Wow, what a fricken snob you are. Heaven forbid poor, "ugly" people be allowed to have a hangout. Sorry there weren't enough microbrews, tapas or blonde bimbos for you.

By ugly - I mean their SOULS are ugly.

Now, I am all for respecting peoples' opinions and such, but this review is pushing the limits of subjectivity. Gene's Place is not meant for people expecting a flashy, expensive, snobbish night out. It is a place for locals and college students to simply have a few drinks, play some darts, and have a decent conversation (yes, you CAN hear the person next to you, as obnoxious hip-hop "music" is not blaring from the speakers). It is a small place, and most people who go there are either regulars, or have been inclined to go based on word of mouth from other regulars. If you want to see and be seen by the other sorostitutes and frat boy meatheads, go to Hemmingways or Peter's. Perhaps go to Boomerangs and get shot. I don't care. But Gene's is a laid back place where like-minded people can enjoy themselves without pretension. If you didn't understand my big words, this bar is not for you. There is a reason Gene has been voted best bartender in the city numerous times--he's a knowledgeable, affable guy who embodies all that is Pittsburgh. If you have something against Pittsburgh and its people, thats your prerogative, but remember that nobody will ever force you to go to Gene's-- ugly SOULS? You gotta be kidding me; now you're just making yourself look silly.

Boy, when I wrote this review, I never imagined there would be so many Gene's fans coming out of the woodwork. I disagree though, with your statement about the guy being a great bartender. Any great bartender should know better than to serve flat beer with no head at all. And if we're talking about being offensive, you certainly nailed that one with your "sorostitute" and "meathead frat boy" comments. Sheesh! If you've read some of my other reviews, you would see that I really don't enjoy the places to "be seen" at (although I would disagree that Peter's is one of those places). I prefer bars like The Sharp Edge or Fuel and Fuddle where you can sit in a booth with friends and order some food if you like.
Maybe my review was offensive, but I guess that is what opinions are all about, and I thank you for submitting yours even though I may disagree with it.
In conclusion: It is of my opinion that Gene's Place serves really, really bad drinks.

Gene's Bar is a little slice of heaven on earth. Great Music, friendly atomosphere, great specials, and most importantly... good people. If you do not like PBR, dont go to Gene's, if you want a dance party, dont go to Gene's, if you hate Johnny Cash, dont go to Gene's. It is as simple as that. If you are looking for a bar where the bartenders know your drink, the cd skips a track when someone orders a cosmo, and you will have about 15 new friends when the night is over, then go to Gene's Place and Drink More Beer!

Well, I like Johnny Cash, hate dance parties, and I drink beer, not PBR mind you. I've gone there and had no new friends, I imagine because I wanted to throw up after sippping the horrible beer I got off the tap. Mind you the beer brand itself wasn't something I find horrible. It was the fact that it came out of the tap skunked. Either the lines are unclean, the beer itself was tapped pooorly, or just left there so long that it went bad. This is why you shouldn't go to Gene's place, they don't even have the decency to keep their beer fresh.

GENE'S PLACE RULES! IF YOU ARE AGAINST THE KIND OF BEER THEY SERVE THEN YOU"RE SIMPLY A SPOILED ASSHOLE THAT SHOULD NOT TALK TRASH

THANK YOU

JULIE YOU RULE

Peanut butter.

if you dont like gene's... dont go. but if you want to have an awesome time, get flat out wasted, meet people who will(literally every time you go in thereafter) acknowledge you as a new friend, and drink with the best bartender oakland has to offer.. then gene's is your place. wednesdays - $2.50 forties of old german. for 8 bucks you'll have trouble walkin home and a great time. i go to gene's about four times a week, and to boot, when gene heard me say my washing machine was broken, offered to fix it, and if he couldnt, offered his old one to myself and my room mates for free! find a bartender better than that in pennsylvania and i'll be surprised. gene's is awesome, its south oakland at its finest, and the people there are more fun to drink with than any other bar patrons anywhere. the barhas even had two songs written about it!

I gotta check this place out, Im sick of all the other bars in Oakland, Ill be back with my review in a couple days. Thanks for the helpful review everyone.

Just a note - I've edited my entry on Gene's Place. It still conveys the same idea, but I admit that it was a little "off color" in parts. I just wanted to state what I thought about the place in a more straightforward manner, with a little less sarcasm. :) Happy reading!

Yinz need to get off your high horses amd enjoy Gene's for what it is: a good neighborhood bar with an above-average selection. Those who thing the beer has been tapped too long need to get there more often -- they do move the product. Wait until after law school to get snobby.