- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
The Ivy Room - CLOSED
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- DJ
- Smoking:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Lulu W. said: "After Alembic, my friends decided to go to a different bar. I'm definitely down to try a new bar since I'm new to the area!! This place had the Vodka of my choice along with the mixers that Alembic did not have. I was tempted to try…" read more »
15 reviews for The Ivy Room
15 reviews in English
-
Review from Man of Leisure M.
Sacramento, CA
1/16/2007
The Ivy Room was one of the nicer of the San Pablo Avenue dives and I was disappointed to learn of its recent closing (and subsequent reopening as a swankier joint).
My fondest memories of the Ivy Room come from seeing the John Leslie Blues Band play there. Now, I'm not a fan of "bar band" type blues but I always enjoyed seeing the John Leslie Blues Band perform because their front man is none other than John Leslie, the 1980s Porn Star.
Their gigs were great because the audience was there just to see a blues band and they were completely oblivious to the fact that the man playing harmonica and belting out the tunes is the famous cocksman credited for starring in such films as Oral Majority 4, Backdoor Summer, Nightshift Nurses, Friday the 13th: A Nude Beginning and Hot Crotch Coochies among countless other titles.
Mr. Leslie is actually a very down to earth fella and he was pleasantly surprised when I asked him to autograph my pal Jana's encyclopedia of porno (she was too scared to approach him). He signed the page with a photo of himself decked out in a tux while attending some adult entertainment award show and commented, "Wow, I look so young in that picture!" Like I said, he's a nice guy and his wife was pleasant to chat with as well. I guess these days, he spends his time behind the camera as a producer and cinematographer when he's not being a bluesman.
See John Leslie's complete filmography at: http://www.imdb.com/na... -
Review from Sarah L.
Albany, CA
7/19/2006
I have in my heart a special spot for the Ivy Room after spending countless nights here on the stage, in the back room, and out front dancing my little heart out with a mini-pitcher of beer to live rock 'n roll or soul records.
I haven't frequented the Ivy Room much recently (my band is no longer) but the memories are all five star. Some highlights from the past few years:
Dance-a-thon to support the Oakland Public Library - really amazing.
Playing with Sensations, best Ivy Room show for me!
Using drink token to purchase mini-pitchers, thank you, awesome bartenders!
Playing terrific shows with an awesome crowd; friends up front dancing away, truly unforgettable and makes me want to pick up my trombone just thinking about it!
The show where our trumpet player's grandma came--she stayed up so late and told me about how Albany used to be.
Anyway, even if I didn't have the great memories, this place has a special dive bar charm that can only be found on San Pablo Avenue. Cheap drinks served by friendly folks in an understated atmosphere. Can't be beat.Listed in: I'm with the band
-
Review from Josh O.
Washington, DC
12/18/2006
I can't believe it. Move across the country and they go and close your favorite bar. I used to live right around the corner from the Ivy room and spent many a night there. I liked to get their early, when it was just me and the regulars. Gavin, one of the bartenders, was a great guy to talk to and would bring in some great movies to watch. It was at the Ivy Room where I was introduced to The Valley of the Dolls.
I'll mourn your loss from afar, Ivy Room. We'll see if the new version is any good next time I'm back in the area. -
Review from adam m.
El Cerrito, CA
10/31/2005
good live music, bring ear plugs if you plan on keeping your hearing.
I don't really like the bar, it is to loud to order, I keep getting the wrong drink, and I never complain. -
Review from L B.
Berkeley, CA
8/31/2006
How could you not love this place? I haven't stayed for any bands, but tend to find my way here after work for a beer.
Update: They changed owners and it's no longer a dive bar. Sadly, this won't be a bar I return to. -
Review from Susan M.
7/14/2008
I thought the reno-ed Ivy was quite neighborly and comfortable. I didn't feel a snob vibe as mentioned by Ivy old timers.
Tonight I saw some experimental music, including DJ Scrote, split lip, and a former member of Camper Van Beethoven jamming. A good time all around. -
Review from Sharon R.
Oakland, CA
7/5/2006
The Ivy Room is a small dive bar. I've never just gone there for a drink, it's always the local bands rocking out that draw me to this San Pablo hot spot. And it's a good time. Drinks pack a punch but lack finesse, so I typically stick to beer.
One time I went to a Friday night show at the Ivy Room when I really should have gone to sleep. Normally I'm not that socially dedicated to get my party on, but my boy's band was headlining. I was so exhausted that I fell asleep standing in the front row while the second band was playing -- and they rocked. Luckily someone caught me as I was about to fall on them. They were really nice about it and it wasn't a big deal because they just thought I had too much to drink like the other drunken folks. -
Review from Irene S.
3/5/2008
old ivy room = YES.
new ivy room = NO. -
Review from rodrick p.
San Francisco, CA
8/25/2007
This use to be a place where you could kick it and have a fantastic time. Now it's been morphed (thanks to some woman who thinks she's an interior designer.((one word honey: You know you stole the idea from Kelly Wearstler book "Modern Glamour" You know I'm right)) into one of the many pseudo upscale joints where the majority of the clientele never got the memo (note to the chica sporting the muffintop with the makeshift blouse constructed from a rayon scarf and the wide elastic belt, did you really think that outfit through??? Girl that was bad. I know you thought that I was checking you out like you were hot shit but that outfit was deplorable) Overall I miss the old Ivy Room. It was fun and comfortable and great place to let loose and have a good time. By the way, that new state-of-art "sound sytem" sux
-
Review from lisa g.
San Francisco, CA
12/3/2005
Decent dive bar on San Pablo but it gets four stars because they let you smoke there.
-
Review from Cynthia B.
San Francisco, CA
7/11/2007
I used to go there and drink some Kessler with the alcoholic bartender. This was a good spot to get drunk at with the person who you fuck or just your plas. Ivy Room...you'll be missed.
-
Review from Tracy A.
Oakland, CA
12/1/2006
Seen many shows here for friends bands. Not my favorite establishment but now that it is closed, it is sad. I hope the space doesn't stay empty for too long.
-
Review from Michael T.
San Francisco, CA
6/25/2005
Revised review: my earlier comments were based on fuzzy (and possibly blotty on account of the interference of alcohol) memories of my one prior visit to the Ivy Room--I am almost entirely overhauling those comments after playing there this past Saturday night. I maintain my assertion that it's kind of a dive, but then they openly admit that at their web page. In every other way, this is a really cool spot that excels as a venue for live music. It's a smaller space than I remember, and a little bit nicer, too, though no one's going to mistake it for the lounge at the Waldorf. It's a fun and completely unpretentious place, with a well-worn feel and some endearing decor touches like the string of vintage car tail lights on the ledge in front of the DJ booth and the "No F$cking on the Bowling Alley" sign over the arcade bowling machine. Too precious. Best of all, though, they really have a great sound system and tons of extra gear on hand to help make sure that the bands have a smooth evening. They're also quite generous with the drink tokens for the entertainment (more than I can say for a lot of places I've played) and they keep Lagunitas IPA on tap! I'm just sorry that I didn't frequent this spot when I lived in the East Bay, 'cause now it's a bit of a haul to just go there on a lark. Oh, well...
-
Review from John J.
Palo Alto, CA
2/2/2005
Nice little bar with an side room for live local acts. There are better bars though.
-
Review from dog l.
Berkeley, CA
7/28/2005
only so so on the bar but they have live music which is always nice.
