Top Bars In Berkeley California

Since Berkeley is a vibrant college town, it is no surprise that bars set their standards high to attract the thousands of students to their premises. Although there are numerous bars in Berkeley, only a few can proudly be named student favorites. Check out The Culture Trip’s picks for the 10 best bars in Berkeley.

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Comal

Known for combining modern design and Mexican cuisine along with serving cocktails in a vibrant outdoor area, Comal is a unique bar. The back page of its cocktail menu lists its selection of mescal and Tequila; there are 78, served in one-ounce pours. The ten draft beers include Sudwerk Hefeweizen, Eel River Organic Amber, and Green Flash Double Stout. In addition, there are seven Mexican beers by the bottle and one nonalcoholic selection.

A two-story venue and beer garden that serves wood-fired pizzas plus handcrafted beers and ales, Jupiter creates serious buzz in Berkeley. It pours 12 house brews, as well as 20 other regional craft beers. Its antique church lights illuminate the atmosphere, the bar itself is topped with copper, and the beer taps glow from the front of a huge old-style wooden ice box. If you’re looking for an eye-opening bar experience with family or friends, why not stop by this popular beerhouse?

Sliver

A full bar with entertainment in a funky space, Sliver is another huge college student favorite. The restaurant offers a full bar with fanciful cocktails and locally brewed beer on tap that fits well into a college student’s budget. Workers use fresh, local juices and house crafted syrups and serve handpicked, rotating draft beers that pair perfectly with a slice of fresh, hot pizza. If you want to stay up to date with the latest cocktail creations, follow Sliver on Twitter and Instagram. Or even better, swing by for a visit.

Freehouse

A buzzy joint with courtyard seating and pool tables serving creative American cuisine and craft beers, Freehouse has a mission to satisfy college students to the best of its ability. Owner Daryl Ross has stated that he would like Freehouse to be a food and drink place where graduate students can hang out and drink and where undergraduates can have good food and nonalcoholic drinks. Looks like Freehouse is achieving its goal.

Kip’s

A popular college student hangout offering drinks and casual grub with a happy hour, karaoke nights, and DJs, Kip’s lives up to the prestige of being named one of the best bars in the East Bay. Head upstairs from 4-7pm every day to take advantage of the happy hour; there are 26 beers on tap. To top it all off, late night entertainment starts at 10pm with Tuesday Trivia Night, Wednesday & Sunday Karaoke, plus DJ Vibes every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Tupper & Reed

With its cocktail bar and lounge with craft drinks, seating options, and vintage-chic décor, Tupper & Reed is another recently opened bar in Berkeley which aims to make its mark and serve the public well. Drinks feature fresh-squeezed juices, and homemade tinctures and bitters and are loosely categorized into classics, twists on classics, and modern interpretations. There are also 60 drinks on the menu in the reservation-only upstairs bar, and the downstairs bar features a more limited selection of about a dozen.

Triple Rock

Triple Rock is one bar where both students and professors go for beers brewed on-site and excellent bar food. Due to its close proximity to UC Berkeley, you may notice a college student influence, particularly on high octane ‘Monkeyhead’ Thursdays. Triple Rock lays claim to being one of America’s first brewpubs; this place is full of history. Also, it usually has about ten of its own award-winning beers on tap, casual pub food, and, of course, the classic pastime: shuffleboard.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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