Ed U.
Yelp
I tend to underestimate Richmond and all it has to offer. OK, give me a minute...Point Richmond. Tasty Mexican food on 23rd. Rosie the Riveter. Tasty Mexican food on San Pablo. Oh look, there's 3 Hermanas and Tacos El Tucan within strolling distance. I wasn't aware this bar was even here since it feels like it should be in a more hip neighborhood.
But hey, maybe this IS a hip neighborhood and this spot could be leading the way. It's a nice welcoming space with a long bar where you can gather with your friends or sit in relative solitude. I've done both now, so I can attest to the satisfaction found in either situation. The big draw, however, is the open patio, and even on the weekend, it didn't get overly crowded.
Jamie W. and I came here on a Sunday as we waited for his car to get serviced. It was pretty quiet but we were seduced by their specialty cocktail list. We both went for the $12 El Coco Piña, a refreshing albeit a bit sour mix of Plantation Pineapple Rum, Navigator Coconut Rum, and lemon juice topped with pineapple foam (photo: https://bit.ly/446abr9). Sitting on the patio made us want to go back to Waikiki.
With Jamie out of town, I stopped by for a little libation and ordered the $12 Princess Peach because I'm secure with my own masculinity. It was a tartly winning combination of Buffalo Trace, Bank Note, Combier Peche, lemon juice, and egg whites (photo: https://bit.ly/43MsK45). The scene was livelier on a Saturday as were the bartenders. We need to come back for Tiki Tuesdays because I could go for an ube piña colada.
COCKTAILS - 4.5 stars...nicely relaxing combos of tropical treats
AMBIANCE - 5 stars...unexpected find in Richmond of all places
SERVICE - 5 stars...very convivial spirit at the bar, relaxing on the patio
TOTAL - 5 stars...another attraction to bolster Richmond's reputation
RELATED - Exploring this part of Contra Costa County? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2VyCP18