Darling’s Elixirs

I am a big cheese fanatic and that is essentially all the food on their menu (and a charcuterie plate). They made the best grilled cheese sandwich I’ve ever had. They also have a full bar with exciting cocktail options, a charming décor and ambiance, and easy access via BART (19^th st Station), car, or walking.

Darling’s is an interesting new annex to Dogwood next door. There’s a speakeasy feel to the whole place with an emphasis on cocktails. Although the menu is very limited, the bartenders and friendly and courteous and are willing to customize something for you. There’s also room to spread out, with slightly higher tables and a slightly brighter feel than Dogwood.
Worth a stop on a bar crawl — let’s hope they build out their drink menu more.

90s RnB + Craft Cocktails + Grilled Cheese Sandwiches = What else would you need?
This extension to the Uptown favorite, Dogwood, is pretty cool. The cocktail menu is fairly short, but I asked the bartender to make me something custom («I like gin and ginger») and she whipped up something really delicious, and for only $ 9! I’m used to paying $ 11+ for a cocktail so this place felt inexpensive to me.
It’s not very big and the décor isn’t particularly lavish or showy, but we had a great time with our friends here and will likely be back.

This place is a nice addition to the Uptown Oakland bar scene. Darling’s Elixirs is the newish back bar to the wonderful Dogwood. It offers a small menu of craft cocktails with The Millionaire No. 3 being my favorite. The atmosphere is very chill and it tends to be less crowded than Dogwood.
The drinks here are top-​notch, but my one complaint is that the menu needs to be expanded and diversified from the cocktail menu of Dogwood. On both trips here, I’ve noticed that there was significant overlap in the menus.

Solid bar with incredible bartenders and servers. This spot isn’t too fancy but it’s certainly not your local bro bar or dive either — it’s a nice blend of class and modernity. I feel like this is the perfect place to come for a lowkey drink or meet up with friends without the pressure of a crowd or overly loud music. The vibe here is chill but definitely a bit mature.

What a cool little spot. We tried four different drinks — they were all unique and tasty. Our favorite was the Dr. Welby Celery. Don’t be put off by the name — the celery taste is barely noticeable. We also all had yummy grilled cheese sandwiches. Inexpensive and fun night out.

YES. The bartenders here are just as congenial as their sibling (Dogwood). I love how they kept the original feel of this space, too. The tiles, the wooden enclosure (?) that surrounds the bar all keeps the vibe very old school and very Oakland. The drinks are solid and I look forward to seeing the experiments that they do with their phosphates and other curious tinctures…

A nice addition to Dogwood. If you like Dogwood, then you’ll like Darling’s. Their hours are kind of weird. I think they are only open Thursday-​Sunday in the evening. If they aren’t open when you get there, just go around the corner and get a drink at Dogwood, which is what I ended up doing. All of Darling’s drinks looked really good, but I went for the Millionaire No. 3 (venus gin, egg white, sloe gin, grapefruit, lime, lactart, and simple syrup) and it was damn good.
If you love trying different cocktails, this is the place to be.

Time: 8:12pm/66°F cloudy
Purpose: Last day of work week still in eastbay so why not? Came by earlier already no difference for press coverage. Just didn’t drink prior to working. Loose your job!!!
Ambiance: DE replaces this jewerly and timepiece shop of yesterday years, name eludes my mind. Pretty simple place not fancy or showing bright neon lights for attraction. You can enter one of two-​ways to this place. From other side of business name Dogwood or DE front entrance located on the corner of Broadway/​17^th street. Either side you’ll still have to show ID to frnt doorman (bouncer). Inside houses 6 tables with couple of high stools not much as, most stand and drink. Honeycomb floor design with wooden bar cage that resembles a casino cashier cage. The exterior has these functional pulley wheels with cable attached, slide to open/​close. Inside shows shelves line with bottles of hard liquor with all bar equipments in full use during the night. Adjoining walk through arch connects with Dogwood. Not sure what music what playing as it was so loud, bomb loud. You’ll need to be at least two inches from someones ear in able for them the hear you.
Staff: Two bar tenders, one glassware buser/​runner and doorman. Doorman was doing his usual job of checking ID no problems with him. Two bartenders guy and girl being overwhelm by so many people strolling in were sweating profusely. The guy use hand signal when my turn came as it, was just to loud to communicate. As for me, I didn’t yell just did hand signal pointed to first drink on list. He nodded within 2 – 3 minutes my drink was produce in a timely manner sat on counter. Buser girl was working hard edging and ducking to get clear view of tables and window sill collecting finish glasses. Seems like they all know their parts that night, probably a thorough brief speech before opening.
Cleanliness: Grade A+, immaculate. Brand new on first night of opening. So clean can’t spot anything to say or talk about. Drink garnishment were in their respective organize containers.
Eats/​Drinks: Two lone wolff drinks $ 20. Consist of arette anejo campari, lemon juice, demerara syrup, house made bitter orange soda and maldon salt. Strong and refreshing certainly can taste tequila and Maldon salt. It was a solid drink that, I went ahead with a second. Put out $ 25 said, keep it. Found a seat on second drink but, got up stand and drink is more my thing.
Products/​Services: The Lone Wolff, Ruby Slipper, The Millionaire No. 3, Sazerac all $ 10. Wine by the glass-​edna valley sauvignon blanc $ 6, Montepulciano d’ abruzzo $ 11, Gloria Farra Brut Rose $ 9. Bottle beer corona $ 4, boont amber $ 5, budweiser $ 3. Takes plastics.
Punch Lines: Friendly, loud and busy, fast/​efficient, knowledgeable, well stock supplies, minimal seating, clean, new, late hours, young professionals, wood paneling, connecting room, loud music, street/​private lot parking, mid-​downtown, B-​Shuttle, accessible by all transportation.
Tradeoffs: You can bring drinks into their other business, just can’t bring it beyond the doorman.
Final Thoughts: DE will make it as a small practical place for drinks and may be more. Hours are set just right, lots of young professionals after work to bring in the income. Somehow, I just wish there were some bar bites but, then again may not need it. No need to do food just yet as the staff has enough work to deal with already.