The Double Standard
Northgate, Oakland
Bar in Oakland, United States
Book with PearlWhy go
The Double Standard is a low-friction Oakland bar pick for casual drinks, late plans, repeat visits where flexibility matters more than a destination cocktail program. Do not make it the centerpiece for dinner without checking the food situation first; use it as an easy social stop, then compare Viridian, Plum Cocktail Bar, Palmetto, Era Art Bar & Lounge, or Lost & Found Beer Garden for more specific moods.
About The Double Standard
The Double Standard in Oakland is best suited to a low-key plan: it has casual dress and daily hours that extend to midnight or later. That makes it easier to consider for an easy Oakland evening than for an occasion that depends on a specific menu, service format, or reservation setup.
The useful way to think about it is category first. If you are comparing options, Viridian, Plum Cocktail Bar, Lost & Found Beer Garden, Palmetto, Era Art Bar & Lounge are natural names to consider alongside The Double Standard. Check current drinks, food, seating, reservation details directly before going.
Use it for an easy Oakland evening plan, not a destination dinner
Main caution is food. Do not make this the anchor for a meal unless the group has already checked the food situation separately. If dinner is the point, start with the full Oakland restaurants guide or look at other food-led options before committing the night to one venue.
As an Oakland choice, the case rests on schedule and casual dress. The hours run daily: Monday through Wednesday from 4 PM to 12 AM, Thursday from 4 PM to 1 AM, Friday from 4 PM to 2 AM, Saturday from 2 PM to 2 AM, Sunday from 2 PM to 12 AM. That makes the venue easier to consider for later plans than places with earlier closing times, but check any specific service details directly.
Good for a casual plan, with better alternatives for specific needs
For a casual outing, The Double Standard may fit if the group is comfortable checking current details before arrival. For a more specific comparison, consider Palmetto, Era Art Bar & Lounge, Viridian, Plum Cocktail Bar, or Lost & Found Beer Garden depending on the mood and logistics you want. For a broader scan, use the full Oakland bars guide.
Groups should read this as a casual Oakland venue rather than one to choose for a complex setup. Smaller flexible plans are the cleaner fit. If private-room access, seat counts, reservations, outdoor seating, or menu details matter, check with the venue before making The Double Standard the center of the night.
Planning details
- Location
- 2424 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94612
- Website
- doublestandardbar.com
- Phone
- (510) 879-7601
The take
The Take
The Vibe
The Double Standard presents itself as a low-key, neighborhood wine room that favors thoughtful curation over theatrical service. It leans into a relaxed, quietly sophisticated identity: a modest storefront on Telegraph Avenue where the wine list functions as the primary voice and the people who choose it act as curators. The space reads intimate and unpretentious, the kind of place that rewards listening to the list and lingering over a glass. Rather than shouting for attention, it trades on subtlety — making it feel like a charming, slightly hidden chapter in Oakland’s maturing wine scene.
Best For
This is a bar built around the pleasures of drinking and conversation, making it well suited to after-work pours, casual hangouts, and small group outings that want something a little more composed than a typical neighborhood spot. It also appeals to diners and drinkers who want to learn: the program frames bottles and glasses as curated statements, so people who enjoy tasting deliberately — and comparing notes with friends or a sommelier — get the most out of a visit. The room’s relaxed, seated rhythm keeps the mood conversational and unhurried.
Ordering Tips
Approach the list as you would an essay: ask how the program is organized and what the staff are arguing for. The text emphasizes a curator-style wine program and a sommelier/buyer voice, so solicit recommendations and be open to guided choices by the glass or bottle. Prioritize the house’s editorial selections rather than searching for familiar names; this is where the room’s strengths show. Because the experience values the glass as much as the chair, plan to linger over one or two thoughtful pours rather than rushing through several quick tastes.
Venue details
Ambiance
Eclectic and vibrant with a warm, welcoming neighborhood feel enhanced by the modern vision and lively events.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
View
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Cocktail Bar
- Late Night
- Open Until 2am
- Live Music
- Yes
Signature Pours
The Devil's Advocate
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Viridian, Notable alternative
- Era Art Bar & Lounge, Notable alternative
- Plum Cocktail Bar, Notable alternative
- Lost & Found Beer Garden, Notable alternative
- Palmetto, Notable alternative
Bar context
How it compares in Oakland
Choose The Double Standard when ease matters more than a tightly composed cocktail experience. Viridian and Plum Cocktail Bar are better cross-shops when the drinks program is the point of the night; this is the more casual pick when the group wants a flexible bar stop without turning the plan into an occasion.
For ambiance, Era Art Bar & Lounge is the stronger choice if the room itself needs to carry the night, while Palmetto is the cleaner date-night comparison. The Double Standard is more useful for a repeat regular visit: easy to slot before or after dinner, less precious, better suited to a loose plan.
For groups, Lost & Found Beer Garden is the more obvious backup if space and casual energy are the main requirements. The Double Standard wins when the group is smaller, the booking needs to be easy, the night is centered on convenience rather than a full-service dining or lounge experience.
Explore Oakland
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full The Double Standard guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare The Double Standard
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| The Double Standard | Oakland | No published awards |
| Viridian | San Francisco | Tales Spirited Awards 2026 - Best U.S. Restaurant Bar - Best U.S. Restaurant Bar (Top 10 Nominee)Pearl Recommended Bars |
| Era Art Bar & Lounge | Oakland | No published awards |
| Plum Cocktail Bar | Oakland | No published awards |
| Lost & Found Beer Garden | Oakland | No published awards |
| Palmetto | Oakland | No published awards |
How The Double Standard Oakland compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Double Standard good for groups?
It may work for a casual group plan. If the group is large or needs a specific setup, confirm directly with the venue before going.
Is The Double Standard open late?
Yes. Hours are 4 PM to 12 AM Monday through Wednesday, 4 PM to 1 AM Thursday, 4 PM to 2 AM Friday, 2 PM to 2 AM Saturday, 2 PM to 12 AM Sunday.
Is The Double Standard good for a date?
It may fit a casual date, especially because the dress code is casual. For a more specific plan, compare it with Palmetto, Era Art Bar & Lounge, Viridian, Plum Cocktail Bar, or Lost & Found Beer Garden.
