George Kaye's

If you picture a dive bar in your mind, you probably have something similar to what you'll find at George Kaye's. A little shabby, a few regulars at the bar, old school bartender, and (most importantly?) cheap drinks.A pretty good range of booze, though just four beers on tap with selections including hipster fav PBR and one local brew from Line 51 (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/george-kayes-oakland-3?select=9kbf38gxMpgR2kqqKWVohQ). Speaking of PBR, shots of bourbon with a PBR back is advertised in the window (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/george-kayes-oakland-3?select=sLJPTdKFNwRz522OeMRfhQ) and seems like a popular drink of choice for those looking to "lay the foundation" before meeting friends at other more upscale joints.Older reviews say smoking is somewhat allowed, but that's no longer the case and there's even a sign outside the door saying to please move down the street to smoke.

A big pet peeve of mine. Dive bars that don't charge dive bar prices. $7 for a pint during Happy Hour in this dumpy place is egregious. Poor beer list too. Not one star because bartender was a nice guy. I won't be back. Hit up Avenue or Kingfish instead.

Oh, George Kaye's. One of the neighborhood dives that I saw nearly daily growing up...and was always afraid of, a bit, because...well, it's the sort of bar that pants-pissing drunks frequent. Or so I assumed until yesterday, when I went in for the first time. Actually, I'm still pretty sure that pants-pissing drunks come here, but as my friend stopped by before 3pm, we were the only people, except the bartender, who were there. And the bartender was friendly, accommodating and happy to answer questions. Considering how tiny the inside of this bar is (three poker tables, and maybe 4 or 5 barstools), I was surprised with the 5 or 6 beers on tap, and the quality of many of them--Guinness included. I ordered a Red Hook, which, at $4.50, was a little more than I'd expected to pay at what I'd say is one of the only bonafide DIVE bars I've been to. The liquor selection was certainly not the most extensive I've seen, but they had a variety of the basics (rum, vodka, tequila--you know) and have Maker's Mark for $5.50. I ordered one, straight up, and was given a double shot. Not bad. In fact, that's probably the reason for the 4th star!The interior of the bar is nothing to write home about. Like I said, 3 tables, some chairs, and a small bar to sit at. There's a disconnected video game machine, and a bunch of original art on the walls. I'm not sure how long it's been up, but most of it appears to be a series of really abstract paint/pen work by the same person. While most of it really wasn't my style, I was impressed at the presence of art in a bar that I'd assumed would be dark, stinky and a little gross overall.Upon first entering George Kaye's I wasn't enthralled with the smell, but it really wasn't BAD, and it faded the longer we sat in the bar. Also, the bathroom (one for each gender!) was remarkably clean for a bar--probably somewhat related to how early it was in the day, but still nice. And seat covers! Yes!I know that to really get a feel for the bar, I'll have to go back some evening and drink with the regulars (who are, I'm sure, the reason the place is still in business), but until then, I've discovered that a bar I've spent the last 20 years cringing at is actually a decent and friendly dive, with some good alcohol and pretty average prices. I would have preferred dive prices, but beggars can't be choosers, so on and so forth.I'll be seeing you again, Geo Kaye's.

Sometimes you just need to get your drank on.Especially on a Friday after work. Especially if that Friday was after "1 of those weeks." Especially if you've had "1 of those weeks" for more weeks now than you care to remember.The girlfriend & I were meeting friends for dinner nearby & were in the neighborhood early. Which meant it was time for me to get my drank on. Enter George Kaye's. Dive bar. Simple. Effective.Inside & out, it ain't fancy. But if you're on a mission, there's a way to get it done here. Happy hour had PBR + a jumbo shot of Jim Beam for $6. Oh yeah, that's the remedy for what ails me. The girlfriend commented that PBR is like piss.Indeed. & what a perfect way to cap off another loathsome week. So much so, I had a 2nd round before we left to meet up for dinner. We also had some pasta & potato salads that were available gratis for munchies.George Kaye's. It ain't fancy, but it got the job done.

This place is really horrible to customers and the bartender is condescending. Don't come here. They don't deserve your business

This establishment refused to provide water to a gentleman with a dog. One of our group members got him a glass and the bartender took the water back from him and then chastised our group member for providing it to him. He was very abrupt and condescending in his dealings with us, as well as with the man with the dog

Geo Kaye's sets a whole new bar for dive bars. This, my friends, is the real deal.Corner bar consisting of a room and not much else. A handful of tables, an Internet jukebox with a mediocre standard selection and people from all walks.A pal and I came in here on a Sunday night to grab a drink while killing time waiting for a friend. The bar itself was not packed, but there were a decent amount of people, including some obviously not-straight guy and his girlfriend chatting it up in one spot, a table of two couples sporting tragically punk t-shirts, homeless hair and fanny packs, two guys who seemed to be looking for action and falling short given the patron selection, and a guy reading a fantasy-dragon book sitting in the corner by himself. As I said, all types.The bartender was super funny and sweet and had me laughing, mostly because she was the most not-sober-acting sober bartender. I can't speak for all their drinks, but $2.50 for a PBR is not something to be argued with.

A little nicotin contact high off the 3rd hand smoke imbedded in the cealing tiles...What a sh8% hole....Pabst on tap....Ya gotta love it...

This bar is famously known for having red hair woman name Jolie Anderson hit on their husbands. Ladies, beware I think she may have a thing for married men.

I couldn't be a bigger fan of dive bars, and as a longtime neighborhood resident I used to entertain thoughts of making this my local hangout. But really: $10 for a well gin & tonic? No thanks. Not when that same $10 could get me a Mai Tai at the Kona Club, or a Saturno during Bar Cesar's happy hour. I hate to say it, but it looks like this place isn't a genuine dive bar any more. It's a place that wants to overcharge people in search of dive bar ambiance.