about Lovely Day
Hidden inside a 140-year-old former Streetcar Barn in the Longfellow neighborhood of North Oakland — Lovely Day is where friends reconnect. Owner Jen McKay has produced a warm and inviting space with ingredient-driven menus.
Our 25-foot vaulted ceilings soar above two elegant and industrial spaces with a touch of whimsy. These are joined by a sprawling enclosed outdoor courtyard under our 90-year-old Acacia tree, giving locals and visitors alike a place to relax and enjoy the best of Oakland. We are available to host your next gathering, concert, birthday, corporate event, holiday party or wedding reception, for up to 500 guests.
Our meal service offerings are designed to be shared — unpretentious, culinarily diverse, packed with flavor and a light heart. Kind of like the Town we call home.
a note from our Founder
Lovely Day began as a weekend pop-up, which we have now grown into something of which I am quite proud.
We wanted a place where you could dance with your best friend to that one song from college. A place where you could light sparklers while shooting off confetti cannons. A charming space to spend time with people, have some great food and tasty cocktails.
Fancy six course dinners eaten in pajamas are encouraged here, because we know a fine dining experience doesn’t have to be snooty or uncomfortable — it just needs to be good.
Now that we have built this incredible venue, we hope that it feels as comfortable and welcoming as home — there’re just no dishes to do.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you,
Jen McKay
President, The Groke Group
jen@lovelydayoakland.com
a little history
Built in 1891, the railway barn was used for maintaining electric train cars of the Grove St. Line (now MLK Jr Way), which was operated by the Oakland Consolidated Street Railway Co.
The building, including the steel-clad portion, is all part of the original structure, and is one of the earliest and most substantial examples of Oakland's electric railway system in existence.
After the consolidation of Oakland's rail systems in 1906, the Grove St. hub would join the 51st and Telegraph hub, leaving the building vacant.
The building was then purchased by Yosemite Laundry with only minor changes to the structure, and the addition of a deep well sunk into the northeast corner of the property (where the Acacia tree now stands).
After a fire destroyed the interior of the building in 1914, it was rebuilt, and the exterior was extended down 47th St., as it is now.
The building has seen a lot of tenants over the years, but in 2006, it was purchased and renovated as the home of Grace Street Catering — and now, Lovely Day.
Zellerbach Hall at UC Berkeley
We are a proud partner of UC Berkeley’s acclaimed Zellerbach Hall for both pre-performance dining and a refreshed and expanded concessions experience designed to focus on both quality and speed.
Pre-performance sit-down dining features a choice of both warm and cold entrees or small bite plates, all using high-quality ingredients and inspiring presentation.