Today’s Partner:
Welcome back!
I’ve been rounding up events for nearly a year now and some weekends just feel stacked with things to do in Oakland.
This is one of them. Gear up.
In this issue:
A creature parade at Lake Merritt
[Oaktown Eats] New Oakland restaurant map
The latest on the Rockridge “tower” saga
6 minute read.
- see ya at the bottom.
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Today's Partner
When's the best time to learn Spanish in Oakland?
Short answer: NOW.
Learning a second language has been scientifically proven to help with long-term brain protection and neuroplasticity — AKA it can help you undo all that social media brain rot.
Easy Spanish Para Ti (ESPT) offers small, in-person group and individual classes at their classrooms in downtown Oakland — it's the same school I go to.
Each class is taught by local, native speakers with an emphasis on real conversation and community. Plus, ESPT hosts regular community events like Lake Merritt hangs, movie nights, and more.
New classes start next month and the groups fill up fast. (Groups are limited to just 8 students.)
Oaktown readers save $50 when they enroll. Book a FREE assessment to learn more AND, as a bonus, find out your learning level — s/o B1’s.
Your Weekend
Things to do in Oakland July 16-19
Our hand-picked list of events for your weekend.
Thursday, July 16
Summer Sips kicks off along Lakeshore
The Lakeshore crew (LABID) is running a month-long stretch of seasonal cocktails and drink specials at bars and restaurants up and down the ave. Runs July 15 through August 15. | Now Through Aug. 15, All along Lakeshore Ave. See Details →
Friday, July 17
Drake's Dealership launches Auto Row Live
The events team at Drake’s has been on a hot streak. Now they’re launching a new outdoor, live-music series in their A+ beer garden. | Friday, 7-11pm. 2325 Broadway. See Details →
Mr. Elephant's last show at Line 51
The family-friendly brewery Line 51 is closing this Sunday — but not before Mr. Elephant plays one final show for the kids. Come with the kids and savor one last pint. | Friday, Show @ 5:30pm. 303 Castro St. See Details →
Saturday, July 18
The Elmwood Beer Crawl takes over College Ave
Vintage Berkeley, the minds behind the Elmwood wine shop, are hosting a self-guided crawl along College Ave. Stop by 22 participating businesses to sip 25 craft brews and enjoy exclusive discounts. Save $5 when you pre-purchase. | Saturday, 1-5pm. Elmwood, College Ave, Berkeley. Get Tickets →
Nosh hosts Taste of the East Bay at Temescal Brewing
Nosh, the official food mag of the East Bay, is hosting a pop-up food fest in the Temescal Brewing yard. Sample bites from a rotating cast of East Bay chefs and restaurants. | Saturday, 12-4pm. 4115 Telegraph Ave. See Details →
The first-ever Temescal Alley Book Festival
Temescal’s Womb House Books is packing the alley with indie presses from Transit Books, Heyday, Zyzzyva and more — then throwing an afterparty at their shop. Free and outdoors. | Saturday, 12-6pm. Temescal Alley, 470 49th St. See Details →
Mosswood Meltdown returns for two days of glorious weirdness
The Meltdown at Mosswood returns with John Waters hosting and a ton of punk legends lined up like Iggy Pop and Bikini Kill. Runs Saturday and Sunday, tickets are still available. | Sat-Sun, 11-10pm. Mosswood Park. Get Tickets →
Lake Merritt Puppet Society Creature Parade
The puppet society of Lake Merritt is hosting a “Creature Parade” starting at Snow Park and parading along the waterfront. Expect puppets, costumes, bikes, and more. All ages welcome, but the description is “party until dawn.” | Saturday, Meet up @ 4pm, Parade @ 5pm. Snow Park. See Details →
Sunday, July 19
Sunset yoga along Jack London waterfront
Town Strides is hosting a sunset yoga session at Rosenblum Cellars in Jack London Sunday evening. Get a flow in then relax by the water with a wine tasting, snacks, and music. All proceeds go to support Full Circle Scholars Program. | Sunday, 5-8pm. 10 Clay St. See Details →
San Leandro Restaurant Week kicks off
Disclaimer here: Oakland has the BEST restaurant scene in the Bay, pound for pound but… if you need a reason to head south and check on Oakland's southern neighbor, San Leandro Restaurant week is a good excuse. | Starts this Sunday through 7/25. See the Specials →
World Cup Final watch party at Lot 2270
Northlake and the Oakland Athletic Club are throwing the World Cup Final up on a 10' x 20' LED screen at 23rd & Broadway, AKA “Lot 2270”. BYO chairs and blankets, grab a beer, and gear up for Argentina v. Spain. | Sunday, 11am-4pm, Lot 2270 (23rd & Broadway). Free RSVP →
Oaktown Eats
Sponsored by Zest Maps
[EDITOR’S NOTE] Welcome to our new bi-weekly feature Oaktown Eats. We’ll be sharing local restaurant reviews, round-ups, openings/closings, and more. Got feedback? Send me your thoughts with a reply.
New Oakland Restaurants to try this July
Map of new openings (and re-openings).
Finding new places to eat and drink is one of the most requested features from readers. You ask, I deliver.
We’ll be tracking new restaurant and bar openings in Oakland every month. This month, we’re rounding up 5 new spots and 2 re-openings worth a visit.
Bar Skula — opening in the former Sidecar space near Lake Merritt.
Reem's Bakery — the Arab Californian bakery returns to Jack London after a 5-year closure, this time as a worker-owned collective.
El Barrio — an Old Oakland sports bar from the team behind Xingones.
Millennium — the vegetarian fine-dining icon has reopened.
Twin Flame Japanese Robata — opening in the new Piedmont One building at Piedmont & MacArthur.
Bolo's Deli Sandwiches — soft-opening now, next door to OAC.
Oakland Athletic Club (OAC) — After closing in February, it’s reopened with new ownership.
(This section is sponsored by Zest, a new Oakland-based dining app helping you find your next favorite spot. Follow Oaktown for our Hidden Gems list exclusively on Zest, 7+ new spots added this week.)
Town Market
Need a good market this weekend?
Wardrobe Project Flea Market
Every 3rd Saturday under the Rockridge BART station. A new staple in the vintage circuit. | Saturday, 10-5pm. Rockridge BART. See Details →
Jack London Farmers Market
There are OTHER Farmers Markets than Grand Lake. Head to the waterfront for in-season stone fruit, stay for some D&B. iykyk. | Sunday, 11-4pm. Broadway and Embarcadero. See Details →
Bay Bazaar
The monthly bazaar from safariiiCamp artist collective. Handmade goods, fits, and matcha. | Sunday, 4-8pm, 755 E 10th St. See Details →
Pet of the Week
Meet Kudra, The Oakland Hills Queen
A real tree climbing pup. RIP Kudra.
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.
Town News
Trending stories for your week
Black Cultural Zone (BCZ) purchases Oakland lot for $10 — The lot, which went into tax default back in 1995, was transferred to BCZ for the low price. BCZ plans to raise $40M to build 100-units of affordable housing on the lot.
State laws complicated pushback to Rockridge “Towers” — The 415-unit senior housing complex qualifies for California’s Density Bonus Law, limiting Oakland City officials’ actions.
Street vendor crackdown — Vendors packed into city hall this week to contest the recent crackdown by OPD and the city.
Oakland Coliseum sale moves forward — In the latest version, Oakland will receive 6% of annual gross ticket sales. In exchange, Oakland agrees to sell its 50% stake in the property for $125M.
Boom, you did it.
Thanks for reading.
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Friends, family, exes, no judgement.
See you in town,
-Kolby
Oaktown Weekly
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