Acme Bar

The bar offers the widest selection of whiskies that I have ever seen. The thought and knowledge put into each of the drink menus and tasting flights is superb. Great juke box, great bar tenders, and the owner brings out charcuterie plates from time to time. Ask about renting this place out as a venue.

Maya Kay

I really love this bar! They have 4 different indoor and outdoor areas perfect for any occasion! Happy hour is everyday 3pm to 6pm! They have drinks that come with characters which I love!

Martin Sarasqueta

Terrence was the absolute best bartender, the drinks were perfect, and the vibe there was great. Wish I lived in the bay just to hang at this bar. 10/10

P. I.

While looking for a place to learn how to enjoy whiskey, I stumbled upon this place, for the second time, (forget what it was 30 years ago) Is the epitome of a warm cozy spot. Super friendly staff, informative about whiskey, great clientele, and decent prices all make for one great experience. I will be back!

Dave Timmons

Around six months before we got married in Berkeley in August, we started reaching out to possible welcome party venues for the night before the big day. We wanted to find a place that would allow for outside food at a reasonable cost, provide quality drinks for a fair price, and has a nice access-controlled event space on premises. As someone who has run a number of large events previously, I know well that this task can be somewhere between tough and impossible. The minute one uses the term “wedding” to any vendor, costs can go way up. Or venues can charge exorbitant fees for space reservations, or have minimum spends that are crazy. And, honestly, it is really hard to simply find venues that allow for outside food. So we started the search, and emailed venues throughout the East Bay area (Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, Albany, Alameda), At first, the only possible venues I could find were craft brewing establishments. The one with the best location for us charged a lot for space reservation, and for a space that was not access controlled, and without our own dedicated bar. So, in effect, we would be paying thousands for a craft beer spot to a few “reserved” signs on some random tables for us. Suffice to say, we were starting to get discouraged. Then, after another internet search, I found a listing for Acme Bar in west Berkeley. Having never been there before (it has been a few years since I have lived in the East Bay), I asked around and realized that it’s a pretty cool bar with good service and great drinks. We checked in out in person, and was pretty impressed with the available event space. But our greatest surprise was when we actually emailed Acme, and got to know the owner of the bar. She must have had a previous life as an event planner or something, cause she was amazing. The prices she quoted were quite fair, and she helped identify possible outside food vendors that met our needs. She helped arrange special drinks for our event, which ended up being really tasty. The beer selection we ended up having was top notch as well, as was the wine selection. We arranged for our own dedicated space on a Friday evening, with our own bar. She helped identify our needs for us, and went out of her way – along with her great staff – to ensure we had a great event. Some of my friends are quite experienced with events, and others are pretty hard to please, and everyone had a great time. The price quoted was on target, and there were absolutely no surprises, price-wise. I have never been more satisfied with a venue, or had a better event for the price. Working with Acme was, in two words, both fair and fun. We highly recommend working with them – you will not be disappointed.

LasVegas Food Czar

It takes a lot to impress me if all you serve is drinks. This place was perfect. They knew their product, friendly, great neighborhood feel. Their house specialty cocktails were great. I had the wildcat and a mole mescaline shot. I could see hope this is most people's favorite neighborhood secret. Amazing drinks, amazing staff, great prices, great ambiance!!! Definitely a must do.

Larisa Davenport

We’ve always gone to Acme for a neighborhood nightcap so when it came time to throw a milestone birthday party I could think of no better place. Jennifer was amazing and so flexible! She embraced the sparkle theme by throwing edible glitter in the punch bowls. I wanted a taco bar and oysters, and that’s what I got. All my guests were raving about the space (back room + patio). Highly recommend for any private event!

John Ferraro

One of the biggest Whiskey selections in the bay, if you’re looking to try old Carter, Michters, Parker‘s, old Fitz and many more. Great spot!!

William Tang

Thank you for being a down to earth, cozy, and local bar. The staff here at Acme bar have always been accommodating and humorous. The patrons are mostly locals. I love how you can socialize in whatever setting you choose. The back area is nostalgic and is perfect for that alone-time glass of wine.

Wilfred Cho

Not too far from the highway makes it a good rest stop. Drinks are good. Flack magic is a good cocktail. It has a very local vibe.

Janet Madrigal-Duchesne

We were looking for a bar near us, and this one popped up on my phone, and I'm so happy we found it. I loved the atmosphere and the cozy feel. Since we don't know much about whiskey, I was a bit intimated but felt welcomed. I love that the music isn't overly loud, so it is a great place to hang out and chat. If I'm ever back in the Berkeley area, I will definitely be back.

Keith Shamma

Dan might just be the best bartender in the Bay Area. Very knowledgeable about spirits and how to make an amazing cocktail. Love this place!

Jennifer is a great host, and the venue is absolutely beautiful, featuring two sparkling chandeliers and a hallway lined with game spaces. Located right in the heart of Berkeley, it offers plenty of liquor options and is easy to set up—perfect for happy hours, student mixers, and social events for both professionals and students. We highly recommend this gem for anyone looking to create lasting memories with friends, family, and classmates!

Very cool spot with great specialty cocktails. They use fresh-squeezed orange juice and even smoke their own ingredients for the drinks. Awesome atmosphere and definitely worth a visit!

I’ve been here twice and both times the bartenders have been courteous, kind and professional. Love the decor. And the in between feeling of classy dive bar and whiskey bar.

We hosted a large milestone birthday at Acme Bar and Co and I can’t say enough about it. The team was so amazing and kind and easy to work with in the planning phase. Our guests loved the venue - the flow from the main bar to back patio to back building is great and creates 3 distinct and intimate feeling zones. The day of bar tender staff were great. Cocktails superb. We created a dance floor inside at the end and it was nothing short of perfect. 10/10 — highly recommend this place for any party or event rental

This place is one of the best whisky bars I've ever been to. They have a phenomenal selection across styles and ages, including some rare releases from closed down distilleries, or some vintage bottles you can enjoy as cocktails. The staff are super welcoming. The bar is relaxed and if you didn't look at the drinks closely, you might think it's a dive bar (in the best possible way). Definite recommend for a chance to try some special drinks.

Will Kew

This place is one of the best whisky bars I've ever been to. They have a phenomenal selection across styles and ages, including some rare releases from closed down distilleries, or some vintage bottles you can enjoy as cocktails. The staff are super welcoming. The bar is relaxed and if you didn't look at the drinks closely, you might think it's a dive bar (in the best possible way). Definite recommend for a chance to try some special drinks.

Nabeel Atique

I’ve been here twice and both times the bartenders have been courteous, kind and professional. Love the decor. And the in between feeling of classy dive bar and whiskey bar.

Jeronimo Carlos

Very cool spot with great specialty cocktails. They use fresh-squeezed orange juice and even smoke their own ingredients for the drinks. Awesome atmosphere and definitely worth a visit!

Jonathan Chen

Jennifer is a great host, and the venue is absolutely beautiful, featuring two sparkling chandeliers and a hallway lined with game spaces. Located right in the heart of Berkeley, it offers plenty of liquor options and is easy to set up—perfect for happy hours, student mixers, and social events for both professionals and students. We highly recommend this gem for anyone looking to create lasting memories with friends, family, and classmates!

Great place for a drink or a Cocktail education. Extensive scotch, mezcal list of cocktails, among many others. Friendly local neighborhood and mature. Have a craft beer conversation or talk Classic Whiskies. Dig deep or just relax. Best bar in a 5 mile radius.

P Sand

Great place for a drink or a Cocktail education. Extensive scotch, mezcal list of cocktails, among many others. Friendly local neighborhood and mature. Have a craft beer conversation or talk Classic Whiskies. Dig deep or just relax. Best bar in a 5 mile radius.

Terrific whiskey bar. Incredible list of whiskeys. The cost can add up quickly...

Good drinks but they do not have Hennessey or any cognac so if you like a nice side car like me, you won't get it here. They do have an AMI juke box which you can use with the app but note that people really utilize priority play here so be ready to spend the 5 credits if you want to hear your song choices. I went by myself and everyone was friendly and it was easy to make a new friend or too. Good vibes here.

I have been here 3 times now. First time I didn't stay, too loud on a Friday night and it was busy, not the vibe I was looking for. I have been with friends and my spouse, feels like a better friend spot than date night unless you want something less romantic. Overwhelming whisk(e)y selection, and that is nice. Staff are super friendly and make good drinks. Not a large beer selection, but what they do have is good. Happy hour deals are killer.

Mike Gaetani

Terrific whiskey bar. Incredible list of whiskeys. The cost can add up quickly...

Clayton Summitt

I have been here 3 times now. First time I didn't stay, too loud on a Friday night and it was busy, not the vibe I was looking for. I have been with friends and my spouse, feels like a better friend spot than date night unless you want something less romantic. Overwhelming whisk(e)y selection, and that is nice. Staff are super friendly and make good drinks. Not a large beer selection, but what they do have is good. Happy hour deals are killer.

Ashley Ellington

Good drinks but they do not have Hennessey or any cognac so if you like a nice side car like me, you won't get it here. They do have an AMI juke box which you can use with the app but note that people really utilize priority play here so be ready to spend the 5 credits if you want to hear your song choices. I went by myself and everyone was friendly and it was easy to make a new friend or too. Good vibes here.

Jon Zuckerman

Over priced but delicious beer on tap. Insane whiskey selection. Down to earth vibe.