Bocce, a beer garden and arcade games by the waterfront — they’re classic summertime fun. You’ll find them at Jack London Square, at a venue called plank, which is now offering summertime specials. It all adds up to a Staycation destination.
With 50,000 square feet, plank also offers bowling, lawn games, live music and a restaurant and bar, making it popular for birthday parties, corporate events and community celebrations.
“Plank is always fun, but in the summer we like to kick it up a notch,” said Jorge Garcia, plank’s general manager.
The arcade at Plank features a mix of the classic — like Super Mario — and contemporary games, appealing to both nostalgic adults and younger visitors. From Monday to Friday this summer all arcade games are half-priced. Also, game-card bonuses are available all day, every day, ensuring that guests get the most out of their gaming experience.
Plank also has 18 bowling lanes. With high-tech scoring systems, they are a modern twist on a classic pastime. “The Boardroom,” primarily available for private events and opened to the public during busy times, has six “boutique” lanes, which means they are shorter and quieter, with the pins on strings. Bowling is half-off every Monday and Tuesday this summer, from 7 to 11 p.m. Guests can also enjoy $5 games during happy hour.
The bocce court, situated in the largest waterfront beer garden in Oakland — 15,000 square feet — offers a relaxed yet competitive game. Other lawn games include cornhole, jenga and connect 4. The beer garden features 48 taps, communal and cabana seating, and an abundance of large-screen TVs playing sporting events — and a view of the harbor.
The beer garden hosts live bands every Thursday, adding a vibrant musical backdrop to the waterfront setting. On Friday and Saturday nights, DJs will spin tracks on the bowling lanes, turning the venue into a lively party atmosphere.
Indoors, the full-service restaurant and bar features a menu of burgers, creative pizzas, barbecue options, and more. A special summertime menu for warm, sunny days includes watermelon salad, crab and fried green tomatoes, and strawberry shortcake.
Plank’s Happy Hour is a cornerstone of any Summer Staycation, running Monday through Thursday, and extending to Friday and Saturday. This promotion offers guests the chance to unwind with discounted drinks and snacks, making it the perfect end to any day.
When plank opened 10 years ago it was a significant milestone in the ongoing revitalization of the Oakland waterfront. The venue seamlessly combines a variety of activities, and has become a gathering place that brings people together, fostering a sense of community within Jack London Square.
