Heinold's First & Last Chance Saloon
Oakland
At this 1883 bar constructed from wood scavenged from an old whaling ship, you really have to hold on to your beer. Keeled to a severe slant during the…
Must-see nightlife in Northern California
The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill
It’s easy being green at Yield, a storefront wine bar with a rotating list of sustainably farmed vintages served at rough-hewn wooden tables. Pull up an…
Sacramento
Everyone likes bikes, everyone likes dogs – thus, a concept was born. Bike Dog welcomes you with a bright, cheery interior that reflects the zing of their…
Berkeley
This place has really nailed down a few hipster business conventions: the 'X & Y' name (which, to be fair, is the historic title of the building), and…
San Francisco
You can call anyone Ishmael here, as long as you're buying. The fish tank over the bar is mesmerizing – yes there is something thrusting out of the coral,…
San Jose
Squeeze inside this crowded yet friendly pub for beer geeks and the 'craft curious.' With nearly three dozen rotating taps of brews, including ciders and…
San Francisco
The Castro's long-standing dance bar gets packed with gay college boys, their wide-eyed straight girlfriends, and sundry chicken hawks. A tame scene by SF…
Big Sur
Down California craft beers and regional wines on the back deck or by the fireplace inside this high-ceilinged wooden bar. There are board games, sports…
The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill
Classic SF dive celebrating defunct technology, with naked Barbie chandeliers and year-round Christmas lights. Art-school students mingle with sundry…
Lake Tahoe
A shoreline hot spot, Gar Woods pays tribute to the era of classic wooden boats. Don’t show up for the lackadaisical grill fare, but instead to slurp a…
Sacramento
With exposed brick walls and large communal tables, this is the most casually welcoming microbrewery in Sac. It's kid-friendly, dog-friendly and…
San Francisco
The last of the old-guard Polk St gay bars still has an anything-goes saloon vibe, with pool, pinball, darts and an action-packed smokers patio. Friday…
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
Part wine store, part wine bar, this small shop and wine club on busy Chestnut St caters to neighborhood wine aficionados, with a frequently changing list…
Oakland
On weekends, people pack this Uptown hot spot, named for a Jack London short story, for its indoor bocce courts and eclectic cocktails. Toss back a …
Oakland
The drab exterior of the Kona Club only underlines how gloriously kitschy this spot is. Walk inside and it looks like a tiki-themed souvenir shop exploded…
Oakland
Busting out of its original brick-and-wood-paneled shoe box into a second storefront and outdoor back patio, this place specialises in Belgian ales. Two…
Oakland
Highwire is well known across Oakland and the East Bay for its well regarded, exhaustively sourced coffee, as well as a commitment to sustainability …
Sequoia National Park
Awesome new microbrewery run by award-winning craft beer–maker and Pismo Beach implant Matt McWilliams. There's usually a couple of beers on tap at a time…
Berkeley
Craft cocktails and Indian-inspired bar food is the name of the game at East Bay Spice Company. Try a Gold of Harrapa – gin, Campari, potato liqueur and…
South Lake Tahoe & Stateline
With excellent beers rotating on tap, a dartboard on the wall, and fish-and-chips and shepherd's pie (as well as gourmet burgers and wood-fired pizzas) on…
North Coast & Redwoods
Sonoma winemaker Pat Knittel returned home to Humboldt to open this hole-in-the-wall cidery in the Creamery District, which offers tastings of four dry…
Monterey
Sample medal-winning Monterey County wines from as far away as the Santa Lucia Highlands while soaking up dreamy sea views, then peruse thoughtful…
Sacramento
Set in Sacramento's urban sprawl is this little gem of a brewery that's highly regarded among the town's other brewers. The small taproom boasts fun…
North Coast & Redwoods
Wonderfully cozy and inviting, this Victorian-feeling wine bar will open any bottle on their list of 80-plus wines if you're getting two or more glasses…
The Haight & Hayes Valley
The faintest ray of sunshine brings lines down the block for beer on draft and bratwurst at Biergarten – wear sunblock, order two rounds of seasonal Fort…
Oakland
A hip, tattooed young crowd hobnobs inside this red-brick-walled bar on a busy corner of Uptown. Order a creative house cocktail or classic concoction…
San Jose
Downtown at this industrial-chic watering hole with wall-sized, backlit shelves of liquor, tattooed bartenders willingly customize your drink if nothing…
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
A rack of more than 700 bottles frames the wall at this austerely elegant storefront wine bar, which pours wines exclusively from California, Oregon and…
Redding & Around
It's a Bring Your Own Food (BYOF) policy here, so you come for the beer. If you like a hoppy brew, try the Hoppy Mother Froger Double IPA named for a…
Berkeley
Ever notice how the weather is nicer in the East Bay? You'll feel that truth at the Moxy, a beer garden well beloved by Berkeley residents from students…
Redding & Around
Open in spring of 2017 with much fanfare, this is a big industrial-style brew pub with shiny vats on display. This is the place to try beer styles you won…
Mammoth Lakes
In winter especially, locals throng this dive bar pub in the basement of the Alpenhof Lodge. The ceiling is tiled with a swirl of bottle caps, and the bar…
The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill
Margaritas served in beer glasses go the distance here – just don't stand up too fast. Ninja piñatas and papel picado (cut-paper banners) add a festive…
Sacramento
A surprisingly inviting brewery holed away in a converted industrial space, Track 7 loves playful experimentation. While the Hazy Panic IPA is a perennial…
San Francisco
This snazzy, skylit loft looks like an architect's office but tastes like a neighborhood brewpub, serving up dry, crisp Brut IPA and dishing out addictive…
San Jose
A cool basement lounge where sharply dressed bartenders artfully mix cocktails, with some recipes dating to before Prohibition. It's a justifiably popular…
San Jose
Haute coffee-roaster Bellano has opened a branch inside downtown's San Pedro Square Market, serving the same rich pour-over coffee, nitro cold brew and…
Monterey
Downtown Monterey coffee shop on a busy corner brews with fair-trade, organic beans. At night, it pulls off a big-city lounge vibe with film, open-mike…
Redding & Around
Modern, open-plan decor encourages sociability at this fun downtown brewpub. Its 530 Hometown Ale (named for the local area code) is the perfect antidote…
Napa
For the best views of the Napa Valley on earth, head to the 6th floor of the Archer Hotel to this spacious rooftop terrace that offers up chic lounge…
