The Fox Theater in Oakland is a one-of-a-kind live entertainment venue that has been packing in cinema and music lovers since 1928. Originally a movie theater and theater, the venue switched to being primarily a cinema until 1966 when it finally closed its doors along with several other businesses in downtown Oakland. It was nearly demolished after it had been vacant for some time; however, the Fox Theater avoided demolition when it was declared an Oakland City Landmark. The venue reopened in February 2009 as a concert hall and music venue; it has a complete re-imagined decor with giant golden Buddhas and Middle Eastern architecture. The venue is general admission (standing room) on the ground level and stadium seating on the upper levels.
This grand old movie house, located just a block from Oakland's Lake Merritt, has four screens for your viewing pleasure. Before select Friday and Saturday evening shows, guests are treated to the bombastic sounds of the theater's famous "Mighty Wurlitzer Organ." For a most enjoyable experience, sit back and relax with popcorn and a soda from the refreshment stand. Make sure to check the marquee for some of the owners now famous political commentary on the issues of the day.
Cafe Van Kleef is located right in the heart of Oakland's Uptown neighborhood. The theme of Van Kleef is unconventional and all about the quirky artwork everywhere. The specialty at Van Kleef's is their Greyhound - a drink of vodka with grapefruit juice, which you can watch them squeezing fresh at almost any given point during the night. On most nights in the week, the bar plays live jazz music. Certain nights come with a cover charge so be sure to check details before you head here.
The Paramount Theatre is the home of the Oakland Ballet and the Oakland East Bay Symphony. It is the area's foremost facility for performing arts and is known for its grand music concerts, variety shows and movies. Constructed in the post-Depression period of 1931, the Paramount Theatre is best remembered for fusing various disciplines of arts together into a harmonious whole. The Paramount frequently screens old movie classics complete with intermission with bar service.
The Oakland Arena Arena has been a popular fixture in the city since its opening in 1966. It did go through a few name changes before settling to its current title. However its roots remain the same. Considered to be National Basketball Association's (NBA) oldest stadium, it is the turf of the Golden State Warriors. Besides scintillating matches, it also hosts amazing concerts by renowned musicians from across the globe. Some of their previous acts include the Grateful Dead and Scorpions.
Yoshi's is not just a place where you can catch mind-blowing jazz, but also a sushi bar with an excellent food. Eager music lovers pack the restaurant and the Jazz House on performance nights. It showcases the best talent and boasts of high tech acoustics in the Bay area. A full cocktail menu is available with items like sushi, appetizers, salads and desserts. The attire is causal and the atmosphere jazzed up. It has a top-notch restaurant that serves Japanese food, and is open for lunch and dinner.
Named in honor of the college's former coach and baseball legend, Louis Guisto Field opened in 2012. Enclosed by pine trees with the hills as a backdrop, this baseball field replaced its namesake arena. The base of Saint Mary's College of California's Gael baseball team, it is a great place to catch all the action of the home team.
Fremont Teen Center is ideally located near the banks of Lake Elizabeth. The venue is divided into the main hall and two meeting rooms and also has an outdoor patio and a kitchen. The center is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and can accommodate up to 300 people. It is available for meetings, conferences, and private parties.
The Taube Atrium Theater is nestled inside the opulent building of San Francisco War Memorial. The theater was named after California Businessman, philanthropist and San Francisco Opera Board Member Tad Taube and his wife Dianne. Inaugurated in 2016, the space is painted in a light grey tone with carved walls and a hazy, circular skylight on the ceiling. With minimalist architecture and a distinct grey theme, the place has a calm vibe. Equipped with modern sound and light systems, it is a perfect blend of contemporary and traditional. Since it is a flexible space, it is used for a variety of smaller concerts and operas.