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D had been whining about wanting to play pool so I, fabulous partner that I am, went on Yelp to find somewhere we could shoot balls. Cheap date that I am, I wasn't really trying to go somewhere that charged more than a few bucks per game (some places were $10+/game!). This is how we ended up at Fireside early one afternoon. I hadn't bothered to check their hours and if it had been a different day we would've arrived to find ourselves staring at a locked door, as they usually open at 4pm. However, the fates (and NFL or NBA or whichever happens during Fall) were working with us that day and Fireside was open early to show the game.
The bartender, who I'm pretty sure was the owner, is very friendly and let us sample various beers from their great selection. I don't remember the name of the one I had but it was a caffeine-laced stout and was very tasty. Between the alcohol and the caffeine, my body quickly reminded me that I hadn't eaten anything all day (don't worry, we hit up the El Novillo truck after leaving Fireside).
Because there were only a few guys sitting at the bar, D and I had the pool table all to ourselves. Not having to wait for others to finish and not having an audience to watch me fail miserably were bonuses to the pool being FREE!
It was a little chilly in the bar and they had a space heater set up, which was so kindly pointed in the direction of the pool table. My skinny ass really appreciated that. I would love it if the fireplace were in use and if there were more places to "lounge" - it is called the Fireside Lounge, after all :)
Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda...
Should of been a good night.
Could of been a great night.
Would of went somewhere else had I known.
Came here for a birthday party over the weekend... and things started off promising. Good music. Good selection of drinks (although they had a sign for Hoegaarden beer yet none on tap). Nice sized place (so I thought).
Well, at about 11:00pm, turns out the party went over capacity for the place... which I guess is 50 people according to the guy in charge. The music was stopped and people who did not have drinks in hand were told to leave. I guess if we were all packed in there like sardines, this would of made sense except for the fact that it wasn't even crowded. I've been in bars and clubs where you have a hard time just moving around and this place was far from that point. After some people left (it seems they stopped serving alcohol at that point), the party limped along for another hour before house lights were up and music was cut.
In the end, night was over just as it was getting going. Disappointing.
Well, this place has potential... for the anti-social people who fear large crowds.
1st time here was for a Birthday party. The night started out pretty cool, maybe 15-20 people showed up between 9-9:30 and were just chilling. Bartender was very friendly and nice, but seemed to get a little overwhelmed as the place started to get busier. The guy who I didn't realize was the owner was bar backing and didn't really lift a finger to help with drink orders. (Two bartenders hustling could have handled the group, but one bartender was never going to get keep everyone served) It seriously was taking 15min+ to get drinks (some people weren't even getting acknowledged)
Then about 10:45, the owner stopped everything and asked people to leave because he was "Over Capacity" (There were maybe 60-70 people in this place) and sounded like he was complaining that he had run through a case of vodka in an hour and a half. (Last time I checked, that was the point of a bar to sell alcohol) He more or less ordered anyone that didn't have a drink in hand to leave to help reduce the risk of them getting a fine that he was not going to pay (within his right as the owner to reserve the right to refuse service to anyone, but I just didn't get the whole rationale of things) People complied and then 15 minutes later the bar stopped serving all together and they started putting up the chairs.
Needless to say, the evening was cut short, it was fun while it lasted and I've never heard of a bar not being allowed to have more than 80 people in at one time. It was bizarre... I felt bad for the two regulars that stopped in but couldn't pull up to the bar because our group had it locked down, but heck, it was one night and they could have stayed...
This place maybe cool on regular nights, but this experience turned me off to it... it was just bizarre to me. Atmosphere was cool, but it didn't seem like they wanted the business. Even if the group was around 50 people like the owner said he "was told would be in attendance" he still wasn't even trying to keep that many people in drinks.
Love this place.
Friendly patrons, excellent bartenders, reasonable prices (with exceptional specials) and owner is super friendly.
Not to mention, the beer selection is immense. Solid and dependable draft selection, as well as an insane No. of bottles.
I used to be so-so about this place, but since then the owner has really kicked it up a notch and made sure his guests feel right at home. They've even started giving out twitter-based-specials (@FiresideAlameda)!
Good music, great people, solid drinks. Step in and give it a shot.
This place blows - our friend just had his 30th birthday there - and well after telling them 2 months in advance and setting everything up - in middle of the party mind you it's only 11:30 they cut alcohol service because they were over capacity and well let me tell you there was so much space in there - I can't even believe that their capacity is that low. Oh and guess what hella people left and then still no alcohol service oh and to top it off then they shut down the bar - way to ruin my friends 30TH birthday - THANKS FIRESIDE LOUNGE YOU SUCK. And p.s. If I could put negative stars for a rating I would but unfortunately you have to have at least one star so there u go
1996-1999:
This was like a second home to me. It was a dive. It had a beautiful Budweiser Billiards Lamp fille with dust and a old Telephone booth. THe bartenders were far from friendly, but that added to the ole' character of the place. We sang karaoke on certain nights and played pool on others..all while being completely plastered from their heavy-handed pouring. Our saving Graces were the Doggie Diner and Nations Giant... It got tiresome when the bartenders would get more drunk than the patrons....I phased this place out cuz the abyssmal downturn wouldn't let up.
Today:
Suddenly I'm hearing a lot about this place from people all over the Bay Area...I kept thinking "they can't be talking about THAT Fireside!" I finally entertained my curiosity and looked it up. Even the Pictures of the place weren't recognizeable to me, until I saw the ole' Firplace and The Sign. Mind you, I've had NO reason to drive through Webster in the past I-don't-know-how-Many Years. Yep, it's THAT Fireside. I might have to check it out now. I'm guessing by the pics that the bartenders wouldn't even recognize me, because they were most likely not 21 yet when I hung out there! Please be nice to me guys! I'm a good tipper! =) Oh, do you guys need a Karoke night there? hahaha
Never coming back because the guy working Thursday nights is a douche.
We went on a Thursday night after a softball game victory to celebrate. There were only 2 other patrons there. The 8 of us spent quite a bit that night on pitchers of beer. At least one pitcher for each of us. At around 1:30am we were ready to leave and I asked the bartender for a pitcher of water to help sober everyone up. He flat out denied us water because he wanted to close up early and didn't want to wait for us.
As I was waiting for a sushi order, and I realized that in 6 years I have never set foot inside this place. If you like free pool and an above average selection of beers (mostly bottled), you'll like this place.
I had a Toña, which is from Nicaragua. It went down very smooth. And for $4, I felt that was about right.
I would think this might be a good place to catch the Sharks and have some decent beers
For some reason, I had avoided this place (maybe because they showed up in the police blotter or something), but it was actually very, very tame on a Friday night (at 9 pm). I don't know if they have changed ownership in the last 6 years, but I was expecting a crazy crowd.
And, yes, they have a fire place. Don't know if it is a working one.
Bring back the garlic chicken noodles!!! This used to be an ABSOLUTE TREAT that I looked forward to for months, back when they had the kitchen in the rear of the bar up and running. You could phone in an order of garlic noodles, and when you got there, it would be waiting for you...a steaming hot bowl of flavorful aromas that titillated the taste buds and warmed you to the soul. Sure, you had to deal with Alameda's version of the Soup Nazi, but man oh man how I miss it!
When I first walked into Fireside oh, around 3 years ago, I was immediately struck with just how fugly the inside of the bar was. I mean, I love a good dive bar; but the metal band in the tiny interior was enough to make my ears bleed (my eyes were already bleeding from how it looked), so I wrote Fireside off my list o' Alameda haunts.
Skip ahead to today, and you have a tastefully decorated, homey, inviting place with WINDOWS (which sure as heck weren't in the original Fireside), free pool, and bartenders with personality (and yes, I too, like so many of the others here, like Alan with a passion). Tons of very interesting beers, and at least 10 or so bottles of wine at any given time. Plus, I caught the tail-end of the Raiders/Chargers game yesterday (ouch) and the place was actually pretty rockin'!
I will reiterate others' sentiments about how quiet the bar is, though. I hope the Webster Curse (see Aquacotta) doesn't wear off on Fireside! I'd love to see the bar full of patrons more often.
This place should NOT be as quiet as it is. I'm worried that it is not gonna do well enought to survive this economy....
3rd time here and it's always empty, but the beer selection and nice decor make up for it. Just don't come here expecting a crowd of a selection of women to peep game at.
I seriously wish my San Jo friends lived near this spot so we could give it more business. But it is near my house, so I'll do my part and hit up the various bottled microbrews...If anything, they could step up their wine selection, maybe bring in more females that way.
I think our bartender was Alan? Nice guy, good service, I just wish it wasn't empty, maybe if it was on Park St?
Great place for Alameda. Decor is neat and the place is redone. They have a HUGE selection of beer. The place is easy to miss though unless you are looking for it. Parking is easy, got a spot right out front.
There are some pool tables in the back, and neat furniture in the front. One of the few cool going out places in Alameda. Nice bar. Would recommend.
Wow. Executed perfectly. Places like this make me want to move to Alameda.
The modern decor, the sleek intimate tables, the chill hang out area in the back with the pool table make it perfect for a date, or for a group, or a must pit stop if you're doing an Alameda pub crawl.
The vibe is relaxed and yet hip without even trying. The blues jazz playing in the background complements the super diverse crowd. The scene is set for some good times.
Once inside, if you don't find any of the beers on tap that entice you, which I doubt, make your way to the back of the room where they have the coolers.
The coolers are where they stock their beer collection that even puts Bevmo to shame. You just need to point out which one you want to the bartender.
All sorts of Trappist ales, organic brews, local brews. I opted for the Rochefort ale. The bartender said it must be served in the traditional goblet, I obliged and walked around with my goblet and felt like a million bucks.
Jean Claude Van Damme aka The Muscles from Brussels would approve of the Belgian brew selection here.
Fireside Lounge has it going on!
Perfect location on Webster, but be careful, you may miss it. I'm not sure if the sign lights up or not, but it took a second for us to realize where it was.
Once inside, the guy at the door checked our IDs, and gave us a super friendly Fireside welcome. The atmosphere is on point: perfect lighting, comfortable room temperature, just the right volume for the music, and a great bar & staff.
They have an amazing selection over 200 beers, along with wines and spirits, and all the BEST kinds. I love that they have a great selection of microbrews and local craft brews, not supporting the conglomerate giants that are Bud-Miller-Coors, though I did see one Bud in the cooler, I'm not sure if the rest of them were. The best part, is the prices aren't bad for GREAT beer.
Make sure to check out the Fireside if you're ever in the area, or want to visit a really rad bar. I will definitely be back, soon!
Wow, this place has changed since I last passed through the door. For the better.
It's now a fairly serious bottled-beer bar, with a loft-like open design that makes the place seem a little barren when not crowded, but helps absorb the noise once a crowd picks up. The bottle selection is conventional yet extensive, but what matters is that the folks running the place are serious about beer. Want to talk homebrewing and the ins-and-outs of how second-tier brands are distributed? Want to figure out the best glass for an Alt? Come in during off hours and talk about the product.
There's a lot of potential here. Add some wild cards to that beer menu! Go for the Euro stuff that's harder to find in California, especially the British bottles and more of those great German imports. Take the customer on a world tour. Yeah, our local stuff is great, but we need the New England-Britain Axis and the German-Czech Conspiracy to really represent in the East Bay, and this place is in a position to make it happen.
That's one helluva beer selection.
I mean, seriously.
Damn.
I'm dating a nice boy who just might spend more time at the Fireside than in my bed. But that's okay, because I love a bar whose proprietors have a passion, and at the Fireside, it's cultivating a vast and interesting selection of beer that would compel even the daintiest of girls to throw a few back.
Five stars for coaxing me beyond Hangar for a change, and for the delightful company of Alan and Chris behind the bar.
The reviewers who had a hissy fit because the bartender couldn't make their little mixed drink shots should just go to TGI Fridays or order a real sized mixed drink.
You will find a giant selection of beers, some of which you won't find easily anywhere else. The ambiance is very chill and all of the locals are genuinely friendly. A very welcoming place with talented bartenders who can make tasty mixed drinks, though maybe not some frat sorority jackass shots.
One star for free pool, one star for EXTENSIVE bottled beer selection. That's about all this bar has going for it.
When you first walk in Fireside Lounge looks really upscale, think lounge room in a mansion(that's right they have crown moulding in a bar...) until you look a little closer and see that the place has big unpainted sections in the middle of walls and missing sections of crown moulding. No big deal though right? I mean maybe they're just in the middle of remodeling and want to remain open throughout...
Then you see the three large cold cases in the back stocked with just about any beer you can find at BevMo and then some. BEER HEAVEN! All is forgiven!
However, when you order shots for your friend for her birthday you will find that the bartender is a huge tool, and doesn't know how to make most shots you order. A red headed slut is that hard to figure out?! Well yes, but not when we're talking alcohol. ZING!
Bottom Line: If you're lucky(or early) enough to get the single pool table locked down, you could have a good time here... Just as long as you don't have the beertender do anything more complicated than shake your appletini or pop your beer top. For me? I'd rather make a run to BevMo and buy the whole sixer for the price Fireside charges for one bottle...
I'm kind of bummed that they changed the atmosphere of Fireside to add the Gastro Pub.... Fireside use to be a hip little joint and now it's got more of a restaurant feel. More under raps and quiet....
The menu looked interesting, but I wasn't there for food... I was there for drinks and was craving the coolness that was the Fireside. Oh well.
If I would have written my review ohhhhh a week ago I would have given them 4 stars, but last Friday… Read more »
this a beautiful bar. while that may not be a quality that one looks for in a watering hole, it shouldn't go unrecognized. from the restored vintage sign to the cozy fireplace, fireside is well thought out in terms of ambiance.
i grabbed a couple beers on a thursday with some friends and our experience was lackluster. the place was empty and the bartender was a bit clueless. it appeared as though each move he made was super focused and involved a high level of concentration - as if he was repeating the mantra "don't screw up. don't screw up" in his head. odd, but i gave him the benefit of the doubt. i'm sure a bunch of yelpers stressed him out or something.
they're touted as being the ultimate beer bar, with hundreds of thousands of cold frosty brews in a glass front fridge. well, there really aren't that many options - i'd say more like 40 rather than hundreds - and they're not that exciting. a couple of familiar microbrews here and there, and you can't even hand pick them. you have to view them, decide which one you want, then call the bartender over to open the door and remove it from the fridge. i completely understand why, but it just kinda bums be out. not to mention the two bottles of grolsch my party purchased had expired in january of 2008 and tasted like ass. we were comped, but they might want to check their inventory once in awhile.
this place has so much potential, perhaps it was just an off night. i will defintely return for the spacious digs and perhaps a football game or two, but if its a beer experience you're looking for, i'd recommend the trappist.
We fell into the Fireside late one night after dining elsewhere in Alameda. My friend is an enthusiastic fan and patron of the place. It was my first time there. After being served some pretty dismal alcoholic concoctions all over Alameda, it was a pleasure to be served by a truly talented bartender who takes his work seriously. I ordered a lemon drop - with gin, not vodka. Friggin' fantastic! I had completely given up on ordering this relatively simple drink at any bar since everyone screws it up so badly. Why is it that all of a sudden every fool thinks he/she is a "mixologist?" NOT!!! But there's a true cocktail artist at work at the Fireside. Add great prices, cool vibe and comfy atmosphere with all kinds of wonderful people, and what's not to love? They deserve to be busier. Hope the word gets out 'cause this place is a jewel.
Ahhhh, yes, my new neighborhood bar. Friendly warm and welcoming as their namesake suggests. For a beer lover like me, it is a small haven on an otherwise lame street. The free pool is just a bonus.
220+ beers in bottles, and another 10 taps with constantly rotating kegs. I don't know if I should be proud or ashamed that I have a few suggestions for their cooler... Hmmmm...
The only thing really missing from this place is a good crowd. Oh, and perhaps an actual fire.
Friendly barstaff who remember my name, and have figured out already that I never really order the same thing twice, as well as pleasant ownership who are actually here, playing pool and hanging out in their establishment, enjoying a warm spring evening. It is definitely a neighborhood spot.
I hate to shuck off a star due to the lack of a crowd, but perhaps this review might help that. Much like Alameda itself, the Fireside is an unknown little gem in the Bay Area. One part of me hopes it will stay that way, and another hopes that I can swing by on a weekend night and see more than a dozen faces drinking and being merry.
Just because I'm a beer drinker doesn't mean that I overlooked the full bar... they have firewater for you boozehounds too!
Oh, and free Wi-Fi... I'm actually here now writing this over a nice pint of Drakes IPA, but if you want one, you better head down because next week there will probably be something new in it's place... I just wish they would have kept the Denogginator, as it's one of my faves.
If it's beer you crave, and like variety, a warm atmosphere and friendly bar staff... pop through the tube or over the bridge and make your way down.
*protip: If everyone who stuck their head in the door and decided it was slow chose to stay for a pint, it would have this place rockin', so don't just poke your head in, stop in for a pint.
I came here on 1/17/08
When I first walked into the place I was really excited. This place was relatively empty and looked like a cool lounge to hang out with friends.
My sole goal for the night was to drink some beers and buy some shots for a friends birthday. I was able to do both.
The beer selection was impressive to say the least even a bit overwhelming but I do love beer so its always welcomed. They have 3 full sized fridges and 3 half sized ones full of bottles of beer. All of which you have to get a bartender to grab for you. I understand the reasoning behind it but once the bar became packed it became harder and harder to get a bartender to grab the beer. All in all I tried beers I had never had before and found an Apple Lambic that was star of the night.
The shots were a pain. The bartender had no clue how to make anything we wanted, which was a shame. We had to compromise by just letting him pick the shots that he wanted to serve. One we got was a Russian Apple which everyone liked but me. I guess I didn't hear when the bartender said it was made with pineapple juice because I took the shot and nearly threw it back up. It gave everyone a great laugh.
The night ended well someone joined the Bowl Club and another re initiated themselves.
I would probably come here again just because it is so close and they do have a fine selection of beer but as Greydon U said I could probably just go to Bevmo and save a little bit of money.
True story- I thought someone died at the table next to me.
So I'm drinking my drinkie, talking to some asshat about something, and the dude at the next table over is slumped in his chair, left arm lethargic on table, and drool pouring down his tie.
First thought- uh oh, some dude died because of absinthe.
Second thought- tell someone. So I told the lovely bartender, who told what apparently was the owner (and also an EMT or something), who called the paramedics, who whisked the poor man away.
Then the bartender gave me a free drink for bringing it to her attention. That's great customer service.
Drinks are so-so, but it may have been the distraction keeping me from remembering anything stellar.
I want to go back.
DYL, anyone?
Vino, vino, vino!!
I spend way too much time with friends at bars which cannot supply a decent version of my beverage of choice - fermented grape juice. Thank god the Fireside is close now.
Leave it to Alameda to provide me with a semi-dive bar with a halfway decent wine list. Add to that good service, a comfortable atmosphere and a scary-close proximity to Nation's (wait...), and this becomes a 4 star place. Add this to the things I love about Alameda.
Well, after a few attempts to like the place I've officially given up. The crowd is spotty, and the music is either too loud to talk (not conducive to conversing) or nonexistant. Mostly, the staff is either inattentive or just plain rude.
There are plenty of other bars in Alameda to hang out at! Bye, bye Fireside!
If you have not been to the new Fireside (1453 Webster St # A
Alameda, CA) it is a great place to settle in to have a Cocktail. The old Fireside had a lot to be desired but new owner Patrick has cleaned (that's a first for this place), painted, remodeled and made it a great place to stop after work or any night of the week.
My first encounter with the Fireside was 1980, long ago when sailors still roamed Webster Street and Ladies of the evening were hailing distance from the Fireside. I was 15 and it was a place that would serve me a beer. I was so nervous that the only thing that I could order was a Bud. Patrick now serves probably 30 types of beer now and that choice no longer has to be an option.
See my complete review: http://cocktailcocktai...
You can't spell Alameda without LAME.
This bar reaffirms the fact that you can dress an old whore up, but she's still an old whore.
I asked the barkeep how long ago he opening the sparkling wine.
"Two days ago," he replied.
I responded with a laugh-like snort.
"I say two days ago, and you laugh?" he asked incredulously.
"Well, I thought you were joking."
Sigh... kids, he was not joking and he really didn't know anything about his booze. When I was talking to my friend about how Junipero was really herbaceous he responded with a frat boy-esque, "No way man, its totally smooth." We're not talking about Bud Light here dude, being herbaceous and being "smooth" are not mutually exclusive.
I wanted to steal my tip back and steal his panties while I was at it, just for kicks.
I thought I was at the lamest high school school dance ever. Blasting "Back That Ass Up" to a empty, well-lit room is just kinda pathetic. Give a DJ free drinks to play mp3s on his laptop or something, but the IPOD or digital radio bit has got to go. And turn the lights down DAYYMMMNNN. It's Friday night, I'm not trying to see the dumb fools that try to talk to me. It's bad enough I have to hear them!
Pro- free pool. Con - two crappy messed up cues and one piece of chalk on a rope. You get what you pay for.
And then I have to go stand on the street like a cheap hooker to smoke and as the hordes of high school kids on BMXs whizz by me, I remember again, I'm in aLAMEda.
I hate to not like anything located in Alameda, but man, this place was dead. And it was a Saturday night at 11pm! The ambiance is alright. Not sure what people were talking about when they say "hip" because it's really not. More like a dive bar. The crowd (or the 5-8 other ppl that were there) was uh, older, like your 50 year old dad or your 42 year old cousin, and all were on the "rougher" side. Gave Fireside an extra star because it seems like they have a good beer selection. I don't think I'll be going back there though...
When I was a kid, my parent's local was a place in our good old Capitol City called The Fireside Lounge. This was back when folks could bring their tykes to the bar, set them up with a few quarters and a tabletop Ms. Pacman and go to town on their Manhattans, Martinis, and Tia Marias. Drinks were served in tiny old fashions and skinny highballs. The bartender could get your folks a good deal on a side of beef, wholesale. And of course, everybody knew your name. Which could end up being a problem sometimes, I suppose.
We had my dad's retirement party here, after his 45 years of servitude as a newspaperman in a dying trade. I ate my first lobster tail here in celebration of my 2nd place win in an essay contest. This place was witness to the first time I got drunk with my mom not long after my dad passed away. And it was witness to the two of us stumbling home together to compete for first rights to worship the Porcelain God. Sadly, that Fireside has been replaced with a Starbucks and a One Hour Martinizing. Yes, it's true, you can't go home again...
So I suppose I stumbled into this Fireside with a few nostalgic notions in my mind. Happily, I was not disappointed. We were immediately greeted by a friendly bartender who let us taste a few beers on tap before we made a decision. No offer for a wholesale side of beef, but that was okay by me. My Martini was dry, icy, and well-shaken. We played a friendly game of pool, during which I am happy to say I did not embarrass myself. The music was cool - Johnny Cash, Curtis Mayfield, and some other stuff that made me happy but did not intrude on our stimulating conversation. The bartender politely closed our tab, asked us our names, and shook our hands on our way out. Then we stumbled across the street to Lucky JuJu and spent the rest of the night drunkenly multi-balling away. A nostalgic night to remember.
I was really expecting a dive when I approached this bar. The neon sign was only half lit and the solid wood door seemed to say "watch your back" as you approached.
What a sham. This place was nice. Nice and full of 30somethings with button down shirts and expense accounts, oh, and that one guy at the end of the bar who probably doesn't even own a button down shirt, umm, and the older guy who probably was a regular back when it was a dive, this hot edgy guy I picked up at happy hour a few weeks prior and myself, who transcends any sort of 30something categorizing since I often act like an adolescent.
In short, the Fireside is clearly geared towards a crowd that likely decorates their place to resemble a model home (in fact, the decor of the bar sort of looks like the the living room of a model home, except that there is a bar taking up one wall). It seems that you do not need to fit that mold to drink here and still feel like you are welcome. The selection of libations is good and my companion found a new favorite beer that we promptly ran out and stocked up on for home use.
Still, I would have preferred that this place was on the inside what it appeared to be on the outside.
UPDATED VERSION AS OF 7/13/07
Ok so I went back after this dive bar was revamped. From the outside is still looks like the same dive. But the second I walked through the door.....Holy Crap! This is exactly what Webster St and Alameda need. Nice lounge. High ceilings, Nice tables. One pool table. Zero riff-raff.
This place is going to do very well. The only issues were the cocktail waitress that couldn't hear and needed to write down our drink order on her note pad. a-b-s-o-l-u-t and soda. m-a-l-i-b-u and coke. It was funny. Also, no credit cards....yet.
I'm keeping my original review below though, just for shiggles.
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I've deleted the original review 'cause the new owner told me he was catching crap for it....The place is cool and the owner's got some really good ideas on the horizon...
As my delicious companion and I noted last night, if Restoration Hardware and Williams Sonoma Home fucked and had a bar as a love-child, this would be it. I dig the decor, but it's not at all what I expected from the outside, much less the area. It way out-classes it's neighbors.
The Fireside Lounge is spacious, comfortable, and friendly. And they serve what just might be my new favorite beer: Kona Brewing Company's "Pipeline Porter"-- a coffee brew. So, so good. And the prices, judging just on the two drinks we had, seem reasonable: $6 for a pair of 10oz beers. A larger, 20oz size is also available. There's a pool table that looks like brand new, or at least very well treated. The clientle appear to primarily be of the 40-or-older professional white male set, but nobody seemed to mind when this 32-year-old mohawk'ed whippersnapper entered.
I should give this place a solid four-star rating, but in the time that it took me to finish my beer, they played the Black Eyed Pea's "Get It Retarded" twice. I dig the track, daddy-o, but keep the rotation fresh! Sorry, I'm a music snob.
I will be coming back, not just for the Pipeline Porter, but because this seems like an excellent place to relax with some of my button-down-shirt-and-pressed-slacks coworkers. OK, maybe just for the Pipeline Porter.
Just discovered this spot when I attended a birthday get-together there. We actually drove right by it the first time since the spot has no windows or clear signage. Literally had to park the car and find it by looking at the individual street numbers on the neighboring shops. Once we found the place, we stepped up to the door and thought we were about to step into a total dive bar. Upon swinging open the heavy door, we were shocked by how totally hip and modern it was. I guess it was once a dive, but underwent a major rehaul not too long ago.
Spot now has high ceilings, tasteful dark stools & furniture, a nice toasty fireplace, warm lighting, good tunes and a well-maintained pool table in the back. Most importantly, the specialty drink menu is off the hook. We sampled the Blueberry Mojito, Strawberry Banana Caprahina, and Honey Lavender Martini (my personal fave). All the drinks were extremely tasty & were served up with a smile.
So if you happen to find yourself in Alameda, Fireside Lounge is definitely a nice spot to grab a drink and just chill out with some good company.
This place is just a couple blocks from me so it makes it convenient to ride my bike to. They have an AWESOME beer selection and make some pretty awesome mixed drinks as well. They do have a pool table in the back and some cool couches and table to sit at with your friends. It probably would actually handle groups really well too.
If you're a recovering alcoholic or trying to stay sober, come here and sit at one of the back tables. They'll never notice you!
Even when you finally catch the bartender's eye and flag him down, he'll give you a friendly wave "hello" and leave you alone.
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3 stars for recognizing I'm too much of a lush and dont need to be served
1 star for the upscale, renovated decor
1 more star for allowing my friend and I to carry on a very sober, clearheaded conversation, free of any intoxicationg contamination.
Total= 5 stars!
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Perhaps when my friend and I are ready to become inebriated we shall sit at the bar with all the other regular drinkers.
I really liked how this place looks like a dump from outside, but then when you go in it's actually slightly classy. Props for having a million beers displayed in bottles on the light up bars. My friend's Grolsch was big & cold.
On a recent Friday the bartender did not know how to make a drink to save her life. She almost poisoned my friend with the amount of Chambord she added to her sparkling wine and my whiskey & ginger was watery as all get out.
Some of the crowd here was annoying, especially the drunk guy who would lift up his shirt and flick at his nipple to distract his friend while playing pool, then go make out and dance awkwardly with her and her friend. The crappy phoned in R & B was too loud and all the pictures of sailboats from the 80's was just, weird.
Good try Fireside.
Nice place with a really chill vibe. Christy--besides being very friendly and engaging--really knows how to mix 'em. Thanks to Fireside Lounge, I'm now hooked on absinthe drinks. I asked for a recommendation and she made one with whiskey and bitters that was quite tasty (one of their two signature absinthe drinks).
Being among the first to serve absinthe again in the area, others around me at the bar were interested in my drink. It was a kind of glowing bluish green color. After Christy told them what it was they wanted to smell it...kinda bizarre, I know! But I indulged them. Despite their interest, I don't recall them ordering one. I guess they were scared off by rumors that absinthe can make people hallucinate or go mad. Pfffttttt! Down the hatch!
A friendly couple next to me (with whom I chatted away for most of the night) kept asking me to tell them when I started hallucinating or if I was about to levitate. I told them unless they were both figments of my imagination, I think I was fine. They also later pointed out that one of those sniffing my drink was the mayor of Alameda. Nice! I must say, the crowd at this place is quite diverse, both culturally and age-wise. You never know who you'll run into.
And the interior really is Pottery Barn-ish. A little dark, a little flickering flame, and then BAM! a pool table! But it all comes together quite well.
I gotta hand it to the owners for turning this place around and giving it a comfortable yet upscale feel that you usually have to cross the bridge to find. Will have to make another visit soon and see if I can't raise my review to 5 stars.
They have Lambic "pomme" ale !
They also have HINANO Tahiti beer !
Olivia is an awesome sweetie cutie pie bartender !
Love this place !
Neighborhood: North Oakland
Category: Bookstores
Alameda, CA
Category: Lounges
Neighborhood: North Oakland
Category: Pubs
Alameda, CA
Category: Lounges
Alameda, CA
Category: Lounges
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