Ruby Room

Always fun. Also, staff let me use a cell phone after I got jumped to call someone to get me. I'd tried Kon Tiki, but they "didn't have a phone."

The best at what it is, a dive bar with acceptable service and an OK crowd. Managed well, has a place to smoke inside which isn't ventilated that well. But I like that.

This bar is one of Oakland's best dives especially late night. The drinks are cheap and strong. This is truly an eclectic crowd here.

I've always loved this place. I met my wife here! Still fun, especially on Tuesday for goth night ☠️

Local divey and dark bar with a diverse crowd. There's a pool table and small area to enjoy excellent music by the DJ.

great location and if your looking for a good time this is the place to go for sure! they also have great drinks at a good price.

Great lil hole in the wall! No one bothers you chill vibe! They could work on the smell but it’s cool!

It’s sad to think we are losing yet another epic dive bar. Ruby Room, you will be sorely missed.

Wow Ruby Room is back, as soon as I’m leaving after living here 15 years on and off… new ownership, waltzed in on a Tuesday at 10pm and the atmosphere was great. Great speaker system, still the same classic decor, nice vibe and people…. I will miss this place. The fact that this place isn’t packed 247 leaves me curious why. Also, the sound and acoustics are fantastic, not sure if they updated after new ownership or if I’ve just not been here in a while

Quickly becoming my favorite spot. The atmosphere is cozy and casual. Dive-esque, with great staff and friendly patronage. The prices are amazing for the area, especially during the lengthy "happy hour." The music is always great; vintage soul, country, and rock with streaks of punk. Stop in for some pool and a smoke (yes, you can smoke!) in the back room, or just enjoy a drink and conversation at the bar. What are you waiting for!!

One of my favorite bars in Oakland (ever?). The drinks are cheap, strong and large. The red lighting casts everything in a dim, hellish tone. There’s a pool room in the back with a bunch of people smoking. They light the bar on fire on occasion. This is perfection.

Dave M

Wow Ruby Room is back, as soon as I’m leaving after living here 15 years on and off… new ownership, waltzed in on a Tuesday at 10pm and the atmosphere was great. Great speaker system, still the same classic decor, nice vibe and people…. I will miss this place. The fact that this place isn’t packed 247 leaves me curious why. Also, the sound and acoustics are fantastic, not sure if they updated after new ownership or if I’ve just not been here in a while

Mattee G. Hastings

Quickly becoming my favorite spot. The atmosphere is cozy and casual. Dive-esque, with great staff and friendly patronage. The prices are amazing for the area, especially during the lengthy "happy hour." The music is always great; vintage soul, country, and rock with streaks of punk. Stop in for some pool and a smoke (yes, you can smoke!) in the back room, or just enjoy a drink and conversation at the bar. What are you waiting for!!

Erich Grois

One of my favorite bars in Oakland (ever?). The drinks are cheap, strong and large. The red lighting casts everything in a dim, hellish tone. There’s a pool room in the back with a bunch of people smoking. They light the bar on fire on occasion. This is perfection.

I dig this bar a lot and have visited frequently since 2016. But, before you have an employee, comment on how “suspect” wearing a mask is without an inch of curiosity about a patron’s health considering that COVID is still a thing — that would be a great way to lead a conversation. It’s more courteous.

I enjoyed the time I spent there cause I'm not familiar with night life in Oakland. The drinks were pretty good. They should have drink specials though?

A seedy little bar (in a good way) is located on 14th st. Near the lake. The bar area is really tight when you enter. It opens up in the back a little. There is a back area with more room, pool tables and sitting room. A nice place to visit to get away from the mundane.

Super fun dive bar known as "the ruby room" for its inside ambient red ruby lighting! Great mixed drinks. Parking easily found on street. Gin and tonic is the best and their house hard liquid brands are above par and all name branworthy. Fun d-js serve up a mixture of hip-hop, rap, rock, funk and rap with each night being different and a surprize.

good vibes. mad they took out the smoking room. I assume it wasn't legal. still a good time

Definitely one of my favorite bars in the east bay! Always good atmosphere, fun music & a good time. Bartenders are so amazing & friendly. I enjoy coming here after a long day!

Going down to the ruby room,i'm going to meet my doom

Stopped in late on a Tuesday night before an early morning flight out of Oakland. Bob and Jordan behind the bar had me feeling right at home. Good prices. A back-room, downtrodden ex-legal system hangout, speakeasy atmosphere. Fantastic dive bar feel. Good music.

My favorite neighborhood bar. The staff are always nice, friendly while making you feel welcomed. Diverse crowd and the music is always jamming rather its a Dj or the jukebox. They have a great selection of beer and spirits and have a happy hour. The ambiance is dark with red uplifting but, the energy is super chill.

I love a good dive bar and this one did not disappoint. They have s great spirits selection too. His place only had red lights and is quite dark. Makes for the ideal dive bar atmosphere.

Broke Fumo

Going down to the ruby room,i'm going to meet my doom

Kimberly m

Definitely one of my favorite bars in the east bay! Always good atmosphere, fun music & a good time. Bartenders are so amazing & friendly. I enjoy coming here after a long day!

Alex Nelms

good vibes. mad they took out the smoking room. I assume it wasn't legal. still a good time

Texas Isaiah Horatio-Valenzuela

I dig this bar a lot and have visited frequently since 2016. But, before you have an employee, comment on how “suspect” wearing a mask is without an inch of curiosity about a patron’s health considering that COVID is still a thing — that would be a great way to lead a conversation. It’s more courteous.

Jacqueline Bennett

I enjoyed the time I spent there cause I'm not familiar with night life in Oakland. The drinks were pretty good. They should have drink specials though?

Reginald Manuel

A seedy little bar (in a good way) is located on 14th st. Near the lake. The bar area is really tight when you enter. It opens up in the back a little. There is a back area with more room, pool tables and sitting room. A nice place to visit to get away from the mundane.

Tangie Young-Hooks

My favorite neighborhood bar. The staff are always nice, friendly while making you feel welcomed. Diverse crowd and the music is always jamming rather its a Dj or the jukebox. They have a great selection of beer and spirits and have a happy hour. The ambiance is dark with red uplifting but, the energy is super chill.

Z

I love a good dive bar and this one did not disappoint. They have s great spirits selection too. His place only had red lights and is quite dark. Makes for the ideal dive bar atmosphere.

Rita Rodriguez

Super fun dive bar known as "the ruby room" for its inside ambient red ruby lighting! Great mixed drinks. Parking easily found on street. Gin and tonic is the best and their house hard liquid brands are above par and all name branworthy. Fun d-js serve up a mixture of hip-hop, rap, rock, funk and rap with each night being different and a surprize.

Ryan Pollifrone

Stopped in late on a Tuesday night before an early morning flight out of Oakland. Bob and Jordan behind the bar had me feeling right at home. Good prices. A back-room, downtrodden ex-legal system hangout, speakeasy atmosphere. Fantastic dive bar feel. Good music.

Smoking area for cigarettes. Only in Oakland. I am aware of. One pool table and usually a disc jockey. Loads of fun for happy hour and more. Go visit this Awesome bar in Oakland.

Only been the one time. I am from Portland, OR and it did remind me, as much as possible, of my hometown hangouts. A friend tells me that Jesse, of Blatz and The G'rups, djs here on Sundays, but I can't verify that as I went on a Wednesday.

Mr. Blogger advocate products at their "BEST" Mr. Bloger "says" The Ruby Room is a casual dive for all locals and great for the visitor on the down low they have a pool table and a smoking Lounge with special guest DJs every night cash is preferred here but credit cards are accepted ATM available 70 foot bar if you see a bartender there encourage them or the service is what it is hopefully you enjoy the crown Mr Blogger "says"

It's a great neighborhood bar but you can meet a lot of Local but you will get some ice trays in from off the beaten path and that's good and the service is what you make it but make sure you have ID cuz you will not get in without it

It's a little too dark inside for me, but the drinks are very reasonably priced and they've always got specials going.

Love the cozy, friendly atmosphere here. Place has been around for years and it's still a nice under spot!

This place is a bar area staple. It's always insanely dark and the drinks are strong and cheap. There is no food here since this is typically an end of the night type spot. The bathrooms are a little gross but filled with stall art to distract you from how gross it is. Come with low expectations and you will certainly be in a good spot! It's larger then you think because there is a backroom.

This is the perfect end-up bar. Not too crowded, not to pricey and usually the music is better than ok. After you blow your taste buds for the evening, head here for your final beer and a shot before calling it a night.

Haven't been here in a while, but when they did 80-cent 80's night (after 11pm on Wednesday) it was a happening place to be. VERY dark and rather smoky (the smoking room doesn't contain it all), with a fun little dance floor and pretty cheap drinks.

I recently stopped by Ruby Room in downtown Oakland, located along 14th Street in the city’s Uptown district. The area has developed into one of Oakland’s main nightlife corridors, and Ruby Room stands out as a long-running local bar that blends vintage character with a relaxed neighborhood vibe. The atmosphere feels eclectic and unmistakably retro. The interior décor mixes dim lighting, vintage furniture, and a slightly old-school lounge aesthetic that gives the space a personality very different from more modern cocktail bars. It feels like a place that has evolved over time rather than being designed to follow current trends, which adds to its charm. The bar program focuses on straightforward cocktails and drinks rather than elaborate mixology. The environment encourages guests to relax, talk, and spend time with friends rather than treat the bar as a formal cocktail destination. The space often attracts a mix of locals, artists, and visitors exploring the Uptown nightlife scene. Service during the visit felt casual and friendly, fitting the laid-back nature of the venue. The staff maintained an easygoing tone that matches the overall character of the bar. From a global travel perspective, Ruby Room reminded me of the vintage neighborhood bars I have encountered in cities like Portland, Berlin, and Montreal where personality and atmosphere often matter more than polished design.

Went in had a couple beers 🍻 and dipped the bartender was givin me a weird vibe like she was pissed I was there and it was my first time.

Classic dive bar, dimly lit and no frills. I did see someone smoking crack in the back/Pool room. But who am I to judge, crack has an appeal. But if you’re not into being in close proximity to crack, think twice about entering the pool room of this establishment, which is in the back, and where one can smoke freely. Ostensibly, only tobacco is allowed, however sweet herbaceous Mary fills the room and a wee bit of crack, not too much smoke discrimination. If it can light, it’s all right is the unofficial mantra. I also saw a fella getting his knob attended to by his younger date. Let’s just say she wasn’t doing a lot of talking. But to the bouncers credit, this was dealt with swiftly. Anyways 4 stars no frills great dive

Love this place. Good strong drinks, nice vibe good dj's. My only complaint is that for the last few months the bar area has smelled like feces, fix that and ruby room is an easy 5 stars.

Beer Crete

Went in had a couple beers 🍻 and dipped the bartender was givin me a weird vibe like she was pissed I was there and it was my first time.

isaac goldman

Classic dive bar, dimly lit and no frills. I did see someone smoking crack in the back/Pool room. But who am I to judge, crack has an appeal. But if you’re not into being in close proximity to crack, think twice about entering the pool room of this establishment, which is in the back, and where one can smoke freely. Ostensibly, only tobacco is allowed, however sweet herbaceous Mary fills the room and a wee bit of crack, not too much smoke discrimination. If it can light, it’s all right is the unofficial mantra. I also saw a fella getting his knob attended to by his younger date. Let’s just say she wasn’t doing a lot of talking. But to the bouncers credit, this was dealt with swiftly. Anyways 4 stars no frills great dive

Kai higgs

Love this place. Good strong drinks, nice vibe good dj's. My only complaint is that for the last few months the bar area has smelled like feces, fix that and ruby room is an easy 5 stars.

Shari Davis

This place is a bar area staple. It's always insanely dark and the drinks are strong and cheap. There is no food here since this is typically an end of the night type spot. The bathrooms are a little gross but filled with stall art to distract you from how gross it is. Come with low expectations and you will certainly be in a good spot! It's larger then you think because there is a backroom.

Eric Swanson

Haven't been here in a while, but when they did 80-cent 80's night (after 11pm on Wednesday) it was a happening place to be. VERY dark and rather smoky (the smoking room doesn't contain it all), with a fun little dance floor and pretty cheap drinks.

Eric Freeman

This is the perfect end-up bar. Not too crowded, not to pricey and usually the music is better than ok. After you blow your taste buds for the evening, head here for your final beer and a shot before calling it a night.

It's a dive. It's a dirty. It stinks. It's full of cigarette smoke in the back. If you're a real smoker, I suppose it's ok. I couldn't hang. Had to burn my clothes after coming out of there. Drinks were cheap though

You can smoke in the back, they have a dance floor, and pool table. Pool table is difficult to play on. Chairs and people are crammed around it.

Super dive. And very smoky. But the pool is good if you can see in all those red lights

spiderwebs peace out

It's a dive. It's a dirty. It stinks. It's full of cigarette smoke in the back. If you're a real smoker, I suppose it's ok. I couldn't hang. Had to burn my clothes after coming out of there. Drinks were cheap though

The place is very dark. It's definitely not my kind of dive. The people arent very friendly. The crowd seemed gothy. Hard to tell in the lighting...

Good setting, bad service, overpriced drinks. Can't say if I would or would not recommend.

Horrible bartender he pepper spray a lady for nothing she did not say or do nothing to deserve that if he want her remove he could have called the police ... 🤔 do not go to this horrible place you will get pepper sprayed the bar tender is a joke and need to be fired.