Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon — Restaurant in Oakland

I stepped into Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon and felt like I had stepped back in time. The saloon is a small, two-story building with a wood-paneled interior. The walls are lined with maritime artifacts, including ship models, figureheads, and nautical charts. There is also a collection of Jack London memorabilia, including photos, letters, and first editions of his books.

The saloon's bar is made from a redwood stump, and it is said that the stump was used as a chopping block by the Chinese laborers who built the nearby railroad. The bar also features a large mirror that is said to be haunted by the ghost of Jack London.

I ordered a beer and took a seat at the bar. As I sipped my beer, I looked around the saloon and felt a sense of history. I could imagine the sailors and adventurers who had once frequented this saloon, and I could almost hear the echoes of their laughter and conversation.

I thought about Jack London, who had spent many hours in this saloon. I imagined him sitting at the bar, writing in his journal or telling stories to his friends. I felt a sense of connection to him, and I was grateful to have the opportunity to experience a place that had been so important to his life.

Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon is a special place. It is a place where you can step back in time and experience a piece of Oakland's history. It is a place where you can feel the spirit of Jack London and the people who have come before you.

If you are looking for a unique and sentimental bar experience, I highly recommend visiting Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon. It is a place that you will...

TIME CAPSULE IN THE BAY AREA!

If you’re a history geek who also loves beer, you cannot skip this!

I went to Oakland just for Heinold’s First and Last Chance Saloon, and it was epic! It felt like I was in a time capsule! The place is pure history!!! The floor is slanted due to the 1906 earthquake and they kept it that way. And the walls and tables felt like they’ve absorbed over a century of stories. There’s also a WWI helmet in the ceiling. Wait!! Did I say this saloon was open since 1883? The place was small but I love history and time capsules! So amazing!

And!! I had a blast just chatting with the guys serving beer. They’re more than bartenders. They were storytellers. I kept asking them about the history and all the quirky details inside, and then one of them actually lit up the original gas lamp. Yes, gas lamp!! One of only two left in all of California. How cool is that!!! In that moment, I swear it felt like I’d been transported back in time. Touching the old tables felt like touching the past itself.

They don’t serve food here, just drinks, but that’s what keeps the focus on the experience. It’s not just a bar. It’s a living piece of...

I had heard about this unique piece of history and made a point of checking it out when I was in the Bay Area less than a week ago. Heinold's has been open continuously since 1883, it became known as the "First and Last Chance Saloon" because it was the first and last stop for generations of sailors to get a drink before either shipping out or returning from a long voyage at sea. The floor is slanted due to the pilings beneath shifting during the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. There is a clock on the wall opposite the bar which stopped at 5:18, the exact moment of the quake 119 years ago. Another unique feature of this place, which was frequented regularly by Jack London from the time he was a boy, is that it is the last business in California which has gaslights. If you like to have drink here and there and also like to soak up some history come and check this place out if you find yourself...