Dance clubs, live music, rooftop bars, speakeasies, LGBTQ+ nightlife, listening bars and late-night dives across Oakland, with where to go and what is worth the late night.

Dance Clubs in Oakland

The New Parish ★ 4.3

$$uptownThu-Sat varies by event, doors typically 20:00

The New Parish on San Pablo in Uptown Oakland is the city's hardest-working independent music room. Hip-hop, soul, indie and world acts with a dance floor.

Tip: Ticketed by show; check the calendar a week ahead for headline acts. Two-tier room with bar service upstairs.

Live Music in Oakland

Yoshi's ★ 4.6

$$$jack-london-districtMon-Sun show schedule, dinner 17:00

Yoshi's on the Embarcadero in Jack London Square is Oakland's flagship jazz club and Japanese restaurant. A 310-seat live performance room with full kitchen.

Tip: Dinner reservations get the best seating; the late show usually starts at 9:30 pm.

Fox Theater Oakland ★ 4.7

$$$uptownDoors typically 19:00 on show nights

Fox Theater on Telegraph in Uptown Oakland is the 2,800-seat former movie palace turned flagship Bay Area concert hall. Another Planet's headline room.

Tip: Tickets via Ticketmaster or Another Planet; the balcony has the best sound.

Eli's Mile High Club ★ 4.3

$$north-oaklandMon 16:00-01:00, Thu 16:00-01:00, Fri-Sat 16:00-02:00, Sun 16:00-01:00

Eli's Mile High Club has booked Bay Area blues, rock and DJ nights on MLK Way since the 1970s. Dive bar with a stage that runs Friday and Saturday to 2 a.m.

Tip: Cover most weekend nights; cash is fastest at the bar.

Rooftop Bars in Oakland

Drake's Dealership Beer Garden ★ 4.4

$$uptownMon-Sun 11:30-22:00

Drake's Dealership in Uptown Oakland anchors the city's open-air drinking with fire pits, 32 taps and a wood-fired pizza counter. Adirondack seating for 200.

Tip: Fire pits help against the marine layer; the beer garden runs latest Friday and Saturday.

Speakeasies in Oakland

Viridian ★ 4.2

$$$uptownTue-Sat 17:00-23:00

Viridian on Broadway in Uptown Oakland is the cocktail bar that replaced Daniel Patterson's Plum Bar. Pan-Asian small plates and a quiet cocktail program.

Tip: Friday and Saturday reservations recommended; the back bar runs the strongest classic cocktails.

Sobre Mesa ★ 4.4

$$$uptownTue-Thu 17:00-23:00, Fri-Sat 17:00-00:30, Sun 17:00-22:00

Sobre Mesa is Top Chef Nelson German's Afro-Latin cocktail lounge in Uptown Oakland. Rum-led cocktails, Dominican small plates, weekend DJs after 10 pm.

Tip: Friday and Saturday close at 12:30 a.m. with up-tempo music after 10. Reservations recommended.

Lgbtq in Oakland

White Horse Inn ★ 4.5

$north-oaklandTue-Sun 15:00-02:00, closed Mon

White Horse Inn on Telegraph in North Oakland has run as a gay bar since 1933, making it one of the oldest continuously operating LGBTQ bars in the United States. Drag, queeraoke and DJ nights weekly.

Tip: Queeraoke runs Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 pm; weekend DJ nights from 10. Cash and card both accepted.

Summer Bar and Lounge ★ 4.3

$$old-oaklandTue-Thu 20:00-24:00, Fri-Sat 20:00-02:00

Summer Bar and Lounge opened in Old Oakland in 2021 as the city's queer night room. Karaoke, drag, go-go dancers and a weekly performance lineup.

Tip: Tuesday through Saturday only; weekend close at 2 a.m. with DJs Friday and Saturday.

Late Night Dives in Oakland

Cafe Van Kleef ★ 4.3

$uptownTue-Thu 18:00-24:00, Fri-Sat 18:00-02:00

Cafe Van Kleef on Telegraph in Uptown Oakland is the eccentric cocktail dive that helped revive the corridor in the 2000s. Late-night Friday and Saturday.

Tip: Greyhound with fresh grapefruit is the famous call; cash is faster than card.

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