EMPLOYEES SAVE JACK LONDON SQUARE’S FAVORITE PUB, SLÁINTE OAKLAND

I’m sure you’d agree that the hallmarks of a great Irish pub include great drinks, a thriving community, authentic Irish food and live music. Sláinte Oakland in Jack London has all of that but its origin story and remarkable revival following the closure in 2023 is what gives this place its heart.

We often write about restaurants and favorite bars that close due to unforeseen circumstances (or sometimes totally predictable reasons) but it’s not often that we get to write about a restaurant that quite literally came back from the dead after shuttering. Sláinte’s story is a heartwarming and inspirational tale of a community who saved a very special place and how its employees have bound together to keep this bar open and thriving for years to come. Read more

Ginny BrownAugust 2, 2024

Oakland Irish Pub Rises From the Ashes of Closure

Sláinte, the Irish pub and kitchen at 131 Broadway in Oakland, will pour again as of Friday, December 15 at 5 p.m. In an Instagram post and on the business’s website, the ownership let fans know that after a slow summer and an announced closure on October 31, a few staff and friends have rallied together to bring the bar back to life. “You know that one of Ireland’s favorite symbols is the phoenix right?” the post begins.

SF Eater Article

Ginny BrownAugust 1, 2024

SLÁINTE IRISH PUB BEATS THE ODDS

ood news for those nostalgic for a pint and a ceilidh: Sláinte, the quaint Irish pub in Oakland, which had its future in jeopardy, will be flipping its sign to "open" this Friday evening. According to their website, the establishment will return to serve customers from December 15 at 5 p.m., with live Irish music kicking off an hour later to mark the occasion. A closure had loomed over Sláinte, casting a dark cloud on regulars and staff alike.

Hoodline Article

Ginny BrownJune 14, 2024

First Bite: Sláinte Brings Good Cheer to Oakland

My first bite of crackling cod in Sláinte’s homey plate of fish and chips sold me completely, especially when paired with a perfect draught of Guinness.

Sláinte (slahn-cha), which means "cheers" in Irish Gaelic, opened earlier this month in Jack London Square, bringing a bit of Ireland to Oakland. The restaurant’s two-sided bar, exposed brick, deeply grained wood, and well-worn tavern-style seats and tables exude a timeless feel. The moody fireplace room invites contemplation, while the brighter entrance area provides a cheerier atmosphere with its cathedral-style windows.

Diablo

Ginny BrownMarch 4, 2024

Sláinte: Dublin in London

As a person of three-eighths Irish descent, fourth-generation, let me just say that I can’t stand most Irish bars. The predictably narrow beer selection, the finance-bro vibe, the feeling they could all be franchises of a worldwide conglomerate called IrishCorp — each pub seems to skew heavily toward the safe and unimaginative. There are exceptions, like Nickies in the Lower Haight, but most are about as enticing as an iPhone pre-loaded with a U2 album.

SF EATER

Ginny BrownSeptember 13, 2023