By day it’s an African restaurant serving dishes from Nigeria, Senegal, and Ivory Coast. But by night, Oasis transforms into downtown Oakland’s hottest internationally flavored dance spot for fans of hip-hop, dancehall, and reggaeton. The club’s facade doesn’t hint at its size: There are two spangled cocktail lounges with gauzy tapestries and globe candles, which taper into a by-the-Nile-style dancefloor with bamboo poles and shimmery kaleidoscope lights — everything but birds of paradise. Featuring renowned DJs from crews such as Local 1200, Beatsauce, and Jah Warrior Shelter Hi-Fi, Oasis is the East Bay’s answer to DeeCee’s Soul Shakedown at Club Six, minus that San Francisco raver vibe. The DJs spin street bangers and slumper beats for those who just come to get their hyphy on, but more adventurous party-goers can also enjoy Afropop, rumba, and calypso styles imported from Congo, Cape Verde, and the Caribbean –everything from highlife to traditional Mandingo music.
Readers’ Pick:
Ashkenaz
1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley, 510-525-5054
Ashkenaz.com
