Establishments: January 2010 Archives

Z's Cocktail Lounge is a stylish neighborhood bar in Alameda, located at 1403 Encinal Avenue near the corner of Sherman Street.

The ornate chandeliers will welcome you with their soft warm glow, and the red upholstered barstools will invite you to stay. Fresh beautiful flower arrangements add that special note of elegance and cheer. Behind the cherry finished hardwood bar you'll discover a stunning array of spirits presented against glass-and-mirror shelving and supported by striking lion-head pillars. Three crisp flat-screen televisions flicker from the high ceilings, eager to entertain you after a long day.

With a full compliment of the best vodka and gin, this place can put together the ultimate martini, made to order. Z's also boasts a competitive library of tequila, an exotic selection of liqueurs, and a truly impressive collection of bourbon and scotch. On the lighter side, Z's offers six beers on tap (anyone for a Black-and-tan?) and more than ten others in bottles, along with an attractive list of wines and port.

I tended bar here for a few months, and it was a great experience. Every so often you can catch me drinking here late at night, since some of my very best friends live just up the street. While the decor and selection are full of elegance, the patrons are easy-going and the dress code is casual, so it's a great place to hang out and relax!

This comfortable old pub has lots of character, with vintage posters, beautiful paintings, models of tall ships, and various musical instruments adorning the walls. Amenities include cable TV (often tuned to the History Channel if there isn't a game on), a state-of-the-art jukebox, a computer with a high-speed internet connection, and several dartboards. Just ask the bartender for the house darts if you find yourself without yours.

The bar boasts an array of bottled beer, cider and wine, and behind the bar we have favorites like Cazadores, Sailor Jerry's, Captain Morgan, Jameson's, and Bombay Sapphire. On tap there's Red Tail Ale, Spaten Lager, and Guinness waiting to be poured into frosty pint glasses. The bartenders here are well-versed in making shooters, with God Shave the Queen and Washington Apples being the most popular.

Music is a huge part McGrath's, and several nights a week you'll be entertained by live musicians. Check the website to see who is scheduled to play, or drop in for open mic night on Tuesdays! Monday night is Bruno's Bluegrass Jam, famous in the bay area and beyond.

Out of all the places I drop in, this is the one I keep coming back to. I've come to think of this pub as my home away from home. Perhaps it's because I live so close by, but more likely it's the people, who have become my dear friends. So come visit at 1539 Lincoln Avenue on the corner of Stanton Street in Alameda (94501)! Relax and surf the internet or shoot some darts. Try their unique God Shave the Queen shooter, or a tall glass of Guinness in an imperial pint. If the timing is right, you'll find me there, too!