The Uptown Bar Is For Sale On Craigslist

Image: Seller on CraigsList

This website is often cruising Craiglsist in search of Folsom Street Fair Missed Connections, obviously stolen items, or perhaps some COVID-vaccinated breast milk. But this weekend we found something for sale we did not expect to see — The Uptown bar in Oakland is for sale on Craigslist, in a post entitled “ Amazing Bar & Live Entertainment Venue with Outdoor Patio (NEAR SAN FRANCISCO).”    

Screenshot: Craigslist

“This is an opportunity to acquire The Uptown Nightclub, the premier live entertainment venue of its size in Oakland,” says the post in the Craigslist housing > office & commercial listings. “With its reputation and industry relationships as well as full liquor license and entertainment permit, a new owner can step in and operate as-is (once covid restrictions are lifted), or adjust the concept as desired while making use of all the underlying infrastructure and at a fraction of the original construction and permitting cost.”

Image: Rachel M. via Yelp

So it sounds like the iconic, guitar-neck neon “Uptown” sign is part of the deal. The club’s liquor license is definitely part of the deal. But the listing agent does not disclose the cost of the Uptown nightclub.

“The tenant / business owner is offering the assets of The Uptown Nightclub for sale to a new operator. (Please inquire for pricing.),” the post states. “The sale will be contingent upon a new operator obtaining an agreeable long term lease and transfer of the existing Type-48 liquor license. Prospective operators should have existing experience (or team members with experience) operating a music venue and/or bar. Additionally, operators should have strong financials and a clear plan for restarting the business once Covid restrictions have been lifted. Current owner can assist with introductions for music bookings, corporate events, etc.”

The Uptown opened in 2005, and has hosted a who’s-who of Bay Area and nationally known musical acts over the years. It closed in 2007, and then again in 2014, before its latest permanent closure in September. Several of these closures have led to reopenings under new ownership, and we hope that’s what happens again here this time.