More than two years in the making, Drake's Dealership has finally arrived. The 350-seat, 10,000-square-feet behemoth, located in The Hive, the mixed-use development at 23rd and Broadway in Oakland (also home to the newly-opened Calavera, Firebrand Artisan Breads and Numi Organic Tea), is officially open to the public as of today.
The roomy brick and salvaged wood space has three main areas — the main dining room, beer garden and a private event space — in which to guzzle your choice of 32 beers on tap. Though the beer isn't produced on site, owner John Martin (Drake’s Brewery and Taproom, Jupiter, Triple Rock) plans to treat the taps like a test kitchen to feature the entire Drake's beer portfolio, including many unusual and experimental beers that aren't usually available outside the brewery and a few spots for guest breweries.
Beyond the beers on tap, there's a full-service growler station with a continuously rotating selection of brews to bring home. For those who prefer to imbibe in other ways, there are a few wines on tap, plus Highwire Coffee Roasters nitrogen-charged cold brew coffee.
And because beer is made to wash down pizza, the two giant, wood-burning pizza ovens are already churning out a selection of specialty pizzas, in addition to the "refined pub fare" of salads, burgers and sandwiches on the full lunch and dinner menu from executive chef Taylor Smith (Local Kitchen & Wine Merchant, Jasper’s Corner Tap). Here's the full menu as it stands today, but Smith plans to change it frequently:
Other members of the team include general manager Adam Howe (Pyramid, Plant) and consultants Joel DiGiorgio and Adam Stemmler from Farm League Design & Management (Tigerlily, East Bay Spice Company, Westbrae Biergarten and a soon-to-come vegetarian spot), who redesigned the former Dodge dealership with Flynn Architecture. Signage still exists from its dealership days, lending a casual, throwback vibe to the space. The main dining room features a large, custom-made fireplace, communal tables and seating for 150, while the brick-walled, open-air beer garden has communal tables, bleacher-style seating, built-in Adirondack booths and fire pits with an outdoor stage for live music.
Drake's Dealership is open Sunday-Wednesday from 11:30 a.m.- 11 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday from 11:30 a.m.- 1 a.m. The kitchen serves food Sunday-Wednesday from 11:30 a.m.- 10 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday from 11:30 a.m.- 11 p.m. The team is throwing a grand opening party on Friday, August 28 with live music, special beer releases and new Drake’s swag.
