This venue is really cool and good vibes but I'm writing this review as a warning of being charged extra for tickets, they have now put a entry fee separate from the tickets you purchased online which is illegal and goes against many policy and scamming us if you'd do your research on their entry fee issue.i understand it's to help profit gain but this shouldn't be the way to do it no matter what and that fact you have to buy a new card each time you lose it makes it even more worse, we already paid for our tickets we shouldn't have to pay an extra fee as well!! read more

I've been here quite a few times over the last few years. The volunteers always make me feel welcome. The shows have been absolutely amazing. Every one of them. Without fail. Follow the rules (they're posted on the door) but once you're in you can pop next door to the brewery if you want a drink and come back if you're so inclined. Bring earplugs (you'll need them) and an open mind and don't be a jerk. read more

924 Gilman - Music Venues Near Me - Berkeley, California

I don't recommend. Also they never answer their email if you wanna book a show. It's bs. This venue is super unprofessional. When my band played their they got our sound all messed up so our vocalist had to shout in the microphone to be even heard by the front row!!! Their only claim to fame is that Green Day played their back in the day. That's it. It's awfullll don't recommend read more

Super chill ambiance, I had tons of fun at the Jhariah concert! It was LOUD. I didn't have time to tell staff since the crowd & traffic was moving but a piece of ceiling did fall on me at some point of the night. So hopefully renovations are in their future but I still kept the pieces of wood as a souvenir! - it didn't hurt. read more

924 Gilman - Music Venues Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Goods time at a cool spot. If you like punk and rock local music and appreciate a classic venue then this is your place. Cash only, no concessions and no alcohol, so come prepared. Fieldwork is 2 blocks west if you want some great beer, and Farm Burger is two blocks east for a great burger. Gilman Brewery is next door for good beers at a quieter place. Plus, across the street is Whole Foods for anything else you might want. Watch the film 924 Gilman Street on Netflix if you want the history of the place. It's an East Bay punk rock classic joint. read more

924 Gilman - Music Venues Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I don't know that ive ever been anywhere louder in my entire life but it was a really cool venue and the space allows for a lot of different show options. Luckily they have a little shop that sells Kirkland brand microwaveable popcorn and ear plugs for a very nominal price. They have free water in Gatorade jugs and just ask that you re-use your cup, and they sell no alcohol so a night out at 924 Gilman is bound to be a budget friendly one. The staff here were... ambivalent? Which is fine. If I had my eardrums blown out on the regular at a straight edge venue, I'd probably feel similarly. There's a real grassroots vibe here, though they're apparently somewhat backed by members of Green Day as a thank you for being an outlet for them when they were coming up in the Bay Area. The selection of shows here run the gamut but the show I attended was a metal, then experimental drum band, then a funky one man from outer space band, then a metal robotic band. It was... not for everyone. But it was for me. read more

This non profit is an all ages, substance free music venue that really gears to the punk scene. It's been around for 30 years doing it's thing! While, I admit this was actually my first punk show ever and I'm not the biggest fan, I am a fan of 924 Gilman and what it represents and the service it provides for Berkeley. The Sunday night show was $10 cover, plus the $2 membership fee. 4 bands, 1 of which was a wizard and 1 of which had robots. Yep. The other were 2 were more closely to what I would refer to as death metal. It's loud, but it's something different. They have a little snack bar where you can buy ear plugs (needed), water and chips and such. Coffee is free, but a donation is encouraged. They are all about being welcome to all with no judgement and you gotta get behind it. Surprisingly, the bathroom was pretty clean! read more

I went to see a friend's punk set here a few weeks ago on a weekend night. I had this notion in my head of this place being filled with high schoolers given that it's an all-age venue, but that was definitely not the case. The venue's small but cool, the sound setup was pretty good (you can get earplugs at the front for pretty cheap), and the staff was friendly and helpful. Not sure I'd have the occasion to go back here much as I don't watch a ton of live music, but I'd be happy to go back. read more

My guy took me to a show at Gilman recently to see a friend's band. Gilman has been around for years, but it was my first time. I love live music. They don't serve any food or drinks, so hit up Pyramid Ale House or T-Rex Barbeque before you go. They are close by and good. The cover was only a couple dollars and the show was awesome. I had a fun night out and got to check out another local live music spot in the Bay Area. read more

Such a dope venue. Caught the Zion-I show here recently and it couldn't have been a better experience. LOVE 924 Gilman!!!

Bring your own toilet paper if you plan on using the restroom. Sure, the younger kids can be annoying, but most of us were probably just as annoying when we were their age. Pray that the band you want to see isn't headlining because usually there are 4 or 5 generally not-as-awesome bands that perform before the headliner. Although the last show I went to (Phenomenauts) had Bobby Joe Ebola and the Children McNuggets play beforehand and they were HILARIOUS! It's a good community space for young people who can't get into bars and want to see (or have their) bands play. The world needs more sweaty, all ages, janky venues with questionable sound systems. read more

I came here in February with my boyfriend to see Pinhead Gunpowder play. When we arrived and parked, we saw that there was huge line going outside the building to get in. Not too surprising considering that it WAS Pinhead Gunpowder who was playing. The inside of this place is decently sized but since there were so many people here to see the show, it was extremely crowded. Forget trying to find a place to sit - you're standing the whole time. There's a small snack bar area in the corner of the building that sells drinks and snacks. There's a small 2-seater couch in the corner of this area where you CAN sit - if you're lucky to snag it first. Of course Pinhead came on last and they did an awesome job performing their entire album the whole way through. Billie Joe was great. I'm not a big fan of Green Day, but I have a new respect for him because he still finds time out of his famous life with Green Day to play a local show for some of his biggest fans. After the show ended, my boyfriend wanted to hunt Billie Joe down and try to get a picture with him. We swarmed through the crowds of the smelly kids and were able to snap a photo. Of course he was totally genuine and nice. Great show and a memorable one at that. P.S. - What's funny is an old friend of mine met Billie Joe backstage at a Green Day concert a few years ago. She had to get backstage passes first but all my boyfriend and I had to do was go see him perform at Gilman and hang out outside and ask him for a picture. Rad! It's shows like this that really make you appreciate how nice rock stars are because even though they've had great success and fame, they still come back to their roots every once in a while. read more

924 Gilman - My boyfriend Drew and Billie Joe Armstrong at the Pinhead Gunpowder show. February 2010. - Music Venues Near Me - Berkeley, California

I wish I could say that I discovered this place in my youth because I grew up in El Cerrito, right next door. I in fact did not discover it until I was an adult and even though I felt old going there, it is all about the music, not about your age. My husband has many more substantive stories than I. I wasn't that cool in my youth. read more

A phenomenal place to see bands, real bands. The first time I went to 924 Gilman I was 16 years old...God damn that was almost 2 decades ago. This is a Punk Rock institution. The last show I attended was their 20th anniversary show, and it was AMAZING. The fact that they have been doing all ages shows for that long is extraordinary! When you go into the place (if you don't already have one) you have to buy a card for membership, good for 1 year, therefor you become a member, and as a member you agree to respect the rights of others to express themselves (how f'n cool is that?!) and agree to follow the Key Rules... -No alcohol in or around the club -No violence or stage diving -No graffiti outside the club -No vandalism in the neighborhood you can also attend the meetings and volunteer because this is a not for profit corporation that is ran by its members! If you've never gone, GO and support this place. It is truly one of a kind and it deserves to stay around. read more

924 Gilman - My GilmanCard! Dont leave home without it! - Music Venues Near Me - Berkeley, California

I've only been here once and it was for a show with great bands like Esther Moser, Piranha Party, Slime Girls and more. This place has such a chill vibe from the friendly employees to the sick graffiti everywhere(including both of the unisex bathrooms) and it's overall a great place to hangout and listen to good music. read more

924 Gilman - Music Venues Near Me - Berkeley, California

5 years ago, I passed out in the car in the parking lot and woke up alone in the car in reno. Good times Im assuming? read more

Link 80, Jello Biafra, Op Ivy, Primus, Skankin' Pickle.... Hell I saw Green Day open for Skankin pickle. Actually.. I can't remember most of these shows... but the place simply rocked. It dripped punk. Even next to the Berkeley Square, where I saw Minor Threat for $2 and a can of food, the Suck on This Primus recording, and endless ska bands.... This venue can't be beat for what it is. a volunteer run punk club. Gilman St. was defining to me, my youth, and our culture. I also participated in the quote that was there around 1992.. the huge one on the south wall... "MASTURBATION 14 TIMES A WEEK IS OK" What solid memories.... wow. http://www.924gilman.org/ read more

There is no way I could describe what Gilman is or what Gilman, as its devotees call it, means to the surrounding community, Bay Area, and punk rock/free expression scene in general. Established as a place where anyone could express themselves through music or performance, as long as there was no hate, no bigotry and no drugs involved (though most everyone who's been to Gilman has probably been on drugs or alcohol). Gilman is a special place that is in danger of being lost forever as the rent board in Berkeley is fascistically upping prices in the area every year. Green Day was most famously bred and groomed here in the 80's but everyone from Jello Biafra to Crimpshrine to chumbawumba to Bad Religion has played and been adored (or in Jello's case, beaten to a pulp) here. The most famous part about Gilman though is probably how they castigate and scorn all people who have become famous, infamously barring Green Day from coming back to play and, as mentioned above, having someone beat the living crap out of Jello Biafra. Still fun. Still weird. Still Gilman. read more

I'm biased, but here goes. I've volunteered here, played here, & seen incredible shows here since 1989. It's a great place for kids of all ages to learn responsibility since it's a volunteer-run collective. If they don't show up to unlock the front door, nothing happens. Now there's acoustic events on Thursdays & free movie nights on Tuesdays! Checklist: 1. Bring earplugs. 2. Don't sit on cloth chairs/couches- go for the folding chairs. 3. If the volunteers are stressed, be nice. They're volunteers- while they shouldn't be rude, stuff happens. 4. Pick people up if they fall while dancing. 5. Don't stage dive, as tempting as it is. 6. Heckle the bands. Constantly. I think the anti-smoking nuts like Gilman a LOT more since they banned smoking inside last year. read more

Usually come here on Fridays , the staff can be a bit pretentious but whatever, way too many passed out kids outside. Majority of the times I went there was no etiquette in the mosh pit. If someone fell down in the pit no one would help them out and you'll have guys in their 40's pushing unsuspecting girls into the pit as well. The hell is all that about? read more

This is one of my most favorite venues. I attended my first show here in 2007 with a couple friends of mine as a last day of school activity. So many great bands have performed here. From first shows to last shows. My favorite show of all times was Killing The Dreams last show here back in July of 2011. They couldn't have picked a better place than the Gilman to perform their last show. I've heard that the Gilman has been struggling to pay the rent of the place for awhile now but i don't if they're still struggling with that problem. Hopefully not because this venue is so amazing. read more

924 Gilman how can i start a review and Not think of the History of this place all the awesome Punk bands that have played here and the fact it is still run by volunteers, total Punk DIY !! Star #1 ALL AGES Star #2 NO ALCOHOL Star #3 NO DRUGS Star #4 NO VIOLENCE The venue and location is Not as important as the Bands that play there NOW not in the 80's or 90's.. go support the longest running diy punk club most shows are only 7 or 8 bucks + 2 bucks membership. Upcoming shows include Vegan Straightedge band 7 Generations Born/Dead with Resist and the Zeros with Negative Trend. read more

Classic punk rock venue. I used to watch Green Day there back when they were a punk band. A lot of good memories. I saw Mr. T Experience there also. Never a bad show, never a bad experience. Authentic punk vibe. Fair prices. Cool employees. Cool location. A Bay Area must-see location if you like punk music. If you don't like punk music you will probably hate it. read more

Hi. This place is a fucking institution. That's all you need to know. read more

the lookouting was AMAZING!!!! Staff is super nice and the area is pretty safe. When I went, there was tons of free street parking and it was a clean area. I definitely want to come back again and catch a ska show! read more

It is what it is. It's an all-ages volunteer-run punk rock venue. You will stand in pee, scratch yourself on a nail and hurt your ears. To get in, you must buy a membership card...which means that these issues are now your responsibility to fix if you don't like them. Cool, huh? They don't feature alcohol or (luckily) food. You can get these things within a couple of blocks at Pyramid Alehouse or T-Rex BBQ. Long live 924 Gilman! Get your shots before you go! read more

AhOi, I have been attending as well been a active member with 924 Gilman Street Project since it started from my mid-teens and I am in my 40s now. Like everything it has its ups and downs. I hope it will always stay true to its roots as well never ever close its doors. It is a staple and historical landmark as for as I am concerned as well a great place where a kid can find true community and family. "Viva 924 Gilman". ~Blackdawg out read more

You can't NOT love Gilman. If you don't, you suck. Seriously. It's a dive, the bathrooms and couches are filthy, the sound sucks, and most of the audience members are, as a rule, under 18. It's also the venue that helped to start out pretty much every important Bay Area punk band for the last 20 years--and still gets its share of really awesome punk/hardcore bands (along with a lot of crappy new bands). It's straightedge, so if you're looking to smash your 40 bottle into someone's head, it may not be the right place for you. But if you wanna listen to some angry music surrounded by a bunch of gutterpunks who are way nicer than their attire would suggest, it's the place to be. It's also one of the only places in Berkeley where you won't find yourself surrounded by self-righteous neo-fascist "progressives." Ooooh. Burn. read more

Im just not a big fan of this venue. its old, dirty, smelly and the couch looks like its been there for at least a decade. how many thrashers have puked on the couch? I know the place has history and all but honestly the venue is just...pfft. read more

So, you get dirty, you get sweaty, half the time...you're not even covered in your own sweat. And yet, you continuesly return whenever an extremely good show comes around, which for me, is a rare occasion. I have to say it was a lot more fun going when I was like 14, although now it's still fun, due to you make friends and all of a sudden there they are again....was that the same outfit they had on last show? -shudder- The inside is tiny and it's hard to get a breath of fresh air once things really kick into gear. Couches are now missing...except for one new one....it's pleather and only fits about 2, 10 if you're trying hard enough. The "no stage-diving" rule is obsolete. don't think otherwise.... The security isn't there to do anything but make you feel safe, this is a lie. Don't fall for this trickery. I've had to maim my friend in order to get her away from scary men who think other men stole their wallet. read more

I went to some amazing shows here when I was a teenager and it's nice to see kids are still rocking out to punk bands at the Gilman. read more

924 Gilman - War of Aggression playing at Gilman in May 2012 - Music Venues Near Me - Berkeley, California

924 Gilman is a staple in the punk rock and hardcore scene. As much as I heard about this place, I had never been there until a couple weeks ago. It's not pretty; there's graffiti, paintings, and flyers all over the wall, and the bathrooms are horrid but it has so much soul and character. It captures the spirit of punk rock and DIY music scene so well and you will see one of the best, most intimate shows in your life. Not only that but shows are cheap and never sell out, from what I was told. I only paid $9 to see Yi, 1994!, Joyce Manor, Snowing and Algernon Cadwallader. All in one night, and it was one of the best I've ever been too. Quite an unforgettable experience. I will be back for sure. read more

A great small punk rock club. The place seems to be staffed by high school age volunteers (I think it is, actually). If you're over 21, you may feel like you're a geezer here, but there's zero attitude to this place, so you're as welcome as everyone else. People are here for the music. It's loud, it's five feet from you, it's great. They serve candy and soda here, so you can get your sugar rush on before the next set. Fun, fun, fun. read more

"this used to be my playground" Gilman is a magical punk rock Wonderland , and if you grew up in the bay area and were into all things punk/hardcore/emo*shudder* you know exactly what I am talking about. I went here last night for the first time in like a decade. I was one of the oldest people there and the faces of the youth has changed drastically, but I still had such a warm fuzzy feeling being there. Brown bagging beers and drinking them down the street made me feel like a rebel . MAGICAL :) read more

Instead of going to high school, I went to the gilman. it was the highlight of my teenage years. I loved the sweat-and-cigarette smell that you have for days after, the shitty bands and the great ones, writing on the walls and hanging out in the stoar, playing simpsons chess in the office.... The Gilman is a great place for teens to get involved in the punk scene, and I feel lucky to have grown up there. Do people no longer refer to it as "the gilman"? How times have changed. read more

From Wikipedia: In April 1986, the founders located the building at 924 Gilman Street and signed a lease. In the following months, the founders, including Tim Yohannon of Maximum Rocknroll, held weekly organizational meetings and posted flyers to increase involvement. Finally on December 31, 1986, the club held its first show. Since then, 924 Gilman Street has been one of the longest running independent music venues in the United States[citation needed]. 924 Gilman opened several months after the closing of two important San Francisco punk venues, the Mabuhay Gardens and The Farm and was started in part because of the lack of punk venues in the San Francisco Bay Area during this era, particularly all-ages venues. This place would get 5 stars if there weren't so many stupid rules to follow. It's a great all ages club, and I have seen many bands from all over the country and world at this venue. The people are honest about paying bands which is another plus, and the kids are really into the music. There is a Pyramid brewery across the street, which was built a few years back. Usually, you can see the 21+ mohawk type people in there drinking beers on a Friday and Saturday night. I am not sure if kids still go to drink at the creek, but if you want to savor that Mickeys 40oz, and aren't yet 21, you probably shouldn't do it in front of the club(no drinking rule). Anyways, go to this club. It's only 5 bucks. If you aren't a member, it's an extra 2$ and you get a little card that is good for a year. read more

This was the place when we were in highschool 97-98 drinkin in the parking lot was a thing we did back then..... then I turned 21 and found that it's way better being able to drink while enjoying the show There are some GREAT bands that travel through there and I hear that the pyramid brewery across the street has good burgers... read more

Punk rock goodness! Saw Pinhead Gunpowder at this venue a year ago. GREAT show! This place features all the things I love when I go to a punk show (feel, good sound system, looks, prices, etc). Go here for awesome music & fun! (They have a free movie night now I think, which I'm planning to check out soon!) read more

During the 80's, I frequented Gilman a lot. I saw tons of great shows (DAG NASTY, YOUTH OF TODAY and the ADOLESCENTS to name a few.) Pretty much I hardly get out there because I'm out of touch with the underground local punk scene (still into punk, but not deep in knowledge) still you can't deny that Gilman is an institution, a good bargain for the buck and a good venue for the East Bay. Plus it's also good exposure for new and upcoming talent. I've been there more recently when they've had Metal nights with GHOUL and IMPALED and it's a good thing to see with more variety. Also, another thing you gotta luv, is the enthusiastic, youthful, atmosphere. Sure, some of you's can complain all you want about feeling like somebody's dad or mom in there, but the place gives the kids the proper example of DIY and the punk ethics as opposed learning it at Hot Topic or getting it second hand from a friend at school. Support the local scene. Support underground music and obviously, support 924 Gilman! read more

As a crusty aging punker, I'm so glad this place exists! I was around to help open it when it was known as the Alternative Music Foundation and am happy to see it still going strong over 20 years later. A lot of bands have passed through its doors who have gone on to bigger things. I feel ancient going there these days and admittedly find the scene amusing (I had a 19 year old tell me how he was 'old school' hahahaha!), but I am constantly surprised at some of the line ups they set up and manage to drag my ass on over every now and then. they're doing great things at Gilman and giving a lot of young folks a place to discover new music and to perform. That's awesome. Who says punk's dead? Keep on rockin', kids! read more