OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA — One of Oakland’s best-known waterfront hangouts is preparing to close for good.
Plank, the large bowling, arcade, restaurant, bar, and bocce venue in Jack London Square, announced that it will permanently close on Sunday, August 2, 2026.
The closure will end a nearly 12-year run for one of the most recognizable entertainment venues on the Oakland waterfront.
A Big Loss For Jack London Square
Bowling was always just a small part of the offering at Plank.
The 50,000-square-foot venue at 98 Broadway combined bowling lanes, an arcade, bocce, a beer garden, sports viewing, food, cocktails, and event space. It was the kind of place where you could bring kids for a birthday party, meet coworkers for a corporate event, watch a game, or just spend a long afternoon bouncing between bowling, food, and the arcade.
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The venue was also one of the better-known places in the Bay Area for large gatherings. It could handle birthday parties, office events, family celebrations, team outings, and bigger private events in a way that many smaller bars and restaurants simply cannot.
Why Plank Is Closing
In its closing announcement, Plank cited persistent declines in sales and rising operating costs, saying the business was no longer financially viable.
“To our guests, neighbors, team members, event hosts, families, and friends — thank you for making plank a place filled with energy, celebrations, laughter, and memories,” the company said in its statement.
The announcement comes at a complicated moment for Jack London Square.
Just weeks ago, Dave & Buster’s opened nearby at 55 Harrison Street, bringing another major entertainment brand to the waterfront. Local and regional officials have described that opening as part of a broader effort to revitalize Jack London Square and bring more foot traffic to the area.
But Plank’s closure shows how difficult that turnaround may be. The venue had been one of the square’s anchor attractions, and losing it will leave a major hole in the waterfront’s entertainment mix.
Gift Cards And Bookings
Plank is expected to continue operating until August 2.
Customers with events booked after that date should receive refunds of their deposits, according to reporting on the announcement. Anyone with Plank gift cards or game cards should plan to use them before the closing date, since they will no longer be valid after the venue shuts down.
That makes the next two months something of a farewell period.
Jack London Square remains one of the Bay Area’s most beautiful urban waterfronts. It has restaurants, ferry access, views, history, and major attractions like Yoshi’s. But it has also struggled over the years with vacancies, uneven foot traffic, and the challenge of turning a scenic destination into a consistently busy neighborhood.
For now, Plank’s final day is set for August.
Until then, there are still frames to bowl, games to play, and one last chance to say goodbye to a venue that became part of Oakland’s waterfront experience.
