Let's get one thing out of the way: there's no sense in pretending a night on the town in the East Bay's biggest cities has as much to offer as the city across the Bay does. That being said, Berkeley and Oakland satisfy themselves with knowing they've got a few gems with character you can't buy (like the Kingfish and Geo Kay's), some classy joints that always deliver (Jupiter and Quinn's Lighthouse), preppy nightspots tailor-made for a college town (Kips and Thalassa) and a little smarminess we can't live without (Ruby Room). And, really, that's all we ask for.
KINGFISH CAFE & PUB
Purported to be among the oldest bars in Oakland, this former bait shop looks the part. More shack than building, you'd be hard pressed to find a more classic beacon of Americana with its jukebox packed full of classic rock, popcorn machine, gas lanterns and wood burning furnace. The ceiling lies so low it has been said that the only thing keeping it up is the huge ancient fridge stocked full of beers and, best of all, frosted glasses. Head to the back for a cozy game of shuffleboard, when it's not your turn add some nefarious chalk message to the walls.
5227 Claremont Ave. in Oakland
(510) 655-7373
food: none served
drinks: $2 to $5
GEORGE KAY'S
Something has to be said about a bar that bartenders go to when they are done serving drinks elsewhere. This cozy, well-lit place is among the friendliest and most pressure-free the East Bay has to offer. It's really more of a bistro because it's so convivial and unassuming. Geo Kay's, as it is known, is more of a neighborhood joint, which regulars say they come to in order to visit Archie the resident dog or ham it up with the owner who frequently invites patrons on weekend trips on his boat in the Bay. From the saloon-style half door to the bookshelves stuffed with classics to the TVs that remain off, this is as homey as it gets. It lacks that wicked feeling that comes with watering holes, so some regulars have been known to go down just to drink Cokes and talk with strangers all afternoon. Also, the air is filled with cigarette smoke (it's legal here) and the walls are often adorned with rotating art installations.
4044 Broadway (at 40th Street) un Oakland
food: none served
drinks: $3 to $8
JUPITER
Featured on nearly every Berkeley visitor guide, Jupiter is a prototypical, classy downtown pub. The fresh thin-crust pizza and wide array of local brews complement the brick and stone decor. As the weather warms up it's a perfect place to see a live band in the shade of a tree on the spacious outdoor patio. You could take your date or your parents and come out completely satisfied for lunch or dinner. The servers are serious about treating you well and making you happy. Menu-wise, a lot of effort has been put in, offering fairly priced pizzas with top quality and unusual topping choices. Other things, like the $4 dish of warmed-up olives, make for a head-scratching appetizer.
2181 Shattuck Ave. in Berkeley
(510) THE-TAPS
food: $4 to $18
drinks: $2 to $7
LJ QUINN'S LIGHTHOUSE PUB
Overlooking the picturesque Oakland marina and the Coast Guard base, this former lighthouse is home to a full restaurant downstairs, but it's the classy upstairs pub you should go for. In a room that is all lacquered oak and brass, the ground is littered with peanut shells from the free baskets they keep refilling. The ideal time to visit Quinn's is on Thursday night when Skip Henderson and his band of real-life, saltwater-crusted sailors on instruments come out for a free evening of sea shanties, some weary and haunting, some rousing. Arrive early because the place fills up and stay late because the songs become hilariously lewder as the suave old Henderson gets, well, drunker. The outdoor patio area is an ideal place to freshen up with some maritime air before heading home.
1951 Embarcadero in Oakland
(510) 536-2050
food: $5 to $22
drinks: $4 to $25
KIP'S RESTAURANT
Where the blond college boys and girls come out. The TVs never stray too far from ESPN or SportsCenter to the delight of the almost exclusively barely-21-and-fake-ID Berkeley college crowd. From the street it's easy to miss the carpeted stairwell leading up to this large space above, decked out in blue and yellow and sticky floors. Look for the poor freshman who can't hold his alcohol outside and you'll know you're there. Word from the belligerent frat boys is that this is the best place to be on weeknight if you're a college student. This could be the place you hazily remember drinking the infamous 21 birthday shots in one of the chalet-style dining room tables in front.
2439 Durant Ave. in Berkeley
(510) 848-4340
food: $4 to $8
drinks: $5 to $7
THALASSA BAR & BILLIARDS
Thalassa's is a serviceable pool hall with an upside on account of the usually high-quality bartending. Once you get past the intimidating bouncer, you find yourself in what looks like Captain Nemo's home base. But never fear, the odd water theme complete with fish nets, stuffed prize fish, model boats, swirly blue paint accents and shellfish lamps is mercifully abandoned as soon as you get to the pool table area. It doesn't seem to bother people because, starting around 7 p.m., the very large place is packed most nights. There are more than 20 tables with blue felt (last water theme concession) and they are spaced out enough so you don't have to wait long for one and don't get in one another's way. There's a jukebox with a good selection and some arcade games and pinball machines, if you can't seem to align cue sticks with cue balls. Games can be a little costly in the evening but are cheaper if you arrive earlier.
2376 Shattuck Ave. (at Channing) in Berkeley
(510) 848-1766
food: none served
drinks: $4 to $12
RUBY ROOM
If the name didn't give it away, the Ruby Room is decked out in a lot of red. The red paper lanterns are probably a little too dim but all is forgiven with glittery red upholstery that seems taken right out of a souped-up 1950s roadster. The crowd is a good mix of late-20s hipsters, biker punks (it's a hangout of the East Bay Rats motorcycle club) and LRG-wearing skateboarders. The bartenders ¬¬-- a skinny rockabilly guy and a Patti Smith look-alike -- serve drinks admirably while doing their best to look like they really don't care, but it's part of the charm. A large backroom means you don't have to hover around the busy bar and a good-sized dance floor invites you to dance to the live DJ mix of R&B, soul, Top 40s and Brit Pop. It was repeatedly said that the experience is uneven and some nights are better than others, and has been known to get a little too seedy.
132 14th St. in Oakland
(510) 444-7224
food: none served
drinks: $2 to $10
