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.
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/
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 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 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/
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/
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 events
Upcoming San Francisco Events
21
February
2026
Jesse Baez at The Independent
22
February
2026
National Margarita Day
22
February
2026
Fox Stevenson with Yue at The Independent
26
February
2026
((( O ))) at The Independent San Francisco
27
February
2026
Sunset Night Market
27
February
2026
Weval – CHOROPHOBIA Album Release Tour
28
February
2026
ARMNHMR with JOYRYDE, Calcium b2b Emorfik, Softest Hard, SKILAH
28
February
2026
BENEE – PARTICLES TOUR at The Fillmore
28
February
2026
Bob Schneider with Me Nd Adam at The Independent
01
March
2026
Noise Pop Festival Presents: Mexican Slum Rats with Clarion, the jewelry
02
March
2026
Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Clippers
02
March
2026
JUNNY — [null] Tour at The Independent
03
March
2026
Peso Pluma at Chase Center
04
March
2026
Black Pistol Fire — Flagrant Act of Bliss at The Fillmore
05
March
2026
National Absinthe Day
05
March
2026
Natalie Bergman with Alec Shaw at The Independent
06
March
2026
Dreamstate Night One at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
06
March
2026
Brandi Carlile at Chase Center San Francisco
06
March
2026
Indigo De Souza at The Fillmore
06
March
2026
Grieves with Blueprint, Benz Shelton
06
March
2026
Los Amigos Invisibles — 2026 World Tour
07
March
2026
Dreamstate – Night Two at Bill Graham
07
March
2026
Chinese New Year Parade 2026
07
March
2026
Margo Price – Wild At Heart Tour
07
March
2026
Guitarricadelafuente at The Independent SF
08
March
2026
Bryant Barnes with Crying City – SOLACE Tour
10
March
2026
Warriors vs. Chicago Bulls
10
March
2026
Aimee Mann – 22½ Lost In Space Anniversary Tour with Jonathan Coulton
10
March
2026
Sam Greenfield with Button Masher at The Independent
11
March
2026
Witchz at The Independent SF
You Drink, We Drive
The Best Pub Crawls in San Francisco
Recommended Tours and Attractions