Downtown Berkeley now has pickleball six stories up. A new club plays on top of a downtown building with views to match. The courts were proposed by Neighborhood Pickleball LLC for the sixth floor of the parking garage at 2061 Allston Way, turning unused rooftop space into a place to play.

The former Half Price Books at Shattuck and Addison is getting new life. Zero Empty Spaces is opening its first California location at 2036 Shattuck Avenue. It will be a marketplace and gallery where local artists, makers, designers, and small businesses sell their work directly to the public. The project is a partnership with the DBA, Visit Berkeley, the City of Berkeley, and Gordon Commercial Real Estate, and it brings new energy to the Addison Arts District.

Eater SF’s list of Berkeley’s must-visit restaurants is a great reminder of why food lovers make the trip to the East Bay. Several downtown favorites make the cut. See the full list and plan your next night out.

The DBA board unanimously chose Cara Houser as its new CEO. She succeeds John Caner, who retired after nearly 17 years leading the organization. Cara is a UC Berkeley alum and longtime East Bay resident with more than 20 years in real estate and community development. She’s excited to build on downtown’s momentum in innovation, arts, retail, and housing.

One of downtown’s most storied bars is making noise again. Berkeleyside takes a look at how live music is bringing new life to Spats, at 1974 Shattuck Ave. Stop in for a drink and a show.

Music is back in the streets. Sidewalk Sessions brings free acoustic performances by local musicians to sidewalks, plazas, and corners across Downtown Berkeley, July through October 2026. Catch a set at BART Plaza, Kala Bagai Way, or along Shattuck Avenue.

Cal plans to build ‘innovation zone’ with 2 big lab buildings in downtown Berkeley

Four UC-owned buildings, including two city landmarks, would be knocked down to make way for the research complex.