San Francisco Examiner - June 10, 1009

The Den is bursting with potential

It seems Oakland's Uptown district is finally headed down the right track. New businesses like the Whole Foods Market on 27th and Harrison, which replaced a desperately vacant Buick car dealership, have begun to improve Oakland's quality of life and overall image. Renovations to Lake Merritt are on going as well and it seems Oakland is at long last being provided with a much needed face lift. As Oakland's outer appearance gradually reflects its inner beauty and soul, the opportunities for success will be ripe for Oakland and it seems no business is more ready to lead the charge than The Den.

Connected to the historical Fox Theater on 19th and Telegraph, The Den can no longer be considered as a lounge only for theater goers. After a 95 million dollar renovation project that has sprung new life into the Fox Theater, The Den has also received an image overhaul that has thoroughly paid off. Two words will spring to mind as you walk through the doors - grown and sexy. The lounge utilizes high ceilings, red walls, dim lighting, and Roman-style pillars to establish a very classy and mature atmosphere. The renovations that have been made at The Den are quite impressive. I asked Corean Todd, a frequent patron, what she liked most about The Den and she said "The architecture is nice... the open space allows a good flow for the crowd and the music is hot." As you stand amidst the elegance that is The Den and begin to appreciate its inviting ambiance, one word will come to mind - potential.

A new venue like The Den cannot help but make you think of its possibilities. The Den is like the new kid in class that has quickly become the hottest kid in school. The ambiance is first class and the crowd dresses and behaves accordingly. On a Saturday night, The Den was packed with 300 people and the crowd was sophisticated and, thoroughly, dressed to impress. Interestingly, there is no dress code but the atmosphere at The Den seems to promote such a vibe that its patrons seem to want to dress their best. The crowd was beautifully diverse and is increasingly becoming so as more people learn of The Den's emergence as Oakland's new hot spot. I can only say The Den has yet to reach its potential because a place with such a fantastic environment should be packed every night. When I stopped by on a Friday night, it was surprisingly slow which can only be attributed to the fact that The Den is so new. However, I guarantee in a couple of months, The Den will be the hottest spot in Oakland's Uptown. It is bursting with potential.

As The Den's popularity continues to rise, it is their customer service and cocktails that will carry them to the top of the food chain. The customer service is top notch. Fair and friendly only begins to describe the bartenders' thorough understanding of client relations and customer service. Jana Rogers may very well be the best bartender in the East Bay. Not only is Jana a great mixologist, but she is knowledgeable, attentive, friendly, and highly efficient. She has that "it" quality in a bartender that adds tremendous value to a bar and, consummately, will have customers coming back. I highly recommend you seek her out or your experience at The Den will not be complete. Ask her to make you a Mr. T ($10). It is a rum based cocktail mixed with blood orange, pomegranate, and ginger ale. It is refreshing, both sweet and tart, and carries a lot of depth on your palate. I also recommend the Foxxhound ($10), which is an improved version of the classic Greyhound, as they use freshly squeezed grapefruit juice.

The Den is yet to be considered an elite bar in the Bay Area; however, it is clear that they are off to terrific start. The Den has all the right pieces in place and their road to success is only a matter of time. If it is your first time, I suggest you go on a Tuesday during happy hour when they play trivia games. If you win, the prize is tickets to a show at the Fox Theater. Their happy hour also offers free food, WiFi, and drink specials - it's a great way to unwind after a long day. But if you're more into looking your best and surrounding yourself with fellow grown and sexy people, The Den on Saturday night is where you need to be. I'll see you there... until then, cheers.