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2d ago

Eli’s Mile High Club to Close at End of October

Unresolved safety and permit disputes over the venue’s back patio forced the decision, signaling greater vulnerability for small live‑music spaces.

Eli’s Mile High Club in Oakland serves up plenty of Montucky Cold Snacks during happy hour.
Oakland rapper Ricky Lake performs at Eli’s Mile High Club in 2018. The club has changed hands several times, surviving several occasions of financial hardship. 
Eli’s debuted as a blues club, but more recently has been a fixture of the punk and metal scenes. 
Wilbert F. McAlister, left, dances with his tambourine while recording artist Ella Pennewell, of Lady E and The Best of The Bay, performs with the band at Eli’s Mile High Club in 2023. 

Overview

  • The club announced on Instagram that it will cease operations at the end of October while it addresses problems with its back patio.
  • Oakland code enforcement red‑tagged the patio in November 2024 and issued stop‑work orders because of unpermitted structures and safety and encroachment concerns.
  • A neighboring owner sued Eli’s in 2025, alleging the patio caused repeated flooding and seeking about $166,900 in damages.
  • Loss of the patio reduced Eli’s hours and staff and prompted a GoFundMe that raised $77,900 of a $150,000 goal, including a $2,000 donation from Billie Joe Armstrong.
  • The club’s post asked patrons to contact the Oakland City Council and mayor’s office, the city says it is looking into the closure, and the shutdown follows other recent Bay Area venue losses that threaten local music culture.