The newest (and arguably the best) wine bar in Bay Area!…read more I know there are a few wine bars in the area, but to have such phenomenal food is a massive plus. Plus the vibes are great and can fit large parties! I went just about a week before grand opening, and that was when they finally got their food permit after opening the wine shop for over a year. Sergio and Emily, both co-owners and chefs at La Marcha, decided to open a wine shop and I am so glad they did. The wine is carefully curated and expands to so many regions and types, and the food is so amazing and pairs so well with the wines. Plus you can choose lighter foods like Cheese Plate or go on the heavier side like Braised Oxtail Ragu. My absolute favorite were the Mussels in Escabeche, Wagyu Tartare, and Hamachi Crudo. I also LOVE their oysters and the mignonette sauces were literally the best I've ever had. Every Friday, they have $1.50 oysters from 4PM until sold out. Overall, AMAZING! 10/10 would recommend.

Amazing time to Watch the final World Cup game! Thank you…read morefor accommodating our party! Great paella and tinto veranos!!! Viva España!

The wine was really good here, some of the best in the Gilman district. We appreciated getting an…read moreexplanation of the brand and of the wine selection from the owner. Our favorites were the sparkling Rose and the Sonoma County Pinot Noir (which was carried by ANA in its first class cabin!)

Now that I have a lot more experience with Noria, I wanted to update my review. We've visited many…read moretimes and joined the wine club as well. First, these are the nicest people in the wine business. Warm and gracious and extremely knowledgable about the wine and vineyards. When we first qwnt to Noria, it was mostly superb Pinots and Chardonnay. Since, they've added a wonderful Gewürztraminer and a bomb Sauvignon Blanc as well. These are finely crafted wines from some of the best vineyards in Sonoma and beyond (no, they don't have rows of vines in Berkeley) and the bang for the buck is off the charts. I'm mostly a red drinker and only enjoy Pinots occasionally and Noria was my go-to. The addition of more white wines (and rosé) combined with my move to a warmer climate have made Noria indespensible for me. Absolutely check them out. Do yourself a favor and start at Noria, go across the street to Broc Cellars and then Donkey and Goat for a perfect wine tasting day right in Berkeley.

Once known for good beer selection and entertainment, it is still all that but also with solid pub…read morefood. The entertainment and community feel of the place is the #1 highlight. Open mic night gives young people a voice. Older musicians act as unofficial mentors - the best advice from one was to 'make me feel something!!' I love the art scene - and to me there is a special intersection of utility (maybe articulating an important message - or building a useful couch) --- and the beauty of that piece. How you put it together, how it looks and most importantly how it makes you feel when you sink into the couch or words. I have a lot of opinions and a lot to say. These days you really can't complain much - in the world you are a nag and in church you are labeled a legalist. The secret is if you say those things in a beautiful way or tip toe around a subject asking questions and letting the audience come up with their own conclusions. The young people today I have lots of sympathy for. The 50 year olds could get away with earning $50k/yr - the 40 year olds could get away with earning $100k/yr but the 20 and 30 year olds in the bay area with 2 kids need to earn $200k in their household to make ends meet. Gentrification is the enemy - those who are 'rich.' Lets blame the boomers. Maybe there are some other 'enemies' of the unaffordable nature of the bay area. A witch hunt aiming at tech workers or the unhoused or maybe today AI robots. My brother pays $4000/month for babysitting. I think his house tax is another $1000/month and we aren't even talking about the mortgage yet.... In San Francisco a family of 4 can qualify for free babysitting if they earn $178,300 or less per year. Maybe you can't call this the poverty level - but you qualify for everything including housing assistance. I'm sorry no beautiful poetry for you today. No lit slam. No soup for you!! I will continue building my couches - you take the stage!!

Starry Plough....Oh wow! This is really a cool scene…read more There's a different event seven nights a week. Today the day after July 4 celebration is sort of an Irish music session in the place is packed at 5:45 PM! Great musicians and a fun atmosphere, but it seems like the same continuous song plays between breaks with a slight adjustment of the melody. Sort of a hypnotic repetitive groove, not so unlike "ON THE CORNER" by Miles Davis but not really, ha ha! OK kids, please plug that into your little machine and have a listen. Feel that groove in "BLACK SATIN" The Starry Plough is a full service restaurant, pub and nightclub that has been a staple of the East Bay scene since 1973. With deep roots as an Irish Revolutionary watering hole, the history of protest runs as deep today as it did when they opened five decades ago. And they have really good food and a great tap beer list. Also, the very best bartenders and staff throughout! I just had a half order of the handcut french fries and they really are top-notch man, they're served with different condiments that you can help yourself to. I chose the Sriracha sauce and ketchup. I couldn't find the horseradish tonight. I've been coming in here for several years and I really dig it. Very special people hang out here, kind of a hippie Berkeley vibe. I've had great long conversations and met very groovy folks. It's a great watering hole.

The Hotsy has provided me with years of great memories, laughter, and good times. It is one of…read morethose places that has more character and charm than many bars twice its size. The menu changes regularly, which keeps things interesting, but one thing that never changes is the consistently excellent service. One of my favorite things about this spot is how dog-friendly it is. The owner's dog is practically the co-owner of the bar and is often lounging around, adding even more personality to the experience. If you are lucky enough to meet him, just know the dog has standards. The dog only accepts meat, so do not bother offering him the tortilla from your taco. Trust me, you will be judged. Another major perk is that they allow outside food. Conveniently, there is a taco truck right next door serving some of the best carnitas tacos around, making it easy to pair great food with great drinks. Also, keep an eye on the TVs. They always seem to be playing some delightfully over-the-top late-night movie programming that inevitably sparks random conversations and plenty of laughter among the crowd. Overall, this is a fantastic neighborhood bar with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere and a ton of personality. It can get crowded, so try to grab a spot early if you can. You'll notice plenty of regulars who come back again and again, and to me, that is always one of the best signs that a place is doing something right.

DON'T LET OTHERS SWAY YOU THIS IS DEFINITLY A STRIP CLUB!…read more These other reviews are gaslighting me! I came in and bought some women several drinks and got NOTHING for it, JUST LIKE A REAL STRIP CLUB! Some even offered to take me to VIP and said I'd only be able to look but no touching! The nice thing about this STRIP CLUB is that the rules are so lax you can EAT THE TACO! Name another STRIP CLUB in America that allows that??? Drink prices are reasonable though.

We came in for a drink after our anniversary dinner in good spirits, but unfortunately it was hard…read moreto maintain a cheerful mood in this place. Perhaps it was because we don't fit the hipster prototype, but we got a lot of attitude, and the vibe was not welcoming nor pleasant. $47 for two drinks before tip. I still left a tip despite the lousy service. One and done and we were out of there, without a thank you or goodbye. Needless to say, won't be back, not much more to say.

For starters the College Ave scene is well College Ave. IYKYK…read more We just finished our anniversary dinner down the street at Millennium (see review) and headed here for a drink since it was close and open. My partner was wearing strappy little heels, yes high heels, and really didn't feel like walking too far. Upon entering I knew we should have turned around and walked out but we didn't. The lady  behind the bar had a scowled gringed up face when we walked in. Like lady haven't you ever seen a hot girl in a dress and heels before???? We forgot you can't dress nice and smile in Bezerkeley. I ordered a Tequila Ocho with lime and my partner ordered a Lemon Drop and here we go again with attitude from behind the bar. She had to ask the dude if he could make one and she came back with yes. He popped in with can't do a sugar rim.  Andrea responded with she didn't want a sugar rim and make it less sweet. Eye rolls!!!! Later as we are sitting there enjoying such a lively and inviting space the bartender dude is talking to another customer about who orders a lemon drop without a sugar rim. Andrea let him know just moments before he couldn't do a sugar rim. SMH!!! Again, Bezerkeley. Hipster, self important, we are all so unique little snowflakes, we all look and act alike crowd. Yep, that's Bezerkeley. And the drinks were outrageously expensive. Two drinks and almost $50 before a very undeserved tip. The are lots of surcharges and extras tacked on to bills in the bay area. I think we just got the "hot girl in heels in a hipster frown bar" surcharge. A one and done never going back experience. Left and walked about 300 ft to Wood Tavern. Still on College Ave but at least over the city line and in Oakland which has its own set of problems.

Wow I'm already itching for another time at Alta Vina!…read more I got here on a Sunday afternoon and the place was packed! I was a little intimidated by the amount of folks so I swooped in for a quick drink and sat outside. The wine I snagged was great! It was a great chilled red. I sipped on that while I people watched a bit. Looks like they have tons of events coming up and I'm looking forward to coming earlier in the day in the hopes of snagging a seat at the bar. Great quick drink over at Alta Vina! It's super close and I'm looking forward to visiting again soon.

I can't believe I've been a customer since day 1 but haven't remembered to leave a review! Well…read moreit's almost been a year, better late than never! Alta Vina's a fun vibrant place to enjoy wine and hang out. Above all, that's the feeling you get when you come in: chat with proprietor Henry, or one of his staff, the grab a comfy chair or a spot at the bar. I'm super thankful that Henry took this space on after Minimo bowed out, and it's been incredible to see how Alta Vina has developed over the last year as Henry's not just finding his groove, but making his mark. We were just there this weekend for Queer Crush, and enjoyed how well the store supported the wine and food at the event!

They cancelled the event in the last minute. I tried reaching out the owner to coordinate a visit…read moreand he was very unresponsive and made us anxious and nervous. Towards the end he cancelled the venue location as his staffs had Covid and they couldn't quarantine elsewhere. We totally understand what Covid can do but better communications would have helped us. Do not book this place

This is an unusual little wine tasting bar set inside the beautiful loft home of the owner and…read morewinemaker, Monty P. The two story space is in the artist housing colony out by the I-880 bypass in west Oakland, at the foot of Pine Street, called Pacific Cannery Lofts. The beautiful modern unit had been cleared for a special event, an intimate wine drinking party of about 2 -3 dozen people, starting with an intro art class upstairs led by Art a la Cart. http://www.yelp.com/biz/art-a-la-cart-oakland Early attendees (about a dozen) didn't do paint by the numbers, but a steep above that, learning to draw a scene, mix basic paints, and finish a small 8 x 11 canvas. Later everyone came downstairs to enjoy the delicious nibbles provided by the middle eastern caterer Faz. They were great, with hummus, olives, chicken satay skewers, and other delights. http://www.yelp.com/biz/faz-restaurant-and-bar-oakland The variety of wines were very good, both white and red from Paulson wineries, and the hosts were very engaging and seasoned entertainers. There was a live acoustic band trio called Melodious Monk ( I get confusedly the actual name because I think of the Jazz pioneer pianist, Thelonius Monk, which their name is a play off of). Good times had by all at this nice special wine tasting get together, an intimate event where art, conversation and wine were shared. The event was organized by the beautiful and effervescent event coordinator, Dominique.

Beta Lounge on Durant Ave Berkeley, been around since 2009 and just relaunched as 3.0 in 2025 with…read morea new tapas menu, wine flights, spirit flights, and fresh herb cocktails. Happy hour runs 3 to 5:30 with $8 wine and cocktails which is genuinely hard to beat in Berkeley. Wednesday wine night is 50% off bottles including reserve, so that one is worth planning around. Spring rolls and hummus plate are the go-to snacks, light menu that works well with the drinks. Comfortable couches, good music, dog friendly, bartenders that actually remember you. 5 stars, solid neighborhood spot that keeps getting better, Wednesday wine night alone earns it

I had no idea Beta Lounge existed off of Durant Ave. and what a cool space and place off-the-beaten…read morepath! We heard this building has been many different iterations over the years, but happy to have found this spot in Berkeley for a fun happy hour with friends. We enjoyed the wine flight (choice of 4 wines), each with a nice pour, and shared the spinach dip with chips. We also enjoyed an espresso martini to cap off the evening. The staff were super friendly, and the lounge was filled with what seemed like regulars. The lounge couches were super comfy and it was an overall very relaxing yet intimate experience. I would definitely come back again with a group, or even stop by for a date night. Parking is a bit tough in this area, but there is street parking (if lucky enough to find it) and garages nearby.