Laurel Lounge

Very racist bar. Towards most black families I know and white Families friends with people stealing Canary Islands shoe designs. I used to love the people here! It’s gotten rotten since Oaklands turn to non original. I bought four drinks and two were treated, they still refused to have me pay which I was strongly against. It’s alcohol.

Great vibe, happy, good folk, neighborhood happiness. Lots of hugs! No food, but you can bring it in, np.

I love shooting pool here.. lots of great shooters

Great place for day drinking, or and nights. Wish they could keep the outside open after the pandemic is over, it's really nice! Love it!!

Went there with a bunch of people for a celebration and we had a great time. We only had drinks, not sure if there’s actually food here. It seems like a great neighborhood dive bar. Especially loved the bartender and the jukebox. I will survive!!!!

It's a fun place. Strong drinks, cool people. Pool table.. nice bartender

Bartender (?) on Tuesday night was courteous. Stopped by after to work on my way home. Nice Soul / Funk music on the Jukebox, pool table and sports on the TVs. Can’t ask for more.

Great place for a mid day pick me up. I just wish it was a little bigger. Great bartenders all around and a really good group of regulars. It's a vibe.

I love coming to this bar after enjoying Cambodian food next door. They have pool tables and great people and music.

hella cool vibe definitely a local love and locals that are given first priority, which they should be bartenders are cute and really great customer service

Great bartenders. Great neighborhood haunt. You never know what will happen at the LL.

After a hearty meal at DeVaughn's, we asked for a recommendation to lounge. Glad we were introduced to Charles at Laurel! For health and safety, they have an outdoor seating area, adequately spaced apart from other tables. The ground is appropriately covered, decorated with plants, and properly sheltered. Signage clearly states that you must order food with a beverage so Lisa got us the brisket fries. Paired nicely with the celebratory beverage that Charles made for us. #ThankYou Charles and have a great weekend!

Bartender on Tuesday night was courteous. Stopped by after to work on my way home. Nice Soul / Funk music on the Jukebox, pool table and sports on the TVs. Can't ask for more.

Neighborhood spot with cheap drinks and pool tables. Not a destination bar, but cool for a beer or a game if you're in the area.

Came here couple times when I was just strolling down the street and needed a place to hide myself and this place happened to be across the street from where I was standing I thought I'd try it since I didn't have anything better to do. But I tell you, this is where all the local around that area goes to I believe. Everybody is so friendly. Staff and the people who's just there to get some dranks. I enjoyed the fact that everybody knew each other and even though it was my first time, they made me feel safe just by engaging with these people, all the OGs talking shit to eachother, about each other's really made me feel like I was home. I go here when I don't want to feel like I am the stranger . I love this place and would def recommend when you want to go to new place yet not want to feel like a stranger.

So i always seen this Lounge for years, this is one of the areas i grew up in and this place has been here forever! I decided to stop by Monday night to watch the Raider game! Not disappointed at all! As soon as i walked in it felt more like home then many of the other bars i go to! No offense, for those bars are cool too but this was #RealOakland as we would put it! They had the Jukebox playing, most of the crowd was older so we had 70s vibe going on, all good wit me! It is a small bar but plenty of screens to watch the game on! My bartender was helpful and chill, he certainly knew nearly everyone there. He knew who wanted what and how they wanted it! He played the music on commercials and halftime, people were singing and def having a great time, i mean the Raiders won!!!! This maybe a new spot for me to check out the games on a Monday night! I am sure it wont be the same if the Raiders aren't playing but it was a good first experience to get me back!!!

There are great people at this bar ! Left my purse last night someone returned and everything is inside still. Also this bar makes some pretty great drinks. Highly recommended

This is a clean neighborhood bar full of friendly people that serve some great beer on tap. Though I don't spend much time hanging out in the neighborhood bars, The first time I've visited here was to see if I could hang up a poster of my stolen motorcycle. I was invited to sit down and beers were purchased for me by the people at the bar! How nice is that? I returned weeks later to take down the sign and the bartender had me sit down, poured me a beer and tell him the story about what happened to the motorcycle. They do play music and it's not too loud. And anytime you work past this bar there might be people smoking outside but they are always friendly and smile.

Much could be said about this place. 1 in particular is this place is definitely a watering hole for an array of different people from all ages and races. That's always a huge plus. I attended because of its proximity to my home. Anyway, not the best place for gal and her girls unless your a regular. The "Regulars" hateeeeeee fresh faces that push up on there territory. I wont be back unless I get desperate and that's even a stretch cause in any case I'll drink my alcohol inside the confines of my own 4 walls. Aside from the horrible experience that could have easily landed me in the slammer, the bartender was quite accommodating to us as newbies. The drinks were great, the few random conversations we started amoungst our group and other bar patrons, all worth the night

So this was another spot that's been on my bookmarks for a while so after I went to Degrees Plato, I stopped in here to check out the daytime scene. As expected, there wasn't much of a crowd here. Actually it was a couple of real old timers and me. One of the old timers immediately started talking to me about his Filipina gf and how he was going to the Philippine embassy, yadda yadda yadda. The dude was pretty annoying but it's nothing I haven't encountered in my decades of bar life. The cool part was that the young bartender, Cesar, dealt with him appropriately. Most bartenders would ignore him but I'm glad Cesar was able to tactfully get him to stop. The place was clean and some classic pendants from the main Bay Area sports teams. Looking forward to stopping here at night some time.

This spot is family owned and the city of Oakland needs more family owned businesses. Football season is fast approaching and Laurel Lounge has the games. They provided the community with a patio during the lockdowns and I'm sure didn't come cheap, but the made it happen. Very important during a time like this. They know how to treat you in this place.

Hell yeah! Laurel Lounge is definitely a 5 star nabe bar. It's a family-owned joint with a good vibe, great taps and a nice tequila selection. They got the Don Julio, bro...you know you want it... And if you don't know...then just get the fact that any shot you order comes with a free beer back. That's right, free beer with every shot, homey. But if you're getting a nice tequila, use a snifter, please... As if that all isn't 5 star worthy in and of itself, there's a pool table, chill bartenders, cool regulars, and the music is hella sweet. Bonus points for the owner kickin' us all free hotdogs at midnight.

You can call it a lounge, but at the end of the day it is still a dive bar that remains dark and dreary to hide dirt and dust. At least the unnecessarily strong drinks allow you to forget that you are paying way too much for standard bottled beer and incorrectly assembled cocktails. You should definitely come here because if it isn't some drunk a**hole making your night memorable, just stick around as there will probably be a shooting to entertain you which they have regularly with fatalities. Oh my bad, they have stabbings and robberies also, how could I have forgotten? Enjoy.

I've lived in Redwood Heights district for almost 2 years and this is the only bar that I go to in the area. Normally I always have a great time. The drinks are strong and the vibes are normally really great. Last night I was planning on meeting my friend and she was going to stop at this bar before coming to get me. We had dinner and went to go get drinks and it was her second time there in one night last night. I ordered a drink when we got there. I knew who was bartending & thought everything was fine because I had seen her before. She is the Asian bartender. She asked me if I wanted to cash out after I took one sip from my drink. ONE SIP. ! My friend I was with was there for the second time in one night and became really angry because she saw the bartender Being rude to me for no reason. Tell me why a bartender is staring at my body UP AND DOWN INAPPROPRIATELY LIKE SHE WANTS TO FIGHT ME?!? Denying what she did after I took one sip from my drink? Completely inappropriate and completely unprofessional. Why are you even a bartender? Why are you being mean to me when all I've done is tip you over the last few years? You are a HORRIBLE person because I did nothing to you to deserve being treated LIKE CRAP. I am never tipping you again.

Relaxed chill environment. Diverse crowd typical blue collars & local residencies trying to enjoy themselves. As a REGULAR at times it's disappointing experiencing the lack of service provided from the FEMALE bartenders; Defiantly won't be patronizing this place if their working. For the most part the place serves its purpose! Cheers

Great neighborhood bar. Fun, professional, and attentive bartenders. Great core group of people who are very supportive of each other and welcoming to new people.

I moved into my apartment in February and then a couple moved into one of the other units in March. They had their housewarming party last weekend. Good times. So during the party, we joked about the Laurel Lounge. Cause it's down the street and looks hella shady from the outside....but kinda enticing, you know. So, after several hours of housewarming partying, their friends headed back into the city and we decided to go to the Laurel lounge. It was supposed to be a joke. But it's not bad. Decent selection of beer on tap. Nice regular joes as patrons. 1 pool table. Polite bartenders. And a juke box with good tunes. Really, what more could you ask for of your neighborhood watering hole? I think we'll be back...or at least I will.

Definitely a great neighborhood bar! Clean cozy spot with plenty of bar stools and tables. Well lit, a few big flat screens, a pool table, and a great selection of music on their Jukebox including my favorite Sade. Some great choices of beer on tap including Speakeasy, and only $4. There is plenty of choices of top shelf liquor, and all available at great prices. Very chill ambiance and a nice spot to spend some hours sippin' comfortably. I will definitely be back on a regular basis to this bar. Laurel Lounge offers a very chill cool vibe that will make you feel like your in your living room having some drinks! Don't drive by this spot and keep wondering, park and get your chill drink on!

This is a nice, welcoming place for a drink. It's a real to each his own kinda bar. I like their beer choices & the bartenders are pretty nice mostly.

laurel is across from the seven seas bar which was recently closed involuntarily. came in here to eat my fish & chip which alberto, the bartender was agreeable to. they carry patron and many brands of tequila, many kinds of whiskeys, some cognacs and seemingly only ketelone and absolut vodka. there is also 9 beers on tap including tecate(4). prohibition(4), mgd, bud, flat tire, sierra nevada,hefw, etc. there's a pool table in the corner. the counter and a few tables provide some seating.. the jukebox is constantly, playing "retro hits". there's a diverse crowd of gringos, latinos, blacks, asians and gays. very friendly group here. nice brews..

Neighborhood dive bar. I most recently went to watch the rest of the Warriors Game. Many of the folks are regulars and treat each other family. There is a pool table where ms y times you will find some pretty decent players. The drinks are good, strong and good deals.

Best local watering hole!! Pool and great drinks. Open 7 days a week 2pm to 1:30am on busy nights. Come through and make some friends and Have some fun!!!

I currently live on the top of High St., and I am only about 5 blocks from the Laurel Lounge....walking distance. I visit this establishment every week. Any night that I choose to go everyone is always cool, including the bartenders, and I have never turned down a drink from a fellow friendly patron! The interior is upbeat...with a long bar that curves, and also about 3 or 4 tables to the side that are high seated tables. The music is supplied by an internet capable juke box, so it is whatever your ears desire. This place is the best.....I gotta have on tap! I am delighted by the awesome selection of beers on tap. My personal favorite is the Tecate, which I still have not found at any other bar, and I have had more than my share of party times all around the bay. I enjoy this place regularly, and I'm not intimidated to go solo, or with a few friends.

The Spot!! Good beers on tap, full bar with The Dog always ready to go, and the jukebox always playing the cuts!! Like I said, The Spot! Did I mention that the prices are easy on theb pocket too!! Stop playing yourself and come through

Great place with good people and good vibes! Drinks are great and beer on tap make this place worth while to visit. Bartenders are always on hit when it gets busy!

Neighborhood place, looks as always can be deceiving, the place its pretty cool! Good beer selection, as well as hard stuff, (It is a bar after all) People are friendly and the BBQ during Raiders games are killer!

Hometown Bar With A Welcoming Local Feeling. This is a great bar to come to for a cocktail and to watch sports. There is plenty of seating at the bar and table seating in the space behind bar seating. They have one pool table so you can shoot pool. The service is good and the drinks are strong!

Super chill and fun spot!!! These Duncan Bros. are doing right!! TVs with the Games, PoolTable with the Jukebox, and strong tasty drinks that get the good times and laughs going!!!

Good relaxed sports bar, fresh microbrews on tap and friendly service. No food served (unless the tender feels ambitious) but strangely, you can bring in yr own from surrounding restaurants. Kinda small area which keeps it cozy; mainly neighborhood folks - if you're looking to impress a date, this ain't it but brew & sports banter, yeah.

A cool local after spot and weekend haunt for Raiders fans. Decent selection of draft beers, but like everywhere in urban areas, hipsters are making a terrible comeback.

I ended up here last Thursday during the NBA finals, and it was definitely a fun place to be. Small and crowded, but luckily my friends had gotten there around 6, so they secured a table. We were definitely in the racial minority in there...which was interesting because really, it's not that often that I'm really IN IT with a crowd of people who are mostly a different race than me. I just find it to be an interesting social experience when it happens. The bartender was a nice middle-aged lady who managed to talk on the phone and make me the strongest whiskey sour I've ever had in my life at the same time. I have no idea how much it was because it went onto my friend's tab (watch out, $20 minimum credit card charge). I'd go back. It's a cozy neighborhood bar. They also let you bring in food from other places too, which is cool. Just not other drinks :) I drank my whiskey sour and cheered for the Spurs and ate Cambodian food from Phnom Penh. Good night.

Awesome bar with great drinks, great bartenders, pool table, jukebox that plays the best hits, and tv's to watch are awesome sports on big screen tv's!!! A+++++++ Also very clean and everybody including staff and guests are very friendly! This place keeps getting better so if you haven't been here in awhile you need to check it out! Improvements have been made and this place is as good as ever!!!!

OK, lets be honest. It's not fancy. It's not even 'nice'. But you know what... everyone in the place is friendly. The bartenders are generous. The prices are right... and to be honest - ever once in a while that's exactly what I need.

My houseguest from the backwoods of Maine celebrated his last night in OakTown at the Laurel Lounge, against my ill-formed advice. He had a blast and raved about the place - the bartender was a bit concerned about him walking home at 2am and gave him a free beer if he'd stay to closing so she could drive the young man home! Awesome! Thanks Laurel Lounge!!

This is a bar for grown-ups. Nice vibe, nice people, and plenty of space.

Okay Laurel/Dimond neighbors: You want drinks. You want sports on TV. You want some friendly and diverse company. Food sometimes. A great bartender. Some light and fresh air. A pool table. This is your Cheers. Go, enjoy!

The laurel is one of the best kept secrets in Oakland..the ambiance is always lively with a good vibe..I have attended many functions here and they are always accommodating..the bartenders are the best Especially NICOLE..her drinks Rock!!!!!!!

I'm sad that it took me a bit over a year to set foot in this place. Although, I agree with another reviewer that it looks shady from the outside - the Laurel Lounge has everything a neighborhood bar should. The bartenders are very friendly, local clientele is awesome, and apparently there's a bbq on Sundays during Raiders games. Woohoo!

Friendly local spot, nice bartenders, good deals on drinks, pool table (2 nights/week they have free pool) They get a big crowd on game day..last night they even had free jell-o shots!

I still go here! The last time I went was Halloween because I didn't want to pay a cover and I wanted a good, strong drink! I was satisfied. THE END.

The laurel lounge is the best local bar in this area. The bartenders Maleake, mark, rich and mel pour heavy and often which explains why they're tip bucket was full the night i went. I will make this my local watering hole. Shucks im on my way there now...

Went to have a drink and dance a bit... had a very good time for a while. Talked to some nice people and watched the pool players. Then my friend picked up a napkin on the bar and put it back quickly when she realized it had been used. A man sitting next to her complained about her picking up the napkin and putting it back when she realized it wasn't fresh. He said 'oh no, get away from me'. The owner(? ) came up to her from behind the bar and told her she had to leave. (obstensively, because of the napkin?) This was very bizarre. He was very aggressive about it. Unfortunately, we will never feel comfortable going back there again. Women might want to think twice about this place if you are going with a woman friend. It was one of the weirdest experiences of my life.

Cool lil hole in the wall, good music on the jukebox and strong, cheap cocktails. Bartenders are always hella cool. I really like this spot!

Small place with good service. Too bad they don't have food. Decent prices.

I always enjoy this bar. The bartenders are nice and the drinks are always good. My husband loves the jukebox!

I tried out this bar on my way home from work on a Sunday, probably late afternoon. There were only about five people there - - -two playing pool, one 60-ish dude at the end of the bar and one lady with a huge foil catering container of food who gave me a sideways glance and slightly hugged her food tray as I sat down THREE stools away. Whatever! I got the drift that the place may have recently cleared out after midday football or something. Anyway, the bartender also gave me a bad vibe, pursing her lips like "What is your scam?" apparently just because I'm a female by myself wanting a beer. I mean, I'm a typical SWF, probably a little more soccer-mom looking at my age - definitely no cleavage, tight clothing, crazy makeup, missing teeth or anything! So I finished my beer and left, and as I was leaving, the dude at the bar bellowed at me "What, you leaving so soon? Don't go away mad now HAHAHAHA!" WTF? Not sure I want to even risk another $6 giving them another chance. Freaks.