Great local bar in Emeryville! Always crowded at night and a super chill place. Gets quite loud. Great drinks but very little food options. Not an issue though, you can bring in any food you want! Check it out!

Dope vibe - killer cocktails - amazing service - extensive spirits menu

Came here for my buddy's engagement party with friends from out of town. We had a blast! Bar staff had great cocktails, very friendly, and you can bring in food. I'm coming back.

Prizefighter is fantastic! From the door guys, to the bartenders and bar backs, they're all super nice and very helpful. The drinks are good too, they really know how to make a cocktail and the presentation on them is really cool looking. 10 /10 would recommend this place to anyone!

A bit out of the way, tucked in a more industrial park area. Didn't have high hopes, but this place was awesome, both for its drinks and for its enjoyable setting (great patio space). Very nice bartenders.

Love this spot for happy hour. Great cocktails and beer selection. Tamales are delicious.

Damn good whiskey selection, damn good vibes, great bartenders and Barbacks! Friendly staff, comfortable setting, all you could ask for in a bar. Will come back every time I'm in the Oakland area!

Prizefighter is a must if you 1) like socializing, 2) enjoy random people watching scenes, 3) enjoy creative drinks or drinks of any kind. Great for groups, great as a couple, probably even great if you're there solo and want to meet random, interesting people. The crowd here is varied, eclectic, and enthusiastic. Young and old, casual attire to Gatsby theme party, you'll get it all. The patio is great since there's a good deal of seating and multiple heat lamps, and the indoors area is spacious and has...shuffleboard. The mojitos are strong, and the bartenders are attentive, friendly, and seem like genuinely cool people. Also, this is a very dog-friendly bar, both indoors and out. Every time I'm in Emeryville past 8pm, I'll hit up Prizefighter.

Awesome cocktail bar. The staff is beyond friendly and they know their stuff! You can get everything from mezcal to hot buttered rum and it's all super high quality.

The drinks are great. I definitely recommend the coffee cocktails or their punch bowls. The staff is nice and the atmosphere is cool. Plus they allow you to bring outside food.

Amazing, love the bartenders and bar backs. Drinks always delicious, atmosphere is so chill, great with friends, dates, loved ones.

Amazing find in Oakland. Solid menu with $1 oyster deals for happy hour! Impressive while list. Tasty food. Fun decor and ambiance. Just don't go to the gross bathroom lol.

Left my ID at home, responsible bartender asked me to leave and bring one. Grabbed it and came back, and they didn't give me any grief, cocktails are good and solid atmosphere. Doesn't seem to be anybody fighting though, which the name might imply. If you're looking for a prize fight, I would suggest a more discreet location.

Great drinks. Everyone behind the bar is an artist, and nice to boot. Amazing selection of rare spirits too. Get a tamale for a snack you won't regret it either.

Great bar. Always have good craft beer and can make a good cocktail. Outdoor seating too. But maybe you should skip it cause I don't want it to get too overcrowded.

Worth a detour, this bar has great happy hour deals, and open format with a nice outdoor patio. Staff is always friendly, never has a bad time. I only wish they had more food, although they do have chips and snacks like hot pretzels.

Haven’t been since the pandemic. But I know the team here will whip you up the best cocktail of your life no matter what! Love the margaritas, but honestly you can’t go wrong with a drink they have. Stay safe and keeping shaking out the best drinks.

Friendly, helpful, kind, and lovely staff. Love the the ambiance and warmth of the covered patio. Drinks are delicious. I’ve celebrated multiple birthdays here. Great experience each time!

Its a perfect neighborhood bar. Amazing selection of cocktails.

Love this place. Every time I’m in the area, I have to stop by. Staff is super friendly and very fast and professional. The drinks are are creative and diverse. If it’s nice out, they have a great outside area. Definitely recommend.

Is there a bar in the bay with better cocktails? Hard to say. Experienced and easy going crew with a great vibe. If you're in the area, or even if you're not, stop by and grab a drink and I bet you won't regret it

Pretty cool bar. You can order pizza to it

Always a great time. Ordered a gin fizz and it was beautiful. Honest management of my tab. Quick service from the bar every time.

Great drinks. They really love mezcal and whiskey here. Nice bartenders. Super dog friendly. Shuffle board. Nice outdoor seating area with heaters. Pool. Not full of creepers.

Great neighborhood spot. We can bring our dog on the patio. The vibe is great. The bartenders are super personable and capable. I can always find a few of the rotating cocktails that I’ll want to try.

Great spot. Unreal liquor selection. Bartenders get it, and make killer drinks. 🤘🏻

Dog-friendly bar with a great selection. The bartenders are really great! I always love the beers they have on tap and they have tons of Mezcal. The outdoor patio is great and there are usually some cute dogs to befriend.

Top 4 nominee for the 2015 Tales of the Cocktail Spirit Awards? Indeed, Prizefighter definitely goes toe to toe with some of the best bars in East Bay. While their menu is fantastic, ask their bartenders whats good. Their knowledge and enjoyment of their craft shows in every single drink they pour. Lacking on the food side, there are snacks but a long stay here will get you hungry. Thankfully you can get Pizza down the street. Stay a while and listen to the crowd. Best seats in the house are always going to be front row watching the bartenders. With a decent beer selection to go with the cocktails, you can't go wrong here. Did I mention the Ice? That is proper attention to detail. While they may not have won at Tales, I wouldn't ever write off Prizefighter.

These bartenders know how to make real drinks!! Also very nice people. Cute outdoor area. They do not serve food however you can bring your own!

Super cool space, great drink selection. Honestly the most attentive bartenders I have ever seen, they were quick to attend to people at the bar. I love their outdoor space.

Fun place, you can bring your own food or eat their tamales. I love that they have a nice Spanish wine, Tempranillo for under $10.

First time here. Staff was nice and friendly. Drinks are $$$, but what do I know, I am from Florida. Maybe it is normal here. Double house vodka was $16. It was Monday night. 9:00 PM. Not many girls. Older crowd with dogs. And I am 46 years old.

I can’t say enough about how much I love this place. Amazing cocktails and amazing staff to match! Always friendly, knowledgeable and skilled bar staff. The selection of spirits is off the charts. If you fancy a bite to eat they have tamales otherwise you can bring food in. I recently held a surprise birthday cocktail party outside on the patio. I brought in some pop u deco and food to share - the guests raved about the place! I even brought my dog! If you haven’t been, it’s a must! Best place for drinks in the East Bay:)

The Oaxacan firing squad. Smokey not too sweet and powerful. Got some real bartenders here. Also some great local draft beer.

Stiff delicious drinks served by a rowdy gang of charming ne'er-do-wells in a delightfully designed space that is almost always packed. The Margarita is remarkable!

+1

One of the best spot in the Bay Area. Beautifully crafted cocktails, every time. A solid beer list. Awesome, dog-friendly environment with great outdoor seating. Perfect for a casual drink during the day or a night out with friends. Best part is their team. Nicest, most hospitable bar tenders in the Bay Area. Even when they’re slammed they acknowledge you with a smile and hand you a menu to let you know they’ll be with you soon. Such an amazing crew who genuinely enjoys their craft and the community they serve.

Great place. Visiting from Florida. Safe covid rules. Great drinks and hospitality. Will be back.

This was a super cute, very chillax bar. It got pretty busy on the Saturday night we were there but the bartenders kept up and were making amazing drinks all night long. Good music playing that wasn’t overly loud. As a female I felt very safe there.

Good but limited happy hour. Excellent drinks, nice vibe.

This bar always has a special place in my liver ;) Bartenders are awesome. Owners are awesome; can tell they care for their staff. Drinks are always perfect; crafty without douchy. Flare but not pilgaric. They have an awesome system right now for outdoor dining. Go now. Reserve tables online prior, they fill fast.

This bar allows you to bring your dog, so that immediately makes me love it! They have a good selection of beers on tap (often including at a sour beer!) and make a variety of yummy cocktails. There is a patio area that is great for warm nights.

Very friendly and professional bar staff! The mezcal selection is the bee's knees. The warm soft pretzels are delicious! They have shuffleboard. The patio has heaters. They are dog friendly. You're welcome to bring your own food from elsewhere. It's a great environment. What is not to love?

I came here last Thursday and ordered the Old Fashioned drink, it is a bit strong but I really like the taste. I love the location of the bar, the atmosphere inside and outside the area is cool, there are several tables with chairs and heat lamps. I would be back definitely!

I didn't have the food but the drinks are always on point. The staff is flawless in their execution and heavy with their pour. A win each and every time.

Great bar, their cocktails are excellent. Some of the best in the Bay Area! Their gin and Amari selection is second to none.

David Boyce

Great atmosphere for Happy Hour and or late night vibes. Drinks were very well made. Price varies based on how much you’re going to drink 😂

Don Seto

came here for drinks. you have to order directly from .the bars it can take a minute. the bartenders are friendly but obviously VERY busy. drinks were delicious but not cheap. guess you get what you pay for i suppose. please of seating outside and a nice covered outdoor area with heaters so very comfortable on a cool rainy night. don't know if they serve food

Drew Spitzer

Cool bar with nice cocktails and a great beer menu. They often serve one food dish. Great indoor seating and a ton of great outdoor seating as well.

Advik Shreekumar

Creative and affordable cocktails, a cozy interior, and a great music selection for lounging.

Sylvia Calierno

Best bar in the bay area: hands down! Emphasis on small local family owned with the best qualities spirits you can find! Chill Bay Area vibe with Extremely knowledgeable bartenders. They ain’t playin!

Benjamin Richardson

Great bar, been coming here for almost 5 years now, great mixed drinks good atmosphere with a nice outdoor area.

klarese donnelly

Was there for their anniversary celebration so it was a super great energy and playlist. Even so, despite how busy it was the drinks remained high quality and staff were great

Erin Stewart

I love this bar. The vibe is just right, the staff is great, and the owners are awesome. I love being able to support a locally owned, dog friendly, chill bar in my neighborhood. Their bottleshop around the corner is also impressive and definitely worth checking out! The variety they have curated is almost overwhelming. I love that they nerd out over these spirits and show it by offering clubs and now the talk and taste series. Stop in for a drink or several, bring food from one of the great nearby restaurants, bring your friends or make new ones!

Helena

We recently visited Prizefighter cocktail bar on our way home, and it turned out to be a delightful detour! The cocktails were so enticing that instead of just one, we ended up ordering two each. The selection of liquor was impressive, and the cocktail menu was both creative and intriguing. My personal favorite was the Pink Cashmere – a beautifully crafted drink that balanced flavors perfectly. It’s definitely a must-try! While the bartender was decent, I felt there was room for more engagement, but it didn’t detract much from the overall experience. The atmosphere was lively, enhanced by great music that set the perfect backdrop for a fun evening. Overall, Prizefighter is a fantastic spot for cocktail enthusiasts. I can’t wait to return and explore more of their menu!

Emma and Fin

Excellent place to grab a fantastic drink in a chill atmosphere. We went on a Saturday night around 7 and there were people but it wasn't super busy. We got fast and friendly service, delicious drinks, and it was laid back and quiet enough to talk. We sat on the patio under the gas heater and it was glorious. They have some light snacks (and tamales that we didn't try). Also it's handicap accessible and they have gender neutral bathrooms which is great!

Ron Thomas

THE best spot for cocktails in the East Bay. The craft of bartending is alive, well and thriving here. Beyond the fantastic selection of spirits, the neverending list of new and/or classic cocktails they can make you, OR the great service and warm hospitality that it all comes with, it is the attention to detail and often hard-to-find perfect balance in every cocktail that makes this my absolute favorite bar in the East Bay. Finding Prizefighter has definitely helped ease the pain of leaving behind Death & Co., Pegu club, Attaboy, Clover Club, PDT and all the other stellar cocktail joints in NYC. And that, if you know anything about those legendary joints, you'll know is a compliment of the highest order.

Barry Barbieri

Great outdoor patio, exceptional service. We just went for drinks before dinner but it was fantastic and I highly recommend Prizefighter.We enjoyed the gin martini and bloody mary very much.

theo wirt

Wonderful bar, even better service. Been here 8+ years which is a rarity in the bay. 10+ go check it out. Lots of comfortable seating. Clean baños.

Tracee Taliaferro

All the way from Philly to this great lil gem. Old fashions is a must! Great bartenders/customer service.

Amanda L.

Amaaazing bar! They have really, REALLY good cocktails - my favorite is Modern Love (also love the homage to Bowie). And their service is as good as it gets - everyone here is so kind and lovely. One of the best bars in the entire Bay Area.

Mike Schramm

One of my "locals". Friendly place, great selection of cocktails and beers. Bring in your slices from Rotten City Pizza...patio is great, heaters help on a cool night.

Geoff White

This is my favorite bar in the east bay. Great atmosphere. Lots of light, outdoor patio. Great people on both sides of the bar. Top shelf cocktails delivered by skilled bartenders. Supurb and ever changing brew on tap. Shuffleboard. Zapp's potato chips. Dog friendly (if they are well behaved ) Can't get any better that this. OH and a complete line of mezcal. And fantastic line of American Whisky.

How do you even properly rate a bar? Really classy place with lots of indoor seating and a patio with heating. I came here on Halloween with a friend, and we (read: me) had to know what was the deal with the logo (they're ice tongs). Interesting set of cocktails; our bartender was a really swell guy who put up with my shenanigans. I had a gimlet and a pina colada; now that I think about it, I should've had the Velvet Mule too! A costumed stranger did randomly stroll by and try to spook me and other guests, so... definitely plan on stopping by the Prizefighter, especially on Halloween?

Good atmosphere, almost never feels over crowded. There is a great patio area with plenty of tables. Drinks can be a bit expensive, but overall I had a pretty good experience.

Nice spot, very trendy spot for the tech crowd management folks. If you go without a collared shirt you may feel underdressed post 5pm. First time every getting a solid cube, crystal clear ice cube in a drink. I was floored. Nice outdoor seating too.

We really enjoyed coming here with our friends. We sat outside and enjoyed many, many tasty cocktails and beers. Overall a great atmosphere, quality staff, and tasty drinks. P.S. Love the logo!

Outdoor seating was relatively cozy. The cocktails we're not overly sweet. Good selection. Nice staff. Tamales we're ok.

Prize fighter is the epitome of a California craft cocktail bar. It has all the right makings for delicious cocktails, a great beer selection. The customers are a well rounded mix with a television for sports. Outdoor seating is a plus and inside there is a lounge area. Side note: Great for a company party

Excellent selection of mescal. I appreciated how patient the bartender was, she took the time to really find one I'd like to drink. Wasn't my first good experience here and I don't expect it'll be my last.

Well prepared mixed drinks and nice selection of tap beer for the hipster crowd. Lively post work happy hour crowd with nice outdoor seating when it's warm. Shuffleboard table!

It’s very good place for drinks They don’t serve food so you have to get it from outside and eat

The place is nice but can be difficult to talk over the music and crowd. They have shuffleboard inside and a great outdoor patio which is really nice. The cocktails I hear are great quality and beer selection isn't huge but they what they have is good.

Vax proof required. There's an outdoor area that wasn't there the last time I went. Booths and high top tables, heaters. Dog friendly. Nice staff. My friend closed her tab and still left her card at the bar. A bartender came and found me to return it, she could have just left it so that was really kind. It gets crowded pretty quick. There's 2 gender neutral bathrooms that were clean and stocked.

It's a very unique and hidden gem of place! A nice industrial vibe that has a beautifully laid outdoor patio area and is pet friendly. The drinks are incredibly tasty and the vibe is totally mellow. I definitely recommend this place!

Features spacious outdoor seating with heating lamps for when things get chilly. Drinks are a bit pricey for my tastes. However, the beer selection is good, and they do make a tasty punch.

Delicious drinks but pricey. All of them were starting at $15. I think that's super overpriced. Unless you get beer, which is about $8 starting. They don't have food except for one offering a night. This night was $4 tamales. Super overpriced. They were frozen and microwaved. Literally a piece of string cheese and slice of bell pepper in the cheese one. I'm Mexican, so that was highly offensive lol. I did have the most delicious watermelon drink. Tasted like a jolly rancher in the best way. Just watermelon juice, vodka and lime. I don't know what else was in it, but I could've drank those all night. Except they were $15 each, so I only had one. This is a small place so seating is limited but you can make reservations. Nice environment. A locals kind of place in the now gentrified Oakland.... so sad. But I did enjoy myself. Just way too overpriced!

Great bar with tasty drinks. Their patio is fantastic and is what I recommend on a warm late spring evening. I don't know how the patio is during the winter (warmth), but the vibe is impeccable.

Sean Horton

Pretty quite place , had a decent amount of people. Its not in a busy location. Good parking. Good mocktails. Decent cocktails.

Dislike the online ordering, you can't order anything different like a special drink. Waitress was helpful and friendly. Small dining area because most of the inside is closed off.

The atmosphere is cool, but sometimes I get the different beer from what I ordered from the menu. Lager vs Hazy IPA. lol Beerlovers easily can tell the difference by color and taste. They definitely should know about the beer. Overall it is a nice bar.

Good drinks, quality has gone down over the past few years. Be sure to make a reservation in advance to book a seat on the new patio. Service has gotten faster with the new ordering at the table system though!

This building used to be where I bought my smoke salmon,many moons ago. So seeing this place as yet another bar is not surprising. The drinks were ok, young new crowd. A lot of younger people I know like this place. I like a little more comfort.

Ordered a gin martini. Got back to the table. There was one small olive that had been dropped in the glass without a toothpick. I guess you were either supposed fish it out with your fingers or wait until the last sip and then roll it into your mouth. Inexcusable. Won’t be back.

Nice spot to hang out. They always have heaters going outside and you can usually find a spot to sit in a reasonable time. Cool astethics inside and out. Only 3 stars for me as their specialty cocktails are usually FILLEE to the brim with crushed ice, meaning the drink itself is maybe a few sips in reality. I wish for the price I was paying for the cocktails I actually got a drink and not a ice cone. But if you just want beers or ciders then a great spot!

Danna Mitchell-Carter

Good vibe. Super tight and very little air flow. I liked the outdoor patio area. Covered, heat lamps and dog friendly

I was there with a large group. The most common complaint was that none of us liked their drinks. I would not go back. Location and atmosphere felt fine.

➤ Came here for a birthday party with my 17 month old around 8pm to see family & friends. Boggles my mind how their specific “liquor license” wont allow them to have any one under 21 in that venue. The beer garden in Oakland is kid friendly and way more nicer staff. Never going here again. :-)

The bartender from last night was racist towards my coworkers. Saying he only accepts California issued ID. We were at different bars before we went there and had no issues, this guy acted like he was down to build that wall down in Mexico. Never going back there. Drinks are overpriced and ambiance is not even as a great.

Stop by on Tuesday night with a group of friends. Drinks are ok. But the bartender was super rude when asked for ID. Why is it have to be CA identification? So you're telling me if I have an ID from a different state I can't drink even I'm 21? Like I don't understand that logic but whatever. And to the guy who work behind the bar that night-i hope this review reaches you-go get a therapist and work on your attitude bro-only women get to have that kind of attitude-you're a dude-do better. Peace:)

Stephen G

Finally dropped into this place after passing by, well I don't know how many times. The atmosphere is really cool and I love that they feature mezcal at the bar. I ordered an under the volcano with mezcal, creme de banana and vermouth. The result didn't taste like banana though so I can't say it was a success. Before I had a chance to finish it however, it was picked up by a different bartender with a quarter remaining. I found it demeaning and left immediately.