What a historic venue. I've been to Sweetwater once years ago, but over the Father's Day weekend we were able to check it out as a family for a special show called "The Rock and Roll Playlist plays: Music of Grateful Dead for Kids + More Grateful Dads Fathers Day Weekend Bash". Such a sweet moment for Grateful Dead fans with little kiddos ~ lotsa little "deadheads". There's a bar/restaurant called the Rock & Rye Café if in the mood for a meal pre/post show, and we learned you can order at the restaurant and bring food over to the Music Hall as well. This venue is essentially standing room only, but we emailed ahead of time for ADA accommodations and seating for grandparents (check the website under 'Frequently Asked Questions' for direct email). There's parking in downtown Mill Valley..we parked around the corner and walked around window shopping pre-show. There's also other cool eateries and drinking holes to enjoy downtown too. In the venue itself there is a bar that served both great Bloody Mary's and mocktail options too. Fun staff and the show was equally as cool + interactive. There were nice Grateful Dead handkerchiefs for sale, and all in all, honestly would return for a kiddo or (adult) show. It was so special to introduce a few generations at one time to this genre of music in such an iconic spot and staple to the area. Well done! read more

This venue is a staple of Mill Valley. It has so much charm and is a fantastic and intimate place to watch a performance. The bar is beautiful, and the attached cafe is a great place to post up and decompress as needed. I highly recommend a visit! read more

Sweetwater Music Hall - Super Diamond - Music Venues Near Me - Mill Valley, California

Overall a great experience for an intimate feelings while listening to live music performance. The bar selection was also good. I li e the ambience and the vibes. But wish we could have a few more seats as there were truly not enough. Of course if you're active and dancing is one thing, but we were simply enjoying our drinks and listening to soft rock being played by one our favorite artists all the way from the east coast. read more

See all

My first time here I drove out from Kash Costa County to come watch my buddies rock band play on a Sunday night. What a cool venue I can't believe I've never been here and I read it seen. It's here for 50 years so cool great food cold beer. The atmosphere is amazing. We came for Louie Señor on the drums playing with JOSH Z read more

I love this spot for live music. Such a wonderful venue with a great variety of music!

Consistently loved venue for music of all genres. Aside from a deeply engraved history the bar, restaurant & club offer compelling music at almost every turn. Love Sweetwater and highly recommend. Some epic concerts with one of my personal favs the Japanese "Mr Jimmy" playing Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page flawlessly. You will delight in Sweetwater! read more

Attended a live music show with some friends. We used a ride app for transportation The atmosphere is very good. Outside is a spacious (for this size of venue) chairs and table area with large screen showing the game. Overhead heater on a cool fall night, music flowing through the speakers from inside. The staff is attentive, efficient and friendly. Sound inside for the show is deep and clear - not piercing your ears through. Overall, a wonderful way to spend an evening out! read more

First time at Sweetwater. Requested ADA seating for two people and received a confirmation email. I get there early with my guest. We ordered a drink and appetizer on the restaurant side at around 6:30pm (show starts at 8pm). Doors were opening at 7 for the show. By 7, no drinks, no appetizer but obviously getting busy, no complaints, just patiently waiting....by 7:05pm and 35 minutes later, our two drinks (one beer/one cider served in cans by the way) and a basket of fries arrive - kind of cold but no big deal. We gobbled down and then checked in at 7:20pm with our tickets, getting the wristband on, etc. I see my name in the ADA section. The way the names were placed were taped on a wall bench couch next to each other and placed above where you would be sitting. Obviously, people will need to sit right next to each other as the venue fills up; common sense if you look at things and picture it. When we arrived, there were at least 20 patrons in the house spread out by the bar, and a few other non-ADA areas. I use a cane, my guest does not but has a physical handicap. We sat down, there was another group of ADA folk sitting on the other end, nice people. My guest went to use the restroom. While my guest was using the restroom, here they come: The unfriendly, self-entitled, and very rude group of ADA patrons strolling on in (both sets directly to the right and left of us). No canes or wheelchairs in their groups and you can be ADA without a cane or chair - it is what it is when you're ADA. While my guest was using the restroom, the ADA person (tall male) to the left of me plops a bag right where my guest was sitting. I politely said, "this seat is taken" and he told me my name is on the paper above." I said, "No problem, as you can see, there is room all along this bench and space, the names just need to adjust as we sit." Guess that was too logical of an answer for him (he ignored me) so he moved the bag slightly over and said he wouldn't be sitting there anyway and his lady friend (non-ADA) is going to sit there with her husband." I say, "Ok." Honestly - I don't care who is in your group or if they are ADA. Then, the other self-entitled group comes in and sits down to the right of me and before sitting down, they're looking at how they're going to fit ignoring me as if I were invisible and instead of being polite, this rude male patron, dressed as a "poser" Grateful Dead head complete with blazer, dead shirt, expensive jeans and faux high-end Chuck Taylors (buy the real Converse Chucks next time Poser) practically sits on my right leg, I have two hip replacements mind you but - I said nothing and adjusted myself. I was SHOCKED at the rudeness. Bob Weir would be SHOCKED at the rudeness. Why not say, "Excuse me, I am going to sit right there" as a heads-up. You know, being polite and having manners. Not even. By the time my guest came back, he was perturbed at these grown adult senior citizens (I am a senior citizen myself) rudeness. They told us we needed to move - BIG mistake in telling my guest that. My guest asked the people to the right of me if they would move over a tiny bit so the others could sit (they could sit there as there was plenty of room if you shifted the name sheets over - simple dumb solution but they weren't having it) but poser GD-head told my guest they would not budge. Ok uptight peeps...and you shouldn't be uptight if you are a "true" Deadhead in which you are not. Rude is rude. So, my guest told the other ADA people to the left of us to talk to the other people to the right of us who won't move. Because neither side of these self-entitled and rude ADA patrons would move, they ALL gang up on us and tell us we have to move. Wait - did I hear that right? Are you telling me I have to give up our two seats? For your rudeness? Who am I, Rosa Parks? Like Rosa, I am NOT moving my seat. More drama...a ruckus ensued...when they were telling us to move, my guest's voice was extremely overpowering and shook up and ruffled the feathers of the ADA folk so much that the husband comes at my guest with his finger in his face (bad move) and then security arrived by the name of Marvin. Quite a fiasco. Marvin handled it wonderfully and told the others we are not moving our seats and they will have to move over and sit elsewhere since not all of their group were ADA to begin with........so ddddddddddddumb. This is ALL before 8pm just before the show started. Marvin came back to check on things and of course had to address their unruly group AGAIN because they were telling other people arriving after the show began where to sit, etc. He ended that program fast. Thank you, Marvin - YOU were the highlight of our unfortunate evening at The Sweetwater. Marvin gets 5 stars, Sweetwater, you get 1 star for lack of management: PLEASE "better-manage" your regular ADA patrons who think they run the ADA section as if they are old Railroad Barons. It's not real estate. read more

I love the intimate casual yet very professional venue, and the artist that it attracts. I saw the Ray Charles project there, and it just warmed my heart and filled me with joy. Every performance I've seen at the Sweetwater provides the same thing. read more

I am so lucky to have The sweetwater as my local live music spot . Great gigs from Mustache Harbor sing alongs to Petty -Theft night where it's spilling out into the street . Or some heavy hitters like Black Uhru reggae all the way to Jackie Greene with Bob Weir sitting in . Heck you can even host your kids bar mitzvah here . The award goes to my favorite bouncer in the business. Hats off to you my friend you know who you are . read more

2/20/2023: The Sweetwater Music Hall is literally across the street from Mill Valley Market and the public parking lot; from 1980 until, the mid-2000, I used to photograph so many international musicians performing on the weekends. Ironically, I never visited Sweetwater during the day in all the years I worked as a Concert Still Photographer; during the day visiting Mill Valley for my 68TH birthday, I couldn't fathom the entire property was eerily, strangely quiet! Whoa~I was emphatically aghast wondering if, Sweetwater is the SAME Sweetwater I photographed so many musicians~LOL! read more

Sweetwater Music Hall - 2/20/2023: The Sweetwater Music Hall is literally across the street from Mill Valley Market. - Music Venues Near Me - Mill Valley, California

Sweetwater Music Hall is a legendary music venue, from 1972 in Mill Valley, California. This place has invited many artists to perform musics from all genres in the San Francisco Bay Area. It's a non profit art organization which promotes easy access to music to everyone! The hall is old but vibrant, intimate, indoor, with the perfect musical experience and sound. There are a few seating areas but its best spot is standing by the stage. The best part is the Rock &Rye SweetWater restaurant, right next door where you can grab your favorite food and drinks before the concert. There's also another bar at the music hall. Everyone works here is friendly and nice. There's plenty of street parking around the venue. Don't dress too much as you will get hot when you start hearing your favorite band and dancing! Are you ready for a music event? SweetWater Music Hall is your perfect venue! Enjoy! read more

See all

This is a horrible place!! I left my phone in the uber on the way to a show. When the show was over I requested that the staff please call a taxi and I could give them money. They looked at like i was crazy and refused to help. I stood in front of the sweet water trying to get a ride. It was raining and very cold. I was wearing a little black dress which was completely wet. I have never been so cold in my life! I suffer from Renards syndrome which causes my fingers and toes to freeze making it hard to walk. I eventually ended up sitting under the building across the street to stay out of the rain. I watched the staff leave with-out any regard. Finally around 3am a kind man called an uber for me. I have never been treated so poorly with no regard for human suffering. This was after spending $80.00 on a ticket. I am 66years old and I don't drink. It does not take much to show a little human kindness. This is a horrible place!!!! read more

What an awesome venue for dinner and a concert. This is the real deal and they get an amazing lineup of musicians. Crowds are limited so there is space to enjoy, get a drink at the bar etc. Definitely a top spot in the Bay Area and with Terrapin currently closed the only game in Marin! read more

Sweetwater Music Hall - The Church - they were awesome and delivered huge!!! - Music Venues Near Me - Mill Valley, California

Really like how they are always updating the menu! Also, love how the Sweetwater is going strong in providing live music in little ol' Mill Valley. Love the Black Lager, definitely my favorite brew on tap. read more

Sweetwater Music Hall - Music Venues Near Me - Mill Valley, California

Food-delicious and large portions-but that was just the cherry on top because we were really here for the music!! Bluegrass jam was incredible!!! CBA- read more

Nice music venue and a decent restaurant attached. Acoustics were great , but very little seating

We had tickets for a benefit concert and paid the premium meet and greet before the show. There was a buffet with delicious sliders and salads. The host joined us in the concert hall and signed autographs. In short, the meet and greet was great fun. The show started with an all-star band and, for the next three hours, we were treated to a parade of special guests. The music hall's sound system and out front sound person were up to the challenge of providing excellent sound the entire night. The only negative is that, at least for this show, Sweetwater Music Hall is a standing venue. There is very little seating available. Three hours is a long time to be standing. read more

Truly, truly terrible service at bar. At one point, all bartenders disappeared for a very long time - during the actual show! Some woman standing next to the bar who must have an ownership interest was also rude when I asked them if they'd seen the bartender. Super entitled obnoxious folks. They deserve to go out of business. read more

people going here to ostensibly hear a band never shut the f up! so. much. freaking. talking. if you want to hear a band, this is not the place to go. also, for whatever reason, people in the club area have no sense of personal space and will stand directly on top of you, bump into you repeatedly until you move, swoop in and grab you to do-si-do unprompted (even if it's obvious you are in the ADA area!) Loved the old Sweetwater, and Mill Valley is cute, and the bartenders make a mean cocktail, but this is honestly not a good place to try to hear your favorite band play. read more

Pleasant venue, basic box with bar in back stage up front, bar crowd makes way too much noise to fully enjoy the music. Very limited seating, limited crowd size makes it possible to find enough space and not feel crammed together. When the music is at proper levels the acoustics are OK, however most bands are too loud and sound gets muddy. read more

Great musical venue!... Greg Koch was "off the charts "... Nice outdoor patio, ordered a few appetizers, steak bites and polenta fries!... Perfect for a quick and light bite! Sweetwater is a great and intimate venue to watch live music!... Definitely will return! read more

Sweetwater Music Hall - Stage for Greg Koch show... 8/7/22 - Music Venues Near Me - Mill Valley, California

Horrible experience. Show was great but security and management was not. Told we were going to be kicked out for talking. What does that even mean. Everyone around us could not understand why we were being singled out. read more

worst experience ever. singled out by the security guard for talking and told we were going to be kicked out. FOR TALKING. Everyone was talking. it was a concert. of course we were talking. read more

Wonderful venue for cocktails and music. Had a great time enjoying the show. Shana Morrison (hometown girl) was terrific. Arnold Schwarzenegger said, "I'll be back". read more

Great food, music,and beers! Small venues does not get better! Worth the visit, The food has changed for the better read more

Sweetwater Music Hall - Death and Taxes and a good beer! - Music Venues Near Me - Mill Valley, California

See all

Always a good time here. They were very diligent in checking Covid cards AND ID's so I felt a bit more secure in being inside with a bunch of random people. Great dance floor size. Great selection of beverages at the bar. Get there early if you want a seat and beware people will put their drinks and such on 'your' table. read more

We had a huge party/wedding here and it was amazing! Staff were easy to work with and the event was memorable. Food was amazing and the location was perfect!! Thank you. read more

See all

Lovely food. Friendly, relaxing. The most attentive and engaged service we've had in a long time! Loved it. Top notch Burger, coconut fish stew, polenta fries and the best tomato salad ever. Very pleasant indeed. On the return to eat in future list. read more

Met some new friends today, Hannah awesome server and kickass Joe at the bar. Always a fun time at sweetwater with music and the bad ass workers. Much love! Restaurant industry. read more

Happy 2023, you can't have it all, except if you stop by. ( music,food,drinks,coffee,ac,heaters,indoors,outdoors ). Fresh local sustainable food. Friendly service. Great awesome ambiance Support local business. read more

Staff was incredibly rude to me and my friends. We went for a concert, which was all ages but had different colored wristbands for 0-20 (yellow) and 21+ (green). I'd seen the man at the door giving green wristbands to the group in front of us and then he automatically put yellow on me. I knew what it was for and told him I was 22, he responded that he didn't believe me and I insisted again that I was 22. I eventually did get the green wristband but ID should have been asked for in the first place and he shouldn't have been rude when I corrected him. My friends and I didn't get drinks anyway so we were some of the best behaved people at the event, yet staff acted like us walking around was a huge inconvenience. We all heard them making comments as we walked by. We were staying to ourselves, just needed to get around, and apparently that was an inconvenience to them. But the sloppy drunk middle aged people weren't a problem at all... This wasn't everyone working at the venue, but a handful. read more

We had a brilliant time @Sweetwater Music hall. Nice quaint venue with a wonderful sound. We saw two bands that we LOVE who happened to be playing there together. The Uninvited & Young Dubliners. Drink prices were reasonable as were the show tickets. We ate at the attached restaurant Rock-n- Rye which I will review separately. Suffice to say it was very good very convenient & excellent service. read more

Food over priced and no flavor. I never use salt but for the burger I ordered medium well came back almost rare.

I have always loved their food but it was so limited- those bodied little sliders on a plate too big for the 2 of whatever you ordered. I always forget about coming here. And now the menu is much more flushed out! 7-8 salads, 7-8 Sandwiches and 5-6 Mains, 5-6 starters. The back of the menu is Drinks Galore. First off we ate inside cause we were cold- the sun has just come out/ but it's cold. We ordered London Fogs and we joked they were googling it- which they did and asked if they hit the mark. Yes! They make their own Vanilla Syrup by chance We got some special Tater Tots , the Warm Chicken Salad and The Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich. It was ALL so delicious!! And so many more choices we'd like to come back for. I was torn between 4 and 5 starts but this local place is Mill Valley's gem- albeit not in its original incarnation but they always have great music come through and the games on if it's that time of year. *At the bar there is gear for purchase and a very sweet Tee you must snag!! read more

Sweetwater Music Hall - The new Menu! So many options now! - Music Venues Near Me - Mill Valley, California

See all

Wonderful venue! Loved the show, bar, sound, space and even restroom was good. Only reason for four not five stars is it's a little more difficult to share/give ticket to someone else after purchase. You have to give a copy of your i.d. And write a note - not really an electronic way to transfer it. Other than that inconvenience with their ticket system, this place is awesome. read more

Sweetwater Music Hall - Zepperella, April 2022 - Music Venues Near Me - Mill Valley, California

What can I say, Sweetwater's menu was enticing enough but the flavors were right on point! We had the Nikkei Tiradito and the deviled eggs as well as an order of oysters to start with a glass of rose and the Sweetwater's Rock and Rye. We followed that with the seafood gumbo and the buttermilk chicken cutlet with Mexican corn salad, both dishes were delicious and full of flavor, just the right portions as well. We finished with the summer berry pavlova and the creme caramel with caramelized pineapple. The atmosphere, the service, the delivery and upkeep of the food and table were all on point! We will be back! We want to try the rest of the dishes and enjoy a gig afterwards! Well done chef!! read more

This is still the best place to catch live music + drinks in southern Marin. I came back here recently for a New Orleans-style brass band concert. SO much fun! Although it was a packed house, the acoustics were great, and there was even some room on the dance floor to bust a move. There's never a long line to get into the club (so long as you purchase tix in advance). Most shows are reasonably priced ($25-$40 range, depending on the band). And although it can get crowded inside, I usually never have to wait to long to buy a drink. It's always a lively, local scene. A funky mix of yuppies, hippies, and hipsters. But once the band hits the stage, the music unites all walks of life. I also enjoy coming here on weekends for an espresso. They have a nice patio area for sipping/nibbling/people-watching. If you live in the area (or find yourself passing through), make it a point to visit the Sweetwater. It's a Marin County institution. read more

Been many times to Sweetwater but this was different. Went fir a music school concert and actually had tome to sit and enjoy some nibbles. Our servers were soooo nice and accommodating. Especially "Averafe" Joe. Apparently there are three Joes working there. He claimed himself as the middle or average Joe. Nothing average. Super sweet guy. Thanks! The fries just perfect. The shrimp Louis fresh but a tad lacking in flavor. I asked for lemon amd extra dressing. Could use horseradish. But still good. What didn't work out that evening is we were there to watch one particular performer. And of course he was first. They didn't have enough people to get the line moving quickly enough and we missed two of three of his songs. We waited in like for at least 30 mins despite having purchased a ticket. Likely checking vaccination cards slowed it down but wished they were prepared for that. I feel for the parents that missed their children's performances. The kids did a stellar job. read more

See all

The sound the night I went to see a show was so off and crazy load. Many folks left the show. Kept thinking someone would correct it but it did not happen Miss the old Sweetwater....tables and chairs throughout, giving you intimate comfortable place to enjoy music. Now there are very few places to sit while see a show....if you do don't mind standing for the show, great..if you need to or want to sit down ..better get there early to grab one of the few spots. read more