text: For bars in Oakland near the universities it gets no better than Spice Cafe This bar actually caters to people other than the newly crowd like nearby Hemingways Peters Pub and Garage Door Do not get me wrong this place still gets its fair share of college students but the staff here really gets to know you and cares more about making sure their patrons have a good time and not just making money nnHere are the reasons Spice Cafe rules nnLive bands with no cover chargeEVER sure they are not the best bands you have ever heard but they all get the dance floor rocking and with the tiny stage so close to the dance floor it is really intimate nnCheap ass drinks this place is so cheap I cannot fathom how they can turn a profit Seriouslymiller light is always and they have a daily micro brew special for around dollars well drinks and shots are and are poured so strong that you can hardly stand after two And if you really want to get the party going get a frozen long island iced tea for Do not have more than one or you will black out nnAwesome Jukebox Great music is always pumping from this thing stuff you would not hear anywhere else deep cuts from little known Neil Young albums Zevon and then to mix it up you will hear some early s rap from the likes of A tribe called quest and stuff like that Since they changed the jukebox to the newer internet jukebox thing some of the music has become a bit more mainstream and trendy but it is still better than any other bar in Oakland nnGreat staffPya and Yassir were the best managers in the city and them leaving has left a hole in many a yinzers heart But the new management is doing great things with pub quiz night and continuation of Karaoke The bouncer Tom is one of the friendliest people you will ever meet as long as you are not acting like a total tool nnThe Bad stuff nnThe only gripe I have is that though they have a huge draft selection every now and then you will get a skunky beer Just take it back and the staff will make it right by giving you a another drink at no charge and maybe even throwing in a shot if you seem like a good person Get the draft beer selection fixed and this place would get out of stars