Eli's Mile High Club

I've held off reviewing Eli's because I'm not the target market I don't think. We've been a couple of times on weekend afternoons with Oakland Animal Services pet adoption events. I'm an older dude. So old that when I was the age of most of the folks here, I was at Mabuhay Gardens in SF watching the Dead Kennedys and other punk bands. Do the math. Walking in, I got a rush of nostalgia. Again, this is a weekend day but everyone was so f-ing cool. I had a great time just hanging out drinking beers. I'm probably not ever going to make it in in prime time but I'm just so damn happy this place exists. If you want punk/rockabilly/blues music, great people, indoor-outdoor seating and tasty snacks, get here. And you might want to rideshare. Parking is a little dicey and you'll have such a good time you probably shouldn't be driving anyway. This is an Oaktown gem.

I went to a party for a friend who had just become a licensed Realtor. Unfortunately there is only street parking and everything for blocks around was taken up. After an hour of driving around, I gave up. I would have taken an uber if I had known.

A no cover blues night??? WOW. I came here on a Monday night with my partner to finally check out Eli's Monday night blues, and we enjoyed ourselves so much.The several different acts were so full of life and rhythm, I still can't believe there's no cover. BUT there is a tip jar and I would highly suggest bringing cash with you to tip the performers! The talent, the vibes, all truly special and incredible.I admire the interior decoration too-- it's beautiful! I will definitely be coming back regularly and with guests :) Get ready to groove!

Cool edgy bar that's also a venue for live music. Came here late afternoon yesterday and sat in their cargo booth. There's graffiti all over and you can write over it or put up stickers. The bathroom matches the vibe of the outside patio. The patio bar has beer while the front bar has cocktails. They didn't have mojito so the bartender made me a pineapple lime vodka which was a great substitute.

I was invited to the most epic circus variety show here by my friend SJ, put on my the famous Nikki Borodi. What an adventure! The back patio has space to spin fire from the roof tops and hand lyra from two story high frames. The DJ was above everyone's head and the show was totally 3D. Bar outside, bar inside a million spaces for stages, graffiti so thick it was the aesthetic of the place. I loved everything about it. What's more is they had bomb food and introduced me to topo chico ranch water. Hot bar tenders, incredible show, good food, great vibe, i couldn't ask for more.

Always love the place but really wanna highlight for a punk bar the food is fire af. Had a French onion grilled cheese that was packed with caramelized onions and hella flavor. Also added a salad to get some greens in my diet and it was topped with a delicious dressing. Also check out their drag show every third Sunday it's so good!

West Coast Blues Night is pretty cool. There doesn't seem to be the same interest in this place as before. The food is incredible and the drinks are the best. It's located in the most random part of town.

I like how all of my friends were iffy about me going to Eli's - one even told me not to dress too nicely - and I didn't get any bad vibes at all. Quite the opposite. From the doorman to the various bartenders I interacted with, everyone was friendly. I love love love that I could bring my dog and even sit inside with her. I always ask, and am skeptical, because some businesses (rightly) don't want to risk fur around food. The McFib (riff on my guilty pleasure, but with Impossible meat) was one of the best things I've eaten in a long time. Honestly, in the following few days, I thought about going back for just that. I felt bad that I had to take off my mask in between bites while seated at the bar, but the patio was obviously popular and all full. Oh that's the other great thing: they're super responsible about covid precautions. It's comforting, while a lot of places are relaxing their policies, that Eli's still checks for vaccination and asks that you wear your mask indoors. I also remember they preemptively closed for the safety of their staff and community during the Omicron surge. The only drawback is the limited selection of beer. There were only two or three on draft indoors, and then five or six (but some kicked kegs) at the outdoor bar. The cans are nothing exciting. I'm not picky about my beers, and was okay with the IPA I ended up getting, but it was surprising to see such a slim selection and that things ran out early on a Friday night around 8 pm. Not a huge deal since this is a no-frills place to just grab something cold to sip on with friends. Then on the other end of the spectrum, I spotted they had Brut Americano amaro from one of my favorite and a local distiller, St. George. I probably could have avoided my minor hangover jumping from beer to a whiskey sour, and then amaro as a nightcap, but that's seemed to be the spirit of Eli's: random, chaotic good.

This place is awesome. Great bar and a great venue for live music. Definitely a spot to check out.

Good place to grab some food and a drink with lots of outdoor seating. But the outside music is always punk music which is not my thihg but i go back bc there arent too many outside patio options