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Categories: Jazz & Blues, Bars, Music Venues [Edit]
Neighborhood: UptownMon-Fri. 4:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sat. 6:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
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There is a lot of awesome here.
Guess what you'll find adorning the walls of Van Cleef?
Everything. Seriously. Everything.
This place is sure to keep your eyes and brain in continuous motion - visually entertaining you with an obscene collection of wild masks, statues, portraits, skulls, mirrors, contemporary and vintage goods... EVERYTHING is a potential conversational piece.
Jazz bands are up my alley, so when some broad got up to sing Mr. Postman in the key of blues - well, it just about made my night.
PS - Their signature greyhound is a must.
I give this place one star just to piss Peter off!
He doesn't let me drive my Motorcycle in the Bar anymore.
The place is full of Hipsters.
The cliche Psuedo Bohemianism that permeates the place upsets my stomach.
I do like Lance in the day though.
He's a nice guy.......
The staff is cool and they press their own citrus. I have yet to hear a bad band or drink a weak cocktail here. If you're a musician, you could possibly book a gig here- they do support local artists.
Tip: check-out the wall photos- some are hilarious. Also, talk to the booking guy, he's a real cool cat. I'm so bad with names- sorry.
A very cute boy took me here on a very hot date once and, though I ended up marrying someone else, I will always have a special place in my heart for the amazing Van Kleef's.
The decor is what happens when grannies and granpappies attack, with taxidermy, headless busts, clocks, chandeliers, and miscellaneous tchotchkes covering every possible ounce of space on the walls, shelves, and ceiling. I'm sure the obsessively spartan among you would have panic attacks just looking at the pictures, but I find the packratism endearing.
There's a heap of grapefruits sitting near the cash register for a reason, folks. The greyhound is the house specialty, but they'll fresh squeeze anything on hand.
It's been a while, but I fuzzily remember a band playing halfway up the far wall.
Hands down the best bar anywhere near Oakland.
Six of us went to Van Kleef's after a show. Only five of us went in. That's because one of us lost her driver's license and used her passport instead. The bouncer wouldn't accept it.
Otherwise, it's a great place and the greyhounds are fresh. It's perfect after a show at Fox Theater... as long as you're not from a foreign country or happen to use a form of i.d. that is recognized by the rest of the world.
At first, I was a wee bit annoyed at the near-end-of-week cover. Eh.
BUT --- since I heard about this place from my uber-awesome hairstylist LONA (o'er @ REMEDY SALON) --- I had to find out why this has become one of her favorite haunts.
My first-five-second observation? Quirky decor and quick service. Total HIPster hangout.
My first-five-minute assessment? Best GREYHOUND... ever. (And I don't even LIKE grapefruit.)
DEFINITELY comin' back.
I walked in here on my birthday after passing by many times. I loved the wacky decor and ambiance. I knew I was in for a great time at this bar. It was a Tuesday night, so really slow, and with only 4 other patrons in the bar I knew we would quickly be on our way to drinking "the best Greyhound ever" according to my best friend. When I ordered the Greyhound after a 10 minute wait at the empty bar the bartender lady told us there was no grapefruit juice left. I asked what other fun drinks they make that would be nice to have on my birthday!? and she curtly replied "I don't play that game." I told her that it wasn't a game, I just wondered if they had any other specialties like the greyhound, she said its a normal bar, order whatever else you would get at a bar. I came here expecting a fabulous drink and fun experience, but left with a bad taste in my mouth.
After walking out of this bar, the smell of fresh urine on the Oakland streets had never smelled so good. Thanks Van Kleef bee-otch bartender of the year for helping me appreciate walking down Telegraph rejected at midnight in a way I never have before!
I highly recommend this place to the cyclist who hit me while I was on my bike, seems like his kind of place.
Seeing is believing. All I can say is go! A must see. The owner is one of the coolest dudes I have ever met. He interacts with customers, drinks his ass off, and will serve you as well. He always has a smile on his face so its hard to tell if he is really friendly or drunk.
The crowd is mostly caucasion but they welcome everyone.It's small but nice. They have really high stage with bands on occasion. Sometimes it's a covercharge or after a certain time but you don't mind. Trust me. The places is like a clean junk yard with all kinds of items encrusted all over the place.
Talk about conversation pieces. It's like a craigslist free space explosion. I love this place! They have very small outside lounge where you smoke. Tables inside with dimmed light. A perfect place to go if you want to appear sexy. Parking is tricky.
They open a gay bar down the street recently so may see some some interesting things while standing outside. Oh, the drinks are very reasonable and he has fresh grapefruit which they do in front of you with some sort of gadget. The place is small, but you can always sit or stand outside. There are also several spots in the area to check out as well. I first went over 2 years ago and again recently and it has always been a cool ass spot!
I've been to Cafe Van Kleef once, to have an extraordinarily awkward conversation. It wound up being a phenomenal choice for this activity. It's a bar, of course, which means that it is both dimly lit (good for avoiding real eye contact) and well-stocked with strong liquor. The taxidermy and general decor are an excellent non-topical conversation option, and also another excuse to avoid eye contact.
This is not to say that I don't want to return for a less tense experience. On the contrary, I'd love to come back to try the (unbeknownst to me) signature greyhound and soak in the atmosphere a bit more. Stay tuned for the update...
This is why I love Oakland. Laid back atmosphere, strong drinks that taste so good, and chill unpretentious people.
If you're afraid of taxidermy don't go here tho'. My friend who has a phobia found out the hard way.
Bad bathroom that doesn't lock so you risk walking into some guy.
Good for friday night with a feature band, $5 cover but pretty much worth it.
Oakland's must visit.
I used to live in Oakland. I loved Oakland. I still love Oakland.
I now live in San Francisco. And I love San Francisco as well. I love it quite a lot.
And I kinda hate having the Oakland vs. San Francisco debate all the time. It often comes across as silly and futile coming from either side.
However.
I don't know of any place in San Francisco where you can get such a beautifully-executed cocktail made from vodka and fresh-as-you-can-possibly-get grapefruit juice, complete with 1/4 of a grapefruit wedge served with each drink . . . for only $7.
A drink like that in San Francisco would cost probably twice as much, and in a bar that is not decorated with quirky chotchkies and various representations of taxidermy. Cafe Van Kleef does not only serve up the goods, but has a very unique and enjoyable atmosphere.
Maybe I'll save my cocktail drinking for when I'm back in the Oak, where cheap and tasty cocktails seem to dominate. Beer in San Francisco, hard liquor in Oakland. How does that sound?
This is an awesome bar to go with plenty of friends. Every time I go out I always say I'm just "gonna stop by" and wind up staying way after last call. That's how rad this bar is.
Oh, and don't forget to order up a few of those Greyhounds. You won't be disappointed.
Great Greyhound drinks with fresh grapefruits! Reminds me of Haunted Mansion at Disneyland, although not everyone would probably say that. Very kitschy inside, love it. I went there on a Saturday night & unfortunately, no pick up scene, so I don't know if I would go back except on a date. Didn't try the food. Loved the music played when the band went on a break, old 60's.
my new favorite spot.
fresh.
squeezed.
grapefruit.
greyhounds..........need I say more?
i will: the found art/sculpture on the walls is devastatingly gorgeous and the people ridiculously friendly, like it's an irish bar in london. except queer-friendly and multi-racial.
One the most eclectic places you can for a drink or for live music in the whole bay area. This place is straight-up odd. Odd in that, once you go, you kind of get it and feel as if you're in your living room. Your living room during an acid trip maybe, but your living room nonetheless. The owner is half-senile but has a great sense of humor and can read his customers well.
The music is all-over-the-map but I swear, some of the most unique musical experiments I've ever seen have taken place. There was that one guy that played five instruments and looped them on separate tracks throughout the 10-minute song and performed as an entire band. Or something. There was the cross-dressing blues brothers-style funk band. Or something. You can't really remember because it seems like a dream.
Lastly, of course, they pride themselves on their greyhound here. If you get any less than a half a grapefruit on TOP of your drink glass, you weren't served right. The freshest, simplest greyhounds you can find anywhere and their also the best. Between the greyhounds, the random decor (is there a robot from the movie Metropolis towards the back part of the ceiling?), and fascinating music, Cafe Van Kleef wins by award for best bay area curiosity.
Mmm... I dream about CVF's Greyhounds with its fresh squeezed grape fruit juice!
The mixed drinks here are excellent; they're strong and loaded with the right amount of alcohol to get the buzz kicking in. The best part is most of them are mixed with fresh fruit juice.
The ambiance here is very fun. It has the right amount of lighting and it really does look like a cafe with their cute little tables. It has some crazy decor on the walls too and you sort of feel like you're at the flea market but in a hip sort of way.
The bands/performances here are really good and entertaining. I do enjoy the jazz performances here very much.
The crowd is pretty laid-back and fun. It's an all around neighborhood type of bar. It's not intimidating and it's not like a "pick-up" bar where the losers are waiting around trying to get at you any chance they get.
I'd definitely recommend this place for some unique jazzy fun.
To do it right: $18
This place gets five stars for greyhounds. It's that simple. The grapefruit juice is fresh squeezed and very sweet. The vodka doesn't come from a well, but it's not goose either. Also, I love greyhounds
They also play a decent amount of live music at night, for a modest cover. Bands are hit and miss.
Location is conveniently close to the BART station too.
Summary: Grapefruit juice and vodka...
Want a great place to take a first date? Look no further. Want a place that has great drinks, great bartenders and a terribly entertaining owner? This is your new bar. I first went to Van Kleef's for a friends 40th birthday and it's been an uninhibited love affair ever since.
So Tsada http://www.yelp.com/us... got me thinking after her review about how awesome Van Kleef's bathroom is. You know who she is... Hot, skinny, hire able, desirable, smart, sassy, and funny. Yeah, that's Tsada.
Well, she talked about how Van Kleef had the cleanest bathroom of any bar.
Guess what? I needed an adventure, so I decided to test it out. Most of you know I enjoy going Ass Jihad in any clean bathroom, owning up the place like the King of the Mississippi Butt Logs.
So I walk into Van Kleefs and order 2 of the largest Grey Hounds http://static.px.yelp.... I've ever seen with 1/4 of a grapefruit stuck on the side of the cup which threaten to send it sideways whenever I put it down. I notice the Marky Mark funky bunch decor http://static.px.yelp.... and band stage.
After finishing my drinks, I feel a rumble. By now, the lines of Coke I've done (I got ice cubes stuck up my nose trying to do this *smirk* Joke's on you), the kimchi and bi bim bap I had for lunch, and alcohol all threaten to make this the kingdom of poop. Not to mention the 5 hour energy drink, 20 piece nugget meal with super sized fries, and fibrous granola crunch bar I had for breakfast.
Where the HECK is the bathroom?!
Oh, wait, it's right in the back, where the line is.
*tick tock, tick tock, tick tock* Okay, holy CRAP, I need to go bad at this point.
I get in there and notice, "Wow, Tsada was right! This is one helluva clean bathroom! It's got a locker for employees and it doesn't even look like it's seen a ounce of puke! The seat is clean and the ground doesn't have a single ply of toilet paper on it. WTF?! This is BATHROOM HEAVEN! Well, that's ALL about to change, SON." Maybe the pay toilet sign has something to do with it http://static.px.yelp....
So I wipe down the seat (No ass cooties for me) and decide, I am going to make this mother f'er count.
Hands on thighs, quick fire farts stutter out of my ass as my tummy grumbles in anticipation. I clench my muscles and prepare to release sir sphincter power with demoniac rage.
Sweat bead forms above my upper lip and I scream: HERE WE GO! Like Mario when he uses the mushroom turbo in Mario Kart 64.
What happens next is a miracle of moose manure. Reminiscent of a banana/strawberry shake being poured into a swimming pool, I unleash the beast that makes an ultra combo from Killer Instinct look like a 2 hit jump kick/sweep combo from SF2.
The sulfurous odor pounds me like E Honda's slapping fists and I decide to pat myself on the back and exit before I keel over from Kim Il Jong's latest chemical weapon, aka, kimchi gas.
Good lord have mercy on my soul, that was amazing! And please, have mercy on the next person that walks into this bathroom.
I wipe and leave, laughing and say: This is one of the greatest bathrooms that ever ate my ASS BARF.
I exit and order another drink, calmly sipping it and enjoying my 2 inch smaller waistline.
And to think, some of you fools actually talk about wanting to have sex in a bathroom?
I triple dog dare you to now...
This place is just hands down awesome! We came on a Saturday night just around 9pm and it was still pretty empty because the band doesn't come on until 9. But as we walked in, I was taken aback by the eclectic, whimsical decor - everything looked like it was placed there with a definitive purpose yet it was just so strange at the same time... I mean, there was a grinning skeleton wearing a jester's hat, riding a horseless saddle. WTF?
As per all the other Yelp reviews, I ordered the Greyhound right off the bat. And it was AMAZING. The freshly squeezed grapefruit paired perfectly with the vodka and even masked the vodka taste. The barmaid poured a good 3 or 4 fingers of vodka and topped it off with a grapefruit juice mix, and plopped a giant grapefruit slice on top. Two of these will get you perfectly buzzed for the night, and priced at $7, they're quite worth it.
A barmaid came around asking each table if they'd like to order any food... though they don't have a nighttime menu, she gladly offered up all of their options - we chose to get the hot wings, which came with fries. MMM scrumptions. PERFECT, paired with our greyhounds. The band (Kickin' the Mule) was lively and played a lot of blues standards. Great crowd, completely unassuming and unpretentious.
I'd recommend this place for a chill night out on town - if you want a little something other than your regular whatevers bar... Come for the music, come for the Greyhounds, come to just live the moment. You'll love it.
Oh and testament to Jason/Tsada's claim to the cleanest lavatory of any bar I've ever seen... very spic and span. I firmly agree.
I don't know what it is, but I'm feeling pretty homesick today. You might try to remind me that I was born and raised in LA, but I consider the East Bay my true home.
Van Cleef's smells like grapefruit. If you look behind the bar, you'll see crates of fresh grapefruit and when you order a Greyhound you will notice all the wonderful fresh tart grapfruity-ness in your drink. This is the only place I drink Greyhounds.
The decor is super weird/tacky and fun. This place looks like the inside of your crazy aunt's closet. Drink a few Greyhounds, enjoy the strange digs and embrace your eclectic side.
This is where i goes and gets my drank on'...i've probably consumed more alcohol here than i have anywhere else in the Bay...combined....They also 'sponsor' my softball team, so after each game, we come here to celebrate our wins...yes, WINS, because we, as a team, kick much ass.
The bartenders and Peter (the owner) are always gracious to us, and make us feel like VIP...which we are ;-) I also see them treat everyone else like a VIP, which - although very cool in the days of uber-pretentious bartenders and cocktail servers - makes me kind of jealous....i don't want to share the attention...but i guess it's good for business. I was told i should try their famous "Greyhound", but i'm too gangsta' for that, so i stick to Whiskey straight up, beer and other hard liquor...
If you want to see, feel, smell and listen to "Oakland", you need to come check this place out - from the decor, which is straigh out of a crazy aunt's attic, to the patrons, who range from hipsters, yuppies, hippies, pseudo-hippies, yippies, the "tamale man" and...me....you'll feel like part of the tapestry that makes Oakland such a beautiful city to live in.
I rave to people about their greyhounds...Fresh squeezed with a huge slice of grapefruits..and I'm not even a fan of grapefruits! I've gone to the burlesque & brass shows (1st saturday of every month) and must say they put on a killer performance.. Although it can get a little crammed, it's well worth it.
I am honest when I say that everyone needs to try a CVF Greyhound in their lifetime..
or ten.
FUN FUN FUN!!
I love this place! such a great place to hang out with friends and listen to cool local bands. And do I need to mention their Greyhoud?? Oh lord,.. you need to go and find out by yourself and you will know what I mean!
~wink wink.
The greyhounds here are as good a cure for scurvy as anything else, and baskets of popcorn are the key to my heart. The vibe is very grandma's attic meets the prohibition era (in a good way). Definitely my favorite bar in Oakland, and its proximity to the Fox Theater spells a perfect evening.
Very charming place to meet, drink, and be merry. Happy crowd.
I saw Hot Pink Feathers dance with a great brass backup reminiscent of N'orlenz style. The stage is 5 feet above ground at one end which makes it perfect to see and hear anywhere in the bar which isn't much larger than an industrial sized shoe box.
Great smoking lounge at the entrance. If I lived closer I can envision keeping a bar stool warm. But those Greyhounds, those delicious Greyhounds, do not improve your driving skills for the ride home.
Have one. Have one Now.
This place is great! One of my favorite bars in Oakland. The decor is absolutely incredible. You could look around for an hour and still not see all of the decorations in the nooks and crannies. It looks like a thrift store threw up, but in a good way.
The fresh greyhounds and screwdrivers make it all worth it. Last time I went they were out of grapefruit juice, but I guess that's the price you pay for freshness. On Fridays and Saturdays they usually have live music, which can be lots of fun. There is a small cover ($5 I think) some nights, but it's worth it.
Can't do downtown Oakland without stopping by here. And make sure you say hi to Peter Van Kleef, especially on a not-so-busy night...he's so fun to talk to and promises free drinks. I love the kitchy atmosphere inside and usually a live band to kick it up. Must order a greyhound if you like grapefruit. Yum! Nice and stiff. Always a good mix of music.
I thought drinks like this were only true in fairy tales
Meant for someone else but not for me.
Weak drinks out to get me
That's the way it seemed.
Disappointment haunted all my dreams.
Then I saw this drink, now I'm a believer
Fresh squeezed grapefruit
Cleared the doubt in my mind.
I'm in love, oooooooh and I'm a believer!
I couldn't leave it if I tried.
Wow! The other reviews say it's so, but holy damn, the Greyhounds here are redonkulous! I have never had anything so fresh, so tasty and so simple and amazing. Ruby red grapefruits and vodka on the heavy pour equals sheer and utter happy place!
And as for the place itself. Picture your grandma. Only, picture her as the hippest little pack rat around. Then imagine she passes away and instead of money, she leaves you a liquor license and says have at it. This bar would be that crazy, eclectic incarnation.
If you live in the East Bay or even in the city, spend the $2.80 it takes to ride the BART and get your ass over here. It is seriously one of the greatest little bars I've been to in a long time!
I heart! I love!
The perfect precurser to singing drunkenly along with The Decemberists!
Everything about this place made me smile-- fresh squeezed greyhounds, the dude selling tamales (I guess he's the... Tamale Gentlemen?), the outlandish decor, the pillow-covered bench, the statues, the paintings.... this is a FUN place to blow off some steam, have a drink, and pre-game for a show at the Fox Theater.
I definitely knocked back a few too many... but it didn't break the bank :)
Small place with plenty of atmosphere and decorations, plus a neat elevated stage with great live music. Between the incredible Greyhounds with freshly-squeezed juice (and all the pulp!) and people dancing all over, the only downside is the cover charge..but if you get in early, you sometimes aren't charged and you have a chance at one of the few small tables.
Pretty fucking cool. A mix of lesbians and hipsters descended to drink amazing greyhounds and watch some burlesque action while listening to a southern sounding trumpet band. Large smoking patio, $7 drinks, $10 cover.
Rough week?
Nothing that a CVK greyhound that is accompanied by Led Zepplin and served by a hot bartender can't fix.
Just sayin'.
Perfect stop before an Uptown or Fox show. :)
The only thing sexier than this bar is the sexy Karen N. who hosted Cleavage Night in order to raise… Read more »
Oh Cafe Van Kleef, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways:
1. The amazing greyhound. A vitamin and a delectable cocktail all in one. Oh, I only wish I could enjoy more of them without becoming a messy, messy drunkard.
2. Mr. Van Kleef & friendly bar staff. No one need drink alone at the Cafe Van Kleef.
3. The alterna Oaklandish folk you don't mind rubbing elbows with.
4. Decore of my dreams & nightmares. Always more to see, to love, to wonder about.
Go to Cafe Van Kleef, but only if you will keep the spirit.
I want to like this place more. I love the decor. It's a great place to see live music.
Sadly, the best times I've had here are at weird hours when too many other people aren't around.
It's just too tragically hip for Oakland. Too much posing.
Well we tried to visit this evening but the door person wouldn't accept our son's passport as id. Cafe Van Kleef needs a door person with some sense.Well there are other places in Oakland. We won't be back. Would have liked to have seen our friends event. Oh well.
So after a fire-ballet-vampire-circus performance at The Crucible Wednesday night, the cast and crew (and us fortunate groupies) decided to bum rush this place in the lukewarm afterglow of zombie and vampire decadence. we did this, mind you, unaware of the severity of the riots that were occuring just hours before.
imagine this: clusters of zombie make-up clad performers, marching, bewildered, through riot-torn oakland, with small fires and broken windshield glass littering the street, no sign of life evident for blocks, save the flashing red and blue lights of distant parked cop cars.
sorry. This old zombie enthusiast is getting a little choked up. it was beautiful.
my awe of this moment could only be matched by the sheer joy upon entering Cafe Van Kleef. the crazy shit on the walls induced an unrelenting level of hysteria. and the greyhounds bring the dead back to life. yes yes yes Oakland.
To quote an admired friend:
"It looks like Salvador Dali exploded in here."
Imagine what it would be like to step inside not just one, but several Dali mix-matched paintings, swirl in some booze and add a mezmerizing jazz soundtrack, complete with lofting smoke rings and dudes with long gray beards.
Sensory overload at it's finest, a pack rat's dream come true, a veritable collection of the most non-related, non-sensical, whimsical, weird stuff you've ever seen. The bizarre museum aspect is worth the trip alone, but you'll be forced to stay for the divey atmosphere, the music and the stories you'll tell of this place that no one will believe.
Next time I'm in town, you bet we're headed back here.
You know those books about 100 things to do before you die? Well, one of them should be get a greyhoud at CVK!
It's official, I just wiki'd 'eclectic' and found an entry for CVK.
This place is easily one of my favorite bars. Most definitely in Oakland but really anywhere. Strong drinks! We love the fresh squeezed Greyhounds, old Bay's popcorn, awesome decor, random acts, and varied crowd that frequents this place.
There's not much of a selection for beers but this sort of place doesn't lend itself to beer. It's just too cool for that.
When I'm not there i wish it were located in SF so i could go there more often, and when I go there I realize that if it were in SF it probably wouldn't be the same.
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