Kingfish Pub & Cafe

Inside Kingfish Pub & Cafe

Kingfish Pub & Cafe at 5227 Telegraph Ave is a classic Oakland dive bar that carries the laid-back, no-frills spirit the neighborhood is known for. Despite the "cafe" in its name, this spot functions primarily as a pub and bar, where bringing your own food is more the norm than relying on a kitchen—though you’ll find free salted and buttered popcorn to keep things simple and social at the bar.

The vibe here is comfortably worn-in and welcoming, with a sense of local history threaded through its walls and worn wooden bar tops. The dual bars and plenty of TVs make it a natural hangout for catching Cal football games or late-night meetups. It draws a crowd ranging from university students on Thursday nights to longtime locals and regulars who appreciate its unpretentious character.

The outdoor patio extends the indoor energy into an open-air space where you can settle in with friends or your dog—the pub is notably dog-friendly. The back patio and a rentable loft upstairs offer a bit more room for gathering, making it a spot people return to for birthdays or weekend socializing without fuss.

One of the defining features of Kingfish is its affordability—16oz PBRs hover around $5, which fits well with the pub’s easygoing, accessibly priced approach. Expect a lively mix of characters and the occasional shuffleboard game to fill out the scene. Whether you're stopping by for a Sunday afternoon drink or grabbing a late-night spot close to campus, this place feels like a comfortable slice of Oakland culture in a distinctly dive-bar setting.

Highlights & Local Essentials

Highlights

Has bar games

Has fast service

Has great beer selection

Serves great cocktails

Good for watching sport

What they serve

Serves alcohol

Serves beer

Serves cocktails

Serves food

Serves happy-hour drinks

Serves spirits

Serves wine

Best for

Outside food allowed

Has seating

Accessibility

Has wheelchair-accessible entrance

Has wheelchair-accessible seating

Has wheelchair-accessible toilet

Parking

Free of charge street parking

Local Moments in Photos

Find It on the Map

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

3:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Tuesday

3:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Wednesday

3:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Thursday

3:00 PM - 1:00 AM

Friday

3:00 PM - 2:00 AM

Saturday

12:00 PM - 2:00 AM

Sunday

12:00 PM - 12:00 AM

What Locals & Travelers Say

770 Reviews

Tony Gonzalez

07 Jan 2026

Felt right at home. You can sense the history around you with all the ear marks of a classic dive bar. I love it and even bought a T-shirt Good drinks, people and service. The back patio is awesome with a rentable loft

Samuel Solis

15 Dec 2025

Kingfisher the great all-around pub it's great for people wanting to experience local Oakland culture and wanting to see what a dive bar really means. It does not have food even if it has cafe in the name.

AllLove TruthTold

10 Dec 2025

Good local Oakland landmark staple with friendly and welcoming atmosphere, Cal student affairs on Thursday late nights til 1; affordable specials daily; Friday, Sat, & Sundays, solid spot w/ all the beautiful characters & SHUFFLE BOARD. Outdoor patio and dog friendly.

Eric Madison

05 Oct 2025

It's a great spot to watch Cal football there is no food available to buy but they are pretty laid back about you bringing your own food cheap drinks 16oz pbr 5 bucks it's 21 and over but dog friendly

Sheila S

03 Oct 2025

It was the last place we went before the pandemic hit and the first place we went when we were allowed to go out again. I’ve been to this local dive for many years and it’s always a nice casual atmosphere. They have a large back patio, TVs, two bars, free salted and buttered popcorn, and it is dog friendly. We rented the upstairs room for one of my birthdays, and it was also very convenient for $200. Street parking. One unisex bathroom in the back patio and one male one female bathroom inside.

Jochem Michgelsen

02 Oct 2025

Amazing dive bar with a good college vibe on thursday. Service is kind but very slow, that's why the 1 star is given to service. If you wanna go back in time this bar is amazing, get yourself a table and your gold for a deep night

Virginia Cortland

26 Sep 2025

This is a great bar after a sports games. Don’t love how many college students go here, but the vibes are always great.