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Date Hookup Spots Oakland

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If you're looking for a good time, Oakland is the city for you. It might not seem all that glitzy, but this city by the bay has a booming nightlife scene that's been revitalized in recent years. There's also tons of variety in the nightlife with cocktail bars, upscale lounges, pubs, and local dive bars, and even some excellent nightclubs. The vibrant nightlife scene draws in people of all ages looking for everything from a quiet drink with some friends to dancing on tables. If you want to know what all the best Oakland date spots are, AdultHookups has got you covered with the inside scoop on the best Oakland hookup bars and nightclubs.

History of Oakland Nightlife

In the 1940s and 1950s, Oakland was known as The Harlem of the West because of its status as an entertainment hub on the west coast. This Oakland fostered dozens of blues and jazz musicians and live music venues, clubs, and lounges where people could get a drink and listen to some powerful crooning. Before the days of DJs, Oakland's bars and nightclubs were still bringing the music and there were lots of venues where you could listen and dance to live bands. When you were looking for the best piano players in Oakland, you went to The Alley which is one of the last piano bars in the city. There's also some classic bars and nightclubs that are still around today including The Fat Lady and White Horse Bar, America's longest running gay bar which was probably opened during the Prohibition.

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Recently, Oakland's nightlife has undergone a bit of revitalization and there's been a surge of new businesses opening up and a shift towards a more diversified nightlife. There are even some old faces returning under new names like The Night Light which used to be Sweet Jimmie's on Broadway. Sweet Jimmie's was famous for being one of the most successful bar and nightclubs in Oakland until it closed in 2006. The building was empty for years before being bought by a new owner and turned into The Night Light, returning to its glory as a premier Oakland nightclub. The city's new nightlife scene is vibrant, diverse, creative, and full of life – just like the people of Oakland.

Best Times To Go Out

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As in most places, the weekend is a busy time for the nightlife scene. Friday and Saturday are the prime nights to go out and check out Oakland's bars and clubs but they're going to be very busy especially after 10 pm so if you want a chance to mingle, make sure to get there early. If you're looking for a quieter place to hang out and meet some sexy singles in Oakland, Wednesday and Thursday

happy hour are the best days to go out. Happy hour is a sweet spot where you get a crowd that is ready to unwind after the 9-5 workday and isn't afraid of playing hooky the next day. If you're looking for a great time to check out Oakland's date hookup spots Thursday-Saturday is your best bet, but some clubs and bars have Sunday specials that make them really popular for dates.

Hookup Spots In Oakland: Directory

Oakland's nightlife scene is all about being entertained. Doesn't matter if you're in a bar or nightclub, this city's date hookup ideas want to make sure that you're having a good time. They've got arcades, pinball, karaoke, and live music so there's always something to do. There are plenty of nighttime entertainment options for you to check out and we've got some of the best ones below.

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Café Van Kleef

Type
Cocktail bar
Space
Eclectic décor, retro vintage
Crowd
Hip, young and mature adults
Address
1621 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94620
Website
Any Notes
Famous for their Greyhound cocktail, great bartenders
Brief Description
Café Van Kleef is one of the most unique bars in Oakland and is one of the city's great places for a date hookup. They have a really cool vibe with retro knickknacks and quirky art lining the walls. It's a very mixed crowd of young and mature locals who love this dive bar/cocktail bar which creates delicious craft cocktails and live music. If cocktails aren't your thing, they've got a great selection of local brews and it's a fun place to hang out and strike up a conversation over the use of fresh grapefruit in the drinks or the lively tunes.
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Plum Bar

Type
Bar
Space
Narrow space, minimalist design
Crowd
Trendy, young adults
Address
2216 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612
Website
Any Notes
Open late, gourmet bar fare, small plates to share
Brief Description
The owners of Plum Restaurant, an Oakland eatery staple, decided to create their own bar that appeals to the after-work and happy hour crowd. It's a smaller more intimate space which is a great place to meet people and enjoy some barrel-aged cocktails by the talented bartenders. It's one of the great weekend Oakland date hookup spots. If you're looking for fun drinks and great conversation, this bar is the place for you.
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Dogwood

Type
Bar
Space
Dim lighting, brick-lined interior
Crowd
Hip, mostly young adults
Address
1644 Telegraph Ave Oakland, CA 94612
Website
Any Notes
Dim lighting, very romantic, gourmet shareable
Brief Description
It wasn't a complete list of Oakland nightlife without including one Prohibition-era inspired cocktail bar and Dogwood is a great place to find custom craft cocktails inspired by vintage drinks. The bar is actually located in an old hunting club and it pays homage to its history with the vintage-inspired décor and cocktails menu. If you want to socialize and meet new people, the space's communal tables make it easy to do. This bar is very cozy and is one of the after-work crowd's favorite Oakland date hookup spots.
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Heart and Dagger Saloon

Type
Dive bar
Space
Outdoor patio, pool table, arcade games
Crowd
Young and mature adults
Address
504 Lake Park Ave Oakland, CA 94610
Website
Any Notes
Happy hour specials, dog friendly patio, used to be more of a biker bar
Brief Description
If you're looking for casual Oakland date hookup spots the Heart and Dagger Saloon is the place you want to check out. It's a pretty typical neighborhood dive bar and that's what makes it such a great place. You can strike up a conversation about music around the jukebox, challenge someone to a game of pool, or cheer someone on while they play one of the classic arcade games like pin ball. It's a great place to meet people who are just there for a good, casual night out without the frills of the fancier clubs and bars.
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The Night Light

Type
Dancehall and bar
Space
2 levels, bar downstairs, intimate venue upstairs
Crowd
Young adults, locals
Address
311 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607
Website
Any Notes
Fun and diverse events, live music nights
Brief Description
If you're looking for an old school vintage club to find your perfect dance partner, this is the place for you. Night Light is a massive space with two levels: one a classic neighborhood bar and the other, a venue space. Go to the first level if you're looking for a place to lounge or talk in private in one of their old school booths and low-key bar. If you're looking for the place where the music is, upstairs is where you need to go. Up there, the crowd is livelier even in the smaller venue space. Just be aware that the entrance to the upstairs club is an outdoor staircase on the side of the building and it can get a little cramped on busy nights.
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The Uptown Nightclub

Type
Nightclub
Space
Low-key, large venue, separate space for live music
Crowd
Young and mature adults, LGBT friendly
Address
1928 Telegraph Ave Oakland, CA 94612
Website
Any Notes
Also has free weekly comedy shows, limited parking
Brief Description
This place is a kind of catch-all type of nightclub with a little something for everyone. It's a got a classic bar room where you can grab a cocktail or beer, making it easy to strike up a conversation. There's a separate room with a small but intimate stage where live music shows happen. Although this place isn't considered a gay bar, it's very inclusive and they have queer events and nights that are a fun time for everyone. The best time to check out this place is after dinner on Thursdays or Fridays when it's not that crowded which makes it easier to enjoy being part of the diverse crowd that it brings in.
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The Trappist

Type
Bar
Space
1870s Victorian building, swanky
Crowd
Trendy, mixed crowd
Address
460 8th Street Oakland, CA 94607
Website
Any Notes
Excellent selection of craft beers, refined interior
Brief Description
The Trappist is one of Oakland's well-known spots for a date hookup and for good reason because this place has over 25 rotating beers on tap. It's also a great place to try out a fun cocktail and chat with the cool hipsters that flock to this bar and sit at the communal tables. The bar is a great spot to get dressed up and try out a fun new beer or cocktail flavor. It's also easy to get to if you don't drive as it's just a quick block from 12th Street BART station.
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Room 389

Type
Cocktail lounge
Space
Dim lighting, chic decor
Crowd
Hipster, young adults
Address
389 Grand Ave Oakland, CA 94610
Website
Any Notes
Best old fashioned in Oakland, also a café in the morning
Brief Description
If you're looking for more refined Oakland date spots, Room 389 will satisfy your craving. The bartenders are tattooed and wear suspenders and there's a definite hipster vibe to the place which goes for a chic, vintage-inspired style from their craft beers to custom cocktail menu. It's a very comfortable place that tends to attract a lot of young people to try out their sweet cocktails. They take their cocktails seriously and use fresh fruits and fancy garnishes to make an artistic delight which is a great conversation-starter.
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Club BNB

Type
Nightclub
Space
6 full bars, smoking lounge
Crowd
LGBT, young adults
Address
2120 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612
Website
Any Notes
Go go dancers, free Wi-Fi, get the app for special
Brief Description
When you're feeling a little indecisive Club BNB has got you covered. This massive venue has six full bars and multiple dance floors with a good mixed crowd. They play a diverse mix of music and offer live performances as well. There are also weekly and monthly theme nights and events like Saturday's Hip Hop & R&B Dance Party. They even offer Thursday night Ladies Night with weekly performances and parties. For a true happy hour experience, make sure to head there between 4:30-8:30pm every day. At Club BNB after 10pm is when the real party starts which makes this one of the best Oakland date hookup spots.
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White Horse Bar

Type
Local LGBT dive bar
Space
Neighborhood bar
Crowd
LGBT, young and mature adults
Address
6551 Telegraph Avenue at 66th, Oakland, CA 94609
Website
Any Notes
Diverse events, pool table
Brief Description
This LGBT bar has been in business for over 75 years and it's a great place to mingle and hang out and meet up with Oakland's vibrant gay community. In the past, this bar served as a place where gay men and women could let loose and be themselves and that sense of freedom is still there today. They feature a ton of weekly and monthly events including drag shows, karaoke, and the famous Queer Idol. Don't worry if you're not into karaoke. They've got a private room at the back where it takes place. It's a really welcoming space and it's easy to meet people while sipping on cocktails, enjoying a cold one, which makes it one of Oakland's best fun LGBT bars.
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Turf Club

Type
Gay bar and nightclub
Space
Outdoor patio, nightclub and bar areas are separate
Crowd
LGBT, mixed crowd, young and mature adults
Address
22519 Main St., Hayward, CA, 94541
Website
Any Notes
Easygoing staff, straight friendly
Brief Description
The World Famous Turf Club caters to a mixed crowd and it's a fun hangout for the LGBT and straight communities to cut loose and meet people. It's a little quiet on the weekdays and the weekends are when it really comes alive with a group of rotating local DJs remixing some awesome music. This venue appeals to fans of gay bars and smaller, more intimate nightclubs with a separate club area towards the back of the space. In the summer and warmer months, make sure to take advantage of the outdoor patio to get a little more intimate with someone special. The back patio is also where their live shows take place, giving it a fun ambiance.
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The Port Bar

Type
LGBT bar
Space
Industrial, high ceilings, concrete walls
Crowd
LGBT, young adults
Address
2023 Broadway, Oakland, California 94612
Website
Any Notes
Talented bartenders, intimate backroom lounge
Brief Description
The Port is breathing new energy into the gay nightlife scene in Oakland with its quirky, industrial-inspired space. The décor pays homage to the city of Oakland's history as a port town. It doesn't fit the typical gay bar with the shipping container design, concrete walls, white quartz bar, and LED skylights and that's part of its appeal. It's also open 7 days a week so that you never have to worry about where you're going for your next date hookup. It's a very welcoming space that is perfect to grab a drink after work or for a little socializing. Their tongue-in-cheek cocktail menu and artisanal local brews also make great conversation-starters.

More Oakland Date Spots Information

These are just some of the best Oakland date spots for you to check out but the city has plenty more to offer. You can make your own date night by mixing up what nights you're going out as every bar and nightclub have a ton of events happening weekly. Or, you can even discover something new by strolling along downtown or even one of Oakland's diverse neighborhoods. If you want to see more date hookup guides and ideas, make sure to visit Adulthookups.com

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