Oakland Entertainment

There are a wide range of entertainment options for visitors to Oakland. There is a lively nightlife scene with plenty of variety, and some good possibilities for live music and theatre, as well as a few interesting festivals.

Nightlife:

Although Oakland isnt known for its nightlife there is a pretty lively night scene here, with enough diversity to suit many people. Probably the most famous place in town and one of the most unique pubs you might ever visit, is Heinolds First and Last Chance. It looks like a little hut and has been a pub since 1882, there is a slope inside due to an earthquake in 1906, and it is said that Jack London spent a lot of his free time here. Its located on Jack London Square, and they have a few tables outside so you can get some views over the water.

If the Oakland Raiders are playing an away NFL match, then George and Walts in Rockridge is a good place to head, youll have to get there early though, as its usually packed with Raiders fans. Normally though, its a quiete local bar.

There are a number of other options in the Rockridge district, and McNallys is the oldest Irish pub in the city. Theres a nice atmosphere here, with a real log fire and traditional feel which will really make that Guinness taste good.

For those looking for some clubbing, there are a good number of options in Oakland. @17th, on 17th Street is a popular and stylish place with some of the best DJs in town. Thursdays are especially popular here, with lots of drink specials and the best weekday dance party in town. The Noodle Factory on 26th Street has a good reputation and some top DJs playing a mix of soul, funk, hip-hop, R&B, and house music.

Oakland has a small gay scene, with a couple of bars on Telegraph Avenue, Cabels Reef is considered a friendly place and is always busy.

Theatre and music:

Oakland has a good music and theatre scene, with a wide variety of styles. The famous art deco Paramount Theater is the obvious starting point with an enormous variety of productions ranging from top Broadway shows, to stand up comedy and internationally renowned pop stars. There are also a number of smaller theatre companies in Oakland such as TheaterFIRST, a non-profit theatre company located near Jack London Square.

The Oakland Theater is dedicated to widening the appeal of opera and they showcase new operas, addressing issues relevant to modern life. Opera Piccola was formed in 1989 with an emphasis on entertaining, with their mix of jazz and multicultural music, often performing in parks and shopping malls.

Jazz fans should head to Yoshis, very popular with a lot of serious jazz connoisseurs. The atmosphere is chilled with good sound and lighting and they attract plenty of top worldwide jazz artists. It also serves sushi in the adjoining restaurant, which you can choose to eat in the jazz section.

Club Anton, on 3rd Street, is another popular music venue heavily focused on Latin style, with the occasional hint of hip-hop and reggae. Its an especially popular place at weekends. If youre looking for something a bit more raucous then make your way to Stork Club on Telegraph Avenue. The drinks are good value and every night there are rocking punk bands to keep you entertained.

Festivals:

• The Hi/Lo Film Festival is a film festival dedicated to low budget films from around the world. The films are generally very short, and can by from any genre.
• The Oakland Dance Festival is a two-day event showcasing the work of three local dance companies with some additional carnival style activities before the dance events.
• Oaklands Chinatown StreetFest is one of the biggest community festivals in the Bay Area, and is well worth a visit if you are in the city at the time. There are food stalls, cultural and art displays and a childrens area.