This is an ever-changing list
of small- to medium-sized venues to help traveling performers put together a
Bay Area show - or for locals just getting started. These venues were picked because they more-or-less embrace the DIY ethic, including bars, cafes, art galleries, multi-use spaces.
IMHO, the Bay Area house/warehouse show scene - always tribal and fractured - has been in retreat from increased scrutiny since the horrible Ghost Ship warehouse fire in December 2016. So, there are none listed here. Poke around venues, then bands, then their shows, and you can find them. Last update: September 2019.
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IMHO, the Bay Area house/warehouse show scene - always tribal and fractured - has been in retreat from increased scrutiny since the horrible Ghost Ship warehouse fire in December 2016. So, there are none listed here. Poke around venues, then bands, then their shows, and you can find them. Last update: September 2019.
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Booking a public venue: If a touring band
wants to play at any of these public venues, we suggest researching and
recruiting a bill of local bands first. Then, pitch that bill and
date(s) to the booker. And, in general, look up some local bands and
find some you like. They probably know things we don't. Ideally, give people 2-3 months heads-up.
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===================SF (band) [district]=======================
===================SF (band) [district]=======================
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Amado's [Mission] is gorgeous venue (with discreet bar) in the renovated basement of an antique/art gallery.
Amnesia [Mission] is a neighborhood dive-bar with lots of shows. Facebook
Bar Fluxus [Downtown] is a quirky cocktail bar with intimate stage for bands and DJs. Facebook
Amnesia [Mission] is a neighborhood dive-bar with lots of shows. Facebook
Bar Fluxus [Downtown] is a quirky cocktail bar with intimate stage for bands and DJs. Facebook
Brainwash Cafe [South of Market (SoMa)] is a bar-laundromat that hosts music on weekends.
Bottom of the Hill [Potrero] is a mid-sized venue with bar. Great back patio. 18+ shows.
Cafe du Nord [Castro] is a premier indie venue and former speakeasy. Excellent sound.
The Chapel [Mission] is a former mortuary spiffed up into a restaurant and bar that hosts local and national acts.
The Hotel Utah [SoMa] is an old saloon with side room with stage. Very popular open mic on Mondays.
The Independent [NoPa] is a premier indie club with local and national acts.
The Independent [NoPa] is a premier indie club with local and national acts.
The Knockout [Mission] is a bar with lots of shows.
The Lost Church [Mission] is a small, yet wonderful, renovated theatre.
Milk Bar [Upper Haight] is a popular bar venue.
Milk Bar [Upper Haight] is a popular bar venue.
Rickshaw Stop [Civic Center] is a mid-sized venue with local and national acts.
Cafes:
Bazaar Cafe [Middle Richmond]. Acoustic-only cafe-bar. Piano. Remote but adorable and intimate. Open mics on Thursdays.
Cafe International [Lower Haight] is a cafe-bar with PA. Open mic on Fridays.
Mojo Bicycle Cafe [Hayes Valley/NoPa] Cafe-bar and bike accessory shop.
Momi Toby's Revolution Cafe & Art Bar [Hayes Vally] is cute and hosts chill shows.
Momi Toby's Revolution Cafe & Art Bar [Hayes Vally] is cute and hosts chill shows.
The Revolution Cafe [Mission] is a cafe-bar. Room open to bustling sidewalk. Jazz and folk.
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===================East Bay (band) [district]===================
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1-2-3-4 Go! Records [Temescal, Oakland] is a music label and store that hosts shows sometimes.
924 Gilman [Northwest Berkeley] is the premier all-ages, DIY space in the East Bay.
Actual Cafe [Golden Gate, Oakland] is cafe-bar on northside that hosts shows on weekends.
Awaken Cafe [Downtown Oakland] is a cafe-bar.
The Back Room [Downtown Berkeley] is a low-key acoustic venue for jazz, bluegrass, and Americana.
Disco Volante [Downtown Oakland] is a bar and restaurant with a stage.The Back Room [Downtown Berkeley] is a low-key acoustic venue for jazz, bluegrass, and Americana.
Eli's Mile High Club [Longfellow, Oakland] is a punk-hardcore-metal dive bar with stage. Other music OK, too.
Freight & Salvage [Downtown Berkeley] is a mid-sized venue. Traditional folk leanings.
The Hatch [Downtown Oakland] is a chill bar with an upstairs performance space.
The Hatch [Downtown Oakland] is a chill bar with an upstairs performance space.
Lounge 3411 [Laurel, Oakland] is low-key bar on the east side.
MLK Cafe [Longfellow, Oakland] is an Eritrean restaurant and bar. The Root Slam is a twice monthly open mic there.
The Night Light [Jack London, Oakland] is a chill bar with a stage upstairs near downtown.
MLK Cafe [Longfellow, Oakland] is an Eritrean restaurant and bar. The Root Slam is a twice monthly open mic there.
The Night Light [Jack London, Oakland] is a chill bar with a stage upstairs near downtown.
The New Parish [Uptown, Oakland] is a big-ish club with indie acts on national tour.
Oakland.Secret [Old City, Oakland] is an events space and art gallery.
Oakland.Secret [Old City, Oakland] is an events space and art gallery.
Stork Club [Northgate-Waverly, Oakland] is a punk bar with stage. All kinds of music welcome.
Starline Social Club [Uptown, Oakland] is a bar venue with a restaurant in a Victorian building.
Starry Plough [South Berkeley] is a pub with a stage. Open mic on Tuesdays.
Starry Plough [South Berkeley] is a pub with a stage. Open mic on Tuesdays.
Subterranean Arthouse [Downtown Berkeley] is a gallery that regularly hosts music.
Revolution Cafe [West Oakland] is a lounge cafe-bar. Open mic on first Fridays of the month.
The Uptown Nightclub [Uptown, Oakland] is a bar with a spacious back room with stage.
The Uptown Nightclub [Uptown, Oakland] is a bar with a spacious back room with stage.
