Friends & Family — Restaurant in Oakland

An inclusive space for everyone. Great cocktails and food/snacks. Awesome vibe, friendly staff, and cool space. Parking can be challenging. We went to Friends and Family after reading about it in the SF Chronicle and Resy. Navigating the area and parking was difficult on a weeknight, but we were able to find street parking near the bar after circling around for ~10 minutes.

I appreciate the mission statement of providing a safe space where everyone is welcome. The space is full of thoughtful details, and the outdoor space looks amazing with the mural. The pink lighting, the tableware, and the warm and friendly staff really make the place intimate, welcoming, and personal. I really felt like I was being taken care of in a way that's so rare nowadays.

I asked for a recommendation for spirit-forward drinks, and was delighted by both the "for rei" (and "the colette." "For rei" came with a block of coconut water ice, which I popped into my water after finishing the tasty cocktail way faster than I should. It reminded me of a cocktail from another place in SF, but it differentiates with its coffee flavor. Friends and Family also offer a "Daily Affirmations" mystery drink, which benefits gender-affirming care fundraising. It was a nice strawberry-flavored drink that particular night.

The Asian-influenced food also shines at Friends and Family. The hot-and-sour mushrooms pairs with the drinks nicely with its assertive flavor. The "les eggs" was a genuine surprise with its creamy yet refreshing sauce. We also had the yaki onigiri (grilled little rice balls) and the sardine banh mi toast. The tune miso was definitely interesting and an umami bomb. Overall, the dishes are on the salty side.

If I can use a single word to describe my memory of Friends and Family, it would...

Whoever designed the logo deserves a big ole raise — I mean, how cute (and clever) is that?!

This spot has a relaxed and creative atmosphere and was the perfect place to grab drinks with old friends. It had some delicious mocktail options and a chill, queer-friendly vibe (for example, the menu politely asks for all staff to be referred to in the gender-neutral. Love this!)

The service was friendly and not pushy or overbearing. The lighting was dim and romantic and had a back patio for those wishing for a bit of fresh air.

The one caution I will raise is that it can be kind of hard to find — there is no sign at the front of the building! Be prepared to follow Google Maps precisely, or risk spending a few minutes wandering the alleyway (like I did). However, the low-key entrance seemed to add to the mystique and underground vibe of this hidden gem, and I kinda liked it!

Whether you need a romantic first-date cocktail bar or a spot to meet friends before a night out in Oakland, Friends and Family is the perfect...

A must visit every time I’m in Oakland.

Stopped by before a concert at the Fox on a Monday night. There were lots of open seats, love their back patio. They have heaters but it was warm enough without them. We ordered at the bar and our drinks and food were brought to our table.

The happy hour (5-7 pm) cocktail was a mezcal spritz ($7), it was the perfect refreshing yet smoky cocktail for a warm night in the bay.

I love the menu here, we shared the radishes w/ aioli and added sardines. Love the way the radishes were served with the stems on, we felt like bunnies 🐰. We also shared the melon and prosciutto which is a MUST have. The chili oil on it was perfect. They were out of the carrot cake 😢, but settled for some popcorn and the beer + mezcal coffee shot happy hour drink ($7) for dessert.

This space also has books, cards, and crayons to draw on the table cloth. A great spot to check out in Oakland, worth making a trip...