Club BNB (Closed Permanently) Formerly: Bench and Bar

B&B

I have been popping into the Bench and Bar since 96 and all of their venues since then. Recently I've been on Saturday to RimShot and if you're a true deep Hip/Hop fan you will love it. I appreciate HipHop but having to dance to it all night with no variation is not my cup of tea but that's just me. Friday is Latin Explosion a mix of Latin Pop/Banda and English hits. On both nights the gogo dancers are usually hot and worth a tip. This club is known for it's weekend nights and shows but the word needs to be spread about their newer ventures. Thursday is Yoruba Dance Sessions. A true dancers night. If you like Afro-Caribbean rhythms and House and a little Hip/Hop tossed in this is the time and place to lay it on the floor. The crowd is always small but I tell ya even if it's only ten people those ten people are dancing harder than the two hundred and fifty on the floor any given Friday. It becomes a magical experience of connectivity. If you're a dancer at heart you'll know what I mean. Who ever hired the bartenders here knew how to descriminate, lol, they're all hot. The drink prices can be a little steep but over all it's a great place.

Saturdays + Happy hours

It\'s fun on Saturday nights. If you go for happy hour, hit it around 7PM.

Fun and diverse club near downtown Oakland

I have gone to Latin Explosion several times on Friday nights. It attracts a primarily Latino crowd (duh), but there is a nice mix of men of all colors. The music ranges from Salsa to Reggaeton to hip-hip to pop. The Bench and Bar is a good East Bay alternative to the Castro scene.

Beefy Boys on Sunday Nights

On Sunday, the Bench & Bar is home to B-Unit, a club for bears and big boys. Decent music. Slightly overpriced drinks, but a free buffet and cute bartenders make it worth the trip. Also, more men of color and men over 30 than you find in your usual SF haunts.

Great people Great Music