I'm so glad we have the Independent for live music. It's a great smaller venue. We've seen Julia Jacklin, Dr. Dog, Destroy Boys, and other artists here and it's always been great. When we saw Dr. Dog here, the band surprised the whole audience with pizzas and they were all passed around and we ate pizza while watching Dr. Dog. The sight lines are great everywhere and I have always been pleased with the sound. There's also a cool arcade down the street and the BBQ place across the street is excellent. I also want to say the staff here is like the best venue staff I have ever encountered. We had an issue a few months ago and each of the door staff were so patient and kind as they tried to help us figure out the situation and in the end it all did work out. They really weren't obligated to do that for us, but they saved our night. Thank you to the Independent staff! read more

San Francisco has countless small music venues that offer a lot of good and interesting performances. You can add "The Independent" to that list. I went and saw the "US National Air Guitar Championships". Wasn't sure what I was going to get. But, it was a blast! The balcony was sectioned off for kids on one side and judges on the other. Standing in the back by the bar gave you a good feel for the place and still have a good view of the stage. Definitely worth checking out. read more

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Came here for Junny's Null tour and was pleasantly surprised with the venue and their staff. Staff was friendly, informative and very organized! Instructions were clear and the staff pre-checked everyone's ticket and bags before they started letting everyone into the venue. Staff also checked IDs if you were planning to drink and you get a bracelet as proof to show the bar. The venue/theater was decently clean and had a intimate and cozy atmosphere. Majority of the venue is standing only, with a few benches on the left and right. Near the bar is a counter table for drinks. The drinks at the bar were reasonable priced and they don't force you to buy water if you don't want to as they offer tap water on the side for free with cups! They also offered coat check near the restrooms and you can also pick up complimentary ear plugs as well! Restrooms were clean and well kept! The sound setup was a good experience. Parking can be a bit of a tough with the bars and restaurants in the area. So either come earlier to try and get a spot or Uber/Public transportation. Overall a great experience at this concert venue and hopefully they host more concerts of artists that I like in the future! read more

Came with a friend to watch Joel Sunny on November 19, 2025. I love going to concerts at small, intimate venues. This was my first time at the Independent, and we stood near the stage. We enjoyed standing so close to Joel Sunny and hearing his beautiful violin playing live. It was a little awkward with drinking. We were not aware we needed drinking bracelets (I didn't drink, my friend did), and my friend got a beer, and we ended up getting scolded by security and they needed to check his ID. We had a great time, though! read more

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10 out of 10 trolling by the DJ appeasing the many Gen Alphas in the crowd pre-concert by playing Hamilton and kiddie songs while bearded hipsters also in the crowd had "wtf" faces lmaooo (but really tho, since when do Gen Alphas listen to Iceland-songwriting folk music?!?). Anyway, here I attended a Yaelokre concert (suuuper talented musician and amazing live in concert). Very cozy venue (there's even some bench seating off to the side in the stage viewing area). Great acoustics! Straightforward entering procedure, though kinda irked that there was no bag check..... read more

The Independent - 11/16/25 Yaelokre - Music Venues Near Me - San Francisco, California

It felt magical dancing at The Independent recently to Moontricks. I've been a longtime supporter/fan of the Independent since 2005. In many ways - both the Independent and I grew up together. From intimate reggae shows, to Monday movie nites, to Pretty Lights - The Independent has shown up. I've always appreciated the size of The Independent, its sound, its consistent line-up of quality shows, its welcoming staff, its affordable ticket prices, and above all - its unique ability to show up with genuine authenticity Each show that I have attended here - I have been greeted with kind warm faces - from the on-point door staff to the grooving crowd. Dancing at The Independent feels like coming home. Trust. read more

Happy New Year 2026 and cheers to hopefully a year of more concerts and performances. I came to see David Archuleta on his Earthly Delights tour and was so impressed by how intimate and comfortable the experience was at The Independent. The staging area felt small but meant you could really get up close and personal with the artists. There was ample seating on the sides and on the second floor too if you'd like to avoid too much of the crowd, but can't go wrong with the space and being so close to the stage. When it did get packed with guests coming in after the opener, I could tell the AC getting cranked up a notch to help with the sweltering gay heat exuding from all of us inside the venue. Drinks here were served by the friendliest of bartenders with cocktails going for $14, not the worst for a concert venue. I enjoyed my Passion Fruit Rum that I got to nurse through the night. Ticket checks were easy, bag checks were seamless, and I have to give props to the staff for making it a great experience. read more

Great small venue in the heart of the city. Probably one of my favorites. The space is small and intimate, makes for some stupidly engaging performances on stage. I've not seen a bad show yet. A bit grimy, but that's to be expected of venues lol. Drinks are decently priced (lol SF tax). Staff are usually professional and courteous. NOTE: The time I visited (May 2025), one of their restrooms were out of order. The solution was to hire a mobile restroom trailer posted up near the entrance. While that was definitely a nice alternative (most venues would just tell you to deal with it!), getting in and out of the crowd and street was pretty challenging! read more

Nice venue overall. I've been here a few times and really enjoy the setup. The drinks are good, and the space has a fun, welcoming vibe. They also have check check near the restrooms. Parking in the area is a hassle. read more

If any of your favorite artists are booked at this venue, then you gotta experience the performance here! I enjoy coming out to this venue. Its next door neighbors with Emporium and Madrone (bonus if you happen to be in the neighborhood on a Monday. This is a late review and Protege was epic (July 2024). Iykyk read more

The Independent - Protege Summer 2024 - Music Venues Near Me - San Francisco, California

I've been here a few times now for music and comedy events, and it's a great intimate venue. The space makes performances feel up close and personal, which adds to the experience. There's a bar in the back for drinks, and an upstairs area that offers a nice elevated view of the stage. Overall, it's a solid spot for a night out, whether you're catching live music or a comedy show. read more

The Independent - The stage (instagram: wooneats) - Music Venues Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great venue, great staff. Drinks are a little expensive but that's the only downside. read more

i've only been to the independent once before and that was 2, maybe almost 3 years ago to see CHAI (a japan pop/hyperpop band that's now since disbanded). although it's cozy inside it never feels cramped and i always appreciated the bench seating along the far right wall and the "terrace" area that you could also just swing your feet over. i'm on the shorter side so i actually really lucked out to be able to sit on the staggered wooden wall that stood against the stairs by the merch table (i could actually see the performance for once)! and it's always a pleasure to go to the NOPA neighborhood, it's always a decent night out in that area. plus the line moved quickly even though the line almost wrapped around the corner, so shout out to whichever staff was being efficient with security and tickets that night! read more

Local music venue, on the smaller side. When we visited the ladies bathroom started to flood a few hours into the event and then was closed. The drinks are in the ballpark of $15 which is pretty standard in SF but I wouldn't say they were standout, but not bad either. read more

Great acoustics, small/intimate vibes, super clear directions from staff and security to get into the venue, clearly defined merch line. All the things I love in a music venue! read more

This is a solid music venue! The venue size felt intimate, I was able to see the stage clearly, and the drinks at the bar were pretty good. The bathroom was also surprisingly clean, and there was barely a line. read more

This spot is kinda dusty in the atmosphere. I can feel it! Staff was pretty friendly checking me in and there was a great bartender that took my order when I was ready. However, I took one star off from one of the bartenders that lied about the upstairs being for only friends and family VIP. Because another staff directed excess guest upstairs. Folx can be pretty shady with the mixture of answers and I guess that one bartender was probably not having a good day or just was being silly. But I'm happy for the coke I ordered and also the view upstairs. It was a packed venue and probably would return and come earlier to get a seat. read more

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My favorite venue in San Francisco. Always has the best acts and good crowds. As a shorter person, I feel like I have always had good vantage points in the crowd given the layout. Plus, excellent, quick-to-respond customer service when I recently had a ticket issue. read more

The Independent is legit an intimate, no-frills live music venue. A rad lil spot in the NOPA district featuring some great underground indie bands. I haven't been here in a few years so I was super excited to catch my favorite band EVER for an Outside Lands Night Show. This concert was sold out and the line was wrapped around the street. They did will call only for this show which was wild! I haven't had a physical ticket in a long time, but that definitely explained the longer lines. We waited for a little under an hour to get inside. Unclear if they do this for all shows. The venue itself is amazing. Sound quality is beautiful. Ceilings are high so you won't feel super crammed. Be mindful that you will most likely be standing up the entirety of the show but whatever spot you end up in, you'll have a perfect view. It really is a tiny venue but that's definitely part of its charm. If you end up in the front, you are literally close enough to feel blood, sweat, and tears. When I was here watching Banks n Steelz a few years back, I was close enough for them to pour me shots!!!!!! There are so many gems on Divisadero to check out. We ended up at Che Fico for dinner and Fly Bar for the pregame. Merch table and bar moved very fast. Staff is super friendly. Parking sucks, don't do it. read more

The Independent - a crowd of people outside a theater - Music Venues Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great ambiance, staff inside was alright. Wouldn't recommend if you have a disability that'd require ADA accommodations at this venue. Very little pre-concert communication besides 'speak with someone at the box office for further instructions'. When we arrived, we were told at the front to stand at the curb for ten minutes to wait for an attendant, before being told to join the GA line, which had already wrapped around the block. The stop-and-go of long lines can be difficult for people who can't stand for long periods of time, as well as people with mobility aids, since one wrong step or someone getting too close can trip or catch a wheel. There were no walking paths along the sides of the pit, people were sitting on the rails of the ADA section, and the one stairway in and out was being blocked by people standing on the steps to try and get a better view. Ended up having to shove through people just to get to the bathroom before the show. By the time it started, we were completely boxed in for the rest of the night. If you don't need ADA seating for whatever reason, I'm sure this is a great venue. The attendants inside were helpful and brought us water mid-show, which was super appreciated! Other than above issues, I really enjoyed the venue. But please, do better, or at least provide better communication on what to do once an attendee gets to the venue beforehand. We want to be able to enjoy the show without risking our health and safety, and transparency plays a big factor in that. read more

someone else reviewed they would faint here again and i totally agree! my best friend and i were here to see maye and while waiting for the opener, she got ONE drink and after a few sips, she whispered i think i want to sit down and almost went parallel to the floor. the staff went beyond, gave her water, and a place to sit and chill while she collected herself. they checked in on us throughout the show and we felt very safe! 10/10 would definitely recommend fainting here read more

Great place for an intimate show. Bartender Jacob took great care of us and added to the festive vibe. I love live music small venues, and The Independent fits the bill. read more

Super easy to get in and get seated for Michael Che. We had to lock our devices up because he was trying out new material. They used yondr pouches for our phones. What a weird but nice experience to not be with our phones for a few hours. They don't serve food and didn't have any wait staff. Only one bar in the back. This show was filled to the brim with seats etc. once you sat down it was difficult to get up again the seats were that tight. But we had a bunch of good laughs. read more

The Independent - Music Venues Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Came here for Em Beihold concert. Apparently this was the first time they were doing an under 21 concert as well so we had to have 21+ wrist bands if we wanted to drink. And when I bought a drink for my bf who was holding our spot, the bartender asked that my bf come to prove he's over 21 (ie a to leave his drink at the bar a then switch places with him). Not mad at it, and the bartender was sweet/apologetic about it but that was something new for me and apparently for them too. Service was 10/10. Though I got a dirty Shirley made by each bartender (don't at me), and only one made it taste yummy (the others made it taste like it was a Saturday night back in college ha) I got there right at door opening, line moved quick. The place got busywouldn't say packed packed only because you could get to the bar easily and without a line, so that area was pretty open. Had an absolute blast and would absolutely be back for another event read more

I came here to watch Anna Akana's stand-up show titled "It Gets Darker." One of the things I liked was how easy it was to take BART and Muni to get to this location without needing to walk a lot. I ended up getting in line a little after the doors opened at 7. Originally, I was bummed that I had gotten there so early, but it ended up being good in the long run because it allowed my spouse and me to sit in chairs in the center area (as an aside, we opted to leave table seats open for others --even though they were also in the center area --because we didn't plan on drinking). The ticket confirmation had noted that the event was "Partially Seated," and people that came closer to the start of the show at 8 PM had to stand in the back. The show started on time. We watched the opener for maybe 30-40 minutes and then Anna's set for about another hour. The sound was pretty loud for me, so I actually had to use my earplugs, which are normally reserved for clubbing and concerts. One of the things I particularly liked about this place was that I was not required to buy drinks, which is something that other comedy clubs may require. I don't like getting drinks because I don't want to have to go to the restroom during the show. Not requiring people to buy drinks also has the benefit of reducing waste and saving money since it didn't make me buy drinks that I wouldn't have wanted anyway. Unfortunately, for those that did get drinks, it looked like they got a single-use plastic cup, so I'm hoping the venue will use reusable plastic cups in the future. All in all, I enjoyed this venue and had a great experience watching Anna's stand-up set (which was amazing, BTW). read more

We love this venue it's clean and reasonably priced. The sound quality is great. The staff that works there are always smiling and nice. Parking is hit or miss sometimes it's a challenge other times you get lucky. Lots of yummy restaurants around too if you wanna catch dinner before the show read more

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I had an amazing time at the Independent. I went there with some out of town friends to see Dry Laundry. The staff were so nice and friendly, everyone from the ticket check to the bartenders. I really liked this venue because it wasn't too large and there was still enough space to dance around. The vibe was so much fun and there is so much to do around the area afterwards. It was such a fun night! read more

The Independent - Dry Cleaning (band) at The Independent - Music Venues Near Me - San Francisco, California

I've stopped by here for a few shows since moving out here and each time has been fantastic. The Independent is very accessible via public transit and not too difficult to get to. I'd reccomend getting there early for shows - it gives you a chance to appreciate the space a bit and also get close to the front of the stage if that's what you're in to. The venue itself is not massive and that gives it a more intimate feel - which I really appreciate compared to massive venues like 1015 Folsom or the Midway. TLDR ; One of my favorite venues I've been to in the city. Will definitely be going here again read more

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Great venue for a smaller show. I love their process of getting in. So quick. So easy. read more

The Independent - Music Venues Near Me - San Francisco, California

Came on Friday night for the Brijean concert! We bought tickets outside in the ticket booth and the line to get in moved pretty quickly! The staff was nice, I had a tasty cocktail I forgot to take a pic of but was a good drink and reasonably priced! The sound was good in here too, would definitely come back again for another concert/event read more

The Independent - Music Venues Near Me - San Francisco, California

I would recommend heavily to come back for any concerts you may be interested in. Their drinks weren't too expensive for a concert venue. We saw Tokimonsta and they had 1 opener. It was a very chill environment. It could be SF in general, but the other concert goers were all very respectful and the main floor wasn't very packed. We were close to the stage without being bumped into constantly. Staff was all friendly and I have nothing but good words in all my experiences with them. read more

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What an amazing venue to see some good music. Very intimate setting, great bartender too. We were there Cinco De Mayo to see Kendra Morris with Danie opening, both outstanding performances. read more

The Independent - Danie - Music Venues Near Me - San Francisco, California

I've been to a LOT of shows here in the past. From Toro Y Moi, to Corinne Bailey Rae, to Vince Staples just to name a few, and every time I go to a show here, it's always so memorable! The intimacy, the sound system, the vibe, the atmosphere, just everything about this place keeps me coming back. I went to a show last night to catch Puma Blue for their tour, and it was so good to see people just vibing out and enjoying it. The staff here is super friendly too, they've always been really chill when it comes to checking tickets and stuff. The only thing that bothers me the most is the parking situation. If you're ever planning on catching a show here, make sure you give yourself enough time to find a parking spot cause it can definitely get tough to find anything in this area since it's primarily residential. Other than that, a 5 star experience every dang time! read more

The Independent - a crowd of people at a concert - Music Venues Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I went here on Sunday, april 23, 2023 to watch Jeremy passion perform with other amazing and talented artists! This is such a beautiful venue with great acoustics for performances! The staff were friendly and easy going and the vibe in the venue was chill and inviting. I don't know if they offered food but the bartenders were attentive and made great drinks! They had a large pitcher of water with cups available which made it convenient for attendees to get a non-alcoholic drink without having to stand in line and bother the bartenders. If you haven't been here before, it's a must when you're in SF. Keep in mind that it's on a busy street so parking can be tricky so come early since you need time to find parking. We parked a few blocks down and it was only about a 10 min walk from fell street (next to a park on one way road) to the venue. Highly recommend to check out other artist or visit when hanging around the city. The security guard mentioned 2-3 performance per week so follow them and check out their website! The Emporium is a couple doors down and another spot to check out (review coming soon)! read more

The Independent - Jeremy Passion - Music Venues Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Every show I've seen at The Independent has been great. The sound quality is always good, the bar staff is always great, and the rest of the staff (front door, security, etc.) is top notch. I love this venue over bigger ones because it feels more intimate and way less packed. There are pricier VIP seats, but the venue has otherwise been GA when I've been. The crowd usually has great vibes, and The Independent's location make it easy to have a pre- or post-show bite to eat/drink. I get excited whenever I see that an artist I really like will be playing here! read more

Our first time at The Independent was such a pleasure. We were at the Sour Widows show on the 13th of July. It's a terrific place to see a band, it's well laid out and has great sound. The night we were there they went a bit hard on the AC so it was colder inside than outside and SF was cold that night! I'm sure that is an exception as they clearly have everything else just perfect! Highly recommended!!! Certainly my favorite place to see a smaller show! read more

I am sooo happy I brought EARPLUGS which is a must. Parking sucks. Staff is friendly. Bathrooms average. Venue is intimate Sound system is extremely deafening read more

MIKE, 454, Niontay and all were epic (May 8)!! The full set I saw was MIKE's, but I caught parts of other artists' sets + encore. The crowd was energized and happy. Re: the venue, I have to say this was one of the better/ best experiences I've had there. I've both worked with artists performing there and attended shows (at the Independent) since 2004. Staff were kind, seemed deeply committed; they added to the vibe. read more

After several shows here, I think it's safe to say that this has to be one of my favorite SF venues. Overall ambiance depends on who is performing and the crowds they attract, but of all the times I've been, everything from start to end has always been great. When you enter and off to the side of the stage is an elevated platform with some benches against the wall (aka "sitting" section). As far as I know, this space is open to everyone and doesn't require a special ticket. However, please know that closer to showtime, patrons will start standing in front of the benches and some even will perch themselves on the ledge of the platform, so you will have an obstructed view if you choose to sit. As a fellow shortie, I think this is a great spot to see the stage/artist (if you can't be upfront) & still have some breathing room. I love that the venue isn't "large" so every performance feels intimate. There's two upstairs / balcony areas but it usually seems like it requires special access. Sometimes the sound is great and sometimes the sound system can be intensely deafening so I recommend bringing ear plugs just in case it's an off day. Plenty of food and drink options nearby. There is a bar in the venue (beers and cocktails) and I've noticed some artists will even have wait service come out and serve drinks during the performance. Minus one star because of parking. Even on a weeknight, expect to circle neighboring streets for at least 30 minutes before luckily snagging a spot. To save some stress, I would 1000% opt to BART + Uber to the venue the next time I'm here. read more

Love this smaller venue! All of the staff was polite and helpful. There is a bar available. I didn't want to drink before driving home, so they made me a fairly priced mocktail! Fun fact: They don't allow pepper spray, but they will give it back to you when you leave. Their bathrooms were clean until someone puked in a stall. I highly suggest taking BART or an Uber due to the lack of parking nearby. Overall it was a great experience and intimate vibe!! read more

The Independent - Front of the venue, in line - Music Venues Near Me - San Francisco, California