The Trappist

The TrappistThe Trappist
The TrappistThe Trappist
Bar, Eatery, Beer-to-go

460 8th St
Oakland, California, 94607-3935
United States

// CLOSED //
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.43
Reviews:
66
Ratings:
100
pDev:
8.13%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by lhaqq:
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Reviewed by lhaqq from California

4.3/5  rDev -2.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
Had been trying to go here for awhile, but couldn't talk any of my friends into it. Finally went out with a friend visiting from Minnesota. Went during their celebration for the twenty-fifth anniversary of Chimay being sold in the U.S., so The Trappist was handing out the commemorative glasses. Extremely crowded when I went, but that is probably in part because of the event. Otherwise, it is pretty small and comfortable. Probably the largest bar tab I've had. Had one of the light wild ales from Russian River that set me back $10 for a goblet--went to RR (an hour north) the next day and could have got it for half the price.
Dec 28, 2008
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4 by slasich from Pennsylvania

May 17, 2020
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Reviewed by Bunnywax from California

5/5  rDev +12.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
My favorite Oakland beer joint. Always well-curated selections of beer on tap and a solid bottle and can selection. The tiny kitchen makes/serves great good.
Nov 04, 2018
 
Rated: 3.86 by BarrelAgedG from California

Jun 12, 2018
 
Rated: 4.47 by StoutSnob40 from California

Dec 27, 2017
 
Rated: 4.38 by frasergrove from California

Feb 19, 2017
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Reviewed by Mburk from California

4.48/5  rDev +1.1%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25
I started frequenting this place when I moved to the East Bay about a year ago and keep coming back because of the vibe, the people, and the beer. The bar is beautiful with old dark wood and bottles lining the shelves. The bar tenders are always willing to talk about the beer they serve and the selection is like none other in the East Bay. They always have at least half a dozen beers you won't find anywhere else in the Bay Area. Highly recommended if you visit the the area!
Apr 03, 2016
 
Rated: 4.85 by tshanahan from California

Jan 18, 2016
 
Rated: 4.64 by bouncepass from California

Dec 20, 2015
 
Rated: 4.08 by TECHjoey

Dec 12, 2015
 
Rated: 4.81 by barleywin from Missouri

Oct 10, 2015
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Rated by Goalcam from California

4.19/5  rDev -5.4%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.25
The big problem here is they tap-out early. Need to replace kegs more frequently or cross off what's out.
Aug 23, 2015
 
Rated: 4.25 by fishthe from California

Jul 31, 2015
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Reviewed by NavyGoat from Illinois

4.66/5  rDev +5.2%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
Found this establishment via Beer Advocate and what a find! Very cool place and a nice beer selection. The staff was cool to talk to and I had the "Sump" while I was there which was fantastic! Both my buddy and I felt that if you are coming to Oakland, you must stop at the Trappist !!
Mar 06, 2015
 
Rated: 3.99 by Spaceman_Jer from Colorado

Feb 15, 2015
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Reviewed by mxchap from California

3.62/5  rDev -18.3%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 2.5 | selection: 4
Another great beer bar in downtown oakland.
Always have some interesting beers on tap.
A little on the pricier side, and service is at times questionable.

Vibe [4.25]: Dark and mysterious. Two separate bars (although you can order from either bar and they will bring you your beer). And a great little outdoor area in the back.
Quality [4.0]: Always a great pour here and they have an extensive glassware selection. The price is more than most places (~$8 for a typical pour). High bottle prices plus corkage. I would stick to the draft menu.
Service [2.5]: Typically the service is ok. Never had a great experience here, but definitely have had some terrible experiences. Depends on who is behind the bar...
Selection [4.0]: Always a really nice/diverse tap list. Not as much rotation as you'd expect for how many taps they have though. The bottle list is nice, but typically out-dated.
Food [NA]: Haven't tried the food, so no opinion here.
Feb 04, 2015
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Reviewed by Dodgerrigo77 from California

4.44/5  rDev +0.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.25
Pretty cool spot for nice imported beers. Usually 1-2 really good local brews. Seems pricey at times. Crowd is a little bit of the "new" craft crowd. I think they do a good job with the variety on tap. Arugula salad is nice.
Feb 03, 2015
 
Rated: 4.5 by avwrite from California

Nov 16, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by spycow from Illinois

Nov 08, 2014
 
Rated: 4.56 by peterlovesemail from California

Oct 20, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by comand from California

Sep 06, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by christophercampbell from California

Aug 30, 2014
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Rated by mike312 from New York

4.75/5  rDev +7.2%
Imo an unparalleled number of spurs, wilds, and Belgians on tap. A must if youre nearby.
Aug 28, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by Nbdreher

Aug 19, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by MaseFace from Kentucky

Aug 06, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Jwhe from Illinois

Jul 28, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by snowmageddon from Massachusetts

Jul 25, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by TommyTheCat from California

Jul 24, 2014
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Rated by ronricorossi from California

5/5  rDev +12.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
The original good-beer spot in the East Bay. Plus...Horseshoe shape! Mood lighting! Wood paneling! Fabulous events! Taco Tuesdays! Wow!
Jul 20, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by atpca from California

Jul 17, 2014
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Reviewed by shivtim from Georgia

4.42/5  rDev -0.2%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.25
Went with three friends.
Great place to get a beer. The atmosphere is good, nothing special, but it's a nice neighborhood-ey joint. Narrow space, nice bar, not much seating otherwise unless you go out back.

Great selection. Belgian-focused, but quite a few Belgian-style and sour beers from around the country. Happy to see Jolly Pumpkin. Bartender was great, giving plenty of suggestions and tasters.

Didn't try the food.

This and beer revolution are the two complementary spots to visit in Oakland.
Jul 17, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by boudeysbigbrew from California

Jun 22, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by macesq from California

Jun 17, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by ecrawley from Texas

Jun 15, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Rollzroyce21 from California

Jun 11, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by JHB-510 from California

Apr 22, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Mikeb8 from California

Apr 03, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Rubalaca from California

Mar 19, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by Marco_Gtz from California

Mar 13, 2014
Photo of dirtylou
Reviewed by dirtylou from Oklahoma

4.36/5  rDev -1.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25
I've been aware of this place for some time, so it was nice to get over to Oakland on a recent SF trip and check it out.

The Trappist is located in a cool older area of Oakland - the bar is split into a front/back bar, neither of which was crowded at all (shockingly so) on a Saturday night. They nailed the interior/decor/vibe of a Belgian dark bar probably as well or better than any other place I have ever been in the US.

The front bar area was gorgeous - dark and cozy, with some open air coming in from the streets of Oakland. It looked like the back patio area (also somehow empty) was pretty awesome too.

The beer selection was strong, but not overwhelming in quality. The taplist seemed more focused on classics of Benelux than other 'rare' european and american belge-clones. I had my saison dupont and la trappe quad, and left thrilled to have spent a few hours in such a fabulous place.
Mar 04, 2014
The Trappist in Oakland, CA
Place rating: 4.43 out of 5 with 100 ratings