Uptown Oaktown gets cooler; ERA art bar is unreal; the Friday fix

OK, so we're not supposed to talk about bars. This is a media culture blog, but every now and then, we delve deeply into other area of mass culture, lovely libations, and a scene that is so cool, I'm hoping this don't jinx it.

(Yeah, I know I'm talking in the third person...pretentious? Of course. But I have a following so get used to it.)

Anyway, I digress; Oakland's uber-chic, trendy and still soaring daily district called Uptown has scored another, yes again, bar on Broadway and Grand called "ERA art bar and lounge." Although that's almost doing it an injustice, since ERA is more compelling and busy that a mere bar, lounge, whatever you want to call it.

ERA is busy, man, it is busy. It looks and feels like a Soho joint, but its even better than that. You want a serious cocktail? Ka-ching! Bartenders that are cool? Check. Atmosphere? En fuego! And no, I pay for ALL my drinks, so don't get the wrong idea.

Era is a spacious venue that reminded me of bits and pieces of lounges I frequent in LA and NY. How I wish it was more like most bars, but why get moody. I can live with this. This is serious libation gratification in heaven kinda stuff.

Gorgeous and artistic light structures that create the right mood-lighting without the need to squint. Everyone working [door folks included] - friendly and classy. Too good to be true.

The outside of this place looks as if you're entering an antique store until you go inside and see the complete polar oposite: a vast, dark, sleek and sophisticated-up-the-ass interior that looks like it was designed by Elton Johns' hair stylist. That's a compliment, by the way.

And guess what? No attitude here. Seriously, I don't say this enough> Why the hell do we all check out bars? A good drink. Classy babes, even bad-girl babes; OK, women, you want male eye candy too, (they're here too.) The staff at ERA is cool. They don't act pretentious and think their -hit don't stink. They're all nice and that's saying something these days.

Oh, yeah, they do have nice bouncers and door guys and yes, there's a 10-buck cover on the weekends, but no body's perfect. (Get their before 8 and no problemo)

Personally, I like the place at happy hour, where I hope to meet my future ex-wife.
Ka-ching!

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