The Factory Bar

My favorite go-to local bar! Great vibes and ambience, and nice people all around. This place is spacious enough with different areas to hang out even when it's crowded (which it can be at times). Cool thing is you can get food and bring it in also. Many options at the bar for whatever you're in the mood for.

Call me impatient, but after work I wanted to grab a quick brew. But the bartender passed me up, because her friend was there. Don't get be wrong, the ambiance is chill but with the wrong impression it disappears. It is what it is, but it was a lame first impression. I might as well make my own at home. The security guard is hella nice.

We had drink tokens we needed to use up! But I was pleasantly surprised at how big, fun and funky this place was. No food, but often a roaming foodie truck or two will park out front to help the patrons slow down the effects of all that alcohol. Or next door is a hella busy but good Mexican place. The bar allows you to bring your own grub in so that makes for a lengthy fun and action packed evening. So said token in hand dog in tow we headed out for a Friday evening of drinking. I left the cocktail tokens for the ladies to use and I wound up downing several on tap Guiness beers. Very eclectic Friday night crowd from 20 something's to ol foggies like us, after work office types and construction crews alike. Place was packed and hella busy @ 5 pm! No wait service so getting the cocktails can be daunting unless you turn on that New York attitude and bogart your way to the front without a second thought. And heck yes, the bar tenders all ladies were great. So we were sure to give em some $$$ even tho our drinks were free. If it wasn't such a blustering cool evening we would have been content on the ample patio but the owner saw us shivering and suggested we go in side. Either way Koa loved it... becoming a 62 lb lapdog! Not exactly our hood, but it was a nice inexpensive deviation from where we normally go to get lit.

I tend to underestimate Richmond and all it has to offer. OK, give me a minute...Point Richmond. Tasty Mexican food on 23rd. Rosie the Riveter. Tasty Mexican food on San Pablo. Oh look, there's 3 Hermanas and Tacos El Tucan within strolling distance. I wasn't aware this bar was even here since it feels like it should be in a more hip neighborhood.But hey, maybe this IS a hip neighborhood and this spot could be leading the way. It's a nice welcoming space with a long bar where you can gather with your friends or sit in relative solitude. I've done both now, so I can attest to the satisfaction found in either situation. The big draw, however, is the open patio, and even on the weekend, it didn't get overly crowded.Jamie W. and I came here on a Sunday as we waited for his car to get serviced. It was pretty quiet but we were seduced by their specialty cocktail list. We both went for the $12 El Coco Piña, a refreshing albeit a bit sour mix of Plantation Pineapple Rum, Navigator Coconut Rum, and lemon juice topped with pineapple foam (photo: https://bit.ly/446abr9). Sitting on the patio made us want to go back to Waikiki.With Jamie out of town, I stopped by for a little libation and ordered the $12 Princess Peach because I'm secure with my own masculinity. It was a tartly winning combination of Buffalo Trace, Bank Note, Combier Peche, lemon juice, and egg whites (photo: https://bit.ly/43MsK45). The scene was livelier on a Saturday as were the bartenders. We need to come back for Tiki Tuesdays because I could go for an ube piña colada.COCKTAILS - 4.5 stars...nicely relaxing combos of tropical treatsAMBIANCE - 5 stars...unexpected find in Richmond of all placesSERVICE - 5 stars...very convivial spirit at the bar, relaxing on the patioTOTAL - 5 stars...another attraction to bolster Richmond's reputation RELATED - Exploring this part of Contra Costa County? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2VyCP18

Great local spot. They are not stingy on the drinks. Atmosphere is great. We came to watch a 49er game. Love their outdoor patio as well! No food as there's no kitchen but you can bring your own food or DoorDash it. Definitely plan to come back again.

Service was friendly! The vibe and seating inside was amazing. They had a DJ going on a Thursday night, came with friends after a long week and it was the perfect wind down for the night. Drinks were also good, lots of variety and cool names with it. Definitely coming back.

A fantastic local bar with solid cocktails. There are lots of fun spaces inside, including a really comfy lounge with leather chairs and boardgames. There's also an expansive space outdoors in the back where you can relax while soaking in the sun. The cocktails are well made and reasonably priced. The service is friendly. Best of all, you can bring in your tacos from El Tucan nextdoor and enjoy them with your drinks.

Great atmosphere- excellent drinks. Lovely patio with amazing garden - cozy and groovy interior; especially the Polkadot Room!

The updated menu has just the drink you need this holiday season and the patio outside has heaters so you can visit with friends while you let the stress of world go by.

I love the chill vibe in this place. Friendly staff and patrons. Fun rooms to hang with friends. Looking forward to checking out the patio when it's a little warmer. Had a margarita one night and a local draft beer another. Both good, but I thought pricey for the neighborhood bar - especially when the bartender told me they don't have happy hour because their prices are so good. That won't stop me from going to hang out there - just have realistic expectations now!