Eli's Mile High Club, Iconic Oakland Music Venue, Will Close After 52 Years Amid Patio Dispute

OAKLAND, CA — A prominent music venue and bar nestled near the I-580 in Oakland will close after 52 years. But its owners hope the closure is only temporary.

Eli's Mile High Club announced its closure on Wednesday, a decision seemingly bolstered by a battle with the city over its outdoor patio.

"We could still use your support by writing to the Oakland City Council and the Mayor's Office," the business said in a social media post Wednesday. "Let them know how much this place means to you."

The venue will close at the end of October.

The outdoor patio at Eli's, one of the most coveted features, has been at the forefront of its problems since at least 2024, when it was red-tagged by Oakland's code enforcement. To many people's dismay, the patio area was shut down, with Oakland officials saying there were "safety and encroachment issues," according to SFGate.

"This came as a surprise since fire marshals and health department officials had previously inspected and had no issue with the space," the venue's owner said in a post on GoFundMe last year. "Eli’s has been forced to downsize employment, reduce its hours, reallocate income to get through the zoning process, and it has taken its toll."

The venue posted an Instagram story on Wednesday saying it will be working "hard" to get the patio fixed up and reopened.

"We aren't out of the fight," the venue posted in the story. "We look forward to a hardy comeback."

Eli's Mile High Club opened as a blues club in 1974 but has since evolved and become a haven for punk fans, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

It's hosted the likes of Etta James and James Brown, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.