The Barbary

This review is specific to the hookah experience. The music and vibe are good. Arrived at 10:30ish pm and ordered hookah. Waited over 30 minutes until it arrived after 11 pm. Was told around 11:30 pm that we only had until 12:15 am and that she would collect our hookah. We paid $40 for one hour of hookah and were never told upon arrival and order that we would be capped by a time limit. This made for a deeply unpleasant and non-relaxing experience. We patiently wait for hookah and we're told 20 minutes into it that it would be taken away soon. Ridiculous. Tell people upon order that there is a random midnight stop or time limit. I'm still uncertain why they collected the hookahs mid experience and before the bar closed. I rarely leave negative reviews but this was so unprofessional I had to share for others to be warned.

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 outAMBIANCE - 4 stars...evocative decor with the unique animal paintings SERVICE - 5 stars...sisters are doin' it for themselvesTOTAL - 4 stars...pirate meets tiki...yepRELATED - 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

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

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 been coming here from the beginning and this business of family and women of color own! Love coming here with friends or by yourself for drinks and awesome delicious hooka. Drinks are out of this world. You can fine beer and cocktails of the new world and old. Also you can find tasty food next door and you can bring your food inside to enjoy. This bar definitely delivers a fun atmosphere.

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!