Berkeley Public

I came downstairs to tap haus for my birthday, a couple random nights and to talk about a research project with some grad students — it’s a fairly versatile place, never super crowded, clean and an awesome alternative to pappy’s/kips. I’ve just had drinks — can’t really review the food or the upstairs area too much yet but for the location/​beer selections it’s the best choice!

They appear to be closed temporarily.

We drove to Berkeley Public around 2pm today ( Unilocal has opening hours as starting at 12pm) and there’s a sign on the door that said something like «Be Calm, We Open at 5pm».
Sure, I’ll be calm, but I certainly aren’t coming back to this place that wasted my time today. I called ahead of time too — -no outgoing message giving hours. A phone message alone would’ve saved me writing this review.
I loved their former home at Thalassa. I’ve already given up on this spot. We went to the new location for The Broken Rack in Emeryville instead, which is our new go to pool hall. Better parking situation, similar drink selection/​prices to Thalassa, lots of TV’s (could double just fine as a sports bar) and some greasy bites for sale.

We drove to Berkeley Public around 2pm today ( Unilocal has opening hours as starting at 12pm) and there’s a sign on the door that said something like «Be Calm, We Open at 5pm».
Sure, I’ll be calm, but I’m certainly not coming back to this place that wasted my time today. I called ahead of time too — -there was no outgoing message giving hours! A phone message alone would’ve saved me writing this review.
I loved their former home at Thalassa. I’ve already given up on this spot. We went to the new location for THE BROKEN RACK in Emeryville instead, which is our new go-​to pool hall. The Broken Rack has a much better parking situation (we had to park seven blocks away from Berkeley Public — it’s one block from UC Berkeley campus), diverse bar, lots of TV’s (could double just fine as a sports bar) and some greasy bites for sale.
I don’t like burying a newish business with a bad review but when an hour of my time is wasted it’s something that needs to be addressed and made known.

Came here on the last day of school to celebrate! It has a really cool, hip vibe, and it’s conveniently close to campus. Disclaimer: I’m only reviewing the billiards part, not the bar underneath, since I’m unfortunately still under 21 — bummer.
\\ FOOD/​DRINK QUALITY:
So…that’s my main complaint about this place. It said that if I checked in, we’d get free fries — nope. There’s no food served at the billiards place, and my over 21 friend went downstairs to the bar to claim it, and they said the kitchens were closed. Disappointed.
\\ SERVICE:
The girls at the front were nice, and just took a credit card on hold while we played. Not really sure what they really had to do other than that since there was no food or anything… but they were nice enough. Just handed us our balls, and everything else was at the tables.
\\ ENVIRONMENT:
This is the best part! The billiards place has about 9 tables, and we went around midnight on a Friday night and there was one table left (yay!). It’s dim, ambient lighting, kind of romantic. There are tall stools and tables, and the tables were well-​maintained. My friends and I had a really great time, and we played a few rounds before leaving at closing (we were there for maybe a couple hours), and it was relatively cheap. I’d definitely come here again!

Not as good as Thalassa. More expensive, space is more cramped, atmosphere is weak.

I’ve had some fries, pretzels, and bockwurst in the downstairs german part and none of them are great. BUT compared to Berkeley Public’s main competition (Pappy’s & Kips) the german beer selection is nice and the floors aren’t sticky. This not sticky thing might seem like a low bar but have you been to Kips?! If not, don’t.
Anyways, the food is moderately priced but the pretzel was kinda bland and the bockwurst was overcooked and not particularly soft. If you want a great bockwurst go to top dog.
But like I said, for the area it’s a great space and I’ll take it over the competition.

Berkeley public just opened near the cal campus and is in the process of getting their liquor license. This means no massive college crowds — yet. This also means the food has to be good — and from what I’ve tried so far it has been. I had a cheeseburger, which was juicy and flavorful, buffalo wings, and a delicious arugula salad. The food here is much better than any of the other offerings near the Berkeley campus, and they offer very cheap tables for billiards. Come check it out before its filled with drunk Berkeley students.

I come here a lot for no reason really. I’m bad at pool.
Anyway they have 7 pool tables, if you come before 5 there is usually no wait time. It’s 6 dollars per hour before 8 and then 10 – 14 depending on the day after 8. The staff is friendly and the vibe is chill. The music is pretty good too. Try the waffle fries with ranch dressing!

Great place! The pool hall is great. It’s spacious. There are 6 pool tables I believe. I came here on a Saturday after lunch and it only cost $ 6 per hour. It was super cheap and the guy behind the bar (the owner I presume), was really nice and friendly as well. If you need a place to hang out during the afternoon, you should definitely check out this place. It’s cheap, spacious, and air conditioned.
I’ll also add that the decorations look really cool.

presently, Berkeley Public is a vacuous room filled with billiard tables.
along the side is a bar where one can get gourmet soda and some eats (mac & cheese, burgers, sammies,) piano music plays in the background.
eats: classic mac (6.5)]
–a mix of 5 cheese, (romano, gueyre? cheddar, p…, m…)no one cheese stand out
–mac cheese made from scratch
just ok.
take outs:
–beer license coming.
–billiard tables charged by the hour, didn’t see rates, didn’t ask.
–remember route back to main room if using bathroom. nothing is marked. door doesn’t have handles so one can’t easily pull door open.

Time: 5:17pm/57°F cloudy
Purpose: Been eyeing this place since the Peking Express place left. A call was place to verify opening other end pick up said, soft opening no alcohol yet license pending but, the rest functional. In fact, I was told they’re gonna have a downstair part with more pool tables and specializing in German sausages and craft beers.
Ambiance: From the sidewalk looking in you can’t see everything they have to offer. Pass the doors you’ll get this feeling you’re in an island somewhere. All decos are that of sea life, aquatic and kona designs. Lounge area with plush supple leather seating. Seven billard tables with matching high chair and tables next to each. Wall painter somewhat ocean soft sea blue. Couple of frame pictures again of fish, sea, ocean, bahamas. Can hold steady convos but, as you get later in the night it becomes somewhat of a frat house with drunken students.
Staff: Young guy about early 30s behind bar counter. I forgot about the drinks situation, ask again after being told on phone earlier. I said no problem give me the run down on whats there to eat as well as billard rental rates. He told in details of day and night rates everything was understood to me. Told him let’s do one hour. Told me no problem that’ll be $ 7. Okay deal! Let’s rack em!
Cleanliness: Grade A, impeccable! Nothing can be said, fine clean place for entertainment.
Eats/​Drinks: Didn’t eat or drink just an hour of billard $ 7. Went down the street for a drink afterwards.
Products/​Services: Wings, bacon wrapped jalapeño, deviled eggs, fried tofu, mac n cheese flavors-​traditional, classic, sriracha, bourbon bacon. Mixed greens, baby dino kale. Sandwiches-​carnitas pulled pork, lemon rosemary grilled chicken, balsamic tarragon eggplant, butcher’s burger, sweet potato fries, waffle fries, tater tots, cold beverages. Call or check with rental pricing (varies from day/​night).
Punch Lines: Opens late, weekday/​weekend rates, flat screen TV (2), 21+ only, blowfish encased lights, comfy lounge chairs, tiki bar feel, aquatic, vintage decos, light bites, 7 billard tables, hip happening, accents and flair, well excuted, easy night out, special bargain, wood paneling, laid back, lively atmosphere, walls hung with marlins, kona.
Tradeoffs: Same functions as Thalassa but, now its located near campus instead of downtown Berkeley.
Final Thoughts: In case some of you didn’t know, the place is new but, the owners are the same as before. Place use to be call Thalassa located down the street. It’s not their fault that they left nothing to do with them. It’s the property owner that can’t reach an agreement. I’ve been to the old location before mainly because Bart is so closed by 5 mins walk max. Basically on the same street but, near telegraph ave. To me new place same folks with more options from previously. Come if you find yourself with nothing to do either solo or with friends you’ll find something to do.

I had the butcher’s burger ½ lb beef patty it was cooked medium rare. It was a little small but really good. Would eat it again! Really delicious. 7 pool tables but they have yet to get their liquor license so it’s not yet ready to replace thalassa.