Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon ⭐ 4.7 (734)

Go through time and drink at this historic place right next to Jack London's cabin. Tbh it's tiny inside so you will likely be outside like us. However the inside feels like a ship with the slant. You'll love the shack with brewskees. It's pretty good. I would say 7.5/10

TIME CAPSULE IN THE BAY AREA! If you’re a history geek who also loves beer, you cannot skip this! I went to Oakland just for Heinold’s First and Last Chance Saloon, and it was epic! It felt like I was in a time capsule! The place is pure history!!! The floor is slanted due to the 1906 earthquake and they kept it that way. And the walls and tables felt like they’ve absorbed over a century of stories. There’s also a WWI helmet in the ceiling. Wait!! Did I say this saloon was open since 1883? The place was small but I love history and time capsules! So amazing! And!! I had a blast just chatting with the guys serving beer. They’re more than bartenders. They were storytellers. I kept asking them about the history and all the quirky details inside, and then one of them actually lit up the original gas lamp. Yes, gas lamp!! One of only two left in all of California. How cool is that!!! In that moment, I swear it felt like I’d been transported back in time. Touching the old tables felt like touching the past itself. They don’t serve food here, just drinks, but that’s what keeps the focus on the experience. It’s not just a bar. It’s a living piece of California history.

A really cool piece of history. They have a large patio outside which seemed dog friendly. The inside is really funky and historic. The bartender checks ALL IDs, which made a bunch of people in our group feel young haha. A good selection of beers, looks like they do some whiskey too but didn't explore that option. Watch your step when you go inside!

This place is a trip. Super old the floor is purposely not level. The bartender will check everybody’s ID for some reason. $8 a beer. Not a lot of seating inside. It’s a small place probably smaller than 20‘ x 20‘. Most people will sit outside. Good choice of craft beers. Dogs not allowed inside only on the patio. I would say you really only want to go to this place if the weather is nice outside

I had heard about this unique piece of history and made a point of checking it out when I was in the Bay Area less than a week ago. Heinold's has been open continuously since 1883, it became known as the "First and Last Chance Saloon" because it was the first and last stop for generations of sailors to get a drink before either shipping out or returning from a long voyage at sea. The floor is slanted due to the pilings beneath shifting during the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. There is a clock on the wall opposite the bar which stopped at 5:18, the exact moment of the quake 119 years ago. Another unique feature of this place, which was frequented regularly by Jack London from the time he was a boy, is that it is the last business in California which has gaslights. If you like to have drink here and there and also like to soak up some history come and check this place out if you find yourself in Oakland...