Top 5 Music Venues For Fantastic Nights In San Francisco

Music is simply one of those things that brings people together, and these hotspots in San Francisco have mastered the art of combining music, food, and people to create venues that are about more than just the music. We give you five of the best.

1. The Fillmore

Music Venue

One of the staple music venues in San Francisco is The Fillmore. Starting out as a dance hall, it opened in 1912, and the property itself has evolved into a roller rink, and finally a music hall. Big names like Jimi Hendrix have played at The Fillmore, and other bands such as The Grateful Dead found their claim to fame there. One of the coolest part of the concerts is the posters that the Fillmore creates, a perfect piece to take home to remember the event. Surrounding the general admission floor is a full bar and tables for when your legs give out on you.

2. Slims

Music Venue

Slims has been around since 1988 and is a full-on nightclub dedicated to achieving the perfect evening experience – food, drinks, music and history. Their music ranges from American Roots all the way to Cajun/Zydeco style. This electric venue has featured artists of high calibre, including Prince and Radiohead, and has been voted ‘Best Bar & Club’, ‘Best Sound’, and ‘Best Music Venue’ by multiple publications, making it a must go-to venue in the city.

3. Bimbo’s 365

Nightclub, Pub Grub

Bimbo’s 365 was established in 1931 by Agostino Guintoli and his former boss, Monk Young. This venue features all sorts of entertainment, from comedy to jugglers, but the music showcases are some of the best. The artists featured at Bimbo’s 365 are some of the best of jazz and rock, and the venue has always been a celeb destination since opening during the heat of the Depression.

4. Feinstein’s at Hotel Nikko

Bar, American

There are few places where Broadway meets drag, and where drag meets jazz and blues, but one of these is most definitely Feinstein’s. Feinstein’s was established by Grammy and Emmy nominated entertainer Michael Feinstein. The setting of Feinstein’s is more on the elegant side, but that does not take away from the cozy atmosphere. Weekly events include a Taiko Drum Ceremony and Sake and Sound, so whatever the day, there is something for everyone.

5. The Independent

Music Venue, Shop

Over 10 years and 2,500 shows later, The Independent is still one of the hottest spots in the city to see a show. The club, located north of Haight-Ashbury, have hosted major headliners like Vampire Weekend, Green Day, and The Black Eyed Peas, to name a few. Ranked at #30 in 2013 for ticket sales worldwide – and that does not even do the venue justice – combining culture and diversity with music is The Independent’s secret to providing one of the best music venues in the city.

By Amanda Jones

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.