Skip to content

Explore Downtown Alameda during AIFF 2024

[image: AIFF 2024 poster]

Alameda’s premier cultural event returns to the historic Alameda Theatre and Cineplex February 22-25, 2024. With over 45 feature and short films from around the globe, AIFF 2024 promises to be the best fest yet! Dozens of filmmakers will be attendance over four days of screenings, panels and parties, and we are honored to welcome you to Downtown Alameda!

Downtown Alameda is the commercial, cultural, and civic center of our wonderful island city and is your gateway to the Bay. It's a vibrant, urban environment where people live, work, and play.

The shopping, dining, and entertainment venues found along Park Street and adjoining side streets make Downtown Alameda a terrific destination for families and people of all ages. From boutique shops to friendly services, Downtown Alameda can keep shoppers busy all day. In addition, there's a wide array of restaurants that are sure to please all tastes.

Here are some suggestions for you to explore while you're in the district for AIFF 2024, including spots for drinks, dining and shopping experiences:

Downtown Drinks

If you're in need of a caffeine fix, try one of the district's local cafes including Signal Coffee Roasters (right across the theatre!), Highwire Coffee, Julie's Coffee & Tea, The Local or Coffee Cultures. For a post-film drink, these nightspots in Downtown Alameda provide plenty of festive fun. For some ideas, check out Town Tavern, Club House, Lucky 13, Mo's Wine Bar, Karibu Wine Lounge, McGee's Bar & Grill, Lemon Drop or Alameda Island Brewing Company.

Signal Coffee Roasters

2318 Central Avenue

This little cafe has an incredible interior view of the historic Alameda Theatre. Enjoy delicious, satisfying, and uncompromising coffee that is easy to love - featuring their SIGNAL brand house roasted, small batch coffee, along with custom blended specialty drinks, gourmet donuts, and their own in-house bakes, as well as rotating delights from some of the best bakers in Northern California.

Town Tavern

1437 Park Street

Town Tavern is preserving the art of the bar and hospitality in the heart of old Alameda. Since opening their doors in December 2018, they're proud to have quickly become an island favorite known for its craft cocktails in a laid back and casual setting, offering a wide variety of shareable plates with unique cultural flair. Try the Town Tavern Old Fashioned or the Always Sunny in Alameda!

Highwire Coffee

1234 Park Street

Highwire Coffee Roasters is a small-batch coffee roaster devoted to the promotion of organic farming, sustainable practices, and creating a balanced cup of coffee. Established in 2011, Highwire pursues the straightforward goal of sharing the coffees it loves with the community.

 

 

Downtown Eats

While you're in the district, you'll find a wide array of restaurant options that are sure to please all tastes. Craving the best burger that was featured on Food Network? Check out Scolari's Good Eats. Want delicious Vietnamese with a beautiful view of the Park Street Bridge? Head down to Dragon Rouge. Some are right by the theatre (such as Cinema Grill, Project Burger, Troy or Pampered Pup) or some are just a few blocks down Park Street (such as Alley & Vine, La Penca Azul or Spinning Bones). Explore the district and discover other local favorites including Asena, Yojimbo and The Park Street Tavern.

Also come back and join us for Alameda Restaurant Week, a ten day event celebrating the culinary delights our island city has to offer! From March 1 through 10, local foodies can enjoy special menus from participating restaurants. With dozens of participating restaurants, bars, breweries, and wineries, you are invited to try new dishes and drinks throughout the week.

Spinning Bones

1205 Park Street

Spinning Bones is a contemporary rotisserie restaurant that specializes in roasted meats rotating on slow spinning spits. The food focus is on new flavors featuring koji chicken, peppered flank beef, barbecue pork ribs, and spicy pork shoulder. They recently received a Michelin Bib Gourmand for the third year in a row, and were recently featured on an episode of KQED's Check Please! Bay Area. Don't forget to ask about their secret menu, and if they have crab noods, just say yes.

 

alley & vine

1332 Park Street #D

The menu at Alley & Vine showcases the bounty that California has to offer – beautiful produce, pristine seafood, livestock raised with care. You’re sure to discover a favorite among the small bites, sandwiches, main dishes, and desserts.

Additionally, each cocktail is handcrafted with a reverence for season and quality and the wine list is one of the most preeminent in Alameda, featuring both domestic & international options.

Pampered Pup

1401 Park Street

Pampered Pup has been serving up hot dogs for over 50 years, with its logo encapsulating the nostalgic tone of the restaurant. Stop by and try one of the hot dogs that recently put them on the SF Chronicle's round up of the Bay Area's best hot dogs - including the Japanese-inspired Pupzilla which is dressed with pork floss, katsu sauce, kewpie mayo and furikake, or the Coney Island for its rich, bean-filled chili.

 

Downtown Shopping

The merchants are here to offer you various shopping experiences to fit your needs and budget. Many are right by the theatre (check out Daisy's, Books Inc. or Rocket Reuse) or else just a few blocks away (try Magpie & Thorn or the Katz Meow Antiques). Whether you're looking for antiques, books, flowers, music, or gifts, come explore everything we have to offer.

 

Daisy's Mercantile

1347 Park Street

Daisy's Mercantile is a beloved boutique filled with necessities, frivolities and embellishments for every day life. Owner Barbara Mooney strive to create the magic that you experience when you walk in the store. Whether you are restyling a room, preparing to throw the perfect party, or just out shopping with friends, Daisy’s is here to help you create beautiful surroundings, give tailored gifts, and make happy memories with your loved ones that will last a lifetime.

Magpie & Thorn

2305 Santa Clara Avenue

Magpie & Thorn is a purveyor of rare, strange, and unusual plants, pottery, garments, gifts, unique living arrangements, and interior plant-scaping services inside the very iconic, historic Towata Flowers building. Owner Maggie believe a shop should be like a special moment in time, a place to escape and feel peace and amazement. She invites you all into the eclectic, inclusive, and inquisitive world of Magpie & Thorn.

Rocket Reuse

1355 Park Street

Books, movies, music, vintage clothes, and more! Rocket Reuse has been a Park Street staple since 2010. The owners love the Alameda community and do their best to bring you exciting new finds at great prices every day. So come browse their carefully curated selection, blast off in our rocket ship of deals, step back in time through the phone booth dressing room, and see what’s playing on the old TVs in front.

Buy your tickets before they sell out: www.alamedafilmfest.com/shop

Check out this year's schedule and find out more about the features, short film blocks, events, panels, & special guests!

Coming Soon...

Downtown Alameda Whiskey Stroll

Sip and stroll your way through our historic downtown district tasting premium craft whiskeys served neat and paired with yummy bites at the 6th Annual Downtown Alameda Whiskey Stroll.
​
Enjoy an evening filled with food, drink, and entertainment while learning about the unique styles of California distillers and local chefs.

Keep an eye on AlamedaStrolls.com for tickets!

Scroll To Top