Hello Stranger

Visited around 9PM on Saturday in September. Mostly empty which was awesome cause we had convo with the bartender. They also have bottle services in the second floor. Good vibes and beautiful decors. Fancier looking compared to the rest of Oakland bars 🤣🤣🤣 would definitely come back.

Space gets too crowded where you're literally rubbing into each other. There is no space on the dance floor wide enough without your skin touching other people. It gets poppin though so if it's your kinda crowd, this may be a place for you.

If I knew knew the name of the so-called bar MANAGER as she addresses HERSELF!!! (What a joke of a title if that is what she is !!!) Asked the bar man ( as we call them in England) for my drinks order. She interjected without knowing what was going on! (Which was nothing bad. I gave my drinks order. As I am from England as it was loud it was hard for the bar person to understand my order so I write it on my phone, he then proceeded to make my order once he was able to understand what I was saying being from the uk and the way we spk etc. The HORRIBLE, joke, of a bar woman ( I don't know what its pronoun is!) is an embarrassment to the establishment! As a black patron from England, as I told her when she interjected in a bar order without knowing the conversation that I am from England trying to get fresh Pinapple ad my chaser and her response was to.tell me SO and flash her little flash light to get the bouncers who said ..... I quote, it's what she be doing, BUT you gotta leave before the other bouncers( he didn't say bouncers, he used a different word) come. As I a. NOT i'm drama. I left She flashed her little flash light to make herself feel important she is what we call in the UK a snide This lovely lady also charged $40 to my card for drinks I didn't receive! My account clearly shows I have been charged! My 1st time going out in Oakland, USA, at this club will NEVER happen again. If you are of age and want to be treated with respect, I suggest you go somewhere else as the behaviour of the child I encountered behind the bar is/was a joke. This is not what you expect when being beyond polite and respectful of the bartenders, especiallywhenyou are in a foreigncountryand generallytreatpeople with manners and respect . She, however, is a disrespect to the fun time establishment that you are working on building. The environment and energy of events that I have worked in forover 30 yrs!. Working in the industry for some time in our UK and international superclubs, understanding the mass turnover and dealing with drunk patrons, etc. Her behaviour was abysmal and an absolute embarrassment to the club directly as well as to the events sector in general, if i was from the USA my views MAY! (UNLIKELY BUT POSSIBLY BE DIFFERENT....... I will definitely be sure to make sure I pass on how awful the bar staff are here in the hope they do not stand for her terrible attitude and hold her accountable from here on out if they do not already! You are only as strong as your weakest link ...... For me ...... that Is her! If I could post 0......... I would!!!

It is Super Bowl Sunday, 2022, and we are watching the big game here at Hello Stranger. We got in for free (usually a $20 fee you get in). My partner did a search online for a free place to watch the Super Bowl--and he nabbed us 2 free tickets in at Hello Stranger. Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect. It is located in downtown Oakland. This bar is a hopping spot. Lots of Oaklanders dancing, drinking, and watching the game. The sound of the TV is off, and the DJ is playing tunes that people are having fun dancing to. Actually, we have been here for a few hours, and a 2nd DJ is playing tunes. At around 6 pm, someone came to our table and gave me a long stem rose. He was handing them out to women. Fun place to go for a drink or to, or watch a Super Bowl Game, or dance. Fun place to go! TIP: the music is LOUD!!! Be advised to bring earplugs.

Always a vibe any day of the week! From young adults to mature audience if you’re visiting Oakland for the first time l would recommend this being an option

Limited selection of cocktails but bartenders can make almost anything. Wished there were more bartenders when busy, long wait. Music is awsome. The theme is different every day, like Monday Motown

I finally made it to the Oakland cocktail and dance bar, Hello Stranger. After passing this bar so many times I was amazed by how large this space is. There is a VIP room in the back with it’s own bar. The loft space is fabulous you can look out on to the street from the windows up there but why would you when you have an excellent designed long bar and dance floor below. The raised DJ booth is perfect! This place really checks off all of the things I look for in a drinking establishment in 2020. I took note of the well-labeled and clear back exit in case of an emergency. I was impressed with the diverse, caring and friendly staff. The cocktails are inventive and layered with flavor. I had the “Boom Box” a shaved coconut with Four Roses bourbon ginger & lime soda conncoction. I also had the cannabis flavored “Oaksterdam” cocktail that is flavored with OG Kush terpenes. I took note of the champagne selection, the high-end Japanese Scotch and the Gin. I will definitely be returning.

The security guard assaulted my friend yesterday night as we were leaving the bar. He punched him in the face unprompted. No warning, nothing, just hit him and tried to fight us for no reason. I am convinced he was either drunk or strung out on something. The security and staff are usually rude and violent. Do not go here. And to the owners: you better fire that security guard asap!

Limited selection of cocktails but bartenders can make almost anything. Wished there were more bartenders when busy, long wait. The music is awesome. From young adults to mature audiences if you're visiting Oakland for the first time l would recommend this being an option!

Hello Stranger is a cool spot if you're looking for something to do in the area. When we went, it was a cover ($22); however, my friend stated there usually isn't one. I'm guessing it depends on the day. Once inside, it's very tight and cramped. There was only one bartender so getting a drink was difficult. The bartender also wasn't the best. They had a DJ and a dance floor, so the vibes were cool.

Hi wow Carlos was so great! He made our night! It was so great! He gave the best recommendations! Every drink he recommended was phenomenal!

My go to bar for sure ! Gotta love hello and It's literally like a box of chocolates , you never know what you're gonna get . Call me bias but the fine ass security Cardo ooh weeee , he's the best , too bad he's taken . love the ambiance too .

Strongly recommend bottle service for larger groups the club is fairly small. Great mix of music and VIP is very spacious. Bottle service girl was very nice and didn't rush our bottle like other places do. It was a little warm upstairs but what club isn't. Over all a good experience lots of fun.

Sweet bar located perfectly between 19th street bart, fox theater, and so many other bars! We went in for a quick drink before a show at fox, it was probably around 7:30 pm on a Thursday and relatively empty. The bartender was checking IDs and vaccination cards upon guests entering. She was quick, knowledgeable, and super friendly! I opted for the rodeo disco and my boyfriend tried the tropical old-fashioned off the menu. Both were tasty and strong! Their drink menu is so creative and fun! I love when bars stick with a theme, way more fun than my typical gin and tonic. Drinks were reasonably priced for the area, ranging from $11 - $15. They also have shot & half a beer combos! I went in early so it might not be a completely accurate representation of this spot but the music was a fun vibe, the bartender was great, it wasn't overly packed, and no cover charge. I would definitely come back before a show!

It is Super Bowl Sunday, 2022, and we are watching the big game here at Hello Stranger. We got in for free (usually a $20 fee you get in). My partner did a search online for a free place to watch the Super Bowl--and he nabbed us 2 free tickets in at Hello Stranger. Honestly, I didn't know what to expect. It is located in downtown Oakland. This bar is a hopping spot. Lots of Oaklanders dancing, drinking, and watching the game. The sound of the TV is off, and the DJ is playing tunes that people are having fun dancing to. Actually, we have been here for a few hours, and a 2nd DJ is playing tunes. At around 6 pm, someone came to our table and gave me a long stem rose. He was handing them out to women. Fun place to go for a drink or to, or watch a Super Bowl Game, or dance. Fun place to go! TIP: the music is LOUD!!! Be advised to bring earplugs.

A friend got bottle service (mezcal!) for his birthday. Staff and servers were attentive, friendly, and helpful all while setting polite boundaries with potentially surly patrons. Great people watching and festive music. Thankfully not insanely crowded. Bringing earplugs is a pro move.

Great music. Great crowd. It has all the right aesthetics. The buff tight shirt-wearing bartender/ security guy groped my wife as he walked by her on the dance floor right in front of me. Classy move!!! I really appreciated the respect.

Hello Stranger was a cute little spot. We stopped in off a recommendation from a local and it wasn't too bad. The drinks were good and the music was cool, but the crowd was slightly immature. This is a place more so geared towards the college-aged crowd. If you like being packed in and enjoy nonstop dancing then this is the perfect spot for you. Overall, I enjoyed myself but I probably won't go back.

Bartender was nice, and so was the bouncer. The party was outside, though. Have to return at a later time!

Cute location, parking downtown is rough but if you're lucky you'll get street parking. There's a lot nearby but it can cost from $10+. Ride-share might be a great alternative - The drinks were really good especially the seasonal hottie hot cider. - The bartenders were cool and helpful.

Great drinks and even better ambiance. Visited on a Saturday night. Loved the DJ. play that funky music!

One of my favorite go to bars in downtown Oakland! Weekends are always lit, especially at night. The live Djs never disappoint and give off the whole vibe. It does get really packed at times, so if you're really trying to have a good time then I advise grabbing a section. There are a couple areas downstairs, but personally I love the VIP section upstairs where you get the whole view of the bar and the space that comes with it. Service always A1 and they always have a good selection of alcohol. Unfortunately, no food is served there so make sure you eat before or after hand! (Shout out to New Gold Medal)

Went out for some weekend fun with a full party of 9. Carlos and Bailey were fantastic servers and did a smooth job. The atmosphere was lively, and the music was on point. I'll definitely be back.

I went here for my birthday and bought 3 different drinks and they were ALL disgusting. Not sure what kind of liquor they were using but I ordered basic drinks and could not even drink them. I was extremely disappointed. Other than that the vibe was cool and the music was great .

Warning. Dear Yelp community, I am writing this email to warn anyone who is considering going to Hello Stranger Bar in Oakland, CA. My experience at this establishment was nothing short of traumatic, and I feel obligated to share my experience with others to prevent them from experiencing what I went through. On a recent night out, I visited Hello Stranger and while I was there, a woman accused me of taking pictures/videos of the crowd dancing at the club. Despite no warnings posted in the premises, the owner or management allowed for security to immediately escalate and physically eject me from their premises in an abusive way. As a result of my ejection, two patrons physically assaulted me, and I was sucker punched in the face. But his week attempted did nothing to me but infuriate me further. To make matters worse, this opportunistic patron claims he was grabbing my ass as I was being escorted out, and when I confronted him about it, he assaulted me physically. It is appalling to think that this behavior is allowed to occur at Hello Stranger Bar. Furthermore, the security guards refused to moderate or explain the photography policy and inappropriately escalated the encounter by putting their hands on me. They also refused to give me their badge number or last name. The head of security, Miguel, was combative, dismissive, and rudely threatened me with expulsion and physical harm. I want to urge anyone considering visiting Hello Stranger Bar to think twice before doing so as their security policies are dangerous and the staff fails to take responsibility for their actions. I am considering legal action and request that the bar's management provide their policy on escorting people out and report their security to the proper authorities in the state of CA who license security guards. Please take my experience as a warning and avoid Hello Stranger for your own safety. Sincerely, Javier

Level of energy is head blowing . Had Fantastic time dancing on sat. Night. Dj is amazing!

Super fun bar in downtown Oakland! One of my favorite spots. It's very popular so drinks are a little pricey and there is always a cover charge. Even on a Sunday $10! But the vibe is so fun and the music is bumping, even on Sunday lol. They played old R &B with a dance beat remix and it had us all up and dancing. I love the small second floor overlooking downtown. It's a great spot to have an intimate private party.

The lady bartender is nice lol I can't remember her name but I had a good time I've been here twice I remember one time I had to pay and it was like wow small but nice atmosphere

This place was dope on a Monday night. It's Motown Mondays. Cool vibe. Everyone is just there to have fun. Drinks were yummy. Service was pretty good. Check out zhaldee the dj on Mondays.

Great vibes, service and staff. I love how this place has grown over the years. Big shout out to Ricardo and Carlos for always going above and beyond to make sure my friends and I have a great time and feel safe. If you haven't been here definitely check it out!

Stopped by to check out the bar and can say it's nice. Didn't see many happy hour specials but there is plenty of room for large groups, the staff was very friendly. A big plus is the upstairs space. I'm sure it can be rented out for private parties. Unsure if they allow outside food, didn't see anyone eating, but drinks and food go together nicely.

Depressing. Charges cover even when the bar is empty, drinks are expensive and not very good. Mediocre at best.

Amazing night! Got there at 8pm and Manny (bartender was awesome)! Then to end the night Miguel and Brit (security guards) were hilarious as they saved us from an adventure of a night. Great place, great music, great staff.

Had such a fun time here for my birthday, Jazzmine, Malik and Patrick were SO nice and friendly and just made the whole vibe, thank you guys!!!

The people who go this bar, esp men at this bar do not keep their hands to themselves. I have gone to bars w just my friends that are girls and been fine. but at this one men touched my hair or face uncalled for while I was walking to the bathroom, one man went as far as to hug my friend just to feel her up. After the bar closed three men followed us for two blocks on our way to our car. There's no level of safety here, the crowd definitely feels entitled enough to make you feel unsafe, I don't recommend for any women tbh. On top of that my friend and I stood at the bar for two hours straight to order some drinks but every single one of the bartenders ignored us. After the first hour I thought maybe they just didn't realize we wanted drinks so I would look a bartender in the eyes and try to make it obvious thay we wanted drinks without being rude but they would attend to the people to the left or right of us until we'd be the only ones left at the bar. And still we'd be ignored while being the only ones there. This happened until the bar closed for last call. Truly one of the worst experiences I've had going out

I have been wanting to go to this bar for awhile now. Someone had told me that it was one of their favorite bars in the East Bay to go to, and I can understand why! The music was great - lots of hip hop and rap music to vibe and dance to with a sprinkle of some nice slow R&B. This place honestly felt like a mini club. We only came for drinks this time around and ordered a couple shots and margaritas for all of us. Drinks were pretty standard! Only wish that this place was a bit bigger. It's a pretty small space, and I went on a Saturday night - the entire place was packed, and I found it difficult to get around. On the way to the bathroom, my drink spilled all over my shirt because of how many people there were in such a little venue. Minus the spill, what really made my experience other than the great music was the lovely bartender! I didn't catch her name, but she had such great energy and it radiated off of her to all of the customers near the bar. There were times during the night where they bartenders would ring a bell and pour free shots into people's mouths! She was dancing on the bar top and honestly looked so lively - I appreciated her energy and so did everyone around her. I'd like to come again, but not too sure when because the bar was extremely packed. My advice for people who are thinking about coming here is to consider getting bottle service. There's a room isolated towards the end of the bar and also a loft upstairs that are reserved spots for those services! There are a few spots outside as well. I am positive that you will have a better experience if you choose to do so.

Tei was AMAZIIIIIIING! Best bottle girl and mani the bartender is bomb as wellllll always coming back

Arrived 1.5 hrs before closing and paid $20 only to turn around and leave 5 mins later. Should have peeked in because I don't think there is anyway this place was at their max capacity...it was BEYOND. So crowded everyone was squeezed in like sardines. Like being in a mosh pit, smashed up against strangers, hot sweaty, people just standing around looking hard. The bouncers & money taker should have been denying entry. We tried for a refund it was so ridiculous, they wouldn't give one. Getting to the bar for a drink? Forget about it. We noticed there was an upstairs, asked the guy standing on the steps with his arms crossed what the deal was, he said vip $100. We went on our merry way and won't be returning.

3 words: They. Have. ABSINTHE!!!!!!!!! I pretty much never expect bars to carry absinthe, but I still ask because you never know when a bartender will say yes. Came here for a company happy hour after a couple of years of passing by here and never stepping in but wondering what it's like to be inside and get a drink. They're kind of low-key swanky, especially with these pretty black-framed goth mirrors outside the entrance of the bar. The bartenders were very busy with drinks and were very attentive to me and my coworkers. When I asked one bartender if I could get a drink, she said, "Of course darling, what can I get you?" "Do you have absinthe?" "Yes, we have absinthe. St George." It took me a moment to register that I had heard her correctly. Yes, I felt lucky!!! I usually get absinthe with a sugar cube on a slotted spoon, but since I'm trying to cut back on sugar, I asked, "Could I have absinthe with ice and a side of water? No sugar." When the bartender went to get my drink, my coworkers who saw me order were in awe that absinthe is my go-to drink. They even asked me to show them how I prepare it once the bartender brought it to me! It's not every day you meet someone who can stomach absinthe, and it was a great icebreaker with several coworkers when they asked me what I got. The fact that they serve absinthe here has certainly skyrocketed Hello Stranger to my top favorite bars, which is a pretty non-existent list, since I usually don't like bars. It was also hella cool to watch the bartenders light certain drinks on fire with blowtorches. Just docking off one star because of all the Halloween decorations they could have been creative with, they just HAD to decorate the whole bar with giant spiders and spiderwebs. They could have had skulls, skeletons, bats, jack-o'lanterns, but no, someone had the bright idea of declaring, "Let's just have giant spiders everywhere." I'm pretty much Ron Weasley when it comes to spiders. Remember that scene with Aragog in the Harry Potter: Chamber of Secrets movie adaptation? Or Shelob from Lord of the Rings: Return of the King? Because eff that shite. Absinthe made up for the lame Halloween decorations though. I'm sure I will be back, and I'm very happy to see Hello Stranger in downtown Oakland.

The music is weak asf.. definitely don't recommend if your Black!! The DJ (light skin Black guy, black beanie, in his 40s/50s) doesn't play any new aged music... he's only plays his type of shit! I requested Big Cat - 10millibang and he didn't even play it even though he said he would. The whole night was literally just old R&Bs and slow songs... I'm tryna twerk on my man and can't even do that or run up with the gang fr...

I have been frequenting Hello Stranger for years, and have always had a great experience whenever I stop in. Most times I have too much fun. My most recent visit was to celebrate my birthday, and the staff went above and beyond to make my day a special one. Great music, strong drinks, and a fun time is what you get here. One of my favorite spots and I will definitely keep coming back.

Manifair is the absolute best bartender on this block! And the security is hella nice and always gives us VIP treatment. Everytime I've gone in it's been packed with good vibes thanks to Mani

My favorite bar in Oakland. I love that they're open 7 days a week so after a long day I can stop in for a quick drink. The bartenders are super friendly and know how to mix a drank. And did I mention the FROZAY! IYKYK.

Awesome vibe and staff. Sometimes gets a little too crowded and rowdy, but that's the charms of oakland.

Hello Stranger is my favorite bar to go to when I want to dance and have fun with my friends. I have been coming since it open years ago. The staff is amazing including Coco, El and Carlos. The owners Bill, Josh and Summer are true owners who have a very big presence at their business. There is always a great mix of people and I love the music they play. I always recommend HS to anyone wanting to go out in Oakland.

The vibe was great and music but the owner was rude asf and security for no reason.. Yall need to work on your customer service asap because it's definitely trash.. This was my first time going and it will be my last time too.. Smfh

We were here for a private event. The Hello Stranger cocktail was out-of-this-world delicious! The service was extraordinary! It's conveniently located on Broadway in uptown Oakland near the 19 St. BART Station. It's a cozy and casual, perfect for a drink after work or a night out with friends!

Favorite club in Oakland by far! Maybe even the best club in the Bay Area. Always a good time, good vibes, great DJs and the bar staff here is top notch! The cocktails here are bomb too! I like the "Smooth Operator" with Rum, coffee and coconut.

We were ready to go to a bar for the first time in a year and SIT INSIDE! Such a novelty! Anyway, Alisa and Carlos made us feel like we were their favorite regulars. They were both so welcoming and friendly and then the drinks? I had 4. So basically I drank half their menu. They were all delicious. There was social distancing and masks everywhere though you didn't have to wear your mask once you were seated. I felt completely safe and also absolutely buzzed by the time we left. I am so happy that Hello Stranger survived the pandemic and I can't wait to go back for more triple fist drinking.

This was such a cute bar! There is a lower area and a loft area up the stairs. I think there is also a back room with another bar. DJ is set up next to the bar. For COVID, the bar is not open. You need to stay in your designated area with your party and you can only order drinks through your waiter. The waitstaff was great and very attentive. We never had an empty glass!

Awesome new spot to get your cocktails, shots, good company after work, weekend vibes on, etc. It is currently one of my after work "forget your troubles, come on get happy" spots with my coworker. Hello Stranger is located next to the 19th St. Bart entrance on Broadway and is a 5 min walk from my building. We usually sit at the bar and chill with the bartenders as they recommend some good cocktails. I asked for some whiskey recommendations and awesome Hasani, hooked me up with Russell's and Angel's Envy- two separate drinks. A bit on the stronger side, but interesting. Coworker went with pineapple vodkas. Vibe was a bit on the slower end on a Tuesday but we had a good time. I love looking at the bar wall with all of the liquor and warm amber lighting - almost mesmerizing in a way and suddenly the "Amber is the color of your energy" song pops in my head. But that's neither here or there. Will be back!

One of the few bars I look forward to going to when the weekend hits. There's always a DJ every night and the bar itself has a fantastic crew.

Hello Stranger is an amazing place to check out if you have a dancing itch that needs to be scratched, or if you just want to listen to good music and experience good vibes. They're open every day of the week until 2am, which is extremely rare. Motown Mondays are reserved for all the classic jams. On Tuesdays, Sean G is killin it on the 1s and 2s, so it's the perfect taco Tuesday after party. I don't typically go out on Wednesdays, so I can't comment. The rest of the week (including Sundays) is also a lot of fun if you like hip hop, r&b, and afrobeats. All of the bartenders are really cool and make some great drinks! Definitely try the Frozay and/or Smooth Operator. 10/10 would recommend! I mean it's always poppin.... What more could you want??

This place is awesome! No TV's hanging around as a distraction from all the wonder smiles and laughter. Stiff drinks that are poured to perfection by the bartenders and everyone is polite. This place is usually clean until the freaks at night come out. Great place for a date or an outting with friends.

The drinks here are amazing! Rodeo disco is probably my go to every time I stop by. The bartenders are super friendly and get shit done when there's people filling up the bar ordering drinks. When they first open doors it's very chill but as time passes and more people come in it's definitely turns into one big party! Every time someone visits me I always bring them here to show them what Hello Stranger has to offer.

4-28-2019...5:30p.m. Went here onna Sunday evening to meet D.J. MIND MOTION... This place was packed and jumping from the moment I walked in. I've been wanting to stop by Hello Stranger since meeting Summer a few months ago... Tonight I had the opportunity to meet her husband the inventor of a tasty drink made to pay homage to Oakland's very own Too Short called "What's My Favorite Word?" Hello Stranger has guest Dee Jay's always... Good people & Kool vibez here ya diigg!!!

The only club/bar in the Bay with some of the best rap/hip hop music and amazing staff (despite the other reviews). As a woman, I have always felt safe while I've been here and treated kindly by the staff (shoutout to Josh and Carlos!) Also, the bartenders are super fun and genuinely want customers to have a good time. If you're looking to have a guaranteed fun night out in Oakland, then you should check out Hello Stranger!