I had an amazing birthday evening here last weekend while out on the town with my sister. It was our first time here and we had an unforgettable experience. We were greeted by Nina and she ensured we had an amazing time at Black Cat. Thank you Nina! You really went the extra miles to make sure we had a great time. I am a huge jazz appreciator and have been wanting to comer here since I first moved to the bay area. My only regret is waiting so long to make the time. The music was amazing, a band of young gentlemen who felt very traditional in their music, which I appreciated. It was easy to get swept up in the music and if you closed your eyes you could almost transport back to another era, which I feel is Black Cat's specialty. There are two floors, the street level floor is a bar that is open to the public and to go downstairs you have to purchase your ticket. Well worth it to support the artist and venue but if you just need a quick drink the bar upstairs is also very vintage/luxe feeling and probably better for a conversation. I ordered a Gin martini and made it a "happy meal" for an additional $6 so it came with a nice portion of fries that we split. We enjoyed the French onion dip as well - nice sized portion for splitting for an evening snack. We wet to the later show so didn't need too much. As it was my birthday we ordered a bottle of champagne to split. We did end up finishing the bottle but if not I think we could have arranged to take it home. I will absolutely be back. read more

I love this venue! Pretty spacious and such an intimate vibe - perfect for a date night with your partner or friend. I originally reserved tix for 2 to see PHER for $50/person at one of the tables in front of the bar. Options were for 7pm or 9:15pm, we went for 7. Note: There's a 22% service charge, which is separate from the tickets. There's a minimum spend of $20/person on Wed/Thurs/Fri, and $30 on Fri/Sat. Sales tax 8.63% added to all checks. My friend and I were 15 min late to the show (our dinner ran over), so our original table was given to someone else and we got a different seat. Honestly, all seats seem to be fine! The bar seating is great since it's slightly elevated, so you get a great view of the stage and have the bar in front of you. I absolutely loved the vibe of this place. PHER was amazing and I had such a good time. I was surprised at how short the show was, it lasted for about an hour and luckily, we were able to stay for the 9:15 show with no extra charge since there was space. Just note that they may ask you to buy something else on the menu if you decide to stay. The fries were delicious! I was not expecting to like it so much, perfect for 2 and SO CRISPY. Defs will get this again! Overall, I would come back. The price is a lil too much for what it is, also for such a short show, yet I did have great experience! Although every spot is a great view, tables by the front are recommended as servers tend to walk past your view pretty often. read more

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I came here earlier this month on a date to listen to a trio of Caelan Cardello, Joey Ranieri, and Willie Bowman. I loved everything about this venue. It's very intimate downstairs and just what I envision a classic jazz bar / lounge should embody - low light, smooth black and gold decor with a mix of vintage and modern concepts, great acoustics, small tables and booths so you can choose how close you want to be to the performers. I had a wonderful time and the trio was excellent! I was complaining like an old man earlier this week about how "the younger generation" doesn't appreciate jazz music, just to eat my words listening to these youthful professionals. I will be back often for the ambiance, the cocktails, the food, and the friendly well-organized staff. read more

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I probably had one of the most phenomenal Halloween nights over at The Black Cat! Not only was the name so fitting for the evening, it was my last night in SF and it made my time in the city end with a bang (or meow...) Arrived early for the 9:30pm show and was sat in a beautiful spot at the bar; in perfect view to the stage. First things first, The ambiance was absolutely incredible. There's nothing like walking into a deep, dark, sexy jazz bar. This place had it all: Low lights, lively and friendly crowd, with the best little cozy vibe. The staff here was amazing as well. The hostess and the bartender made me feel right at home. For drinks, I had a paper plane, which was exactly what I needed to start off my evening. Strong and refreshing, just like i like it. For food, I opted for the 2 course dinner. I opted for the steak frites which were perfectly medium rare. This came with some delicious crusty bread and your choice of salad, I went with the caesar which was great! And what did I think of the music? WOW! Just WOW! They had some incredible musicians on stage who absolutely rocked the house down. They threw in some jazzy, spooky, funky tunes; perfect for the evening and honestly some of my favorite type of jazz. What a night! So happy I made it over to the Black cat. I think im throwing it up there as one of my ultimate favorite jazz spots in SF. Can't wait until work sends me back, and ill be right there again. read more

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An absolute GEM. I've been to Black Cat five or six times and each time I'm spellbound by the artists that play here. Such high quality music. They also have great cocktails, and while I've only ever ordered dessert (terrific key lime pie), I imagine the rest of the food is superb, too. read more

LOVED the venue. My partner surprised me for my birthday celebration. Got to listen to some jazz and grub on some food. Definitely a great spot if you're down for some good music, food and drinks. Definitely can be done solo, out with some friends or even date night! Would definitely recommend! read more

Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get -- only with what you are expecting to give -- which is everything -- Katharine Hepburn This review was for V-Day 2023. I just realized I never posted this. A set course menu with jazz. The food was actually better than expected, the jazz solid. Only downside was a partially blocked view even though I had reserved a better seat. Still, a lovely evening. Service was on point. Area is problematic at times so be careful. read more

Black Cat - The band area - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

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It's been a while since I've listened to jazz. A friend invited me since Just King Jones is the son of my friend's coworker. We were excited. This is our first time at Black Cat. Parking: We took an Uber because I knew the area and parking would have been a challenge. Service: We were greeted right away and were showed to our table. I made reservations online. Place is cozy and welcoming. Staff are friendly and attentive. Very knowledgeable of the menu. Food: We the the 2 course meal and were extremely happy the food was delicious. I ordered the shrimp and grits. I think I had 4 shrimps. I would have wanted one more . The grits were tasty and just right. My reins had the Petra sole and she said it was delicious and perfectly seasoned. Price: It was a little pricey but since we don't go out often, it was worth it and besides, it was an early birthday treat for me. Venue: It was dark, small and cozy. I recommend checking out the schedule and see giving this place a try. I do highly recommend listening to JustKing Jones. They were awesome. read more

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Great place to see live jazz in SF. It's small so there is an intimate vibe and they get top notch musicians

Dimly lit intellectual vibe, with a variety of live jazz performers scattered throughout the week. There's a bar upstairs, but downstairs is where the action is. You can book your seat ahead of time. For dinner I highly recommend the bbq chicken, grits and greens. Many great cocktails. Great date night read more

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Saw a show here and it was a great experience and date night with my wife. Fantastic talent, friendly wait staff and great cocktails.

Lovely place. Live jazz most nights, a mix of local trios and out of town residencies. Food and service were both really good, the steak was a marvel (I came for the music, this was a nice surprise). And props to the sound person -- it can be tricky to get good sound in a small venue like this with classic jazz instruments. Sound was superb, detailed, and just the right volume (though you are not gonna be talking during the music, riiiight?). Nearly all tables are set up as two-tops diagonally facing the stage. Your advance payment is just for the table/show. Food and drink ordered separately at the table. read more

Go for the music, maybe the drinks. I went with a group, and we snagged front row center seating. The acoustics were great, and of course the musicians were top-notch. Really great to be able to see this level of talent in such a small venue. Drinks were pretty good, though not spectacular. We all ordered dinner, which was mediocre across the board. Definitely can be skipped and just get drinks. However, beware - the cost of food is excessive, especially for what it is. And the drinks aren't cheap. Wait staff ranged from reasonable but not outstanding to a bit grumpy. So: 4 stars - For just music and drinks 3 stars - If you're having dinner P.S. The neighborhood remains sketchy. I'd recommend taking an Uber/Lyft to/from the venue. read more

Listened to Domo Branch and his entourage play. Awesome jazz and blues spot. Service was great. The ambience is elegant, romantic, and artsy. I didn't get the food because I am skeptical about eating in the dark. It is a dimly lit spot. read more

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If you want to be ripped off with layers and layers of hidden fees, and then get rudely informed about this is the place to go. Instead of charging you up front they'll make you feel like an idiot for not reading all their hidden pages on their menu and website. There are more hospitable and nicer places to listen to live jazz. Skip this one read more

We really enjoyed the Black Cat in San Francisco as it was recommended to us after we booked an evening out with friends. The dinner and music is experienced in the lower level and there was not much going on at the street level when we were there. The dinner they offered was good, better than expected! There were several options to choose from and our entire party was pleased. The jazz was great...the musicians were very talented and they bring in jazz bands from all over (not just local). There was a choice of events the night we went so you have options there too. The only drawback was it is located in a not so great area of the city's Tenderloin so recommend taking a cab, Uber, Lift, etc to drop you off. This is not their fault though, just wanted to share that. Overall, recommend you go to see it and enjoy the ambiance, it's probably one of the best in the city!! read more

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I've been here exactly 5 times and this review is overdue. Keeping it short and sweet: Had a great time at Black Cart Jazz Bar! From date night to girls night out! Great place to be. The stairs to the lower level led to a spacious bar and dining area with strong drinks. Seating close to the stage provided an immersive experience, and the staff was attentive, ensuring excellent service throughout the night. Sat for the dinner and show and was pleasantly surprised at the execution of each dish!! Well done Kitty! Will definitely be back for more live jazz. This place is a gem in the literal- rough SF streets read more

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Great place for a date night. I've been to it about three times now within the past 3 years, and every time has been a superb experience, especially the food. I'm not used to having exceptional food at a jazz club, but the set dinners there really are competitive with some of the best restaurants in SF. It doesn't even make sense how good the food is, so my compliments to the chef. The jazz guests have all been great performers every time I've gone, though I would recommend against sitting at the very front since it can get a bit too loud and you won't be able to talk among your table otherwise. It's a bit expensive, but pretty much everywhere in SF is. My only real complaint is that I'd park in a garage instead on the street, since the area around Black Cat just looks super sketch. read more

We've been to the Black Cat for some live jazz twice in the past few years and I'm pretty sure it rivals (likely beats) a lot of similar joints in NYC. Both times, we've booked the mid-evening show and been able to stay for the final set of the night, and both times the second set didn't disappoint. The upstairs bar where you wait for your table is a little cramped, but once you head downstairs there's plenty of space to relax and enjoy the music. Most recently, I requested a good view on the booking page for my husband's birthday and received front-row seats. It was incredible. The first band we saw, a group out of Israel, was so good that we wanted to come back the next day as well to watch them again. Food-wise, there seems to be a decent selection; we've always had dinner before arrival, though, and then feasted on the cocktails. There's a great selection of featured drinks, and Mark H. was even able to go off-menu for some form of whiskey sour. The Black Cat is definitely going to be a tradition for us for whenever we end up in San Fran. read more

If you're looking for a wonderful evening, highly recommend. Lucky enough to enjoy talented musicians from all over. Space is cozy and chic.

Great place to have a 3rd date... I think dinner and jazz is always fun. I suggest grabbing an early dinner then heading over to the black cat for a fun night. They do serve food here, but I only had the burger. It was a good burger! Service is great. Very attentive. read more

I have been meaning to check out black cat for the last few years and finally got to go there over the past weekend:) Service - excellent! Server/host persons were very friendly and nice:) Ambiance- very cool and chic:) Food - i only had dessert and tea. Both cake and tea were good :) Live music- EXCELLENT!!!! This was the reason I went black cat for. Will definitely go back for the live music:) read more

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Great evening with my sweetie at the Black Cat for dinner, drinks and great show. Rough neighborhood in the tenderloin but bring a companion and take Bart or car service to drop you off at the door. A bit pricey when everything is added up but worth it for an enjoyable night out. Live performance, great atmosphere. Enjoy. read more

Black Cat - The stage is set. - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

So I'm a huge jazz fan. Think Vince Guaraldi, Miles Davis, Stan Getz -- that genre of jazz. Came here for the first time and while the location isn't the best located in the Tenderloin, the music is rad. The main venue is located downstairs. Reminded me of when I would go to Smalls in NYC. A very intimate setting where you're very close to the musicians as well as other patrons. If you have Covid anxiety, you might not feel so comfortable here. Upstairs is more open with a bar although when I was there on a Saturday early evening everyone was downstairs. This is a supper club and I ordered a plate of Brussels sprouts, they were just okay. Could have been a bit crispier and the addition of potatoes threw me off. But come for the music! I don't recall the band I saw, however their rendition of Body and Soul was very moving. read more

Black Cat - Live jazz - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

Expensive!! With the table reservation and service charges, things really add up. Our server was very attentive and sweet, kept checking in with us to make sure we didn't want to order anything else. The musicians were fantastic, though our seats provided an obstructed view. Loved the basement jazz bar vibe though, so classic. Food was surprisingly good! We ordered the parmesan fries (best fries we've ever had, unironically) and the seafood stew? (a little too seasoned with black pepper, also i can't find this on the online menu anymore) Drinks were just ok, compared to the other reviews, I'd like to recommend you come just for appetizers rather than drinks. read more

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Loved the music, staff, and ambiance. Food was fair drinks were good. Would definitely go back again.

TLDR: DON'T UPGRADE TO WAGYU! The Tenderloin is NOT a safe area to bring a date unless you want to dodge human feces or risk your car broken into. The ambience is nice and the restaurant is clean once you are inside but take an Uber if you don't want to worry about walking or worrying about your car. The food the worst! Let me take that back, the steak was the atrocious. It wasn't just mine that was tough and chewy. They key lime pie was actually good, a bit on the sour side, but I like that. The only redeeming aspect is that I enjoyed the live music. read more

Black Cat - Key Lime was the best dessert - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

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As many other reviewers have mentioned, there is a 20% service charge added to your bill (in addition to the 10% city charge) and they make it clear on the menu that this is not gratuity, so you're still expected to tip. So, at that point, you should plan on spending an additional 50% (20% service charge, 10% city charge, 20% tip) on top of the $30-$40 per plate charge for dinner. But you won't find this out until you're seated and have purchased your $50 per person tickets (plus a service charge) It's too bad. The music was incredible, the food was delicious, but I would never be back because of the way they grift their customers through fees. read more

Black Cat - Service charge - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

This is a very respectful feedback about the service. We were a group of 8 people without reservation and we asked for a regular table. The hostess told us to pay $25 peer person to have a table. Later, another lady approached us to tell us that it was a $25 fee entrance + $35 peer person to have a table, and that did not include drinks. This was a regular Saturday night and not a special event. It would be better if prices are clear on the website and setting expectations clearly for new people trying out this place. read more

The Black Cat has been around for ages. As a Bay native, I remember hearing my parents talk about going here and now here I am, going on dates here too, lol. This jazz bar is perfect for date night. It's tucked away, and has that sexy vibe that makes you feel like you're sneaking in to a 1920's speakeasy.. It's a classic Bay Area staple. The lights are dim, the staff politely requests that guests use their, "sexy voice," and the music is nice and smooth. Here are the details needed for a night out at The Black Cat. The Area: It's in the Tenderloin. If you are a Bay Area tourist, this isn't the best area. If you're from here, you already know about the Tenderloin. The parking: I wouldn't recommend parking in the area. Definitely call and Uber or Lyft. Do they serve food? Yes. They offer small plates, appetizers, entrees, and desserts. The small plates and appetizers are priced from $7-$22, and the entrees are between $19-$34. How are the drinks? Great prices! Cocktails are between $18-$21. They also have an excellent wine selection ranging from $15-$28 in price. If you're looking to splurge on some extravagance, the champagne list is where to look as they have some high quality options that are a bit pricier. The music: It's jazz! This is what you come here for. We didn't visit for a specific musician, just to enjoy the ambience. But if you'd like more info on the musicians, they have a full calendar of upcoming performers on their website. Check it out! Overall, I recommend visiting if you're in the mood to experience a historical bar that has maintained the smooth vibe and good reputation for generations. read more

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Great place. Took my entire office here on my partners bday (not the owner an associate). And, then I quit shortly thereafter. Yes, I'm black. read more

Perfect little date night spot! Loved the live music selection. The service was extremely disappointing. Waiter Toni was not helpful in navigating menu questions, never came back to check on how our food came out, and never came back to take our drink orders. However he was very tentative to the party next to us which ordered bottle service. ‍ The food was great, probably the best French fries I've ever had and the burger was delicious too. Due to the service experience I would suggest eating before attending, and ordering drinks for the show. Over all I would come back. read more

Black Cat - Rotemsivanguitar live group. - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

So it was a memorable night. The place is set up well with an upstairs and downstairs. The upper area has a full stocked bar as well as downstairs. The booths are nice for meals but they are high chairs. Downstairs opens up and also accommodates another bar, and a stage for performances. We were at the Nina Simone tribute by world renowned Stout, who has sang with the likes of Stevie Wonder, many other greats. SHE WAS AMAZING! What was also amazing was the service. The door guard, that's what i called him, actually was very helpful in finding my wife and putting id together as we were early for our show time, and the service received from the whole staff which includes bartenders, wait staff and of course the door guard was exceptional. This is a diamond in the rough, as it is located in the Tenderloins, however, the minute you pass what's going outside the venue, you completely forget where you are until after you leave. I recommend this for an intimate date night, or a good time out with friends. THANKS FOR THE ANNIVERSARY NIGHT OUT read more

Black Cat - Wifey and I on anniversary date - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

One of the coolest and niche experiences you'll have in San Francisco. Good for any crowd - particularly nice for dates. For those attending jazz shows, you'll walk into a cool bar on the first floor and descend stairs on your left to check in with staff. The lower floor is dark and tables are kept fairly close together for an intimate vibe. My partner and I ordered an assortment of appetizers and cocktails - no complaints! The cool part is when the jazz artists come out for their set. Enjoy your food/drinks & watch the show! Even if you're not heavily into jazz, this is still such a cool experience. Make a reservation for sure and take an Uber in because parking is limited. Worth the price. read more

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Phenomenal performance- hope Kiefer returns. The venue is vibing the artists were incredible. Great service

Cozy jazz atmosphere, nice drinks and delicious food, also friendly service. The jazz band played incredibly. read more

Black Cat - Jazz band - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

Best intimate jazz club in America. Food and drinks are solid. Service is attentive. Not the best neighborhood but once you're in the club it doesn't matter that's part of its charm. It's a destination. read more

Black Cat - a group of people in a dimly lit room - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Cozy and lux spot to enjoy some jazz over cocktails - a welcome surprise underground given the surrounds outside. Check out the calendar for rotating acts. Came for a specific show so we bought tickets. It's an intimate venue so really hard to find a bad seat. We only had drinks so can't comment on the food but the servers are really conscientious at not disrupting the performances. Decent cocktails and drinks. Shout out to the pro servers. Black Cat is a must if you enjoy a night of live jazz. read more

This place is truly unique in San Francisco. With great music, delicious drinks, and an incredibly friendly staff, it feels like stepping into a scene from Audrey Hepburn's 1957 movie, Funny Face. It's a special spot that everyone should experience. LGBT friendly and in the heart of the Trans Neighborhood of SF. You'll find great jazz music here. I would expect to spend $150 a person on this experience. read more

Came here for the Joe Farnsworth Quartet ft. Sarah Hanahan a while back. Service was excellent, drinks were great, and food was good. I just feel like this place deserves way more than 3.5 stars, especially considering most people's gripe is the cost or the neighborhood problems. To which I say, nobody put a gun to your head and told you to come. Everyone wants a premium service but doesn't want to pay for it. From the stage equipment to the bands, to even the glassware, it all costs money. If you can't afford it or don't want to support the arts, don't come. To everyone saying nobody told them about the gratuity or the minimum spend per person - it literally says it on the ticket before you purchase it. If it was an issue that would lead you to not enjoy the experience... don't purchase the ticket in the first place. Also what goes on in the Tenderloin is not Black Cat's responsibility. Rant over; keep doing what you guys are doing because this is one of my favorite places in the Bay Area. read more