10 Live Music Venues In San Francisco, California

1. Sweetwater Music Hall

After closing in 2007, the original Sweetwater was reincarnated into the Sweetwater Music Hall and has been a highlight of San Francisco’s nightlife ever since its reopening in 2011. With its seasonal dining menu, patio sitting area, and 300-seat occupancy, the Sweetwater Music Hall is a fantastic venue to hear performances by local artists and touring musicians.

The club hosts an eclectic variety of roots, folk, and rock performers and has live music concerts nearly every night of the week. Check out the programming calendar on the venue’s website and buy your tickets in advance!

Sweetwater Music Hall

Address: 19 Corte Madera Ave, Mill Valley, CA 94941

Website: Sweetwater Music Hall

2. The Fillmore

This historic building has gone through many iterations since it opened in 1912, but both legendary acts and on-the-rise talent still fill the programming calendar at this brilliant nightclub. Many world-renowned musicians have performed on the Fillmore’s stages, including Willie Nelson, the White Stripes, Macy Gray, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. This spacious, multi-genre venue is open seven days a week, and fantastic live performances can be heard nearly every day each month.

The Fillmore

Address: 1805 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94115

Website: The Fillmore

3. Bimbo's 365 Club

Bimbo’s 365 Club has been a highlight of the San Francisco’s nightlife scene since 1931 and is still generating buzz as one of the best venues for pop, classic rock, and jazz music. For more than 80 years, Bimbo’s has featured amazing up-and-coming artists, as well as popular entertainers, like Adele and the Raconteurs. The club has been restored to its glamorous glory, with two stages, tiered seating for 750 patrons, and a spacious dance floor. This renowned venue has a calendar that is always packed with an exciting line-up, seven days a week.

Bimbo's 365 Club

Address: 1025 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

Website: Bimbo’s 365 Club

4. The Great American Music Hall

This world-class venue is San Francisco’s oldest nightclub. The Great American Music Hall is sophisticated and ornate with many modern features to create an unforgettable music experience. Countless musicians have performed at this historic venue since the building opened in 1907, including Duke Ellington, Van Morrison, and Hoodie Allen.

The Great American Music Hall has a calendar that is packed with brilliant performers across many genres, including rock, folk, jazz, and pop, and the venue is open seven days a week. Any performance at this outstanding venue is sure to be a highlight of any trip to San Francisco.

The Great American Music Hall

Address: 859 O'Farrell St, San Francisco, CA 94109

Website: The Great American Music Hall

5. Bottom of the Hill

Lively and dynamic, Bottom of the Hill is a long-time favorite in San Francisco that boasts excellent live music, seven nights of the week. This outstanding club and restaurant is dedicated to hosting a lineup of fantastic local and touring music talent. With an impressively eclectic calendar filled with alternative, rock-a-billy, punk, hard rock, folk, funk, and pop artists, there’s never a bad time to stop by this popular venue. Bottom of the Hill has a great bar, a late-night restaurant, and a casual patio area.

Bottom of the Hill

Address: 1233 17th St, San Francisco, CA 94107

Website: Bottom of the Hill

6. Sheba’s Piano Lounge

Sheba’s Piano Lounge is a cozy, relaxed, and intimate venue where impressive jazz performers play nightly. Local Bay Area artists are featured and live performances happen seven days a week, with an Open Mic Night every Monday. Sheba’s also features a tasty menu of Ethiopian food and patrons can lean back and relax with a tropical cocktail in hand. Sheba’s Piano Lounge is located in the bustling Fillmore area and there is no cover charge.

Sheba’s Piano Lounge

Address: 1419 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115

Website: Sheba’s Piano Lounge

7. The Chapel

The Chapel is energetic, eclectic, and dynamic and is located in a former chapel in San Francisco’s vibrant Mission District. With its 40-foot (12.2-meter) high, arched ceiling and cozy mezzanine, the venue’s spacious interior is a great location to listen to the featured indie bands that perform nightly. The restaurant and bar, Curio, is also located on the Chapel’s site and includes an outdoor dining patio.

The Chapel

Address: 777 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Website: The Chapel

8. Freight & Salvage

Freight & Salvage has been hosting world-class performances since 1968 and this venue continues to astound with its commitment to showcasing folk music acts. This nonprofit, community arts organization is located in a former auto shop in the heart of the Berkeley Arts District and focuses on supporting traditional music. Local and national performers alike grace the stage at this premiere listening venue, which seats 400 patrons. Freight & Salvage has live music every day of the week.

Freight & Salvage

Address: 2020 Addison St, Berkeley, CA 94704

Website: Freight & Salvage

9. Mr Tipple's Recording Studio

You’re guaranteed to hear fantastic jazz music every night at Mr. Tipple’s Recording Studio. This fabulous venue has an intimate stage and an impressive live music calendar that brims with all types of jazz. The vintage-inspired venue also has a terrific bar and a restaurant that serves Americana small plates.

Mr Tipple's Recording Studio

Address: 39 Fell St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Website: Mr Tipple’s Recording Studio

10. Black Cat

This classy supper and jazz club is a sophisticated music venue, located in the historic Verona Hotel. Open six nights a week, the Black Cat has fantastic performances of jazz every night and features solo and group artists on the intimate stage. This glamorous club also offers a delectable menu of small and shareable plates, a bar that serves artisanal cocktails, and a curated and extensive wine list.

Black Cat

Address: 400 Eddy St, San Francisco, CA 94109

Website: Black Cat

The sweet sounds of San Francisco

The magnificent architecture, quirky neighborhoods, and fantastic food scene may be why San Francisco is so renowned, but this amazing city is also a hub for music and entertainment. Whether you’re interested in seeing a headliner artist perform in a historic venue or just want to relax in a laid-back lounge, there are plenty of opportunities to listen to live music here. The charms of this Californian city are endless! Start exploring San Francisco today!