Our guide to the coziest spots to gather this winter

Looking for a place to gather with friends, do work, or just hang out where you don’t have to buy an alcoholic drink? As the sun sets earlier, and the evenings get chillier, we know folks are looking for somewhere to meet up with friends that have that extra warm and cozy vibe.

And of course, we’re always here to treat you to coffee or tea if we haven’t already, get to know you, and share more about Jewish life in the East Bay.

Here are some of our favorite spots, in no particular order:

Clio’s in Oakland: a bookstore that serves light bites and drinks. Head there to play chess, leaf through books, or go to a reading.

Mother Tongue Cafe & Bar in Oakland: a coffee shop that has trivia, sometimes screens movies, and has especially good herbal teas. 

Belmo Café in Berkeley: a coffee shop open til midnight and they have the best Algerian treats. Try the cornmeal and date pastry-you won’t regret it. 

Victory Point Cafe in Berkeley: a game cafe that’s got food and drinks and just about any board game you can think of!

Mokha House in Oakland: a sweet cafe offering organic Yemeni coffee as well as sweet and savory food, and it’s open late into the evening

Schmidt’s Pub in Albany: a classic no frills pub with board games inside – and you can bring your own food!

Baker & Commons in Berkeley: a cafe and restaurant serving delicious food and house-made baked goods right next to a bookstore. Their pies and tiramisu are especially wonderful. 

Caffe Strada in Berkeley: a classic Berkeley late-night cafe spot, they’ve got heating lamps outside, and coffee available until they close at midnight!

Timeless Coffee in Oakland: a local vegan chain of two coffee shops, and their downtown location on Fillmore is open late!

Want to learn more about these spots or connect with someone on our team to chat about Jewish life or anything that’s going on with you? Sign up here!

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Lena Sibony is GatherBay’s Community Coordinator. Born and raised in Berkeley, Lena loves guiding people through the places she has always called home. When she’s not helping Jewish folks find their community, you can often find her onstage in various plays and musicals throughout the Bay Area.