The Black Cat

Restaurant · Livermore

The Black Cat

Restaurant · Livermore

1

2241 First St, Livermore, CA 94550

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Highlights

Nestled in downtown Livermore, The Black Cat serves up artisanal cocktails and natural wines with a cozy atmosphere and inventive small plates.  

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2241 First St, Livermore, CA 94550 Get directions

blackcatlivermore.com
@blackcatlivermore

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

Information

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2241 First St, Livermore, CA 94550 Get directions

+1 925 409 2191
blackcatlivermore.com
@blackcatlivermore

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

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reservations
outdoor seating

Last updated

Jul 12, 2025

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"Industry veterans Dina Parks and Gianni Schell are opening a new natural wine bar called the Black Cat. Set to debut in May, the bar will focus on natural and low-intervention wines, offering small plates and tinned fish on the menu." - Dianne de Guzman

San Francisco’s Oldest and Most Legendary Queer Bar The Stud Is Making a Comeback - Eater SF
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Emanuele Sertini

Google
the drinks and food are very good, me and my wife came from half moon bay to try the drinks of this place.. everything was great, the only inconvenience was at the end. when I paid in 2 we spent more than 100$ and I left the tip in cash, when I gave my credit card to pay. after paying I saw that he charged me 23 extra dollars included in the tip in the bill, after I had already given the tip in cash.. I'm sorry but this is not correct you have to specify before that the tip is included otherwise I would not have left the tip in cash.. too bad because the drinks are good but if you continue like this you will lose your customers.. *** Correction*** after we spoke and clarified via email with the owner she apologized and refunded me the tip money that they had automatically added to my bill after I had already given the tip in cash.

Spencer Branham

Google
Traveled in from Chicago for work looking for exactly this experience. From the music to the service to the food, everything was incredible. The wines selection is purposefully sparse and curated with intention. Do not miss the Crudo and the Japanese sweet potato. The whipped feta was also amazing and paired nicely with the Plowboy, a wine by one of the owner’s dads. The music was also fantastic, great vibes after a long day. If you’re still reading, do you need another reason? Make a reservation and go!

Sara Coburn

Google
The food was delicious, the atmosphere was cozy but energetic, and the service was great! The cocktails we tried were really nice and I look forward to coming back for another date night to try the natural wines!

Kayla Pulito

Google
Black cat is one of our favorite spots in Livermore! The back patio is so nice (and dog friendly!!) their cocktails and small eats are out of this world! They also have great natural wine. We highly recommend.

E G

Google
I absolutely love this place! The vibe, the food, the drinks, are all top-notch. I want to give a special shout out to Phoebe for giving such great service and really just enhancing the dining experience for my friends and I last night. She was very kind and gave us great explanations for every item. As a transplant, I am so so grateful that there is a great place like this in town.

Justin Fain

Google
We had the orange wine and Yuja sun to drink. The whipped feta is a perfectly balanced creamy, salty, herbal, and intensely cheesy dip with warm wingen bakery pita. The smoked Duroc pork belly is delicious. Don't let the "Dr. Pepper glaze" scare you off. The lamb mantu are delicious little pops of cumin lamb in a tingly Sichuan peppercorn oil and garlic labne. You really can't go wrong with anything here

Jaden Husser

Google
Excellent atmosphere and service! I loved the decor in there and despite it being such a new place it felt very established and comfortable. I only had drinks but would like to come back to try their food and vintage picture booth!

Christopher Grimes

Google
Amazing small plates with attention to detail. The flavor profiles Dina and Chef Alex have created make the small plates shine. Service was outstanding. Chef Chris

Gina M.

Yelp
I love that Livermore is adding new restaurants to their acute downtown. We dropped by one evening for some appetizers and a couple of cocktails, and we were not disappointed. The drinks were good, and the food was light and tasty. A martini which was pretty unique made, and went really well with the poke tostada. Our server was adorable Go support the small businesses!

Ellie M.

Yelp
Intriguing bar!. It gives a social speakeasy vibe. I tried the marrow old fashioned and it was surprisingly good! Their menu shows some small plates, I didn't try any but I'll definitely be back to try. When you walk in you did have to be seated rather than just walking up to the bar. However, it is nice that someone comes around to take your drink order. PS. They have a cute Photo Booth!

Melissa P.

Yelp
We enjoyed strolling through Downtown Livermore on a Saturday night amidst Christmas buskers entertaining by the tree, the festive holiday decorations and genuinely jolly individuals seeking a place for dinner and drinks. We stumbled upon The Black Cat which was adjacent to the absolutely mobbed Fat Pidgeon Miracle Bar, spilling over with ugly sweatered guests waiting to get in... The Black Cat was an instant welcoming respite, decorated with just enough holiday lights and festive touches amidst its intimate, dark and cozy interior. We were greeted warmly and genuinely by the hostess, opting to wait a few minutes at the bar as she assured us tables were becoming readily available. I didn't catch any names last night but everyone from the hostess, our ugly sweatered server, bar and wait staff, as well as the chef who stopped by our table to describe the Ethiopian spices specially created for the Hummus Toast. I cannot say enough about what a wonderful experience it was to have knowledgeable and graciously attentive staff. Service was another level. The cocktails were wonderfully handcrafted and refreshing albeit smaller portioned in smaller dainty glasses. The London Fog was very subtle. I was able to try the last available portion of the Marrow Old Fashioned which was very original and unique. The signature Black Cat was a treat without being too sweet. The Natural Wine Flight was something new for us but we enjoyed the local Livermore McGrail Cab Sauv best throughout the evening. The small plates were indeed small but immensely flavorful as freshly prepared in the open kitchen. Our favorite was the Hummus Toast with bread by the nearby bakery infused with the Ethiopian spices house made and enthusiastically described by the chef himself! The Whipped Feta was a festive treat with the pomegranate and thyme nicely complimenting the creamy feta on fresh pita. The A5 Wagyu was beautiful and amazingly delicious but be forewarned that "2 oz" means 4 delicately petite pieces... but, be prepared for a treat! What a wonderful experience at The Black Cat. I recommend sitting at the back by the photo booth in the 2 cozy armchairs near the bustle of the open kitchen and enjoying drinks watching a slice of the evening go by...

Missy D.

Yelp
Wow! What an amazing Valentine's Day at Black Cat. Food was phenomenal, service was beyond extraordinary and it was priced very fair. The yellowtail crudo stole the show. Their Valentines drinks were so good I could have drank 10. I cannot wait to go back! Livermore's new gem!

Nick M.

Yelp
From the moment we walked in, we felt welcomed. Phoebe did a wonderful job of giving us the rundown on the specialty drinks, as well as great conversation whenever she came by. Solidly busy on a Friday night as could be expected but not too much to forget about a birthday celebratory dessert for my fiance. Thanks so much Pheobe and team; you made our night memorable and can't wait to make it back in soon!

Monica Lei G.

Yelp
Service is relatively quick and welcoming. Staff is knowledgeable about the menu and shared their favorites. My favorite on their menu is the Summer Peaches - it's sweet and savory with the prosciutto and the cream is not too heavy. The drinks are okay but the Blackberry Sage Smash has more flavor than the strawberry one. Wagyu for its price is underwhelming - maybe a lower price point for the quantity would make it worth it. Will definitely come back!

Kimi S.

Yelp
Us cat people wanted to check out the new restaurant/bar The Black Cat. Wonderful addition to the downtown Livermore scene. They are still working out some menu kinks since they added Sunday to their opening hours so be patient as they adjust. Reservations recommended. The London Fog is their spin on a Negroni, delightful. In Full Bloom is the perfect summer drink. We had to order The Cat's Meow since proceeds go to local cat foundations. This is a rich cocktail that would've gone perfect with the vegan chocolate mousse. The Coco Marg is less like a margarita and more like a Calpico. Japanese. Sweet. Potato!!!!!! So good! You must order this. The radish and butter was great, the pita bread from the whipped feta went well with the herb butter. That butter would've gone well with most things though haha. The whipped feta was good! Some tomatoes would've been a welcome touch to this dish but it was super tasty with the warm pita bread! The vegan chocolate mousse was delicious with the sprinkle of salt on top. Such a lovely dessert! Service was impeccable. We are excited to return to support this new spot :)

Kim T.

Yelp
4 stars for the service 3.5 for the drinks/meal I know they just did a soft open and I am sure it will be better overtime. The staff was so incredibly friendly and I always appreciate that. There have been a few new spots in Livermore that the attitudes have been meh, so thank you Black Cat! Ambiance: the decor and setting is so vibey and calm and I love that! Towards the back there is a vintage photo booth, course you know we had to use it! Think it was $6 for the pics. Drinks: Coco marg: makes you want to be in a tropical island! Espolon blanco Full bloom: balanced , botanist gin, notes of orange Food: keep in mind it is a cold kitchen Summer peaches: should come with some pita or bread, asked for bread, was a $6 upcharge which we didn't know about . The creaminess with the thai basil reminded me of a caprese but not. It would be better if the peaches were glazed or maybe roasted a little? Feel like would help on the depth of flavors. Otherwise light clean and great for warm weather Halibut crudo: ok the sauce is everything and to die for , would definitely get this again!! We really enjoyed ourselves and look forward to coming back! Thank you to one of the owners for coming by and giving us a tour!!

Arianna B.

Yelp
First things first, great spot for SMALL BITES and yummy cocktails. Service is very good Jake (server) and Jordan (bartender) are amazing with making sure you are taken care of during your visit. The vibe of Black Cat is very sexy, the art work to the Photo Booth makes it a stand out to competitors with its unique sense of style as well as the food and cocktails. It's something different that Livermore needed. Menu is constantly getting new items and it has become one of my go to's before work. Abel is the chef and has done an amazing job creating foods that keep people coming back. 10/10 across the board, if you haven't yet checked them out... YOU NEED TO! Great food, great atmosphere and most of all great company/service.

Rosalie V.

Yelp
First time at The Black Cat. Already planning my return. Phoebe was our server. She was fantastic. The owner Dina was lovely. The cocktails were delicious, beautiful presentation. We tried some of the bites: the melted feta, the Japanese sweet potatoes, the crudo, and the poached pears. The flavors were amazing and the dishes were so well executed. Everything was so fresh and delicious. The vibe was really fun. Great decor and vibe. Highly recommend.

Tam V.

Yelp
4 stars for service and ambiance 3.5 for food and cocktails My resy didn't go through but the owner and staff was very kind and accommodate my group anyways. The place is very cute and the small bites were good but didn't blow us away. We had the halibut crudo, which was good but I had better from Range Life for comparison. The anchovies and chili sauce were good but there wasn't enough bread for that plate. We also had the sweet potatoes which was excellent. As for the cocktails, they were a disappointment. We didn't like the syrups used in each drink and prefer fresh ingredients. Once again, for comparison, Range Life has the best cocktails in the area and I would say Sons of Liberty beats these cocktails as well. The presentation of the drinks were nice but the flavors could use improvement.

Aryan V.

Yelp
Awesome bar which will reminded me of a bar I had visited in NYC. Fantastic space to grab cocktails. Not much of choice for appetizers or snacks to go with drinks.

Jamie Z.

Yelp
Perfect date night spot! Creative & well executed cocktails and small plates--just what Livermore needed! My favorite plates were the whipped feta with pita and the halibut crudo. I also had the dirty Greek martini and bone marrow old fashioned which were wonderful. I love a fun, unique cocktail and I appreciated that these were both of those things but not overdone or overkill for the sake of uniqueness. Service was attentive and friendly. The ambiance was cool, stylish, & modern. My only critique is that we sprung for the $42 wagyu plate and it was a bit disappointing since the meat was slightly overcooked. At that price point, you'd expect it to be absolutely perfect. It was still good & the chimchurri was fabulous, but just barely missed the mark.

Harvir H.

Yelp
Really enjoyed the ambience and the feel of the place. Server was great and was really cool to see the open kitchen concept. The A5 Wagyu & Summer Peaches were probably one of the best bites I've had in a long time. The Bone Marrow Old Fashioned & Black Cat were cool cocktails to try out as well, they could have been slightly sweeter though. Cool wine variety as well. The downsides are a few. I think the portions, specifically the A5 Wagyu & the cocktails are small which is fine but I wish that was more transparent. The others are that there could have been more food & meat options, a spirits list, and bigger hightop tables. Would recommend this place to a person who likes small bites, botanical drinks, and cool contemporary wine. That's not necessarily a fit for me but still a cool place to check out. 8.5/10, one of the better places we've dined at.

Carrie V.

Yelp
I just happened to stumble upon this cute little wine bar as I was waiting out football Sunday. It was a great find and th ambiance was my style quiet and quaint. The service was amazing and so attentive they were checking on me at the right times. I loved it and will recommend and go back!

Victoria B.

Yelp
Cute addition to downtown! We each did the natural wine flight and shared the summer peaches. It's small plates only so we did go somewhere else for dinner after as nothing really seemed like it would make a complete meal. The mini wine glasses for the flight were so adorable and the summer peaches were yummy! Loved the decor and vibes inside and the service was very nice as well. I'd come back!

Rick D.

Yelp
With so many dive bars or family friendly spots downtown, it's really great to have a new spot that is perfect for a date night or friend's night out. The A5 Wagyu dish is the go to move and the little dipping sauces that come with it are perfect. The price blows any other A5 dishes away. A nice little back bar complements their drink menu so there's something for everyone. Those local wines are always a hit. Super glad this place is open now and we'll be back soon.

Andrew N.

Yelp
Came here with some friends today and the vibes were immaculate. The interior design was very well put together as my friends and i walked out to their patio. Service was great and the food that we tried if the menu were solid. I ordered the yellowtail crudo and was blown away at how fresh and how tasty the dish was. Def recommend to those who haven't visited this place yet, place is a 10/10

Darren R.

Yelp
So happy to have a great new date night place in Livermore! My wife and I celebrated our 21st anniversary here last night, and I cannot say enough great things about our experience. We were greeted warmly by the wonderful, attentive staff and seated for our reservation immediately (this place isn't huge, and it's bound to become very popular, so I'd recommend reservations!), and we each started with one of their signature cocktails - The Wife ordered In Full Bloom, and I the London Fog. Both were visually stunning and delicious! We were a bit stumped on the food order, as everything sounded great, so we decided to run the table and ordered pretty much everything (except h anchovies - which I'm sure are great, but not up our alley). The pacing of service was near perfect, with each dish being brought out freshly prepared, giving us time to enjoy each one without feeling rushed. All of the food was great, but there were a few standouts: The halibut crudo was light, tender, and delicious. The sweet potatoes were a delightful surprise, with an amazing texture and flavors. And the A5 Wagyu is everything I was hoping for, with the preparation and accompaniments perfectly highlighting the melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and depth of flavor that you'd expect from such a decadence. I'd be doing The Black Cat a complete disservice if I left this review without mentioning the wonderful service, staff, and owners. They made our evening so even more enjoyable. PS - I almost forgot - the peaches! Try the peaches!!!!

Leslie V.

Yelp
Friend and I were intrigued by the name and wanted to try a new place. We found the staff to be very friendly and attentive. They took the time to explain the food and drink menu and our questions. We ordered one appetizer because we wandered in a bit later in the evening. We also got to try the Halibut and it was delectable. Overall, the food was delicate and delicious. We also tried a taste of a couple of their natural wines and settled on two other cocktails. The locale is cozy and lends itself to catching up with a good friend or sharing some bites on a date. I think we'll be back to try other menu items.

Nicolette K.

Yelp
Absolutely loved our visit to the Black Cat. The ambiance and vibes are very retro cool, food is delicious and unique, drinks are SO GOOD, and service is very friendly and attentive. Definitely will be back and highly recommend the Black Cat!

Dave G.

Yelp
Went to their soft opening last weekend and it was such a good time. Staff is so friendly and made us feel like regulars already. Very cozy and funky vibes inside and they have a vintage photo booth which was fun. They do small plates that are unique and very different from anything else in this area. We got the radish + butter, summer peaches, and Japanese sweet potato which were all top notch. Cocktails were all great, but wish there were some more options on the menu for whiskey lovers. We know it was their soft opening, so are looking forward to see what they put on the menu next.

Niko T.

Yelp
Had the pleasure of dining at the Black Cat recently, and I was pleasantly surprised by the ambiance and service. We had a very attentive host who recommended great food and drink pairings. On top of that the craft drinks were very tasty! Highly recommend this spot for a date night

A L.

Yelp
Fun to sit at the bar. Service was professional and efficient. Cocktails were interesting...a bit undecided. Japanese sweet potatoes were good but could be a less bit of the glaze. Halibut crudo was tasty- definitely order bread to finish off the crudo sauce.

Mary E.

Yelp
The Black Cat is an absolute game changer for Livermore's downtown. Immaculate vibes, solid staff, and incredible cocktails.

Mike S.

Yelp
I've been here twice now in the past week. It is definitely a highly recommended spot in Livermore. Definitely different than most places in town though. Very high end plates with lots of flavor and visually stunning. Prices are not high end, so that's wonderful. There are only 7-8 shareable plates on the menu. Food is 5 stars. I've tried everything except the anchovies and Wagyu beef. Drinks are 3 stars. Two drinks will not get you even slightly relaxed. Some of them are just a bit too far out there, but they have beer, wine, and full bar so you could just skip the drink menu. Definitely hoping it's around a long time.

Tatiana S.

Yelp
Loved the atmosphere! Super chill, great music, not too loud so you can still mingle. Service was spectacular, they were all so welcoming. Only ordered drinks, but cannot wait to come back and try their food!

Sophia T.

Yelp
Had a great time at The Black Cat! Great atmosphere and delicious unique drinks! Love the small plates especially the Japanese sweet potatoes and the mushroom toast! To die for! Can't wait to go back!

Ciara S.

Yelp
We went there for food. The menu was super limited and overpriced. This is more of a place you go for drinks.

Dallas M.

Yelp
I loved the peach dish and the halibut crudo. Mine and my friend's cocktails were delicious and we can't wait to go back for more!

Michael R.

Yelp
Food and service were fantastic. Great atmosphere. Very unique dishes. Photo Booth was fun touch.

Anna L.

Yelp
Staff was so lovely The place is adorable and the food is DELICIOUS!!!!! Highly recommend this place. Fantastic cocktails. Can't wait to go back.

Stewart M.

Yelp
Service was great, the remodel is so nice, great vibe and the food and drinks are great. They have done a great job changing this place into something that Livermore will love. Can't wait to go back and try more stuff. And don't forget to take your picture in the photo booth.

Simon S.

Yelp
Eclectic food and excellent cocktails take Downtown Livermore to a whole new level. The photo booth is a nice touch to the ambiance adding a bit of fun to the experience, topped off with excellent service!

Ann M.

Yelp
Excellent food and specialty drinks. We will go again . The service and ambiance is great

H S.

Yelp
We stopped by for a late night cocktail on a Thursday night. Staff were all super nice, ambiance inside is dark and cozy, probably not best for large groups but it is a smaller place. Our waitress was knowledgeable and was able to recommend some cocktails off the menu based on what we liked, and the bartender was able to adjust our drinks tastes for us. She even gave us a little sample of one of the adjusted cocktails to make sure it was sweet enough before sending out the full cocktail! Plus we also got a free sample of one of the gourmet hot dogs they were planning on serving late nights, delicious. Would definitely come back.

Jacob B.

Yelp
Great food great atmosphere. Love the lighting and decor speak easy bar type of feeling with a delicious menu perfect spot for a date night. Thank you to Dina for the great service!

Tori C.

Yelp
Food was amazing! My husband was almost brought to tears by the halibut crudo. Shout out to our Jacob, he was very attentive and knowledgeable. We will definitely be back!