Dan Baxter
Google
Strolling through what felt like a small-town square in the middle of Uptown Oakland (who knew?), I stumbled upon Drake’s Dealership. At first glance, it doesn’t look like a dealership—unless you’re in the market for craft beer and carbs instead of the latest Dodge Charger.
The name may harken back to its Dodge roots, but this place is a hidden gem disguised as a sudsy varietal urban oasis. I wandered into the outdoor beer garden—a wide-open space with fire pits, string lights, and the kind of gravel floor that screams “this is going to get stuck in your shoes, but who cares.” Seating was self-serve, which I appreciated. I don’t always want to be guided—I just want a chair, some shade, and something to tickle my palette.
And that’s when I met my waiter: a QR code.
Yes, Drake’s has joined the digital age in style. Tap, scan, scroll—it was honestly one of the more intuitive and pain-free ordering systems I’ve encountered. The menu was interactive, highly customizable (shout out to the “no onions, add avocado, extra cheese” crew), and even better, it didn’t judge me when I ordered a salad and a burger - sans bun. QR quietly let the carb cutting move in this high carb zone slide.
Let’s talk about that burger. Juicy, flavorful, and stacked, just the way I wanted. The side salad? Crisp, fresh, lightly dressed—like it knew it wasn’t the star but still showed up looking good.
Beer lovers, rejoice: the tap list here is a borderline novella. From hazy IPAs to malty lagers, there’s a pour for every palate and then some. While I didn't partake in the brew fest offerings, I know where I'm bringing friends and family that crave well crafted suds.
They also offer cocktails, which is always a fun bonus at a beer-first joint. I gave the margarita a go—decent, lacking the bold personality I’d hoped for. Kind of like hanging out with Jose Cuervo's younger cousin - right family, needs to learn a few more family secrets before bursting onto the prime time bar scene.
In all, Drake’s Dealership is a vibe—part industrial nostalgia, part modern beer garden, with food that surprises in the best way. Come for the beer, stay for the burger, and soak up the friendly, easy going atmosphere.