The Scottish Rite Center is the perfect place to rent if you are planning a big event. The center has many meeting rooms, a ballroom that can seat up to 1000 people, two kitchens, catering facilities. The main auditorium which can seat 1500 has one of the deepest stages in the area. The building also has beautiful architecture going for it with opulent interiors.

Laney College Theater, as the name suggests, plays host to the Drama and Arts Department of the college. Plays, concerts, recitals, dance performances and the likes take place here and the tickets are usually free. Berkeley is known for its cultural and intellectual scene and Laney Theater does not disappoint. Call to find out what is scheduled at the theater you might find something of your liking.

Calvin Simmons Theater is praised across the US for its near perfect acoustics. It has beautiful chandeliers, art deco seats, and European ambiance. The place is wheelchair accessible and is ideal to hold concerts, seminars etc. Calvin Simmons has three floors and can seat up to 1877 people. There is an elevator service for the first two floors two but not for the third.

This grand old movie house, located just a block from Oakland's Lake Merrit, has four screens for your viewing pleasure. Before select Friday and Saturday evening shows, guests are treated to the bombastic sounds of the theater's famous "Mighty Wurlitzer Organ." For a most enjoyable experience, sit back and relax with popcorn and a soda from the refreshment stand. For film times, ticket prices and further information please see their website. Make sure to check the marquee for some of the owners now famous political commentary on the issues of the day.

Spend some time to rediscover ethnic Chinese cuisine at Chu. Mix Chinese noodles and rice with the variety of tasty dishes on the menu and allow the palate to experience the spicy flavor and the tanginess of the sauce. The Ghan Shao Lamb, Sweet & Sour Pork and Smoked Salmon Onion Pan Cake are special favorites. The venue is quaint, decorated with Chinese artifacts. It exudes a warmth and tranquility that soothes the senses and helps one concentrate on the food. For an extra corkage fee, one can bring in bottles of alcohol, though the bar serves a limited selection too.

Commonwealth is a cafe and restaurant that will almost make you feel like you've stepped off the Oakland streets into the United Kingdom. Commonwealth's kitchen provides all kinds of Brit specialties like sandwich rolls and toasties of different varieties like curried egg salad sandwich roll, a Scotch Egg and larger plates like Shepherd's Pie, Pork and Cider Stew, and of course Fish and Chips. As far as quenching your thirst, Commonwealth offers a well rounded collection of local beers on tap as well as a very impressive selection of bottled beers from Scotland and England and various different wines on tap, and of course all your favorite coffee drinks. Sunday mornings are brunch with some of the regular menu items as well as British brekkie favorites like Beans on Toast and Bubble and Squeak.

Actual Cafe, in North Oakland right next to Berkeley, is a cafe with a laid back and relaxed atmosphere. Actual is a true proponent of community, using ingredients from local sources and even declaring the cafe a laptop free zone on weekends. Actual features all kinds of coffee drinks, including the ever popular Cubano con Leche, as well as cool drinks like spritzers, flavored lemonades and even ice cream sodas. As for food, Actual serves a selection of simple breakfast and lunch sandwiches, salads, empanadas, brunch dishes like waffles, and various different ice cream concoctions. Actual is an Oakland favorite, and after one visit you will see why.

One of the few motorcycle shops to boast of treating women riders with respect, Godspeed does takes its multiple role of being a motorcycle garage, shop, tattoo parlor, bar and cafe with acute efficiency. Here, you can not only get your bikes serviced and get free safety inspection done but also, enjoy some lip smacking waffles and piping hot coffee to go with it, all of course, under the same roof . Make sure you call ahead or visit their website for details about their open hours and more.

Coffee lovers in North Oakland adore this place. The coffee beans are hand-roasted in small batches and shipped the same day to assure the ultimate in flavor. You will find 14 different blends to take home. The tea is also quite good. Try black, green and decaffeinated blends formulated season to season. Unique flavors include Assam Fancy, Irish Breakfast, Ostfriesen Breakfast, Hibiscus, Bourbon Vanilla, Mango and Gunpowder. Of course, no gourmet coffee shop is complete without fine chocolates and pastries.

Your wait for an excellent pizza joint on the dock is over. Forge fits in perfectly at the waterfront Jack London Square where you can walk in any time of the day, relax on the heated patio and munch on the scrumptious wood-fired oven baked thin crust pizzas. The menu comprises your favorite flavor of pizzas and wide range of toppings to go with it. You can try the cheese-filled Pancetta pizza or the sizzling spicy Pepperoni pizza or the standard Margherita pizza. However, do not forget to start off with their amazing starters like the Crispy Cheese Curds, the Potato Skins or Smoked Chicken Wings. And while you are at it, you can pair these delights with a selection from its enticing Californian and Italian wine list, drought beers and cocktails. Shoot down a glass of Jacks Martini or a bottle of Tall Boy PBR or Anderson Valley IPA, as you enjoy the company of great food and splendid views.