Guidebook for Oakland

Kevin
Guidebook for Oakland

Drinks & Nightlife

It's a TOTAL dive bar with ridiculously great staff. Pool tables in the back - and great "ruby" lighting...and only about 1.5 blocks from our apartment if you're feeling like some company!
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Ruby Room
132 14th St
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It's a TOTAL dive bar with ridiculously great staff. Pool tables in the back - and great "ruby" lighting...and only about 1.5 blocks from our apartment if you're feeling like some company!
A little more classy - great food (AMAZING HAPPY HOUR! Can you say free deep fried pickles?!) and live music most nights of the week!
Disco Volante
347 14th St
A little more classy - great food (AMAZING HAPPY HOUR! Can you say free deep fried pickles?!) and live music most nights of the week!
More upscale than the other two - cool ambiance, great location, great drinks.
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Bar 355
355 19th St
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More upscale than the other two - cool ambiance, great location, great drinks.
Kevin's favorite bar. Genuinely good beers, knowledgeable staff - the place to come if you want a good brew.
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The Trappist
460 8th St
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Kevin's favorite bar. Genuinely good beers, knowledgeable staff - the place to come if you want a good brew.
Super cool bar with LOADS of history.
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Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon
48 Webster Street
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Super cool bar with LOADS of history.

Food Scene

It's cool. It's quaint. It's got great coffee, an outdoor seating area AND they are down with dogs. BCC is an Oakland staple!
Brown Couch Cafe
It's cool. It's quaint. It's got great coffee, an outdoor seating area AND they are down with dogs. BCC is an Oakland staple!
Food is overpriced but you can't beat the view! GREAT HH from 3-9PM (including $3 in house brews and $1.50 oysters!) and the infamous TACO TUESDAYS with $2.50 tacos and $4.50 top shelf margartias!
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Lake Chalet
1520 Lakeside Dr
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Food is overpriced but you can't beat the view! GREAT HH from 3-9PM (including $3 in house brews and $1.50 oysters!) and the infamous TACO TUESDAYS with $2.50 tacos and $4.50 top shelf margartias!
If you want to experience Oakland...definitely an interesting experience...coffee in the front, weed in the back.
Blue Sky Coffee Shop
377 17th St
If you want to experience Oakland...definitely an interesting experience...coffee in the front, weed in the back.
Totally vegetarian/vegan sandwich and breakfast shop with genuinely GREAT food. Hours are strange, so look before you go!
Breakroom
300 13th St
Totally vegetarian/vegan sandwich and breakfast shop with genuinely GREAT food. Hours are strange, so look before you go!
I know what you're thinking...vegan SOULfood? How can that be without BUTTER?! Let me tell you - AMAZING. Nothing better. Come for the food and walk next door to Beer Revolution for your nightcap!
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Souley Vegan
301 Broadway
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I know what you're thinking...vegan SOULfood? How can that be without BUTTER?! Let me tell you - AMAZING. Nothing better. Come for the food and walk next door to Beer Revolution for your nightcap!
KIller breakfast sandwiches. Great coffee. Heated outdoor seating.
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Caffe 817
817 Washington St
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KIller breakfast sandwiches. Great coffee. Heated outdoor seating.
Best dimsum in Oakland. Typically long lines - BRING CASH!
Sun Sing Pastry Dim Sum
382 8th St
Best dimsum in Oakland. Typically long lines - BRING CASH!
BEST Taco Truck in Oakland - OPEN LATE! Mon-Thu, Sun 10 am - 2:30 am/ Fri-Sat 10 am - 3 am
1st Avenue
1st Avenue
BEST Taco Truck in Oakland - OPEN LATE! Mon-Thu, Sun 10 am - 2:30 am/ Fri-Sat 10 am - 3 am
AMAZING. New, family owned restaurant - insanely delicious grub. Try the lamb skewers, mondoo and pistachio pudding. You'll be happy you did.
14th Avenue
14th Avenue
AMAZING. New, family owned restaurant - insanely delicious grub. Try the lamb skewers, mondoo and pistachio pudding. You'll be happy you did.

Everything Else

Running loop: 3.2 miles closest to the lake!
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Lake Merritt Amphitheater
Lake Merritt Boulevard
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Running loop: 3.2 miles closest to the lake!
Super cool bar with TONS of beers on tap.
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Beer Revolution: pick-up & curbside ❤️
464 3rd St
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Super cool bar with TONS of beers on tap.
If you feel like a gormet pizza - this is the place for you. By the slice, or the whole shooting match - AWESOME, well crafted pizza.
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Arizmendi Bakery
3265 Lakeshore Ave
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If you feel like a gormet pizza - this is the place for you. By the slice, or the whole shooting match - AWESOME, well crafted pizza.
Great Sunday Outdoor Flea Market! Open all year!
Laney College
900 Fallon St
Great Sunday Outdoor Flea Market! Open all year!
This is truly a hidden gem - I don't even want to share! On the 2nd floor...$20 HOUR massages, $5 facials. Great, clean space, friendly staff. Wear something comfy! Open till 10pm! GO! NOW!
417 7th St
417 7th Street
This is truly a hidden gem - I don't even want to share! On the 2nd floor...$20 HOUR massages, $5 facials. Great, clean space, friendly staff. Wear something comfy! Open till 10pm! GO! NOW!
Want an interesting place to picnic? Take the elevator in the parking garage to the top floor (it's free!) and go find a spot! Fountains, picnic benches and a great view.
Broadway
999 Broadway
Want an interesting place to picnic? Take the elevator in the parking garage to the top floor (it's free!) and go find a spot! Fountains, picnic benches and a great view.

Essentials

So happy this gem is in our neighborhood! Too late to go all the way to Trader Joes? Walk a block to NB and find a plethora of natural ingredients to complete any meal!
1431 Jackson St
1431 Jackson Street
So happy this gem is in our neighborhood! Too late to go all the way to Trader Joes? Walk a block to NB and find a plethora of natural ingredients to complete any meal!
Can you say, free samples?
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Trader Joe's
3250 Lakeshore Ave
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Can you say, free samples?
Cafe Gratitude's smoothies FTW.
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Whole Foods Market
230 Bay Pl
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Cafe Gratitude's smoothies FTW.

Arts & Culture

$5 New Releases all day Tuesday and Sunday! Come early - the lines get long!
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Regal Jack London
100 Washington St
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$5 New Releases all day Tuesday and Sunday! Come early - the lines get long!
The Shins? Weird Al? Explosions in the Sky? Missy Elliott? These guys have a little something for everyone! Check them out to see if there's a concert while you're here!
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Fox Theater
1807 Telegraph Ave
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The Shins? Weird Al? Explosions in the Sky? Missy Elliott? These guys have a little something for everyone! Check them out to see if there's a concert while you're here!