Vesuvio's colorful, stained-glass windows provide an unbeatable second-story view of the vibrant Broadway and Columbus intersection. Guests who want to drink where Kerouac & Co—"mad ones"—once did, come here to feel the echo of the 1950s' literary history. As colorful as the decor is, the ambiance can be described as whimsical and inspirational, with old classics playing in the background and arty walls adding more allure to the interior. You will usually find a mixed bag of writers, artists and tourists lounging around here. It's a good place to linger over drinks while soaking in the establishment's eclectic and neighborly charm.
This historic bar is full of stories, character, and charm. Once a place Jack London himself would frequent to drink and write, the story is that the famous author borrowed his college entrance fee from the bar's proprietor. The small bar still features a slanted wooden floor and charred walls leftover from the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906, which took its toll elsewhere in the Bay Area, too. Its name derives from the old days when it was the only bar at the Port of Oakland. Each day, as laborers would take the ferry to San Francisco and back again, this was the first and last chance for the working man to grab a drink. The bar serves only beverages and distributes literature on its history.