South Side Beer Ride Great Terrace
Wed, Oct 7 · 6:30 PM
Downtown Berkeley • $$
Lively Bars in the East Bay worth going out for.
Oakland has been better than San Francisco for a while now, and I'm happy to keep saying it.
I keep track of lively bars in the East Bay and only keep the ones worth going to. Ask me what you're after.
See these on a map
Browse the East Bay neighborhood by neighborhood, get ideas just for you, or ask me anything.
Top picks
Live Conga Music
Thu, Sep 10 · 7:00 PM
Walnut Creek • $$
Mahjong Mondays and Trivia Night
Wed, Sep 9 · 12:00 PM
Albany
Jinx Jones Jazz Duo One-time only
Thu, Jan 7 · 5:30 PM
Rockridge • $$
Pachuco Mexican Lager Fiesta One-time only
Sat, Jan 30 · 5:00 PM
Alameda
Mesa Maguey
Temescal • $$
Golden Ratio
Downtown Oakland • $$
Club House Sports Bar Great Terrace
Alameda • $
Headyworks
Livermore
Hesher's Pizza & Taproom
Jack London Square • $$
Not everyone knows about these
Slice & Pint Night
Wed, Sep 9 · 3:00 PM
West Berkeley
California CiderMaker celebration One-time only
Thu, Sep 10 · 5:00 PM
Rockridge • $$
Friday Night Tasting: UNTI Vineyards Returns with Carl Davidson One-time only
Fri, Sep 11 · 5:00 PM
Piedmont Avenue
Golden Gate Park “The Whale’s Tail” Beer/Wine Garden + Live Music (Summer 2026)
Sat, Sep 12 · 12:00 PM
West Alameda
Bubbles & Boards
Sun, Sep 13 · 1:00 PM
Antioch • $$
Lofi Oyster Co. Pop Up One-time only
Mon, Oct 5 · 4:00 PM
Temescal
Explore more in the East Bay
Lively in other cities
Frequently asked questions
How are these lively bars in the East Bay chosen?
I go through what's actually on nearby and keep only the ones worth the trip. Nobody pays to be on this list.
Is everything here still happening?
Yes. If it's on the list, it's still on — anything that's finished drops off by itself.
How do I find something that suits me?
Open the map and tell me what you're after — a good terrace, somewhere that works with kids, something on tonight. I'll answer and narrow it down with you.
Do I need an account?
No, everything here is browsable without one. An account is how I learn your taste, your people and your saves, so what I show you keeps getting closer to what you'd actually go to. You can also have ideas sent to you by email or message if you want them.
Is it free?
Yes, completely.