Summer Bar & Lounge

The place is great, very relaxed environment, but a little pricy for Oakland. 24$ for 2 absolute is more expensive than SF 7/10!!!

Usually it’s cool up in here. Tonight 11/22-11/23 the main bartender is moving differently when the owner isn’t around. Typically we can come in here and take turns queueing up songs on the computer. Suddenly the bartender tonight decided that no one can touch the computer after a certain time based on arbitrary considerations. We are regulars in this bar. Unfortunately this specific bartender had a woman in here tonight and suddenly this man runs the entire process differently than usual. Not a fan of this selective process when it comes to the community music selection that brings me in to Summer bar. Typically this bartender is taking shots and smoking out of what seems to be his personal bong behind the bar. When we told him this isn’t the usual process of the night he became very aggressive to the point where I don’t feel comfortable even queuing up songs anymore. Unfortunately I am super disappointed as a regular of this bar.

Went here for a bday party because we were told there would be gogo boys on Friday night. There were no gogo boys 🫩 A bummer for our bday boy. Asked the bartender and he told us their FB page hadn't been updated in a long time. It was also strange that for a Saturday night they had no DJ. They had YouTube on shuffle. Requested music eventually because we heard the same Michael Jackson songs on repeat for the first hour 😅

I have never been treated so nonchalantly at this place before and this particular bartender who states he is the owner and manager was completely out of pocket. He put someone else drink on my tab claimed he showed me the total, which he did not. He waved his hands like I'm a fly and I did not appreciate that.

Was told that this was a LGBT spot. Well tonight must be a special night because it was certainly only straight men. The bartender told me that it was a gay club then told someone else "No, do you see any gay men in here?". Gay men just can't have their own place to socialize without females and straight men intruding smh.

Great bar, fun karaoke spot! Bar tender/owner is fantastic! Super approachable and fun location.

The party goes down, at this,spot. I love the bartender. And the drinks are of the hook,

This bar has the potential to be a fun bar but unfortunately every time I went it was empty. I like the location even though it's off the beaten path in old Oakland. The staff is alright, the drinks are ok, but the music is absolutely horrible. I'll continue to come every so often.

Great place to come for a drink or a $5 shot! Service was great. Ambience emasculate. Come have a party here for free -that means NO COVER

I guess I came at the wrong time because it was super dead. The bartender was cool but given that there weren't many people there, he wasn't too engaging. The drinks were pretty expensive too for the amount they poured. Don't plan on coming back.

Coming from a conference, we needed to unwind. My friend recommended this place so we decide to check this out AMBIANCE: Parking: Welcome to Downtown Oakland! There's a parking lot and some metered parking. Walking around, the parking wasn't too competitive. Seating: Bar seating moreover, for maybe about 10 people or so. Vibes: Welcome to Downtown Oakland! It is a grit and grind place with a lot of culture and things to do - food, museums, shopping, and community events on the occasion. The place itself is pretty spacious, there seems to be a lot of space for an eventful time from jamming good music or karaoke. FOOD: Malibu & Pinepple Rum (Recommend) A simple drink that's smooth and sweet. Get a cherry for that additional sweet flavor to it. CUSTOMER SERVICE: I believe our server was Mel and he was dope! TL; DR OVERALL: 4.5 Stars. Great! A pretty proximal place from the Marriott Hotel. Prices were reasonable, drink selections were wide, and the energy was good. When in Oakland and need some good Hip-Hop & R&B music, this is a great spot! TIPS: * Tuesdays and Thursdays are karaoke nights.

A friend and I watched a concert and this bar was close to the hotel we were staying at... we stopped by on our way back for a drink. We entered to a group of people playing different YouTube videos and asking us if we had any songs we wanted to hear. The bartender was nice and welcomed us, along with another group of people who walked by. I'd recommend a DJ or playlist and a drink special to offer.

My girlfriend and I drove over 30 minutes last night to attend a special karaoke event featuring a talented artist I was really excited to see perform. Unfortunately, upon arrival, we witnessed the manager yelling and cursing at the promoter in front of the artist who flew all the way from Atlanta. It was clear there was some major miscommunication on the club's end, which should've been resolved well before the event. This show had been promoted for over a month, so there's really no excuse for things to fall apart so publicly and unprofessionally. Honestly, it gave off bad business energy. Promoters and guests, be sure to double even triple check your info before getting too hyped for an event being held at "Summer Lounge" in Oakland. P.S. There were more disappointed guests waiting outside than people actually inside at the bar. They let a lot of potential business walk away.

This was my first time visiting this establishment. Pleasantly surprised by the owner who was very hospitable, and a generous pourer. My favorite part was the LED hallway to a back bar and then then a surprise back patio. I'm unsure if you can sit at the parkland in front. But for an upside, you can be your own personal DJ and select a songs in the DJ booth. I posted photos of my friend who was Mr DJ for the night.

Omg!! I had so much fun here!! The ambience amazing, the service from the owner/bartender was phenomenal. I absolutely love how he does his karaoke there. I am a country music fan, so being able to pick my favorite songs, that no one ever has, was amazing. He along with patrons of the bar, coerced me into attending "Don't Stop Believing", fun but TOO HIGH LOL! Fun night!!

The bartender was great! But it was no one in their for a Saturday night and the music was kind of whack. They need a DJ or a better playlist.

This is a new LGBT friendly bar in downtown Oakland I ran into a week after it opened. There are two bars, a patio (street seating also), a stage, and it looks set up for live performances. Very nice to see this addition to the community! Also the bartenders and owner are super nice.

Summer Bar & Lounge is a bit of a hidden gem in the community. There's not many LGBTQ+ spaces around, but Summer really nails it on the easy, fun, and welcoming atmosphere. The drinks are affordable and the owner is friendly. The space is more usable than Port. It's a shame Summer doesn't get busier on weekends, but right now it's the perfect neighborhood bar.

This is damn near my new favorite spot seriously! I love that the owner and bartender remember when I come in and are always glad to see me. Gio is my new favorite person and they can always look forward to me coming in and even throwing an event here.

We had a great time here and the staff were all really outstanding. They are new so they are working out some of the operations but I much prefer this to Que Rico. It's very clean, drinks are reasonably priced, lots of space to dance and mingle and a good selection of alcohol at the bar. My only critique is that there is no happy hour, but the website says there is. I personally haven't seen a show or performance here yet , but hopefully soon. Best shows are at Port Bar IMO, great energy and performances esp love Sunday Brunch at Port.

Definitely an upscale hole in the wall bar. As part of a gay pride pub crawl, I enjoyed the bar. Super cute. Not big people friendly in the sense that it is very narrow. Liked the stage and small dance floor. Had instruments so I assume they have live music. Major plus. Cute back outdoor patio. Has a sidewalk patio. Also a plus. Didn't get 5 stars because it seemed unprepared for the pub crawl crowd.

Friendly bar, tucked away from the scene. It's great to so more queer spaces on this side of the Bay.

They advertise a Happy Hour on their website but there is none. We wanted to hold a fundraising event there that would have brought them business but it seems as though they aren't very welcoming. Also didn't ask for vaccine card. Wouldn't get back. I'll stick with Que Rico and Port Bar.

Very quaint, modern, and friendly space. welcoming and inclusive. the owner and staff are extremely relatable and sociable. they are a little off the beaten path but worth checking out. and they are starting to do more entertainment to draw folks in.