If you are in San Francisco and want to listen to some good live music and watch theatre shows, don’t worry. Since there are plenty of places where you can have the chance to enjoy these things, San Francisco has long been a place known for its musical nights and fun nightlife.
From Jazz to Classic or Blues to Latin, you can enjoy any type. In addition, the city’s performing arts centers and theatres are next level. Keep on reading to learn in detail about the Live Music in San Francisco and theater for your existing or next trip.
The Chapel
This 1914 edifice, a previous mortuary, is now one of the city’s most intriguing places to enjoy live music in San Francisco. Restaurateur Jack Knowles oversaw renovations and a 2012 reopening. Scarlet walls, wrought-iron sconces, and state-of-the-art acoustics match the historic carvings on the doors, dark wood beams, and moldings. Even though the 40-foot A-frame roof looks like a church, the environment is bustling thanks to the three bars and hard-rocking local bands.
Various musical genres, from jazz and indie rock to country and bluegrass, are featured each night. Curio, the new indoor-outdoor restaurant next to the Chapel, fuses Californian and Southern elements, serving a selection of bar snacks, meats, and seafood. Taking in all the Victorian dioramas, figural paintings, and antique clocks in the pub will make you feel weird.
Brick and Mortar Music Hall
With a capacity of 250, the venue has rapidly emerged as one of the city’s most significant spots for a wide variety of live music since it debuted in 2011 in the old Coda jazz club premises. At the Brick and Mortar, a small but energetic venue, you can see everything from a New Orleans-style brass band to an up-and-coming indie rock act to a Bay Area-style street rap artist. You may enjoy delicious Vietnamese pop-up Rice Paper Scissors at lunchtime and on weekends.
War Memorial Performing Arts Center
These three landmarks—Davis Symphony Hall, the Opera House, and the Herbst Theater in San Francisco—are the backbone of the city’s artistic community. Completed in 1932, the War Memorial Opera House is one of the few remaining American buildings of the Beaux-Arts style.
This venue hosts performances by the San Francisco Opera and the San Francisco Ballet in alternate seasons. The world-famous San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, led by Michael Tilson Thomas, performs in Davies Symphony Hall, just next door.
Z Space
Z Space encourages creative risk-taking, teamwork, and audience togetherness. Z Space, which has been located in the space formerly occupied by Theatre Artaud since 2009, is a performance incubator for the works of emerging playwrights. Dramatic scripted readings are presented to the public in Z’s Off the Page series, giving audiences a sneak peek at potential stage adaptations. In the basement, an 86-seat black box theatre called Z specializes in presenting experimental works and cabaret performances.
Rickshaw Stop
The Rickshaw has been a source of entertainment and exploration of new music and cultural trends throughout the indie/dance range and beyond since the year 2004. The space has a collegiate/rec room feel thanks to the mod plastic loungers, foosball table, and novelty lighting, yet people of all ages use it. In addition to many all-ages concerts and regular 21+ events, it is currently the home of the long-running 18+ dance party Popscene and the vintage party Club 1994.
Closing Words
San Francisco is home to a wide variety of museums, galleries, and performing arts venues, so you won’t be disappointed if you want to see a Broadway hit, hear some excellent live music, or experience the grace of ballet. Whenever you want something stress buster, just go for live music in San Francisco.
