The Bay Area’s Inaugural Kombucha Bar Opens in Berkeley

Boochman Kombucha opened a taproom in West Berkeley earlier this month, Berkeleyside reports, making it the first kombucha bar in the Bay Area.

Surprisingly, there wasn’t a kombucha bar in the area already. In and around San Francisco, kombucha is on tap at plenty of coffee shops, grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and bars and breweries. There are dedicated kombucha bars in NYC, LA, and other cities. Leave it to Berkeley to lead the way for the Bay.

The fledgling year-old brand has so far offered its liquid wares at farmers’ markets and across tap lines at local breweries. Its first brick-and-mortar space (915 University Avenue), hoping to attract Birkenstock-clad traffic from the university nearby, sits next to a gas station and across the street from a motel.

Boochman is known for its currant, ginger, lavender, and tamarind flavor variations, all brewed in small batches. The team also plans to sell a short list of snacks that pair well with its fermented brews.

Boochman Kombucha is open Monday to Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Wednesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Boochman Opens the First Kombucha Bar in the Bay Area [Berkeleyside]
• 14 Super Fresh Smoothies and Juices in San Francisco [Eater SF]
• The Best Place for Kombucha is at the Bar [Eater]
• Drink to Your Health [Eater]