I really like Club Mallard. The ambiance is comfortable, they have good cocktails, a nice selection of booze, there usually isn't a long wait for pool tables and they have a nice spot to sit outside. I kind of hope they stay half-dead. it's nice to be able to go somewhere and have a quiet evening.
Review Source:What's not to love about Club Mallard? Just by looking at the plain exterior, you'd never be able to guess what hides behind it. I don't even play pool and I still enjoy coming here. Drinks are cheap and simple. They don't go in for mixology and seem to have some pretty green bar backs on staff so the fewer components your drink order has, the better it will be. The employees are super friendly and since they have so many people working here, the service is speedy and you never have to wait too long to be served.
There are tons of places to sit downstairs and upstairs, inside and outside. Despite it's size, it can still fill up on the weekends. You never quite know who will show up. I've literally seen people of all ages hang out here. Downstairs has a traditional hunting lodge vibe, complete with a fireplace, king size leather chairs, and taxidermy. If you're ordering a drink on the lower level, lurk the monstrous bison head mounted on the wall. They also have a couple TVs, booth seating, and a long bar with a vast array of spirits. It connects to an outside lounge with heat lamps. The music is basically whatever you'd find on a Coachella lineup with spurts of cheesy 80s rock in between.
Upstairs has a much smaller bar, more booth seating, and all the pool tables. The smoking deck has a tiki theme complete with a festive mural, wicker high chairs, and those red bar candles you see everywhere. In case you were dying to know, the toilet seats in the women's restroom are heated. Yes, it's weird and yes, drunk dudes like to wander in there to check them out.
Last tip, don't sleep on their holiday parties! I've dropped by here on both Halloween and Valentine's Day. Much to my delight, lots of outgoing people, lots of debauchery, lots of artificial fog.
I'm a fan, no doubt.
I have been searching for a good bar close to him for a while! I recently came in here on a Saturday night and had a blast. Not only is the atmosphere great, but there were so many levels and places to go and enjoy your drink. I sat down stairs by the fire place, went outside and chilled by the heat lamps and eventually ended up playing pool upstairs. The place got packed by about 10 and it was really getting fun. I went up to the bar and asked the bartender for something fruity and girl (I was not in a beer mood). He made me a strong pink cocktail and named it after me. THEN! He put a monkey, umbrella, elephant and an octopus in my drink. I was so stoked about this, it totally made my night!! haha
I cant wait to come back here again!
Although I pass by the Mallard often, I have only recently been here. I think it's a very cool spot and did not expect the inside decor from the outside. I can't really say it was a hidden gem, but I am glad I found it!
We decided to stop in for a couple cocktails with our friend. I got the entire tour around the place and it was huge. Pool tables, games and people having fun everywhere. I love all of the woodwork upstairs, the deck and outdoor area. What a fun spot!
Easy parking, good, cheap dranks, large interior, two outdoor seating seating areas, and pool tables. I think they even have snacks? This place is AWESOME.
The lower level has a rustic log cabin-esque feel with a longer bar than upstairs. If you sit in front of the fireplace you'll be stared down by a gigantic stuffed buffalo head while you sip your poison and gossip with your pals. The upstairs area has yet another bar, some pool tables, and a tiki themed balcony with heat lamps. The clash of the rustic and the tiki oddly works extremely well, probably because it's hilarious. The hallway is covered with children's photos which is both creepy and adorable and mesmerizing when waiting in line for the bathroom.
Love. Will be back soon.
Great local bar cool people nice vibe... A couple of buddies and I go there to shoot some pool occasionally. they play music as well but its not extremely loud to the point you feel you have too yell at people for them to hear you. there is in outside tiki area with few tables ( I believe a couple of the tables have chess).
Review Source:I LOVE this place! The atmosphere is great, you can come here by yourself or with a group. They have an outdoor patio and and second upstair bar with pool tables. The bartenders are a lot of fun and I love their specialty drinks. I've come here multiple times, whether with my husband or on a double date or with a group we've all had a great time here. I would definitely recommend The Mallard to anyone!
Review Source:Yummy bloody marys? Check
Renting pool tables for cheap? Check, only if you come before 8pm
There are actually only 4 pool tables that I saw of so the website misled me a bit. The outside tiki area is quite a contrast to the inside bar where it is heavily decorated with taxidermy.
I definitely will be coming back to brush up on my pool skills (and they dont play bad music which is great!)
i would consider myself a regular here, its been a while but the bouncer always recognizes me as do most of the bartenders.
I like the mallard for a few reasons,
1. it's spacious, most places are overly packed, with not enough room to get to the bar. the mallard does reach critical mass of people every once in a while to the point where its hard to get to the bar, but its a lot less than other bars. the face that they have 2 bars is probably the reason for this.
2. outdoor patio. the chairs are very comfortable, the tables clean, and people are always coming out to change your ash tray and pick up empty cups. on cold nights there are heaters outside to keep you warm and there is a tarp over head now, so you can sit out during the rain. enjoying a cigarette on the mallard upper patio with the friends is just great.
3. it is what you want it to be, by this i mean it can be a very casual relaxing time with a friend or two or even a date, or it can be a wild party. if u are with a group, you can decide the pace of the place. or at least the section that you are sitting or standing in or at the bar.
4. its a safe neighborhood. there are a lot of places where people will get into drunken fights, people would get shot, mugged etc. however the mallard just isn't one of those spots. even if u parked up the hill and down the block where its dark and empty, you can bet that nothing will happen to you. there are also lots of cops around, but mostly don't bother you even if they see you walk out of the place and get into your car. unless you are obviously drunk, they assume you are the DD i guess.
So, I've only been here once. Â And truthfully, my friends and I probably weren't even here a full hour, so maybe I'm being a little hasty with my review here. Â But ... I just didn't like it here!
The decor is pretty neat and the whole place has a rugged lodge sort of feel that I can appreciate, even with the creepy animal heads on the wall. Â I think the experience started to go downhill when I went to order my first drink and was told that they don't serve Long Islands ("or any variation of a Long Island"). Â Who knows why, I was too shocked to even think of asking. Â Plus, the bartender didn't seem like he would have felt like explaining anyway. Â He wasn't outright rude, but he wasn't that friendly either and he made it very clear that he had other people waiting to order. Â So, caught off guard and pressured to order quickly, I just grabbed the specialty drinks menu off of the bar and ordered the first thing that sounded good. Â It was SO nasty! Â I don't remember what it was called, it was orange something and had an orange peel in it. It was so bitter and gross that I had to give it to my friend. Â After that, I just wanted to leave, lol.
I enjoy the size of this place! Two floors, outside seating on both levels, multiple bars. Because it is so big, it gets really, really noisy. Had a bit of trouble actually getting a bartender to make me a cocktail, but wasn't overwhelmed by the price.
I totally missed the tiki section of Mallard (I was told the same people own tiki bar Kona in Oakland, as well as pool club Thalassa in Berkeley?) so I have to go back!
Sounds like they have some good specials and events here, so I'll undoubtedly be back, especially with the bowling alley right there!
I also found parking right in front, which was neat.
It was aight , the music was cool. The bartender had a lil attitude at first, till I tipped her then she was nice. The patio area was cool and had some heating torches I think it was also the smoking section. The 2nd floor was nasty, it smelled like booty juice and armpits! Yuck!!! not to mention theres a bathroom there that was next to all the pool tables no wonder it stanked! It was my first time there I might explore some other bars to wet my beak at!
Review Source:Mallard, I love you.
My friend from El Cerrito is responsible for introducing me to this place, otherwise I would never be drinking in Albany, of all places. We came here to day drink awhile ago and I had a fantastic bloody mary at 2 PM, and we've been coming here to celebrate Thirsty Thursdays for the past few weeks (months for her haha).
The inside is pretty awesome, with big couches, a bar with lots of stools, an outdoor patio, an UPPER outdoor patio, pool tables, and a second bar upstairs. Oh, did I mention they also have a photo booth? Did I mention they also sell snacks? Did I mention this place is awesome?
Ashley, who works upstairs on Thursdays, is fantastic and always takes really good care of us. She's super friendly and down to earth, and she's on top of her shit when it comes to making and serving drinks in an organized and timely fashion. She also makes sure we remember to close out our tabs at the end of the night =]
In my latest drunken stupor here I left my iphone at the bar. The employees saved it for me, and I thankfully did not have to shell out $200 for a new phone/essentially start my life over.
Great staff, good and very affordable drinks, comfortable space. Best watering hole ever.
This place is seriously screaming hidden gem. It looks like a typical dive bar from the outside, but once you open the door and step inside, behold! It is transformed into a ski cabin/Gaston's pub from Beauty and the Beast with your taxidermy on the wall, beams, and fireplace. I love it! Its especially gorgeous during the holiday season when they stream Christmas decorations all around the beams, plaster wrapping paper atop paintings, and other decorations.
Our friend was giving us a tour of the place and took us outside to the back patio where it was a tiki patio. How adorable! Next, we were taken upstairs where there were more places to lounge and play pool.
Â
Drinks were decent, a little more strong than usual. Cannot complain about that, right? As for the pricing, my bf bought the drinks. Â
I would definitely come back here. This place is amazing!
Definitely a fun place. Large enough that it can be active but not crowded. Both the hunting lodge ambiance in the main room and the tiki area are fantastic atmosphere. The area with the sofas and stuffed chairs is perfect for a group to relax and conversate. Well made drinks provided by friendly and attentive bartenders. Gotta go with Stuart M's quote that it is a cut above dive but not too posh for its own good.
Review Source:Instant love for any place with heated toilet seats.
Mallard is definitely my favorite local bar.... almost a guarantee that I'll run into someone from high school.
The staff is always cool, the drinks are cheap and the atmosphere is very laid back. They have 2 levels with pool tables, lots of comfy chairs and outside seating upstairs.
Love the Mallard! Always a good spot to go no matter the day of the week! Ive recently been coming here on monday afternoons while I happen to be in the area ...
Raquel the bartender is the SH!T!! She makes an AWESOME old fashioned, and I'm sure she makes everything else just as well - i just haven't wanted to switch it up yet!
Crowd here is usually cool, mixed, mellow, and fun!
You'll definitely be seeing me here again soon.
This place rocks! Â went for a post-wedding brunch (bring your own); the bride and groom rented the entire upstairs for a few hours. Â The staff and local crowd were so awesome, we stayed all night down in the main bar area.
 pool tables, indoor / outdoor seating a GIANT CONNECT FOUR GAME!!
i will def be frequenting this spot when I'm in the east bay.
Club Mallard may be my favorite bar in the Berkeley/Albany/El Cerrito area. It has a very tasteful hunting lodge ambiance but no rich weirdos. (Rocky Horror reference FTW!) The clientele is mixed and seems more mature than Berkeley without the hipster pretensions of the nearby Hotsy Totsy.
The downstairs area has a relaxed vibe and features a large bar, several booths, a huge Connect Four, and a pool table. The upstairs is a little busier and features another smaller bar and several more pool tables. I prefer the downstairs ambiance, as the upstairs reminds me of Thalassa a little more than I would prefer, but your mileage may vary. There are outside areas downstairs and up, but they tend to be overrun with smoke.
The bouncers and bartenders seem pretty nice. Not Twin Peaks nice, but I don't like getting murdered anyway. The music gets turned up too loud later at night, which is an issue Club Mallard shares with its sister bars (Thalassa and Kona Club). The drinks are reasonably priced for the most part, but there is the occasional beer or cocktail that runs a buck more than necessary considering the area.
Overall: 5 stars - 0.5 stars for too much smoke - 0.5 stars for music that is unnecessarily loud. Verdict: 4 stars, recommended!
My friends and I used to frequent Thalassa for their pool tables and nice hang out crowd. Those were the days of college and acting like a fool. So we started hanging out at this joint not too long ago and it's not a bad place to hang out with good company and have a brew. Â The things to remember when you go to Mallard is that there is a credit card minimum, so cash is always good. Also, Make sure you have a designated driver or take a cab. Albany police is always there lurking around the corners waiting for that one fool to drive drunk. That is probably the reason I don't go there as often as I want to because of the cops.
Anyway, a very cool place to hang out and of course you have good places to eat when you are done with drinking with friends.
I hope this place always stays semi-hidden and ultra-awesome. My more "mature" drinking buddies say Club Mallard feels like being in an episode of Twin Peaks, which I assume has something to do with the rustic log cabin vibe, with pool tables and fireplaces, and big red leatherish booths. How I describe it is: cozy and badass at the same time. The humongous stuffed buffalo head definitely adds to the badass scorecard.
But then there's an outdoor patio with lush foilage and heat lamps, which lends a Tiki Bar feelin' to the joint. So, you can channel your hot cocoa-sipping, parka-wearing boozer (inside) or your bikini-clad, SPF-slathered boozer (outside). Simply amazing.
I expected the Mallard to be on the divey side, but I was mistaken. They have a nice frou-frou cocktail menu with creative quaffs you might see at Bar 355 or the like. Of course there's beer and hard stuff too, but the cocktails are especially impressive.
I frequently forget how much fun can be had on this stretch of San Pablo. Club Mallard and Hotsy Totsy are worth the drive alone, then there's Fonda for late night happy hour. Just be responsible with your consumption because there's always cop cars lurking in the dark nearby. Good to have a trusty DD with you for this trip.
Yeah, When I'm not haunting the streets, or running my underground fight club.
I came to a place where I can really relax.
Everything about "Club Mallard" speaks for an amazing chill-axed night for you and yours. The place can be and most likely, overlooked as you pass down San Pablo Blvd.
The ambiance and decorum of the place seems to transform into three different things. The first part is a dismal gloomy sexsified version of the "cheers" set or
Elks club or a place for Shiners and it's part Tiki Lounge and upstairs is Like a Basement of a Pool hall.
I know it's probably hard to define without pictures,
but your presence is needed overall. ;)
The place reminds me of a place that "married" men meet in secret
to try talking to the women there, or meet to discuss "Man law".
The place doesn't seem to attract the ruffians or rapscallions as you think it Would.
The bartenders know there drinks, but don't try to come here asking for
a "Tokyo tea" or a "Long Island Ice Tea" I don't understand why, they don't
serve it....but it's not there fortay. Yeah, not a place for "Red wine" either.
The beers on tap as not many, but they work for what thery have,
Check the menus for specials, and talk to the bartenders,
they seems like they love there job and are friendly enough to want your buisness.
I enjoy this place, although I never sit my behind down on toliet seats....
I heard they have heated ones.
Technology....What will they think of Next!?!
Minus: "Although, It's not the bars fault...Thumbs down to the Drunken
       man who wanted to play pool with my friends and I...
       I know an Alcoholic when I see one!"
If your reading this review....you know who You are...here a link
I want you to  check out...
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I freaking love Club Mallard. Everything from the taxidermy/tiki room decorum to the friendly bartenders and heated toilets seats (I kid you not).
The bartenders are very attentive, awesome and super personable. Holly was great and made sure our drinks were to our liking. She didn't know the drink I was ordering (scofflaw) so I told her the ingredients and let me taste test it until it was perfect. Make sure to get to know your bartenders, they are really interesting people and have some pretty great stories to tell.
If you want to use your credit card there is a $10 minimum, I've clearly never had a problem with meeting that requirement.
The only downside is that they don't have food to order, only bags of chips for snacks. Alas, that doesn't bother me too much since there is a delicious taco truck down the street ($1.25 per taco) or you can grab a slice at La Val's.
This bar is definitely my go-to when I want to hangout with friends and sip cocktails by the fireplace. Apparently they do bourbon flight tastings too so I'll definitely be coming back for that.
Went here Friday night for my 21st birthday, the bartenders were amazing and gave me a flaming dr.pepper. They chatted with us and gave really good drink options because I had no idea what to order.
I strongly advise everyone to try the Hanging Pear and the Pomegranate Paloma!
This is a really great, laid back place. Not too bro-y, not obnoxiously loud that you can't talk to someone next to you..and if you're a native of the bay area or went to El Cerrito High expect to run into people you know.
Club Mallard has it going on for chill Ebay ambience - if that's what you are into - it's relaxed in that east bay way - lots of room to spread out, a few tikki torches, an upstairs, some pool tables, and they Know the Hard Alcohol...
It loses a point for having the worst wine selection ever. The "house red" might as well be used to slick your hipster hair back.
And the boy/girl thing isn't really going on either. But it's got the Hotsy Totsy and the Ivy Room beat all to hell.
The Mallard never disappoints in a 30+ I wanna have a good time and great conversation, but have to go to work the next morning - kinda way. The interior is reminiscent of a cozy Elk's lounge complete with deer on the walls, comfy seating, jukebox and pool tables. Head out to the patio and you're in Tikki land. The decor and vibe is just as random as the encounters you will likely have here. That's what I love most about this endearing neighborhood watering hole:) I can recall during a hangout with girlfriends being rescued from an Asian Elvis impersonator by a Bollywood Superstar lookalike, partaking in a dance-off in the bathroom line and discussing costuming with a professional drag performer all in the span of about 30 minutes!
Drinks are strong and reasonable with friendly bartenders who even make their rounds out to the tikki area to make sure you're good! Their caipirinha's are as close to perfection as I've had in awhile.
If you're in the area looking for a friendly atmosphere to grab a drink and go as  you are, or have a large group that you want to get together, the Mallard is a no-fail!
I don't recall ever being in a bar in America with such variant energies that also boasts a toilet with this many buttons. (OK, so red is for flush and green is for white noise... or is that the incinerator button?) In each room there is a different vibe and ambiance. Tiki torches on the downstairs patio, a dance club, a frat house, a hunting lodge, a smoking lounge and old pool hall all wrapped up in a funky odd fun house.
 Only criticism: management, please consider more adult-sized martini glasses. Geesh, I haven't played with dolls or mini teacups in years and like to drink more than a half ounce that doesn't spill all over.
Good local bar to grab drinks. Interior of Club Mallard is spacious and tastefully decorated into a hunters lounge. Love the pool table, photobooth, juke box and random animal heads.
Drinks are very reasonably priced. My first gin and tonic tasted too sweet but the bartender made it right the second time around. Patrons are mostly friendly locals and the staff are cool.
This is my neighborhood bar.
If you ever want to run into me (figuratively, please! I'm fragile!), go out to the second floor patio and look for the girl with a PBR in one hand and a shot of Powers in the other.
Because seriously, what other bars carry Powers?! Ok, Totsy does, but that's fairly recently.
And if you haven't tried Powers, you haven't lived.
I love the patio. I love the fireplace.
I love that the women's bathroom has a freaking built in bidet and warmed seats.
I love everything about it.
Club Mallard is a pretty sweet place; the funky-hunting-lodge decor on the first and second floors are very well done. I definitely found myself making lots of conversation out of all the weird odds and ends they have on the walls. Tap and alcohol selection is good, and they've got lots of pool tables
Two out of the three times I've visited I've tried their special cocktail, which was a little underwhelming both times given the price of the drink ($7). Otherwise, though, the experience is great.
Two floors of good music (IMHO--Joy Division, Pixies, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, etc), tasty drinks; I recently had some ginger lemon gin thing that was fabulous. Â Interesting yet non-pretentious people of varying ages.
It's also cool that I can get to this place via public transportation and feel ok about it, since it's right on a non-creepy part of San Pablo. When we drive, parking isn't hard (but then again we usually get there unfashionably early). Â We like to stop by some little Mexican place that's open late and is nearby--can't recall the name right now. Â
Despite the name, this isn't a club in the sense of "dance club" but is more a place where you can curl up in a comfy spot with your honey and have some good drinks and people watch. Â Pool, tiki patio, etc. Â Staff is friendly and I have seen plenty of bartenders of both genders, unlike a previous reviewer who only saw girls.
Me likes.
Actually had an opportunity to get some brief, but much needed time away from my elderly dad yesterday (Sunday) afternoon and popped in here with my girlfriend for a couple drinks. Â Upon walking in, we were both happy to see that they had just finished putting up all their Halloween decor. Â I love Halloween...definitely my favorite holiday of the year.
Kaori, the bartender was super cool and told us that all the staff had come in at noon and worked for about three hours getting all the decorations up. Â It looked great and so far, Club Mallard easily wins my award for Best Halloween Decorations in a Bar. Â Walking in and seeing all the cobwebs and spooky stuff, I said out loud, "Feels like home!"
Had a fantastic time hanging out and talking to the bartender and cool patrons at the bar. Â The guy sitting next to us at the bar was a lot of fun to talk to and we kept blowing his mind talking to him about Halloween, our crazy decor, and gothic wine cellar at home (for some, Halloween is every night!). Â He was trying to buy us drinks, but sadly, we had to get back to my dad and I didn't want to over do it since I knew we'd have to drive back to SF later on afterwards.
Noticed that they took out the other pool table and converted one side into a cozy lounge area. Â Normally I'd be disappointed, but they did keep the other pool table on the other side and the place looked so much better that I didn't mind it as much as I normally would. Â Actually, it was the first time that I've actually been happy that a pool table was gone. Â Coming from me, that is quite a statement in a bar. Â They did a great job and I really liked how it transformed the appearance of the downstairs bar, especially with the additional Halloween decor. Â Very cool. Â I uploaded some pics. Â
Been coming here for years and I have always loved Club Mallard. Â Easily the best bar in the area, but thats not saying much since the other bars don't compare. Â It's a lot more than that. Â Not sure about late night on weekends as I tend to avoid it during the crazy peak hours, but in the off hours, this is a fantastic bar! Â I could totally picture a Tarantino film scene at the bar downstairs.
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