantly, the staff has been upgraded. All the smelly, rude, blank-eyed nerds have been fired and replaced by a few smart, helpful clerks. The selection is still good and the dog pee odor has even been removed. I don't know how long you'll be there Video Room, but as long as you are, I'll be sure to stop by from time to time. read more

VHS and DVD, cult classic availability like never before, eccentric staff, what else could you want? Picking up the entire collection of the original Outer Limits tonight on DVD. read more

Thank god for this store! One of the last holdouts for DVD rentals. Incredible collection. Highly recommend.

If Netflix is not an option, and you've got to go out to rent a video, this is the place.

This is one of the few remaining mom n' pop video rental places left. What a shame. This place rocks! They always have plenty of copies of new releases and they have such a great selection of older movies that are impossible to find. Video room is cheap and their staff is not only friendly, but they're knowledgeable movie experts. It's small place and I hope it stays open forever! read more

yay! Though i am a netflix member, the video room is always reliable and always there when I need a movie or the next episode of "The Wire" ('cause netflix can be SLLLOOOOWWWW). Love them, love independent video stores, love the teacher discount, love the location. read more

I rented a kind of rare flick "Dark City" and believed I kept it for more than the 7 days allowed. Went in the store again to rent later and was anticipating "late charges" but there was none.... a big relief. Will rent more later because they have many titles rare and wacky alike. read more

Great place, with friendly and helpful staff. They have lots of foreign, art, indie, and classic films. And huge collection of TV shows also. If they don't have something you want, they'll probably order it for you. I once wanted to see a film by Carlos Saura that they didn't have, and even though it's not one his more well known films, they ordered it for me. Very convenient as they have a parking lot right in front. This place is a neighborhood treasure! read more