At East Bay's best new bar, the community is as vibrant as the cocktails

The television show “Cheers,” with its 11-season run and 28 Emmy awards, did a good job of making it a cliche, but an essential part of a great bar is the sense of belonging it generates. Humans, scientific studies indicate, are healthier when they have places where “everybody knows your name.”

Nosh readers cast their votes prior to Thanksgiving, and the results of the 2025 Nosh Awards are in. Visit Nosh every day from now until Dec. 12 to see a new award announced each day. Congratulations to all the winners!

Accordingly, Nosh Awards voters, over and over again, used the word “community” to explain why they chose 13 Orphans as the East Bay’s Best New Bar of 2025.

“13 Orphans is more than a bar, it’s a creative community that invites everyone to celebrate.” “Asian culture, in an inclusive way. The drinks and food are also amaaazing of course!”
“Love how community oriented the owners are.”
“They really care about the community and have been representing Asian American culture for years.”
“Not only is this a bar, but it’s a community hub. Almost like a second family.”
“The community they are building here is truly something special. They deserve to be celebrated for their efforts and commitment to providing such a unique and meaningful experience to every customer that walks through the doors!”

After years of using the second floor above Baba’s House in Downtown Oakland as an open space for events, the owners, Jenn Lui, Eman Garcia and Alan Chen, decided to build it out into a more thoughtful, formal concept. From the beginning, community was at the core of the idea — a speakeasy-style mahjong lounge.

“We actually have done a lot of community events for the past three and a half years with the [upper] space and kind of wanted to really focus on something that was tried and true, and really spoke to us within our culture and our community,” Lui told NOSH earlier this year. “So when we started talking about the speakeasy, we just got really excited about creating its own dedicated theme, bar menu and food concept.”

13 Orphans serves tea cocktails like the Wintermelon Elixir (left) and Awakened Lotus with pandan coconut mahjong jelly. Credit: Jen Harrison courtesy of 13 Orphans

In mahjong, 13 orphans is a high-scoring hand so powerful it breaks the typical rules of the game. The name choice reflects the trio’s desire to present something special and impactful. The team opened the bar in May, and made a point of putting the word out that both mahjong pros and novices who want to learn were warmly welcomed. Mahjong coaching is available for those who want to study the finer points of the game.

Of course, community only goes so far. A great bar should deliver creative, well-balanced drinks, and some tasty, complimentary dishes to go with the beverages. In that regard, Nosh Awards voters also had high praise for 13 Orphans.

“Extremely unique bar/lounge! The menu is intentional and nothing like I’ve ever had from a bar before. From the taste of their cocktails to their presentation. Love how there’s also a mahjong den intertwined with the bar. I’ve been there several times now and will definitely continue to go. The vibe and the sense of community there is always amazing.”

The menu developed by Garcia features Filipino- and Chinese-inspired small bites and plates including pork and shiitake siu mai topped with orange smoked trout roe. The seasonal cocktail menu, driven by Lui, incorporates teas and traditional medicinal herbs.

“13 Orphan’s has innovative cocktails with the most interesting flavor profiles, the dim sum is chocked full of vibrant flavors that are complementary to their perfectly balanced drinks, and the people are fantastic. It’s the type of familial vibe that you could only find tucked inside of Baba’s House,” commented voter Chelsea B. of Oakland.

It all adds up to a place people feel welcome, and one that elicits a lot of exclamation points.

“Literally the BEST 3rd place to be! The vibes are so Sik! The people are top notch!!! The foooood?!? Outstanding!!!! And the drinks have a wide selection with the staff to help guide you to your goal for the night. Highhhhly recommend,” one Nosh voter enthusiastically commented.

At East Bay’s best new bar, the community is as vibrant as the cocktails

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