I wasn't quite sure whether to list this little bar under bars and pubs or historic sights. I decided that it's more of a historic spot than anything else. If you stroll down to the southern end of Jack London Square by the parking lots, you can't miss this little pub. It looks like it was taken directly out of the 1800s. Actually, it was.
The building was built in 1880 out of the wood from an old whaling ship. It is positioned on the dock where the ferry used to cross to Alameda. It is for this reason that it is named "First and Last Chance." In the early 1900s, Alameda was a dry town and this was the last spot to buy alcohol before crossing on the ferry, and the first spot returning. The name applied later to the various military personnel deployed from the Oakland/Alameda area.
In addition to all of this, the bar was a favorite childhood hangout of Jack London. He returned to the spot to write several works later in life.
The first thing you notice when you walk into Heinold's is the floor. It leans dramatically due to the settling which occured in the earthquake of 1906. When the earthquake struck it caused the clock to stop. It still hangs on the wall remaining suspended at the exact time it stopped.
This is a great place to stop in and just hang out. It's a really small building, and is sometimes hard to squeeze into. Everything inside is very rustic. The bartenders are really unique people, full of information. I'd recommend stopping in if you're ever in town and sitting at the bar listening to the stories. Sit and be entertained and stop to enjoy the step back in time.