About Make Westing
What's with the name?
The name "Make Westing" comes from a short story by Oakland native Jack London. While a bit grim and violent, the tale centers on the overwhelming need to make the westing wind back home to Oakland - to a place of warmth and family (and bocce courts?).
Who are we?
Make Westing is owned and operated by Chris Foott and Glenn Kaplan, Bay Area natives, who went to high school in Oakland, but worked on bars in England and NYC respectively. Caroline Pagel has been with Make Westing through its inception and is responsible for the majority of our cocktail inventions in addition to co-running the kitchen and bartending. Melinida Vaca is our executive chef and is responsible for our stellar food program. Soterios Tzourellas is our General Manager as well as our event coordinator. Our bartenders are the bar's heart and they include Frankie Koeller, Sascha Wen, Michael Bell, Meredith Wilkinson, Chase Thompson, Evan Williams, Suki Khalsa, Maureen (Mo!) Dougherty, Marcos Valerio, Scott Wood, Heather Mann, Greg Lucas and Everett Thibeault. Assiting them are our barbacks Jason Stafford, Tony Castellanos, Myles Cardinell and the "legend," Martin Lara. Aaron Luckett, Justin Victoria and Dan Damone work the kitchen while Sione Veikoso, Frank Remeneski and Jeff Colata serve as hosts.
Make Westing is located in the thriving Uptown district of Oakland. Wood, iron, and slate make up the décor that resonates with the industrial heritage of our city. We are equipped with a full bar, a variety of gourmet bites, an outdoor patio, and two indoor bocce courts. The Fox theater is less than one block away, and the 19th st. BART stop is across the street.
Why Bocce?
While we are not bocce aficionados per se, we did play at some of our favorite bars in Brooklyn and the lanes fit the space perfectly, while serving as an entertaining companion to a cocktail. The courts are first come, first serve and are free. When there are others waiting, each group may play one game to seven and then give up the court to the next group in line. If you would like to rent the bocce courts, we do so at $50 per hour, per court. Bocce leagues have also formed from time to time and usually take place Monday nights.
What else?
Make Westing is more a bar than restaurant and as such (according to the alcohol beverage control rules) no one under 21 is allowed, infants included. We do not host live music nor do we have DJs, with rare exceptions. For credit cards, we request a $10 minimum (given the absurd exchange fees charged by the processors). As relates to credit cards - some banks will place a temporary double charge on certain cards only as a hold and will release the charge within 7-10 business days. We have no idea why they do this but it happens often enought that we thought we should mention it. Finally, we have an ATM on site if needed.