The Factory Bar
Richmond’s The Factory Bar is an urban oasis, a dog-friendly lounge with human-friendly drinks, frequent food popups and one of the best garden patios in the East Bay. Their spring menu includes nine new cocktails.
‘P7’
2 oz. Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Scotch Whiskey
1 oz. Xila Licor de Agave Liqueur
2 dashes Angostura bitters
1 dash cherry bitters
Stir and pour over one large rock.
Garnish with cherry and orange peel on a spear.
Serve in a Madras glass.
The Factory Bar, open Mon-Wed 4pm-1am, Thu-Fri 4pm-2am, Sat 2pm-2am, Sun 2pm-1am; 12517 San Pablo Ave., Richmond. 510.778.1079. thefactorybar.net.
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Hotsy Totsy Club
Albany’s oldest-running bar, Hotsy Totsy Club, opened in 1939. Often voted “Best Dive Bar,” the Totsy is really a neighborhood gathering place. It features a seasonal, world-class cocktail menu, and the popular Tacos El Autlense truck in the parking lot. Dogs are more than welcome.
‘Not Into Yoga’
1.75 oz. Amaro di Angostura
.75 oz. Kalani Coconut Liqueur
.75 oz. Small Hand Foods pineapple gum syrup
Juice of one lime
Combine all and shake, double strain into coupe glass and garnish with a dehydrated lime wheel or edible flower.
Hotsy Totsy Club, open Mon-Thu 3pm-2am, Fri-Sun 12pm-2am; 601 San Pablo Ave., Albany. 510.526.5986. facebook.com/hotsytotsyclub.
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Viridian
A stylish, modern Uptown Oakland lounge, Viridian’s food and drink menus focus on sustainability and seasonality, with nostalgic yet innovative Asian flavors.
‘Wood Dragon’
Cognac, White Peach, Yuzu, Osmanthus, Pandan
1.5 oz. Cognac
.5 oz. Yuzu Liqueur
2 oz. White Peach Pandan Cordial*
Shake over ice, strain and serve.
*White Peach Pandan Cordial
1.5L White Peach Calpico
750g white sugar
600ml lime juice
1/2 tsp. Pandan Extract
Viridian, open Sun, Wed-Thu 5pm-12am, Fri-Sat 5pm-2am; 2216 Broadway, Oakland. viridianbar.com.
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Townhouse
A California comfort food classic, Townhouse has been an Emeryville institution since 1929. Needless to say, the place has stories—and loyal regulars, for good reason. The following is bartender Sam Elder’s non-alcoholic take on the Prohibition-era Bee’s Knees cocktail.
‘Birds & Bees’
1 oz. Seedlip Garden 108
1 oz. Ritual Zero Proof Gin Alternative
A bar spoon (tiny amount) of Lyre’s Italian Spritz
Fresh thyme
Handful of blueberries
1 oz. lemon juice
½ oz. honey
½ oz. in-house lavender syrup
Muddle juice, herbs and fruit.
Townhouse, open Tue-Sat, 2-9:30pm; 5862 Doyle St., Emeryville. 510.652.6151. townhouseemeryville.com.
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North Light
Temescal’s North Light is a cozy, contemporary lounge with a few of our favorite things: books, records, a charming back patio, and tasty food and drinks. They call the following “a scrumptious, late-spring cocktail with strong savory notes and tartness that will keep you coming back for more. Created by North Light’s bar manager Zach Edwards, it’s a delightfully crushable addition to any brunch or mid-day cocktail break.”
‘The Juice Diet’
Build in a Collins or Hurricane glass:
.75 oz. lemon juice
.5 oz. cucumber syrup (1:1 ratio cucumber juice and white sugar)
1.5 oz. apple/celery juice (1:1 ratio)
1.5 oz. Tequila Blanco
Crushed ice
Healthy pinch of tarragon (roughly 8-10 leaves)
Swizzle it.
Garnish with a lemon wheel and a straw, and you’re off to the races!
North Light, open Mon-Thu 4-11pm, Fri 4pm-12am, Sat 2pm-12am, Sun 2-11pm; 4915 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 510.891.1113. northlight.bar.
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Parche
A contemporary Colombian restaurant in Uptown Oakland, Parche has been drawing crowds with its upscale, art-filled ambience and flavorful, inventive cuisine. They say the following “uses tropical ingredients and is similar to a spicy mango lassi. This non-alcoholic cocktail pays homage to the ethnically diverse Bay Area.”
‘Health n Wealth’ mocktail
1 oz. mango purée
.5 oz. coconut cream
.5 oz. simple syrup
1 oz. coconut water
1 oz. orange juice
1 oz. ginger beer
Dash of habanero bitters
Dash of turmeric powder
Shake first five ingredients, add ginger beer and habanero bitters, then sprinkle with turmeric powder.
Parche, open Sun-Thu 11am-9:30pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10:30pm; 2295 Broadway, Oakland. 510.922.9687. parcheoak.com.
