friday five

five± area stories of note.

shake shack berkeley opens next tuesday, april 28, at 10am.

it's banter's third birthday in el cerrito.🎈(instagram)

the lodge, piedmont avenue's reopened, classic, twin-peaks-ish dive bar, now features a family-friendly food menu we would very much like to try. (ps 21+ after 8pm.) (the chronicle)

be kind, rewind: berkeley's new little free blockbuster.

*quick reminder locals: gilman district street fair this sunday, april 26. (with bike valet service at picante.)

lastly, it might come as a surprise to some, but despite the main website being down, unfavorable press, and confused folks being gaslit recently by a dark restaurant with no notice [including us last week], the old oakland location of horn barbecue is open. current hours are thursday-sunday from noon-8pm. horn barbecue is at 484 8th street in oakland.

fun idea bonus: our kind of dinner party. (hallie bateman/instagram)

april 24, 2026 (happy hours, updated family-friendly food, please remember to tip your server.)