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(510) 444-8505
3325 Grand Ave
Oakland,
CA
94610
37.8128
-122.2473
Neighborhood: Grand Lake
Hours:
Tue-Sat 4pm-2am
Last updated 6.04.11
Category:
Restaurants, Lounges, Cabarets, Bars & Pubs
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, MasterCard
Bar & Pub Special Features:
Cuisine:
Bar & Club Special Features:
What People Are Saying About The Alley
Featured Review
Contributor
Contributor
In Short – The interior is dimly lit with low ceilings and ski-lodge-style shingles, while thousands of business cards cover the walls. The dining room is a maze of tables and booths; the tiny bar room is minimalistic. In the back, an old piano is surrounded by a wooden cover to rest drinks upon. A few nightgowns hang inexplicably on a clothesline. Microphones protrude from the piano bar and singers go round-robin, belting out Cole Porter to Hank Williams tunes. The bartender can sometimes disappear for a few minutes, but patrons never seem to be short of a drink.
Editor's Tips
- When to Go:
- Serious singers show on Thursday nights for karaoke without the machine. The piano player has been holding court for years and adheres to a list of favorites.
- The Extras:
- There's no smoking, of course, but the Alley still has a cigarette machine if you want to grab a pack of Camels and step outside.
- Know Before You Go:
- Dinner is served until 10pm and features sirloin steak for less than $10.
12/01/10
Great little place!
by shirleyflower2010 at Citysearch
This place has become my new number 1 spot! I just love the small places where there’s not a lot of people! We get dinner here every so often and we just love the food! Music is great too!
09/27/10
Dive bar
by Mellib at Citysearch
I went in with low expectations and even then I was disappointed. They do get a star fro friendly service, but the place is just a dive bar.
09/06/10
Aug 9, 1945
by jeffbarthol at Citysearch
My mom recently passed away and I found this picture in an Alley photo jacket. They are all from the Kansas City area and must have met up while in California. It is from Aug 9th, 1945 when my dad was based in California in the Navy. My mom (in the middle) is pictured with her sister and her first husband (left) and her brother and his first wife (right). How wonderful your restaurant must be to stay in business this long- Congratulations- can't wait to try it!
05/08/10
Cheap drinks, Onion Rings and Karaoke!
by Accident Prone , Citysearch Contributor at Citysearch
Ron Dibble plays piano after nine at this Lake Merritt watering hole...and you can sing along...
Dimly lit, you can add your business card to the thousands that cover the walls. If you're waiting for someone, reading the yellowed cards that seem to date back to the '40's is really entertaining.
Did I mention the onion rings are real and not from a bag? The burgers do seem to be the pre-packaged kind, but not bad either.
Drinks and food are INCREDIBLY AFFORDABLE and the crowd gets fairly young and hip in the evening.
Stop in. You won't be disappointed.
- Pros: Cheap Drinks, Food, Ron Dibble
06/05/08
Always fun.
by charmingkati at Citysearch
I mostly only go with my one Eat Bay friend (am a a "stay in the city"type girl), but I enjoy this place. It is usually quiet an divie, just the way I like a bar.
Good for a drink and some chatting with my bestest friend! Not too keen on the rest of the crowd though.
