Palmetto

"Palmetto is new to the Uptown cocktail scene, the latest project from Christ Aivaliotis and Matt Reagan, the guys behind Kon-Tiki. Pastel colors, neon lights, and lush plants transformed the old Flora space in the Oakland Floral Depot building, achieving a retro, Miami aesthetic and mellow setting to meet friends for rum cocktails and creative, steak-heavy food offerings." - Ellen Fort, Eater Staff

"Sarah Kirnon will serve a send-off meal for the year at Palmetto, featuring sugarcane-grilled jerk chicken and handmade patties." - Paolo Bicchieri

"It’s been a tumultuous few weeks for the Bay Area bars and restaurants. Earlier this week Oakland’s Palmetto and adjacent bar the Kon-Tiki Room announced their upcoming closures at the end of the month." - Paolo Bicchieri

"Palmetto is a downtown Oakland spot that looks plucked right out of a Miami hotel bar—there are tropical palm fronds everywhere, bright pink and teal accents throughout, and, of course, a neon sign glowing above the art deco bar. The fact that it’s right across from the Fox Theater is a big reminder that you’re far away from Florida. We use this spot for post-concert drinks while waiting for the Uber surge to die down, but it also works for vibey catch-ups with friends in town and first dates with someone you keep flirtatiously DM-ing on Instagram. The American-ish dishes, like cornbread and mussels with chorizo, are mostly pretty forgettable. So use this photogenic spot as a bar first rather than a place to devour a full meal, and you’ll leave satisfied. " - Julia Chen

"The Oakland cocktail bar and restaurant opened for takeout briefly last summer - but closed in June due to the pandemic. Now they’re back, and offering indoor dining in their brightly-colored space for the first time ever. Make a reservation and sit down for mussels and chorizo, pan-roasted halibut, or chocolate banana cream pie, and something from their extensive list of cocktails, wine, and beer." - julia chen 1