Northgate

Although this is another fairly run-down neighborhood, there are a high number of stores and nightspots here that can be a draw if you are single and adventurous.

Let’s start with Mama Buzz Café on the southern end of the neighborhood. This cool, hipster hang is definitely worth a visit if you are a member of the vintage shirt and side burns set. From its fair trade coffee and veggie sandwiches to its cool (sometimes almost aloof) employees, Mama Buzz is definitely at the heart of the authentic hipster scene in Oakland. Not only is this a great place to hang out and argue about whether Arcade Fire is overrated or pretend to study for your exams, this is also where you can check out the art scene on First Fridays and hear local up and coming bands as they try to perfect their acts. Verrrrry cool!

Just down the street is Stork Club, a dive bar with very cheap, strong drinks and a very highly touted burlesque show on Friday nights. Definitely the place to go to get your Bukowski on.

If you would rather just get some very cheesy pizza instead, then you should check out Amazona’s just down the street—very tasty. On the other hand, if you are in the mood for something a little more off the beaten path, try Shashamene Bar and Grill—Ethiopian food in a sports bar venue. Now there’s a mix you don’t come across very often. Other great choices as far as eating go, are Off-the-Hook Seafood, Ozumo Japanese and Picán, a southern style lounge/restaurant which is the place to go for beignets and bourbon. (They have a dedicated “Bourbon Room”, that is how seriously they take their spirits.) Also, there is no happy hour at Picán—there it is called “Social Hour” 4-7—ahhh, nothing like Southern style charm!

The neighborhood’s proximity to the more affluent areas near Lake Merritt have made it a hub for fancy pet boutiques as well, from Just Pet Me Country Club to Pride and Pedigree. And, if you tire of your night spot choices in the neighborhood just head over to the corner of Broadway and Grand for a good dozen other cool spots within five minutes walk.

Though Temescal has got all the publicity in the last ten years for being super cool hipster and gourmet restaurant neighborhood, Northgate-Waverly has quietly become the headquarters of Oakie hipsters and Postmodern Beatniks.