Drake's Dealership
4.6(4.8K)google
4.1(2.5K)yelp
Local Life
Overview
Nestled beautifully within a historic, classic brick-and-timber auto dealership building inside Oakland's vibrant Hive district, this open-air beer garden represents a cornerstone of modern Northern California craft beer culture. The expansive outdoor courtyard features roaring fire pits, comfortable communal seating, and towering native trees, creating an incredibly energetic social environment. The venue proudly serves over 30 wood-fired artisanal pizzas alongside a rotating draft selection of fresh, locally brewed IPAs, stouts, and limited-edition sour beers.
Practical Info
Suggested DurationAbout 1.5-2.5 hours
Best TimeHighly recommended for sunny spring/autumn afternoons or warm summer nights. The highlight is the massive open-air brick courtyard beer garden; gathering around fire pits with local IPAs and wood-fired pizzas is pure Oakland.
Getting ThereTucked inside Hive Oakland at 2325 Broadway. Take BART to 19th St. Oakland station, walk north up Broadway for about 5 to 6 minutes, and enter through the landmark brick alleyway entrance.
Travel Tips
- The open-air Auto Row beer garden queues frequently exceed 90 minutes on weekends; reservations are denied for groups under 8, forcing physical walk-up lines.
- Despite commercial fire pits, heavy evening marine wind infiltration causes bitter cold post-8 PM; warm layered jackets are critical for courtyard seating.
- On-site alley stalls are negligible; Broadway Avenue is a hotbed for auto break-ins, mandating use of staffed commercial parking garages with an empty car policy.
Reviews
Positive
- The open-air beer garden converted from an old auto dealership is visually stunning, with a center fire pit and brick walls creating an upscale industrial vibe.
- Their wood-fired pizzas and signature house craft beers are amazing and live up to the hype, delivering excellent dining value in a trendy neighborhood.
- The space is expansive, with well-distributed restrooms, service counters, and great accessibility, making it perfect for families, kids, and dogs.
- Though constantly packed, digital ordering and floor staff manage crowd flow beautifully, backed by energetic service that ensures high core value.
Heads up
- During weekend lunch and dinner prime hours, crowd density is massive with a sea of heads, and walk-in wait times often exceed an hour.
- Driving parking is a nightmare; located in a bustling district, street spots are full and private lots charge steep rates, reducing transit convenience.
- Outdoor seating shade is uneven during summer mid-days, making sections intensely hot, while fire pit tables are impossible to secure in winter chill.
- Certain popular snacks and limited beer drafts sell out early, and kitchen wait times lag during peak hours, showing slightly overwhelmed service.