Baggy's by the Lake

If you're looking for a true dive bar in Oakland, you're either a two-fisted drinker ready for another round or a Yelper ready to write an alcohol-fueled review. This spot should satisfy both personas as its an old-time tavern that's been around since the 1930's. That was the first Great Depression if you didn't know. The place is indeed by Lake Merritt, but who's Baggy?He was a bookie who ended up owning half the bar when the original owner faced mounting gambling debts. What a great story to share over a drink at this bar. I found it when Jamie W. and I were strolling downtown and found Mad Oak overrun with hipsters on a Saturday afternoon. We came here and immediately felt the vintage vibe.Nope, not Cheers despite the presence of regulars at their favorite seats. We found a couple of open spots at the end of the bar, and we ordered a couple of $11 Makers Mark and Gingers (photo: https://bit.ly/3NmOv4V). The bartender was very friendly and even handed out complimentary lemon-glazed Twinkies she made herself (photo: https://bit.ly/3oMzQ8Z). Yep, it's that kinda place.DRINKS - 4 stars...potent mixing hereAMBIANCE - 4 stars...this is what you call 'character'SERVICE - 4.5 stars...a bartender with her custom TwinkiesTOTAL - 4 stars...Baggy's still got gameRELATED - Exploring Oakland? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2ObVcpQ

Solid 3 stars Cool dive bar Bar tender was great friendly and efficient Drinks were ON POINT There is a juke box so my friends and I played all the ratchet songs LOL This bar kinda gives me "CHEERS" vibes Everyone knows everyone They have their own clientele And they definitely KNEW we were not/are not regulars Lol This place is dog friendly We saw a customer in there with his dog (on a leash)Kinda of an older crowd Vibes were cool I won't plan to ever come here but I know I will end up here again if that makes sense LOL TILL NEXT TIME

What a great discovery! This is a friendly neighborhood bar that attracts all slices of life. Great drinks, fun customers and a friendly bartender. A fantastic way to close the weekend.

Best bar in Oakland. Such a hometown vibe, the bartenders are great, always has a good group of people. Great prices too which is always a plus. We love baggys

This bar is so cute! Came here last Saturday night around 7pm to kill some time because my friends and I were on the wait list for Rockin' Crawfish (that restaurant is literally so poppin, I didn't know so many people loved celebrating birthdays there and the wait list is sometimes 1.5 hours). Literally yelped this place and it was within walking distance.It was freaking freezing outside that night and so the vibes of this place were perfect! A bunch of us got hot drinks (hot totties, irish coffees) and they all perfectly hit the spot. Wasn't super crowded around this time, decent number of people sitting around watching a game. Even though the bar is small, the mirrors make it look a lot spacier. There's this little nook that reminds me of a library, with comfy chairs next to a fireplace vibe with some books. Really good vibes all around and really fast service, 10/10 would come again

Una pleasant surprise! clean inside! Doggie friendly! Attentive bartender!Actually not what you might expect! In pulled up... n told bartender "I need somethin to wake me up.... U can jus give me a shot n some redbull".... He looked at me crazy but then came back with the most awesome cocktails with redbull in it!

As a POC I gave this business the benefit of the doubt. I was a regular before COVID, I was there until they had to close down and ended up in new ownership, owners of Merchants and in the near future, Smitty's Lounge in Oakland. I went to Baggy's as a regular because I felt like it was a safe place for me. Unfortunately, it's not a safe place for females as they allow their regular male "regulars" manhandle female POCs and don't care to ask or inquire about the incident. I left in peace feeling absolutely disgusted that the bartender Justin (who also bartends at Sea Wolf), did not question the perpetrator. Boycotted my bar for a couple of weeks, only to be told by one of the owners (Shari) that she reviewed the tapes and that no fowl was committed by the perpetrator. I have no idea what she was talking about or how she would even know what incident I was so upset about this evening. It breaks my heart that not a single one of the owners would approach me personally but instead just tell me that they reviewed the "tapes," not knowing what I was upset about. I will no longer go to this bar or put my money into it as they don't care about how women are manhandled by their so called regulars and not do anything about it. Believe me I'm not the only one that has a similar complaint. This establishment is NOT a safe place for women or for LGBTQIA. Don't come here unless you want to be assaulted and then told that you were wrong. Goodbye to this place.

No-frills but fairly unglamorous Dive Bar with an informal atmosphere. That's about it!!!

Baggy's by the lake is such a great time. I have been there since the new ownership and I only have to say the following things:1. The service is spectacular. Every bartender there has a heavy hand and is friendly/on point.2. The drinks are superb. Did I mention the heavy hand. Yeah I like to have a cocktail sometimes. But I think that the mixer shouldn't necessarily detract from the booze. Apparently the bartenders have the same theory.3. Everyone that I have met there has been rad. Granted I don't go during busy nights much. But I have to say that this bar is the bee's knees.4. The ambiance is everything that one can ask for from a dive bar and more. I find the seating arrangements to be great. The beef jerky that they had was phreaking amazing! The jukebox was awesome for my choice of music, and people all jammed out to what everyone was playing.5. The owners are super awesome and well accommodating. You should check out all their bars in Oakland. Their bars are all LGBTQ and POC friendly. I appreciate their diversity and inclusiveness. One of the most awesome things about their bars is the respect and inclusiveness to everybody from all walks of life. If I could give 6 stars I would.

EVERYONE was so kind & welcoming. We bought some art. Yes!! You can buy art displayed on the walls. It was an absolutely magic night!!! Big shout out to Cherry, Peter & Smitty for allowing us to buy some of his art rather late which is now safely home in Brisbane Australia. This is a great place for a beverage or 2. It's well worth a visit!!!