The Saloon

Address
1232 Grant Ave
San Francisco, CA 94133 United States Get Directions
Website https://thesaloonsf.com/
Vibe: Old‑School Barbary Coast | Authentic Blues Dive | North Beach Time Machine
The Saloon is widely regarded as San Francisco’s oldest continuously operating bar, with roots in the 1860s Barbary Coast era and a reputation as a cornerstone of North Beach nightlife. It famously survived the 1906 earthquake and fire—legend says thanks to stout timbers and a determined fire brigade—and still revolves around its original wooden back bar, carved overseas and shipped to San Francisco in the 19th century.
Live music & atmosphere  
The Saloon is a world‑renowned blues sanctuary with live music seven nights a week,  two bands per day: afternoon sessions around 4:00–8:00pm and evening sets from 9:30pm–1:30am. Expect blistering electric blues, gritty R&B, and raw rock and roll. The small stage and tight dance floor turn every set into multi-generational standing‑room‑only party. You come here to be in the middle of it, not to sit back and observe.
Drinks
This is a straight‑ahead bar: cold beer, strong well drinks, and not much in the way of mixology—two ingredients max. Come for a stiff pour and a proper shot of blues, not a craft cocktail list.
Details that define the room
• Old‑school cash‑only establishment.
• Stools are limited and go fast; arrive early between the afternoon and evening sets if you want a seat.
• A diverse, come‑as‑you‑are crowd, from neighborhood regulars to visiting blues obsessives, all crammed into a room that feels like you’ve gone back in time.
Categories: North Beach

Events at this venue

Today

  • Jose Simioni Trio

    The Saloon 1232 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA, United States

    Jose Simioni Trio's improvisational jazz performance at the Saloon from 4:30pm to 6:30pm with Dylan Garrison on drums and Ron Estrada on vocals and guitar.

    Free

  • Lisa Kindred Band

    Lisa Kindred Band
    The Saloon 1232 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA, United States

    The Lisa Kindred Band carries on the spirit and repertoire of beloved Mill Valley–based blues, folk, and rock singer Lisa Kindred, whose roots stretch from the 1960s Greenwich Village folk scene to decades shaping the Bay Area blues community. At The Saloon, the band keeps her legacy alive with sets steeped in classic blues, roots,...

    Free

  • GG Amos

    The Saloon 1232 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA, United States

    GG Amos brings her west coast blues sound to the Saloon, drawing on more than 35 years as a blues guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and arranger. A riveting performer who has played everywhere from concert halls and festivals to roadhouses, wineries, and neighborhood bars, she blends blues, jazz, funk, Latin elements, and soul jazz into a...

    Free

  • Stan Erhart

    Stan Erhart
    The Saloon 1232 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA, United States

    Stan Erhart leads a guitar-driven trio at The Saloon in North Beach with a mix of roots rock, blues, and funk. The band features Marc Levine on bass and vocals, Stan Erhart on guitar and vocals, and Randy Hayes on drums and vocals.  

    $5

  • Peter Lindman

    The Saloon 1232 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA, United States

    Peter Lindman and Roger Rocha turn Monday afternoons at The Saloon into a 4–8 pm time warp of classic rock and sixties-era favorites, delivered with the easy swagger of true North Beach regulars. Armed with Peter’s ringing 12‑string acoustic and Roger’s soulful electric guitar and vocals, the duo leans into songs you know by heart—Dylan,...

    Free

  • The Blazers

    The Saloon 1232 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA, United States

    The Blazers return to The Saloon in North Beach with a set rooted in electric West Coast and Chicago blues traditions, maintaining the steady rhythmic feel long associated with Grant Avenue. The band features Daniel Riley on guitar and vocals, José Simioni on guitar, Josh Jackson on bass, and Randy Hayes on drums, emphasizing traditional...

    Free

  • Blues Power

    Blues Power
    The Saloon 1232 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA, United States

    Catch Blues Power at the Sunday afternoon residency at the Saloon. Blues Power is a San Francisco blues project led by Mark Naftalin, known as a legendary pianist, producer, and blues advocate. The core band members typically include Mark Naftalin on keyboards, along with a rotating lineup of top Bay Area blues musicians such as...

    Free

  • Delta Wires

    The Saloon 1232 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA, United States

    Delta Wires bring their powerhouse blues to the stage at the Saloon. Inducted into the California Blues Hall of Fame and voted “Best Live Band” by the East Bay Express, they draw on their long Bay Area history and festival appearances, including the San Francisco Blues Festival, to present a set rooted in their established...

    $5

  • Mari Mack & Livin’ Like Kings

    The Saloon 1232 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA, United States

    Mari Mack & Livin’ Like Kings bring a blues-focused set to The Saloon in North Beach. Today’s lineup features Mari Mack on vocals with Arne Frager on bass, Richard Wood on keys, Dave Powell on guitar, and Martin Cunningham on drums.  

    Free

  • Wendy DeWitt

    Wendy DeWitt
    The Saloon 1232 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA, United States

    Wendy DeWitt plays boogie woogie and blues on the National and International blues scene. And you can see her at the Saloon. With Kirk Harwood, Wendy is a two-time regional winner, and International Blues Challenge Finalist. Former pianist for Hank Ballard, and 30 years of working with Chicago legend Steve Freund, Wendy has also played...

    $5

  • Mike Henderson

    The Saloon 1232 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA, United States

    Mike Henderson, dubbed “the Blues Professor” by John Lee Hooker, is a veteran blues guitarist, singer, and bandleader who holds a monthly afternoon slot at The Saloon, San Francisco’s oldest bar. His sets lean into electric Chicago and West Coast blues, with lived‑in vocals and sharp guitar work. It’s barroom blues at close range.  

    $5

  • Takezo

    The Saloon 1232 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA, United States

    Takezo (Yoshinobu Takeda) is a rhythm and blues singer and guitarist who appears at The Saloon in North Beach. Born in Kagawa and raised in Kyoto, he began singing in bands and composing music at age 12, drawing early inspiration from American film soundtracks, The Beatles, and Otis Redding, and has been based in San...

    Free
Event details are subject to change. Please confirm dates, times and cover charges directly with the venue before attending.