The atmosphere here is certainly different from the rest if the college bars in Oakland. There are more students just hanging out and having a few beers rather than partying and trying to get very drunk. Smoking is permitted inside which is another nice perk. I also like the selection of local craft beers by breweries such as Penn Brewing Co. The reason for rating Gene's three stars instead if four is that each beer I've had here had here has been flat or uncharacteristically bland. Either they are serving old beers or need to fix their tap system. There is also the possibility that Gene's beer is fine and that I'm just a snob.