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Music Open Mic's In the San Francisco Bay Area

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Below is a listing of Open Mic's for Musicians in the San Francisco Bay Area for every day of the week. (This is not a listing for spoken word/poetry open mics). Many open mic's move to different days, hosts change, some events are not held every single week and others simply wither away; thus this list may not be completely accurate. Always check the venue's web site and/or call first before attending any of the open mics listed below to verify that they are still continuing. We try to keep this list up to date. Notice a mistake, have updated information or know of an open mic that is not listed please contact us. Need to record a demo, CD or mp3's? Cosmic Circuit Studio provides professional digital recording & production services with an Apple Logic Pro certified engineer & provides direct on disc CD color printing - great for a professional demo.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
4th Street Tavern
711 Fourth St.
(x Lindaro)
San Rafael
8:30 pm.
415.456.4828
Brainwash
1122 Folsom St.,
San Francisco.
Sign-up 8 pm, show runs until 10 pm. P.A. system.
Hosted by Guinevere Q.
415.255.4866

Green Tortoise International Hostel, 494 Broadway (x Kearny), San Francisco.
Musicians, bands, comedians, drummers, beatboxers, etc - anything goes. International travel minded clientele. Free beer & chips. Starts 8:30 pm. Sign up online only! Email tortoisepubcrawl@yahoo.com
before 10 am Tues. Host Carrie Wolberg
415.834.1000

Last Day Saloon Santa Rosa
120 Fifth St. @ Davis St.
Santa Rosa
Sonoma County Blues Society Jam. Stage, dance floor. Sign up at 7 pm
Runs 7:30 - 11 pm.
$3 all ages.
707.545.2343
Bazaar Café
5927 California St., San Francisco. 6:30 pm sign up day of show (can also sign up days in advance). Runs 7 - 9:30 pm. Original songs only, no covers (very strict about this due to ASCAP issues). Contact Tom Meshishnek.
415.831.5620
Café International
508 Haight St., San Francisco.
7:30 sign-up, 8:00 pm event begins.
Mix of music & poetry. Hosted by Ramu. 415.552.7390

Frank Bette Center for the Arts, Saturday Afternoon Gallery Acoustic, 1601 Paru Street, Alameda
1st Sat of each month. 2 - 4 pm
Sign-ups 1:30 pm. Composers & musicians have opportunity to perform up to 3 originals. Co-hosted by Sarah Dunham & Boundless Gratitude.
510.847.3903

Silverado Brewing Co.
3020-A N. St. Helena Highway
 St. Helena, CA. 94574
Sign up @ 8pm.  Show runs from 8 pm-12 am
All ages.
Hosted by: Brooke Aved
707.967.9876

19 Broadway
17 Broadway Blvd. Fairfax
9:30 pm
Hosted by Derek Smith. (Call first because this is not every week).
415.455.0948

Starry Plough Pub
3101 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley
7:30 pm signup, 8 showtime. You can perform 2 songs. Featured acts are picked from the acts that go over real well with the audience. No cover. Hosted by Joan Pez and Girl George.
510.841.2082

Java
320 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur 8:30-10:00 pm.
415.927.1501

Notes From the Underground
2399 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
415.775.7638
McDonald's Book Shop
48 Turk St. (near Powell & Market), San Francisco
Open Mic on the last Friday of every month at 5:30 pm. All performers are welcome.  Call to confirm.
415.673.2235.

drumming on the guitar

Red Ink Studios
1035 Market St. (right before 6th), San Francisco. 7 pm. Hosted by Guinevere & Warren. Musicians, poets, & artists.

Red Rock Coffee House
201 Castro St., Mountain View.
Runs from 7- 10 pm with a featured artist at 9:30 pm. Hosted by Steve Cavin, Scott King on sound. Free, all ages.
650.967.4473
Freight & Salvage Coffee House,
2020 Addison St., Berkeley, Ca 94704. Various Tuesdays - please check online calendar - not every week. Doors open at 7:30 pm. Show starts at 8 pm. $5.50 ($4.50 in advance). Piano available. All ages. Stay entire night you get a free ticket to a show of your choice.
510.644.2020
Plough & Stars,
116 Clement Ave. at 2nd., SF. Every 1st Wednesday of the month. 8 pm. Bluegrass and country music jam. Acoustic instruments, no cover. Hosted by Jeanie & Chuck.
415.751.1122


Atlas Café
3049 20th Street,
San Francisco.
Open Bluegrass jam on the last Thursday of every month.
415.648.1047

Coffee Catz
West Coast Songwriters
6761 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol.
Songwriters Showcase: competition for WCS members. Every 3rd Fri, 6:30 pm sign-up, 7 pm perform. Playoffs in Aug. (No event in Sept.). Hosts: Kate Sholl/Ken Risling. Contact ksholl@sonic.net
707.799.4349

SF Alano Cafe
Acoustic vocal guitar open mic
1748 Market St SF @ Valencia
Upstairs, this is a clean & sober cafe. 3rd Sat. of the month
Sign Up 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm.
Performance order drawn from hat. Starts @ 8:40 pm. Time allowed is calculated dependent on turnout. End when it arbitrarily over.
Call 1st to confirm
415.255.7903

San Francisco Brewing Company
155 Columbus Ave.,
San Francisco 94133
The SF Artist Brew Acoustic Open Mic starts at 8 pm. Sign up early! Show is open to original music of any style - blues, folk, rock, jazz, R&B, etc.
House piano available.
415.434.3344

Hotel Utah
500 Fourth St. San Francisco. Sign ups up until 7:30 pm. Performance order drawn from hat. Music starts at 8:30 pm. Hosted by J.J. Schultz, Featured artist. Free 21 & older. More info http://www.theutah.org
415.546.6300
415.421.8308

Mission Coffee
151 Washington Blvd., Fremont,
1st & 3rd Tuesdays every month. 6:30 - 9 pm. (Call to confirm if this is still continuing - may have moved to only 3rd Friday of month)
More info, contact Kat at
510.623.6920

Mission City Coffee
2221 The Alameda
Santa Clara
Sign up at 7:30 pm. Open Mic from 8 -10:30 pm. Usually 3 songs. Mostly vocal & guitar or keyboards, but small bands are ok. Comedians, magicians & poets are infrequent but welcome.
408.296.4473


Coppa d'Oro,
3166 24th St. (@ Shotwell), San Francisco.
415.826.8003

Winters Tavern
1522 Francisco Blvd,
Pacifica
Backline, PA system. Starts roughly at 8:30 pm and ends at 1 am. Style of acceptable music is blues to heavy metal
they like 80's stuff like the cars and the babys.
605.355.6162

 

Black Magic Voodoo Lounge
1400 Lombard St. (@ Van Ness), San Francisco
Every other Sunday. 4 - 9 pm. No "sign up time", show up any time during the show. Mostly musicians, but all performance arts, & small bands welcome. No drum kits. They offer longer sets, up to a half hour. Hosted by Ray Alvarado.
415.931.8711
Blake's on Telegraph
2367 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley 94704
Acoustic only. Lottery-based sign up, guest appearances, and performance incentives. 8:30pm Sign up/ 9pm show | $1 pre 9pm, $3 gen, $2 musicians/students
510.848.0886
Coffee to the People
1206 Masonic Ave. (x Haight St.), San Francisco.
Sign up at 6:30, starts 7 pm . Ends 9:30 pm. Hosted by Dogman Joe. PA system.
Performers get 2 songs or 10 minutes
Performers get 20% off food and drinks. Become a Featured Artist by talking to the host
.
415.626.2435 
Kelly's of Alameda
1313 Park St.,
Alameda. Jazz oriented.
8pm to close.
510.769.1011
Belrose Theatre
5th & E street,
San Rafael.
8 - 10:30 pm. Singers,poets, comedians, dancers, bands..well behaved dogs, all welcome. $5 cover.
415.454.6422

Mission Coffee
151 Washington Blvd., Fremont,
3rd Friday of every month.
510.623.6920


 

Swig
(formerly the Blue Lamp)
Ed Ivey's Blues Jam,
561 Geary St. @ Taylor
San Francisco 9pm - 1:30am.
Blues oriented performers.
415.884.1464

Dylan's Pub
 2301 Folsom St @ 19th in the Mission.
San Francisco
Kyra Brown hosts an open mic for singer/song writers.
 8:30 - 11:30 pm. (Note: This open mic is on hold until fall '05 - call first to confirm it is still going).
415.641.1416

Vino Locale
431 Kipling St.
Palo Alto, CA
6 - 9 pm. Acoustic acts only. Check first before coming because they sometimes have other events scheduled on Tuesdays.
650.328.0450

The Park
747 Third St., (x King & Townsend), San Francisco. Every non-game day Weds. 8 - 11pm. 10 min slots. 10 to 15 slots total. Free. Music, poetry, spoken word, improv, & performance art.
12 channel PA, stage, lights, speakers, monitors, & engineer. Full bar. Hosted by Jeff Yates. Email promotions@theparksf.com or call after 3pm on day of show.
415.974.1925.

Ireland's 32
3920 Geary Blvd., San Francisco, 94118. Sign ups at 8 pm, performers begin 8:30 pm. 21 and older. Hosted by Dak.
415.386.6173

Java Source
343 Clement St., San Francisco
415.387.8025

singer
The Riptide
3639 Taraval @ 47th in the
Sunset District of San Francisco. Alisha hosts. Piano available.
Sign up 8:30 pm, begins at 9 pm.
415.681.8433
Essanay Cafe
37533 Niles Blvd., Fremont
2nd Tuesday of every month. (Check online calendar).
510.792.0112

Pat's Bar,
1517 Franklin St.
(@ 14th), Oakland
Blues Jam,
8pm-midnight
510.452.3338


Dallimonti's Restaurant
1932 Oak Park Blvd
Pleasant Hill
8:30 to midnight
Hosted by Steve Star.
Mostly vocals & guitar.
Actors, comedians, all performers welcome.
925.944.5224

Tiki Tom's
300 29th Avenue,
Oakland (Under the Park St. bridge). Blues jam. 3 pm - 7 pm. Hosted by Nichole da Luz. The slot is three songs sets unless it is packed.
510.532.9202

Rasselas Jazz Club
1534 Fillmore St @ Geary, San Francisco.
8:30-11:30 pm.
Free. Hosted by Dee Spencer and the Trio +1. Great house band can back up all styles, all are welcome.
415.346.8696

ReTox Lounge
628 20th St.,
San Francisco.
Hosted by "Open" Mike Fleming.
415.626.7386

Barefoot Coffee Roasters
5237 Stevens Creek Blvd., Santa Clara, 7pm-10pm. Hosted by Avery Burke.
408.248.4500

Cafe Casa
3136 Sacramento St, Berkeley.
Sign up          8:30 - 10 pm. Performances 9 til midnight. Electric piano available to play. 1 microphone & 2 instrument inputs. Small wine bar also serves food. Hosted by Katie Mourning.
510.654.5410

Dogpatch Saloon
2496 3rd St
San Francisco,
A jazz jam 4:30 - 8:30 pm, with the Vince Latteano Trio. Seasoned jazz musicians and singers often sit in with band. $5 cover.
415.643.8592

1751 Social Club
1751 Fulton St.
(@ Masonic) San Francisco.
Every 4th Monday of the Month. Sign-ups are 7:30 and the Open Mic starts at 8:00 pm. E-mail
events@1751socialclub.com
415.441.1751

Project One
251 Rhode Island St., Design District /Potrero Hill, San Francisco. Hosted by MC bryan with a "Y". Sign up at 7:30, music 8 pm until close. Time on stage depends on turn out (15-20 mins). Covers or originals ok. PA system. No cover. Stroll the art gallery & enjoy happy hour starting at 5pm.  Email: projectone.openmic@gmail.com
415.465.2129

Skip's Tavern
453 Cortland Avenue, San Francisco. Blues oriented.
415.282.3456

Cameron's Pub
1410 S. Cabrillo Highway, Half Moon Bay.
3 songs or 15 minutes. Plugged in (venue provides the PA & sound engineer). Sign up around 7 pm. Starts at 8 pm & goes until the last performer has finished. Ari hosts. Food available.
650.726.5705

singer

 

Finnegan's Marin
877 Grant Avenue
Novato, CA 94945
Hosted by KC Turner Sign-ups at 7 pm on 1st come 1st served basis at the bar or number below. Show starts at 8 pm. Free admission. All performers are welcome. House P.A.
573.289.0373

Jack's Club
2545 24th Street
San Francisco.
Comedians sign up at 7:30 pm, and have the stage from 8 - 9 pm.  Musicians sign up at 8:30 pm, Event begins at 9 and runs until everyone is done. Hosted by Mark (1st & 3rd Tues) and Carol Acuna (2nd & 4th Tues). Free.
415.641.5371

Missouri Lounge
2600 San Pablo Ave,
Berkeley
Hosted by Paul Pot
Sign up 7:30 pm.
21 and over.
510.548.2080

Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists Hall
Country Joe's Open Mic
1924 Cedar St (@ Bonita) Berkeley
2nd Thursday's. 6:30 pm sign up, 7 show. Runs until 10 pm. Featured act each month. Rotating emcees such as Mugg Muggles, Hali Hammer, Max Newton. Suggested donation $5-$10. Steinway grand piano, several mics, small stage, food & beverages for sale.
510.841.4824

Sausalito Cruising Club,
Blue Monday Blues Jam
Located at the Foot of Napa Street
in Sausalito - floating next to Dunphy Park
 8 pm - 11 pm.  
Hosted by Billy Dunn.
415.332.9922


Bollyhood Cafe

'Open Space Mic'
3372 19th St.
San Francisco.
8 pm - 12 am. Sign-ups start at 7:30 pm.
Mix of music, poetry, comedy, etc. Check web site for more info.
Everyone gets 12:34 minutes to express themselves.
415.970.0362

Clayton Valley Bowl
5300 Clayton Valley Bowl, Concord
Show starts at 8 pm. 21 and over. PA available. Hosted by Doug Caldwell.
925.689.4631 (ask for lounge)

Armando's
707 Marina Vista way, Martinez, Ca. Open mic for Jazz and blues first Thursday of each month. 7:30 sign in 8:00 PM Performance done on a lottery basis only.
925.228.6985

 

drummer


St. Stephen's Green
223 Castro St,
Mountain View.
Hosted by Chris & Steve. PA system. Piano available. Sign up 8 pm.
info@theopenmic.org
650.964.9151

 

Milk Bar SF
Elliott's Evil Jam
1840 Haight St. San Francisco
7 to 10 pm. Age: 21+ & up. Any style of music. 20 minutes per act with backline provided
Hosted by Elliott Shannonhouse & Cathey Cotten
Free. Sign up: jam@theevilplan.com
415.387.6455


Rockit Room
406 Clement St. @ 5th Ave
San Francisco, CA 94118
7:30 pm sign up, 8 starts. 2 songs (sometimes 3 depending on time) with a feature set of 20 min that is assigned prior to the night at 10pm.  Mostly acoustic but amps welcome without being patched PA, as well as small percussion sets. Hosted by Kanoa.
415.387.6343

 

 

Sweetwater Saloon
153 Throckmorton Ave,
Mill Valley,
(Currently closed - undergoing construction - problems and disagreements with ordanancies delaying re-opening ).
415.388.2820


Berkeley City Club
2315 Durant Ave.
Berkeley
8 to 11 pm. Specialize in jazz, blues, popular and Broadway but all types of music are welcome.
$10 + one drink minimum.  Dinner is available in the Club’s dining room with advance reservations.  10% off entrees. Hosted by Celia Ihne.
510.848.7800.

      Angelica's Bistro
863 Main Street, Redwood City 94063. Hosted by Randy Bales. Runs from 7- 9:30 pm. First come first serve, and usually ends up with a community jam at the end.
650.365.3226
     

last update: July 14, 2010
by Joe Rizzo
Cosmic Circuit Studio