Frommer's San Francisco 2012 - Matthew Poole [173]
The Boom Boom Room The late John Lee Hooker and his partner Alex Andreas bought this Western Addition club years back and used Hooker’s star power to pull in some of the best blues bands in the country (even the Stones showed up for an unannounced jam session). Though it changed focus and is now a roots music–oriented club, it’s still a fun, dark, small, cramped, and steamy joint where you can hear good live tunes—ranging from New Orleans funk, soul, and new wave, to trance jazz, live drum ’n bass, electronica, house, and more—Tuesday through Sunday until 2am. If you’re going to the Fillmore (see below) to see a band, stop by here first for a drink and come back after your show for more great music. The neighborhood’s a bit rough, so be sure to park in the underground lot across the street. 1601 Fillmore St. (at Geary Blvd.). 415/673-8000.www.boomboomblues.com. Cover varies from free to $15.
The Boom Boom Room.
Bottom of the Hill Voted one of the best places to hear live rock in the city by the San Francisco Bay Guardian, this popular neighborhood club attracts a diverse crowd ranging from rockers to real-estate salespeople; it also offers tons of all-ages shows. The main attraction is an eclectic range of live music almost every night (focusing on indie punk with the occasional country band thrown in), but the club also offers pretty good burgers, a bar menu, and outdoor seating on the back patio Wednesday through Friday from 4pm to 2am, Saturday through Tuesday 8:30pm to 2am. Happy hour runs Wednesday to Friday from 4 to 7pm. 1233 17th St. (at Missouri St.). 415/621-4455.www.bottomofthehill.com. Cover $8–$16.
Cafe du Nord If you like your clubs dim, sexy, and with a heavy dose of old-school ambience, you will definitely dig Cafe du Nord. This subterranean supper club has rightfully proclaimed itself as the place for a “slightly lurid indie pop scene set in a beautiful old 1907 speakeasy.” It’s also where an eclectic crowd gathers to linger at the front room’s 40-foot mahogany bar, or dine on the likes of panko-crusted prawns and blackened mahimahi. The small stage hosts an eclectic mix of local and visiting artists ranging from Shelby Lynne (country) to the Dickdusters (punk) and local favorite Ledisi (R&B). The popular storytelling series Porchlight often calls the cafe home. 2170 Market St. (at Sanchez St.). 415/861-5016.www.cafedunord.com. Cover $8–$20. Food $5–$15.
Scope-a-Scene
The local newspapers won’t direct you to the city’s underground club scene, nor will they advise you which of the dozens of clubs are truly hot. To get dialed in, check out reviews from the ravers themselves at www.sfstation.com. The far more commercial Club Line ( 415/339-8686; www.sfclubs.com) offers up-to-date schedules for the city’s larger dance venues.
The Fillmore Made famous by promoter Bill Graham in the 1960s, the Fillmore showcases big rock names in a moderately sized standing-room-only space. Check listings in papers, call the theater, or visit their website for information on upcoming events. And if you make it to a show, check out the fabulous collection of vintage concert posters chronicling the hall’s history. 1805 Geary Blvd. (at Fillmore St.). 415/346-6000.www.thefillmore.com. Tickets $17–$45.
Grant & Green Saloon The atmosphere at this historic North Beach dive bar is not that special, but Mondays feature jazz, Tuesdays are DJ and karaoke, and the local bands on Thursday through Saturday are decent. All in all, the space is an all-around great place to let your hair down. Not to mention, most shows are free, and you really can’t beat that. 1371 Grant Ave. (at Green St.). 415/693-9565.
Great American Music Hall ★★ Built in 1907 as a restaurant/bordello, the Great American Music Hall is likely one of the most gorgeous rock venues you’ll encounter. With ornately