Definitely my favorite cocktail bar in the Bay Area. I hate to admit this, but at one point, I was here 3x in one week because I enjoyed coming here so much hahaha. The drinks are cheaper than the ones in SF and are consistently good in addition to the place having a cool vibe! Even though White Rabbit is one of the more popular drinks, it's not my favorite since it's on the sweeter side. My favorite ones have been cafe sua daddy (like an elevated espresso martini), wood dragon, li hing melon, and tomato beef. As a bonus, the umami tots were amazing! I'm sure all their other food is great too. read more

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The drinks and ambiance here are unmatched!! I prefer to come before dinner so it's quieter and you're guaranteed a spot. It's such a nice place to get drinks and hang out with your friends. Their menu changes seasonally but all the drinks are so unique. I recently got the red bean egg custard cocktail and it was soo good. I've never had a drink like this before. I also ordered the miso corn drink which I wasn't a huge fan of. The powder on top tasted like curry powder? I didn't taste corn or miso in the drink but it was still drinkable. Everyone who works here is really friendly and their ordering website is very user friendly. A must whenever you're in Oakland! read more

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Came here for the suntory tasting collaboration. The there was a special menu for the night which came with: 1. Japanese confit sweet potato, honey sesame, tuna heart. How they make potatoes so good?!? I was a bit confused about the tuna heart but I think it was part of the sauce. 2. Poached Tokyo turnip, amazaki, country miso, cashew. A simple but very delicious dish. 3. Five spice chicken +dried scallop dumpling. 4. Uni brioche toast. Very tasty dish but the toast itself was chewy and thick not to my preference. 5. Short rib, jujube jus. Very tender and goes very well with the jujube jus. 6. Lychee Raspberry kakigori, Kanten, jelly, mochi, yogurt. Everything was delicious but portions are small. I guess that's fine dining for you all. The drink/tasting menu camesl with: 1. Toki highball. 2. Yamazaki golden promise 2024 3. Yamazaki Islay peated 2024 4. Hakushu peated malt 18 years 5. Yamazaki mizunara 18 years My favorite was the hakushu, nice and smokey. read more

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Loveeee Viridian! Their cocktails stand out as they are always uniquely curated, and bring such inspiration and depth in every cocktail. The room is also filled with cute decor and ambient lighting. I think it's a nice spot to catch up with friends and have a yap sesh. I got the Lycheat day which was a well made mocktail. I also tried their limited edition matcha drink which was also delicious! I've also had their white rabbit drink which is super nostalgic and creamy. I've been here multiple times and can't wait to come back. read more

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Amazing drinks food and service! Will be back soon. Chill but refined atmosphere. Happy hour menu and drinks are the way to go! Perfect place to have a few apps before a show at the Fox or Paramount. read more

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Love the modern upscale vibe with festive Chinese New Year decor to welcome the year of the snake. Staff are friendly and attentive. Ordered the Oaxaca Flocka and it was good, but not as spicy or smoky as expected. My friends mango cocktail was refreshing as well. read more

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LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS PLACE!! I love everything about it..once you get to the dreamy holographic window, you're transported off the busy street to an intimate little oasis that's fun (cartoons projected on the walls) yet sexy (sleek bar; fun lighting), with really interesting and tasty craft drinks in beautiful glassware, actually delicious food (tater totes for the win and don't skip dessert), and amazing service. Also, I've rarely had to wait to get in on weekends, which is very convenient read more

Viridian - Matcha cocktail - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Viridian is one of my favorite place in Oakland. The atmosphere is vibrant neon and the food and drinks match the aesthetic without compromising taste. The staff is always friendly and accommodating. A few things to note: this place gets busy and they do not do reservations. I recommend coming during the week on when they open at 5pm otherwise expect a wait. There is a strict 2 hour time limit on seating. The dishes are relatively small, but great for family style. The photos were taken during the Red Envelope event so there are special menu items and limited decor. Not shown in this photos but my favorite drink off their regular menu is the white rabbit. read more

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A great spot in a busy location near 19th street BART station, Viridian is usually very popular (especially with people grabbing drinks before concerts), so you often have to put your name down to wait for a spot. However, sometimes it is easy to get a spot right away. The inside is brightly lit with neon lights and such cute Asian-inspired decor! A very trendy vibe for a date spot or drinks with friends. Their cocktails are also served very artistically, with drinks served in glass bento boxes and garnished with unique leaves and fruits. They have small bites, like a pork belly dish which we enjoyed a lot. read more

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Love Happy Hour here ! Make sure you all check it out!!! Food is so friggn good and cocktails A1! Youre welcome read more

Alright so I finally made it to happy hour! Can I just say how exquisite it is that happy hour is 7 days a week aka Saturday & Sunday?! Like how are they blessing the community like that?! I ordered the caramelized crab sauce wings and they were some of the best wings I've ever had. 6 giant wings, perfect crunch, amazing savory caramel flavor, all for 13 dollars. Insane. The craft cocktails on the happy hour menu are thoughtful and delicious. I'm obsessed!! Immaculate vibes & service! read more

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First time going to Viridian! We were seated as soon as we walked into the building. The seats are well isolated from other tables and provide enough space for each person. The interior was my favorite. I would come here when it's dark out. The drinks are Asian fusion and different from other bars I've been to around the bay. Def fun to see their twist to everything! The cups were the best, and the attention to detail makes these drinks worth their cost. Parking is tough. Restrooms are clean. I'll come back again! read more

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The staff is so funny, kind and amazing overall! The drinks are absolutely great. It's so cute and clean inside. I will definitely be coming back to try more drinks and the food! Can't recommend Viridian enough. read more

Great. Drinks. Oaxaca Flocka Flame; mezcal with hints of cinnamon was absolutely to die for. (And the name is so clever too). Also had a White Rabbit cocktail; which I was very hesitant to get initially because of the condensed milk in the cocktail, BUT. It was delicious. Will be coming back, fashoooo. read more

Viridian - Oaxaca Flocka Flame (left) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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Friend and I swung by here for Golden Hour aka Happy Hour this past Wednesday, between 5-7pm. We were able to get classic cocktails for $12 (versus $15-17 during non-HH times), and I cannot recommend the Tomato Beef cocktail enough. It was a smooth drink, lightly sweetened and with no strong alcohol aftertaste - overall, it was just very clean and refreshing. I've been obsessed with savory-inspired drinks this year and this one really hit the spot for me in terms of taste and spirit combinations. Ambiance is always great here, they played a good mix of R&B, rap, even K-pop the night we went in. I always enjoyed the colorful, dim lighting, it makes you feel like you're at a club but with places to sit. We were also lucky enough to have met Ken, the amazingly fun bartender here, and turns out we were all into the same fandoms and had friends in common (what a small world)! Thank you for entertaining our Nendos with tiny chalices of "booze" and letting us dork out at the counter with you! 11/10 would come again for Golden Hour and to hang with Ken again! read more

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3.5 stars TL;DR - Fun atmosphere with decent cocktails and bar food Perfect ambience for our girls' night! Came on a Saturday around 8:30 and didn't have to wait which was nice. We ordered the umami tots, chicken tempura and chili cucumbers to share. The umami tots were a little sweeter than I would have liked. In fact, I hadn't expected it to be sweet at all. The chicken tempura and chili cucumbers were good though. We also ordered some cocktails and they were both inventive and tasty. Finally, the server didn't mind taking multiple pictures for us which is always appreciated! read more

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This place is incredible. Stopped in on the way to the cinema for a quick drink and bite and it blew me away. We shared the umami tots and the cucumber salad. Both were bomb. I had an NA beer which was yuzu + ginger and went down easy, a great partner to the other flavors. Staff are chill and the atmosphere is laid back with great lighting and decor. Definitely stop in if you can. read more

I LOVE Viridian! Honestly, I wish I could go every month, but the drinks will cost you a pretty penny, so it's probably more of a "treat yourself" opportunity. That being said, from drinks to food, everything is so well thought out and delicious. Additionally, after coming a couple of times, I think the consistency is also pretty astounding - if you order the tots once, you can be pretty sure that the next time you come, they'll be tasting the same (if not better). That being said, the drinks add just the perfect touch of whimsy and joy, while also being delicious. During their annual Red Envelope Event, they also serve the drinks in special (limited edition!) decanters that pair with the new year. I really love the Asian inspired flavors, and how the mixologists have thought about how to best pair them with "traditional" cocktails. The staff is also very nice, and the experience feels luxe for a small bar. From small towelettes to wipe your fingers after eating the chicken wings, to the very thick napkins, it's not fine dining, but it shows the extra level of care from staff to customer! read more

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Been wanting to try this place for awhile and finally when to check it out, I absolutely love how they have decorated it on the inside! It has a super cool vibe to it and the staff is all very friendly! Just had some happy hour snacks and drinks, the tots were really good. The lychee cocktail was my favorite! Definitely worth checking out if you haven't been before! read more

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Viridian has been my go to for dates, hangouts with friends, and overall just an awesome place to take anyone who appreciates an Asian fusion dining experience. I came here a few times for the cocktails and they were always innovative and strong. The food is always creative but the portions are a tad small for the price. Although this place still deserves 5 shiny stars, I am taking one away from my recent experience. We arrived at around 11pm on a Wednesday and the server said we already announced last call for cocktails. Umm, this place closes at 1am, wth? I want to give them the benefit of the doubt... maybe they ran out of ingredients; maybe they wanted to close early to enjoy the rest of the night. Who knows but it definitely caught me off guard and I was a little annoyed since I came here specifically for the cocktails. We ended up getting a tequila soda; 1st drink was diluted, 2nd drink was better. I'll be back for sure... just hoping I make it before last call =/ read more

This place is so much fun!! Iridescent windows, super cool decor - it feels like Lunar New Years inside :) Drinks are asian influenced - love the tom yum - this comes in a little chinese take out box. White rabbit is also delicious - reminds me of white rabbit candy The red bean drink is probably my favorite! Can't wait to come back for more read more

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Super cool bar and the first time I went to the lunar new year pop up event. I enjoy the variety of cocktails and the way they are presented. It is fun to go with friends and show them. It is definitely on the pricier side and I haven't ever gone without needing to wait at least 30 minutes to 1 hour. read more

Viridian - Mala hot pot drink - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

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Visit date: 08/21/24. Golden Hour (HH) 5-7pm. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. They recently removed the phone ordering/payment system (told us that it was to avoid noncompliance with new junk fees law). Because of this, servers will come up to take orders. Notable foods: pork floss mustard greens, miso garlic noodles, umami tots LOVED the li hing melon cocktail! Since the menu changes, I will be back to try anything else during happy hour. read more

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If you are looking for a date spot that has large selection of cocktails and small dish to share, with neon lighting and relaxing music, this place is for you. They have street parking near by, and depending on the hour of the week, you might expect a little bit of a wait. Their menu is Asian infusion with mostly fried dishes. This place is more like an after dinner spot, where you just want to grab a drink and sth small to pair with. read more

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Visited this place for the first time with a friend. We both ordered two rounds of Negroni even though they serve many kind of other cocktails. The Negroni was pretty good! Next time I'll try other ones. read more

Viridian - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Highly recommend this place! Yummy Asian inspired cocktails and small bites. The inside is nice and vibrant. This is a good spot for a casual hang out. read more

Viridian - Interior - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Viridian is one of my favorite bars in Oakland! The friendly & staff, well-decorated/vibrant ambience, & delicious are the reasons this is place has become a staple. Typically we order the Guava Island & Tomato Beef but we always explore their uniquely curated cocktails. And you can't go wrong with the Umami Tots & the Pandan Crème Brûlée *chef's kiss **I recommend keeping in mind this place is popular so if you're coming in on the weekend with a larger parties or later in the evening, you should expect some wait time ... but it's worth it! Photos are from LNY read more

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Always beautifully themed and well-decorated. Amazing food and great service--this place never disappoints! read more

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The spot was super cute, had Christmas music and such good ambiance. Staff was nice and friendly. We went there for drinks after dinner and did not get to try their food. We did order the dessert Pandan Crème Brûlée, pretty good. read more

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How have I not been here before? This bar is totally my vibe! Also the staff are super friendly. Even though it got crowded on a Saturday night, they gave us the big table in the back and let us stay over our "allotted time". For cocktails let's face it, theyre maybe overpriced and the flavor profile might just be really sweet... You're basically paying more for presentation. But hey you're here to take photos right? They are however still a full on bar and they have a lot of delicious tequila to try. We ended up enjoying our shots more. But hey it was worth the gram? I really love these custom-made shot glasses they have. All the decor and the plating really added to the whole ambience read more

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Been coming here for years - they have some of the most novel cocktails I've found in the area, so it's been a go-to spot to show friends from out of town. However, as of late, the menu seems a bit stagnant, and could use a breath of fresh air. On a recent weeknight visit, the staff were cold and incredibly slow (15 minutes just to place an order, despite sitting at the bar, and another 10 to get two drinks). Only one of three bartenders was mixing, and he seemed to be in the weeds. I should have taken the cue when I walked in and gone to Bar Shiru instead - lesson learned! Considering the price, the drinks were unbalanced and weak. It's a fun vibe if you're looking to get lit, but there are better spots for finely crafted cocktails. I do wish they hadn't gotten rid of the app-based ordering system. While slightly onerous to set up, being able to smoothly place a drink order without having to garner the attention of a distractible bartender was worth the minor inconvenience. It's great to be able to get drink advice from a bartender, but only when it doesn't take forever and a day to get that input. read more

I really enjoyed this spot for food and drinks. Came here straight from the airport and I was starving- fortunately no wait. Really cute interior- great for date night or catching up with friends. Their drinks are the absolutely cutest, I'm obsessed! I got the bunny drink- tangy sweet and on the fruity side. Later I got the drink that comes in the Chinese takeout box and that was definitely on the stronger side. Service is great and bartender was really cool and he was engaging with us the whole night. I do wish their menu would be less seafood based and wish they could throw some chicken, beef or pork options there. We got garlic noodles, truffle fries and sunchokes. Everything tasted delicious and I would totally come back. read more

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My friends and I found this gem while out enjoying the black joy parade last evening and was delighted to have visited this cute and fun bar! The hostess did an amazing job accommodating our group of four in the busy bar by pulling in extra chairs for the small tables lined in the wall. We ordered yummy drinks and plates for the group to share. My favorite drink was the matcha melon drink and my favorite dish was the spicy cucumber salad. I definitely recommend this place for a fun after hours spot! read more

Viridian - Matcha melon drink - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Excellence is found in the details and Viridian is zeroed in. The ambiance, food, cocktails, mocktails, friendly staff, to presentation - all show an extraordinary level of preparation and design. It's no wonder they're highly ranked amongst the top bars. For me, the Wood Dragon served in glass dragons (which you can KEEP!!!) are one of my favs. I do enjoy a reposado espresso martini now and again (I know, I know - red flag ). I appreciate all the fun nights and new friends made! read more

Unique Asian/Chinese-inspired drinks that brought me back to my childhood. Definitely check out the tomato beef or white rabbit cocktails. They do serve small bites of food but I haven't had the chance to try yet. Service is friendly and the bar is beautifully decorated. It's a bit small inside but so far have been relatively short waits at most, but likely worthwhile to call ahead if going at peak hours just to check. Street parking only. read more

Great place! Love the drinks and atmosphere and the happy hour is so good! The prices are very fair

Viridian deserves no less than 5 stars from me for: service, food, and atmosphere! We were greeted at the front door by the owner and seated promptly. I've heard the place is usually packed, but myself and my group of three were lucky enough to be the first people through the door for Thursday night happy hour. I've heard great things about Viridian from at least a couple Bay Area locals at this point...a testament to its quality and service! After my experience, I'd totally concur with those reviews. The drinks incorporated lots of Asian flavors that I'm accustomed to, and they utilized them strategically and well (I've been to some bars where these sorts of flavors can turn into something a little too gimmicky). The two cocktails our group got, the Wood Dragon and Li Hing Melon were well balanced...with the former on the more citrusy and fruity side and the latter being on the more lightly tart and refreshing side. The most special touch of the night was getting the limited availability dragon decanter they had available for purchase with their Wood Dragon beverage. I will definitely be back to try their other beverages and of course...to try and collect their other decanters! (Gotta catch them all ) read more

Viridian - Happy Hour spread - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Oakland, California

Viridian never stops exceeding my expectations, and that's because they always strive to innovate and experiment with their menus, bringing us quality-crafted drinks and dishes. I visited about three weeks ago, and they still had Lunar New Year decorations that were beautiful. I had the Lucky Dragon cocktail, which is a mix of rum and baijiu with a variety of citrus. It was such a tasty drink, sweet and tangy, and the glass is beautiful. This was my first time trying their food, and it did not disappoint at all! I had the salt and pepper wings, which I thought was one of their most plain items on their menu; however, the taste and quality of the wings are splendid. Usually, most of the flavor comes from the breading, but in this case, the chicken, too, was full of flavor. It was very juicy, had lots of citrus flavor, and the savory garlic butter was fulfilling. I also ordered another dish, which is a noodle entree, but they no longer have it on their menu. It was also quite appetizing. I definitely had a good time here. The staff was amazing. I wish they had a bigger space because this isn't just a typical bar; it's a masterpiece. read more

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Swung by the bar after a quick dinner nearby. Upon entering, we were seated right away. Their decor was so hype & trendy with all the dragon installation & lanterns on the ceiling. Everything was very colorful. We ordered the drinks, most had Asian fusion takes. Some were even mixed with soy sauce, red vinegar, etc. The taste was surprisingly pleasant. What an interesting spot to hang out ! read more

If you're looking for a small plates that remind you of an elevated night market, insta-aesthetic, cute and neon-lit fun night with ya girlz or for date night, Viridian is it. But we were looking for some quality bar food to fill us up on our downtown cocktail haunt, and Viridian missed that mark. Expect to pay $40+ per person if you're getting a drink and a starter. Our group stopped by on a special night at Viridian. Apparently they host pop-up food events, and that night was one of them. We put our names down on their e-waitlist and literally waited over an hour just like the greeter stated we would. We got the text that we had to get there in 5mins, so if you find yourself waiting for 45 mins+, make sure you're close in the next 15 mins. We had to run so many blocks just to sweatily say our whole party was there. Once we were seated, we got to take everything in. The menu is via QR code and everything is order online. I enjoyed my fried mushrooms--on the saltier side, and the texture was of a crispier fried calamari which was tasty. I wish there was more per plate, but the portions are small. Even my friends' dan dan noodles came in a tiny bowl. It truly is city price, pay $$$ for tiny portions. I would suggest getting plates to share so everyone can get at least a bit of everything, then going out to get burgers or In-N-Out after. Also can we have a moment to thank the staff for the idea of complimentary starters of salted peanuts and pickled veg? Great idea and cheap! Service consists of food runners. There are no servers here, if you want water or anything you really have to flag someone down since they're busy running orders to the crowded tables. She cute, but her drinks and food left more to be desired in the quality and portion size departments. A++ for the neon lights, gorgeous colorful lanterns lit above, and the beautiful bar! ALSO can we have a MOMENT to appreciate that Viridian is Asian-owned/created/curated!! WHAT, 5 stars for that. Def a bustling, fun, spot to be--great for tourists and out of towners. read more

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