The Best Music Venues in San Francisco

Maggie McGarry's

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (358) • $$

"An Irish pub just in time for St. Patricks day. Lots of indoor outdoor seating, in a safe and fun neighborhood with live music. St Patricks Day. Thats a big drinking day. You'll want to go to a place where drinks aren't that expensive - just in case things get out of hand. It falls on a Sunday so you might want to get started early in case you have work the next morning. Lots of indoor and outdoor seating. The parklet outside is spacious and is great if you want some fresh air. Its the smoking zone - although I'm not sure if its officially supposed to be. Don't tell anybody. North Beach is a safe and fun neighborhood. Party lights line the street and it puts people in a very good mood. Police station is just across the street and thats why I'm thinking there really isn't any trouble around here - car break ins included. Live music is great. Adds a little to the ambiance - afterward get some Golden Boy. That hits the spot for the nights you've had too much."

The Valencia Room

★★★☆☆ 2.8 (181) • $$

"ghetto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Expensive!!!! sometime that's what make a club fun. Dj is mostly good, but there are some bad ones"

The Lucky Horseshoe

★★★★☆ 4.1 (99) • $

"Great legit dive bar on the fun Cortland Street. Nice selection of beers on tap, cider, and cocktails. It's all you want in a bar--dark with tiny little booths and a good bar tender, and fair prices. On Sundays they have a bluegrass jam that is super fun!"

Longboard Bar And Venue

★★★★☆ 3.9 (119) • $$

"This is an awesome hidden gem in Pacifica for musicians to perform their special musics for people in the Bay Area. Super cool music / dance venue. Very safe, organized, and fun. There is a huge dancing floor where everyone enjoys good musics and dance. There is a bar who serves efficiently everyone! There is also a ViP table and chairs where you can reserve for birthday party. I love it every time I'm here. You will have an amazing blast coming alone or with your buddies. Everyone is happy here. This is a happy place! Great music! Awesome local people. Perfect place to dance and to party. See you there!"

El Rio

★★★★☆ 4.1 (800) • $

"Big ups for the outdoor patio area; it's big, now with awnings to protect you from the rain, and a stage for the DJ. When a party is going on with an outdoor DJ, this is the place to be. El Rio hosts various fun queer parties; check out their IG for event details. Mango is a fun one for the female-leaning peeps. For some events they have food, but otherwise you can only get snacks at the bar, like popcorn. Their cocktails and beer options are nothing special."

Great American Music Hall

★★★★☆ 4.2 (853) • $$

"Saw the Red Room Orchestra at The Great American Music Hall and had a great time!Definitely a bit more of an intimate venue, but I can appreciate how good of a view I got of the stage. On that same note, it can be a bit cramped navigating the place, but it made for a great time."

Lion's Den Bar and Lounge

★★★★★ 4.6 (88) • $$

"I went to a CNY - aka Lunar New Year party here (it's the year of the Wood Snake) with my friend and had a fabulous time. The venue is spacious and they have an area where you can hang your coats! Be careful, Waymo won't take you directly there but Uber/Lyft will!"

SFJAZZ

★★★★☆ 4.1 (244) • $$

"My dreams came true when I got to see Hiromi Uehara tickle the piano keys at SFJAZZ! After the show someone said Hiromi exhibits the peak of human performance and it gave me chills because it's so true. SFJAZZ is a place where musician masters play and I recommend checking this place whether you're a jazz lover or just looking to experience one of the best forms of art ever."

Question Mark Bar

★★★★★ 4.8 (34)

"Food - Get anything that involves tots. I could eat those suckers until my mouth is raw. Frito pie is also a special callout here. Not only is it hard to find in the city, it's actually good. All of the menu items have a lot of thought put into them and I have yet to try anything here I didn't enjoy. Taps rotate but there is always a good balance of options. You aren't going to get stuck between picking 1 of 7 IPAs.Service - Jeremy and the rest of the crew are always friendly and attentive. If you become a regular, they are going to know you by name and update you with the new things they have going on. Ambiance - Classic neighborhood bar feel but well kept. There is something for just about everybody here. Check with them for the different things they have planned throughout the week. They have everything from karaoke and trivia to speed dating and a jukebox. In addition to that, if there's a local game on, it's going to be playing here. This is a great alternative to some of the super crowded bars closer to the stadiums. Misc - You need to ring the doorbell for entry so don't panic if it takes them a few seconds to let you in."

The Regency Ballroom

★★★☆☆ 3 (530) • $$

"Came here for the first time for the most Kamelot concert in September. It was a beautiful venue, and I came early so that I could stand close to the front stage. No fuss with security, and it was a magnificent concert! Fantastic acoustics. Even though I'm 5'2", I was still able to see everything on the stage just fine. Wonderful concert here."

Rickshaw Stop

★★★★☆ 3.6 (549) • $$

"Cute small venue with friendly staff and bartenders. I love that you actually get a good view of the artist, and there's a tiered balcony upstairs.Bathrooms were super clean.$10 card minimum.Affordable drinks for the area! About $9-12 for cocktails.Just docking a star because the sangria was pretty gross -- it tasted really vinegary and sour, as if the wine had spoiled."

SVN West

★★☆☆☆ 2.3 (14)

"If you haven't been to this yet then what are you waiting for. It is such a crazy beautiful way to experience art. This was on a 35 min loop with projectors all around the room and floor. The painting are a collection of his works with added movement and music. They provide you with a seat cushion rental and a free poster. There is a store at the end with very expensive merchandise lol. The tickets were $50 or $40 for non peak days."

Neck of the Woods

★★★★☆ 3.6 (157) • $$

"A couple weekends ago, I came here with my brother to see Anything Box.* The show was amazing, and it was very interesting spending so much time beforehand with random people who were into this most random of random late-'80s-early-'90s bands.*It's a really nice setup for live music or whatever kind of performance can fit on the tiny stage. Oddly, the bathrooms are next to the stage, but this has a hidden benefit--it ensures that there's always an open space near the stage, so if you're standing right in front and want to go back, you don't have to wade through the crowd; you can just head toward the loo and make a left turn toward the bar.It's woodsy and old and well loved and not dirty. There really is a lot of room to stand (and sway and dance and groove and ruminate-while-crying), but they have a few tables as well. The bartender was nice, as were the bouncers. In fact, everyone we came across that night was nice. People were just so excited to hear this music from long ago.This very definitely could be a five-star place, but I need to see more acts here to add that fifth star. Who wants to bring me along to something at Neck of the Woods?*Sadly, the "group" now comprises solely Claude Strilio. He's a great performer in his own right, but it would be better if he could assemble a band again, even if it's new people."

The Warfield

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (953) • $$

"The Airborne Toxic Event was amazing this past Thursday. The venue didn't really stand out to me compared to other event centers in the city, but it made for a positive experience, even in a not-so-appealing location of SF.Entry and security check was quick and easy. The bar on the second level had no line early in the evening, unlike downstairs, but service was slow. The diet soda I ordered was poured from a can and served in a reusable plastic r.cup that had instructions to return in a bin after use (r.world). The staff behind the counter didn't seem that enthusiastic about being there, but she wasn't rude. Got GA balcony tickets, and the worker in the auditorium said I could sit anywhere I wanted in the balcony section (upper or lower) just not the loge section which were reserved seats... she said I could even join the GA crowd on the floor standing in front of the stage. Cool, but confusing, wish they communicated that before ticket purchase. Might be cuz it wasn't a full house for this particular concert.The seats themselves were very basic, comfortable enough but a somewhat dated cloth surface. Lovely art on the ceiling of the theater, and the use of lighting on stage added great visual effects to the show.The sound system was not the greatest for the opening act, Brigitte Calls Me Baby. The music was rather echoey and lacked clarity. But that didn't stop the band from setting the mood with a few of their hits as well as a cool rock rendition of Careless Whisper.And sound check was extensive before the headliners did their thing on stage, so the sound was fixed, allowing The Airborne Toxic Event to put on an enjoyable show with an awesome setlist including some of my faves like Changing, Come On Out, and Sometime Around Midnight. One of the things I especially love about this band is the sound of the violin in their music. It was so sweet during the performance, a treat for my ears. And The Warfield offered a decent setting to ensure guests had a good time."

Tupelo

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (319) • $$

"Fun place to come with your friends to watch live bands and have a drink. They are limited on cocktails so a mojito isn't an option (or at least when I went). I ordered a vodka cranberry and that was available. They have a few beers on tap. This place can get very crowded on the weekends. It was chill on the weekdays. You can hang at the outside patio when you need fresh air."

The Great Northern

★★★★☆ 3.6 (116) • $$

"Great venue w lots of types of events-- not just music. Been here from day time first pumpers - to 3am benders - to art nights!! Thank you for attracting some of the best music talent. Most recently had the pleasure of being front row for Diplo - dream come true."

Cafe Du Nord

★★★★☆ 3.6 (90) • $$

"People are right--it's not the biggest space but it does have personality. We attended a private event there last night and were impressed by how well the space is managed. From the doorperson to the bartenders and waitstaff, everyone was accommodating. For those that are wondering, the single stall unisex bathrooms were clean as a whistle. There were about 80 of us there and it felt manageable. I think anything over 200 people might begin to feel a bit cramped?? They list their maximum capacity at 320 standing but much less for theater or classroom style set-ups.Their tech specs are pretty impressive. The sound was very good and they are capable of showing film. There's also a Green Room and a full kitchen.It's an iconic part of SF history with a cool list of past performers."

Vinyl Room

★★★★☆ 3.9 (432) • $$

"There's no food, but they do allow outside food. I asked since we were celebrating a birthday and I wanted to bring cupcake bites. I emailed and they replied in a timely and kind manner. Service is attentive and kind here. Drinks are delicious, creative and festive. Our regular day to frequent the Vinyl Room is Wednesdays for karaoke! So the ambiance is always chill, encouraging, and fun!"

Bottom of the Hill

★★★★☆ 4.3 (586) • $

"I don't have much to add. I saw Buck-O-Nine and Mustard Plug here. It had been so long since I'd been that I totally forgot what the stage looked like and even where it was. It's way smaller than I remembered, which guarantees a good show, unless the crowd doesn't know what it's doing, and every time I've been here, the crowd has known what it's doing.Super cheap tickets, no idiotic service charges. You save like two bucks for pre-buying. Plus the pre-buy setup is old-fashioned. They email a bunch of people, and you're on a list. I love it.The crowning glory on this occasion was they were looping a Killer Klowns from Outer Space DVD on the small TV on mute above the bar. In between sets and at other times, I found myself unable not to watch. It's scary even though it's not even though it's terrifying. Like utterly bone-chilling. The special effects suck, and they mostly sucked in 1988 as well. The decapitation part is the least scary part of the entire film. But the slow, silent chases! Give me more."

The Chapel

★★★★☆ 3.9 (328) • $$

"Visited the Chapel for a concert this past weekend, and I think this might be the most affordable music venue in SF. We watched an artist named Kate Nash, and there wasn't much of a line when we arrived so we got in really quick. Upon entering they had a couple of merch tables set up. They have a small bar downstairs and a bar upstairs. We ordered two topo Chico hard seltzers and the total was $13 something, which is usually the cost of one at most music venues. The concert/show itself was great. It wasn't super packed, so finding a spot was easy and we never felt squished inside. The music/sound system was great and the stage is so close that it makes for a very intimate setting. Overall, glad I can finally cross off the chapel off my venue list, and wouldn't hesitate to go to another show here."

The Plough & Stars

★★★★☆ 3.9 (220) • $

"If it's pint of the black stuff you're after...look no further than The Plough & Stars."

SoundBox

★★★★☆ 3.6 (10) • $$

"I love Sound Box! I heard about this new initiative by the SFSymphony and I thought it would be great. I volunteer for the gift shop and went to an event tonight for the first time. The pieces they played were: VILLA LOBOS "The Little Train of the Caipira"ANDY AKIHO OscillateSAINT-SAËNS "Aquarium"CRUMB Vox Balaenae DAVID LANG are you experienced?It was experimental and avant-garde. The space is smaller and it feels like a warehouse or industrial building. There is seating, but some people get left standing. There's no backs to the seats. There were a lot of yuppy-looking people. There's a bar for drinks. The sound is fine even though it is a rehearsal space. There were two intermissions(at least 15 mins). I really feel that this is an important initiative. It feels like a modern art experience. There are some multimedia visuals to go with the music. The kookier the better for me haha. I really hope people check out Sound Box events. This one I went to was sold out and the place was packed, so they are doing something right. Don't worry about the few bad reviews on Yelp for Sound Box..You will have a great experience with SF Symphony's Sound Box."

Rite Spot Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.6 (160) • $

"Best dive bar in SF. Great bartenders and servers (Jessica Michelle Christina Katy Deborah Alicia), great cook (Jorge) whose been there 20 years, great food, specials, well priced drinks, and fun live music every night they're open (Tue-Sat). It's off the beaten track, and a jewel of the city."

Club Waziema

★★★★☆ 3.6 (408) • $$

"I had the mixed veggie plate. So good. Good place to get together with friends. I'd like to go back here."

The Lost Church - San Francisco

★★★★★ 4.8 (41) • $

"If the Lost Church was running out of his house(Brett) on Capp St in the Mission...isn't that the Chapel? Chapel and Lost Church..haha..creative space for music and presentation..did you really connect to somebody that presented a show? It's a big city..is that your excuse all the time..well at least I could be entertained and then at Vesuvio there was not much for me..List of events every night..in Santa Rosa too? First time visit..."

Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

★★★★☆ 3.6 (478) • $$

"Attended A Conversation With Larry David, which was a unique and absolutely entertaining form of comedy that had me seriously LOL. Storytelling and discussion of his opinions on certain subjects, details about his upbringing, first jobs, and early career, his experience writing sketches for SNL in the 80's, connecting Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm with real life situations, and a Q&A with the audience in the end with Larry David poking fun at the crowd in his usual way. The show was hilarious, interesting, and better than I expected. But it wouldn't have been such a great experience without an awesome venue like the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. No elaborate decor in the auditorium, but sound and lighting were ideal, and the view of the stage was great, even from the top few rows of the upper balcony... the ultimate stadium seating where each row is sigificantly higher than the row directly in front of it, so no heads to block your view. There are no cupholders at the seats and legroom is minimal, but I had no problems as a short person sitting along the aisle. The place also has a spacious lounge area with a bar, tables and seating, though there were concessions available on the top level lobby as well, with very few lines/waiting up there. They offered pizza, hot dogs, pretzels, nachos, samosas, candy, and cookies on the menu, on top of alcoholic beverages and sodas. What's more, entry and security check were quick and easy, and I even found free street parking about a 8-minute walk away on Mission Street (on a Monday evening). Needless to say, I'm a fan of this event center."

Swedish American Hall

★★★★☆ 3.8 (105) • $$

"Had the opportunity to see Christopher Willits film and scoring here a while ago as a solo show for an album release/Noise Pop fest. Amazing ambient music, all instrumental + amazing visuals. As for the venue it reminds me of a temple/church/music hall all modern and wood. I have been to multiple Willits shows around the bay area w/ cohorts Tycho, Dusty Brown, Heathered Pearls, Nitemoves. Epic. I'm so glad to be alive in these amazing times with interesting music food and people! (:Enso#9https://www.christopherwillits.com/http://www.ticketfly.com/event/764553/_"I wanna be a cult classicBlack boys wrapped in plasticYeah stuntin is a habitWhatever you want you can have itI always give a lot of lee-way"- Cautious Clay French Riviera"

Mr Tipple's Recording Studio

★★★★☆ 4.2 (449) • $$

"This jazz bar is an absolute gem! We ordered the pork and shrimp soup Mai, pork and spinach chili wontons, and finished off with a mochi waffle paired with earl grey ice cream. The food was delicious, and the cocktails were top-notch.But what really set the experience apart was the vibe. The ambience was amazing--intimate, yet lively, with an electric energy from the jazz band. You could feel the passion in the music, and it created the perfect backdrop for a fun night out or a romantic date. If you're looking for a great spot with excellent food, killer cocktails, and a fantastic live jazz experience, this is it!"

Popscene

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (164) • $$

"Getting my Brit-Pop & Indie Music-Dance on!SITREPMy buddy Joe Sparks first took me to Popscene when it was at 333 Ritchie in San Francisco back in 1999. It has since moved several times - sometimes it's own event at a venue, other times as one of the rooms in conjunction with another event at a venue with two rooms - but always it has been provided some of the best, most fun, most frenetic dancing environments.Now it has found a home at 155 Fell Street.SETUPFor those who enjoy a mix of music ranging from classic Brit Pop (and yes I do mean the Beatles and Rolling Stones) to more contemporary artists ranging from Oasis in the 90s to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the Killers (these are popular in rotation), then you have found your Mecca.It should be noted this is an 18+ club, and it's on a school night (Thursday). So what a great place to find all the bad boys & girls. Gee!THE LOWDOWNStill an awesome "party" to enjoy contemporary and classic pop from both sides of the Atlantic!"

Winters Tavern

★★★★☆ 3.9 (198) • $$

"Don't find these classic old-school taverns around anymore. It is a divey bar so expect strong drinks, lots of memorabilia and time worn interior. What they have is live music from eclectic local bands. With that, the crowd is a mix of college to senior crowd. The senior crowd actually got quite raucous, almost creating a mosh pit!The young gentleman working the bar kept the drinks flowing and made them strong as I requested.**They have a great set of rotating local beers on tap** In and outdoor seating.There was a lot of toilet paper rolls in the bathroom that I appreciate. The sink had warm water and soap! I appreciate that, too!"

Envelop SF

★★★★☆ 3.8 (12)

"Incredible experience and an absolute must if they are playing an album you enjoy. Listen to music like you've never heard it before. I also loved how it wasn't too loud. You can really hear all the layers of production and vocal tracks. Casual shoes off atmosphere with an honor system bar so bring some cash! Would be great if they had a venmo or digital payment option. Maybe sometime soon! Highly recommend Envelop if you're considering it!"

Monarch

★★★★☆ 3.7 (422) • $$

"I came here to hear one of my favorite artists and really enjoyed the ambiance of the place. Great decorations and the dance floor downstairs was small enough to feel intimate along with enough room for everyone. I loved how they had a hard kombucha with was tasty and sat in my stomach right. There was also another smaller dance floor when you walk in along with some couches. The place had a lot of plants and options if you didn't want to dance. There are chairs, a photo booth and the comfy couches offering people a chance to sit down comfortably and get to have conversations. Really loved the venue and music, I recommend if someone wants to check out a new spot."

The Riptide

★★★★☆ 4.1 (336) • $

"Had a blast at this place. My brother brought us here while we were visiting. We got to enjoy bingo night and had alot of fun. It was cool to learn about how they burned down an were rebuilt. If I lived in the area I could definitely see myself coming here alot. I especially enjoyed how we could get a pizza drop next door and eat it while drinking. Definitely a place to visit. Service was great and the bartender was very nice."

Vic’s Winehouse on Fillmore

★★★★★ 4.5 (29)

"I've lived in the area for a little over 2 years now, and have wanted to stop by--just couldn't find the time until recently. I really enjoyed the vibes here! It's a lowkey wine bar that plays live jazz starting at around 9pm. There are a few tables, a bar, and some nooks that are reserved for parties of 3+. I really appreciated that and thought the ambiance was extremely cozy, not too loud (until the music started ofc), and relaxing.Wine selection is par for course, but there are fun flight options, sangria & hot mulled wine, as well as a few beers. Everything is quite reasonably priced. We didn't get to try any of the food, but it seemed like a lot of people were ordering the empanadas. I'll have to come back and try the bar food another time.It was pretty empty up until 9-10 pm, and I can tell a lot of neighborhood regulars stop in. I'm glad that I decided to visit, and will be back since it's so close by!"

Belle Cora

★★★★☆ 4.4 (142) • $$

"Great ambiance. Fabulous outdoor seating area with turf and fake fires, live music, and two big willow trees. Highly recommend the deviled eggs. And on a cool night the warm olives hit. Great place to hang with friends or to enjoy a date. Servers are nice and food and drinks come quickly."