Summer Bar and Lounge ★ 4.3
$$old-oaklandTue-Thu 20:00-24:00, Fri-Sat 20:00-02:00
Summer Bar and Lounge opened in Old Oakland in 2021 as the city's queer night room. Karaoke, drag, go-go dancers and a weekly performance lineup.
Tip: Tuesday through Saturday only; weekend close at 2 a.m. with DJs Friday and Saturday.
Cafe Van Kleef ★ 4.3
$uptownTue-Thu 18:00-24:00, Fri-Sat 18:00-02:00
Cafe Van Kleef on Telegraph in Uptown Oakland is the eccentric cocktail dive that helped revive the corridor in the 2000s. Late-night Friday and Saturday.
Tip: Greyhound with fresh grapefruit is the famous call; cash is faster than card.
Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon ★ 4.4
$jack-london-districtMon 15:00-21:00, Tue-Sun 12:00-21:00
Heinold's First and Last Chance has poured since 1883 at Jack London Square. The leaning saloon serves up the city's most historic late-evening whiskey neat.
Tip: Cash only; the building still leans from the 1906 quake.
The New Parish ★ 4.3
$$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.
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.