Ben 'N Nick's Bar & Grill

Update: Ben 'N Nick's has become my go-to spot in the neighborhood. The bartenders and servers are super fun to chat with, the beer selection is solid and rotates pretty frequently, and the food (nachos, chicken Club, wings, etc.) has been really spectacular the last few times I've come in. Special shout-out to the burger-- absolutely perfect and a great price during happy hour! I also took my family here when they visited from out of state, and they loved Ben N' Nick's as much as i do. Great spot to hang out and have a few beers and a solid meal! Original review: Fun neighborhood bar with a cool atmosphere and friendly staff. I've tried the buffalo wings, Philly cheese steak and chicken sandwich from here on 2 different occasions. The wings are great and I will definitely be coming back for more, however the chicken sandwich and Philly were both a bit bland and got extremely soggy after a few minutes. From now on I'll probably just go with the wings and a beer when I come here because they are awesome, but I will probably not have the Philly or chicken sandwich again. Would recommend this spot if you are looking for some great wings and a cold beer.

We live in the neighborhood so we have been here several times but are not regulars. Everything is OK but it’s missing something that would make us want to go there regularly like other places. We went again yesterday and sat on the parklet, which was nice because it was a hot day with particularly went for the live music, but found out later that they had canceled it. That would really have upped the allure as College Avenue is severely lacking in live music, but the waiter informed us that some people thought the music was too loud and didn’t like it. Hamburger was good. French fries are good if you liked the extra crusty kind, but our friends did not enjoy their chicken tenders. Mixed Salad is big and tastes good. Dogs are allowed on the patio but there’s not much space for them. We have large dogs so we cannot take them. Metered parking or park at the BART free after certain hours or in the neighborhood for free.

I'm not sure where to start, the double cheeseburger with a fried egg was out of this world. Chicken wings were bomb with blue cheese. And you can't forget the onion rings...we're the best I've ever had! Awesome selection of ciders and ipa husband and I, will be back!

Staff is amazing 🤠 The Eskimo Kisses Margarita is soooooo tasty!

Great place for a beer. The food is pretty unique too. Try the tater tot nachos. They are great! Full bar with separate dining area off to the side. They have tv screens for sports as well.

Great neighborhood spot! They've got a nice outdoor parklet and tons of room inside - all self-seating. I just got the pretzel with beer cheese and it was so good. Service was great and they have a nice selection of beer + cider on tap. Definitely will come back to try their other offerings!

Great beer selection and delicious food. I had an IPA and a beet salad with bacon. Delectable. Especially the fried goat cheese (or was it feta) that it came with. I wish I had had room to try the burger. My friend had one and it looked good. Beware that Tuesday is trivia night. It changes the feel of a pub like this while they are posing the questions. Easy parking evenings at Rockridge BART half a block away.

Good service, but, food was "D" grade, as soup was thick & spicy and toast was burnt. Burger was good though. So, pick and choose when you order!

This place is dope and consistent. Cobb Salad is my go-to. About 2-3 times a week and a pretzel when I'm being a fatass. Christian, Gabe, Bryan, Kaley & Natalia make it feel like home. And AC when it's hot! Get in here but not too often that I can't get a seat. Muaw

Great bar! Great pub vibe. Decent enough food options. They have trivia nights and great rotating drafts. Three large TV's for amusement if people watching isn't for you. Easy walk from Rockridge BART. I love this place.

The bartender Jessica is amazing, her customer service is amazing. Was all about finding exactly what I wanted to drink. Then through in reviewing food menu It's a cool old style bar. Lots of seating inside and some outside Real cool place to hangout. Watch a game. Socialize. Etc

Ben and Nick's had everything we were looking for--solid service, great food, and no wait time on a weekend afternoon. Our server was attentive and thoughtful, even bringing our shared dishes out on separate plates without us having to ask. Most people come for the beer, but I appreciated that they also carry Alameda Point Craft Soda--nice touch! Only reason for 4 stars is the communal dog water bowl, which was placed far from our table. It would be great if each outdoor table had an individual dog bowl, especially since the patio is pet-friendly. Otherwise, a great spot with a welcoming vibe. Will definitely be back.

We had soooooo many options in this neighborhood, but finally when the hunger got too overwhelming, we were standing outside Ben 'N Nick's. A decent selection for both men and The Wife. She ordered quesadillas, while I got nachos, no meat but extra jalapenos. She was quite happy with her quesadillas, but I was over the moon with my nachos. Real cheese, not "sauce." Enough cheese to reach almost every chip. Plenty of toppings, but it never got soggy. Portion size was just right. Heavens, I'm practically drooling just writing this. Plus, they've recently expanded their happy hours to include weekends. We needed to point that out to our server, since it just happened. So our two entrees were heavily discounted, as was my beer and Irish whisky shot. Quite a deal.

This place is absolute TRASH! Under staffed the only lady or "server" that's here is overwhelmed and has a nasty attitude and horrible customer service this place is probably good for drinks if your desperate food menu is stupid great drinks though get a better chef

This is a very cute bar restaurant on college ave! They have a lot of options on draft but we ended up with a very crisp Pilsner to complement the hot day! Service was very quick and friendly and she mentioned the happy hour menu was going on even on a holiday! We got two of the half dozen wings for $9 and split the cheeseburger with garlic fries and that was plenty for two people! Altogether I think we paid about $55! Not bad! Would come back again.

Service is cool. The staff is friendly. Cheeseburgers were good. Cocktails were good. The copper tables are a nice touch. The one restroom is clean. The bill came out to about 80$ for two. A bit pricey and portion a little small, but overall experience was good.

Great casual bar/restaurant to bring family or meet up with friends! Their cocktails and menu are a nice step above basic bar food and drinks- nice variety of offerings and a couple healthier choices too. Good beer selection and a full bar, friendly and efficient bartender and servers!

Our party of 8 got here around 9pm. We were welcomed inside and brought to a booth that was able to accommodate our party. They got an extra chair for us in case we needed it which was very nice of them. The inside looks like your standard pub with a few tables, a full bar with all the essentials, and the vast amount of wall decorations. At the table, you can find all your utensils and condiments. My partner and I shared the Philly Cheesesteak and the Cowboy Chili. The philly cheesesteak comes with fries and you can ask for hot peppers in the sandwich or just on the side. The chili does not come with beans and it's served in a cup or bowl depending on the size you prefer. Both of them tasted good and were decently sized, satisfying both me and my partner. The staff was very friendly and the place was well-lit! I also saw that they host Trivia Nights on Tuesday, so be on the lookout for that if you're in the area that day!

My son is into beers and ciders and he has turned me on to a few brews. I've had a couple of very delicious ciders at Ben 'N Nicks, but what blew me away was their chili. It's a Texas style chili, no beans, but damn good. I'm addicted, lol. Check it out if you're in the area.

This is the best pub around Oakland. Great ambiance and decor, amazing food. What a spot what a spot. Glad they opened back up after closing for a while a few years ago.

It's was amazing My partner and I shared the Philly Cheesesteak and the Cowboy Chili. The philly cheesesteak comes with fries and you can ask for hot peppers in the sandwich or just on the side. The chili does not come with beans and it's served in a cup or bowl depending on the size you prefer. Both of them tasted good and were decently sized, satisfying both me and my partner.

It's a 5 star pub that succeeds in doing what it's trying to do. What are they trying to do? Be a neighborhood place with hearty food, a great beer selection (and full bar!) where you can hang out. I had the carnitas taco plate. I wish the carnitas would have been a bit crispier but the tacos were hefty and topped with a guac that had just enough kick to it. The folks with me had the Philly Cheesesteak (topped with jalapeños and very large) and a chicken sandwich (good sized). Loved the vibe of the place and our server was friendly and attentive. I drive by this place twice a day every day and have never stopped in but if the parking gods smile on me, I'll be in regularly.

I ordered a drink and was verbally slighted for not leaving a tip. I do not owe you a tip and you are not obligated to receive one, especially for such a short interaction. First and last time going here.

Ben n' Nicks during the World Series! Best spot in the town! Great, fresh beer on draft and amazing service as always

3/19/25 - We got here around 9pm for a party of 8. We were sat at a booth that was just able to accommodate all of us. I ordered the Cowboy Chili while my partner got the Philly Cheesesteak. I ordered the bowl size of the chili, but it also comes in a cup size which is a smaller serving. If I was eating by myself, the cup size would've been satisfactory. The bowl size, however, was good as my partner and I were sharing each other's meals. Considering the serving size, the food is more on the expensive side. The chili was good, but I wish it had more of the sour cream, cheese, and other toppings that came along with it. I also wish that it had come with saltines or something else to change up the texture of the chili, but that's just personal preference. The fries that came with the philly cheesesteak tasted good and there was a good amount of them. The cheesesteak was good, but for $20+, it could have been bigger.

This is a great local bar with a decent food selection! You can always expect large portions and a good time when you come to Ben N Nick's! Any bar that has Pliney on draft is always a plus for me. The staff is all very friendly and it is a super cozy location. Definitely come in on Tuesday's for Trivia Night!

Jessica is the best bartender iv had in a long time she is so friendly and nice for sure be back just to see her food is good as well

Ben 'N Nick's is one of my favorite places to grab a pint and a quick bite to eat. It's good pub food at a good price point. Service is always super friendly, and there are a few tables outside, if that's your preference (heat lamps don't always work, though). A minor gripe is that aside from salads and a few celery sticks, there are hardly any vegetables on the menu. It's a cash-free establishment.

These guys are the greatest. I've been coming here for years to watch football, basketball, baseball, to sing some karaoke or just kick back with buds. The food is awesome, the vibes are good and it's always nice to have the perfect neighborhood bar just right around the corner from BART. Check these folks out!

Very nice staff, great selection of good beers on tap, my kids and I loved the burgers!

Ordered the Philly cheesesteak. Pretty pricey so I expected a substantial sandwich. Instead I got a pepper and onion sandwich with a minuscule amount of meat and cheese. Even some of the little bit of meat was chewy and uneatable. Also, server never once asked how the meal tasted. I'm not from here and only been there the one time, so I sincerely hope that's not normal operation. Definitely not worth the price at all

Accommodated well my big part of 15 people although there is no reservation system. I called a week ahead then the day of just to confirm and it was all good. Overall vibe was good and food seemed good, friends enjoyed. I only tried the fries and they were amazing! One of the best fries.

THE BEST pub vibe and really friendly attentive staff. I like that they show the basketball games and that the music is at a low-reasonable volume so you don't have to scream to talk over it. Awesome burgers and the best beer in the East Bay: Cali Creamin' Nitro on draft. Come support this long time local gem.

Came for drinks before dinner and everyone loved the craft cocktails. Bartender is great.

Been meaning to check this place out for a while. Glad I finally was able to swing by. Came on a Friday evening with my husband for a casual dinner. Cool pub w/ a laid back vibe. There is seating both inside and outside which is nice. We chose to sit outside since the weather was decent. The food and drinks are definitely better than your average pub. We ordered: - Deviled Eggs: good! And I appreciate that it comes with 6 halves. (the places who only give you 4 but charge you an arm & a leg are the worst) - Patty Melt w/ onion rings: delicious! I had them sub an impossible patty and it all came together really well. Bread was nicely toasted, onions were caramelized and the BN sauce was the cherry on top. Also, subbing onion rings for fries was probably the smartest decision I made all day. They are very very good. - Ben's Cheeseburger: my husband said this hit the spot. He devoured it. - Deconstructed Cheesecake: tasty! I like a more substantial crust (this was more of a crumble) but they did say it was deconstructed so I guess I can't complain too much lol - Cocktails: excellent! Both were very balanced and well made! Will be back for sure.

I know I already left a rating for this place but my husband was craving their fried chicken sandwich today so we ordered pick up. I was going through their menu and found a falafel plate, I have to say that I'm still comfortably full five hours later! Not only are their drinks tasty and the people who work here are friendly but their menu has such a great variety of everything. My husband and I agree, it's a must try!

Renewed interest when I saw their Instagram post about allowing friendly dogs inside. My friend was dog sitting and took our dog over to the confusion of the workers who said there was just a dog brawl the week before and didn't know the owner had made that post. They let him stay though, and our dog were the only one, so she got all the attention. Today there is one dog at the bar and two out on the parklet. My husband and I were third in line to "seat ourselves" at 6:45pm on a Friday in February. The couple in front of us left and we were next because the party of 4 wanted a booth. We were seated at the end of the long copper table meant for groups. We have been here with a larger group before. The only annoying thing about this seat is that some people who are impatient hover above you while they wait for a table. The waitstaff is efficient. They take your order and clear your table quickly. The check is paid with handheld machine and it's now a cashless restaurant. There are four tvs for sports lovers. Three over the bar and one in the "dining area." There are a few parklet tables, and some tables in the windows, which open during nice weather. Very convenient location across from Rockridge BART. Otherwise you can pay for street parking or find free residential parking. There are two unisex restroom, one hidden in the dining corner, and the other towards the kitchen. There is a full bar and happy hour. You can sign up for their email list or social media to keep up on events, but they regularly have karaoke and trivia. If you walk by, they will have posters on their windows. We have been here only occasionally over the last 10 years of living in Rockridge. Today we had the deviled eggs, which come six in a plate and are well formed. The cheeseburger is juicy but too bready for my liking. The fries have that double crisp crust trend that showed up some decade ago for no good reason, but ketchup helps everything. There is a caddy full of all kinds of condiments for the table. We also had the Caesar kale salad, which is very big. The chicken cubes are juicy but the crispy garbanzos aren't too cohesive. We asked for a takeout box and it was compostable and came to the table for us to self pack. Kid friendly so there were some kids during our visit. Neighborhood bar and grill. Nothing mind blowing but a good staple to have in the area. There is wifi available, check the menu on the wall for the password.

Stopped in for the annual Pliny the Younger triple IPA and was pleased to immediately find a seat at the bar. Tried the grilled cheese sando with tomato soup. And it was a perfect combo with the beer. The thick bread was grilled to perfection and the soup was very flavorful.

So much fun with Christian and Jessixa Sunday nights. Always good vibes and great service... six stars for Brian and his eloquent beer selection.

Pretty fun Pub/Grub place to watch World Cup Soccer. Not the cheapest but cozy and a great place to gather with friends and catch up. Food does the job. Had chicken wings and they were good and a breakfast burrito that was ok too. Love the rustic interior and the service was excellent given how crowded the place got. The place lacks sufficient restrooms. Just two toilets in two areas. When it gets crowded, the queue could be problematic if you have a weak bladder. All in all, had a fun time here.

Honestly wasn't expecting a ton from this restaurant since I'm kind of a brunch snob but I was pleasantly surprised. We mostly came here because there was no wait for weekend brunch. My friend and I split the eggs in purgatory and empanada trio. Although I think it was a little pricey for what we were given, it was pretty tasty. I especially thought the empanadas were pretty flavorful and just wish they were a bit bigger! Overall, I would return.

So good, great experience. Sat at the bar, limited seating due to Football Sunday but, a kind lady scooted down 1 chair to allow hubby and I a seat together at the bar. We watched football, drank cold beer, had a few shots of whiskey (they use big ice cubes, nice touch for a pub) and enjoyed some appertizers, and shared a sammy.....my only regret was sharing the sandwich, I wanted to eat the whole thing, it was super delicious! It was the perfect Sunday Football experience at a local pub. We will return for the fun environment, cold beer and good food!

Have to give a HUGE shout out to Ben 'N Nicks. This is my favorite neighborhood bar and I decided to buy out the bar for the evening to throw a party. It is old school with a beautiful and fully stocked bar, booths, tables and sheltered outdoor area. Oh and they serve very yummy food! Perfect for a big party. We worked with them to make it happen, the date, the menu and the price (super reasonable). All went SO smoothly - Christian was great to work with. Accommodated special requests, like I wanted them to bring back tater tots for the night. They used to have them a couple of years ago but took them off the menu for some reason. YUM! The party went off without a hitch. Everyone loved the food, and and the kitchen kept it coming with nachos, hummus plates, salads, deviled eggs, onion rings and tater tots to share and people could special order burgers, fish and chips, pot pies, and more. Plus, they enjoyed a full menu of beers from local breweries and any cocktail you might desire. Some had never been to this place and were all impressed and thought it was a perfect evening. Overall I couldn't have been happier! I highly recommend this bar if you want an after work drink with friends, or hearty and reasonably priced lunch/dinner, or to watch a game. Also, this bar doesn't crank the music like some, so you can actually have a conversation and relax! I want to give a shout out and special thank you to the crew who made the party happen: Christian, Nicole, Natalia, Bri, Lucinda and the amazing kitchen staff! You rock!!!

Stopped by for lunch because it looked fun. Sat outside, service was good. Food was delicious. Arancini appetizers was my fave. First time ever having it. Crunchy panko crust outside, creamy and perfectly seasoned rice and cheese inside. Topped with marinara sauce, YUM! The Oakland fried chicken sandwich was really good. Crunchy, flavorful chicken, topped with a creamy and tangy slaw on a brioche bun, served with more fries than I could eat. That's rare for me, lol. Hubby got a burger that was juicy and delicious. Friends got a grilled cheese which looked amazing and their fish and chips looked really good too. We also shared an order of onion rings, which were beer-battered and good, but I prefer the panko crust over beer-battered. The light local beer was perfect with the entire meal.

Lots of good stuff to choose from and good to watch sports and just relax. I'd recommend the cheesesteak but make sure to have them not toast the bun so it's extra soft!

Far and away the best thing about his bar is the karaoke and trivia nights. I can't imagine coming here for any other reason

We were in the area looking for somewhere to have dinner. We enjoyed the comfort food vibe this place offered. The pretzel was delicious so we ordered two. It was soft and crispy. We had fish and chips, tomato soup and grilled cheese, chili and patty melt. The bourbon drink was also so delicious. Service provided what we needed. Seems like a great neighborhood grill.

I love it here! Simply put. I'm so glad that they've opened back up again in full force. I used to come here for my after-work night caps before the great pandemic hit, and I always had a good time here. Fast forward to now, and this place is still poppin' like it never even left! Came here about a month ago on a Friday night and the place wasn't too busy but still very lively. One thing that definitely hasn't changed is the fact that the food is still delicious and the bartenders sure know how to make a mean cocktail. I love the low-key casual vibes of this place. It's a great place to watch the games, catch up with friends, or just to decompress after a long work day. I also adore their patio parklet right in front! That was one positive thing that came out of this pandemic; more outdoor seating and dining opportunities! I hope that they'll be able to keep the parklet, but there's also a good amount of space inside to chill and cozy up too. The bartenders have always been fun and friendly here as have the other patrons. Many of the people who frequent this place are locals and it's always nice to see people from the community having a good time and enjoying themselves. As far as drinks go, they've got a little bit of everything here. A good amount of beer on tap, some wine, lots of spirits to choose from, and of course; great cocktails! I also can't forget to mention their awesome happy hour deals. Their happy hour was initially what attracted me to this place some years ago, but now I love coming during any time of the day. The food is legit! Ordered the cheeseburger and fries during my last visit and it was absolutely scrumptious! This ain't no regular bar food either. This burger was juicy goosey and super flavorful. It had a perfectly grilled bun and that lovable melted cheese. A true high quality full on restaurant burger. Hats off to the chef because they've been bustin' out some bomb ass meals for years (please bring back your wafflewich soon!). Aside from the typical bar scene, they also have weekly trivia, karaoke, and weekend brunch. It's just an all around solid spot for some delicious food, booze, entertainment, and good times! I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Ben' N' Nicks!

I've heard mixed reviews about the burger here. I've heard that their burgers were fire. One Tuesday, went to trivia night and only drank l, but my friend got the burger and she didn't care for it. Then, I went to lunch and went for the Philly, as the waiter suggested. The Philly was not good. Luckily my friend split her classic burger with me, and it was actually pretty tasty. I didn't try the fried chicken sandwich but ny friend didn't care for it. If I go back I'll get a burger, the Philly cheesteak was very disappointing. Great beer selections, had the Pliny of course!

We got there and they weren't quite open but they let us sit ina booth to watch a game we wanted to see. When they were officially opened they were so accommodating and friendly. The food and service were great. I will go there again!

You know, it's pretty interesting. Despite how I don't come out to Oakland nearly as often as I used to, my affinity for the Rockridge area only seems to grow with each trip I make out this way. On the one hand, I'm not entirely sure as to why, considering how the area hasn't changed dramatically over the years, especially compared to the parts of Berkeley around campus. Yet, on the other, it seems like every time I meet up with friends in the area, we end up discovering awesome places like Ben 'N Nick's! Maybe it's a just a sign I should start hanging out in Oakland more often... Now, considering how we were just looking for a spot to sit outside and grab some drinks, we weren't exactly expecting much from our experience (you could also argue we failed, as we ended up sitting inside, albeit next to a window. That being said, if we were looking for something more, it's safe to say Ben 'N Nick's has it. Not only does the bar offer a solid beer selection, but they've got an entire cocktail list to go with their stocked bar and a food menu that looked really tantalizing. Granted, it's not a very extensive list to choose from, but they've got all of the typical bar staples and fare that you could hope for (bar bites, burgers, salads, sandwiches, fish & chips, etc.). -- ONION RINGS with Paprika Aioli...$8 (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ben-n-nicks-bar-and-grill-oakland-3?select=Tm4SpUBgztbwIQhsO8mSFQ) Not that I was expecting anything bad, but I was surprised by just how great these were (though I wish there was more)! At a glance, I was worried these would be overly battered, but they were perfect - just the right amount of a golden, crispy batter coating huge rings of onions. And the aioli? Delicious! -- GARLIC FRIES with Garlic, Parmesan, and Parsley...$9 (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ben-n-nicks-bar-and-grill-oakland-3?select=JsUsyvfBQ_TscHimjJR8tA) Legitimately, one of the best garlic fries I've had in quite a while. The fries were crispy, not overly starchy/potato-y, and the parmesan and parsley complemented everything perfectly. Sure, it probably could've been a bit more garlicky, but that's true for all garlic fries. I'd definitely get this again! Since we were only looking for a couple of things to snack on with our drinks, I didn't get to try anything beyond the two sides that we ordered. However, I certainly would have liked to, especially after seeing what some nearby tables happened to order. In particular, the burger and reuben sandwiches looked really good, but the description of their fried chicken sandwich on their menu is what really piqued my interest (calling it "soon to be famous" certainly didn't hurt). Beyond the tasty snacks and drinks though, the other aspect of Ben 'N Nick's that I really liked was just the general vibe of the place - super relaxed and welcoming. Plus, the I loved how mixed and diverse the crowd was. Some kids from Cal, some older folks, some folks catching a game, a couple on a date...just a very eclectic collection of customers, much like the surrounding area. Given all of that, and despite how I say it about a lot of places, I really want to come back and check out more of what Ben 'N Nick's has to offer. If nothing else, I've definitely found my go to spot to chill in Rockridge!

I've been coming to this place for a really long time. It's got a nice ambiance and a very good rotating list of beers. The staff is friendly and it's a great place to have a beer. I do have to say though that the food has become a lot more disappointing lately. Before the new ownership took over a couple of years ago, the food was a much higher quality, but that appears to have changed. Ben 'N Nick's used to serve solid pub food for a decent price, but now I'd say it's noticeably sub-par, while the price has increased. (While there is inflation all around, $20 can get you a lot more elsewhere on College Ave.) This is still a great place to come and hang out, but I think I'll be skipping having a meal any longer.

Fried chicken sandwich! Great presentation, a little brand without the buffalo sauce.

A proper pub. Good selection of beers including Pliny! Pub style food is excellent and god portions. Staff have always been great and fun. Highly recommend this place!

A nice spot for a good supply of beers and some solid pub grub. The service is generally very good. The Reuben sandwich is better than most in the Bay Area - they cut the corned beef nice and thin like it should be. The onion rings and fries are super good and crispy; the patty melt is good and satisfying. Also they have a nice little kids' menu. There are about 3 tables outside, but there are also 3 tables by the bar where they generally keep the sliding window wide open, so it's the next best thing to outdoor dining.

Great food at great price. They have just added chicken pot pie, which we loved. The waiters are super friendly and accommodating :)

Ben 'N Nicks Bar & Grill has reopened following renovation. i can't tell what's changed. haven't been here before. everything inside looks oldish-unchanged. inside and outside dining available. offerings: appetizers, entrees, sides, salads, soups, sandwiches, burgers. eats: Real Deal Reuben (18) change fries to onion rings (+2) -"NY fashion brisket corned beef, sliced rye, swiss cheese, sauerkraut, BN sauce" -lots of meats, sandwich is oily/greasy, probably from butter used to toast outside of the rye bread. delish! 4.5 stars fab value. onion rings had too much grease within batter. batter wasn't crunchy. onion within was limp.