Oakland’s First Cider Bar Eyes January Opening

Wife-and-husband team Olivia Maki and Mike Reis are excited to showcase a wide range of cider styles when they open their first bar — and Oakland’s first bar dedicated to cider — next month. And Redfield Cider Bar & Bottle Shop’s opening date is officially here: January 6.

Redfield, located at 5815 College Avenue in a former shoe store, will stock roughly 150 ciders sourced from areas with rich cider traditions, like France, England, and Spain in addition to Northern California, the Pacific Northwest, and New England. A huge selection of bottles and cans will be available to-go, while 16 taps will allow Redfield to pour tasting flights onsite in addition to bottle pours.

The name nods to the owners’ cider-focused podcast, Redfield Radio, and the pair have worked in the industry for years. Maki is co-chair for the cider category for the Good Food Awards and has managed events for Bi-Rite’s 18 Reasons, while Reis is an advanced cicerone (beer sommelier) who previously led beverage programs at SF’s Monk’s Kettle and Abbot’s Cellar.

Widening the bar’s appeal, Redfield will also serve some beer, wine, and simple food influenced by the aforementioned cider-producing regions, including sandwiches, salads, and small plates.

While San Francisco is home to Upcider, a cider bar in Polk Gulch, the East Bay has thus far lacked such a destination. Crooked City Cider, an Oakland cidery, has run into problems opening its big Jack London Square taproom, which was also going to pour other producers’ ciders across 25 taps.

Redfield Cider Bar & Bottle Shop will open Jan. 6. Hours will be from noon to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and noon to midnight Friday and Saturday.

• Beer and Farming Experts Turn to Cider With Rockridge Bar and Bottle Shop [ESF]
• Redfield Cider Bar & Bottle Shop to Bring Orchard-Based Ciders to Oakland [EBX]
• Oakland’s Crooked City Cider hits major snags but is committed to Jack London Square taproom [Berkeleyside]