Page 8 of 11
Noe Valley Ministry: At NVM -- home to the "Noe Valley Music" series -- come hear high-class bluegrass, folk, and old-time music in a stunning 200-person sanctuary (don't worry; they set up chairs). Tickets can be pricey, but the tunes are quality. 1021 Sanchez (at 23rd St.), 282-2317.
N'Touch Dance Club: From karaoke to thumping house beats, from male go-go dancers to divas, this gay club offers nightly spice, teeming with vibrancy and attitude. 1548 Polk (at Sacramento), 441-8413.
Old Rogue: This Irish pub has live music nearly every night of the week, including an open-mike night on Thursdays that’s become very popular with area songsmiths. On the weekends things get a bit louder when local rock and punk acts take the stage. But the schedule changes almost daily, so call ahead. 2319 Taraval (at 33rd Ave.), 566-9122.
Odeon: The Odeon ranks up there with the quirkiest of local establishments. Although yuppies and gawkers aren't always welcomed, some of the most fun and untamed of music and cabaret acts are. 3223 Mission (at Valencia), 550-6994.
Oxygen Bar, Sushi & Sake Lounge: A live DJ bar where you can also inhale oxygen, drink odd libations, and dig on the chill vibes, man. 795 Valencia (near 19th St.), 255-2102.
Papa Toby’s Revolution Cafe & Art Bar: The walls of this breezy Mission District cafe display a continuously changing exhibition of local visual art, and Papa Toby’s diverse music calendar follows suit. Two or three times a week, the small room offers free live jazz, creative folk, and (occasionally) laptop-driven ambient music. The lineup is always in flux, so be sure to call first. 3248 22nd St. (at Valencia), 642-0474.
Paradise Lounge: The former altrock club has reinvented itself to become a scenester heaven, featuring live pop bands and house-music DJs. See and be seen at this SOMA hot spot. 1501 Folsom (at 11th St.), 621-1911.
The Park: Located next to SBC Park, this place might seem like just another sports bar. But with an impressive roster of local talent -- bands ranging from jazz to rock to Top 40 -- and a bar that has more than just Coors Light on tap, this tasteful but accessible venue is one more reason to venture near the Giants stadium. 747 Third St (at Townsend), 974-1925.
Peacock Lounge: Channeling a sort of lodge/frat boy watering hole, with all its requisite joviality and excessive drinking, this Lower Haight anomaly seems to be open only when the good mood strikes. It's best to call before heading over. 552 Haight (at Fillmore), 621-9850.
Peña PachaMama: Latin rhythms and Cajun soul (and everything in between) soar here as listeners munch on savory Latin American food or head-bop at the bar. Moderate prices yield massive pleasures. 1630 Powell (between Union and Green), 646-0018.
The Pendulum: Nightly DJs give the gay male crowd what it wants -- in this case soul music (old and new) -- prompting swinging of all types on the dance floor inside and the patio outside. 4146 18th St. (at Collingwood), 863-4441.
Pier 23: This always-hoppin' waterfront spot bursts with a range of slick nightly bands -- rock, reggae, salsa, and jazz (and various combinations thereof). Usually crowded, always fun. Pier 23, Embarcadero & Filbert, 362-5125.
Pink: Although a wee bit unbefitting for a venue near the Mission District's coarse 16th and South Van Ness intersection, this new venue (replacing the admired Liquid) justifies its address with its bold elegance and nonintrusive French psychedelic and house beats. Decked out with an awesome chandelier, snappy seating, and lots of pink, DJ Franky Boissy's club brings a touch of class to an area in much need of it. 2925 16th St. (at South Van Ness), 431-8889.
Place Pigalle: This comfy Parisian-themed bar tucked away in Hayes Valley is a home away from home for many in the neighborhood. Listen to low-key DJs play mellow downtempo and breakbeats while you play pool, foosball, or board games. 520 Hayes (at Octavia), 552-2671.
Plough & Stars: Throwing back pints to a live soundtrack of traditional jigs and reels gives this Richmond watering hole a notably authentic Irish feel. Though P&S occasionally opens the stage to folk acts, the Emerald Isle crooners are the real treat -- whether offering tear-in-your-beer ballads or pint-swinging sing-alongs. 116 Clement (at Second Ave.), 751-1122.
Pound-SF: Tucked away (but worth the effort to find) is this edgy live concert venue, host to metal, rockabilly, and other branches of rock 'n' roll. 100 Cargo (at Pier 96), 826-9202.
Ramp: The musical tastes at this waterfront bar lean toward light jazz, pop, and easy listening most of the year, but in the summer a live salsa band accompanies the weekend brunch. When enjoying the Bloody Marys and boleros, remember to bring sunglasses and watch out for sea gulls. 855 China Basin (at Mission Rock), 621-2378.
Rasselas Jazz Club: This upscale urban spot in the heart of the Fillmore offers up nightly live jazz, blues, and R&B. Enjoy delicious Ethiopian food at the bar, fresh from the adjoining restaurant, and take in the scene in San Francisco's own "Jazz Preservation District." 1534 Fillmore (at Geary), 346-8696.
Rawhide II: This SOMA mainstay features a mixed bag of music, with different nights dedicated to goth, fetish, '80s, new wave, and more. A seafaring theme greets you in the front, but don't get stuck at the dock -- check out the three floors of dancing and the outside terrace upstairs. 280 Seventh St. (at Folsom), 621-1197.
