The Koreatown Northgate District, or KONO, is one of the hipest, hottest neighborhoods in the entire Bay Area. A mix of local activists, business owners, and artists have reinvented this neighborhood from marginalized and left behind, into the heart and soul of Oakland. Now, in KONO you can find art galleries, boutiques, breweries, craft cocktails, tasty food and ice cream at almost all hour of the day or night. While the edges of the neighborhood are fuzzy and changing from month to month, if you are on Broadway or Telegraph Avenue between Grand Avenue and 27th Stret you have arrived. Its easy to get there too, take BART to 19th Street exit and then head north.
The vibe is eclectic, creative and fun. The Hive is always a great place to grab a coffee or ice cream. Beer gardens dot the neighborhood making it a perfect place to explore the beers of Oakland. Yummy food is everywhere. Sit down restaurants, slices to go, late night bites, and of course hot dog carts. The neighborhood pulses with activity from the live music venues that surround it – The Fox Theater, The Paramount, Starline Social Club, and The New Parish. And if you want to see KONO at it’s most authentic, make sure to be here during Oakland First Fridays. It’s one of the vibiest street festivals West of the Mississippi. And First Fridays brings together thousands of joyous folks to absorb art, eat street food, dance to live music and enjoy the Oakland vibes. KONO is a classic downtown neighborhood that embodies that energy and spirit of Oakland’s past, present, and future.