Love this place! The owner and his friend are typically behind the bar and both are super friendly and willing to chat about beer for as long as you like. Their selection of beers are amazing and their own brews are tasty as well. I like that they promote other local restaurants and encourage you to bring food in. The origins of their business name delights me to no end. My only complaint is that it is tiny but it makes me happy to see that their business is a success, so I am not taking any stars off for it sometimes being a little cramped during busier hours. I would definitely recommend stopping in for a few beers– this place is great!
Erica P.
Place rating: 5 Berkeley, CA
Great little spot. I love the fresh popcorn to compliment the great beer.
Asis P.
Place rating: 5 San Jose, CA
If you’re looking for a place that’ll surprise you and have a great evening this is the place to be. The pubmaster is an amazing guy, polite and funny. The place is immaculately designed and it just speaks out awesomeness from every corner. Did i mention the beer, its amazing, they brew it in the same place. And the popcorn, the flavor is so unique, I kinda want to know what spices they put in!
Kim K.
Place rating: 5 Richmond, CA
Free popcorn and great price on drink. Nice place to hang out with friends after work. It is a little place, but it is typical Berkeley.
Dounia L.
Place rating: 5 Oakland, CA
One of my favorite breweries in the East Bay– Delightful beer, service and popcorn. My partner and I had a lovely Friday evening having a few brews.
Sara L.
Place rating: 5 San Francisco, CA
Super low key and chill spot to have some beers with friends. Bartenders are friendly, the house beers are all great, and a big plus is their free truffle popcorn. Flavorful and perfect to munch on while drinking your beer, and they’re happy to give you more when you run out. If you want to eat something with more sustenance, they even let you bring your own food. This place is definitely a Berkeley gem!
Faina L.
Place rating: 2 San Francisco, CA
Sorry I know you have good beer but your other options should be decent too. One white option(a terrible one so I had to pass) &2 red wines. The Reds were in the fridge & pretty cheap Terrible hangover & my friend who switched from beer to red said hers was bad too. If you want to be a bar & serve things other than beer then they should not be an after thought & quality as well
Bridget C.
Place rating: 5 Berkeley, CA
Delicious beer and cozy atmosphere. This place is small, but that is what makes it awesome!
Matt D.
Place rating: 5 Walnut Creek, CA
This is a great spot to drink beer and connect. Everything from the environment, to the bartenders, to the atmosphere to the locals, it all jives easy. This place is pretty tiny so I wouldnt suggest coming there during typical peak hours or with large groups. It fits about twenty people comfortable to sit at the high top bar, low top edge, and shelve bar behind main bar. Bring your dog!!! My boy Rudy can’t get enough of the friendly environment. They don’t serve anything but delicious truffle popcorn. You can easily get great food around and bring it in to eat. They brew their own beer. I suggest their house saison! They serve guests beers on tap and it’s always changing. Yan is always there working. He’s the bees knees. Sweet. Family owned I think three years. June is an amazing bartender and person as well. Come try it out especially between 3 – 6 daily!
Hannie E.
Place rating: 5 Los Angeles, CA
Found this spot on Unilocal when I came to town one weekend and could not have been happier. I love the consistent pricing of beer despite alcohol content and rarity. Staff and fellow beer-drinkers were so friendly and gave me the best first impression of Berkeley I could’ve received. Not to mention the free truffle popcorn was dank af. I will be coming back my next trip up to the bay.
Javier A.
Place rating: 5 Richmond, CA
First time visiting Hoi Polloi and I was blown away by staff and the overall vibe of the place! Great selection of beers with some in house beers, great hip hop music and chill vibe and ambiance! Visited with a great friend of mine who was in town from Australia and we seriously loved the place! Giap, we are extremely grateful for your incredible hospitality! I will definitely be bringing my lady and friends to Hoi Polloi! Much Love and Many Thanks!
Manisha S.
Place rating: 5 Oakland, CA
Yes! So excited that there’s something in the south berkeley neighborhood that’s a great spot to have drinks with friends. I would think a place like this would live in the mission, but I’m glad the owners thought of Berkeley as a worthy location. I was here on a Sunday night with 2 friends and the place was not too crowded which was great. I tried their house blonde and porter and they were really tasty and inexpensive! I also tried a sour beer from Social Kitchen which was delicious as well but I prefer their in house options. Another plus is their free truffle popcorn. They use those old school popcorn machines with the small spout, so it took a while to make enough for our crowd. I’m guessing on busier days like Saturday and Friday it will be a while before you get a bowl of the aromatic kernels. There are a few restaurants nearby that sell really yummy Cajun/creole and Thai food and this spot is totally cool if you bring in outside grub! They even let you bring in coffee from the nearby Alchemy Collective if you need a pick me up. Overall love this spot and will be back again and again. Super proud that this is in my neighborhood. Now I’ll be showing this off to all the homies that visit me!
Cris-ann L.
Place rating: 4 Milpitas, CA
(4.5 stars) Super down to earth place. Real friendly staff, nice selection of local beers, hip hop music, and the complimentary truffle popcorn is to die for. –0.5 a star because of the super tiny size. Definitely not a place for large groups though because of the size! Probably a better bar to visit if you’re catching up with a friend or maybe a date.
Giselle F.
Place rating: 5 Berkeley, CA
I really can’t say anything negative about this place. I have only been a couple of times, but each time was great and I rave to anyone looking for a neat place to try to come to Hoi Polloi! Location — be advised; this place is teeny tiny. There are a some bar seats and maybe a couple of tables, but be prepared to be relegated to the narrow bar at the wall. It’s okay though, there are stools, or you can stand and actually talk to people whilst sipping your beer. Beer — the selection is decent. I’ve tried a few of their house beers(the names escape me), and I wasn’t blown away. I recall the beers being pleasant. I really like and believe in this place, so I will keep watch on the house brew development. In any case, there are other local brews to try and enjoy for a good price. Ambiance — the music here is everything! Beat lounge is right on the money with the music. Nothing too in-your-face, or poppy or heavy; just good hip-hop. Last time I was there, there was a movie playing on the brick wall. It was hard to see from where I was standing, but I’m there to drink beer anyway. It’s dark, but that’s what I like about it. The bartenders(owners?) are always helpful and pleasant. Food — not much to speak of, but the complimentary truffle popcorn is everything everyone says it is. So amazingly delicious and the perfect accompaniment for a nice cold beer. Again, very little distractions here, so it’s a great intimate setting for a very small group, or a date. Can’t wait to come back!
Angela F.
Place rating: 4 Berkeley, CA
Love this spot! great selection of beers on tap, good music, and intimate space. It’s a little off the beaten path, but would highly recommend stopping in.
Scarlett C.
Place rating: 5 San Diego, CA
This is a great neighborhood spot. Respectable beer selection, comfortable atmosphere and DANGGGGGG, the truffle popcorn snack man, so good. I don’t live here so I can’t speak to it on the reg but I can say I wish I had an intimate local bar like this in San Diego. Try it if you’re in the Berkeley area, why not?
Casey S.
Place rating: 4 Alameda, CA
Hoi Polloi is a neighborhood bar, one where you can drop in and grab a pint with the best of ‘em. However, they brew some stuff in-house, have truffle popcorn, and crazy movies like Kung Fu Hustle on the projector! Just note that it’s kind of hard to navigate around the bar. There’s a grand total of about 10 or so seats, with just a table among ‘em. Still, if you get a spot, it’s worth it.
Eugene L.
Place rating: 4 East Bay, CA
I was out Free Wheeling around in my Whip Black Beauty and felt like a Beer . Hell I always feel like a good beer LOL. I had a Fresh Charge on my Ankle Bracelet so I was good to go . So I check my Trusty Unilocal Bookmarks and up Pops Hoi Polloi BrewPub and Beat Lounge . So I rolled there and Stashed my Whip down the Street . No Parking lot. So I rolled in to Hoi Polloi and it was a Packed House. Its a Small Neighborhood Bar . They Serve Beer and Wine . They have Numerous Choices on Beer and 2 House Brewed Beers I Tried Both House Brewed Offings . 1 was a Belgian Style Beer Named after the Warriors — Dubs Beer . This was Very Good and had a Good Taste too it . The Other House Beer was an IPA it was pretty good also . But I preferred the Belgian Styled Beer . One of the Bartenders was the Owner and Brewer . They have a Projection Screen TV for Entertainment . On the Evening I was there they were Showing Andrew Bourdain No reservations I was Enjoying that. Its one of my Favorite shows –What a Dream Job. On Occasions they have a DJ and they play diffenent types of Music depending on the night. Its quite a Social Bar lots of Friendly Folks. I stopped in for 1 beer and almost stayed to Last Call . They serve up a Mean Bowl Of Complimentary Popcorn with Truffle Oil Drizzeled on it . House beers are priced at $ 5 and and others are $ 6. I would definitely return if in the area.
Albert H.
Place rating: 5 Berkeley, CA
100THREVIEW! I’m glad it’s a 5-star one too for great beer next to home. Home brews is what Hoi Polloi prides itself on, which is awesome. I am so fortunate now to live only a few blocks away and I think this place is it for me. It is a really hip vibe inside where there’s about maybe a total of 15 seats, and the best are their home brews. When I went, they had an IPA and Belgian Ale and both were really good! They seem to rotate them often, which always keeps regulars coming back. Just be patient to get a seat if it is filled, but your time is worth it. BEER: Very good selection ranging from their home brews to good crafts. The beers are $ 5-$ 6, which is a pretty good price. The pours are good. FOOD: Free popcorn with truffle oil. It is also delicious, so make sure you can get a bowl. You are also allowed to bring food from the nearby restaurants(Thai, Creole, etc), so there’s that option too! I know I’ll be a regular here. This place oozes a Berkeley hipster vibe and for some reason, I really like it! The music isn’t loud, beer is good, and food is nearby. Hoi Polloi has got it going!
John B.
Place rating: 4 Vallejo, CA
I really don’t know what to make of this place. What I do know is I’m a fan of the beer, and the laidback atmosphere. It’s certainly a neighbored bar filled with locals, and only a few available seats. However unlike other bars in this area, there are quality craft beer selections to be found here. They don’t do flights here, so I had to order full pints instead. Oh darn… They will happily offer you a taste of something if you’re undecided. The pint prices were fair at $ 5 – 6 per glass. They only offer a few of their own beers at the moment. All of them I tried were decent to excellent. The owner/bartender/brewmaster keeps his ear to the craft beer street, and offers several fantastic brews on tap from other companies. The Fairfax Coffee Stout for instance was outstanding. It was something that even my babygirl was willing to get tipsy off a few sips thanks to it’s overwhelming coffee flavor. As for their in-house brewed beer? It was good. Not outstanding yet. I’m just hoping for more variety in the future as they only had 3 on tap. Loka IPA was a decent, medium bodied IPA. Not overly hoppy, which I assume was done on purpose. Porter to the People was my favorite. Being a fan of the dark beers, I could be a tad biased. They also had a saison on tap. «Saison Seche» I believe. I didn’t get that because I didn’t wanna fall asleep during the movie we were about to watch later that night. I fell asleep anyways so I wish I had got the chance to try it out. You can bring in food from the neighboring restaurants. The V3gan in me suggests getting something from Easy Creole next door. Oh, and that air popped popcorn that gets spritzed with truffle oil? Genius idea to offer that to the customers. Sure beats stale pretzels any day of the week. It’s worth checking this place out as it’s conveniently located next to Ashby BART and loaded with potential.
