Penelope — Restaurant in Oakland

Penelope is a strange place... Packed and empty, all in the same sitting - the crowds here seem to come in waves. Speaking of crowds, that's also a mixed bag. There were several loud and obnoxious middle aged dudes, hanging around and gambling with dice at the bar (apparently a somewhat normal occurrence here). Otherwise there was a wide array of loud people discussing everything from company stock options to good school districts.The music was popular 90s hip-hop. I had the Beso and Manhattan Project, which were strong, but in a good way. You pay on average $11-12 per drink, so not particularly cheap, but the drinks definitely hit you (only high-end alcohol is used here, so at least you're paying for quality). For the building itself, small doesn't do this place justice - it's TINY! Also, the door was left open the whole time, which brought in smoke and cold air the whole night. Overall - very good drinks, but for the higher prices and poor atmosphere I would pass on Penelope in favor of other...

Stumbled into this cozy little spot for happy hour and ended up staying way longer than planned—thanks to Sam, the bartender who somehow makes pouring drinks feel like a masterclass in hospitality. Seriously, Sam’s the kind of person who remembers your name, reads the room perfectly, and makes everyone feel like a regular—even if it’s your first time in.

The vibe is relaxed, no-frills, and exactly what you want when you’re winding down after a long day. Great drink specials, solid pours, and good conversation if you’re lucky enough to grab a seat at the bar. I came for a quick drink and left wondering if I should become a regular just to hang out with Sam more often.

Highly recommend for happy hour, first dates, or solo nights when you just want a good drink and great company. Just don’t steal my...

We found this place on a whim and we’re pleasantly surprised. The craft cocktails are excellent, full of flavor, and reasonably priced. The food menu is limited (didn’t try anything) so we decided to just have a drink here and head somewhere else for dinner. Venue is cute but small so it can get busy and fill up fast, especially when it’s too chilly to...