bar panisse opens

this past monday, after three years of construction and not a little mystery, the paper came off the windows at 1515 shattuck avenue in berkeley, revealing through the glass a polished new cocktail bar outfitted in walnut and pewter, stools up in quiet wait.

that same day, the chronicle spotted a single, brief instagram post ('walk-ins only, details to come') and shared today's opening date for bar panisse. since then, north berkeley locals and the food media have been peeking through the windows, so to speak, speculating about the long-anticipated new bar from alice waters and the chez panisse team.

to mark the opening, here is a little fact sheet:

• bar panisse is located next door to the converted berkeley craftsman that houses chez panisse and the more casual, upstairs chez panisse cafe, creating a formidable new campus panisse under the umbrella of the famed monkey puzzle tree on north shattuck avenue.
• a cocktail bar with room for 50 and no reservations, the bar is the most casual option of the newly formed panisse trinity, serving seasonal drinks, spirits, wines by the glass, entrees such as steak frites, and lighter, ingredient-driven small plates.
• the opening brings fresh local talent and energy to the restaurant's 54-year-old brand, especially as cocktails are a new space for the team. the bar's dedicated chef is amelia telc ("telch") (half hitch in tomales, mission chinese in new york). bar and floor manager is zachary becerra (comal, banter, donkey & goat, missouri lounge). dylan o'brien of prizefighter in emeryville is consulting beverage program designer.

• to answer a popular question: bar service will not cross over into wine-focused chez panisse restaurant or the cafe; cocktails and spirits are offered within the bar space only.
• the cocktail bar's welcoming, elegant interior is designed by studio kda architects, with art from paulson fontaine press and sound design from meyer sound. it features a flurry of romantic lighting along and above the french-made, pewter-topped bar, as well as an open kitchen. the new neon sign above the building's awning is from jim rizzo at neon works.

• details remained remarkably scarce throughout the three+-year build-out, a tricky feat in modern times, and credit should be given to the project's many gatekeepers, including industry folks, craftsmen and contractors. (local backlash over the choice to close cesar in 2022 to make way for the new concept might have played a part in the long, deliberate quiet until this week's reveal.)
• this is alice waters' first local opening since closing cafe fanny in 2012, though in 2021, she and chef david tanis opened lulu in ucla's hammer museum.
• the bar officially opens today, december 11, at 4pm.

bar panisse is at 1515 shattuck avenue in berkeley, and is open from thursday-monday from 4-10pm, walk-ins only. updated hours are anticipated in the new year.

december 11, 2025 (please tip your server)