Historic Oakland Piano Bar 'The Alley' Burglarized in Early Morning Crime Spree

OAKLAND, Calif. — A beloved neighborhood institution and one of Oakland's oldest establishments was targeted in a brazen early-morning break-in. The Alley, a historic piano bar operating on the 3300 block of Grand Avenue, was burglarized in the early hours of Wednesday, July 24, 2024, leaving patrons and staff shocked by the damage done to the legendary venue.

The incident occurred shortly after 5:00 a.m. when intruders forced their way through the front entrance of the bar. Once inside, the burglars bypassed the historical memorabilia lining the walls and went straight for the venue's financial assets. They successfully ripped an automated teller machine (ATM) directly from the floorboards and made off with the cash register, causing significant damage to the structure in the process.

The break-in at The Alley was not an isolated event but part of a larger, coordinated commercial burglary spree that occurred across Oakland on the same morning. Several other prominent establishments were hit within hours of each other, including the adjacent Almond & Oak restaurant on Grand Avenue, the Radio bar in downtown Oakland, and The Fat Lady Bar & Restaurant in the historic Jack London Square district.

Known for its vintage saloon decor and walls covered in thousands of business cards left by patrons over decades, The Alley has survived changes in the city's landscape since it first opened its doors in 1933. The community has expressed deep concern for the historic landmark, with regulars rallying to support the management and staff as they work to repair the physical damage and replace the stolen equipment.

Local authorities are investigating the series of break-ins, searching for surveillance footage from Grand Avenue and other targeted business districts. No arrests have been announced yet, and police are urging anyone with information about the suspects or the getaway vehicles used in the spree to contact the Oakland Police Department's burglary unit.