Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
What a comeback: this 1917 theater has shed its 1970s porn-palace notoriety and reclaimed the limelight as the American Conservatory Theater venue for…
Must-see entertainment in San Francisco
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
For ideas too big to squeeze into 10-minute TED talks, count on the Commonwealth Club. America's most influential public-affairs forum hosts several…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
Once only musicians were allowed backstage at the Symphony's cavernous rehearsal space, because the acoustics weren't fit for audiences – but with digital…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
Go Public for story-slam nights with NPR's the Moth, appearances by Questlove, European electronica fascinators like Jan Blomqvist, SF Opera pop-up nights…
Japantown, Fillmore & Pacific Heights
Underground cinema draws small but dedicated crowds to this independent 143-seat basement theater. Local indie films, international documentaries, current…
The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill
Combining performance art and dance, maverick Joe Goode's troupe tours internationally – but it all begins in the Mission's Joe Goode Annex, where you can…
The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill
Velvet curtains and round booths invite you to get comfortable under the disco ball for an evening of utterly unpredictable entertainment, ranging from…
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
It resembles a surf shack, but this old waterfront restaurant regularly features R&B, reggae, Latin bands, DJs, mellow rock, the occasional jazz pianist…
Japantown, Fillmore & Pacific Heights
Hot jazz comes extra spicy at Sheba's – a Fillmore supperclub where jazz combos play nightly, while sister co-owners Israel and Net Alamayehu dish out…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
Holding your breath is instinctual as you watch this classically trained modern-dance troupe throw themselves into precise, muscular choreography, with…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
With a steady lineup of top-notch regional and national blues and jazz talent, this intimate place off Union Sq earns its reputation as the Bay Area's top…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
First ladies of the world, look out: these dazzling Asian divas can out-hostess you in half the time and half the clothes. Cocktails and Asian-inspired…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
Sprawling across the top floor of the Metreon mall complex, the 16-screen Metreon cinema has comfortable stadium seats with clear views of digital…
Japantown, Fillmore & Pacific Heights
A go-to for rainy day matinees, featuring big-name flicks and film festival favorites. Pro tips: reserve a stadium seat online ($2 extra) and arrive early…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
Big acts with international followings play this former vaudeville theater. Marquee names like Wu-Tang Clan, Iggy Pop, Kanye West and Sarah Silverman…
The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill
Forget standard playlists – this closet-sized boho dive will make you lose your mind for Monday bluegrass jams, Tuesday Troubled Comedy sessions,…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
Not your grandma's ballet, Smuin debuts original balletic works inspired by cartoons, cello prodigies and Dr Martin Luther King's civil rights speeches…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
Jazz cats have stalked the Tenderloin ever since Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker and Dave Brubeck played underground clubs here – and Black…
The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill
The vintage dive-bar neon in the middle of warehouse nowhere-land is pointing you in the Rite direction for offbeat performances banged out on a tinkling…
San Francisco
First stop Cannes; next stop Balboa and 37th, where film-fest favorites split the bill with Bogart noir classics, family-friendly Saturday-morning…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
This Victorian saloon ruled SF's '70s underground scene, when upstarts Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams took to the stage – and fresh talents surface…
The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill
Musicians, you're among friends: classically trained musicians and jazz artists jam here daily. Hot weekend days call for iced coffee and live Latin jazz,…
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
Bay Area Theater Sports explores all things improv, from audience-inspired themes to whacked-out musicals at completely extemporaneous weekend shows. Or…
San Francisco
Big voices at this mixed straight-gay karaoke bar could rattle pennies in the US mint uphill. If you can't decide what to sing from the 30,000-plus…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
Guaranteed good times by Gogol Bordello, New Found Glory, Shiny Toy Guns and female Stones tribute band Chick Jagger fit the bill at this intimate club,…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
Big nights come with bragging rights at Mezzanine, with one of the city's best sound systems and crowds hyped for breakthrough shows by hip-hop greats…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
The pool table and TV are mostly ignored at this artsy Parisian-style cafe-bar, where the local crowd roars for free live jazz, DJs, vintage soul and…
The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill
Throwing swanky soirees since 1916, the Verdi Club hosts bawdy storytelling nights, swing-dancing lessons, drag-star comedy shows, the odd lucha libre …
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
Known for launching big talent (including Robin Williams, Chris Rock, Ellen DeGeneres and David Cross), this historic stand-up venue is small enough for…
San Francisco
A vast yet cozy venue with all the right moves, including Monday salsa dance classes, Russian karaoke (no language skills required) and indie rock acts…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
Line up at Union Sq's ticket booth to score half-price (or at least discounted) seats for unsold day-of, next-day or even future shows. Check the website…
The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill
San Francisco's underground arts scene has taken up residence in a sunny Mission loft. Red Poppy hosts artist residencies, live jazz and roots music, and…
San Francisco
Big opera sung in English with a chamber orchestra in intimate venues around the Bay Area.
San Francisco
Hosts world-class classical performances at the Herbst Theater.
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
Lou's presents live blues on Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons. Primarily a restaurant, it also has a few bar tables near the bandstand and…
San Francisco
Before John Woo, Ang Lee and Wong Kar-wai hit multiplex marquees, they brought down the house in the Four Star’s postage-stamp-sized screening rooms…
The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill
Get your salsa, rumba and bachata (Dominican dance) on at this high-ceilinged, stadium-sized Latin venue that books slick international touring acts. Most…
San Francisco
For people who swear they'll never sing in public, Encore lowers the stakes – this place is a dim rumpus room, where your audience lounges on Naugahyde…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
Views are mesmerizing from the 21st floor of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, where tourists and couples on date nights cut loose and dance to live bands …
