Uptown , one of thegreatest neighborhood in the country , is a sliver of Oakland with a roaring beat . The diamond - determine district of Uptown is the expanse border by twenty-seventh St and 14th St to the N and Confederate States of America , San Pablo/980 to the west , and Harrison Street to the Orient , with Telegraph Avenue and Broadway being the two chief life line of the locality .
An artistic creation deco - geological era hub of amusement during the 1920s and beyond , the arena lento fell into disrepair after WWII . Lack of industriousness left empty building and brought a increment in crime , but Oakland ’s center began to revitalize during Mayor Jerry Brown ’s 1999 - 2007 term and initiatives to increase business and housing . Change come , as did gentrification , causing affordability concern along with ontogeny .
Now uptown is on the verge of another major alteration . Uber ’s military headquarters are slated to open up in autumn of 2017 withFortune.comestimating the move to bring 2,000 - 3,000 new jobs . Uber will settle in the iconic H.C. Chapwell Company building which opened in 1929 and housed Sears from 1996 - 2014 . In the last decennary , uptown has really boomed with nightlife heralded by the reopening of The Fox , public artwork efforts , increase housing , and basically ton of cool hooey . On weekend night , the corner of 18th and Telegraph is bombilate with a divers bunch and electric energy .
Flickr/Russell Mondy
Once the conditions warm again , takea free walk tourto learn more about architecture , history , and blue stories of Oakland . In the meantime , you may explore the new , vibrant Oakland through all the amazing places to feed , pledge , and bask art all in a few square block .
Duende
This contemporary Spanish eating house is your first stop after hopping off at 19th Street BART . forest chevron parquet floor floors , beautiful custom barstools and tables , and a soar ceiling with an intimate vibe welcome you in . Before a night on the prowl , portion tapas like the bunuelos de queso ( aka gruyere fritters ) over a looking glass of wine or one of their extensive sherry selections . For more sustenance , search out the fideu caldosa – crispy rice - like noodles served in pan with chicken , shrimp , and piquant spice . There ’s easy seating regardless of reservation , and duende means the spirit of passionateness in Spanish – so this is the perfect bit for a bouncing night on the town .
Sweet Bar Bakery
Just kissing Uptown ’s northward ending you ’ll notice the Sweet Bar . This airy , counter - service cafe has large windows overlooking Broadway and pumpkin vine powdered ginger cupcake that ’ll make you weep . Owner Mani Niall sources all things local , organic , and delicious for his sweet and zesty menus . His pot Proto-Indo European turnover , housemade focaccia dough sandwich , sour ointment cheesecake , rich espresso drinks , and house macaroons will have you coming back again and again . And they have pile of gluten free treat , too .
Kingston 11
Vibrant , irie , delectable — this eating house and rummy bar is the perfect start to your Uptown night . Owner and Chef Nigel Jones was raised in Kingston , Jamaica and blends the feel and feel of the island with Oakland ’s fresh , local vibration for truly yummy dishes . Standouts include their spicy , constitutive Jerk Chicken that ’s been marinated and smoke for hours for a taste so tender and spicy , you ’ll need to dance . For the more adventuresome palates , try the productive and delicious curry goat . They also do a toothsome Sunday brunch .
Small Wonder
This Uptown wonderland is utter for rainy days with a script , looking effortlessly coolheaded on first dates , and craft cocktail - fueled gossip hour with friends . There ’s no headphone or site for this bar / eating place , so you ’re just gon na have to go visit . Small Wonder is undefended “ 7 am - ish ” until 11 atomic number 61 or so each day . The owners once did small dramatics and their attainment in creation and design smoothen through the blank ; the former print shop has been transformed into a lush , industrial plant - filled , wall painting cover , vintage article of furniture littered , record playing , colourful delight of an haven . Even the communal bathroom sink is exciting . Have delicious comforter solid food like the open face knock chicken sammy with pan gravy and cranberry , sip their tasty coffee , featherbed in fancy cocktail , and share small home .
Dogwood
playfulness and well-disposed — Dogwood has all the property of a bully first date ginmill . It ’s not - stuffy - fancy , with a curated slyness cocktail have classic and house creations likewise . Gourmet grilled cheese ( made on a griddle in the bar ’s seats area)with add - ons like whisky bacon chutney will fuel you for the night , or share the charcuterie plate to bedazzle your date . The scupper brick wall , ardent Natalie Wood table , and atomic number 10 sign outside make this an uptown must . If you ’re feeling frisky , stair through the adjoining door to baby taproom , Darling ’s Elixirs . Inside the former chemist’s shop , order up your medicine at the vintage prescription counter and start finger better immediately .
Legionnaire Saloon
If you prefer a touch of dive in your Uptown experience , you good end by the Legionnaire . The two - story pub is your one - stay workshop for terpsichore , drinking , sport - watching , and general skullduggery . seldom a cover ( unless there ’s nude folk getting burlesque - y upstairs ) , you could line up a dance company most twenty-four hour period of the workweek . highlight include Wednesday ’s rigorously Business hip - record hop party and Motown Mondays – we depend that whatever else you might do on a Monday night does n’t include its own hashtag ( # MoMoak ) . Extra double bonus points for a record acting jukebox and pinball machines .
Drake’s Dealership
Tucked inside The Hive ’s multi - use space Uptown , Drakes Dealership is your go - to recognize for craftsmanship beer , woodfired pizza , and one of the expert detent - friendly patios this side of heaven . Drake ’s Brewing Co. was at the forefront of the Northern California microbrew drift , open up their San Leandro brewery in 1989 . Now you get decade of brewing excellence in this pelvic girdle , unwrap brick , firepit - having , centrally locate haunt . Play around with the Imperial IPA Denogginizer and find out why they ’re one of the East Bay ’s best breweries . Oh , and did we observe the live music ?
The Fox Theater
The gorgeous Fox Oakland marquee heralds your comer in the heart of Uptown . Originally opened in 1928 , the lavish Art Deco picture theater soared for 40 year , until it cut down into disrepair and sporadic use . The last tenner saw biotic community and city cooperation to restore its former glory , and since reopening in 2009 , it ’s been pulling in earth - division acts year - round . From the decadent Interior Department to the easygoing theater seating – and none of the hassle of getting to SF – you ’ll be in music heaven with everyone from John Prine to Snoop Dogg .
The New Parkway Theater
film theater , restaurant , beer joint , couch , couch chairs – the New Parkway kinda has it all . See a extensive range of flicks , cartoons , classics , and documentary film for $ 8 ( or give - what - you - wish duringKarma CinemaWednesdays ) . In summation to movies on comfy couches , there ’s trivia night , drink & draw outcome , open mic and stand - up comedy , Zea mays everta poker , bingo , and beer – candidly , you may never go forth . All the libations are topically source within 200 miles , so you could toast with integrity . And , there ’s real butter on the Zea mays everta .
The Uptown
The Uptown ’s a great joint , with its erectile interior lie in time lag for your shenanigans below its glow sorry sign . Have a cocktail in the main legal community at the entrance , discover what party / drollery show / dance execution is alive that Nox in the big room , or err out back to the wall painting - covered back terrace for a flirty moment under the metropolis principal . There ’s aHella Gaydance party every third Saturday , and themonthly calendarhas everything from thrasher metal show to burlesque babes baring it ( mostly ) all .
Kaiser Roof Garden
Step out of the street and up into the sunshine on this three - Akka sky - high park . The garden atop the Kaiser Building is calm , with reverberate pools , a walking nosepiece , trees , birdlife , even a free concert series on Fridays at noontide during the summertime . You could give ear out there all the sentence and just call it your unexampled full - time task . Open since 1960 , the roof garden set a common law for others to come ( we ’re count at you , SF POPOS ) ; gain ground entree to this urban haven by pushing the RG push button ( cap garden , darling ) in any Kaiser service department lift . It ’s open to the public from 8am-6pm , Monday to Friday .
Feelmore Adult Gallery
You ’re an adult . As such , you belong to in an adult gallery . This tiny shop , open until 9 atomic number 61 on weeknights and midnight on weekend , is an excellent plaza to pop in when cruising Uptown . The sex - plus , body - positive , welcoming space has every gift you might ever need give . The educated folks of Feelmore offer workshop about sexuality and also provide residential district space for weekly result like comedy night ( Right ? ! Sex is funny . ) and titillating readings . Stop in , say hi , and buy a miniature .
Oakland Art Murmur Walking Tours
Get your Uptown Oakland art fix in three , gratuitous wanton ways . 1 ) Take a ( free ) guided art tour from 2pm-4pm on the third Saturday of each calendar month . Hosted byOakland Art Murmurand led by rotating curators and artists , the term of enlistment will take you to three to five Uptown gallery based on monthly theme such as Art and Irony , Revolution , or Contemporary Art in the Bay Area . 2 ) If go make you cranky , opt for the weeklySaturday Stroll , with participating galleries open from 1pm-5pm . 3 ) If you ’re more rocker than quiet artist , join the throngs forOakland First Fridays , when a street party / artistic production walk / live euphony / food truck / Almighty faire extravaganza hold over five cube of Telegraph from 5pm-9pm the first Friday of each calendar month .
Urban Stitch Boutique
Urban Stitch Boutique is a utterly Oakland place . Its carbon monoxide - proprietor , Alanna Rayford and Winnie Anderson , curate styles from Bay Area and outside designers with low-priced prices and sustainable sources . The in high spirits windows light up this 2nd - floor boutique with a welcoming and bright vibe . The space is full of tempting corner and crevice , as well as a heedful survival of the fittest of everything you might need . ItsInstagramshowcases new arrival , include colorful sandal , handmade jewelry , and dresses . Stop by and support this lovely , local business .
Paramount Theatre
This deluxe Art Deco extravaganza first open in 1931 , but suffered decade of disrepair before being in full restored . The Paramount reopened , phoenix - like , in 1973 , and now houses the Oakland Ballet , the Oakland Symphony , occasional balladeer like Norah Jones , and Greco-Roman pic nights , likeWizard of Oz(screening Dec 30th ) . If you hate euphony and ballet , and pic classics give you heartburn , at least take thetwo - time of day tour($5 ) of the noble-minded infinite . Get panjandrum access in , around , under , and over the secret stairs , block , organs , and trapdoors of this splendid old beast .
SoleSpace
Get your human foot and heart in line with a stop at SoleSpace . Half shoe dress shop , half graphics research laboratory , the Uptown positioning was create by Jeff Perlstein and Favianna Rodriguez in 2012 to keep your feet looking skilful while also offering an approachable situation for community events . specialness sneaks , dj , arts events , and local train make this the spot to start off your weekend in stylus .
DUENDE
Kingston 11 Cuisine
Bar Dogwood
The Legionnaire Saloon
Flickr/Thomas Hawk
The New Parkway
Feelmore
Flickr/BWChicago