Best Live Music Venues and Concert Halls in San Francisco
San Francisco, a city known for its vibrant arts scene, is a haven for music lovers. The city's rich musical history and diverse cultural influences have given rise to a plethora of live music venues and concert halls, each with its unique charm and character. From intimate jazz clubs to grand concert halls, San Francisco offers a wide range of live music experiences to suit every taste. Whether you're a fan of rock, blues, jazz, or classical music, you'll find a venue that hits the right note. This article will guide you through the best live music venues and concert halls in San Francisco, ensuring you never miss a beat in this melodious city.
The midway
4.5
(1690)
Reviews:
Great venue! Huge and lots of parking. I mean huge it’s big! Like 3 different stages the main floor being the biggest. Outdoor area and music. Seating from tables to couches. A small restaurant as well! Bars everywhere once you’re in. Vip section, Friendly service and music sounds awesome. Mixed crowd very diverse and good vibes here love it! Got that rave vibe from it. Definitely want to attend more events here they have all kinds of dope events from what I’ve gathered. So glad I found out about this place!
Joaquin
We weren't sure about the venue but decided to attend a huge Ukrainian event. It turned out wonderful! A lot of free parking, no dangerous people around. The staff was super friendly.
Marianna P
Great venue! I had a great time for Miguel Migs resident Salted. Jimpster, Mr. V, and Julias Papp joined in on the turn tables with their amazing sets as well. They all had me dancing for hours.
Vanessa Jones
Great venue for great artists at decent prices! Was able to see Zhu & Deadmau5 this last time and was super lucky to have great SF weather (drizzle & passing fog banks with a half moon perched over the stage) to add to the atmosphere.
Michael vonBuelow
Awesome Venue! I’ve been to more shows here than I can count by now. As someone that only comes to the Bay Area to have a good time, The Midway never disappoints. They bring in top tier artists that make my trip all that more satisfying, we never have a problem finding parking, and most importantly there is always room to dance. I hope The Midway can continue this kind of passion for putting on great events for many years to come. Than you guys for all you do, I have never had a dull moment at The midway. Oh and awesome production team, specially for those block parties.
Vidal Ballesteros
900 Marin St, San Francisco, CA 94124, USA
Black cat jazz supper club
4.3
(908)
Swanky jazz lounge, cocktail bar & New American bistro with 2 levels of seating & live music.
Reviews:
A really nice dinner and jazz club in the Tenderloin. Pleasant bar upstairs, and performances with bar and dinner downstairs. They get some really great musicians and the atmosphere is warm and inviting, with high energy for the music. A few tables have obstructed views but I have always found great seating. Highly recommended.
Jeff Dornbusch
We came here to hear Detroit-based Urban Art Orchestra and had a nice time. They have a solid wine & cocktail selection, but service could be improved a bit.
Preethee
I struggled with how many stars to give in this review. The food was very flavourful and the service was exceptional, but I wasn't fond of the jazz group. To me jazz is classy, but this was a whole different experience for me. In my opinion, the music was definitely not classy. There was a lot of vulgar language used during the performance. As soon as we were done eating we asked for our check so we could leave. We did not want to stay to end of the performance. We paid $45 per person for our reservation, and another $90 per person for dinner and one drink. For the price we paid it would have been nice to enjoy a good performance.
Nelda Fernandez
So good! We saw Sungazer here and had the prix fix menu with drinks! Great dinner and show, but don’t expect to show up and mosh! Parking is bad. Park in a safer-feeling, cleaner part of town and grab a taxi or walk. I don’t think it’s actually too unsafe, but it’s not a welcoming area outside. The venue is great though! There’s a street-level bar, but the main stage/bar/dining area is downstairs. Super lovely!
Kelsey Gilbert
Such a great experience, my first time in a jazz club , music food and the ambiance was great, oh my god i loved the chicken dish that I ordered , my server was so good and staff were very friendly , we got a great sitting spot, come visit this place, it gave me the John wick feeling 🤣, if you know what I mean 😆
Jordana Lobo
400 Eddy St, San Francisco, CA 94109, USA
Mr. tipple's jazz club
4.6
(831)
Classic spirits, New American small plates & music in retro-influenced digs with a blues-club vibe.
Reviews:
Beautiful and intimately small location to hear some great jazz music! The musicians were all very into the music, bumping along with each other and having a great time making some great music. The food was great as well, definitely recommend the bao! The cocktails were all very diverse, something really for anyone's taste, and were really quite tasty. There is a 90 min limit at a table before they move you to a bar, which makes sense. I also loved how the smaller location and unique entrance made the location feel welcoming but secluded. Would definitely visit again!
J
Great music, cool vibe, solid drinks, and decent food. Sketchy neighborhood but within walking distance to Hayes Valley. Try to get a reservation if you want a table. Recommended!
Drew
Great show and drinks. They asked to move our reservation early because the show moved up. Turns out the show wasn't moved up, so we got less time for the show. Still saw 60 minutes, but kinda seemed like they just wanted to get another table in.
Jacob L
Quality musicians but hard to follow because people are talking. The manager says they don’t like to interrupt the lively atmosphere. Any jazz clubs we’ve attended, including the Black Cat in SF, the 1905 in PDX, and clubs in Amsterdam and Paris, all understand respecting the musicians and do NOT tolerate talking. Came here from a recommendation to celebrate my birthday. We won’t return. As someone with ADHD, the constant and loud atmosphere of people talking distracted me. Enjoy if people talking doesn’t bother you. For me it’s disrespectful to the musicians. This is not a true jazz club, but rather a bar with music.
Adele Sakler
Love, love, love this place! The drinks are KILLER! Super delicious, so many options, tasty and the perfect balance between spirits and juices. Very fun atmosphere, super clean, very tidy and nice bathrooms, too. The staff are incredibly kind and nice! Music is always happening with lots of local talent and visiting artists as well.
Amelie Anna
39 Fell St, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA
Bottom of the hill
4.7
(858)
From indie rock to hip-hop, this popular club offers a range of live music, plus outdoor seating.
Reviews:
Went to see Asadi, haven't been here since the early 2000s. Still an excellent and cozy spot to catch a show. Will highly recommend checking it out! Also excellent beer on tap!
Alberto Frigerio
One of the best venues I have EVER been to! I passed out before the show (just dehydrated, I’m fine) and the staff was super caring and attentive. They gave me water, juice, and let me sit by the bar to watch the beginning of the show while I recovered, which I really appreciated. The venue is beautiful, with someone new and interesting to see everywhere you look and I loved the wall of past bands that played. We even got our vinyls signed by the Symposium! Thank you so, so much to Bottom of the Hill for helping me and giving my friends and I such incredible memories!
jelina h (jelina)
One of our many wonderful venues in town. Enjoy from a wide variety of touring and local artists and admire the old calendars on the wall wondering which weeks you would have liked to have been there (or maybe were there) in the 90s and early 2000s. Good food if you need a bite during a show too, not always the easiest to come by!
Jane Natoli
This iconic amazing music venue located at the foot of Potrero Hill on 17th. Great live music amazing staff this venue is a place to gather and have fun.
William Dickenson
Great venue! Set up well to accommodate bands and guests. We were the support team for a band. The staff was incredible and so very helpful down to the very smallest details. Best venue team I’ve experienced in the 20 years I’ve been involved with bands.
Lana Wagner
1233 17th St, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA
The hotel utah saloon
4.3
(597)
Intimate, circa-1908 bar & music venue offering indie live acts, cheap beers & burgers.
Reviews:
Great classic dive bar atmosphere. Decent beer and liquor selection. I've only had the wings and burger from the kitchen, and both were good. There's a small stage/ lounge area separated (kinda) from the bar where local & visiting bands play. Closest bar to SF Caltrain station that's still open after 11pm.
Jim H
Great place south of Market for some good live music. Parking a bit tight, food is good, fried deviled eggs are interesting. Happen to see a great band Inyan Kin though weather that night out a damper on things. Inyan played some great groovy music that we enjoyed a lot !
Edward Tesseine
At last.. a peaceful place to read my book and hide from the ugly weather while sipping on a cozy Irish coffee and hot toddy. The kitchen has new hours now. 4-11pm I believe. (So I waited a little until they were open and boy was it worth it.) 😃 Fried chicken sandwich was sooo good! I got extra pickles on mine because why not! Highly recommend!
Kelly Mack
I was visiting San Francisco for for the week and I happened upon this place. Honestly one of the best places I’ve been in my life. Stefano has got to be one of the best bartenders and was the best person i met in San Francisco my entire visit. The bloody Mary’s are great (a little spicy)!!!!!! The wings are great! If you’re visiting this is a must go!
Elizabeth McDaniel
An absolute gem of a dive bar slash music venue. Went out here to see some local talent during one of my SF visits and EVERYTHING was exactly what I needed for a fun night out: Stiff drinks, cool crowd, friendly ambiance and all the good vibes.
JC Marin
500 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA
The chapel
4.7
(413)
Converted ex-chapel featuring a 40-ft. arched ceiling, bar & a wide variety of live-music acts.
Reviews:
Had a great time at the chapel, and went to go see Brandon Rogers. Comedy show. Four stars because I accidentally left my pepper spray at check-in and after emailing the venue they never got back to me and now I don’t have my pepper spray. 😭
Tori Bowler
One of San Francisco's best small venues for live music. They book a wide variety of bands, so advise following their schedule. The space is easy to move around, with good sightlines and a large balcony too.
Dahn V
One of the better small venues here in San Francisco whoever the program director is needs a raise and don't forget the floor people because they are awesome
205 785 Brannan
Always been one of my favorite music venues, and continues to be. Always has great shows, great crowds, and just looks lovely and unique.
Purajit
Great small venue. Lots of seats are available for those who can't stand for a long period of time. Great people who manage the place. Close to public transportation. Sound system is great. Stage is pretty cool for small venue.
Tina Tjahjadi
777 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
Sheba jazz lounge
4.6
(540)
Intimate, living-room-like jazz lounge featuring live music, specialty cocktails & Ethiopian eats.
Reviews:
I came here with a friend who had never tried Ethiopian food. We came here on a weekday and it is the perfect spot to unwind. Very cozy and comforting vibes with live jazz music. The space is a little cramped, but food and music make up for that. The server was very helpful and prompt. The food was scrumptious. My friend and I ordered lentil sambusa, split pea soup, the vegetarian sampler, and some extra injera. Everything was delicious and perfectly spiced. The jazz band was really good. We enjoyed the music and food. I can't wait to visit again.
Sweta Basundhara
This is one of my favorite spots in the city. I come as often as I can whenever I don’t feel like cooking ethiopian dishes myself and want to be served 🥰 My friend and I ordered the cat fish, tibs wat, vegetarian sampler, and we shared everything ‘family style’. The honey wine is also always a reliable go-to to wash everything down 😋 The injera isn’t as authentic as other places but they do make up for it with everything else and of course the nightly live jazz shows which you won’t find anywhere else 🎷🎸🥁🎹
StarishaDotCom
An absolute hidden gem of SF! The owners/hostesses are the kindest people and the Ethiopian food (and Ethiopian beer) is not to be missed! Come here for dinner and live jazz, you won’t be disappointed.
Audrey Small
Had dinner at this Ethiopian restaurant with live Jazz music on a Sunday night. The ambience was very nice, a bit on the darker side with LED candles on tables. Downsides - Seating is quite cramped and they use plastic glasses to serve water. Apparently, the central dividing wall of the dining room is actually a replica of the Church of St. George, an Ethiopian Orthodox Christian church. The band started playing around 7pm, they were really good! Enjoyed the music. The lady server was very knowledgeable and helpful! Though since she was the only one handling all the tables, a bit stressed, she forgot that I had asked for a Bourbon. The food itself was very good! Would recommend this place for the food and the music.
Srihari Raghavan
One of the best Ethiopian Restaurants we have been to. The injera is delicious. The Chicken and beef tibs were flavorful and if course the honey wine was great. We went when there was a live piano player there too. Great friendly service and delicious food.
De'Von Walker
1419 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA