The Best Oakland Date Hookup Spots

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Date Hookup Spots Oakland

If you're looking for a good time, Oakland is the city for you. It might not seem all that glitzy, but this city by the bay has a booming nightlife scene that's been revitalized in recent years. There's also tons of variety in the nightlife with cocktail bars, upscale lounges, pubs, and local dive bars, and even some excellent nightclubs. The vibrant nightlife scene draws in people of all ages looking for everything from a quiet drink with some friends to dancing on tables. If you want to know what all the best Oakland date spots are, AdultHookups has got you covered with the inside scoop on the best Oakland hookup bars and nightclubs.

History of Oakland Nightlife

In the 1940s and 1950s, Oakland was known as The Harlem of the West because of its status as an entertainment hub on the west coast. This Oakland fostered dozens of blues and jazz musicians and live music venues, clubs, and lounges where people could get a drink and listen to some powerful crooning. Before the days of DJs, Oakland's bars and nightclubs were still bringing the music and there were lots of venues where you could listen and dance to live bands. When you were looking for the best piano players in Oakland, you went to The Alley which is one of the last piano bars in the city. There's also some classic bars and nightclubs that are still around today including The Fat Lady and White Horse Bar, America's longest running gay bar which was probably opened during the Prohibition.

Recently, Oakland's nightlife has undergone a bit of revitalization and there's been a surge of new businesses opening up and a shift towards a more diversified nightlife. There are even some old faces returning under new names like The Night Light which used to be Sweet Jimmie's on Broadway. Sweet Jimmie's was famous for being one of the most successful bar and nightclubs in Oakland until it closed in 2006. The building was empty for years before being bought by a new owner and turned into The Night Light, returning to its glory as a premier Oakland nightclub. The city's new nightlife scene is vibrant, diverse, creative, and full of life – just like the people of Oakland.

Best Times To Go Out

As in most places, the weekend is a busy time for the nightlife scene. Friday and Saturday are the prime nights to go out and check out Oakland's bars and clubs but they're going to be very busy especially after 10 pm so if you want a chance to mingle, make sure to get there early. If you're looking for a quieter place to hang out and meet some sexy singles in Oakland, Wednesday and Thursday

happy hour are the best days to go out. Happy hour is a sweet spot where you get a crowd that is ready to unwind after the 9-5 workday and isn't afraid of playing hooky the next day. If you're looking for a great time to check out Oakland's date hookup spots Thursday-Saturday is your best bet, but some clubs and bars have Sunday specials that make them really popular for dates.

Hookup Spots In Oakland: Directory

Oakland's nightlife scene is all about being entertained. Doesn't matter if you're in a bar or nightclub, this city's date hookup ideas want to make sure that you're having a good time. They've got arcades, pinball, karaoke, and live music so there's always something to do. There are plenty of nighttime entertainment options for you to check out and we've got some of the best ones below.

Café Van Kleef

Type

Cocktail bar

Space

Eclectic décor, retro vintage

Crowd

Hip, young and mature adults

Address

1621 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94620

Website

Café Van Kleef

Any Notes

Famous for their Greyhound cocktail, great bartenders

Brief Description

Café Van Kleef is one of the most unique bars in Oakland and is one of the city's great places for a date hookup. They have a really cool vibe with retro knickknacks and quirky art lining the walls. It's a very mixed crowd of young and mature locals who love this dive bar/cocktail bar which creates delicious craft cocktails and live music. If cocktails aren't your thing, they've got a great selection of local brews and it's a fun place to hang out and strike up a conversation over the use of fresh grapefruit in the drinks or the lively tunes.

Plum Bar

Type

Bar

Space

Narrow space, minimalist design

Crowd

Trendy, young adults

Address

2216 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612

Website

Plum Bar

Any Notes

Open late, gourmet bar fare, small plates to share

Brief Description

The owners of Plum Restaurant, an Oakland eatery staple, decided to create their own bar that appeals to the after-work and happy hour crowd. It's a smaller more intimate space which is a great place to meet people and enjoy some barrel-aged cocktails by the talented bartenders. It's one of the great weekend Oakland date hookup spots. If you're looking for fun drinks and great conversation, this bar is the place for you.

Dogwood

Type

Bar

Space

Dim lighting, brick-lined interior

Crowd

Hip, mostly young adults

Address

1644 Telegraph Ave Oakland, CA 94612

Website

Dogwood

Any Notes

Dim lighting, very romantic, gourmet shareable

Brief Description

It wasn't a complete list of Oakland nightlife without including one Prohibition-era inspired cocktail bar and Dogwood is a great place to find custom craft cocktails inspired by vintage drinks. The bar is actually located in an old hunting club and it pays homage to its history with the vintage-inspired décor and cocktails menu. If you want to socialize and meet new people, the space's communal tables make it easy to do. This bar is very cozy and is one of the after-work crowd's favorite Oakland date hookup spots.

Heart and Dagger Saloon

Type

Dive bar

Space

Outdoor patio, pool table, arcade games

Crowd

Young and mature adults

Address

504 Lake Park Ave Oakland, CA 94610

Website

Heart and Dagger Saloon

Any Notes

Happy hour specials, dog friendly patio, used to be more of a biker bar

Brief Description

If you're looking for casual Oakland date hookup spots the Heart and Dagger Saloon is the place you want to check out. It's a pretty typical neighborhood dive bar and that's what makes it such a great place. You can strike up a conversation about music around the jukebox, challenge someone to a game of pool, or cheer someone on while they play one of the classic arcade games like pin ball. It's a great place to meet people who are just there for a good, casual night out without the frills of the fancier clubs and bars.

The Night Light

Type

Dancehall and bar

Space

2 levels, bar downstairs, intimate venue upstairs

Crowd

Young adults, locals

Address

311 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607

Website

The Night Light

Any Notes

Fun and diverse events, live music nights

Brief Description

If you're looking for an old school vintage club to find your perfect dance partner, this is the place for you. Night Light is a massive space with two levels: one a classic neighborhood bar and the other, a venue space. Go to the first level if you're looking for a place to lounge or talk in private in one of their old school booths and low-key bar. If you're looking for the place where the music is, upstairs is where you need to go. Up there, the crowd is livelier even in the smaller venue space. Just be aware that the entrance to the upstairs club is an outdoor staircase on the side of the building and it can get a little cramped on busy nights.

The Uptown Nightclub

Type

Nightclub

Space

Low-key, large venue, separate space for live music

Crowd

Young and mature adults, LGBT friendly

Address

1928 Telegraph Ave Oakland, CA 94612

Website

The Uptown Nightclub

Any Notes

Also has free weekly comedy shows, limited parking

Brief Description

This place is a kind of catch-all type of nightclub with a little something for everyone. It's a got a classic bar room where you can grab a cocktail or beer, making it easy to strike up a conversation. There's a separate room with a small but intimate stage where live music shows happen. Although this place isn't considered a gay bar, it's very inclusive and they have queer events and nights that are a fun time for everyone. The best time to check out this place is after dinner on Thursdays or Fridays when it's not that crowded which makes it easier to enjoy being part of the diverse crowd that it brings in.

The Trappist

Type

Bar

Space

1870s Victorian building, swanky

Crowd

Trendy, mixed crowd

Address

460 8th Street Oakland, CA 94607

Website

The Trappist

Any Notes

Excellent selection of craft beers, refined interior

Brief Description

The Trappist is one of Oakland's well-known spots for a date hookup and for good reason because this place has over 25 rotating beers on tap. It's also a great place to try out a fun cocktail and chat with the cool hipsters that flock to this bar and sit at the communal tables. The bar is a great spot to get dressed up and try out a fun new beer or cocktail flavor. It's also easy to get to if you don't drive as it's just a quick block from 12th Street BART station.

Room 389

Type

Cocktail lounge

Space

Dim lighting, chic decor

Crowd

Hipster, young adults

Address

389 Grand Ave Oakland, CA 94610

Website

Room 389

Any Notes

Best old fashioned in Oakland, also a café in the morning

Brief Description

If you're looking for more refined Oakland date spots, Room 389 will satisfy your craving. The bartenders are tattooed and wear suspenders and there's a definite hipster vibe to the place which goes for a chic, vintage-inspired style from their craft beers to custom cocktail menu. It's a very comfortable place that tends to attract a lot of young people to try out their sweet cocktails. They take their cocktails seriously and use fresh fruits and fancy garnishes to make an artistic delight which is a great conversation-starter.

Club BNB

Type

Nightclub

Space

6 full bars, smoking lounge

Crowd

LGBT, young adults

Address

2120 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612

Website

Club BNB

Any Notes

Go go dancers, free Wi-Fi, get the app for special

Brief Description

When you're feeling a little indecisive Club BNB has got you covered. This massive venue has six full bars and multiple dance floors with a good mixed crowd. They play a diverse mix of music and offer live performances as well. There are also weekly and monthly theme nights and events like Saturday's Hip Hop & R&B Dance Party. They even offer Thursday night Ladies Night with weekly performances and parties. For a true happy hour experience, make sure to head there between 4:30-8:30pm every day. At Club BNB after 10pm is when the real party starts which makes this one of the best Oakland date hookup spots.

White Horse Bar

Type

Local LGBT dive bar

Space

Neighborhood bar

Crowd

LGBT, young and mature adults

Address

6551 Telegraph Avenue at 66th, Oakland, CA 94609

Website

White Horse Bar

Any Notes

Diverse events, pool table

Brief Description

This LGBT bar has been in business for over 75 years and it's a great place to mingle and hang out and meet up with Oakland's vibrant gay community. In the past, this bar served as a place where gay men and women could let loose and be themselves and that sense of freedom is still there today. They feature a ton of weekly and monthly events including drag shows, karaoke, and the famous Queer Idol. Don't worry if you're not into karaoke. They've got a private room at the back where it takes place. It's a really welcoming space and it's easy to meet people while sipping on cocktails, enjoying a cold one, which makes it one of Oakland's best fun LGBT bars.

Turf Club

Type

Gay bar and nightclub

Space

Outdoor patio, nightclub and bar areas are separate

Crowd

LGBT, mixed crowd, young and mature adults

Address

22519 Main St., Hayward, CA, 94541

Website

Turf Club

Any Notes

Easygoing staff, straight friendly

Brief Description

The World Famous Turf Club caters to a mixed crowd and it's a fun hangout for the LGBT and straight communities to cut loose and meet people. It's a little quiet on the weekdays and the weekends are when it really comes alive with a group of rotating local DJs remixing some awesome music. This venue appeals to fans of gay bars and smaller, more intimate nightclubs with a separate club area towards the back of the space. In the summer and warmer months, make sure to take advantage of the outdoor patio to get a little more intimate with someone special. The back patio is also where their live shows take place, giving it a fun ambiance.

The Port Bar

Type

LGBT bar

Space

Industrial, high ceilings, concrete walls

Crowd

LGBT, young adults

Address

2023 Broadway, Oakland, California 94612

Website

The Port Bar

Any Notes

Talented bartenders, intimate backroom lounge

Brief Description

The Port is breathing new energy into the gay nightlife scene in Oakland with its quirky, industrial-inspired space. The décor pays homage to the city of Oakland's history as a port town. It doesn't fit the typical gay bar with the shipping container design, concrete walls, white quartz bar, and LED skylights and that's part of its appeal. It's also open 7 days a week so that you never have to worry about where you're going for your next date hookup. It's a very welcoming space that is perfect to grab a drink after work or for a little socializing. Their tongue-in-cheek cocktail menu and artisanal local brews also make great conversation-starters.

More Oakland Date Spots Information

These are just some of the best Oakland date spots for you to check out but the city has plenty more to offer. You can make your own date night by mixing up what nights you're going out as every bar and nightclub have a ton of events happening weekly. Or, you can even discover something new by strolling along downtown or even one of Oakland's diverse neighborhoods. If you want to see more date hookup guides and ideas, make sure to visit Adulthookups.com

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