Oakland's Own First Friday's

Well it's the First Friday of the month so you know Oakland lovers from all over the Bay Area will soon pour into the Uptown neighborhood. Whether you're there purely for the art, food, cars or bars there is so much not to be missed!

Inevitably, Oakland's first outdoor art sculpture park is being unveiled today in the heart of the burgeoning art artery 19th & Telegraph.

If you are a gallery walker, visit Oakland Art Murmur for a complete listing of galleries participating every First Friday 6p - 9p by neighborhood. If you missed an exhibition, come back Saturdays 1p-5p when it's less crowded. And how cool that the Burning Man Leadership Network is in Oakland for their convention this weekend!!! For street performance information check out Oakland First Friday's Facebook Page.

There's no shortage of delicious bites on First Fridays! For a listing of food trucks, carts and booths visit Oakland First Fridays. Food stops are conveniently listed by block. Oakland's Own Tip: Street food service is shut down PROMPTLY at 9p. So make sure you have food in hand before 9p. My recommendations...Big Serg BBQ (Get the tri-tip anything) and for attendees of the legal drinking age (they definitely card), Telegraph Beer Garden & Cafe has a great selection and a spacious outdoor patio with picnic tables! Missing your favorite food truck??? It's probably at Friday Nights Oakland Museum! Royal Jokers Car Club showcases classic cars and bikes in the retro 1/4 Pound Burger parking lot on W. Grand & Telegraph 6p-9p. For those interested in continuing their night in the area, there are a host of restaurants, bars and lounges, below are some recommendations.

 Eat:

• Hawker Fare
• Lukas
• Xolo Taqueria
• Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe
• Flora
• Loring Cafe

Dance:

• Era
• Somar
• The Layover
• Bench & Bar

Lounge:

• Make Westing
• The Uptown
• Farley's East
• CafeVan Cleef
• Bar 355
• The Punchdown

If you're looking for something less crowded after First Friday's, check out my March post "Spend A Day In Oakland - Jack London Square/Old Oakland" for nightlife a few blocks down.