Dogwood

I think the bar is ok. I’ve been here many times so obviously it is good enough to come back to. The reason for the two stars is that I’ve just experienced way better. When I think about Dogwood, I think about a place that is just like any ‘ol Mission hipster bar in the City but trying to not be that way because it is very «Oakland and proud» but, nonetheless, is just like a Mission hipster bar in the city. The well drinks are watered down but the cocktails are good (and overpriced, just like any Mission hipster bar). Except therein lies the problem, this is Oakland, not the City, so the bar would be better just being Oakland.
I have found the bartenders to range from being very friendly to ratchet … who would have thought? Also, any bartender that doesn’t know what is in a Cape Cod should not be working as a bartender (IMHO).
I’m a fan of the grilled cheese and cheese/​meat plates which I do like and appreciate. I’m sure I’ll be back to this bar at some point but this isn’t really a place I care to go to on the regular.

I went there with a friend for his birthday because I have always enjoyed the ambiance. In addition to a amazing assortment of tequila, the bartender was super nice to boot. It’s great having such great bars in the neighborhood.

This is a nice place, a great selection of cocktails, and knowledgeable servers. The selection of eats and charcuterie, too, leaves you happy happy happy. You don’t have to come exclusively to drink at this bar, which is great; the food is high quality. Come for the liquor, stay for the food, which says a lot in this restaurant-​dense area.

Meet my favorite cocktail bar in Oakland! I last ended up here after being booted out of Fauna. Oh, Fauna, when will you do something about your absurdly early last call times? We decided to head down the street and continue the festivities for my birthday.
After getting a nice happy birthday wish from the doorman, we headed inside to grab some drinks. The cocktails here were, as usual, amazingly tasty and reasonably priced ($ 9 — $ 12). If memory serves me correct, I stuck with my favorites: Bee’s Knees and Stones Throw. Hooray for ginger beer! And, hooray for cool bartenders too!
It was just after midnight on a Wednesday night, so the place wasn’t too crowded. Our group was able to secure a table, relax, and enjoy the rest of the night.
Tip: This place is conveniently located nearby the 19^th St Oakland BART station.
Bonus Birthday Tip: There’s a food stand about a block away with bacon-​wrapped hot dogs! As if that wasn’t enough, the woman running the stand is absolutely hilarious!

Best grilled cheese of my life! (But don’t get the dirty martinis — too much vermouth). Seriously grilled cheese are on point

I love this bar. It’s got a super cool speakeasy type vibe inside. It’s always laid back, they play great music, and the cocktails are BANGIN. I’ve had some seriously good Manhattans here. There is also a bar in the back called Darling’s Exilirs, which may be a seperate establishment, but is owned by the Dogwood team. The only issue at Dogwood is that when it gets really packed, it can be tough to get a drink order in. The food looks and smells great, although I haven’t actually tried any of it. This is definitely a fantastic downtown cocktail bar.

I always enjoy my time here! Can’t say enough great things about this spot. First off, it’s close to Bart so that’s always a plus. I came in last night and asked the bartender what she would recommend because I was looking to drink something fruity. She asked about my favorite flavors and put together a drink just for me. Now that’s some good service right there! Very chill environment and they play good music! Can’t go wrong with a little TLC ‘Creep’ on a Saturday night!

Drinks were decent, a little slow on service. A bit pricey.
Would have given a better review if they had not doubled the tip i originally gave them. Be careful with using your credit card here.

Dogwood is a solid bar in a happening stretch of town, right near the Fox Theatre where Telegraph branches off Broadway towards the north. There’s a good variety of tasty cocktails to choose from, and the bartenders are knowledgeable and and friendly enough to make anything you want. What’s more, there’s a decent menu of munchies, like the totally delicious cubanito sandwich I tried. While the interior might feel a bit dark as you walk in, you’ll adjust quickly to the cozy yet retro-​sleek ambience.
Also, you have to give the owners credit for sticking it out here over the years. Dogwood is located on such a busy street corner that drunk drivers have crashed into it twice, while rioters have also smashed the windows twice. Nevertheless, the area is on the way up and the owners have bounced back each time. Judging by the healthy crowds this place gets, it looks like the community has embraced Dogwood as well.

I like this bar, come here with friends on a Friday occasionally. My fav cocktail is the Stones Throw! They even have cheese, grilled cheese etc. nice cool little chill spot. Always good vibes when I come here

Drinks were great. The bartender that night must have been having a bad day because ordering a drink was quite the annoying ordeal for him. The other people at the bar were very stand-​offish as well — felt like I was in SF, not Oakland.

Kiki the bartender is a f’ing biatch. Rum and Coke means just Coke. When I asked her for a sweet drink she was all like what do you want? I was like ummmm your the f’ing bartender you tell me. Very rude and pretentious. I will not be returning to this uppity bullsh*t of a place. Good luck to you if you go.

The intoxicating smell of grilled sandwiches fill the air when you walk into this establishment, sadly I was not able to sample any of there sandwiches, just had a drink from there neighbor then walked over to sit down,
I will be back to sample some of there grilled sandwiches, from what I can see, prosciutto, bacon, and several other meats are available. must come back and sample some of there sandwiches

Yummy Valencia aka Orange Julius for adults and Bee’s Knees but the Cubanito means pequito meat? Lol… Definitely going back for drinks & grilled cheese and best ladies room in a bar!

Came here before a show at the Fox Theater to grab a few drinks.
The bees knees was sweet and yummy. It’s dangerous because it really doesn’t taste like alcohol at all. The 2^nd cocktail I had (and the name I completely forgot) was described by the bartender as an adult version of an orange julius, and she was spot on. It was refreshing and the egg whites made it super rich and frothy. I tried a sip of what the bf drank (stones throw and farmer’s daughter) and they were all good!
Of course, we had to try the grilled cheese. And the reviews aren’t kidding when they say it’s BOMB DOT COM. Perfect to munch on with your drinks! Buttery, cheesy goodness.
It wasn’t busy when we went so we were able to find seats and service was quick and friendly.
I’ll be back!

This is the song I would like to sing to the grilled cheese of Dog Wood:
«I wanna, lick lick lick lick you from your head to your toes».
The end.

Had a nice, low-​key evening at Dogwood on a Monday night!
I came out to Oakland from SF to meet a friend, and loved that this place was a block away from the 19^th St Oakland BART station.
I ordered a grilled cheese with tomato and basil, and it was absolutely delicious! I also enjoyed my ginger beer cocktail, as well as a glass of wine.
The service was very friendly, though we did have to go up to the bar to place our orders.
The place wasn’t too loud or busy on a Monday night, which made it a great atmosphere for catching up with an old friend.
The prices are reasonable too!

I have visited this place many times, but I can’t find myself to give a review. I feel the place is too pretentious, pricy, and unfriendly bartender. The only redeeming quality of the place is the grilled cheese. Not to mention very cramp.
I have since changed my mind. I like the expansion and the food window. More room, feel more friendly, and It feel more accepting. Though, I was a bit tipsy because it was birthday. I may have to check back again to give another try.

$ 5 for a delicious, buttery, perfectly pressed grilled cheese. The option to add sundried tomato, basil, and mushrooms. Little cornichons on the side. Mustard (the good stuff, mind you, none of that French’s yellow) provided without asking. Dogwood literally served me my dream sandwich on a plate. If that isn’t culinary inception, I don’t know what is.
As for cocktails, they are creative, tasty, and strong. I love the Brooklyn, and the Bees Knees is, well, the BEES KNEES. It’s true you may have to wait — Dogwood can be packed late at night, and usually have just one bartender during happy hours/​early evening. I hate waiting, but if I had to wait, there’s nowhere I’d rather hang around than a converted apothecary/​pharmacy where the smell of grilled cheese permeates every corner.

What I had: the bees knees, various grilled cheese sandwiches, pickled veggies
Visit date: January 13, 2015
First time? Yes.
Twas a fun evening at Dogwood. I had the bees knees — it was a decent drink, sweet and sour. What really stood out were the snacks! We had two kinds of grilled cheese. One had tomato jam and the other had tomato and basil. Both were excellent. The bread had a crisp outside and soft inside. The cheese was gooey and warm. I have a special place in my tummy for tomato jam and Dogwood’s was an A+. The dijon dipping sauce added a nice touch, too. So did the pickles.
There are plenty of seats around and open space to stand around or dance. Order your food at the bar and they’ll bring it out to you.