G-Eazy, Lil Uzi Vert, and Ty Dolla $ign at Wild Things Park; Oakland Hot Spots: Gene’s Place and Hemingway’s Cafe (Wed., 8/29/18)

1) It’s a rap-fest at Wild Things Park with G-Eazy, who is from Oakland, California. 2017’s The Beautiful & Damned is his latest studio album. The single “Sober” features Charlie Puth. Also on the bill is Lil Uzi Vert, whose blend of rap and rock is sometimes called emo rap. Ty Dolla $ign is a multi-instrumentalist and rapper who is on Wiz Khalifa’s Taylor Gang Entertainment record label. P-Lo also opens. 7 p.m. One Washington Federal Way, Washington. (CM)

Trivia night packs them in at Gene’s Place. photo: Rick Handler

2) Some call it a dive. Others, home. Many come for a board game, or trivia night but return for the camaraderie, dartboard, and daily drink specials. Nestled between Atwood Street and York Way, Gene’s Place may be the best South Oakland bar that you’ve never heard of. Owner Gene Ney teaches business courses part-time at Carlow University, which makes him an educator both in front of and behind the bar. The three flat screens are tuned to either professional Pittsburgh teams or to Pitt athletics. Weekly draws include: Tuesday’s Board Game Night. with  22 oz. Long Island Ice Teas for $5. Another popular night is Trivia on Tap, 9 p.m. every Wednesday. Harrison Kinzler and Mike (“Marty”) Stanis make for some tough quizmasters, but to the victors go free booze. Wednesday specials include $2.50 22-ounce Miller Light drafts and $5.50 Miller Light pitchers. Winners or losers, everyone leaves with a smile on their face and knowledge gained. Also try the Old German beer on tap. It is on special daily with a 22 oz. draft for $2.50 and pitchers $5.50. 3616 Louisa St., Oakland. (CM)

3) Hemingway’s Cafe is known as a great hangout spot by nearly every single college kid in the ’Burgh. Why? Two words: “shot pitchers.” OK, there are plenty of other reasons, but these pitchers, often topped with gummy worms, balance a fun appearance with all the classy taste of a great cocktail. Beer-o-philes, meanwhile, can imbibe from 40 drafts. A different featured draft is $2.75 every day (except Sunday when the restaurant is closed). And you have three chances to catch the $5 food menu (11 a.m.-noon, 2-4 p.m., and 9 p.m.-midnight). That menu, by the way, is long with typical pub staples (burgers and wraps) and some surprises. (A section devoted to grilled cheese? Yes, please.). Buzzworthy Pub Trivia begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. The latter is music-specific. DJs Pat Flaherty and Alex Homer, both of DJ Company, spin 11 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, respectively. 3911 Forbes Ave, Oakland. (EC)

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