The Graduate

A little gem! Uniquely decorated. The room was one of a kind decorated! Very clean! We got a free coffee and adult beverage. Parking close by. Very friendly service. Great locale for Greek theater events!

Pretty chill little bar. Came here on a down night and there were only a couple patrons, quiet atmosphere. Honestly it was just what I was looking for to grab a beer and jet after. I enjoyed the atmosphere, definitely a cozy, small college vibe. Come by and get help from the knowledgeable staff here.

Went on a Saturday night around midnight and it was silent. The female bartender was kind and asked us what we wanted as soon as we sat down. However, when we were actually ready to order, the male bartender sat on his phone and didn't acknowledge our presence. We left without ordering and most likely will not return. I wouldn't suggest this bar to the younger crowd.

Drinks are cheap/reasonable and the bartenders do an excellent job keeping the creepers away. A man was making a female friend feel uncomfortable outside a window and the bartender pulled the blinds down and also warned us that he was still in the area when we were leaving. A+ work when it comes to keeping customers safe!

Fun friendly inviting bartenders and bar backs. My favorite days to go are Wednesday and Thursday nights. Many colorful regulars that make you the new comer feel welcome 🍻

It is a very low key tiny bar that is complete with a juke box, which is very popular with it's regular customers. But when not in use the bar is a comfortable place to enjoy a fantastic dirty martini with friends and hear your conversation.

Pay in cash. Great music taste. Don’t play Sister Nancy Bam bam. Everyone plays that song lol. It drives the bartenders nuts. I remember running and getting seltzer for the bar tender, Lauren I think. Make sure they have plenty of seltzer. Especially if you drink by vodka sodas. This place kept me sane when I was living there for work. I miss everyone. The best people you’ll ever meet.

My favorite local bar. Cheap beer, great cocktails, knowledgeable bartenders, and free popcorn. Sports on tv, but not overly sporty place. Great jukebox.

It's a real shame that they will be closing this historical bar. Many people have gone there and since the 70s when it was a disco downstairs had a pool table and all the waiters and bartenders from the Claremont hotel used to go there. And other restaurants.

Ok between the nine dollar cocktail specials and free popcorn, this place is what is up. It's a chill dark bar with a lot of seating and generally chill af vibe. Perfect place to grab a drink with a friend or by yourself when you gotta clear your head.

Our group found this hidden gem of a bar after having dinner nearby at Wood Tavern. Let me say I typically do not love dive bars, but I was pleasantly surprised by The Graduate. The bar was clean, the vibe was good, the service was excellent, and the drinks were on point. Our bartender was awesome, and mixed literally one of the best margaritas I've had. They have an awesome jukebox with all types of music. It's a cash-only bar, which I fully support. Had a really enjoyable night here, and would return.

End of an era. I wouldn't call this a "dive" like others have said. It feels like a typical college bar that's been around for half a century. Usually has good music, friendly staff, nice vibes. This bar will be closed by the time anyone reads this, so it's for posterity's sake!

The Graduate has a nice selection of cocktails and beer that should meet the needs of most day drinkers! If you are here looking for something with fresh herbs or some exotic bitter then you should probably look somewhere else. "Can I have a cask strength rye whiskey old fashioned with rhubarb bitters?" Uggh....NOPE! There seems to be a good rapport with locals here and the place was inviting enough. That being said you can feel like you are a visitor as soon as you walk in if that makes sense. I guess being from Stockton I take notice of a "place" for whatever reason...probably self preservation being the most important. The clientele was middle aged, male, and most were drinking with a purpose. The younger dudes next to us orderd a couple of shots immediately like it was an ice breaker! As for my drink I enjoyed my old fashioned, made with a healthy (or unhealthy) amount of bourbon by a super nice bartender that seemed to know everyone in the bar. She was definitley running the show, in full command of the bar and just a kind spirit (pun?)doing her job to the best of their ability. It's places like this where you think being a bartender could be a fun gig...depending on your customers!

I came in one night, and the bartender was drunk off his ass. He was the drunkest person in the room. He could hardly stand. He almost knocked all the bottles out of the well and I sat there for at least five minutes and he never served me. I will never be returning to this place again

This place was awesome! The bartender Michael and Alicia were great and engaging! I'm visiting from Southern California, my Neice, her friend, my son and i visited this neighborhood bar. This place, the patrons, and employees were so fun!

Amazing bar! The vibes are awesome and the service is unmatched!! Mike and Alicia are the absolute best!

The Graduate is a classic, old-school bar with good drinks, a friendly staff, and a wonderful juke box that takes you back in time. It just hits on all the things I love in a bar: comfortable, no-frills, friendly people, and did I not already mention the old-school vibe and the juke box?! That thing has so many legendary songs on it; Marvin Gaye, Ottis Redding, Johnny Cash... the list goes on and on. It's a great spot, more for the character of both the bar and the people than anything fancy. It's not going to be crowded and stuffed with people, and you should actually be able to grab a seat at the bar or a small table. This bar brings back so much nostalgia... I miss The Graduate and I look forward to visiting again soon.

This a very cool dive bar with a haunted juke box that plays songs I actually like. Rose, the afternoon bartender, is lovely & will take care of you, even if you don't drink alcohol. The bar itself is a 20th Century moderne relic from the 50s. Stop by if you're in the area.

Old school Berkeley with a crowd to match, owner and bartender(s) Kimberly are awesome. I love this place--take my money!! Popcorn is available, too!

If you're older than 30, the bartender -- who appeared to be too high to be working, frankly -- will ignore you, despite the bar not having many patrons.

Been passing by for 2 years now and always wondered how this amazing staple in Berkeley is! Well I was not disappointed, mixture of a dive bar and college town. Come one come all, love it.

I've been frequenting The Graduate since 2010 and let me say that it has a very modern atmosphere. Basically I didn't need to go there a lot after 10, but it has memorable sort of feel to it. The bartenders are friendly and knowledgeable.

On some of my off times, I basically don't do any planning and just roll with the punches. A short BART ride, a couple of beers at the first stop, then an Uber ride led me to this neighborhood. Was intending on getting some food at two options, but jammed packed during prime dinner hours. Damn. Just roll with them punches. Had seen this bar many times before from the street. So popped in finally for a drink, as to ride out the dinner rush. Super old school, so ya know I'm gonna dig it. First thing I notice, is the super chill crowd. Nobody is talking loud, yelling at sports nor bouncing off the walls. In other words, no drunk-ass muthaf*%#ers. Or if there were, they were very adult and/or experienced. Perfect for a chill drink. Next I notice the cool shape of the bar. It isn't your standard straight, long bar. Instead it slithers around in a serpentine fashion. Had never seen anything like it. And when sipping on proper pour basic cocktails at dusk, with old school 50's eclectic rock, made me just not want to get up and leave. But after 2 drinks, I had to cuz the drunchies were starting to really set in. And there is a restaurant directly next door, that doesn't have the cattle call crowd as the other restaurants in this hood. The Graduate, you and I are a good fit. I have a feeling a friendship is going to come out of this.

Dope 70s/80s bar vibe. Disappointed there were no Mrs. Robinsons. Tbh the cash only is what knocked the score. Great drinks and jukebox! Not too bad, would come back.

Great place .... a cozy deco bar with a picture window .... thanks for keeping the place exactly as it should be .... a bar for the people, all kinds of people with one thing in common .... nice Scotch selection .... and if you crave pickle juice shots, have at it! Also, I love the 1 star reviews .... scroll down to read them .... it means this place suffers no fools and takes no shit! My kind of place!

Old stomping grounds! After turning 21... my friends and I quickly got over the more popular and overcrowded Berkeley bars (Kips, Pappys, Bear's Lair etc). The Graduate is a bit of a hike away from campus - also reachable by the trusty 51B bus.. and offers enough distance that it isn't completely overrun by students and frat boys. Cash only, which can be super annoying. However, there is a Bank of America and Wells Fargo right across the street (also a Safeway for cash back). Bar tenders are friendly, drinks are pretty standard and on the cheaper side! The best part? Free popcorn! After graduating, I've come back here to watch the super bowl twice! Pretty good spot to watch it- you can bring in outside food, free popcorn, cheap drinks! However, this year, there was THE most annoying Patriots fan ever. He literally emptied the bar at half time thanks to his demeaning, sexist, and straight-up rude comments. I really felt bad for the bartender. Anyways, I digress. Come to the graduate for a casual drinks! You (usually) can't go wrong.

Alex, Grant, and Kat all make this place such a fun place to hang out. Love them, love the graduate. Cheers. Support your local neighborhood bar. They all know my name!!!

My friend and I came in here after dinner. I saw on the Specials board, the Smokin' Rita (mezcal, jalapeño syrup, lime and triple sec). When the bartender helped us, I asked for the Smokin' Rita. She didn't know what I was talking about and had to point her to the drink. When she found it, she told me that they don't inform her about drink specials since she works the day shift and that she usually serves beer. She then began to look for the mezcal, but couldn't find it. It definitely seemed like she was new, which isn't a problem. If you don't know how to make a drink, then you don't know how to make a drink. Just tell me that and I will happily order a different drink. No problem. Since she couldn't find the mezcal, she offered to make it with tequila and that I could choose any tequila and that she would charge me the same price. I should have gone with my gut and ordered something else, but decided to just go with it. I asked for the drink with Chamucos. She made it, which I wish I paid attention because I don't know if she actually used the Chamucos. And when I got it, it was served and in what looked to be a small water glass. They might serve their cocktails in those glasses, I'm not sure, but my friend got her drink in a mule cup. It was quite clear that my margarita was made with sweet & sour mix and it tasted very strange. I was completely disappointed in my drink. She charged us $8 for that drink. I think coming in here put a bad taste in my mouth (no pun intended) and I felt like everyone kept staring at us. It was a strange experience. I think this is one of those places where you have to come in while the right bartender is working. Or even just a place where you order a beer, a shot, or a two ingredient cocktail. I'm very hesitant in coming back.

My friends and I stopped by here on our way to a Cal/UCLA game. This is the definition of a dive bar and I absolutely loved it. Beer, popcorn, water in Dixie cups, should I go on? Really, this is a fun spot and I'll be back again!

The Graduate is a great little bar in Oakland. It can get crowded really easily, especially on a Thursday or Friday night because of how small of a place it is which means you will probably have to stand. The drinks are great - nothing spectacular. I've gotten the Moscow Mule and the Blue Margarita (a special). The Moscow mule is pretty standard and the blue margarita is also really good - very sweet and strong. The great thing about this place is the free popcorn and the kind bartenders which makes it a great place to keep coming back.

Maybe it's just me (and it probably is), but there seems to be a lot of bars like The Graduate in Oakland. Not that that's necessarily a problem, nor is it a bad thing. Chill vibe, friendly bartender, and relatively cheap drinks? Nothing anyone would ever complain about. It's just not all that unique... If there was anything that stood out about the place, it's that The Graduate doesn't have a crowd. Or rather, "a" crowd. During our relatively short time here, we saw an entire cross section of the surrounding neighborhood - older locals/regulars, a handful of hipsters, random folks who happened to be in the area (like us), and a small group of Cal kids who made the trek down College. Kind of nice to see such diversity coming in here. As for the bar itself, I wouldn't say it's tiny, but it does fall more on the "quaint" end of the spectrum. Still, there always seemed to be just enough seats for everyone that walked in. Since I only had a beer, I can't comment on the pours, though my buddy's whiskey seemed sizable enough. However, prices seem to be more than fair and there's free popcorn, so you probably won't have to worry about getting your money's worth. Despite the fact The Graduate lacks a true fatal flaw, there wasn't much for me to be enamored with either. They're certainly great for killing time in the area or for locals looking for a welcoming watering hole, but there's nothing here that I can't find at other bars in Berkeley and Oakland. Not that I wouldn't come back one day.

The graduate is a pretty good time. I went here a lot in college. Happy to report two years later, the place is still fun. The drinks aren't extraordinarily priced, and there's free popcorn w/ Siriacha. The beer selection is decent; could definitely use a couple more local ones. I believe they are cash-only. They have a jukebox for selected jams, and the staff is generally pretty cool. Fun place to grab drinks.

The service was quick on a Thursday evening, with cheap drinks, free popcorn and cash-only service. If you're in the neighborhood, definitely swing by for a drink or 2. It wasn't a large crowd at this specific timing. There's also free parking in the front- if you're drinking though, I'd suggest you walk or uber/lyft.

Fun little cash only spot. Good virgin drinks and deals. It was chill on a Sunday afternoon

Good people, country dive scene. Wandered in on a thursday night, was going to have 1 beer, ended up having some interesting conversation which led to 3 beers. Bartenders were friendly, service was fast. Decor was old, but that's not why you go, just good times enjoying good beers and strong drinks. Not too crowded and the country music didn't blow my experience. They only take cash, so don't forget to bring it.

Plastics. The Graduate is small, friendly, and comfortable. My parents would like this place and would probably pass for one of their old Milwaukee neighbourhood dives (sans Friday Night Fish Fry). I like the free popcorn, the well loaded jukebox, seasonal sports on the television, the decent drink selections, and the nice prices at happy hour. This is a Cash Only establishment and you can bring in food from the outside. I prefer the upstairs to the more claustrophobic downstairs. It's also an easy walk from BART just in case you don't want to drink and drive.

Why? Why so many stars for a clearly-below-average-dive?? Me thinks it's because many of the people writing these reviews are under 21 and are PSYCHED AS HELL that the bartenders served 'em anyway. But - lest I get in trouble, I can't prove nuthin'. Been here a few times. Lots of undergrads (ahem). If you like dives, you might be put off by some of the prices. Example: I ordered a scotch on the rocks and discovered only too late that it was $20!!! Mind you, I wasn't buying a bottle. Just ONE lousy glass of scotch. With ice. The whole bottle of this very same scotch, by the way, will cost you approximately $35 at Trader Joe's down the street. I highly recommend skipping Le Graduate, taking your friends to TJs, buying a bottle of good scotch and drinking in your living room instead. No wonder they can afford to serve free popcorn.

The graduate sits near the corner of college & claremont ave. bar is pretty small with just the sitting at the bar and a few tables. when it;s get busy, upstairs and downstairs are opened. they offer student discounts if you have a student id:: student regular pabst 1.50 2.50 sierra 2.75 4.00 well drinks 3.00 4.00 flatscreen: movies and daily show/colbert -salty s... (5 )gin, ? with salt on rim interesting but.... -pabst 2.50) on draught: -about 6 draughts available -gets hot inside on a warm day. -can get claustrophobic fast here.

Awesome dive bar in the Berkeley area. Nothing too fancy; the place is pretty much a bare bones bar and the floor space is rather limited, so I can totally imagine this place getting packed on a busy night. But it's cozy, and the staff seem friendly enough. You can help yourself to the water and free popcorn after indulging on the VERY inexpensive/cheap beers/booze. Fan-friggin-tastic. But make sure you bring cash since it's a cash only bar.

In a word- popcorn! The bar is small, well kept and has a decent jukebox. Drinks are nothing special. But the popcorn! Made the old fashioned way, with oil, and popped hourly- it's free and plentiful. No one is watching... go ahead and take a second basket.

One of my favorite dive bars in Claremont/Berkeley! Close to Safeway/CREAM/Philz, this little bar somehow has it all from cheap deals on drinks, a couple of specialty cocktail options, TVs, a jukebox, and even a popcorn machine. Popcorn is free, and you can even add sriracha to it. The only downside is that it's cash only.

The graduate has supplanted the albatross as my favorite bar around. It's closer and PBR was an almost criminal $1.50. I'm not sure if this was because of some deal but I will take it. Maybe 8 times. Oh and popcorn and a totally solid jukebox.

This place is pretty chill. It's a bit small, but they've got everything you need: plenty of chairs, free popcorn, and a jukebox. Came here with a friend during happy hour and got a Blue Moon for $4 and sweet potato fries for $3. The fries came in a very generous portion; enough to fill up two hungry girls. The bartenders weren't the most friendly, but they were alright. When we asked about ketchup for the fries, she said it was at the bar. She had to go back to get change, but didn't bring the ketchup, so we had to go back to the bar and wait for them to ask us what we wanted- ketchup, obviously! There were also just a ton of guys, so we, as two young girls, were a little bit uncomfortable, but they didn't bother us. Overall, I'd like to quote my brother, "It's nice if you're in the area, but it's not worth the trek of getting there (since it's so far from campus)."

Cool little dive bar to watch a game and enjoy free popcorn with Siracha lol. Only draw back is that they do not accept credit/debit, cash only. Bartender was friendly and fast service.

When I asked for a "Cuba Libre" the bartender scoffed at me when I just simply said it's just a rum and coke with a wedge of lime. She tried to put WAY to much "fresh" lime juice in it. Literally the drink is a rum and coke with a wedge of lime. Why do bartenders have to be overly creative?? And then chastise the customer or make him feel bad for what "he wanted"? Smh

A nice pour of a drink. The location is cozy and I like the overall feel of the place. Service could be much better though.

Shit, even though it was crowded as all hell, which makes sense cause it's finals at Berkeley, this is a for sure 5 stars. 2 dollar pbrs, 6 dollar pitchers, FREE popcorn with sriracha, tons of beautiful women, great bartenders. Diverse crowd ranging from neighborhood locals, Cal students, hipsters, and old guys. Downside- cash only, weird bathroom where if you want to wash your hands, the sink is next to the shitter. I'm glad no one was taking a dump when I needed to wash my hands.

Solid spot to have a drink and catch the a game. Lively environment that makes you want to have 2 or more drinks. Bartenders are very attentive so you know your glass will always will be filled (spirts or water). They offer complimentary popcorn, which wasn't too bad, specially when you want to have some salt to cut the liquor you've been drinking. Need a bite to eat after? There are numerous sport around the vicinity to fulfill your drunchies. Definally will come back when I'm around the area.

Went there last night with two friends at the recommendation of one of them and I just have to say the bartender left little if nothing to be desired, she has no people skills very rude and childish, very un professional her name was Jennifer, my husband called. Her Jessica by mistake and she and her friends began talking about him as if he were stupid , like a bunch of school girls then when he referred to her by her name as I corrected him she then turned around looked at us and said " I'll be with you when I'm done" in this very rude tone of voice , there are ways to communicate or even acknowledge people without being rude or maybe she just didn't care for Mexicans or people of color or maybe she was having a bad night, I had nothing against her but her attitude was unacceptable! Not a very good first impression.

The Grad is definitely the best bar in Rockridge, great for beer and cocktails served by awesome bartenders. Lots of tequilas, whiskeys and local brews to choose from. I recommend the Shawty special, you get a shot of Four Roses bourbon and a half pint of Racer 5 IPA for $8.

This place rocks! The perfect mix of local dive and nostalgia. Good prices on drinks and always a friendly character or two to pass the time in fun conversation. Love the free popcorn and terrific jukebox selections. Great Berkeley/Oakland border location and plenty of food places and entertainment nearby so it's a great jumping off point or ending the evening wind down. Bartenders and bar backs are super chill and cool. Small but that's part of its funky Bohemian charm!

I didn't know middle schoolers were eligible to become bartenders but low and behold... this is by far the worst service I have had in my life. If you like uncomfortable eye contact, go here. If you want to be accosted for not tipping after every drink, go here. The bar tenders do not know how to make the drinks on their own menu, and they cover up their incompetence by scoffing at anyone and everyone who goes here. This bar is like if a rounder, meaner version of Zooey Deschanel and a somehow weirder version of Cindy Lauper started serving hooch out of their mother's attic. In other words it's unsettling. P.S. the jukebox is aite

Nice bar with friendly atmosphere. It has that classic bar feeling where you wanna hang with your friends. The free popcorn is a plus!!

This place is a nice dive bar to visit after eating at any of the good restaurants in the area. What's convenient about this spot is that it's a short walk to Bart. There's a juke box that plays a variety of music so you get a little something for everyone. Plus the drinks are strong and fairly cheap. The only strike to this place I can think of is it's cash only. There's a Safeway and atm across the street but make sure to bring cash to avoid the hassle of getting cash.

Always a fun bar to go to. Seems like the older bar in the Claremont area! It's never too busy and they provide free popcorn!! Other than that they have some cocktails but not too big of a selection.

Place was cool when it knew what it was - a dive bar where people go to get a little drunk but still have a good time. That has changed in the past year. The bar backs and bouncers have some power trip going where they kick out regular customers for the slightest offense - being loud, slurring speech a little bit. None of the behavior is offensive, it's par for the dive bar course. This isn't an exclusive, high end bar - be honest with yourselves and go back to the way things were - BRING BACK THE STUDENT SPECIAL

Went there last night with two friends at the recommendation of one of them and I just have to say the bartender left little if nothing to be desired, she has no people skills very rude and childish, very un professional her name was Jennifer, my husband called. Her Jessica by mistake and she and her friends began talking about him as if he were stupid , like a bunch of school girls then when he referred to her by her name as I corrected him she then turned around looked at us and said " I'll be with you when I'm done" in this very rude tone of voice , there are ways to communicate or even acknowledge people without being rude or maybe she just didn't care for Mexicans or people of color or maybe she was having a bad night, I had nothing against her but her attitude was unacceptable! Not a very good first impression.