Bars near El Cerrito

“Amidst the bustling traffic in El Cerrito, there's a hidden gem and a recent addition to the area. Blink and you'll miss it. Even during a brief pause at a stop light when there's a chance to look around, it's highly probable that you'll still miss it. There's no signage on the building itself, so look for the wine barrels sitting on the sidewalk as your clue, or perhaps you'll spot their small sandwich board just outside their front door. Find parking somewhere near 10368 San Pablo Avenue, the address to Banter, a wine bar with a warm atmosphere, welcoming decor, and communal tables. Offering a curated selection of old and new world wines, Banter focuses on small producers who prioritize minimal intervention from vineyard to bottle. On location, you can purchase a bottle from the shelves to enjoy at home or savor a glass (or bottle) in-house. If you need something to eat while you're there, choose from various delicious snacks including cheese, charcuterie, and other tasty treats. During the pandemic, while drinking wine and eating cheese in their backyard, owners Claire and Devin were inspired to open a wine bar, but they wanted their wine bar to feel like "home," - comfy, casual, no frills, just...chill. A collection of cozy couches in the back creates an ambiance reminiscent of enjoying a drink in the living room of your most stylish friend. Classic VHS tapes and 80's knick-knacks are precariously stacked high next to small vintage TVs playing films that will take you back in time. When I was last there the original Flash Gordon was playing. You probably won't get to hear any of the movie dialogue because the bar is spinning LPs from an ever-expanding vinyl collection, fueled by contributions from patrons. A pinball machine in the back room adds to the decor's nostalgic charm and provides an entertaining distraction between pours. With a partial kitchen, Banter partners with local talent and the community to create new opportunities by featuring "pop-ups" - temporary restaurants that allow chefs and restaurateurs to try out a new neighborhood, experiment with their menu, generate a following, or just get some great experience for their staff. During my most recent visit, I got a front-row seat at the bar to witness Chef Emmanual from the restaurant Bolita work his magic with fresh masa, a must-have ingredient at the center of all his signature dishes. Most notable was the Tamal de Calabaza which featured squash masa, mole negro tamal, roasted kabocha, and cashew crema. A nice compliment was the Papas Rositazadas, simple roasted potatoes with black garlic aioli. Both were deliciously elevated and beautifully plated for such a casual environment. Unfortunately by the time you read this Bolita would have moved on to their next location but you can track them down on their website at www.bolitamasa.com. Banter will continue to feature pop-ups and to find out what's in store next visit their location or follow their Instagram @banter_winebar. As temporary as the pop-up food concept is, Banter is hopefully here for good as they focus on what's most important, which is most fittingly stated by the intentionally sloppy, hand-painted sign in front, "Bad Signs, Good Wigns!"“

“Nothing crafty, trendy, pricey or fancy. Just neighborly and friendly. I'm usually here Fridays and Saturdays and enjoy the vibe here. The crew and owner are super friendly. Stop reading this and meet your neighbors here for fun and spirits!“

“Visiting from Colorado, looking for lunch found a this lovely Peruvian restaurant. we walked in, atmosphere very pleasant and greeted quickly. I ordered the Peruvian Paella. Came to the table still sizzling. I was blown away of how much food there was and the smell was amazing!Took my first bite and tasted delicious ?“

“Typically neighborhood bar. No food served. Basic fun place. Ppl come here to watch the games, have a great time, and live their life. I'm not too impressed but it will work while I wait for a friend. I'm early for the Halloween Party“

“Now just understand that what I am doing is trying to make you understand how awesome this place (SLAM!) is but convey how annoying it is (SLAM!) to have people keep playing “Liar’s Dice” right (SLAM!) next to you when you are trying (SLAM!) to talk to people (SLAM!) and listen to the karaoke of some really (SLAM!) talented people who are truly skilled (SLAM!) and again, very (SLAM!) talented. (SLAM!)So the staff and crew are (SLAM!) very kind and nice and funny and smart and (SLAM!) and even though there are like 50 people in there (SLAM!) trying to relax and enjoy themselves and have a drink (SLAM!) there are 5 or so people in there (SLAM!) playing “Liar’s Dice,” (SLAM!) and will not stop slamming the (SLAM!) GD cup down on (SLAM!) the table over and over and over and over and over (SLAM!) again. And you are trying to listen to the karaoke (SLAM!) and they just won’t stop with the effing cup (SLAM!) and then you finally get fed up and (SLAM!) scream at them to shut up (SLAM!) and ask the staff why they don’t just ask (SLAM!) those 5 people to stop doing that because the other (SLAM!) 45 people in the bar are annoyed with the cup (SLAM!) being repeatedly slammed into the MF table over (SLAM!) and over and over and over and then (SLAM!) the staff doesn’t even understand why they tolerate that $h!t (SLAM!) either and then you are exasperated with the (SLAM!) constant slamming of the dice and so you leave and say, (SLAM!) “Yeah, I’ll probably never be back because (SLAM!) even though I had a nice time, I cannot stand (SLAM!) someone slamming a effing (SLAM!) cup down every 3-5 seconds over and over and over and over and over (SLAM!) againSo that’s my review. (SLAM!) (SLAM!) (SLAM!)Ok bye bye now (SLAM!)“

“Lama Bar in El Cerrito is a gem! Exceptional service, great DJ vibes, and a cozy patio – it’s the perfect spot to unwind. Plus, the added bonus of billiards adds to the fun. Big thanks for the wonderful service; it’s definitely the go-to place for hanging out with friends!“

“This place is so fun it has both community (locals) and people from across the bay. All of the bartenders are so sweet every single day of the week you’ll have a great time with different shows or dj sets I genuinely can’t say how much I love this bar and the people “

“When your clients decide on Liholiho Yacht Club as the place to meet to design their future wedding rings ?Food is communal by nature, as a result, I was amazed by the fruitfulness our meeting yielded — as we departed, our spirits soared with inspiration and excitement for what’s to come ?“

“Scoma's was one of the highlights of my summer last year. It was at Scoma's that I discovered that I am, in fact, a Lazy Man who requires Lazy Man's Cioppino. The restaurant is lovely, tucked away on a pier. The service was wonderful -- the waitress was really nice and seemed to love the food.The lazy man's cioppino was incredible! A warm, savory, thick tomato broth with perfectly cooked seafood. The mussels and clams were so juicy and succulent. The scallops (3) were so good, fat, and tender. The shrimp was yummy and not overcooked. The fish was well cooked -- not my favorite component, but still good. And of course, no need to get down with the crab shells since the crab meat has been pre-picked. I am a lazy man and this is my cioppino of choice. Definitely worth the price!The Rockefeller oysters were meh; too much cheese and spinach. I've had better broiled oysters (Acme in NOLA!). The oysters themselves were good, but it was hard to tell under the cheese sauce.We were seated next to a couple who had moved from the Bay to the East Coast, and cited Scoma's as a reason why they missed the Bay. I definitely want to return during future visits to SF!“

“I work on the island and my xo workers and I go to mersea every Friday for some great drinks and delicious fish and chips and pizza. The fried broccoli appetizers are awesome as well! To top it off the owner always comes and says hi and I’m the staff is very pleasant!“

“Listed as one of the top tiki bars in the country and i see why! Love the speak easy approach and three floors of authentic tiki vibe. The drink selections are authentic and boundless. I will need to make many more trips to make my way through the incredible menu. The only thing better than the drinks was the staff. The bartenders were extremely friendly , attentive, and skillful. Despite the constant line out the door, they managed to create quality tiki drinks consistently. The vibe was great and everyone seemed to be loving the place as much as i was. I scratched off the fundamental mai tai and zombie. Can’t wait to go back for the painkiller before going with more exotic concoctions.“

“I love the concept of this restaurant, the atmosphere and presentation of the dishes with do many delicious flavors . We started with the chicharrones with guacamole , the chicharron was a top for me!My favorite was the beef barbacoa empanada very filling and tasty, the cucumber & brusela salad was amazing so many flavors and very fresh. We also ordered the asada tacos, I like their special take with queso, guac and grilled onion. Super cute place and bar with amazing mezcal cocktails!!“

“Came here with a group of 5 for a friend’s bday and was so pleasantly surprised!Good:- The tater tots were awesome, loved the bulgogi- Great pricing for a large group not too expensive- The bulgogi hot pot was so good- I like the fruit wine here as well and came with a lot of ingredients in it- Service was great friendly staff who also brought out ice cream and sang happy birthday, food also came out quicklyBad:- The chicken karaage was pretty normal not super fancy though and was a bit blandOverall this place was a solid place for a hangout with friends and great Korean food. Was packed as well on a Thursday night“

“One of the best at what they do. A bar like this doesn't need to entertain you with food options. This is the before and after location based solely from their above-average drink selections. Getting lost in the jungle of a lounge they have and being prescribed the perfect libation by their talented bartenders is enough to keep you for a couple rounds. It's what a cocktail bar should be: cozy, inspiring, and delicious. I'll be back.“

“Zombie Village delivers an authentic tiki experience that expertly avoids the cliché, creating an atmosphere that's both sophisticated and spirited. The Desert Oasis stands out with its masterful blend of flavors, a true testament to the bar's dedication to quality and creativity. The setting is just right for any occasion, whether you're out for a lively evening with friends or looking for a cozy corner on a date.A nod to Echo behind the bar, her expertise adds to the charm of the place. The service is as smooth as the cocktails are delicious, making every visit memorable. Here’s to Zombie Village for setting the bar high and to the staff, for their part in making each experience better than the last.“

“Such a cute spot to grab yummy drinks. We went on a Friday at around 9 PM, wasn't busy so we were able to be seated right away. There's a good amount of seating. The ambiance is cozy. The bartenders are very nice and friendly. I love playing pool, and there's one pool table. 3 games for $5. I ordered the Hot Gurl Summer it was flavored with a good amount of spices. My friend ordered the Blushing Dragon, and that was DELICIOUS! I loved the passion fruit flavor. The Save Me a Piece of That Corn was a good, mixed tequila drink. Highly recommend Kona's!“

“Lovely atmosphere, very good flavors, and attentive service...at times TOO attentive.I was in town for a conference and decided to just have one solo, quiet meal to take a break.It's just the right noise level - bustling enough to feel safe and comfortable, but not so loud as to not be able to hear myself talk.The food was quite good. I loved my lamb dish. But the kale I got on the side was inedibly salty. I ate a few bites but couldn't keep going. Usually the wait staff would have asked if I didn't enjoy it or something if a dish was barely touched but here they did not, and just took it away.They did, however, spend almost 3 minutes recommending and describing half the menu. It was too much, especially because I didn't even ask for recommendations. I was also trying to relax with headphones in and watch a video while eating my meal, but the server kept coming by to ask me how everything was when I clearly had headphones in.The Sesame dessert was interesting and excellent!“

“In just two short months, it's already my third visit to this restaurant.This restaurant is a great choice for a date, not only because the food is delicious, but also because the overall dining atmosphere is particularly pleasant.I highly recommend their fries, which are not too salty and fried to perfection, very tasty, and you can feel the chef's delicate craftsmanship.The steak is cooked to perfection and I highly recommend it as well.The chocolate soufflé dessert has a moderate sweetness, with a slightly bitter chocolate flavor, and is accompanied by banana ice cream, which is a truly beautiful combination.“

“I love this bar/lounge! Upstairs is a quieter area with seating and a bar, but downstairs is the lounge where the live music happens on weekend nights, and this is the place to be! We always have so much fun here. You can even rent out private tables for the live music. This is a great place to drink and dance with young people all the way to older people. I don’t recommend the signature drinks if you don’t like sweet but I like their beers or typical bar drinks. Love this place so much and its tribute to history in Chinatown.“

“Food was amazing also the vibes in this restaurant are spectacular it's very lively. I had ended up having a cocktail over wine of course the gimlet there was bomb I ended up having two. Service was overly great I must say like a little too great not saying that I don't like to be checked up on but any given moment things were cleared and we were asked how is everything ...glasses were always full. The potatoes were alright and the brussel sprouts the same. I wasn't really digging the beef short rib but the agnolotti dal plin ugh was so good I will come back just for this.“

“They have omakase, which I would very much recommend. It's one bite of everything, and the chef makes it right there. Don't worry, you'll be full by the end lolDietary restrictions: They ask you when about allergies and restrictions when you sit down so you'll be fine unless you have a seafood allergy“

“Tasty mexican food in North Beach.It was pretty early - like 5:30 pm - and the place was empty, so the orders delivery was fast. We had a burrito (big!) and some tacos with carne asada (portion of three), a cheese enchilada and tacos with guacamole. Everything was really tasty, maybe a little hard to digest (more than other mexican experiences) but I have to say I was really hungry and I ate fast.This food plus two margaritas was like 72$ without tip and I think it’s pretty expensive (it was the most expensive dinner in a almost two weeks trip in and around San Francisco so I think it’s something worth to say). Not so happy with that.Other things: the neighborhood is pretty great, the location is just okay (it doesn’t recall authenticity but it looks more like a franchise fast food); service is a bit cold but kind so nothing to whine about (it’s just an observation).So yeah if you’re hungry, price it’s not a problem and you aren’t looking for a “traditional” kind of thing, this is the place!“

“Exactly what millennials want and need: reasonable volume music, reasonable priced food and drink, and a classy but fun VIBE.Quality: 4.5Value: 5 (for SF)Service: 4Ambience: 5This place has great happy hour deals and a really great set of decor and music.You can head yourself talk! But the music is also good. What a concept!Service was a little mid; one of the servers wasn't in a great mood/was struggs but the rest were nice, and stuff came out eventually.The cocktails were GREAT! Really delightful choices and prices.Their happy hour deal on oysters is also pretty unheard of: $1.50 each and they were wonderful, briny and creamy.French fries were also great, as was the ceviche.Also, the ceviche we had was one of the best I've ever had.“

“Not the best Irish coffee in town, but certainly someplace everyone needs to visit while in San Francisco. I have eaten there a couple of times and the food is marginal. The focus here is on the Irish coffee. The bartenders have been there forever. Is it a tourist dive? Absolutely. Should you still go? Absolutely.“

“This place is awesome - delicious, reasonably-priced cocktails and excellent atmosphere. Staff was friendly and responsive, too. What more could you ask for? Oh... happy hour? They've got that dialed in as well. Check this place out if you haven't yet!“

“The dinner prix fixe was stellar. Each dish was special and interesting, and balanced. The care that the staff gave us was personal and thoughtful, and they tailored to our dietary restrictions.Dietary restrictions: Extremely accommodating to dietary restrictions. Just share with your server!“

“What a lovely little spot! We stumbled across this restaurant when we were in North Beach and wanted to get some Italian. It was one of the few spots that was open late. Boy, were we pleasantly surprised! The owner/chef was so charismatic and kind, made us feel taken cared of. He also gave great wine recommendations for our meals. The gnocchi was out of this world, it was like a pillow melting in my mouth. What a great experience especially when you want traditional Italian food. We will definitely be coming back again and trying more of the pasta dishes!“

“This place is the ideal dive bar. Great atmosphere, excellent service, and even better people watching. Great selection behind the bar, along with quite a few activities (i.e. darts, pool, shuffleboard, basketball head-to-head, etc.). It's definitely a fun place if you're in the neighborhood. A bucket of Modelo was $25“

“The burger was really great. Different taste from other options around. Problem is that I was given the wrong beer, a lager and not a stout that has the same name. Others in our group had their orders incorrect for their burger toppings. But we just dealt with it.“

“This was one of the best seafood meals that I had in a long time. The portions are huge. I had the scallops brocolett & carrots for my main course along with a crab cocktail & a bowl of New England Clam Chowder. I highly recommend this place!“

“the food was spectacular. I have not enjoyed sushi so much in years. Very authentic selection, and high quality products. Just right in every way. I really enjoyed the rainbow rolls and cheese tempura. Staff is very friendly and give you great advice about whatever is the best option of the day.Kid-friendliness: chicken teriyaki is great. portions are generous and staff very friendly.“

“Been coming here for years and returned after a hiatus. The food is still delicious and so are the cocktails. The aesthetic and atmosphere is fun and alluring.Ordered the Li Hing Melon and Return to Guava Island as well as Salt & Pepper Chicken and Garlic noodles.The food is bomb!Service was great and I even noticed some familiar faces among the staff which is always refreshing.One of the best bars in Oakland and offers immaculate vibes.“

“I had the best red lentils I've ever tasted here. The vegetable wot is especially good, well seasoned greens, cabbage, corn, etc. on injera. And the parking's good, especially for Berkeley. My companion and I each got parking spots right in front of the restaurant.“

“Went here for the Christmas cocktails in December. And they were absolutely delicious. One of the issues I have with Christmas/holiday cocktails is that they tend to be super sweet. These were interesting, well balanced and high quality cocktails.“

“Visited here a few times on my last visit to San Francisco. Fantastic place with friendly Staff and a lovely waterfront view. The food is amazing as well, particularly the BBQ chicken wings which were absolutely lush! Definitely recommend and will be back on my next visit!“

“Had nice, relaxing brunch. The Fiaker goulash was good. Kid subbed hash browns for caraway potatoes and the hash browns were divine. The caraway potatoes were great too. Pretzel for app was delicious. Looked forward to the wiener schnitzel with great anticipation and it was oh so close! But it was the one disappointment -- the fry was light and crispy, and I appreciate having a pork loin schnitzel (chicken doesn't qualify). But the one thing is that it was WAY TOO buttery. I couldn't taste anything but butter. It came with a great, light potato and cucumber salad. I tried lightening the schnitzel with the provided lingonberry sauce but that also somehow tasted of butter. Only the mustard provided with the pretzel helped offset the butteriness. Looking for a replacement for Suppenkuche's wiener schnitzel and this comes the closest except for the over butteriness. So for now, the best schnitzel in SF is at Radhaus.“

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Celebrated a birthday at Ceron Kitchen in Alameda, and it was an absolute delight from start to finish!The atmosphere was wonderfully inviting, setting the perfect tone for our celebration.First up, the wedge salad was a refreshing delight, perfectly crisp and flavorful. But it was the lobster fettuccine that truly stole the show – every bite was a burst of exquisite flavors, leaving us craving for more.A special shoutout to the exceptional staff, particularly our bartender Robert, whose warmth and expertise enhanced our experience. Robert's recommendations for wine pairings were spot on, elevating each course to perfection.Overall, Ceron Kitchen exceeded our expectations in every way. We'll definitely be returning for more memorable dining experiences!“

“Fave bar in Oakland. Adventurous, ever-evolving cocktail menu. Food is affordable and delicious (didn’t know tater tots could be deep fried with such precision, lol).NO tv screens! Ambiance is “cool, cozy, librarian” and vinyl selection is deeeep.“

“Had the uni pasta, made with squid ink pasta. This dish was better than I expected. The density of the noodles was what I expected for squid ink noodles and the uni sauce was a great addition. I wish it had a bit stronger of an uni taste, but this dish was still delightful.“

“This is the one! Little Star on Valencia was the polar opposite to this location. Staff is nice, attentive, quick, and professional. The restaurant had a good amount of customers yet our server always came back to check in on us. My favorite is the deep dish. This one came out delicious and had lots of roasted garlic chunks! I will be coming back when I get a craving. I'm not a crust person but I love eating theirs.“

“Everything about Gozusf is unique. From the furnishings to the restrooms... yes the restrooms are next level. Every dish is presented as a work of art, and is filled with so much flavor it's hard to describe. You simply need to try EVERYTHING. The service is impeccable and this is an experience that should not be missed!“

“The bartenders are warm, welcoming and efficient, The drinks match the great vibes, the dj read the room and, had everyone enjoying themselves in the best tiki bar I've ever been. I've been here twice and will definitely be back! 10/10“

“Third year in a row for Miracle on Telegraph. It's always a blast! The bartenders get into character and pours lots of delicious holidays drinks. This year my favorite was Rudolph's Replacement (it was like a coffee cocktail) hope they keep this tradition going for years to“

“Sometimes you need a mid day cider, or beer, or wine... you know where I'm going with this. Came in on a Thursday afternoon for some me time, and was shocked at myself for never seeing this place. Redfield will now definitely be a staple. The shop itself is super cute with relaxing music - you know to make work just a bit more bearable. The selection of cider is amazing - and having that hot cider on a chilly day is a must do this fall! I recommend the Mission Trail Cherries - It's the perfect amount of sweet and boozy, and the color is beautiful! It was described to me as kind of like a port but in cider form and being aged in a barrel (I can't remember what kind of barrel) - so just the right thing for me. Over all 10/10! Great drinks, friendly staff, and you can even buy some bottles for to go! Do yourself a favor - get a drink this weekend and if you're cold - get a hot cider.“

“3.5 stars - Excellent vibe and drinks. Service was friendly but slow. Food was just ok, and portions are small, so feels overpriced. Joodang is in the tenderloin, so inevitably, the area is a bit sketchy. This didn't stop us because I had been wanting to try this place since it opened! You just have to be careful and aware of your surroundings - nothing surprising if you're familiar with the TL. The exterior is quite unassuming. You could easily walk past it if you're not paying attention. The inside of the restaurant on the contrary is bright, modern, chic and clean. We had an early dinner reservation for 4 people on a Friday night and were cheerfully greeted and seated right away upon arrival. The restaurant quickly filled up, but I appreciated that the tables were comfortably spaced out and it didn't get too cluttered. They have Asian inspired cocktails. We each ordered a different one and they were all both aesthetic and delicious! We also ordered 2 bottles of soju to sip on throughout the meal. Loved how friendly and encouraging the staff was of us keeping the alcohol flowing! :-p Though the food was fine, I'd have to say the drinks were way more memorable than the food. Everything is meant to be shared, but be warned that the portions are quite small. We ordered: - Beef tartar: Tasted fresh, well balanced - Risotto: One of my favorite dishes of the meal. The portion was pretty small though. - Bulgogi tater tots: tbh can't remember what the official dish name was, but it was essentially loaded tots, topped with bulgogi. I enjoyed this dish and its flavors, but didn't find it to be particularly special. - Korean Fried Chicken: Portion size for this was extremely disappointing, as we just received a few wings on a plate. They were flavorful, but not worth ~$18. - Kim Chi Udon: Good flavors. I enjoyed the toppings too - Pork Belly Cheese Doboki - I will not be ordering this again next time. While it sounded promising, this was just way too pricey ($26) for a dish that lacked flavor. And unfortunately, the texture of the rice cake felt like it was microwaved from frozen. I really want to support Joodang still, and I hope they succeed. The staff was super friendly and nice. However, some of our food took a while to come out (which generally is fine), but we had to ask them to check on our order and also for the bill at least 2-3x. With that said, I really hope they can work out the kinks because they have a great concept and a lot of potential.“

“Well besides the fact that you can drink in this museum… ya just can’t ask for “cheese & crackers” just anywhere and actually get a wedge from the wheel of cheese and get this.. actual real life crackers! Not those BS square ones in the packet. That’s not even real cheese in those!“

“Our group of 20 enjoyed the spacious patio with heaters. Mac the Host greeted us (carded us) with a friendliness that set the tone for a very happy Happy Hour. All the drinks were delicious, including the whiskey sour and pitcher of lager. We loved the pizza from Rotten Pizza just down the street.“

“We went here on a Saturday night for a quick dinner before attending a private party in their patio area. We got there around 8:15 and were seated immediately. Service was excellent. Cocktails were tasty. We ordered a Cobb salad, two pork belly entrées, and some truffle fries. Everything was delicious. The pork belly came with a buttery polenta. After dinner we moved to the middle patio for a private party and service was awesome. I wasn't sure what to expect and was very pleasantly surprised. We chose tipsy pig because it was convenient and the same place as our party. I highly recommend this Gastropub.“

“Place was nice, we had a good time, we were entertained. Just look at the menu and choose your food quick, or it might be a little while before the server gets back to you as that place gets pretty busy. Once they get back to you, they make sure you’re good. Our server/bartender was really nice. I’m definitely going back. Between the delicious food, a mixed drink each, we played like half of the games, a nice tip to the server/bartender and a lot of credits to spare on a game card…. I probably spent $125 or so.“