Alameda brings the beer (and wine and the gin and the vodka….)
“[Alameda] is also becoming a food-and-drink destination thanks to East End Park Street restaurants serving authentic fare from as far away as Lithuania and Ethiopia, plus the solidified reputation of the West End’s Spirits Alley, a popular stretch of U.S. Navy hangars turned urban tasting rooms.” – 7×7 Magazine
In 2008, winemaker Kent Rosenblum sold Rosenblum winery and started Rock Wall Wine Company in Alameda with his daughter Shauna. A few years later, in 2014, Alameda’s Spirit Alley was officially launched with a ribbon cutting ceremony and networking event led by then-Mayor Marie Gilmore. Since then, the area has continued to grow and evolve. Even though Rockwall has now moved on, Alameda’s Spirit Alley and the surrounding area have seen a revitalized energy with a growing number of craft beer and wine offerings and new trendy restaurants.
In the mood for a beer? You’re in luck! Faction Brewing opened in 2013, and their motto is “Come for the beer, stay for the view.” With their tasting room, diverse beer selection, large indoor and outdoor spaces, city view, and food trucks…it’s a great place to hang out, catch up with friends, pet friendly dogs (on the lower patio), and enjoy a relaxing afternoon.
Admiral Maltings and The Rake Pub is located around the corner on W. Tower Avenue. Here you can watch them turn their malt while you enjoy a beer and a bite to eat.
“We gently turn our malt on the germination floor by hand. It creates flavor components no other method can replicate. Fresh malt from our kiln tastes unlike malt produced by larger, industrial malting facilities.” –
Admiral Maltings
The perfect place for action and relaxation, you can enjoy a lively game of pickleball at The Hub Sports Club – with 8 indoor, state of the art, permanent pickleball courts, 7 additional outdoor courts, and a fully stocked Pickleball Pro Shop. Bring the entire family to SoFive Soccer Center where both youth and adult leagues bring the fun. SoFive also offers camps and a lively birthday party venue for your next event. After all that action, you’ll be ready for a cold drink and some good food!
Almanac Beer Company, rebranded as Almanac Adventureland, is a family-friendly beer garden and hangout located next door. It has a myriad of beer on tap, including sours, and refreshing frozen drinks. From the sandlot outside to the arcade games indoors, Almanac has become “the place to be” for adults, kids, and our furry friends! The long picnic-style tables inside and in the covered outdoor areas make it a nice spot to bring a slew of friends for beer tasting and a bite from Scolari’s, Marley G’s Pizza, or the rotating food trucks parked out front. Make sure to try their “Farm to Barrel” series.
Tucked into the creative energy of Alameda Point, Saltbreaker is a true local favorite–known for its seasonal California menu, thoughtfully crafted cocktails, and inviting, design-forward space set within a converted naval building. It’s the kind of spot that feels both refined and unpretentious, perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or a celebratory night out. Just beyond, The Yard at Alameda Point offers a more casual, open-air gathering place, with a full bar, relaxed patio seating, and a lively, social atmosphere ideal for afternoon drinks or low-key evenings with friends. Together, they capture what makes Alameda Point so special: a blend of character, community, and an ever-evolving local scene.
The Seaplane Lagoon area at Alameda Point has quickly become a vibrant waterfront hub blending open-air parks and scenic walking paths with the lively energy of nearby breweries, wineries, and makers along Spirits Alley. It’s a dynamic, evolving neighborhood that captures a more creative, community-driven side of Alameda living. With easy access to SF ferry service (around a 20 minute ride), this is quickly becoming a hotspot for commuters who enjoy the convenient location and modern new construction townhomes and condos.
St. George Spirits, founded in 1982, is just a hop and a skip from Hangar 1. Within their 65,000-square-foot hangar, you’ll find a tasting room, laboratory, and a hefty offering of spirits: gin, vodka, whiskey, liqueurs, and even absinthe.
While you are in the area, you may want to check out the USS Hornet. You’ll see the large ship from Spirits Alley. The USS Hornet was given to the former air station and is now used as a museum ship. On the first Sunday of every month, down the main drag in the opposite direction, you’ll come across the Alameda Point Antiques Faire. The antiques show is the largest in Northern California, with 800 dealer booths, and is held on the first Sunday of every month. It’s a busy event, and turns the west end into a bustling part of the island.
The Main Street Ferry terminal can be found on the far NE side of the island as well. The boat ride to San Francisco is approximately 20 minutes long. There are two parking lots and a dog park adjacent to the terminal.
Now that you know your way around Spirits Alley, there is just one last thing to do. Decide what it will be…. wine, beer, spirits….or all three.
