A Quick Guide: Bars in Berkeley
There are many ways to turn up on college campuses. And here at UC Berkeley, it’s no different. Whether you despise male specimen and fraternities, or love hot, small spaces to rub up against other sweaty humans, there is a bar in Berkeley for you. Welcome to the quick guide of bars in Berkeley.
- Tap Haus- This is the bar you take your dad to when he wants to catch a game. It’s always fairly empty during the day and most early evenings. However, come Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, it’s a different story. There are multiple pool tables, a jumbo Jenga, and a giant connect 4. They do not serve hard alcohol, but they have an expansive selection of craft beer. Again, perfect for dad. They have an upstairs and downstairs. Buy their truffle fries if you’re hungry! It is perfectly situated on at 2516 Durant Ave, right across from the Asian Ghetto.
2. Kips- If you like gross, sweaty bodies rubbing up against you: This is your place. There is no cover (for the most part) and they have a DJ on a daily basis. This place stays lit almost every night of the week, so post-midterm on a Tuesday, hit this place up to drink your sorrows away. While you’re there, you should order one of their huge fishbowls. Perfect to share. They have trivia nights and karaoke nights and- get this- people actually dance here! This is definitely more of a club than a bar, but they do serve food. Come here to get drunk and dance your pants off on a Tuesday night.
3. Raleigh’s Pub- Raleigh’s is a place that is for the boho-esque hipster humans on this earth. The space features beautiful wooden decor and bench-seating. It is the prettiest pub you will likely come across in Berkeley. They serve pizza and wings, both of which are actually appetizing. But if you’re not in the mood for greasy bar food, head over to Mezzo. In the same building, just across a wooden wall separator, lives the BEST place to get a salad in Berkeley. Mezzo has a limited selection of sandwiches, salads, and soups; but my, oh my. Their salads and BLTA are the bomb and are an option if you decide to stop by Raleigh’s for a drink! Raleigh’s lets you enjoy your Mezzo on their side of the building, or on their beautiful patio in the back. This is a tasteful place for anyone, no matter your IG aesthetic.
4. Triple Rock- If you ask any students (of age) what their favorite bar is, at least at 6 out of 10 would tell you it’s Triple Rock. On the surface, T-Rock looks basic: dark, dank, and filled with those uncomfortable wooden pub chairs. But you better believe Triple Rock is the place to go for undergraduates, especially on Thursday nights. If you weren’t aware, it is a huge thing to go out on Thursday nights. But that phenomenon is taken to the next level with Triple Rock’s Monkey Head. A Monkey Head is a gigantic (like 1 liter) bottle of their own specialty beer. It is so popular and rare that they only serve it on Thursday, hence the chaos. But what makes Monkey Heads even better are the fact that they’re $10 and do the job, clocking in at about 9%. Monkey Head’s are so legit that they have a stamp card promo associated with it. 1 stamp per bottle, and a free Monkey Head T-shirt after the 10th stamp.
They also have some noteworthy mac-n-cheese balls. But be aware- it gets dark inside and pretty packed. For that reason, you may find yourself yelling to talk to someone at your table. But oh well. This place rocks. Not as much dancing, more playing. You can rent dice (in exchange for an ID) and play 7/11/doubles beer die. Go here on a Thursday before you leave Berkeley. You won’t be disappointed.
5. Pappy’s Grill and Sports Bar- Pappy’s used to be more popular, but they recently had their liquor license revoked. It has since been reinstated but has yet to truly pick up again. However, the food here is good. There are many people who simply go here for the burgers and tri-tip sandwiches. Pappy’s has a downstairs that essentially turns into a dance club. Upstairs is more of a sports bar area. If you want to catch a game while yelling and cheering with fellow beer-drinking comrades, this is your spot. They have jello shots and often offer great deals (i.e. $2 beer if you buy 6 wings). They have a lot of school spirit and are very invested in Cal students as customers. They even have 18+ days during the Cal football season.
6. Spats- Spats is designed for customers to have fun. At brunch, they serve endless mimosas. They have an entire section of the space filled with arcade games (read: a boatload of cool pinball machines). Happy hour is EVERY DAY until 6 pm. They have a big wheel to spin if you’re indecisive about what drink to get. At one point, they even had a “Buy your friend a drink” board where you could buy a drink for a friend that they could come and redeem within 2 weeks. Further, almost every night they have some sort of buy 2 for $10 drinks. This place is not always filled with only students, which can be a plus. Especially if you’re a graduate student or just looking to get the hell away from campus, think about hitting up Spats. 10/10 dope place.
7. MeloMelo Kava Bar- This place does not serve traditional alcohol, so if you’re under 21, you have found your bar! Hooray! What they serve instead is something called Kava Kava. It’s an herbal remedy made from the roots of Piper methysticum — a type of plant found in the islands of the Pacific Ocean. Its name literally means “intoxicating pepper.” Pacific Islanders have used it for hundreds of years in social gatherings and traditional medicine. It contains substances called kavapyrones. They act much like alcohol on your brain, making you feel calm, relaxed, and happy. The plant is also thought to relieve pain, prevent seizures, and relax muscles. Basically, it gets you as drunk as you can get legally if you’re underage. Plus, at MeloMelo, the decor is chic and gram-worthy, if you’re into that. Fancy geometric fixtures dot the walls and invite you to come and relax over some Kava.
8. White Horse Bar- This place is Berkeley’s local gay bar. Because what would Berkeley be without a safe space for everyone to get lit? In all realness though, this place is great. There are karaoke nights, drag nights, burlesque nights; the list goes on. Established in 1933, this place is part of LGBTQ history in the Bay Area. You’ll find older folks who are just relaxing with a drink in hand and young queers dancing in the same space. White Horse has a back room for dancing, but if that’s not your thing, don’t worry! You can step outside and smoke, or play pool at one of their two pool tables. This is a laid back, unpretentious place that is extremely diverse.
That’s all for now! Let me know what your favorite bar is here in Berkeley. Party on. And Go Bears.