Interactive Museum, 90’s Experience, Coming to Jack London Square
Coming to Jack London Square this July, participants will be able to view colorful displays with 12 installations including the transition from digital to analog, the most delectable smelling life size markers, kickbacks with your FRIENDS and more. The photo ops are endless, and in front of some of the most iconic 90’s backdrops while you see, smell, taste, touch and hear what made this decade so sweet. Tickets go on sale June 11, and doors open July 2019. www.experiencethe90s.com
AMP Oakland Program Has Launched in Downtown Oakland
Oakland Central has debuted AMP (Arts, Music, Performance) Oakland, a curated street performance series throughout Downtown Oakland from May until October. Over 300 local performers will take to the streets to perform over the next six months, with all performances being free for the communityto enjoy in various public plazas. All performances will take place weekly between 12pm and 1pm every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. https://
Free City of Oakland Walking Tours Coming This Summer
Free 90-minute walking tours of Oakland will be offered every Wednesday and Saturday from May to October. The twice weekly guided tours showcase the city’s changing skyline, landmarks, churches and high-rises. The six-month-long tour season ensures ample opportunity to take in each of the eight different tour itineraries. Each tour, led by a volunteer guide, begins at 10 am from various starting locations depending on the itinerary. Reservations are recommended by leaving a message on the 24-hour hotline at (510) 238-3234 or via email to aallen@oaklandca.gov. oakla
Visit Oakland Launches “Oakland Style” Campaign
Oakland’s style has always been influenced by its rich history, culture and connection to music and art. Whether it’s the historical significance of a black beret or MC Hammer’s legendary parachute pants, Oakland uses clothing to express a message. Visit Oakland’s “Oakland Style” campaign showcases the city’s diverse styles and the messages they represent, through a digital fashion guide that visitors can use while exploring Oakland’s fashion scene. It will highlight designers and boutiques in Oakland while encouraging visitors and locals alike to experience Oakland’s fashion. More information to be included in press release soon.
Six Oakland Restaurants Selected for the 2019 Michelin Bib Gourmand List
Michelin announced the inaugural selection of Bib Gourmand establishments in the 2019 MICHELIN Guide California. From tacos to sushi, and from bistros to oyster bars, the highly anticipated list features 151 restaurants that represent 36 different cuisine types. Six Oakland restaurants made the list, including Dyafa, Millennium, Nyum Bai, Soba Ichi, Teni East Kitchen and Wood Tavern. www.michelin.com/en/
The Crown Royal Coffee Lab and Tasting Room is Now Open
The Crown is designed as a coffee community space, built in a former auto showroom on Broadway. It’s part of the city’s redevelopment plan of Oakland’s Uptown district, bringing in new residential buildings, retailers and community spaces to revitalize the former Broadway Auto Row. The Crown is an open-source coffee education center, laboratory, event space and tasting room.https://royalcoffee.com/
The Town Kitchen Taking Over Chabot Space and Science Center Café
The Town Kitchen is taking over the Chabot Café counter space. They will be offering their delicious sandwiches, salads, healthy snack items, espresso, coffee and local artisan bottled beverages. www.thetownkitchen.
New Coffee Roaster, Coffee Manufactory, Opens in Oakland
Coffee Manufactory is partnering with Tartine Bakery who shares their philosophy towards sustainable sourcing and most importantly doing things on a human scale. They are working to create a new paradigm for the specialty coffee roasting industry. One where exceptional coffees are developed through extraordinary relationships. They began roasting two blends in 2016 for Tartine Bakery: the 01 Espresso and 02 Filter. Coffee Manufactory has expanded their offerings and key partnerships to become an exciting and diverse specialty coffee roaster.www.coffeemanufactory.
Local Food Adventures Launches All-New Jack London Food Tour
On this tour, guests will start their journey in either San Francisco or Oakland. For guests joining us for the San Francisco food tour portion, your guide will meet you at San Francisco’s Ferry Building where you’ll start your tour with a flavorful and filling taste of an award-winning Oakland original. You’ll then continue across the Bay on board the San Francisco Bay Ferry, enjoying breathtaking views of Alcatraz Island, the San Francisco Bay, Ferry Building Marketplace and Bay Bridge. Once in Oakland, you’ll walk along the East Bay’s waterfront and say “cheers!” to the heritage of Jack London Square, the historic warehouse district and the newly founded Jack London Brewing District. You’ll go to four stops where you’ll satisfy your taste buds and enlighten your cultural soul. You’ll not only be immersed with the local food and spirits scene, but also the community of artists that make up the unique flavor of Oakland. www.
Local Food Adventure’s Rockridge Ice Cream & Gelato Tour Returns
Returning Sunday, June 2 Local Food Adventure’s Ice Cream & Gelato Tour will run at 3pm and 4:30 pm every Saturday and Sunday in July. This one-hour guided walking tour takes kids of all ages through Oakland’s Rockridge area to explore a variety of ice cream desserts—along with a little history as to how we came to enjoy them. www.localfoodadventures.
Chop Bar Moves to New Location
Chop Bar, a well-loved all-day neighborhood bar and restaurant, will be moving into a new space in Oakland’s Jack London District this July. The new location will be in Fourth Street East at 190 4th Street at Jackson St., a brand new mixed-use residential and retail building across the street from the restaurant’s current spot. www.oaklandchopbar.com
New Bar, Here’s How, Opens in Uptown Oakland
Here’s How is located in a 3,500-square-foot space across the street from Fox Theater. The main bar area is spacious with hardwood floors and high ceilings. Varying shades of red and burgundy show up throughout, from the leather couch areas to slices of the ceiling. Here’s How also has a list of local beers and sparkling, white and red wines. Featured alongside the cocktail list is a soda section of ginger beer, lemon lime, cola, diet cola, tonic and sparking cranberry drinks, all of which are made in-house and pushed through a soda system designed specifically for the bar. www.heres-how.bar/
The Bay Area’s First Hi-Fi Bar Opens in Uptown Oakland
Bar Shiru, the Bay Area’s first and only hi-fi bar, is now open in Oakland. Focusing on playing records in their entirety on a fully analog sound system in a space that was built with acoustics as a first priority. They offer a unique and intimate experience that allows for listening and conversation. www.barshiru.
Town Square Eats Now Open in Crooked City Cider
A collaboration between Chefs Rob Lam of Perle Wine Bar and James Yu of Great China, Town Square Eats brings refinement to casual dining. Offering elevated bar fare with high-end ingredients and a menu full of vegan and gluten-free options that everyone will crave. www.townsquareeats.com/
German Gastropub, Beirhaus, Opens in Oakland
Bierhaus is now open in Oakland’s Temescal neighborhood. This is a social gastropub and restaurant with communal tables and a sunny patio, specializing in imported beers from Germany, Belgium, and some local styles. They also offer German-American bites with a California vibe. https://bierha.us/
Tamarack Now Open in Downtown Oakland
Tamarack is a collectively run cafe and restaurant, serving simple and delicious comfort food with inspiration from all over the world. Their menu includes affordable rotating craft cocktails focused on house made ingredients, in addition to a selection of local beer, wine and premium liquor. They see the communal act of eating, drinking and being together as a foundation for growing friendships and building the world of our dreams. http://
The Everest Momo Opens Brick-and-Mortar Location in Uptown Oakland
The food truck company, The Everest Momo, has opened their first location in Uptown Oakland. The momo shop’s brick-and-mortar opened with the goal of further spreading the word about momos among office workers and the local community. It’s a casual counter service spot that lends itself to the grab-and-go lunch crowd. https://everestmomo.us
La Guerrera’s Kitchen Opens Brick-and-Mortar in Fruitvale
La Guerrera’s Kitchen is opening a brick-and-mortar location and will specialize in tamales made with GMO-free corn, fresh salsas and vegan options. They’ll also make Guerrero-style banana leaf tamales with mole. A build-your-own ceviche bar, pozole, monthly mole and mezcal pairings and brunch parties with a DJ are on tap as well.
Modern Times Beer to Open Taproom Near Lake Merritt
One of San Diego’s largest craft breweries is officially northern-bound.
New Restaurant, Mago, to Open on Piedmont Avenue
Mägo will be a 45-seat restaurant serving Californian cuisine, aiming to reflect the region’s 52 micro-seasons with a weekly changing menu. Chef Mark Liberman will source from local farmers, fisheries, and foragers, along with Mägo’s own patio garden. Liberman is also set on making Mägo feel like a lively dinner party, with the majority of the seats surrounding the open kitchen, and the cooks and chefs serving most of the dishes, encouraging questions and conversation. www.
4505 Burgers & BBQ to Open in Oakland’s Laurel District
Ryan Farr chef, butcher, and Founder/CEO of 4505 Meats, is opening the second location of his restaurant, 4505 Burgers & BBQ on June 14 in Oakland’s Laurel District at 3506 MacArthur Blvd. The 4505 Burgers & BBQ team, led by Owner/Operator, Andrew Ghetia, is bringing their Whole hog BBQ techniques to the East Bay. Whole hog BBQ is rarely found on the West Coast, and guests are sure to enjoy 4505’s take on the American tradition. The Oakland location will serve the classic 4505 Burgers & BBQ menu featuring grass-fed burgers, smoked meats and classic sides. www.4505burgersandbbq.
Hampton Inn by Hilton Opening in Downtown Oakland
Oakland is welcoming the all-new Hampton Inn Oakland Downtown-City Center, located in the heart of Oakland’s vibrant and booming downtown on 11th Street and Franklin. Steps away from the Oakland City Center business district and one block from the Oakland Convention Center, the hotel puts you right in the middle of the action. https://hamptoninn3.
Water Bikes Coming to the Oakland Estuary
The time has come to pioneer a new frontier in water sports and cycling. This summer you’ll be able to rent electrically assisted water bikes from docks in Oakland and Alameda. https://
Public Gathering Space, 13th St. Commons, Opening in Downtown Oakland
The 13th St. Commons is a new public space that radically reimagines a street as a community gathering space with ongoing events and programming – creating a welcoming space for the downtown community to come and relax while enjoying Oakland centric arts, food and culture. Located at the corner of 13th and Broadway, this project is a first of its kind in Oakland and will have a lasting effect on the neighborhood including retailers, visitors, residents and employees.
Oakland Juneteenth “In The Town” Celebration: June 15 | Eastmont Town Center
Communities coming together for the people. This event will feature dance, theater, art & music, Bay Area’s leading chef’s & restaurants, a Hip Hop dance lesson, kid’s corner fun, wine tasting & education classes, Oakland retail and more. www.visitoakland.com/
Lakefest: June 22 | Lake Merritt Boating Center
Offering a chance to celebrate summer with hundreds of artists, vendors, entrepreneurs and community leaders. The event will include a biergarten, kid zone, food zone, health zone and tech zone for all participants to enjoy. www.lakefestoakland.
4thAnnual Art DANCE Festival: June 22 | Jack London Square
This free, family-friendly dance festival will feature scraper bikes and razors, arts and craft vendors, dance performances, musician performances, turf 3×3 dance battle, beer and food.www.visitoakland.com/
Burger Boogaloo: July 6-7 | Mosswood Park
This is the 10thAnniversary of Burger Boogaloo. This year’s event will be hosted by John Waters. Enjoy music from The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Dead Boys, Scientists and more. http://burgerboogaloo.
Park Jam: July 20 | Oakland Museum of California
Celebrate the spirit of Oakland and the full spectrum of Hip-Hop in OMCA’s beautiful outdoor garden. Brought to you by OMCA and Noise Pop, Park Jam will offer an expanded lineup of entertainment options, featuring live hip-hop, turntablists, break dancers, live graffiti, local food and beverages and more.http://museumca.org/2019/
Art and Soul: July 27-28 | Downtown Oakland
Art + Soul Oakland brings music, dance, food and family fun to Downtown Oakland. www.
PedalFest: August 3 | Jack London Square
Pedalfest is a free annual festival, bringing together an estimated 20,000 bike lovers and bike-curious people to Jack London Square. A celebration of bikes, cycling, food, and family, Pedalfest is produced by Bike East Bay to promote bicycling and bike-friendly communities across the East Bay. Join on August 3, 2019 at Jack London Square from 11am to 6pm for a day of bicycle shenanigans, an amphibious bike race, dare-devil stunts, art bikes and live music on a pedal-powered stage. http://
SoOakland Dayfest: August 4 | 16thStreet Station
On Sunday August 4 from 12pm to 7pm SoOakland Collective brings you the third annual SoOakland DayFest at the historical 16th Street Station in West Oakland. This year will feature brand new editions to the Fest which welcomes families and all ages. Including a kid zone area with ton of activities to keep the kiddies informed as well as entertained, an Adult Vibe Lounge with different DJ’s, and entertainment for 21 and up brought to you by Hello Stranger Bar. www.sooakland.com
Oakhella Festival, Season Closer: August 18
Join this event for the season closer of Oakhella Festival. Tickets and lineup coming soon. www.oakhella.com/events
Oakland Chinatown Streetfest: August 24 & 25 | Oakland Chinatown
This two-day event runs from 10am to 5:00pm and is free to the public. Consisting of more than 200 booths, the festival will span nine to ten blocks of Chinatown. Every year small businesses and community organizations from all over California come to showcase a myriad of delicious foods, unique Asian products and special services. There will be arts & crafts, entertainment on two stages, and a Cultural Village presented by the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. www.
Oakland Cocktail Week: September 2019
Celebrating Oakland’s unique cocktail heritage and community from its loyal patrons to business owners to bartenders and newcomers alike. Sip on cocktails inspired by Oakland at participating bars and restaurants and explore local bottle shops and distilleries. www.
Hiero Day Music Festival: September 2
Labor Day, the world renown hip-hop collective Hieroglyphics will curate the 8thannual Hiero Day Music Festival in Oakland. This year the homegrown celebration featuring an exciting lineup of over 30 local, national and international musical artists and will be accompanied by an assortment of free events presented over Labor Day weekend. Expect an eclectic offering of programs from comedy showcases to panel discussions to family friendly parties in the park! www.hieroday.com
Oakland Pride Parade and Festival: September 8 | 2111 Franklin Street
Northern California’s Second Largest Pride Parade + Festival will be held on September 8th, 2019. Oakland Pride Parade + Festival is the East Bay’s premier LGBTQI Community Celebration and Festival that includes more than six city blocks of music, art, food and fun. Boasting four separate entertainment stages, Oakland Pride welcomes talent from the Bay Area and beyond! www.OaklandPride.org
Eat Real Festival: September 21-22 | Jack London Square
Supporting Baykeeper, the Eat Real Festival is an annual celebration of good food with a focus on artisan food craft, street food, craft beers, local wines and delicious cocktails—all featuring sustainable local ingredients. http://
2019 Rolling Loud Festival: September 28-29 | Oakland Coliseum
Rolling Loud Festival is a 3-day music event that started in Miami, FL and is now the largest Hip-Hop festival in the world. They are also celebrating their five year anniversary. www.rollingloud.
.jpg){kind=tracking}