Sláinte Irish Pub Oakland

My kid has been coming here with their dad for about a year now and they've been raving about the lamb sliders and Brussels sprouts. We finally had a chance to come on a Tuesday night and it was just as charming as they described. We got the lamb sliders and requisite Brussels sprouts, but I misunderstood and thought they said they could polish most of that off by themselves, so I got the fish sandwich (that came with house made chips). Wasn't sure if they meant UK dtyle chips which are what we consider French fries, or if they meant American potato chips, aka crisps. The portions are generous on all three dishes. I took a bite of my kid's lamb sliders, which was juicy, tender, and the lamb patty cooked perfectly. My fish sandwich had a healthy portion of fried cod, but too much slaw and tartar sauce- made for a super messy, drippy sandwich that sogged out the poor potato roll trying to hold it all together. The Brussels sprouts are a good way to make you believe you're eating healthy (they're vegetables!) when you're gobbling down a plate of deep fried goodness 🤣 good thing they didn't feel greasy or laden with oil. Next time I'll have to try their sausage roll, Portobello sandwich, and shepherds pie, though they have tough competition with my own versions! Overall Slainté gets my vote for a cozy little place to have some lovely, unpretentious food and soak in a slice of Irish ambiance in Oakland.

Sláinte Irish Pub in Oakland’s Old District offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere that feels rooted in tradition. The pub is small and busy—you’ll likely be seated right next to other guests, which adds to the communal, authentic experience. This isn’t a fine-dining restaurant; it’s a classic Irish pub with solid comfort food. We enjoyed hearty dishes like shepherd’s pie and fish and chips, along with a good selection of Irish beers, including Guinness and Smithwick’s. The highlight is the live music. On our visit, the musicians played lively, upbeat Irish folk tunes that energized the room and made the evening feel festive. That said, we would have appreciated hearing one or two of the slower, more emotional Irish songs as well, which are a meaningful part of the tradition and could bring more balance to the experience. Service was friendly but slow, likely due to how busy the pub was and the challenge of staffing such a popular spot. Still, we’ve seen comparable places manage faster service, and that’s one area where there’s room to improve. Overall, we had a great time. If you’re looking for an informal evening with live music, good beer, and hearty food, this place is a strong choice.

This is by far the BEST fish I had ever tasted on a fish a chips order. The red cabbage coleslaw was a perfect side! 😎🤙 The Irish Seafood Clam chowder was also really good. Different but in a good way 🙌. Decoration of the place is really beautiful. Music is great! And staff very attentive and friendly.

Casual Irish pub near Jack London Sq, great drinks and friendly atmosphere.On prior occasions, I've seen authentic Celtic live music in here, including a rarely seen bodhran player, sitting around the fire place. Offers indoor, and when weather is good ( most of year), outdoor seating options too. While somewhat small, there are usually enough seats for everybody when I'm there, and the menu encompasses a wide variety of Irish food fare down to the imported bar crisps. You oft see groups gathering here for birthdays, or other after work type celebrations, as well as lively mix of regulars and tourists each day.

A true hidden gem of Oakland. They have an impressive and excellently curated selection of Irish Whiskey. The beer selection is also on point (I'm a beer drinker). The vibe is super chill and every Sunday a traditional Irish band performs which is a truly unique experience. The food is on point. The servers are knowledgeable, friendly, and amazing. Weeknights are especially lovely and laid back.

Live Slainte! It's the closest I've come in the Bay Area to the real Irish Pub experience. Full Irish breakfast, Shepherd's pie, soda bread, and Guinness all on point.

It’s a beautiful little Irish pub in jack London square. The food was awesome and so was the dessert. The place was cozy and the staff were friendly and welcoming. Highly recommend.

My favorite Irish pub in the bay! The atmosphere and decor of the place is fantastic and the food is absolutely divine. This is the best Irish food I’ve ever had, and a class above any pub food. If you love Irish whiskeys they have 185 available; I’m no expert but they have pretty much every distillery I’ve ever heard of. As for the staff, they are absolutely fantastic. Our waitress, Amber was so sweet, gave great recommendations, and took the time to talk with us during slow moments. The bartender, Lucas, was also awesome! As for life events, have live Trad every Sunday at 4 pm too; can’t wait to check this out. If you’re around Jack London Square Sláinte is a can’t miss!

I may or may not have entered this establishment a little tipsy. With that said, I'm not sure what these ducks mean. They could just be an ornament next to your drink or perhaps a collector's item. Both drinks came with the ducks. As for the drinks, I loved the BloomsDay cocktail! I didn't find it too sweet, which is usually my concern when ordering cocktails. My sister, on the other hand, didn't want to take a chance on it, so she opted for whiskey--not with a pickle back, but with an olive back chaser. Why an olive instead of a pickle? It's because they don't carry pickles. Based on what my sister said, the olive back was much better than the pickle back. If you haven't tried it, she highly recommend it.

Proper Irish pub in Oakland. Fantastic, properly made Irish Coffees, which aren't easy to find. Due to Slainte, I've been introduced to Irish gin. Quite tasty! On top of that, they've this excellent martini glassware, Nick and Nora, based on the Thin Man movies. Best glass I've ever had a martini in. I don't like the traditional martini glasses at all. I find them very impractical and I always spill. This glass is a great shape and the glass itself is very light weight. If you'd like to feel like you've all the sudden been transported to Ireland, this is your place :)

Ambiance A+ authentic Irish Pub Food C meh! Fish was kind of soggy Service D owner/bartender was without personality. So unlike an Irish pub.

First time here. I am partially Irish and my partner maybe has some. I also like music and back in the day played alot of music all over the place. So given that we landed here on a live music Sunday night. I appreciate the talent of the fiddle players, mandolin and other stringed instruments but 2 hours of this is a bit much. Seriously, if they played this all day long instead of Britnay they would have all talked after a day. The bright spot might have been the young lady singing "Long Black Veil" which I have performed many times. This Irish bar actually had some good tequila, which I ordered, and a red ale; my partner had a Tito's Lemon Drop and the same beer. Prolly the darkest beer I've seen her drink. It goes without saying if you want to find some Irish whiskey, this is the spot. We also had the mac and cheese. It was OK. Not sure what an Irish bar is doing in Oakland but it's been here since 2017 so something is working. It's also a short walk from the parking garage, but hey yall'z it is still Oakland and you really need to pay attention.

Had a good time with the hubby here the other day for some lunch. I was really craving an Irish Breakfast, so naturally had to go to the best Irish Pub around. My hubby had the Shepherds Pie and we both had some drinks at the bar to go with our meal. The bartender was great. Service was good. Didn't wait too long for our meal. Parking is a little sketchy in the area, so I suggest parking at the Jack London parking garage down the street. Not too far of a walk. We also went to the St. Paddy's Day celebration they had last year and THAT was fun. Line could've been better handled for food and there could've been more seating, but still so much fun. Looking forward to going again this year!

Sláinte (pronounced slawn-che) is such a fun and cozy spot in Oakland to tuck into or to try and beat some of this heat ~ when you enter you can feel the love, and heart/soul of the place from the decor to the awesome staff. Under new ownership, they have a menu full of delicious Irish fare, music and events weekly (check their website for event calendar), and even boozy Irish breakfast on weekends. A few things from the menu we thoroughly enjoyed ~ the fish and chips (with the mushy peas), house baked Irish soda bread, Irish seafood chowder, the mac & cheese, traditional Shepherd's pie, and to top it all off and wash it down, a Guinness & Guinness ginger cake. Everything ordered was thoughtfully mastered, prepared, and executed. I felt as though I was at my husband's home being served by his family ~ comfort in every mouthful. Don't sleep on this menu ~ the fish & chips are hearty and tastefully done without any additional grease, the mac & cheese is something alone I would come back for..the right balance of rich and creamy without going overboard, the Irish seafood chowder and soda bread could be its own meal in itself..unique and traditional, and the Shepherd's pie was a great closer..ample portions for a hungry crew! Would love to come back to experience music and more from the menu ~ maybe even their Iced Irish coffee, yum! Metered parking is available and I did hear there are smashburgers now on the menu!

Sláinte Irish Pub Oakland is the place UK Expats recommend, and for good reason! Last week I was eating fish & chips at the Rock & Place, the oldest such restaurant in London. Sláinte, in my backyard, was recommended for a try upon my return. Today, jet lag gone, we headed over. The beautiful dècor, the delightful fireplace, and the enthusiastic and welcoming staff set our scene. It felt like coming home to a place one's never been. The good doesn't disappoint. The cod & chips with beef tallow mushy peas satisfies. The Guinness Autumn Stew tastes like Mom's. And the Guinness Ginger Cake is delightful, what with it's deep taste and sticky-crunchy texture. Comparing London's offerings with Sláinte isn't fair; the former serves hundreds daily since 1871, the latter far fewer, since 2017. Still, Sláinte satisfies and doesn't require an 11-hour flight. We'll return, certainly for the food, perhaps for the frequent live events.

The service was amazing. The Mac and cheese was very filling. We added a little Tabasco to the mix for personal taste. The beer was perfect not flat or too hoppy. Music was perfect level to talk without yelling. Perfect for a date night.

Sorry but...Buena Vista has nothing on this place for Irish coffee!!! They r the absolute best at this establishment! They also have great Irish whiskey tasting events. They were closed for a while but it's so AWESOME that they r back and in the East Bay! Very nice people too!

Great food, great vibe, great service. Location is godawful and I have to ding them for it. It is not safe at night. Our car got broken into right out front. Oakland sucks - literally starting to feel like Escape from New York. Best to Lyft there. Besides that way you can drink more! We'll be back. But we won't be driving.

Best Guinness in Oakland!!!! Food is amazing and the service is top notch. Such a great place for a quick pint or grabbing lunch with a pal.

Visited Slainte for the first time tonight, for a night cap after an evening out. Fun vibe with a lively crowd. We enjoyed the ambiance and the Irish Coffees. Service was friendly and attentive. We'd love to return when they have live music.

Glad Slainte's back! Jazmyn treated our party right, making sure we had what we needed. The shepherd's pie I got was fresh, and the prices are reasonable for many of the options now!

Love the cozy vibes here and so glad to find a place that serves an English/Irish breakfast! Happy hour is from 4-6 and it's not a huge discount unfortunately but the food is good - sausage roll and the curry sauce are both nice. Friendly service, great addition to Jack London, will be back to try the breakfast!!

RIP Slainte, the last Irish pub in the area Visited a handful of times, always a nice vibe. Came for a last full Irish breakfast before they closed. Place was lively, despite the rain.

I love an Irish pub, but often the food is mediocre. Not here! Met some friends here before seeing a movie around the corner. I ordered the bangers and mash, which was affordable at $17. I'm always looking for good value these days. It was good and hearty and went perfectly with my Guinness, which was also poured perfectly. I also sampled the shepherd's pie. This is a dish that is often bland in restaurants, but it was delicious and savory at Sláinte. I found the soda bread to be too dry for my taste, but for all I know that's how it is supposed to be. I've never had it before, so what do I know? But I think it would have been perfect with a stew or some such. Waitress Jasmine was friendly and attentive without being intrusive. She made our stay even more pleasant. We will be back!

Great Irish pub in the Jack London area. Whether just dropping in for a Guinness, sharing a meal with friends, or attending a special event, Sláinte is a welcoming pub with plenty of seating. Their food is hearty and tasty, and the beer and Irish whiskey are always flowing. There is even a fireplace if you want to get extra cozy. Whether you're just starting your night here are hanging out for a while, you will be comfy and your belly will be happy.

Authentic Irish pub. Afternoons are quiet. Main bartender seems a lil quiet but pours a great pint. Some fruit flies buzzing around. No snugs if you're looking for a private spot, very open concept. Hopefully the place stays around.

This place is the closest I've seen to a real Irish Pub. I went here on the Sunday before Saint Patrick's Day to attend their Saint Paddy's block party. I went inside to get some food and paid $25 for the smallest portion of food I've ever seen. The ambience was nice but I felt that I got ripped off and ultimately was very displeased. Hopefully they fix this in the future because I'd love to enjoy some reasonably priced food and beers.

We've wanted to get to this place to support the new owners and finally made it in on this rainy night. What a great place! Very cool art, fireplace and nice people. We were off to a good start! They had several types of seating areas. We sat at the bar and ordered Shepherd's Pie and Fish and Chips and both were superb. We also tried their up-rev Irish Coffee called Dirty Old Town. Fabulous. Great food, great drinks and great people. They'll be seeing more of us.

The fish, chips, curry, and burger here were so delicious! We already decided we'll come back next time we're at Jack London Square, just to be sure it wasn't a fluke.

So happy to see this place is open again! Great new owners Eddie & Joe, with music on a Sunday! Can't miss stopping by Sláinte before a Sunday Yoshi's show for some munchies and Irish coffees. The staff have passion and are fun and attentive, the prices are cool, and the vibe is unique and unlike any other bar in Oakland.

You want to find a great place to have an Irish coffee the best in the bay this is the place!!! The food is outstanding feeling like you are eating from a family kitchen The service is friendly and you can find a place to sit all day I comfort

Slainte has everything you would expect from a classic Irish pub - Guinness, Fish and Chips, Bangers and Mash, whiskey galore, heavy grease and a massive portrait of Oscar Wilde. The servers were quick and friendly and the food tasted great. Unfortunately, the tasty food also was very heavy food and caused some gastro issues later on in the evening. Still a good experience overall! Cheers!

Irish bars are almost always a good time! This one didn't fail with the spirit of the thing - a little rowdy, a little rustic, everything one could ask for in an Irish bar. That said the food fell a little flat for me - I had the bangers and mash, along with mushy peas. The sausage was the highlight, and the potatoes were okay! The peas weren't good though, not a fan of that flavor. This is a good spot to get your traditional Irish vibe though! Just beware of the peas, and don't forget that fried food can be heavy!

Yes it is open and a pretty cool place to be! Was here December 23rd 2023. Full set of whiskeys and beer on hand . Second time here and enjoying it more. Definitely stop by..

So glad some magic kicked in last min for this cozy, authentic Irish pub not to close! Gathered round the fireplace a few months ago with a group of old college pals for beers and delicious pub fare -- a wonderful, transportive evening that did not cost an arm and a leg! Love this place!

Slainte (pronounced "slawn-che") is the Irish way of saying CHEERS! This is an awesome Irish pub and restaurant in Jack London Square. They perform live traditional Irish music every Sunday at 4pm, as well as some weekdays. And the musicians are really good, playing a range of instruments (flute, violin, banjo, even some I don't recognize), it's a beautiful sound to hear while enjoying some good food and drinks at this venue.  The food is amazing. We just got a few "wee bites" for sharing, but it was so delicious and satisfying. The Garlic Bourbon Mushrooms were flavorful with a perfect garlicky buttery taste. We also tried the Slainte Soda Bread & Irish Butter with Irish Cheddar Cheese (because I was curious about all things Irish on their menu, and obviously I love butter). It's hard to describe, definitely unique. The bread is grainy and somewhat crumbly, the consistency almost like a scone, but brownish in color with taste that goes so well with whipped butter (or in this case, "pure Irish butter"... yes, you can easily get Kerrygold at the store, but this combination was soooo good). The portion sizes are small, but the taste made up for it. And we washed it down with Slainte's Irish Coffee and the Doctor's Dilemma, which were made really well, good flavor and alcohol content. The venue is so cute with lots of character, exposed brick, charming wall decor, and wood furnishings creating the perfect ambience. And all of the employees were so helpful and friendly during our entire visit this past weekend, the excellent service adding to a wonderful experience overall.

Sláinte is a cozy Irish pub nestled on a quiet corner a few blocks east of Jack London Square. On Sunday afternoons (5 PM) and every first and third Thursday (7 PM), patrons are treated to live traditional Irish music that really adds to the experience. I was lucky enough to be there on a Sunday afternoon, and it was quite the delight. The food menu consists of mostly traditional Irish fare, with a few Cal/American inspired twists. The highlight for me was the Mac and Cheese and Corn soup. Although the soup seemed to be seasonal, I would highly recommend this or their Sheppard's Pie. In addition, the pub offers a full bar (with an EXTENSIVE whiskey list!) and a number of traditional cocktails, including a sublime Irish coffee. The pub features a Whiskey of the Week and sells Tayto Irish crisps to eat with your meal or to take home to snack on later.

The food here was really great. The fish and chips was so crunchy, and the fries were very fresh. Very good service, and nice general vibe. The bangers and mash were really good too. Also, they have Guinness zero for those looking! Great place, would definitely come back again.

Wonderful gem in Oakland's Jack London Square that pours the best pint of Guinness in the Bay Area. Great cozy atmosphere, helpful service, and delicious authentic food. In addition to Guinness and Irish Whiskey, my wife and I shared a plate of fish and chips, which made the perfect afternoon meal. Can't wait to come back again and again.

Amazing food friendly and attentive staff. Not to mention the chill and cozy vibe while I was there.

Lovvveee the live music on Sundays and the vibe. Closest you can get to Ireland in the bay without getting on a flight :)

As far as Irish pubs go in the US, this one feels authentic. I lived in Ireland for two years so I get nostalgia for curry chips and soda bread which this place has and does well. I had a really smooth, strong cocktail made on Valentine's Day that was only $13 bucks. Nor a bad price for a well made drink in Jack LondonThe ambiance is cozy and low key. I'll be back to try other delicious things I saw on the menu.

Pub food was great soda bread was good, Irish coffee amazing, love the Irish pub feel, the owner was great

The Heart of Ireland in the Bay Area Great drinks, great food, and great culture. Slainte is a community spot with great food and great drinks. I wholly recommend this restaurant for Jack London Area.

We've been here a few times. This time we came for St. Patrick's Day and the place was packed. One line for food, one line for cocktails and outdoor line for beers and shots. Music playing and everyone was happy. We've come before for the fresh soda bread, fish n chips, etc. which are all good. Wish we got this time but didn't want to wait in the line I appreciate this authentic Irish pub that's beautifully decorated and not a dive bar. I've lived in places like Boston where Irish pubs and people are plenty so this place ranks up there especially in the Bay Area /Oakland where it's not plenty. We'll be back to enjoy the music, food and company.

So cute and quaint! You get pub vibes in this place and the fireplace is a great touch. I must apologize for no pics of my meal, but not all good food translates well when photographed. I had the fish & chips ( choice of coleslaw or mushy peas) with mushy peas. Everything was delicious, but as mentioned some things may not look the best photographed, and that would be the mushy peas. They arrived and looked really unappetizing, but they were quite tasty. A sort of mashed potato consistency with a kiss of mint. Now, best of all...the Irish Coffee! Strong and yummy. There is a full bar with lots of whiskey and of course, beer. Nice relaxing atmosphere with great food.

First stop on our bar tour of Oakland. Our server was very attentive and the drinks were cold and tasty!

The place is fabulous!!! The wait staff are polite, friendly and helpful to each other which makes such a difference in the service you'll receive! Classic Irish food is always a treat! The food is always full of flavors. They put the malt vinegar in a spray bottle which made the flavor stay on the food!!! That's ingenious! The drinks are larger thank a regular, so you get your $ worth! I did get a shepherds pie to go for my BF & it was quite large and he enjoyed it immensely!! So big he saved some for lunch the next day! The place is clean and has outdoor seating and an indoor fireplace!!! You will love this place!!! Street parking or a parking garage a block away.

Slainte is your traditional Irish pub located right in Jack London Square. The owner was born and raised in Ireland, so you know the food is going to be good. Many of the recipes are from her family too. I started off with some cider for my beverage of choice. For food,​ I had the fish and chips which was a huge portion. The slaw that it came with was absolutely delicious and I could easily have that on its​ own. And, if you are looking for whiskey options... this is the place for you! They have an extensive whiskey menu and carry over 175 different varieties of Irish whiskeys. Slainte is a nice and cozy atmosphere with a fireplace located right next to the bar. There is a good amount of seating, and it really feels like a place you could call home.

Lovely pub atmosphere, cozy. The bartender (owner?) (Ed, I think) was skilled and friendly, explaining all the little nuances that made their specials (salt in the hot buttered rum, marinade in the burger) so damned good. If I lived closer it would definitely be my local, as it is it's a great destination.

Happy hour. A scotch egg, garlic fries, guinness, and a pour of 14 year Irish whiskey. There is just no other place like this. The service is attentive and helpful, the food is interesting and cooked perfectly. Slainte is my favorite hangout in Oakland.

New ownership completely turned this place back around. The food is amazing and the staff are always on it and helpful as well as asking for feedback so they can always improve

amazing Irish pub food and cozy atmosphere in Jack London. One of the owners I've met is super helpful, nice and passionate about the restaurant. Fish sandwich, mac and cheese, shepards pie and irish coffees are not to be missed!

Overpriced for just "okay." Stopped by for dinner on a Tuesday at 6pm. The place was empty and we were seated and placed our orders right away. I got a Hendricks gin & tonic that tasted like they forgot the gjn! Should've taken it as a sign- $13 for a tonic water was foreshadowing for how the rest of the meal was going to go. For food we ordered fish & chips, mushroom and brussel sprouts appetizers to share. The quantity was fine, however, the quality left much to be desired. The fish & chips was mostly breading and fried until hard. You needed a chisel to knock the breading off before you could eat the fish. The mushrooms were rubbery and bland. Luckily, the brussel sprouts with garlic aioli were good. The service was quick, but the food and weak drinks made it a fairly disappointing experience. Will not be returning.

I didn't know anything about this place when I decided to walk in with my young family. We were in the area for the Christmas Tree lighting at Jack London Square, and at the last-minute I was looking for someplace nearby for dinner. My first choice was was fully-booked, so we just took a chance on Slainte and walked in. Being pescatarian, I was hoping to have their Fish and Chips, with chips in the vegetarian oil (as is the alternative they offer). However, the server informed me that all their fish is fried in beef tallow, so that was off the table. He then helped me with other choices, and I landed on the Veggie Pasties with a side of chips. The pasties were delicious, flaky pastry and the filling tasted like a samosa filling. My husband liked their Bangers and Mash. And he's English. We each had a nice pint. My kid had the Mac and Cheese and a Sprite. Unfortunately for me, but fortunately for our kid, they only had sodas on offer for the kiddos. Cozy pub, good service, good pints, and great food. In the end, it was a pleasant surprise and quite a treat for all of us.

After Quinn's Lighthouse closed we were looking for great fish and chips. Found it along with fantastic shepherds pie. Pub settings with an owner behind the bar (Eddy). Took over as new owners in Dec 2023. Guinness on tap and a lot of whiskey to choose from. Very casual watch outside dining.

Warm, friendly, with the best Irish coffee around. Love this place- the fire, the art and the overall home vibe. So glad they're back!!