Yoshi's is conveniently located in Jack London Square Oakland. An easy drive across the bay for a great Japanese restaurant and a show. Packages ensure that diners get access to the best seats in the house. The shows are usually twice a night and priced very reasonably. This is a nice intimate show space, holding only a few hundred people. A great way to spend a Friday or Saturday night or many weeknights for that matter.
They have a amazing watermelon Martini I could not get enough. The food was ok. I would be willing to give it a second try but not right away. And the show was so amazing other than someone sitting in our seats but we had a great time and they do have great drinks our server was so amazing think his name was jake!!!!
Yoshi's Jazz Club started as a hole in the wall restaurant in the north side of the UC Berkeley campus. The food was so good that there would be lines going out the door. They then moved to a bigger place on Claremont Ave in Oakland and set up a waiting room with live music for those going to the restaurant. Before long, the music went from casual tip bucket musicians to serious world famous jazz musicians. When the landlord (Dreyer's Ice Cream) of the Claremont Ave dig declined to renew the lease, Yoshi's moved to its present location near Jack London Square in Oakland. Because of its lead time to plan for the move, they were able to build an intimate and acoustically impeccable jazz club that became a destination for the who is who in jazz. Today, it remains to be a treasure for musicians and music lovers alike
Saw Tower of Power January 2013 and was very impressed with the layout of the room, the great sound, and good service from the wait staff.
I swung by Yoshi's on a rainy early December evening, to attend a performance showcasing my favorite singer-songwriter Anna Nalick. I was aware that she had previously visited the venue and put on a great show, so I was looking forward to her repeating the magic again! I had already seen Anna many times previously in both Los Angeles and New York City, so I was also looking forward to a change of scenery as well.- Location -Yoshi's is located in Oakland's Jack London Square waterfront area, next to the Amtrak Capital Corridor train tracks, though the sound insulation is good in the theater and the train noise is a complete non-issue. The establishment occupies the ground floor of a multistory parking garage; the garage charges modest parking fees, and validation from Yoshi's results in a nice discount.- Layout -Upon entering, the right side is the restaurant, and the left side is the theater and the box office.I did not come for the restaurant (especially since the dishes seemed overpriced), but for people who dine before a show, they will be able to reserve a table up close to the stage. For people who only came for the show (like me), it's unreserved seating and can be crapshoot, though I did get a decent seat reasonably close to the stage.The theater area itself is laid out like a supper club, with different kinds of dinner tables in a semicircular layout fanning out from the stage. It is a very nice area and has great mood lighting and acoustics.- Service -The waitstaff checks up on the theater patrons frequently, and even though it didn't seem like there was any minimum purchase requirement, I ended up ordering a glass of Stella Artois beer anyway. I liked the friendliness and the efficient workflow of the waitstaff.I wish I had been given better heads-up on the seating policy, however (dinner patrons having the ability to reserve seats, and how the reserved seats are marked).- Afterthoughts -Both the opener Tyler Hilton, and the headliner Anna Nalick, were great. For me personally, seeing Anna in the San Francisco Bay Area, after having enjoyed her tremendously in both Los Angeles and New York City, was something to cherish - and the venue, Yoshi's, was definitely excellent enough to add to the cherished feeling.I will definitely be back, whether it's for Anna, or for another excellent performer.
The Japanese love American Jazz! So what better combo that a first-class Japanese Restaurant together with a first-class music showroom? Yoshi's is just that. With easy access from San Francisco, Oakland, and the Silicon Valley (San Jose and south bay) the restaurant is always busy and the stage attracts both top name acts and up and coming live music.Our recent Saturday evening came together so smoothly, and it was a delight form start to finish. We ended up sharing a booth with another couple about our age, first timers to Yoshi's and really into the music.Russ Freeman and the Rippington's (contemporary jazz group mainly relating to the genres smooth jazz, jazz pop, and crossover jazz. that's been on the scene for quite a few years) made a stop at Yoshi's as they embark on their 2015 USA tour.We opted for the early show (there's usually two per night) and also an early dinner (restaurant opens at 17:30, first show is 19:30, second show at 21:30)The restaurant filled very quickly, and the staff were busy, yet attentive. About the only area of improvement was our host who didn't introduce himself and also failed to noticed I was on two crutches. He took off for the far end of the restaurant quickly leaving us behind. We got the attention of another host, and a seat much closer to the bar (less hopping for me)The menu didn't disappoint! Traditional Japanese dishes, and western alternative with Japanese influence.We opted for the Tempura Lobster with Pineapple and Jalapeno-lime aioli. Also the Grilled Kurobuta Marinated Pork Chop, honey, ginger, yellow and green zucchini, white corn, sauteed shishito peppers, sansho sauce. The chop was huge and outstanding! Other meals that passed our table looked inviting and delicious.We asked for and got ADA access (again, those crutches) and a very nice booth in the showroom, instead of the closer but less inviting wooden seating grouped at small tables.The show started on time and the showroom wait staff were attentive and quick to fill drinks and 'finger food' orders, and bring our check at closing time. Photography without flash and a ban on video or audio recording was a reasonable house rule.The music was great, and the band members very accessible after the show (at an open table in the bar area) for CD sales, autographs, and photos.
you will love going to hear a live concert at Yoshi's....It's smaller than the one in SF with a more intimate feel...although I love the one in SF too....this is a must for music lovers....
Only had general admission seats available. All seats are close to the stage.After the concert we heard from a friend if we would of had dinner there they would have upgraded our seats to closer to the stage. Now we know.1 drink minimum although I don't think they monitor it closely. You can order off the menu if you choose too.
Great intimate venue. The crowd was all in as we remembered the hits. It was a sing a long for sure.Buying tickets on line was very easy. There was standing room only when I purchased so I new I'd have to stand. Thank God for wall space.
We enjoyed seeing Manhattan Transfer here, the singing and musical performances were wonderful. We were given good seats eventually, but the entire process of waiting, getting seated and served was problematic. First, we arrived at 7:30 pm to line up outside for an 8 pm show (we thought). At 8:10 pm the line began entering - after those ticket-holders who had eaten at Yoshi's restaurant and were in line inside (who knew?). After making it inside the doors, there appeared to be no seats remaining that did not have reserved signs, and it was a polite pandemonium as people didn't know where to sit. Eventually (not on our first several attempts to get help), we were told that a staff person would help everyone find a seat. Yes, this happened, but there was such confusion that people were no longer in any semblance of order. The waiter came to our table immediately, dropping the menu at the same time asking for our order. The others (including 2 strangers were shared the table with) ordered, and I asked him to come back for mine - another mistake. I didn't get a drink until the very end of the show. The other couple ordered food that arrived at the table after the show had ended, after they had paid their bill (minus the food which had not yet been served)! Would try again for the right performers, but be prepared for some annoyances.