4th and University--Outside and In

Yes, it was cold and foggy on 4th and University outside Spenger's Fresh Fish Grotto, established in 1890.  I knew it in the 1970s as the place students would bring their families to celebrate graduation.

It was warmer inside Brennan's, another Berkeley fixture, est. in 1959.  The original building has a long history as a gathering place for Berkeleyites, including Free Speech Movement leader Mario Savio, who was a regular.  I remember in the late 70s and early 80s the bar was packed every night with people enjoying their famous Irish Coffees.  You'd always run into many people you knew.   Brennan's moved next door to the former Southern Pacific Railroad building in 2008.  It's more of a sports bar now, but they still kept the old black & white photos of cattle and former employees on the wall.