Town Bar and Lounge

Decided to take a stroll and stumbled into the Town. I follow them on the gram and been meaning to check them out but when Im with others, hey always wanna go out to the same spot and not willing to ventura out. I arrived a minute b4 opening and a wonderful gentleman let me in. I approach the bar in which is nicely set up for the holidays. I hear a band rehearsing for tonight's special event in which Im bummed I didnt get tickets for the entre.When I took a seat at the bar, I was greeted and welcomed. I used the same darnos corny line "what do you recommend" and end uñ going with something else. Mars who was tending the bar made my salty dawg which was great, not too strong and hit the spot. I will def check them out at their monthly events. Def recommend and would be disappointed

The nonprofit I volunteer for held an event at Town Bar and we couldn't be happier with the service we received. The staff was kind, the drinks were delicious and the overall atmosphere was exactly what we were looking for. I will definitely host another event here and suggest others to do the sa

Last Thursday, a few friends and I decided to check out TOWN bar and lounge, before even arriving it started off on a good note: it's literally a minute's walk from the BART exit -- super convenient if you're coming from the city or parts of the East Bay and don't want to hunt for parking. Walking in, we were greeted by a super friendly bouncer (a pleasant change from some of the aggro vibes you get at Castro bars), and immediately hit by the chill atmosphere and music. They had a DJ spinning a dope Aaliyah and Diana Ross mashup-- pure gold for anyone who's a fan of the old school BET/VH1/CMC days. It's the feel-good, throwback music you seldom hear in gay bars anymore. The place wasn't just about the music though; the ambiance was on point too and every detail felt intentional. My friends and I grabbed a spot near the fireplace surrounded by cute candles, and even had a chance to chat with the owner. He was incredibly welcoming and genuinely interested in supporting and uniting the LGBT community, which really made an impression on us.Service was top-notch all evening. The bartenders were amiable and even let my friend sample some unfamiliar wine before deciding to buy -- again, not the type of vibe you get in the Castro and made it feel homey. While I stuck with my trusty Jack and diet, the signature cocktails looked tempting enough to try next time. And oh, the bathrooms -- finally a place that gets it. Instead of the typical divey drug den vibe of other bars, TOWN offers actual ~rooms~ with toilets, a communal sink area that adds to the inclusive co-ed vibe. It's these thoughtful touches that elevate the whole experience and are welcome from the typical bars where people can see you doing your business through a half-inch gap in the door. Whether it's watching the Warriors game or even a variety of board games available for anyone to use, this lounge is all about good vibes and a welcoming atmosphere. TOWN has nailed a dope mix of soulful, danceable hip-hop and R&B, cute drinks, and a grown and sexy atmosphere. I'm already planning my next visit and this time, I'm bringing more friends. If you appreciate good music and a welcoming spot to chill, TOWN is the place to be and just what the Bay Area needed.

Sheldon was an amazing bartender and gave us great recommendations. I love the hobos-kiss and the town sun drop and he's lovely to talk to :)

Love this bar. It's been the hottest LGBTQ spot in Oakland for a couple years now. Great music and decor. Friendly staff who are from the community. Great for after work happy hours with coworkers or club night out with friends. Can be a little packed on the weekends but that's part of the charm and how many different cute faces you may see here in one night. Generally more POC on fridays and saturdays however very diverse all week long.

The classiest bar in town! Since this place opened it's been a haven for the Bay Area lgbtq+ community. If you're visiting Oakland, this is a must visit spot. Amazing cocktails, skilled bartenders, and in a lush, gorgeous environment...you cannot go wrong! Check it out before a show at the Fox or Paramount, or just make this your destination for one of their shows or theme nights. Don't forget to get a photo in the free Photo Booth!!!

My rainbow bulb must have been on a dimmer because I didn't realize Uptown was turning into the Castro of Oakland. I just figured the Port Bar was a random gay bar with overpriced cocktails (review: https://yelp.to/oKSNNikHrl). However, the arrival of Town around the corner on 20th Street in the old I. Magnin Building has signaled a genuine community is starting to form in these parts.It was a welcoming place with a decidedly vintage vibe somewhere between the '70's and the '90's without the tackiness. Jamie W. and I were thinking "Boogie Nights", Studio 54, and C+C Music Factory. Sure enough, the video montage behind the bar had plenty of New Edition, early '90's Mariah, and Janet showing skin in "Love Will Never Do Without You".The owner Josh was tending the bar on our first couple of visits. Yes, we've been twice. Don't judge us. Josh made us feel at home and handles multiple customers with dexterity, no small feat. His cocktail selection was quite literally intoxicating. The $16 Caribbean Dreamin' was tasty with rum-washed coconut oil, pineapple juice, and almonds that are torched in front of your eyes (photo: https://yelp.to/qN3aKsJUYC).A tangier treat was the $12 Hibis-Kiss with hibiscus-infused tequila, sour cherry liquor, and agave (photo: https://yelp.to/Lo3Sg5uQ1R). A fruitier libation was the $14 Crème-Me with vanilla vodka, passion fruit, and lemon and orange juice (photo: https://yelp.to/YIQD6EW85L). As you can tell, Jamie and I are thorough cocktail samplers, and besides, we love chart toppers from the last third of the last century. Great job, Josh.COCKTAILS - 5 stars...Josh was a master mixologist and the prices felt tightAMBIANCE - 4.5 stars...Boogie NightsSERVICE - 5 stars...we felt welcomeTOTAL - 5 stars...going to TownRELATED - Exploring Oakland? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2ObVcpQ

This new and fresh queer lounge is a great addition to the area! A friend and I stopped in for a quick drink and Kiki session.. the cocktails were tasty, and bartender was very kind with great music taste. Only taking a star away for the comfort level of some of the elevated booth seats(made for smaller butts), and the lack of mirrors in a gay bar's bathroom... there is a variety of seating options, which is a saving grace, and can invoke different vibes depending on where you are sitting. Overall, good vibes and pleasant staff! This is a great alternative for local queers that aren't so into clubbing, but still want a communal space to enjoy a cocktail with your gworls

I always have a great time at the town, great and friendly bartender alone with a very welcoming owner Jdun Didit.

I've been coming here for a couple of years. I have always had a good time or interesting experience. Great Dj and I adore most of the bartenders and the rest are fine. The owner is kind and accommodating. I've had my birthday celebration here and have joined many parties here.