Great pairing with the taco truck in the parking lot. You can take your food inside and eat with a beer or margarita! Fun vintage moves always playing

This is a truly amazing place. Staff were above and beyond. Making great drinks, great conversation and very knowledgeable. I had an amazing time here and I can't wait to come back

Great little neighborhood bar with very well crafted cocktails, ample seating and a great vibe. Went on a Friday night, it was packed but comfortable and we were able to quickly find seating for 4.

The best cocktails in town! Nice atmosfeer. Love the shuffle board. And the taco truck next door is one of the best

This place is great! The bartender was awesome!

Best custom drinks I've ever had, not to mention the taco truck parked outside has the best tacos in Northern California. Hands down. And I don't like anybody's tacos.

Sketchy-looking on the outside, surprisingly cozy with well-priced delicious cocktails inside. The taco truck is a local legend: cheap and delicious.

A great bar. A+ cocktails, they put other ‘fancier’ cocktail bars in the area to shame. And plenty of PBR and other beer on tap if you’re not feeling that. No matter what, super friendly bartenders. All that for the lowest prices around. Highly recommended!

Our favorite bar in the Bay Area! Craft cocktails in a dim lit divey lounge. They always have some obscure movies/smut films playing in the corner which only enhances the feel. Bartenders always make you feel at home even if your not a regular. The taco truck outside is hands down has the best tacos anywhere, yeah I'm serious about tacos. Don' t mess around, stick with the Carnitas & Al Pastor w/everything and spicy pickles on the side. When the bar is busy expect a wait, they can only get so many people behind that bar and most of their cocktails are time intensive delights. Taco truck is also a notorious wait as well. Just do it like the pros: 1. Show up, order tacos asap. 2. Go inside grab a drink and enjoy yourself. 3. When your first drink is done that's about the time tacos are ready. 4. Grab another drink and eat those tacos. P.S. They have the worst shuffle board on the west coast, it's adds the the charm.

My local and Favorite Neighborhood Dive Bar. A Great spectrum of music is played along with B movies played all night (Adult Oriented mostly), Awesome Mixologist👍, and a Taco Truck onsite. Did I mention to bring your Vac Cards and/or Proof...yup! still required for this establishment.

Best bar in the EB. No nose in the air, great vibe, local color, just locals hanging out, but with a serious cocktail program, local customer loyalty. So tired of "cool" local bars whose customers are trendy jerks. The people at the Totsy love the Totsy, the owners only own the Totsy. The real thing, the kind of quality local bar most bars only pretend to be.

Interesting places with fancy cocktails that can be a bit pricey but usually pretty good. Only draft beer is PBR but sold by the pitcher as well. They have shuffleboard and are known for the "burlesque" they show on the TV's. Biggest plus is the taco truck next door. It's incredible and the bar let's you bring it inside

Amazing cocktails and lovely cozy spooky ambience! Would tootally go on a date and sit on the amazing corner with couches, or catch up with a friend in the bar area or just by myself and have THE best Old fashioned omg. Gracias por ser increíbles!!!

Fun atmosphere, delicious cocktails, and friendly bartenders. They're serious about their craft there. There's also a taco truck outside to grub on. Perfect spot for a great time.

A relaxed atmosphere with great artwork. I always order a few tacos from the truck outside- Tacos El Autlense- go inside order a cocktail and enjoy.

Great unique atmosphere. Cocktails good, beer not so much although is cheap. Taco truck in the parking lot is the best in Bay Area, and I'm not even joking.

Yowzers!!! Just fell into a hidden gem. And to think I was just in the area to speak with a Krav Maga Instructor. This Bar is A-1. Very impressed with the selection of Whiskey/Bourbon & Tequilas. Taco truck is Certified awesomeness. Cash only truck, so don’t forget. Will be visiting again, soon.

Seemed like a cozy bar. Atmosphere, low key. Amazing selection of mixed drinks. Look forward to visiting this place again. I'm told that the food offered by the pop-up next door is really good.

Hotsy Totsy Club is one of the OG quintessential dive bars in the US. A must visit for anyone who appreciates a well made drink, in a comfortable atmosphere surrounded by guests with a strong sense of community.

Have been visiting Hotsy Totsy occasionally for over 35 years. Still has its eclectic, divey vibe. These days, the taco truck is mostly what draws me in, but the cocktail menu is worth a look.

This is one of my favorite dive bars in the East Bay. The place has a great vibe, the menu is extensive and the music is pleasant. There is usually some cult movie playing on the TV's too which makes for good conversation.

Awesome cocktails, really enjoyed the bar. Bartenders were very welcoming and mixed up some delicious whiskey sours and other cocktails from their menu

Hotsy is a welcoming locals bar, with incredible bartenders. If you are in Albany looking for a drink and/or tacos I highly recommend you stop in and check it out. For a bay area joint parking isn't too bad.

Magic. Service, atmosphere and decorations are unique! Thankyou!

There is an incredible taco truck parked outside, but no true food here that I can give them credit for. Bartenders here are great if they’re in a good mood. Try to sit up at the bar if you can…you’ll enjoy this killer dive bar better that way.

Best cocktails around, but I don't think that's a secret

Great neighborhood bar. Great spot for an affordable beer+shot special, or a delicious high brow cocktail. The carnitas tacos are the best I've found in the East Bay. I wouldn't call it a dive bar, but if you're looking for a dive bar you will love this place.

Nice ambiance, friendly bartenders, good array of drinks. Friendly neighborhood dive bar with class. Shout out to Christophe/Kristof?!

Coolest bar in the Bay Area! Delicious cocktails, affordable beer and a sweet local community atmosphere. This place is so special and cool to the little details. Stylish decor and awesome collection of vintage films. Bartenders are always top notch.

After stopping by Momo’s Flowers and More, my bestie and I had a stroll down Solano and over to one of the Bay’s best dive bars, the Hotsy Totsy. I love the kitschy decor and the social tables! It wasn't that busy when we got there but there were already no seats at the bar. By the time we left it was already getting crowded! Nice happy hour vibes. We loved our margaritas but didn't try any of their cocktails; next time! Can't rate the food since we didn't stay for a bite -- there's a food truck outside, Tacos El Autlense.

This is the best neighborhood dive bar. Craft cocktails, diverse crowd, chill vibe. No pretensions. Enjoy!

I freaking love this spot. Friendly fast bartenders, epic taco truck outside, fun movies playing on the tv, amazing smelling signature cocktail that makes the whole bar smell like happiness, and the owner has a super friendly dog that does tricks. What more could I ask for? I almost want to give it a bad review to keep it a secret!

This place is a fantastic neighborhood bar with a cocktail program that will blow your mind given Hotsy Totsy’s humble and cozy facade. The pro move is to come hungry and bring in food from the taco truck in the driveway. I would also like to respond to the two reviews below that make claims about the bar back being racist. I was there on that particular night and remember the incident that led to this. The two gentlemen writing reviews refused to show their ID’s at the bar and then made a stink and walked out. The poor bar back politely and professionally explained to them how it is the law and he was just doing his job. The young man could have lost his job and been fined if he had not stood up and done the right thing. Don’t take your ignorance of the law out on the staff who are there to earn a wage and pay their rent.

Great little spot. Vibe is great and bartenders are chill and greet you when you first walk in making you feel like a person and not a walking tip. Just saying they are great. Also ask for their special cocktails if you want something new.

Best cocktails. Cool environment. Great neighborhood taco truck. Good hangout early in the evening before kids show up to have their first adult beverage.

Great vibes and great cocktails. They will make the best version of your favorite classics and have a rotating menu of cocktails, beers and spirits so there's always something new to try if you're like me and you want to try all the things!

Cool smaller place with some very interesting cocktails. During the holidays we had the egg nog and spiked hot chocolate and both were excellent! The shuffleboard was a lot of fun too. Just make sure to get a drink before it gets crowded at night!

A whiskey bar with no pretense and fantastic drinks. I don't really drink very often. The few times I've had whiskey drinks there, they have been immaculate. I'm a big fan of the taco truck that is outside of Hotsy Totsy. Most nights I don't even go into the bar and I just get a burrito.

Great mixed drinks, especially gin-based ones. Awesome kitchy soft core movies on the TVs. Nice cozy feel. A great neighborhood bar.

This is a cool local bar with a mixed crowd, the atmosphere/drink menu was perfect for the holidays. Nice happy hour cocktail menu and killer food from the taco truck onsite. I guess one downside is that it smelled like old spice/dingy bus station the first time I walked in there, and you kinda wish that smoking were still permitted indoors just to mask the scent, but once you settle down onto the retro couch next to the the Christmas tree with a plate of tacos and a hot buttered rum, the musty odor only starts adding to the appeal of this treasured stop amidst the San Pablo/ El cerrito bar crawl route.

Jesse Sanchez

I liked the crowed- prices - Vibe- doesn’t smell like the dude below said. It’s part dive. I liked the art work. . Cool staff. Idk . I’ll be back though. Cute chicks too Music was good

Martin Sarasqueta

Lizzy with the Dizzy Glizzy really made our experience fun. Great stories, great drinks, very engaging. She even let us try a fat washed milk punch she was working on. Spencer the dog was also a big plus.

Todd Germain

what a great little place. close to where im staying at the marina and we'll worth the short drive. bartenders are super nice. great craft cocktails. facilities are clean. great little funky vibe and super chill

William Dickenson

This is an amazing local bar with real talent making cocktails. It has an amazing atmosphere. People are super nice. Drinks are amazing.

+3

Djean Diggs

They have great bartenders and great drinks! I usually get the margaritas. Or a whiskey sour. But first, I stop at the taco truck and order my tacos, then go order my drink…then the tacos are ready the and the drink awaits me. I’m off to a great start.

Pedro Gil

Great place for mixed drinks, but not really for beer. They probably have one each of the most popular beer styles. They don't really serve food, but there's always an awesome taco truck in front in the evenings.

Troy Deutsch

Cool little bar. Different than the bars in NYC. Had fun. Good drinks. Great vibe. Taco truck outside as well.

K Matthews

The bloody marys lit my face on fire and cured all of my aches and pains! Comfy vibe for midnight on a Satuday night. Very diverse, mello crowd. Bonus points for calling a Lyft for us. 👍🏻👍🏻

P. I.

UPDATE: I don't come here often but when I do I'm always blown away by how good the cocktails are. I asked the bartender to just make you sound really good fancy trancy drink, and as usual she created some incredibly exquisite concoction which I'll probably never be able to enjoy again because I forgot how it's made. This place really rocks. Old school watering hole, with some really great bartenders, bridging the gap between "mixology" and just dammned good alcohol. BONUS ROUND: Tacos El Autelense is right outside with my highest rated tacos in the east bay. Great place for quiet meetings in the day. Dark and mysterious.

Yifan Ding

What an amazing place! I came here as a female alone but the vibe is great and welcoming! People are very friendly to talk to and they serve great cocktails. Can’t wait to try more on their seasonal menu! Oh and don’t forget the food truck!

Acacia Schmidt

The atmosphere is a fun retro vibe. They play vintage soft core movies on the TV (but you can sit in a spot out of view if that bothers you). Bartenders really know their stuff, seasonal drinks are creative and delicious. There's a lot of regulars and the bar is a little small (and can get crowded on popular nights) but usually we can find a seat. They don't serve food but the taco truck next door is great and you can bring your tacos inside. There's a shuffleboard table and a lounge area in the back.

DrPfeiffer

Fabulously innovative mixed drinks & mixed VERY 🐕 friendly ❤️❤️❤️ (saw a bulldog, German Shepard and unidentifiable mutt all co-inhabiting the same space on a Monday night). The videos on the one screen are, ahem, rather **risque** (lots of T&A). OH!! There’s a good truck (Tacos El Autlense) in the parking lot that is super affordable, yeah!

Isaac Katten

The Hotsy Totsy is one of my favorite places to grab a drink. Their cocktail prowess makes Tom Cruise weep. With a remarkable selection of ingredients and spirits, the bartenders produce some of the most conscientious and vigorous cocktails in the East Bay. I tell you, three tacos from the taco truck next door and an afternoon in the Hotsy Totsy are reason enough to cancel your therapy session and find God in this filthy chapel. Never get the same drink twice.

Kylie Horenberger

Such a cool spot! You can tell it's a ton of regulars from how everyone interacts, but everyone was super friendly. Super nice bartender, KILLER happy hour. Only draft beer is PBR, but they have a bunch of bottled beer. Cool decor and a taco truck outside

Great local dive bar. Fun friendly atmosphere. The tacos next door are fantastic and you can eat them while drinking a beer at the bar.

Their Signature cocktails are great! Order them. But two of my friends ordered classics like the Paloma and old fashioned and they were a little disappointed.

Great music, vintage adult films, good prices and 1.5dolar taco truck next to it...and off course, the shuffle board. Five stars if they transform to dancefloor after 10pm like missouri lounge.

I always have a great time with 1 exception apparently the door person doesn't like me for some unknown reason (never had any interaction), and he bared me that night for no apparent reason otherwise great friendly place 🥂🍸🌮

A really fun dive bar and worth a visit. Good mixed drinks but average beer selection. Oh and they serve no food but you can bring food in from nearby food truck snd possibly restaurants.

This place is an interesting dive. They always have old movies up on the tvs, often the most bizarre movies in black and white, or some risqué women, pin up style, etc. The bar staff is nice. But I forgot my debit card there one weekend and was able to pick it up, but had fraudulent charges at BevMo. ☹️

Food must be purchased from the Mexican Food Truck on the side of the building. Most servers are beyond reproach. Atmosphere would use a slight upgrade.

I'm not a fan of places that try hard to look like they're dive bars, which is the vibe I get from this place. The taco truck next door is great, and if you're in the mood for a beer with your burrito this is the place to come, but that's the only reason I go.

Interesting dive bar that has shuffle board and two main rooms. It's beer selection is less than stellar, but the bartenders make solid drinks, and the tv's are usually showing very interesting, out-of-the-ordinary material (old horror/sci-fi movies, 60's playboyish movies, etc). The true gen of this place is that it has a taco truck that is permanently located in its parking lot; their food is absolutely fantastic and you can bring it into the bar.

Super cool spot. Bar staff is great. Definitely a fufu drink spot. Need to get real beer on tap. Why are you wasting 1 of your 2 taps on crappy PBR. Taco truck in the parking lot is amazing. Just need a beer to go with my tacos😉 Whatcha your head on the ceiling.

Local bar with a cozy-unique buy. $8 pitchers and a the best taco truck next to it! Gotta be lucky to get the main bartender in a good mood, otherwise she's can be rude.

This bar has been here since the 1950s, I remember my mom talking about it.. Very small, but fun little bar. Been here for a couple of Xmas gatherings in the 80s..

This is your neighborhood bar, dim and slightly dusty, with cracked vinyl benches in the back and the usual bar stools in the front area. Vintage kitschy art is spaced along the walls, hot babes and whatnot. Drinks are fine, crowd is chill and very inclusive. Love the corner location and flashy bright sign because it makes it easy for ride service drivers to find you when you get a lift home.

Food in the food truck in front of the bar was good. The bar has a nice atmosphere, but the tables weren't cleaned when we sat and my 5$ draught coke had no gaz. The barman did replace it with a can, thx, but no gaz neither. Wasn't gonna come back 2 him a second time. Serve proper coke and clean the tables guys. Else it's fine :)

I have this bar the reward for the best weird art and they serve quality yet creative cocktails to boot!

funky and cute little dive bar!

My go-to bar for 6 years. They do not serve food but there is a taco truck outside and you are allowed to take outside food inside. You can play shuffle board, dart board, nice place to hangout with friends

Good cocktails. Great bartenders. I felt odd coming in right from work, as I still had my Carhart jacket on. Come to find out, wearing Carhart apparel is a thing. Every other hipster in there was wearing Carhart, and loudly. Bizarre, especially since there wasn't a calloused hand to be found in there. There is a very good food truck outside that makes great tacos, the bar allows patrons to bring the tacos in to the bar, which is very nice. However, This was a negative, because I had to watch all these hipsters eat with salsa dripping down the side of their faces and their noses running onto there nice pristine Carhart jackets. Poor tragically hip hipsters.

Classic old school divey bar! Feel good atmosphere, pet friendly with shuffle board and plenty of seating. Bar tenders and patrons all very friendly. Really liked the old school movies playing too. Only negative is the CC minimum so if you’re only having 1 drink make sure you bring cash.

Alysha Veney

Definitely a small local place pub/bar but people were definitely friendly, drinks were big. A little dusty and could use a good deep clean and everytime I asked for a soda it was flat. Still overall if I lived in the area I would definitely stop by more to just have a drink and sit outside and enjoy. (Small intimate outdoor area)

Gemma Howley

This place was described to me as a dive bar by a friend who I was visiting and if this is a dive bar, that's ok with me. Dark and small but full of character, we enjoyed a pre dinner drink here. We couldn't choose from the cocktail menu so we explained the kind of spirits and flavours we liked and the bar tenders knocked us up a couple of great drinks. Definitely worth a visit.

i don't love the customer service here today she's very rude . i only come for the tacos but there is some interesting cocktails great job on that. please do better in staff because that's i believe the third person there that sounded like i was inconveniencing them with their job description..

The most redeeming quality of this dark, dank bar is that it's located adjacent to the taco truck, Tacos El Autlense. Besides the loud, smelly hippies that frequent the bar, likely the only other patrons are the taco truck customers looking for somewhere to eat. It is reasonably priced, however, and the bathroom (and sink) are surprisingly clean (and fancy). I'd come here again, but not without some tacos!

Usually drinks are good and very strong. However, they also have made the worst manhattan I've every tasted. Pressed-tin ceiling is great for architecture geeks. Hipster crowd replaced old-man's dive bar.

Grungy small bar with a variety of seating options from barstools to small sofa chairs. Dark environment with lots of small pictures all around. Don't expect friendly service. Parking wasn't a problem, you can find spots on the street close enough.

As I am not a drinker, I didn't go here for alcohol. I went here to play a couple games of shuffleboard with a friend. The shuffle board table was decent. The decor inside this place is pretty interesting, featuring old school velvet paintings and TV's showing old skin flicks. The playlist was pretty dope, once again, staying in key with that old school theme. One ginger beer and one mocktail for $10, not bad. My only beef with this place is the dive bar smell. And if u can't take the stench, stay out of the dive bar. Just saying. But I overall, I would probably visit this place again.

Nice bar. Dog friendly. There's a taco truck right outside and the bar doesn't mind that you bring in the outside food. Friendly staff. Clean bathrooms.

EBGLaps

used to think this place was decent. now it's thoroughly forgettable! ✌🏻also, doorman was friendly, bartenders acted like i was a pain in the ass for just "being there" at all. i still tipped well like i always do, since i'm not an asshole. everything else there was cool, loved the quirky artwork and music.

Ashley Ellington

The drinks are good. The taco truck outside has decent food. I feel like this is a place where you need to bring your own people as I have been here a few times alone and no one chats with me. When I stepped in Friday night I stood at the bar a full 10 min and no one approached to take my order and it wasn't packed out I literally had a seat. I ended up leaving and not ordering anything. I keep giving it a chance thinking its just a fluke but this isn't the first time. It's a cute spot but the vibe could be better.

I actually didn't go here, I went to the Taco truck right next to it. Food was great. The bar was closed I'm not sure if it was too late it was probably around 11:00 when I was there to get my food. I assume because covid that's why they were closed.

My drink was fine but we left after one. We met up with some old friends at Hotsy Totsy and we're enjoying ourselves when the bartender comes by and instead of saying "excuse me" she rudely told us we were in the way of the bartenders getting beer from the cooler. We were sitting on benches the business placed near the cooler, were using the table the business put out for patrons to set their drinks on, so...how was this our fault? A simple excuse me and we would have accommodated her movements and continued spending money, instead, we left. The drinks weren't that good, the vibe was average, and there's plenty of great bars that appreciate their customers and treat them with a minimal amount of respect. This spot is overrated.

Eric Snow

I want to like the Hotsy. Cool, old school bar vibes, solid cocktails. The service, however, leaves a lot to be desired. The solo bartender is often overworked for sure, but unfortunately for me this led to my debit card getting stolen by a bar patron and then used at the Hotsy the very next night! They keep your card if you open a tab, which is a bit antiquated these days. When I closed my tab recently I forgot to pull my card out of the mobile machine they placed on the counter. That was my fault. But then the bartender left the machine on the counter for so long that a patron took my card from the machine. Then, when the thief used my card the next night, the bartender didn't check the name or signature against an ID! I did go back to the Hotsy the next night to check for my card, but nobody could find it and really didn't seem too concerned about finding, either. All of this could have been avoided if the bartender had not been trying to multitask so frantically that they couldn't just properly and fully close my tab, or check IDs to make sure patrons are using the correct debit/credit card! And this is notwithstanding Hotsy being the kind of place where patrons take advantage of customers and the overly busy bartender. Update: Interestingly, I received a call from the Hotsy after posting my initial review telling me they magically found my card. I am not sure how this is possible after they couldn't find it the next night and a stranger used the card, but it does make me even more hesitant to ever go back.

Update:ONE OF THE PLACES I loved most, gavr of myself, and did all early work, just booted sober me who stopped in after years to smile and remember. Why? I am understanding the more self accepting and connected to Now I express, folks sort themselves for me. They will decieve themselves, not explain, label a smile. A look. Something Doesn't fit. Me. I am seeing clearer. I am habituating Now. It can only be uncomfortable regardless of my smile. Quiet, in a corner smiling. U am told I cannot set up shop where I had been encouraced to practice. Not changed. It seems like change. Contrast is like that. When any of yall arrive in Now, i will be here with a hug. Hotsy is not Nowm Goodbye my memories, I treasure you. Hotsy is not required. !u mom no! All lpdate: they were complete jerks when I returned after a long absence and offered to paint a portrait of their establishment for free. The problem? Familiarity breeds contempt. There is a bartender there, a brunette with medium length hair, who decided she knew me, who I am as a person, along with her narrow view of my value. None of the employees has ever hung out with me, ever been to my home, or knows me in a way to qualify such judgements, yet that did not stop her from spreading rumors about me despite my always generous tips. That is a near catastrophic blow up of my entire several years supporting them with my patronage. Sad & unnecessary. Consider telling this bartender they are sabotaging the reputation of a place I once thought deserved 5 stars and a visit from anyone in the area, to a place I strongly advice entering without a firm understanding that they do not care about you, ever, only how much money you have in your pocket. You are not guaranteed a business in the community, especially if carelessly misuse the trust your patrons place in you by letting one bad apple spoil the whole bunch. I might go in and see if this is handled, but it is going to take a loooong time to regain my trust for this once impressive community bar.

If you're under 70 stay out of this place.. They prey on seniors, Take there Debit cars away until they go broke or they're cash registers have there fill. At 50 years old I was intimidated coming in the door. Bar tender told me he couldn't serve me without letting him hold my card for my entire visit. I noticed they had taken advantage of all other seniors in the room. They forced me to buy a beer 🍺 to make up the 10$ minimum for me to get my card back. That's extortion... Youth, don't become a victim to these people. I believe if you don't let them hold your card they can become violent..

I own a restaurant, and the most important thing for me is to treat customers with respect. I expected that racism was no longer confirmed in the bay area But I made sure it was available in this place. There is a white man in the bar who is skinny, blonde-haired, very racist, ill-mannered, and rude. I can’t say anything I just feel so frustrated the racist about the Black or people from middle Easte people .

Jo

The building itself is unique and cool. Unfortunately, most of the staff and patrons are rude and ruin the experience.