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
25
June
2025
Pierce The Veil – I Can’t Hear You World Tour
26
June
2025
James Blunt: Back To Bedlam 20th Anniversary Tour
27
June
2025
Randy Feltface at Cobb’s Comedy Club
27
June
2025
Electrolux Pride ’25 at The Midway
28
June
2025
Polyglamorous PINK BLOCK PARTY
28
June
2025
SoSF Festival
28
June
2025
Randy Feltface Cobb’s Comedy Club Night Two
30
June
2025
Shakira – Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran – World Tour
01
July
2025
Post Malone Presents: The BIG ASS Stadium Tour
04
July
2025
San Francisco Fourth Of July Pub Crawl & Hot Dog Eating Contest
05
July
2025
Independence Day Bar Crawl San Francisco
12
July
2025
Cody Jinks The Hippies and Cowboys Tour with special guest Tanner Usrey
15
July
2025
The Driver Era: Obsession Tour
18
July
2025
Cosmo Sheldrake at Rickshaw Stop
19
July
2025
My Chemical Romance: The Black Parade
21
July
2025
Ben Kweller The Mirrors Tour
30
July
2025
mekons, Jill Sobule at Great American Music Hall
01
August
2025
Leanne Morgan: Just Getting Started
02
August
2025
Melissa Etheridge and Indigo Girls Yes We Are Tour
09
August
2025
Creed Summer of 99 Tour
14
August
2025
RÜFÜS DU SOL Inhale/ Exhale World Tour
22
August
2025
Weird Al Yankovic Bigger & Weirder 2025
22
August
2025
Nelly with Ja Rule, Eve & Special Guests: Where The Party At Tour
23
August
2025
An Evening with Mt. Joy at The Greek Theater
25
August
2025
Toto + Christopher Cross + Men At Work
04
September
2025
Goo Goo Dolls Summer Anthem Tour | Dashboard Confessional
05
September
2025
Teddy Swims I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy Tour
06
September
2025
Booka Shade (Live Set)
16
September
2025
Stardew Valley: Symphony Of Seasons
19
September
2025
Maz Jobrani at Cobb’s Comedy Club
You Drink, We Drive
The Best Pub Crawls in San Francisco
Recommended Tours and Attractions