Bay Area Venue List
These are direct links to the venues' booking pages where possible. If you have info on venues not listed below, please send it Additional "notes" are a reflection of personal experiences at the club which other bands should be aware of. If you feel something's out of line, incorrect, or you have your own notes to add, feel free to about it. Thanks to Fruit Lamp Records for a lot of the Central Valley info.
Touring Bands: Wanna book a show in NYC?
Try the Loveless
Music Group - a similar site made up of NYC artists.
Jump to a specific area:
San Francisco
East Bay
Central Valley
Campus & Radio
San Francisco
2565 Mission Street @ 22nd, SF
booking@12galaxies.com
Provide what genre of music you play, where you have played in town, when
your last play was, how many people you drew at your last play, and how
many people you can expect to draw at a show here. If you are interested
in a supporting gig, you need to feel comfortable and confident that you
can draw 40-50 people. If you are looking to headline, you should be able
to draw 80-100. If you are looking to headline a weekend, you should be
able to draw 200-250.
23 Visitacion Avenue, Brisbane
Attn: Mark/Booking, club23booking@yahoo.com
They are accepting unsolicited music with an emphasis on post-rock.
853 Valencia, SF
Booking: amnesia1@mac.com, 415.970.0012
NOTES: A couple monitors and mics, direct box, small, high stage.
Amps are not mic'd. Best for small acts. Split the door minus door person's
cut. One drink ticket/person.
Annie's Social Club (formerly The Cherry Bar)
917 Folsom St., SF
Attn: Brian, anniesbooking@gmail.com
All of us at Annie's are S.F. club veterans. That's what makes it so fun.
Annie and Sean (the new owners) just grabbed the best S.F. rock club people
and here we are. All the bartenders know how to treat people, we only have
nice door people, not security guards. And we know that having fun is the
most important part.
3187 Mission (@ Valencia), SF
booking@arguslounge.com
Small divey Mission bar just down the street from the Knockout. Tiny stage in the corner. Best for solo type acts but bands have played there on occasion.
2183 Mission Street, SF
Email Balazogallery@yahoo.com.
Our current policies for music events are that we rent out our space for two different prices, 21 and over for $180.00 and all ages shows are $250.00. This payment is due 2 weeks prior to secure/book the dates for the bands. The bands book their line up and place the cover charge. The initial $250 or $180 from the door that is/if made goes back to the bands then we split the rest 80/20: 80% of money for the bands, 20% of money for The Balazo. Also if the initial $250 or $180 is not made back at the door, that amount is what is given to the artist/bands.
1233 17th Street, SF
Attn: Ursula, booking@bottomofthehill.com,
(415) 824-2829
1122 Folsom St., SF
booking@brainwash.com
From their website: "We can't guarantee that there will be microphones and
microphone cords available. Therefore, we recommend that you provide your
own. Audio Equipment On-Premises: 2 Audio Technica ST90 dynamic mics 1 Audio
Technica Pro3 dynamic vocal mic 1 Fender 150 watt 4-channel mixer with 4ins
+ 4outs 1 JBL P.A. speaker 1 P.A. System with 4 JBL speakers running thru
a Rane mixer"
NOTES: You have to do your own sound and setup. Tiny stage, 1 monitor.
Best for mellow acts. You get free food and drinks but all shows are free.
2170 Market Street, SF
Attn: Dan, dan@cafedunord.com
Send links to websites, mp3's or other music files, band bios and recent
tour or show history
NOTES: The best way to get any interest if it's your first time trying
to get a show here is to get a strong 3-bill lineup that you think will
draw 100-150 people.
398 12th St., SF
Attn: Doug, doug@sfeagle.com
Send or drop off demo to address above. We only do shows on Thursday nights,
and we generally book 1-3 months in advance. I get alot of requests, so
it takes a while to get a slot on one of the gigs. Touring bands take precedence.
It helps if you have some other bands in mind you want to play with. It
also helps to email me and kinda bug me about it. I usually don't answer
emails unless I have a show for you, but I read them all. So don't get bummed
out if I don't answer you right away.
950 Geary St, SF
Attn: Eric Jonasson, opalshows@yahoo.com
If it's your first time, be ready to give lots of information about your
band (i.e. your band name, where you're from, describe your sound/music
genre, band website, contact e-mail and phone number, and any other information
you feel is important to note). Demo CDs, tapes or press kits can be mailed
to or dropped off at the venue. Links to mp3s on the web are also acceptable.
NOTES: A soundperson might or might not show up so you could be stuck
figuring things out by yourself. They have a couple monitors and a couple
damaged mics, 1 direct box I think. If you charge a cover you have to take
care of it yourself, they supply a cashbox and stamp. You get a cooler of
various beer as payment.
647 Valencia Street, SF
Attn: Matt Shapiro, mattshapiro@mac.com
3158 Mission St (@ Cesar Chavez)
elriosf@mindspring.com
Give us your style, draw and links to your music if applicable. Please let
us know if you are willing to do a gig for free. We will respond to let
you know that we got your info and will forward you to the bookers.
NOTE: Always packed. Best to email first - with style of music and
draw. links to your music if applicable. They will respond to let you know
that we got your info and will forward you to the bookers. usually booked
two months in advance, that does not mean something won't cancel but two
months is typical. P.A., sound tech, and door person. load in 1 hour arrival
before you want to play/start is typical.
1131 Polk St., SF
Email tony@hemlocktavern.com
Include band/act name in the subject line. Please include either a website
link, or, if none is available, include bio info, description of the band
"sound", along with range of desired dates, brief info on past shows/bills.
MP3's on your website, or wherever posted, will almost always get listened
to.
NOTES: If you don't have much history or connections with a band who's
already played there it's very hard to get booked, let alone get a reply
about playing.
500 4th St., SF
booker@hotelutah.com, 415.431.2388
Provide links to your band's website, MP3s or other music files, bios, and
your recent tour or show history.
NOTE: Nice stage, monitors, direct box, amps are not mic'd. You get
50% off on food. No free drinks.
39 New Montgomery St. (between Market & Mission), SF
Attn: Skip, skip@houseofshields.com
An historic building with a nice bar and lots of seating downstairs. Bands
play upstairs in a small space. Just vocals and acoustic instruments are
mic'd. Conveniently located in downtown SF, just 1/2 block away from the
Montgomery BART/MUNI station.
NOTE: Skip from Estereo does the
booking here, so it's Cool Waves-friendly!
3223 Mission St. (at Valencia), SF
Email: wrestler@theknockoutsf.com
Eclectic Outer Mission waterhole. Cool place. Several tv monitors and tables. Lots of outlets to plug into!
The Lipo Lounge
916 Grant (at Washington), SF
415-675-9955
NOTE: A crazy Chinatown bar... you pay $60 and you get your own night
to do what you wish. call them and tell them exactly what date you want.
Ask if they have a PA.
500 Divisadero St., SF
To book music, please email a link to your website or myspace page to leila@madronelounge.com or drop off a demo at the address above.
3225 22nd St., SF
Fill out the request form at their website above.
NOTE: Awesome room and atmosphere. Spacious. Books a lot of Cool Waves bands.
628 20th St. @ 3rd St., SF
415-626-7386
155 Fell St.
Contact 415.235.5718 with the following info:
Band name, Phone number to contact you -- this is super important, What
size crowd do you normally draw on your own, Where have you played before?
What bands have you played out with already?What are your industry affiliations,
if any, What are some well-known bands that you could use to describe your
sound and your scene, If you can get a full bill together for a night, please
describe and estimate a likely draw, Give us as wide a date range as you
can for possible shows, Please do not email MP3s, as it clogs our inboxes
and makes us feel sad feelings.
2099 Folsom St. @ 17th., SF, 94110
Send CD to address above. Wait 4 weeks before contacting them. Email info@ritespotcafe.net
to check on submission.
NOTE: Cozy setting, piano, no stage, mostly acoustic acts.
406 Clement Street, SF, 94118
Email booking@rock-it-room.com. Wait about 2 weeks before before following up.
NOTE: Probably one of the best sounding small venues in SF. You get the pro treatment, like actual soundchecks and high quality house amps and drumkit.
1600 17th Street @ Wisconsin
booking@theeparkside.com
Include a small bio that tells us a little about your band, the music, and
the venues you have played, average draw and contact info including telephone
and email.
rko_needles@anundisclosedlocation-sf.com
An underground (literally) venue and non-profit private collective with monthly shows of edgy and unique music and art.
yeah, right!
East Bay
2367 Telegraph, Berkeley
Check extensive booking notes at the above link.
1911 Oregon St., Berkeley (crossstreet: MLK avenue)
An artist-friendly house where they hold basement shows. They have an impressive list of past shows. A refreshing change from the norm.
858 San Pablo Ave (@ Solano), Albany
Send CD & press materials to: Ivy Room, Attn: Sarah Baumann, 858 San
Pablo Ave, Albany, CA 94706
or email booking@ivyroom.com
NOTE: Really cool bar, but its in Albany. so the draw can be iffy.
1800 Cambell St., W. Oakland
caleb@lobotgallery.com
2318 Telegraph Ave., Oakland
jen@mamabuzzcafe.com
NOTE: This place is pretty much the center of the arty scene in Oakland.
Its small, but popular. Its hard to get a show if you don't seem uhh. arty
enough I guess. Its right next door to the Stork Club.
3101 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley
Call Misty Gamble, (510) 841 -1424
1800 Cambell St., W. Oakland
vitalance@hotmail.com
Send demos to: The Stork Club, 2330 Telegraph Ave., Oakland CA 94612. Door
is split evenly with all bands minus $65 for sound/doorman.
NOTE: Okay sound system. Easy to book a show, but they prefer you
make your own bill. Music pretty much every night.
Central Valley
1500 K Street, Sacramento
anodynebooking@yahoo.com
Send demos to: Anodyne Entertainment, Att: Booking, 5431 H Street, Sacramento,
CA 95819
233 3rd Street, Davis
(530)756-4444
NOTE: Tips only, they have a PA but you have to set it up yourself.
930 11th St., Modesto
info@FatCatModesto.com
NOTE: Large venue. Killer sound. They can get kind of blah... but
they have great Sun - Wed shows.
1025 19th Street, Downtown Sacramento
elizabeth@foolsfoundation.org
NOTE: Newer art/music space. Kind of hard to book if you aren't hip
enough or whatever. Shows any day of the week, starting around 10pm. All
ages.
228 G Street, Davis
gnetline@hotmail.com
NOTE: College bar. great pa. Steady draw. Rodney can fuck up the
line-up sometimes, so communication is key with him. Bands get split of
the door. Shows on Thursday - Saturday.
2430 S. Mooney Blvd, Visalia
vernalfalls@sbcglobal.net
1414 16th Street, Sacramento
NOTE: Try calling betw. Thurs-Sat after 5 and ask for Reubi or Art
(916) 441-3931. Awesome quesadillas.
659 West Main Street, Merced
Attn: RC, eloliowolof@yahoo.com
NOTE: Email RC of El Olio Wolof - he is pretty much the man in the
Central Valley indie scene. he knows everybody. beautiful building. some
shows are in the lobby, some are in the theater itself.
413 7th St., Modesto
(209) 522-0393
NOTE: Two stages, a front one, which is perfect for smaller acts,
and a back one, which has a patio linking off so people can smoke, drink,
socialize, and still hear the bands play. it is a late crowd, with even
weeknight shows starting around 10pm and going to last call. there is one
house p.a. with bad speakers and worse mics. this is a dive bar rock club
with a fickle and unpredictable audience. 180 capacity. some free shows,
some door charge.
1901 Tenth St., Sacramento
Email Cary or Kim, ironsides@rcip.com
or call (916) 442-3504.
NOTE: oldest bar in Sac. Pretty much a staple of the local scene.
Good sound
Red Square Cafe
1121 Alhambra, Sacramento
831 E. Fern, Fresno
starline@starline1.com or (559)
485-7517
NOTE: Cool all ages place
2401 Olympus Drive, Roseville
NOTE: Cool venue in the suburbs of Sacramento. Its actually run by
a yuppie Christian youth group. They book a lot of screeemo bands, but sometimes
they put together some cool avant-indie bills. Small split of the door.
Huge place. Killer sound.
Campus & Radio Events
KALX Radio
Attn: Special Events department
University of California
26 Barrows Hall #5650
Berkeley, CA 94720-5650
Email: Naes, naes@kalxlive.org
Lawrence Mahadoo
c/o KCPR 91.3fm
Graphic Arts Bldg 26, Room 201
Cal Poly State University
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
booking@kcpr.org
NOTE: KCPR is really in touch with the scene, and can help you promote,
get a show etc.
KDVS Live in Studio A
contact lisa@kdvs.org with all your information
and be prepared to send in a demo CD if necessary
KFJC Music Director
12345 El Monte Road
Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
NOTE: After sending CD, email a DJ w/ similar tastes, ask if they'll
'sponsor' you to do a live set.
PO Box 20190
Stanford, CA 94309