Looking for a great night out with cheap drinks, chill vibes, and an unpretentious atmosphere? We’ve got you covered.
The debate around the precise definition of a “dive bar” is spirited, even contentious. Wikipedia describes it as a small, unglamorous, eclectic, and old-style bar. Some say the line between a dive bar and a regular bar is its level of disrepute. For this guide, we define it as a place with three things: cheap drinks, chill vibes, and an unpretentious atmosphere.
Chances are high you’re not going to get your culinary socks knocked off at a dive bar. And if you ask for a gluten-free option you are liable to get laughed at. But there’s no better kind of place to go to spend a good night out with good friends and interesting strangers. So if you’re looking for a cool dive bar in Oakland, look no further than this handy guide.
Classic Dive Vibes
Eli’s Mile High Club is a great place to get drunk. They have great beers, great drinks (in the summer they have an alcoholic smoothie that’s dangerously delicious), and the exact kind of food you want to eat while tipsy: loaded tater tots, corndogs, and a knockoff of Taco Bell’s famous crunchwrap supreme that’s better than the original. You could go there just to eat, but don’t ignore the excellent local beers they have on tap.
There’s always a ton of stuff going on at Eli’s, like live music, food popups, and DJ nights. With plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, it’s a great place to bring a party and have a good night.
Zesty Vibes
Cafe Van Kleef has a few beers on tap, a classic range of cocktails and liquors, and a lot of fresh grapefruit juice. Strangely enough, this is something they’re known for. The juice, which is squeezed by hand with an old-timey citrus juicer, is sweet and not at all bitter, unlike the stuff you find in cartons. The resulting Greyhounds and other cocktails are incredibly delicious despite simple ingredients—just liquor, lime, grapefruit juice, and a huge slice of the fruit itself.
The inside gives off the impression of a maximalist modern art piece. There is cool stuff to look at crammed into every corner of the bar, including 8 swords, a metal pineapple, and a concrete statue of a reclining man, possibly Jesus. If you run out of things to talk about with your barmates, you can always play an extremely satisfying game of eye spy.
Neighborhood Wateringhole Vibes
The best thing about the Wolfhound are the friendly bartenders that make you delicious original cocktails for ten bucks a pop while telling you cool facts about the Prohibition era. The second best thing is the cool art around, ranging from pin-ups to pop art to fancy portraits of the titular wolfhound himself. The third coolest thing is the stack of paper coasters and colored pencils they give you so you yourself can make art while you drink. Bartender favorites are displayed on the bar by the cash registers. This is a great place to go to get a drink after work, or gather with friends on the weekend. It’s friendly, relaxed, and even serves food on Friday and Sunday.
Laid-back bar Vibes across the Bay
Yes, Bender’s is a sojourn across the Bay Bridge from the other bars on this list, but if you have the time it’s worth it. Bender’s is a safe haven for anyone who loves metal music and eating delicious greasy food. At least once a week I think about the burgers from this place—always juicy, saucy, and oh-so good. With the pool tables and jukebox in the back, and the big list of beers and liquor, you have all the makings of a really good night.