In voting La Loulou the best wine bar in the East Bay, Nosh readers noted the carefully curated wine selection, the bright and fun ambiance, and … the bathroom?
The loo at La Loulou is completely covered in disco ball material with disco balls hanging from the ceiling and a neon sign reading “you look good” above the mirror, putting a punctuation mark on the Piedmont Avenue wine bar’s welcoming, playful style.
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!
“La Loulou brings a stylish vibe with a French twist and the disco bathroom is a must see,” commented Nosh Awards voter Fria of Oakland.
“Their bathroom is a treasure, their wine is delicious and reasonably priced, and their outdoor patio with their Parisian chairs is delightful. They have francophone nights and encourage community,” wrote Jenee of Oakland.
Owner Lou Beraud, moved from her native Paris to the Bay Area in 2020, and was inspired to recreate the French-style wine bars she frequented.
Lou Beraud, originally from Paris, has opened a wine bar inspired by the ones she loved in her home country. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for East Bay Nosh
“I wanted to do something chic, a little fancy, but that’s also for everybody,” Beraud told Nosh earlier this year. “Like in Paris, you have very pretty wine bars, and you can come for a drink and appreciate the atmosphere.”
La Loulou opened in May, but judging from its comfortable win and the gushing comments from voters, it has hit a sweet spot with East Bay oenophiles.
4250 Piedmont Ave. (between Echo and Entrada Avenues), Oakland; www.laloulouwinebar.com/
Open Wednesday through Thursday 2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sundays 12-8 p.m.
Other comments from voters included “Best bar, best wine, best atmosphere!” and “La Loulou is hands down the best wine bar in the entire Bay Area,” and, simply, “The best 👌🏾.”
The “ambiance” and “vibes” were also mentioned numerous times by voters.
“The vibes are immaculate. Just walking by La Loulou makes you want to step inside, take a seat, and enjoy a nice glass of wine with good company,” read one comment.
Of course a wine bar is nothing without a good selection of bottles, and La Loulou delivers in that regard as well.
“Amazing selection by the glass with fair prices, Parisien vibes, great staff. One of the coolest wine bars I’ve been to,” wrote one voter. Another voter offered the viewpoint of a fellow transplant from France, “Amazing quality products, great vibe. And I am French so I can tell.”
La Loulou is praised for its wine selection in addition to the bright, fun atmosphere and welcoming staff. Credit: Estefany Gonzalez for East Bay Nosh
One Nosh voter summed up La Loulou’s all-encompassing appeal nicely: “The absolute best atmosphere of any business I’ve been to in the East Bay, incredible wine and cheese, and fantastically friendly and fun staff. It’s the best spot for a glass of wine and giggling with friends and family!”
Bay Grape, Ordinaire, Snail Bar, Banter, Best Friends were also finalists in the best wine bar category.
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