The Best Bars in Oakland

The Best Bars in Oakland

Bars in Oakland

While Oakland is constantly growing and changing, there are a large number of fun bars, restaurants, music venues and nightclubs that create a fun and exciting nightlife scene. If you are more interested in a Pub Crawl, than seeing a live show or going clubbing, then you will definitely find more than enough fun spots in Oakland to grab drinks with friends. From sports bars and dive bars to mixology bars and karaoke bars, you can find pretty much anything in Oakland.

 

Cafe Van Kleef

A great place to grab a drink before and after shows at the Fox Theater, Cafe Van Kleef is a cool little bar serving unique craft cocktails.

Cafe Van Kleef
1621 Telegraph Ave.
Oakland, CA 94612

510-763-7711

Website: https://cafevankleef.com/

Mad Oak Bar

A cool Oakland bar with a neighborhood feel, Mad Oak has a great selection of drinks with some awesome specialty cocktails and over 40 beers on tap. If you are hungry, you can grab a bite to eat at the rotating pop-up kitchen with different selections throughout the year. This fun Oakland bar also has an outside patio and a rooftop deck.

Mad Oak Bar
135 12th Street
Oakland, CA 94607

510-843-7416

Website: http://www.madoakbar.com/

The Trappist

The best place in Oakland to get some unique Belgian beers, The Trappist is a comfortable bar with two rooms and an outdoor patio to use when the weather is nice.

The Trappist
460 8th Street
Oakland, CA 94607

510-238-8900

Website: https://www.thetrappist.com/

The Alley

The Bay Area’s oldest Piano Bar, The Alley is a fun spot to grab drinks and a bite to eat while listening to talented pianists and singers.

The Alley
3325 Grand Ave.
Oakland, CA 94610

510-444-8505

Website: https://www.thealleyoakland.com/

The Punchdown

A classy wine bar in Oakland, The Punchdown prides itself on serving “natural wines” which have to fit very specific criteria like natural farming practices, organic practices and more.

The Punchdown
1737 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94612

510-788-7877

Website: https://www.punchdownwine.com/

District

A hip wine and whiskey bar in Oakland, District is a fun place to go with friends and enjoy some drinks and small plates.

District
827 Washington Street
Oakland, CA 94607

510-272-9110

Website: https://districtoak.com/

Explore the Bay

Upcoming San Francisco Events

08

November

2026

San Francisco Ballet – Tiny Dances

Palace of Fine Arts

See Details

08

November

2026

Blankets & Blockbusters: Toy Story 5

Thrive City 1 Warriors Way San Francisco, CA 94158

See Details

08

November

2026

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS VS. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Levi's Stadium

See Details

08

November

2026

San Francisco Ballet – Tiny Dances

Palace of Fine Arts

See Details

08

November

2026

Santi Espinosa – ME Time (English/Spanish Show)

Punchline SF

See Details

08

November

2026

S. F. Comedy Showcase

Punchline SF

See Details

08

November

2026

Foy Vance

Great American Music Hall

See Details

08

November

2026

Murray Hill

Bimbo's 365 Club

See Details

08

November

2026

Henry Lau

The Warfield

See Details

08

November

2026

Countess Luann

August Hall

See Details

08

November

2026

Nia Archives

The Regency Ballroom

See Details

08

November

2026

The Smashing Pumpkins

SAP Center San Jose

See Details

08

November

2026

THAO

The Independent

See Details

09

November

2026

Sharks vs Islanders

SAP Center San Jose

See Details

09

November

2026

Quadeca

The Fillmore

See Details

10

November

2026

Live Music Lunch Series

Thrive City 1 Warriors Way San Francisco, CA 94158

See Details

10

November

2026

Teddy Swims

Chase Center

See Details

10

November

2026

Jamie Kaler

Punchline SF

See Details

10

November

2026

Claudio Simonetti’s Goblin Performs the Live Score to Tenebre

Castro Theater

See Details

10

November

2026

The Tallest Man on Earth

Palace of Fine Arts

See Details

10

November

2026

Yuki Chiba

The Regency Ballroom

See Details

10

November

2026

Celebrating 50 Years of Buzzcocks

The Chapel

See Details

10

November

2026

Weston Estate

The Independent

See Details

10

November

2026

Louie TheSinger

August Hall

See Details

11

November

2026

Military Appreciation Sharks vs Penguins

SAP Center San Jose

See Details

11

November

2026

SF Comedy Kings: An Old School Blowout

Punchline SF

See Details

11

November

2026

THE DAMNED – FINAL DAMNATION 50

The Fillmore

See Details

11

November

2026

Soft Cell

The Regency Ballroom

See Details

11

November

2026

Celebrating 50 Years of Buzzcocks

The Chapel

See Details

11

November

2026

Jake Xerxes Fussell

Great American Music Hall

See Details

San Francisco Bay Area

Upcoming Events

Chase Center San Francisco

Elevated Intervals + Aligned – Pilates: Weekly Fitness Classes

Thrive City 1 Warriors Way San Francisco, CA 94158

See Details
Palace of Fine Arts Theater

San Francisco Ballet – Tiny Dances

Palace of Fine Arts

See Details
Palace of Fine Arts Theater

San Francisco Ballet – Tiny Dances

Palace of Fine Arts

See Details
Greek Theater Berkeley Concerts & Events

HUGEL

Greek Theater Berkeley

See Details
Great American Music Hall Concert Calendar

PRIVATE EVENT

Great American Music Hall

See Details
Punchline SF Comedy Calendar

Jake Johannsen

Punchline SF

See Details
Shoreline Amphitheater

Dan + Shay: The Young Tour

Shoreline Amphitheater

See Details
Swedish American Hall

SF Leonard Cohen Festival: Song & Spirit

Swedish American Hall

See Details
Golden Gate Theater SF

Pivot with Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway

Golden Gate Theater

See Details
August-Hall-San-Francisco-Event-Calendar

Pinhead Gunpowder

August Hall

See Details