photo courtesy of TuffyOak
The CommonWealth Cafe and Public House was an English-style pub on Telegraph Ave. in Pill Hill that first opened in 2010. They were closed from July 2012 through October 2012 due to a fire, and then closed permanently in December 2022 after a final hurrah during World Cup 2022.
They brewed MotherTongueCoffee and featured a variety of cafe items. The pub offered a number of local beers on tap as well as many British/Scotch ales and wines. They almost always had football (soccer to you Yanks) on the telly, with plentiful coverage of the British Premier League games and international tournaments. Fortunately their food is much better than what I ever found in an English pub, and rotating items included chicken potpie, bangers and mash (vegan option), Shepherd's pie, sandwiches and salads and rotating specials.
Additionally, this was one of the few places in Oakland where one could have a beer and get some work done. CommonWealth had free wi-fi and also a standard cafe menu. Although this is a common set up in the UK, there are relatively few setups like this in the East Bay.
Daily Specials:
Monday: Happy Hour 4pm-6pm $5 Pints
Tuesday: 2 for Tuesday Coffee and Donut Special
Wednesday: Wine Wednesday $3 off any bottle of wine
Thursday: Thirsty Thursday $25 pitchers
Friday: Friday Funday 4pm-5pm $1 Miller Lite $2 Underbergs
Saturday: Sad Saturday 2pm-5pm $10 draft beer + a 'Berg
Location
2882 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, California
Photos from Our Oakland
- For the Adults: Beer in a pub atmosphere.
- For the Kids: Beans on Toast, and footy on the TV. Wee Menu on the website.
Links and References
- Pub fare and British ales at CommonWealth Oakland North
- Oakland businesses help CommonWealth pub rebound after fire Oakland North
- Final Instagram Post
