Beer Meets Booze: Drake’s Dealership Launches Bar Program During Oakland Restaurant Week
Drake’s Dealership, Oakland’s most iconic beer garden, is officially expanding beyond beer. Just in time for Oakland Restaurant Week, the Uptown gathering space is launching a full craft cocktail program and beginning its journey into distilling its own spirits in-house.
Located in the heart of Oakland’s historic Broadway Auto Row, Drake’s Dealership has embraced the character of its neighborhood. Once home to showrooms, service garages, and the golden era of American car culture, Auto Row represents craftsmanship, grit, and design with attitude. That legacy now fuels this 100-year old car dealership’s next evolution.
From the 1920’s brick and wood architecture to its past as a Dodge sales, parts & service dealership and the name itself, Drake’s has long honored the building’s automotive roots. Now, that iconic Oakland past is influencing the food and beverage program in new ways. The cocktail menu and forthcoming house-distilled spirits lean into classic traditions, bold flavors, and a sense of mechanical precision, bringing together heritage and innovation in every pour.
The newly launched cocktail menu features a thoughtful mix of classics and seasonal originals designed to complement Drake’s culinary program. Guests can expect elevated martinis, spirit-forward staples, and fresh, seasonally-driven cocktails alongside the brewery’s lineup of IPAs and specialty beer releases. The menu nods to the timelessness of Auto Row while delivering a modern Oakland point of view.
“Drake’s Dealership has always been about hospitality and giving people more reasons to gather,” said Dave Rowe, Director of Retail Operations. “Being part of Historic Broadway Auto Row means we carry a piece of Oakland history with us. We wanted the cocktail program and our distilling journey to reflect that same spirit of craftsmanship and evolution. We’ve built a reputation on great beer and community, and this allows us to expand that story.”
The launch coincides with a featured four-course Beer vs. Booze Pairing Dinner on March 12th to kick off Oakland Restaurant Week. Each course will be accompanied by a thoughtfully paired tasting of a Drake’s beer and crafted cocktail, inviting guests to explore how each beverage enhances the course as a whole. The concept highlights the versatility of the new bar program while reinforcing the brand’s beer-first roots. The week ends with The Golden Hour Social on March 21st highlighting our cocktail program, featuring oysters, caviar, live music, and more.
“Drake’s Brewing has been evolving since it was founded in 1989,” said Co-owner and CEO, John Martin. “We are proud to have called this unmatched building and beer garden on old Auto Row home for more than 10 years. Expanding from our craft beers and wine into distilling and spirits fits our long-held ethos of always looking at what more we can offer our community. As we begin distilling, we are excited to bring people along for the journey.”
The distilling initiative marks a significant step for Drake’s Dealership. While details will roll out in phases throughout 2026, guests can follow along as the team develops small-batch spirits designed to live alongside its beer portfolio. The move reflects a broader commitment to honoring Oakland’s past while building what comes next.
Beyond Oakland Restaurant Week, the expanded bar program will anchor a full calendar of community events including Speed Dating, Live Music, Game Nights, and Golden Hour Social gatherings, reinforcing Drake’s Dealership as both a neighborhood staple and a destination for elevated yet unpretentious nights out.
For more information or media inquiries, please contact Megan Lunetta.
About Drake’s Dealership
Located in Oakland’s historic Broadway Auto Row district, Drake’s Dealership is housed in the former Parts and Service Department of a Dodge Car and Truck dealership. Today it is a large and leafy beer garden, cocktail bar, restaurant, and community hub known for its award-winning beers, wood-fired fare, and vibrant programming that brings the neighborhood together while honoring the city’s iconic past.
