Cornerstone Craft Beer & Live Music — Restaurant in Berkeley

A welcome addition to Berkeley (3.5 Green Stars) I haven’t written a review for two months – the guilt! Looking through my photos, I’m going to review places where I’ve been, in reverse order. First up is Cornerstone, and I have to say that I’m proud of this photo. A basket of fries and pint of Death & Taxes, sitting on my table in the evening light, took on the gravity and artistry of a masterwork by Vermeer or Degas. Anyhoo, after a solitary start with my beer and fries, it ended up being a big group – a post-lockdown work reunion – and I think everyone was pretty happy with their night. I like Cornerstone because it’s one of those bars where you’re more likely to mix with more people (within your own group or randos) rather than somewhere like Jupiter where people tend to not leave their seats. Not that I don’t love Jupiter – the two places are similar in some ways but Cornerstone adds a level of chaos (but in a good way!). Good selection of beer and food, spacious and pretty – what more do you want?

I’m also giving the Cornerstone 3.5 out of 5 “Green Stars” for social and environmental impact, based on this:

• Large emphasis on local draft beer, which is so much better than packaged beer from afar. • On this visit, the staff ran out of clean glasses and switched to plastic cups. Generally that doesn’t happen but hopefully it won’t become a trend. • The food menu caters well for vegetarians and fairly well for vegans. • No info is provided on social and environmental impact (e.g., food sourcing, staff benefits, etc.) • According to Glassdoor, a server/bartender earns around $16/hr plus around $10/hr in tips.

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Overall: excellent food, drink selection, and service! Ordered a salad, charcuterie board, and sausage... boy did they deliver! Very generous portion sizes, and all very delicious. The grilled bread is a great side, pairs well with everything and has enough flavor and texture to stand on its own. The condiments that come with the sausages and board were varied and fantastic, added a lot of fun to the meal.

They offer 3 tasters per person for drinks of which my party agreed that SLO Brew Cali-Squeeze (Blood Orange Hefeweizen), Moonlight Black to Reality (Czech Dark Lager... very dark!), and Mission Trail Aqua Dulce (cider... not too sweet) were the favorites.

Our server was very very kind and accommodating even though he was just about to clock out. He made really great, descriptive suggestions and was very knowledgeable on what they had available. Made sure we had all the tasters, drinks, and food we needed before seeing us off for the night. Could not ask for more considerate and cheerful service.

One note is that this place can be very popular with students so we had our IDs checked and partway through the night we were informed that a party of college students was coming in so we had to put on wristbands to order more drinks past a certain time. It was no hassle and the employees were efficient in notifying us and getting wristbands for us. There are restrooms available with multiple stalls which was great especially after the group event had started.

Photographed: Superfood Salad, Build Your Own Board with prosciutto/Barely Buzzed cheddar/aged Spanish manchego, Bavarian...

The bar itself was very pleasant and friendly. However the staff for the music venue need to seriously rework their policies. I went to the Offspring show last night and was ejected for crowdsurfing onto the stage, along with several others who did the same thing. When I tried talking to a few of the staff at the door, they told me I was "done" and needed to leave.

Firstly, it's a punk show; crowdsurfing is going to happen whether you like it or not. If you don't want people reaching the stage, then put a barricade up. Second, if people do get onstage and you don't want them there, SAY SOMETHING. Give warnings and escort people back to the floor. Resorting immediately to ejection without willing to discuss what happened is ridiculous and unprofessional.

There was also an incident where I was thrown out (attention to the word "thrown") after falling on somebody and not being able to get back up, but that was more confusing than anything and less of a problem since I was able to blend with a group re-entering with no trouble. But still, that could be a lawsuit waiting to happen if someone seriously injures themselves being man-handled like that.

Those tickets were not cheap, and having my night almost ended over something as trivial as crowdsurfing is absurd. I would have been willing to tone my actions down if I knew it was prohibited, but there was nothing that indicated it was, and no one was willing to talk to me about it after it happened. If this is how the staff at the venue are always going to be then I will take my...