The Alley

A woman brought cupcakes to share with everyone for her birthday! You can tell that there are a lot of regulars at this cozy spot. “It should be illegal for people to be this good at karaoke”—overheard at The Alley. Burgers were pretty yummy too

A woman brought cupcakes to share with everyone for her birthday! You can tell that there are a lot of regulars at this cozy spot. “It should be illegal for people to be this good at karaoke”—overheard at The Alley. Burgers were pretty yummy too

I used to go here often for years about 10 years ago and moved away. I was back in Oakland for a while and went back twice and now not going again. In years past, you could count on a good steak at a reasonable price. I order my steak rare. The first time, it was medium and sent it back. The second visit it was medium well, and the waitress even said this was not the first time the steak was not cooked to order that day but declined to take it back. She did credit one of our drinks. This was a fun dive place to eat, but if you can't get a steak right at twice the price it was 10 years ago, you're not getting my patronage.

I used to go here often for years about 10 years ago and moved away. I was back in Oakland for a while and went back twice and now not going again. In years past, you could count on a good steak at a reasonable price. I order my steak rare. The first time, it was medium and sent it back. The second visit it was medium well, and the waitress even said this was not the first time the steak was not cooked to order that day but declined to take it back. She did credit one of our drinks. This was a fun dive place to eat, but if you can't get a steak right at twice the price it was 10 years ago, you're not getting my patronage.

My bar tender friend enjoyed her Lemon Drops. Service was exceptional. Some may think the walls have "character" (they're covered in decades old business cards). I found it dirty. The bathroom is cramped and not accessible. This place is in need of a remodel and deep clean.

My bar tender friend enjoyed her Lemon Drops. Service was exceptional. Some may think the walls have "character" (they're covered in decades old business cards). I found it dirty. The bathroom is cramped and not accessible. This place is in need of a remodel and deep clean.

It's a small cozy local (full) bar and restaurant. Live piano on Friday and Saturday nights. Food is delicious authentic American cuisine. Service is quick and responsive. Accept credit cards. Has a long bar seating with big screens (could be a good option for sport bar). Has indoor seating with tables and booths. Decoration is classic saloon type bar. Since more weight goes to bar side than restaurant and small seatings, not good for kids. Great for casual drinking, small gathering or meet up. Will go back for burgers, fried chicken and drinks for sure!

It's a small cozy local (full) bar and restaurant. Live piano on Friday and Saturday nights. Food is delicious authentic American cuisine. Service is quick and responsive. Accept credit cards. Has a long bar seating with big screens (could be a good option for sport bar). Has indoor seating with tables and booths. Decoration is classic saloon type bar. Since more weight goes to bar side than restaurant and small seatings, not good for kids. Great for casual drinking, small gathering or meet up. Will go back for burgers, fried chicken and drinks for sure!

If you like the eclectic, old school Bay Area hole in the wall, this is your place! If you like the corporate clean sterile boring, please don’t bother. They have (almost) daily music program. Not everything will delight your ears ( when the neighborhood Pavarotti thinks he has to Make up for lack of talent by singing louder during open mic karaoke). Food is solid old school. Wine…. Please skip. Even the more expensive $12 glass makes vinegar a superstar. No draft beer :( Service was great land customers are as unique as the place itself. To me this is a jewel. But, check out the images before you go- to make sure it is your style. We lost WAY TOO MANY of these unique places since the early 2000’s in tie Bay Area, and with it also left the characters operating and patronizing these kind of classic Bay Area places. Come visit and visit often to keep THE ALLEY going.

If you like the eclectic, old school Bay Area hole in the wall, this is your place! If you like the corporate clean sterile boring, please don’t bother. They have (almost) daily music program. Not everything will delight your ears ( when the neighborhood Pavarotti thinks he has to Make up for lack of talent by singing louder during open mic karaoke). Food is solid old school. Wine…. Please skip. Even the more expensive $12 glass makes vinegar a superstar. No draft beer :( Service was great land customers are as unique as the place itself. To me this is a jewel. But, check out the images before you go- to make sure it is your style. We lost WAY TOO MANY of these unique places since the early 2000’s in tie Bay Area, and with it also left the characters operating and patronizing these kind of classic Bay Area places. Come visit and visit often to keep THE ALLEY going.

The Alley is the greatest bar in all of Oakland, hands down! I hope they someday reopen the upstairs gallery to guests! Great drinks, great food, great atmosphere. Bring cash (atm onsite) and tip the musicians. It could surely benefit from a dusting, but you wont find a better bar this side of the Mississippi. Bring a date or a group of friends, you gotta participate here. Just come through and support the true local vibe.

The Alley is the greatest bar in all of Oakland, hands down! I hope they someday reopen the upstairs gallery to guests! Great drinks, great food, great atmosphere. Bring cash (atm onsite) and tip the musicians. It could surely benefit from a dusting, but you wont find a better bar this side of the Mississippi. Bring a date or a group of friends, you gotta participate here. Just come through and support the true local vibe.

Mesmerizing. Mesmerizing. The vibe is amazing - local, artistic, nostalgic, jazzy. Great performance from the participating musicians and singers which made the dining experience unforgettable. We asked for the best seats for music and we were seated very close to the piano. Fried chicken is a blast, hot, juicy, well marinated. Burger comes with lots of veggies and a thick patty. Cocktails loaded with liquor. Will come back.

Mesmerizing. Mesmerizing. The vibe is amazing - local, artistic, nostalgic, jazzy. Great performance from the participating musicians and singers which made the dining experience unforgettable. We asked for the best seats for music and we were seated very close to the piano. Fried chicken is a blast, hot, juicy, well marinated. Burger comes with lots of veggies and a thick patty. Cocktails loaded with liquor. Will come back.