Sammy Chang Opens Upstairs Cafe in Oakland
The new cafe and lounge space above Snail Bar is currently operating in a soft-opening phase.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Creative director Sammy Chang opened the Upstairs cafe and lounge above the existing Snail Bar in Oakland during October 2026. The new venue operates daily as part of a soft-opening strategy to gauge local customer preferences.
Why it matters
The opening comes at the request of owner Andres Giraldo Florez, who tasked Chang with activating the space above the popular Snail Bar. This new addition seeks to utilize the building during daytime hours when the main bar is typically closed.
The cafe features menu items ranging from $8 for toast with butter and jam to $12 for English tea toast. Prices for savory hand pies are set at $9, while a pumpkin spice latte costs $8.
The players
Sammy Chang
He serves as the creative director and manager of the new Upstairs cafe and lounge.
Andres Giraldo Florez
He is the owner who requested the development of the cafe space above Snail Bar.
Snail Bar
This is an Oakland-based establishment that houses the new Upstairs cafe.
Zach Breaux
He is the professional responsible for managing the kitchen operations at Snail Bar.
The details
Sammy Chang, who has five years of experience working with Andres Giraldo Florez, manages the daily food preparation and beverage service for the new space. The business is currently focused on gathering feedback from the community before planned menu expansions next month.
Timeline
2021 marked the year Sammy Chang began working with Andres Giraldo Florez.
Upstairs is open daily from 9 am to 3 pm.
Snail Bar is open Friday to Monday starting at 5 pm.
The cafe plans to expand its food menu next month.
Market Landscape
The opening of Upstairs follows the pattern of success established by the parent business, Snail Bar, by expanding operations within the same physical property. This move allows the owners to maximize their existing footprint in the local Oakland hospitality market.
Customers can currently access the new menu offerings daily from 9 am to 3 pm during the soft-opening phase. Shoppers and local residents should expect the menu options to grow in variety as the cafe formalizes its operations next month.
The takeaway
Opening a daytime cafe in a nightlife-focused venue allows businesses to double their utility of the same physical square footage. Locals looking for new morning destinations should monitor the soft-opening period as the menu continues to evolve.
What happens next
The management team plans to hire a new beverage director and expand the current food menu in the coming month.
Further reading
For more information on new business activity in the area, visit the Openings & Closings section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by East Bay Express | Oakland, Berkeley & Alameda.
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