Today’s Partner:

Happy Thursday!

It’s Pride Weekend in Oakland, and we’ve got a winner of 2 VIP tickets to Taste of Jack London.

What else is going on:

  • The truth about those green compost bags

  • Fairyland, but with cocktails

  • How to get your kid rowing

Breezy 6 minute read.

- see ya at the bottom.

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Today's Partner

See where Oaklanders are ACTUALLY eating…

…not the ad Yelp wants you to click.

Zest is a new app from Oakland native (and Oaktown subscriber) Mario that automatically maps and recommends restaurants people actually eat at.

All you do is link a credit card (via Plaid, the same tool your bank or budgeting app uses), and Zest does the rest.

It pulls your top restaurants into a map and then recommends others based on your past visits — don’t worry, it only views food/dining transactions, no other transactions and never any amounts.

Get breakdowns of your go-to restaurants and top categories.

Plus, they’re building a whole community of foodies, with crowd-sourced lists like:

  • Best Oakland Bars

  • East Bay hidden gems

  • Zest’s own trending lists

  • Oaktown’s Hidden Gems (Our list)

  • And more…

Don’t let Yelp or the big Goog choose your next date night spot. Give Zest a try for free.

(Follow @Oaktown_Weekly once you download to get all our lists, like our new Best Happy Hours roundup.)

Town Giveaway

Our Taste of Jack London Winner Is…

Congrats to reader Nichelle! Check your inbox — your 2 VIP tickets are on the way.

Thanks to everyone who replied to last week’s newsletter. This was the largest giveaway yet.

For everyone else, you can still save $10 on any Combo/VIP ticket.

The Details: Taste of Jack London, Saturday, 12-5pm. Unlimited 5oz. pours from Cellarmaker, Original Pattern, Oakland United and Shapeshifters, plus bites from Reem’s, Everett & Jones, Xingones and Angel Cakes. VIP gets in at noon, GA at 1pm.

Your Weekend

Things to do in Oakland Aug. 13-16

Your hand-picked events for a stacked East Bay weekend.

FEATURED EVENT

Get your kid in a shell at East Bay Rowing Club’s Open House
Did you know OUSD high school students can learn to row for free AND get PE credit? The East Bay Rowing Club is now filling spots for their fall rowing programs (grades 8-12). Parents and students are invited to come meet with coaches, the current team, and more. | This Saturday, 9am-12pm. Jack London Aquatic Center, 115 Embarcadero. See Details →

Looking for the full weekend calendar? See every Oakland event happening this weekend →

Oakland Pride

Oakland Pride Weekend 2026

Our curated list of events celebrating Pride in Oakland this weekend.

Thursday, August 13

Jazz and Pole at Eli’s Mile High Club
It’s live jazz music and pole dancing. What more could you ask for? Event is hosted by Queer Fem Parties, a community celebrating Black, queer industry workers. And yes, it’s 21+. $15 GA. | Thursday, doors @ 7:30pm. 3629 Martin Luther King Jr Way. See Details →

Saturday, August 15

Beauty & The Brew Presents: Drag Brunch at Drake’s
Sally Limón hosts the Oakland Pride edition at Drake’s Dealership in Uptown, with Jax of RuPaul’s Drag Race, SFX artist Luismi, and Anna Tuesday. Drink and food specials. | Saturday, 11-2pm. Drake’s Dealership, 2325 Broadway. Get Tickets →

Oakland Roots host Monterey Bay at the Coliseum for Pride Night
There’s been some rumblings about the Roots owing the county some unpaid fees, but as far as I can tell, Saturday’s game is a go. Plus, it’s Pride Night. | Saturday, 7pm. Oakland Coliseum. Get Tickets →

Sunday, August 16

Oakland Pride Festival takes over downtown
This year’s festival returns with 4 stages, Grammy-nominated performers, a family zone, and 300+ exhibitors. Plus, it all kicks off with a free parade earlier in the day. Festival is $20, kids 12 & under free. | Sunday. Parade @ 10am, gates @ 11am, festival 12-6pm. Frank H. Ogawa Plaza. Get Tickets →

Town News
Pet of the Week

Meet Elvis from Toler Heights

Elvis, the pinchi — a min-pin chi Chihuahua mix.

Want your pet to be a star? Hit reply, send me a photo, their name and their neighborhood. Cats, dogs, lizards… whatever eats your treats.

And that’s the ‘sletter.

Thanks for reading, folks.

I’ve been very busy with the new baby boy these last few weeks, but more updates on Oaktown are coming soon.

We’re still having that party. (Join the waitlist here with one click).

See you in town,

-Kolby
Oaktown Weekly

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