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The Alley $$
- 3325 Grand Ave., Oakland (map)
- 510-444-8505
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Rod Dibble plays piano nightly at this Lake Merritt bar, often with vocal accompaniment from local amateur cabaret crooners. Designed like an old saloon with relatively private diner-style booths (where you can order a burger, steak, or fries to go with your drinks), the Alley is characterized by its vintage clotheslines, pink and baby-blue restroom stalls (much cleaner than your average East Bay haunt), and the thousands of marquees and business cards stapled to its walls. In contrast to the swankier Kingman’s Lucky Lounge across the street, the Alley stays true to its namesake, and the cluttered decor makes it seem homey.
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Au Coquelet Cafe $
- 2000 University Ave., Berkeley (map)
- 510-845-0433
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(based on 1 user review)
Ahh... Au Coquelet, the welcoming Berkeley cafe where you can get a cup of coffee at the crack of dawn and come back after midnight for another cup with an Irish kick, indulge in a fresh fruit torte or any of the spot's homemade desserts. No matter what time of day you opt to sit for a spell in the brick-walled Berkeley institution, there tables are sure to be dotted with people typing at laptops, thumbing through books, or just shooting the breeze.
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Cinnaholic $
- 2132 Oxford St., Berkeley (map)
- 510-647-8684
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(based on 2 user reviews)
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Comal $$$
- 2020 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley (map)
- 510-926-6300
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Crixa Cakes $-$$
- 2748 Adeline St., Berkeley (map)
- 510-548-0421
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Like an old-fashioned Eastern European bakery, Crixa Cakes has everything from chocolate-cherry mousse cake to Fatima’s Thighs. Also, all of Crixa's delectable delights are baked from scratch on-site. The cafe boasts an expansive coffee bar, which features various espresso-based beverages in addition to the standard-issue cup of Joe. Surf the 'net while you sip and chomp; they've got free wi-fi as well.
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Dan Sung Sa $$
- 2775 Telegraph Ave., Oakland (map)
- 510-663-5927
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Disco Volante $$
- 347 14th St., Oakland (map)
- 510-663-0271
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(based on 4 user reviews)
The latest addition to Oakland's blossoming nightlife scene has set up shop in a turquoise-tiled Art Deco building at 14th and Webster streets. Disco Volante, set to open in late October, is a bar, music venue, and restaurant run by a trio of Oakland arts and entertainment vets, with chef Douglas Bernstein of Bacar, Eccolo, and Farallon fame serving up local and seasonal California cuisine. Musical offerings will range from bluegrass to Afrobeat, with shows at least three nights a week.
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District $$-$$$
- 827 Washington St., Oakland (map)
- 510-272-9110
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This sleek Old Oakland wine-and-whiskey bar boasts gorgeous design, a mind-bogglingly huge menu, and some of the best bar food around.
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Forbidden Island $$
- 1304 Lincoln Ave., Alameda (map)
- 510-749-0332
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Forbidden Island is a tiki bar at its best, offering everything it takes to capture that elusive blend of island kitsch, pure spectacle, and festive mood: a nautical wood interior, gaudy cocktails, a jukebox crammed with vintage Martin Denny and Frankie Laine tunes, and a tropical lanai for outdoor guzzling. It’s the only tiki bar in America that makes fresh fruit juice in-house every day, and there are appetizers of the deep-fried variety. Entertainment includes live surf-rock bands and dance parties with DJs.
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Ici $$
- 2948 College Ave., Berkeley (map)
- 510-665-6054
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Serves house-made ice cream, from honey-lavender to gingersnap, along with the classics for purists.
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Kang Tong Degi $$
- 3702 Telegraph Ave., Oakland (map)
- 510-658-2998
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Nieves Cinco de Mayo $
- 3340 #2 E. 12th St., Oakland (map)
- 510-533-6296
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Sacred Wheel Cheese and Specialty Market $-$$
- 4935 Shattuck Ave., Oakland (map)
- 510-653-1353
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Scolari’s Good Eats $$
- 1303 Park St., Alameda (map)
- 510-521-2400
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Skates on the Bay $$
- 100 Seawall Dr., Berkeley (map)
- 510-549-1900
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(based on 1 user review)
