The Barbary

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My wife recently hosted a surprise birthday party for me at The Barbary and I couldn't have asked for a better experience! The staff went above and beyond to make our celebration truly special. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warmth and professionalism. The back lounge area, where our private party was set up, exceeded all expectations. The ambiance was perfect for our gathering, with cozy seating and just the right lighting to set the mood. The decorations added a festive touch that made the birthday celebration even more memorable. The patio out front is a wonderful place to hang out and get some fresh air. Outdoor heaters and the seating makes it a very comfortable space to hang out outdoors when you want to step out from the bar. Throughout the evening, the staff ensured that all our needs were met, from keeping the drinks flowing to attending to any requests we had. Their attentiveness and friendly demeanor truly made us feel like valued guests. George (Security) was very welcoming and friendly and has such an inviting personality that you can’t resist going in for a drink. Nargis was our contact and assisted in organizing the party and everything from A to Z. She is amazing! Nala and another gentleman who tend the bar were also very friendly, inviting, and made it a point to ensure we were taken care of. Overall, I can't recommend The Barbary highly enough for anyone looking to host a private event. Thank you to the entire team for making our birthday celebration unforgettable! We'll definitely be back for more memorable moments. 🎉🍹🎂

Great service, fun drinks, great atmosphere — a welcome tiki cocktail bar addition to Grand Lake! 🏝️🍹🍸 (came in on Tuesday of their opening week, and stayed to try almost the entire menu!)

A new tiki bar with a well executed grog menu! Great chill vibe with well made drinks. Would definitely come back.

My friend I walked past this bar on our way to dinner and couldn't help but pop in. The drink menu is mostly cocktails but they have some beer as well, and some solid NA options (not just juice). The staff were so friendly and down to earth, the other patrons were cool, and the atmosphere was kinda dark and lounge-y and clean. The patio outside looked nice but we didn't hang out there. We happened to be there on Live Jazz Night (every Saturday) and the vibe was so good! The bartender said they have Middle Eastern Night once a week too. I can't wait to go back and get to know this new spot better!

Called Thursday if they have hookah, they said no. Said to follow their page on IG. And it’s Only Fridays and Saturdays. Came today (Friday) they’re not here. They didn’t update on their ig or anything. Just wasted gas 😂

New spot in the area and it didn’t disappoint! The decor is absolutely amazing inside. Skilled bartenders make some great tasting unique drinks! I’ll be back whenever in the area for sure!

Loving the vibes and all the drinks are so unique! My favorite is the Trader Spice! It's a super chill spot to go with friends or even on dates. The outside seating is really nice and cozy. There is even a romantic space in the back next to the fireplace. Really glad Oakland has an amazing spot like this!!

What a place! You would feel like you are in NYC or SF at this place, Oakland is an amazing place and this Bar will confirm that, go there with a bunch of friends and you wont be disappointed, try it before or after Dinner for a great night out!!!

I'm not sure how to describe this newish bar on Grand Avenue. How about "whimsically posh" or maybe more accurately "pirate-meets-tiki"? Owners and sisters Narges and Nala Gardizi worked at Trader Vic's in Emeryville for over a decade (review: https://yelp.to/VW8MRIWBIQ), so they know a thing or two about what makes a tiki bar work. With Kona Club right up the street (review: https://yelp.to/g4htOuL2Ue), they probably knew they had to come up with something unique and introduced more of a pirate ship vibe with surreal portraits of humanized animals on the wall. It's too stylish and meticulous to be mistaken for a dive bar, but whatever hybrid it's supposed to be, the sisters succeeded. Jamie W. and I hung around for just one round since customers appeared epoxied to the seats in the back lounge area and the bar itself was getting a bit populated. We chose winners though. Jamie had the $16 Black Tot Grog with bourbon, vanilla liqueur, pineapple, allspice, and intriguingly, activated charcoal (photo: https://yelp.to/HeJ9ZOwMAw). Shiver me timbers, me hearties. I decided to go more tropical with the $13 Coconut Mojito which mixed coconut rum, coconut milk, pineapple, lime, and of course, muddled mint (photo: https://yelp.to/PE0jurlBG7). Both sisters were present and working hard. Their efforts were paying off as we're curious to try their other craft cocktails at a quieter time. DRINKS - 4 stars...superior craft cocktails to bring either your inner pirate or beach bum out AMBIANCE - 4 stars...evocative decor with the unique animal paintings SERVICE - 5 stars...sisters are doin' it for themselves TOTAL - 4 stars...pirate meets tiki...yep RELATED - Looking for a tiki bar? Here's a collection of places I've patronized and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3SpoS3c

This used to be the libertine, which I loved. The new makeover is cute tho, with some shipwreck and island themed decor. I do appreciate a decent happy hour and the 11 dollar passion fruit daiquiri was quite good (though it was more like a martini than a daiquiri)

The Barbary is a beautiful space, but the second restroom near the fireplace needs serious maintenance. It has a strong mildew stench, so bad that you can smell it in the seating area near m the restroom. It would behoove the establishment to simply close the second restroom until it has been fully repaired, to prevent such a poor experience. Not sure if I have a second try in me, but time will tell.

The service was great! We went on a slow night but I would love to go on a weekend with my girls there. The vibes are dope and the bartenders are hella cool

Chill Palm Beach vibes, outside seating and bomb drinks! Definitely recommend going before or after dinner. I don't think they serve food but maybe it's good they don't cause then I wouldn't leave!

Love the new owners of this place and the bartenders - really good people. Drinks are awesome and the outdoor patio space is comfortable. They'll put sports on for you inside for you or just play good music. Great spot overall!!

The music is always bumping on great vibes and drinks are always on point! Had their weekly special "English Wreck" mint, pimnas, vanilla, and lemon

Their mai tai was terrible. And the ambience also bad - karaoke?!? Sorry, but they need to up the game.

Great low key Vybe at this bar. Just came in to pick up my debit card after leaving it here over the weekend. I got an Old Fashioned & a Manhattan. Both drinks were really well made, super friendly bartender who handed me back my debit card too. I love how quiet the place was tonight, let me think & speak to my coworker over the phone while having drinks.

I usually don't do negative reviews but my experience here was HORRIBLE! Make sure you keep your receipts because the bartenders won't remember if you paid or not!

Horrible experience!! As soon as I sat down I was accused of starting trouble at a "previous visit" which they admitted it was a mistake they had confused me with another customer. Please keep your receipts when visiting this establishment.

The Barbary is an absolute gem of a cocktail bar! From the moment you step inside, you are transported into a world of elegance and charm. The ambiance is cozy yet sophisticated, perfect for a night out with friends or a special date. The cocktails are expertly crafted and bursting with flavor, using only the freshest ingredients. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly, making you feel welcome and attended to. The Barbary is a must-visit for anyone seeking a memorable cocktail experience.

Fun and whimsical ambience with tasty tiki inspired drinks! Will definitely bring friends here again!

So good. Love the decor and the owners. Definitely a different style of venue than the typical Oakland bar. Love the drinks and the intimate bar.

Fun vibe and decor.. Yummy drinks. Ottoman Old Fashion was a favorite. Friday night they have belly dancing.

The Barbary is one of the best cocktail bars in Oakland, bar none. The prices range from $13-$16 per cocktail. My partner said this place has the best Old Fashioned they've ever had. I'm a fan of the Spice Trader and the Black Tot Grog. Don't let the prices deter you; the quality makes it worthwhile. The pirate/nautical theme has good ambiance. It's not overbearing, but definitely not something you can overlook. I'd call it cute and whimsical, and I appreciate that the art on the walls was bought from small artists on Etsy. It vaguely reminds me of the vibe on Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Like, a little homemade and dated but done with love and extreme attention to detail. On weekends they have live music, often jazz, and it's been good stuff every time I came here. The staff is all great. Owners are often on-site. Jorge, the door guy, is friendly and helpful and welcoming. I highly recommend this as a place for a date night. It's classy, cool, and serves up good drinks. Really happy to have this place on Grand!

A unique and modern twist on tiki. It's a younger crowd with DJs spinning on a Friday night, but the drinks were really well crafted and high quality tiki grogs. The pirate theme is a cool idea I'm sure it will become more realized with time. Stop by and check them out, they are legit tiki in terms of the drinks.

Really fantastic experience. The cocktails and food are both executed well and the ambiance is retro and forward at the same time, think Mister Parker in Palm Springs meets Oakland cool. Great all around.

I came on a random Monday night and the vibe was super chill. I love the decor! The drinks are delicious and the bartenders were so friendly. Highly recommended

My husband and I recently went here to end our anniversary night, and what an amazing time we had! The bartenders were so attentive and fast with preparing our orders. The drinks were delicious and recommended by our amazing bartender! The atmosphere was beautiful. Everyone there was having such a good time. We went on karaoke night and it brought us and strangers together it was lit! If you're in the Oakland area I HIGHLY recommend you stop at this bar you won't regret it!

This bar is the mighty Fenix born of the dregs of the gone by lucky lounge now a respectable tiki style bar exists in its ashes this is a great new bar the drinks are stellar the waitstaff incomparable the ambiance is pleasent and mirthy I definitely suggest this place as a destination or even if you are just passing through you will meet nice people and have an excellent experience!!P.S. ask for the wi-fi password and there is ample parking near by along with good public transportation

This is a new spot in Oakland that has an awesome vibe. The drinks are delicious and the decor is really good. The staff are super friendly. My favorite drink is the Barbary Grog. They also have a really cool outdoor patio setup as well. It's a really good atmosphere to have drinks with friends. Def try them out

One of the best bars in town!! The guard posted at the door is super welcoming. The ambiance is great and the staff is very family like. The drinks are super creative and delicious, with mock-tails as well! They have indoor and outdoor seating so my pup was able to come too! Easily one of our favorite bars! We will be back very soon.

We've been wanting to check out this new spot in Oakland and overall we left very impressed! Friendly service from the bar staff, excellent drinks, and a fun vibe (loved the wall art!). We are always on the lookout for great spots that are dog friendly and this will definitely be a go-to for us going forward. Our group tried a few drinks and my favorite was the Black Tot Grog - a perfectly balanced tiki drink and a neat presentation. We'll be back soon! ‍

Great bar in lakeshore! Nala and her sister are dope as f***. Good drinks, good convo, good music, parklet. Neighborhood/regular spot for sure. Come. Have a good time!

I loved this place. Went with my friends for happy hour after work. The drinks are great and the ambiance is great too!

Overpriced spirits, measured shots. Credit card fee added to cash transaction. Refused to give change on cash payment. Way better options.

Check out this new chill spot!! Loving the ambiance. I think my favorite drink is the Spice Trader

The ambiance and service are tremendous. Check out the restroom with the jellyfish wall paper.

This place is classy with an awesome vibe. I went for my bday and the drinks were amazing. The crowd was chill & friendly. The bartenders are absolutely incredible! This last visit has made this one of my favorite spots. I would recommend if you are in the area and want a chill spot to have some drinks. Might take my gf next time as I went with the boys.

I attended a Mediterranean night with pop up hookah and lovely belly dancing performances. The customer service was excellent, the vibes were immaculate, and the BOSSLADY sisters have done a lovely job beautifying the place. Cozy outdoor seating is a plus!

First timer here, the vibe was awesome! Staff was very friendly, fast, and accommodating. The dancer put on a beautiful show! Convenient parking , and great music. Also enjoyed my hookah. Definitely recommend

We went here hoping for a cool piratey place to drink, and it was alright. The decor was pretty good, would be improved with better (dimmer) lighting. Also they were blasting Mexican music, which isn't bad, it was just way too loud. Lastly the staff was kinda phoning it in. There was less than 10 patrons at the bar and it took forever to get a drink still. This place feels like it doesn't know what it's trying to be. It's like a dive bar trying to be a theme place, but it's still just a dive bar

This is one of the best places I've been to in Oakland! Exceptional service wonderful drinks great ambiance!