Concert halls San Francisco & Bay Area

Old films and documentaries for this mission cinema where many film festivals are held.

Independent films, foreign films and documentaries are regularly displayed in the Light, a renowned art and test cinema in San Francisco since 1967.

Founded in 1923, the San Francisco Opera is home to the city's opera and ballet. The season runs from September to June and the program is very rich. The architect Arthur Brown Jr, a former student of the Beaux Arts in Paris, designed not only the War Memorial Opera House, whose foundation stone was laid in 1931, but also City Hall, the famous Coit Tower, the Veterans Building, Temple Emmanuel, and the Federal Office Building. His acoustics were greatly improved in 1980.

The place embodies the history of the Barbary Coast and Prohibition. Every night, artists take turns at the microphone for live concerts. On Mondays, it's open mics in town, a stage open to all. The rest of the week, the program revisits the roots of America, from bluegrass to country. Moreover, on Saturdays and Sundays, brunches are often accompanied by free concerts that add an extra touch to your quesadilla. Highly recommended to immerse yourself in the great American music!

A concert bar run by volunteers and music enthusiasts since 1986! Shaky programming and trendy bands for this small venue that struggles to make ends meet, but is the pride of the locals. The Gilman is mainly associated with having been the springboard for the 90s punk revival led by bands like Green Day, Operation Ivy, Rancid, AFI and The Offspring. A must-see for any rock fan visiting Berkeley, you'll find good sound and a great atmosphere here.

This magnificent cinema opened in 1925 and was for decades the first cinema in the city, showing the latest releases. Then, falling into ruin, it was not until the late 1980s that it was rehabilitated. Today, it has been restored to its former glory and the non-profit association that runs it shows the great classics of Hollywood cinema. Perfect for an original evening, in a majestic context all in gilding. It was closed during the covid crisis, but should reopen shortly.

Located in the centre of Berkeley, this small theatre is one of the best facilities in San Francisco Bay. Always of excellent quality, the pieces are more contemporary than at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre.

Punchline is a club known for launching the late Robin Williams and hosting Eddie Murphy among other American comedians and actors. It all started in 1978 when it opened its doors in what was originally a dressing room for The Old Waldorf, an adjacent rock club. Originally founded by Jonathan and Anne Fox with Jeffrey and Patricia Pollack, the venue was sold to Bill Graham in 1980, who developed it into a stand-up hot spot. For bilingual English travelers and connoisseurs of American humor!

This bar was opened in 1997 by John Lee Hooker. Today it is the most famous place in the Bay Area to hear the blues. The name of the establishment is a nod to one of Hooker's most famous songs, Boom Boom from 1962. You can also come and sway to the sounds of boogie, groove or soul. Moreover, every 3rd Wednesday of the month, Soul Train Revival evenings are organized, named after the famous American TV show dedicated to this style. The front is very pretty. Notice to the amateurs of dance...

This superb concert hall is historic, having been built in 1909 with the grandeur of the halls of the time. Featuring parquet flooring on stage and a horseshoe balcony, it's an example of Scottish architecture blending gilding, stucco and red velvet in neoclassical and beaux-arts styles. The musical program is one of San Francisco's most renowned, with major headliners in all styles performing here, from electro and American hip hop to rock, reggae and naija.

Bissap Baobab is a lively address with lots of live music on Mission Street, created by Marco, a friendly Senegalese who has lived here for many years. It's a place for concerts, DJ sets and get-togethers, offering world music (not necessarily African). The evening schedule is available on the website. On the menu are affordable and delicious West African specialties such as yassa chicken, mafé (with peanuts) and plantains (aloko)... as well as mixed salads and exotic cocktails.