Lemon Tree

This is one of my favorite dive bars in all of Alameda, it’s small, it’s dank, and always full of characters. The bartender here is very friendly, she is always more than willing to give you the necessary attention to help you find the best drink to wet your whistle. I like that this spot has plenty of cheap, but tasty beers on tap with a daily running special of cheap flavored schnapps for a miniscule fee. If you come here, be prepared to have your ear talked off by the town drunks, they are harmless, but live by the «I love you, man» mentality. If you can handle the drunkards, you will always have a blast, so come through and check it out for yourself.

One of the great fabled Dive Bars of the Bay Area. It has everything you want minus the hipsters. Friendly bartenders and a clean bathroom. Cheap drinks with probably the only schanpps specials board I’ve ever run across. When we went they had a couple running Karaōke. Regulars galore that night but still friendly to the first timers as well. I only wonder what the ramp in the back led to. I was too scared to ask and even more scared had someone offered to take me. The bonus is it’s across from one of my favorite sushi spots Kamakura.

This is one of my fav watering holes. Bartenders are sweet, funny. Pretty much do whatever I feel. Including bark. Lemon Heads!!!

Alameda has changed a bunch since this place was stacking revenue chips. The entryway alone is enough to keep half the potential patronage from ever stepping foot in the joint. Ownership might want to consider creating a theme. Hire a designer. Play out the dream. Bar Rescue style. This place could be a complete gold mine. Not sure why ownership can’t or doesn’t want to capitalize on that new Alameda cheddar!

Fantastic service. Even after what was clearly a long day for him, the bartender made us all sorts of complicated drinks with a great attitude.

My favorite bar in Alameda. If you don’t know, or understand why, then don’t come here.

This is an alcoholic bar. The «regulars» glare at you when you arrive. I saw a transient person washing dishes for drinks. This place has so much potential. I would love to buy this place, fire the staff, shoo away the alchies and rebuild. I am not a priss, I just hate the shade thrown here.

This is an awesome neighborhood dive bar! I have been in many dive bars between CA and NY and this is one of my favorites. Let’s start with the bartenders — they rock. They are charming, knowledgeable and down right funny. They have all of the necessary top shelf alcohols as well as the cheaper booze. The jukebox is slammin. I could play the jukebox all night long and still not hear everything. There is a pool table. And most impressive to me is the bathroom is clean! There are times when the bar is jumpin and there are times when there are 5 people in there, but it doesn’t matter because it’s always a good time.

Careful! The regulars who obviously have nothing better to do but drink from 6am — uh well all day and night, don’t take too kindly to people who come on their turf and order a drink and try to relax. I guess if you wear anything that might have style, no holes and don’t smell, you come off as offensive? Not sure. The guys are perfectly nice and even offer to buy drinks, it’s the women that are not so happy to see new faces. Don’t worry «ladies», I have all my teeth and I’m not interested in your «men» :-*

…because I hate leaving sh*tty reviews. Maybe it’d be different now anyway. The bartender was alright… just a smidgen of difficulty getting a drink order in. Not my scene, but don’t take my word for it!

The best bar hands down not just here in Alameda but the best bar in the entire East Bay. It’s always a very nice and relaxing bar to go to for a drink. Beer is always my choice. The regular’s are always very nice people to talk to and they always remember me. This bar is as close to Cheer’s in Boston that I have seen from all the bar’s that I have been to over the years from Coast to Coast.

Stepping in here is like jumping into your Delorian, firing up the flux capacitor, then traveling to the hip and groovilicious 1970s. Guess what? That makes this place amazing.
Walking through the hollowed threshold into the Lemon Tree is a rite of passage for local and traveler alike. From the neon red lights running through a rock formation that proudly displays the greatest and latest in schnapps to the musk of stale beer and hookups missed, this is a dive bar to rule them all.
They even have a pool table. What else do you want? I’m also pretty sure I saw Johnny Walker Blue label or at least one of the colored labels (that is not intended to be racist as I believe all labels are created equal) proudly displayed at the top of the bar. That’s right from schnapps to ultra-​premium the Lemon Tree serves any and all.
A gem. That’s the Lemon Tree in a word.

Lived in Alameda since 2008, and only yesterday night after the Dubs devoured the Melo Knicks, did I discover the greatest dive on The Island and possibly in all of the Bay.
80’s music blasted, with a long bar catering to a most interesting cast of likely regulars. The stench of cigarette smoke lingered on one patron while his female accomplice made eyes at me. She was a probably a fox 20 years prior. An older gentleman in his 60’s sat there grinning at me. I cheers’d to him with my $ 6.00 Makers Mark Manhattan and chose a seat in the corner with my Lakers fan shawty.
As I took in the surroundings, I couldn’t get over how strong my cocktail was, or the absolutely perfect jukebox selections that a blonde woman kept cranking.
So Whatcha Want. Enjoy the Silence, Policy of Truth.
Raiders logos on the wall and behind the bar. A pool table in a seperate room with a smaller gentleman scowling as he conversed with his friend.
The bartender informing me that Saturday is kareoke night and answered all my inquiries on this one of a kind place.
I’ve done my homework, and this place is far more my speed with it’s quirky charm, strong drinks, great prices, awesome tunes. and friendly clientele.
See you again soon, Lemon Tree.

A place for the locals. There is a good vibe in the place and the drinks are reasonably priced. If you’ve just stuffed yourself at Kamakura across the street, this is a great spot to give your wallet a breather and get all liquored up. A full bar and friendly bartenders make this a good spot to have a drink with your friends.
If they fixed the joint up just a bit… it would make a big difference.

I had more fun here than I thought I would. This bar has been around the block a number of times at this point, and caters to an older clientele…
There is a pool table, a jukebox, and flat screens. The vending machine in the men’s room sells plastic cock rings for 50 cents. Really, what more can you ask for???
If you’re looking for younger talent, go elsewhere. If you’re looking for cheap, stiff drinks, you’ve found the right place. Cheers!!!

Lemon tree is like a geriatric cheers. everyone seem to know everyone else. if you are unknownst to them, they are very willing to greet you as a new friend. the bar counter is only a semi circle.
a poolroom and a few seats are scattered thruout.
flatscreens: many tuned to sports
pour:
–gin & tonic (3.75) nice thick glass, nice pour.
all day special: free schnapps with purchase of bottled beers (mostly u.s. guinness, sierra
on draught:
–draughts limited or none at all.
–3.5 stars for old times sake.

Oh Lemon Tree, Oh Lemon Tree,
You’re a dirty whore but so good to me!
Oh Lemon Tree, Oh Lemon Tree,
Cheap stiff drinks are the end of me!
Julie pours them so strong and tall,
I walk out front and spin and fall!
Oh Lemon Tree, Oh Lemon Tree,
Bunch of old folks that get grumpy.
Oh Lemon Tree, Oh Lemon Tree,
I like you more with karaōke.
Oh Lemon Tree, Oh Lemon Tree,
Go out front for a quick smokey.
They bring in food on Monday nights,
People there are too old to fight.
Oh Lemon Tree, Oh Lemon Tree,
Pool table in the back to entertain me.

One word: Hilarious!
This place was like a time-​warp back into the 80’s. My date and I decided to check this place out because we were drawn to the mellow yellow sign. When we entered we knew immediately saw that is was in NO-​WAY similar to the regular trendy lounges we normally frequent. They had karaōke which was performed mostly by the regulars. If people-​watching is a pass-​time for you, this is your place! Lol. Cheapish drinks and a heavy handed bartender named Lisa added up to a pretty good time!

yes Yes YeS
We arrived a bit after Monday evening’s karaōke had begun and it was packed. As we approached the front door, the soft coos of Joshua L. were gently ascending from his tightly grasped microphone…“I just want your extra time and your. kiss”.
There was already enough people to make the task of entering the party a difficult one. I ducked, dodged and smiled my way through friendly faces and slid into the less crowded back room. I looked up and the first thing I saw was a huge poster of a middle aged woman sitting on a bar stool… without pants. or underwear. Awesome. Between the bright blue cinder block wall, rock wall exterior, beaded lamps circa 1963, corn-​like maze to the restroom and four counters full of crock pots — this place is divey greatness.
It was an eclectic mix of older regulars, younger regulars and random drop ins. At first, it was so crowded that I kept having to go outside to cool off. Around 11 p.m. a couple of groups left. I was then able to acclimate and get down with a little help from my friends.
For as busy as it was, I never waited more than 2 –3 seconds for a drink. I really can’t say enough about the bartender. She was incredibly sweet and efficient. Not to mention, a reasonable $ 3.50 for a stiff rum & coke.
Curt KJ’s on Monday nights. Anyone that knows Curt — knows he is the best in the business. A doctor of KJing indeed. He does an incredible job of rotating different groups and keeping the mood sublime.
You’re gonna have a goooooooood time.

I know this is one of Alameda better dive bars when my older uncle is a regular at it. He says Jimmy I’ve been coming to this place for ages. He tells me that Julie the bar tender also rides a motorcycle, I asked him the Honda 250 in the back or the big ass Harley in the front.
The Lemon Tree standouts in the front where there are other merchants displaying flowers, mail boxes to go, barber-​shop and t-​shirts and other ware and then you see this brown faux rock wall with this funky patio in front. How did that pass Alameda’s planning committee?
The bar is not too dark and danky and they serve the assortment of domestic beers. The bar area is not too fancy, just the typical long bar. I can recall seeing one of those Coors beers signs with the waterfall and REO Speedwagon on the jukebox. The drinks are not too strong but I don’t think they go in depth in their vodkas and tequilas. They have a pool table where my uncle gives me pointers, he is well versed in pool sharking.