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The 14 Best Jazz Bars in San Francisco

When looking for a cozy spot to enjoy live jazz music in San Francisco, jazz bars are the place to be. With a vibrant atmosphere and talented musicians, these venues offer a unique experience for music lovers.

Whether you're a seasoned jazz enthusiast or just looking to unwind after a long day, San Francisco's jazz bars have something for everyone. From classic cocktails to diverse music lineups, there's no shortage of options to choose from.

Discover the best jazz bars that San Francisco has to offer and get ready to immerse yourself in the world of smooth rhythms and soulful melodies. Whether you're looking for a low-key evening or a lively night out, there's a jazz bar in the city that's sure to meet your needs.

The Best Jazz Bars in San Francisco:

How this guide is ordered

This guide does not try to list everyone. It is our pick of jazz bars in San Francisco, built on each business's public reputation and on how central this service is to what it does.

Some businesses pay for a fuller profile or a featured position. It is only open to those that have already passed our selection, and it is always marked.

Top 3Full listMapHow to choose

Compare 14 local options

SFJAZZ, San Francisco#1
What stands out
  • Visiting SFJAZZ is always a highlight of the week, offering diverse jazz acts in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

  • The bar remains open during performances, allowing guests to enjoy drinks without missing a beat.

  • The venue is thoughtfully designed with easy access to elevators for a comfortable experience.

  • The facilities are modern and perfect for performances, with exciting and vibrant shows.

SFJAZZ

4.81,396 reviews
201 Franklin St, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States

SFJAZZ is a renowned live music venue located in San Francisco, CA, known for its exceptional performances and diverse jazz acts from around the globe. The venue offers an intimate atmosphere that celebrates the spirit of jazz, making it a must-visit spot whether you're a seasoned jazz enthusiast or new to the scene.

Key points from customer reviews:

Keys Jazz Bistro, San Francisco#2
What stands out
  • Warm and friendly staff, excellent music, and delicious drinks and food.

  • Amazing jazz performances and a memorable experience for visitors.

  • Excellent service, welcoming staff, and delicious cocktails.

  • Phenomenal acts on stage, a New York feel, and great live music sets throughout the week.

Keys Jazz Bistro

4.981 reviews
498 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133, United States

Keys Jazz Bistro is a renowned jazz club located in San Francisco, offering a variety of services and features that jazz enthusiasts will love. The venue provides dine-in options, including a great beer selection and delicious cocktails. Customers can enjoy live music and performances in a casual, cozy, and trendy atmosphere. Keys Jazz Bistro is also a family-friendly space that welcomes groups, LGBTQ+ individuals, tourists, and provides a safe environment for the transgender community.

Customer reviews speak highly of the exceptional experiences at Keys Jazz Bistro. Some key points from the reviews include:

Mr. Tipple's Jazz Club, San Francisco#3
What stands out
  • Cute little jazz club with good music, tasty drinks, and a delightful atmosphere perfect for unwinding.

  • Such a cool place with amazing drinks and a highlight of live jazz ensemble every night.

  • Unique concept for a cocktail/jazz bar with great music, competent musicians, and tasty dim sum.

  • Unbeatable jazz club with exceptional food, delicious drinks, and a welcoming community feeling.

Mr. Tipple's Jazz Club

4.6897 reviews
39 Fell St, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States

Mr. Tipple's Jazz Club is a renowned live music venue located in San Francisco, CA. This cozy spot offers a variety of amenities like a bar on-site, a restaurant, and gender-neutral toilets. The club is known for its live performances that create a laid-back and delightful atmosphere for all visitors.

Customer reviews rave about the experience at Mr. Tipple's Jazz Club:

Sheba Jazz Lounge, San Francisco#4
What stands out
  • An education in jazz/blues and the culinary arts.

  • Fantastic African menu with flavorful and delicious dishes.

  • Great friendly service and delicious food.

  • Unique craft cocktails and unique Ethiopian dishes.

Sheba Jazz Lounge

4.6570 reviews
1419 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115, United States

Sheba Jazz Lounge offers an unforgettable experience for guests looking for a unique blend of live music and delicious dining. This Black-owned lounge provides a cozy and trendy atmosphere, perfect for intimate gatherings or lively group outings. With a focus on fast service, great cocktails, and a fantastic wine list, patrons can enjoy crafted beverages while listening to live music performances.

Customers rave about the exceptional service and the flavorful African menu, with dishes like catfish and injera receiving high praise. In addition, the live jazz performances by talented musicians add an extra layer of enjoyment to the dining experience. Whether you're a jazz enthusiast or a food lover, Sheba Jazz Lounge promises a memorable evening of music, cuisine, and camaraderie.

Bix, San Francisco#5
What stands out
  • Warm bread, strong cocktails, and pretty decent food

  • Excellent atmosphere with live music, strong cocktails, and delicious food

  • Great relaxing lounge vibe with attentive service and delicious entrees and desserts

  • Classy ambiance, professional service, and superb live music

Bix

4.51,060 reviews
56 Gold St, San Francisco, CA 94133, United States

Bix is a renowned fine dining restaurant located in the heart of San Francisco. The establishment offers a variety of service options, including takeaway and dine-in services. Customers can enjoy highlights such as great coffee, great dessert, and live music within the premises, creating a unique dining experience.

Customers have lauded Bix for its exceptional service and quality of food. Some key points from customer reviews include:

With a rating of 4.5 and over 1060 reviews, Bix continues to impress patrons with its historic and upmarket atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for a fancy dinner or special event. Customer feedback highlights the establishment as a San Francisco institution that promises an unforgettable dining experience.

The Royale, San Francisco#6
What stands out
  • Great mixology session for team building

  • Nice little jazz bar with friendly staff and good drinks

  • Lively atmosphere with delicious cocktails and live music

  • Convivial bar for live music, excellent cocktails, and draft beer

The Royale

4.5250 reviews
800 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94109, United States

The Royale is a well-loved bar located in San Francisco, CA. With a rating of 4.5 stars, it has garnered praise from many satisfied customers. Some of the key points from customer reviews include:

This establishment offers a range of services and features including dine-in options, bar games, fast service, great beer selection, live music and performances, and more. Customers have praised the friendly bartenders, neighborhood vibe, and cool atmosphere of The Royale. If you're looking for a great spot to unwind with friends or enjoy some live entertainment, The Royale is the place to be.

Dawn Club, San Francisco#7
What stands out
  • A swanky, classy jazz bar with excellent decor and ambiance.

  • Great cocktails and attentive service from friendly staff.

  • Live music every night creates a fun and unique atmosphere.

Dawn Club

4.593 reviews
10 Annie St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States

Dawn Club is a sophisticated jazz club located in the heart of San Francisco. With a rating of 4.5 stars, this establishment offers a unique experience for music lovers. The club provides a variety of services and features such as live performances, great cocktails, and a cozy atmosphere.

Whether you are looking for a relaxing evening with live music or a vibrant night out with good drinks, Dawn Club is the perfect spot in San Francisco to unwind and enjoy the best of jazz music and unique cocktails.

Boom Boom Room, San Francisco#8
What stands out
  • One customer mentioned the fantastic Jazz Night on Tuesdays and enjoyed the live band, Gamper Drums.

  • Another customer praised the venue's unbeatable vibe and reasonable drink prices.

  • A regular patron highlighted the high caliber of musicians that perform at Boom Boom Room and the cozy, intimate ambiance.

  • A visitor recommended the venue as a must-visit spot for live blues enthusiasts, comparing it to popular music cities like Chicago and New Orleans.

Boom Boom Room

4.4544 reviews
1601 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115, United States

Boom Boom Room is a vibrant live music venue located in San Francisco. With a rating of 4.4 from 544 reviews, it's clear that customers love the energetic atmosphere and top-notch performances at this establishment.

Boom Boom Room offers active military discounts and is LGBTQ+ friendly, creating an inclusive space for all music lovers. Additionally, the venue provides wheelchair-accessible entrance and toilets for those with accessibility needs. Patrons can enjoy the bar on site and experience unforgettable live performances in a lively and welcoming environment. Whether you're a jazz enthusiast or blues aficionado, Boom Boom Room promises an unforgettable night of music and festivities.

Biscuits & Blues, San Francisco#9
What stands out
  • The exceptional live music creates an electrifying atmosphere that guests thoroughly enjoy.

  • The friendly servers provide excellent customer service, enhancing the overall experience.

  • The delicious food and drinks contribute to a memorable visit to this iconic venue.

Biscuits & Blues

4.4441 reviews
401 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States

Biscuits & Blues is a renowned live music venue located in San Francisco. Known for its captivating live performances, this establishment offers a unique experience for music enthusiasts. The venue is family-friendly and ensures accessibility with wheelchair-accessible entrances and toilets. With an on-site bar and restaurant, guests can enjoy delicious food and drinks while immersing themselves in electrifying music.

Loyal customers have praised Biscuits & Blues for various aspects of their experience:

Whether you're looking for a night of soulful blues or simply want to unwind in a vibrant setting, Biscuits & Blues promises an unforgettable experience that will leave you wanting to come back for more.

Jazz Room, San Francisco#10
What stands out
  • Customers rave about the friendly and inclusive environment, making it feel like the show Cheers where everyone is welcome.

  • The Jazz Room offers a range of entertainment options from Karaoke nights to live music performances, ensuring there is something for everyone.

  • Guests appreciate the fast service, great selection of beers and cocktails, as well as the casual and trendy atmosphere that the bar provides.

Jazz Room

4.4147 reviews
5267 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94124, United States

Jazz Room is a local favorite bar in San Francisco, offering a cozy and welcoming atmosphere for everyone to enjoy. With a rating of 4.4, it's clear that customers love the laid-back vibe and the variety of services and features provided.

Whether you're looking to unwind after work with a drink, enjoy live music, or have a fun night out with friends, Jazz Room has something for everyone. So why not stop by and experience this local gem for yourself?

Jazz Chez Hanny, San Francisco#11
What stands out
  • Absolutely great! If you are a Bay Area jazz fan, this is the place to visit. Cool small format room in a larger house, seating for maybe 50 folks tops. Good acoustics, intimate setting with wine/snacks at the break. Great music, highly accomplished musicians - do you have a better way to spend your Sunday afternoons?!? $25 cash at the door, all monies go to musicians. Cheap at twice the price!

  • Intimate jazz venue with an awesome collection of vintage pinups and other sundry items

  • Great jazz in a laid back atmosphere in Frank's living room

  • Great music, great musicians, great venue

Jazz Chez Hanny

5.07 reviews
1300 Silver Ave, San Francisco, CA 94134, United States

Jazz Chez Hanny is a renowned live music venue located in San Francisco, CA. The venue offers live performances that are highly acclaimed by its visitors. The intimate setting provides a unique experience for jazz enthusiasts. The venue is praised for its great acoustics, talented musicians, and welcoming ambiance.

Customers have left glowing reviews about Jazz Chez Hanny. Some key points from their feedback include:

These reviews highlight the exceptional experience that Jazz Chez Hanny offers to its patrons. Whether you are a jazz aficionado or someone looking to enjoy live music in a cozy setting, this venue is the perfect place to unwind and appreciate talented musicians.

Black Cat Jazz Supper Club, San Francisco#12
What stands out
  • The atmosphere is cool and swanky, with attentive and accommodating staff. The cocktail program is excellent, and the food is very good.

  • Customers appreciate the outstanding music performances, but some found the additional fees added to the bill to be off-putting.

  • One guest described the experience as outstanding, praising the band Julian Davis Reid and the Chosen Few, along with the superb ambience and food.

  • Another reviewer appreciated the drinks, music room, and overall experience but pointed out the multiple extra charges on the bill.

Black Cat Jazz Supper Club

4.3952 reviews
400 Eddy St, San Francisco, CA 94109, United States

Black Cat Jazz Supper Club is a renowned jazz club located in the heart of San Francisco. They offer a variety of services including takeaway and dine-in options for their customers. The club is known for its fast service, great cocktails, and an impressive wine list. Furthermore, guests can enjoy live music and performances in a cosy, trendy, and upmarket atmosphere.

With a rating of 4.3, Black Cat Jazz Supper Club has received over 952 reviews from satisfied customers. Here are some key points from their reviews:

Black Cat Jazz Supper Club is a must-visit destination for jazz enthusiasts and those looking for a memorable night out in San Francisco.

Nova Jazz Band, San Francisco#13
What stands out
  • Nova Jazz is the best of the best, providing mesmerizing live music that wows guests.

  • They cater setlists to fit the specific needs of each event, creating a memorable experience.

  • The band's responsiveness, professionalism, and quality performance make them a top choice for any event.

  • Nova Jazz delivers exceptional music that enhances the atmosphere, leaving guests impressed and satisfied.

Nova Jazz Band

5.026 reviews
566 Vallejo St. #19, San Francisco, CA 94133, United States

Nova Jazz Band is a premier Musician located in San Francisco, CA. They offer top-notch services for various events, including weddings, corporate parties, and more. Customers have rated them a perfect 5.0 stars, highlighting their exceptional talent and professionalism.

Some key points from customer reviews:

If you're looking for a professional and talented jazz band for your next event, look no further than Nova Jazz Band!

Zingari Ristorante e Jazz Caffè, San Francisco#14
What stands out
  • Customers appreciate the friendly staff and delicious food.

  • The ambiance is fantastic, especially for those who love live music.

  • Service is top-notch, with knowledgeable staff providing an impeccable dining experience.

Zingari Ristorante e Jazz Caffè

4.2783 reviews
501 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States

Zingari Ristorante e Jazz Caffè offers a captivating experience that blends the savory flavors of an Italian restaurant with the lively sounds of jazz music. The restaurant is known for its exquisite pasta dishes and delightful cocktails, providing an unforgettable dining experience.

The comparison at a glance

#BusinessRatingReviews
#1SFJAZZ 4.81,396
#2Keys Jazz Bistro 4.981
#3Mr. Tipple's Jazz Club 4.6897
#4Sheba Jazz Lounge 4.6570
#5Bix 4.51,060
#6The Royale 4.5250
#7Dawn Club 4.593
#8Boom Boom Room 4.4544
#9Biscuits & Blues 4.4441
#10Jazz Room 4.4147
#11Jazz Chez Hanny 5.07
#12Black Cat Jazz Supper Club 4.3952
#13Nova Jazz Band 5.026
#14Zingari Ristorante e Jazz Caffè 4.2783

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Map of Jazz Bars in San Francisco

San Francisco is renowned for its vibrant jazz bar scene, offering a variety of venues that showcase talented musicians and provide a unique and memorable nightlife experience. Whether you're a jazz enthusiast or just looking for a fun night out, there's something for everyone in this city's diverse jazz bar landscape. Check out the map below to discover the hotspots for live jazz in San Francisco.

How to choose Jazz Bars in San Francisco

  1. Live jazz performances every night.
  2. Expertly crafted cocktails.
  3. Intimate and welcoming atmosphere.
  4. Knowledgeable staff.
  5. Prime locations in the city.

Frequently asked questions

What is a jazz bar?

A jazz bar is a venue where live jazz music is performed regularly. These establishments often have a relaxed and intimate atmosphere, making them popular spots for both jazz enthusiasts and casual music listeners. At a jazz bar, you can expect to hear a variety of jazz styles, including bebop, cool jazz, and fusion. Many jazz bars also showcase local talent, providing a platform for emerging musicians to share their art. These venues may offer a selection of drinks and small plates, creating a cozy setting for patrons to enjoy great music and good company.

What makes a jazz bar in San Francisco unique?

A jazz bar in San Francisco is unique due to the city's rich history and vibrant music scene. San Francisco has been a hub for jazz music for decades, attracting talented musicians and passionate fans. Many jazz bars in San Francisco have a distinct character, reflecting the city's diverse cultural influences and artistic energy. From cozy speakeasy-style venues to hip modern bars, there is a jazz bar in San Francisco to suit every taste. Visiting a jazz bar in San Francisco offers not only a chance to enjoy world-class music but also an opportunity to immerse oneself in the city's creative spirit and musical legacy.

How can I find a good jazz bar in San Francisco?

When looking for a jazz bar in San Francisco, it's helpful to start by researching online for recommendations and reviews. Websites and apps dedicated to nightlife and music venues can provide valuable insights into the city's jazz scene. Additionally, local publications and event listings often feature updates on upcoming jazz performances and events in San Francisco. Following jazz musicians and venues on social media can also help you stay informed about the latest shows and happenings. Lastly, asking friends and colleagues for their recommendations or attending jazz festivals and concerts in the city can lead you to discover new favorite jazz bars in San Francisco.

What should I expect when visiting a jazz bar in San Francisco?

When you visit a jazz bar in San Francisco, you can expect to encounter a diverse crowd of music lovers of all ages. The atmosphere is typically laid-back and welcoming, with an emphasis on enjoying the music and socializing. Most jazz bars in San Francisco have a cover charge for live performances, so be prepared to pay a small fee to enjoy the music. Many venues also have a two-drink minimum, ensuring that patrons contribute to the overall ambiance and support the musicians. Overall, visiting a jazz bar in San Francisco is a unique and exciting experience that allows you to immerse yourself in the city's vibrant jazz culture and connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for great music.

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