Saw a show here and was impressed with all involved. The staff were just as good as the performers.

Came by recently to see Michael Minelli during his With Love Tour. He had quite a few opening acts and supporting acts. Very energetic crowd work and entertaining night. One bartender and she was busy. I had a n/a drink. Standing room only with just a few places to sit on the side. I would rather pay a bit more to get more seats. Had fun taking some selfies at the Photo Booth. The venue itself is cool. Located downstairs under the Swedish American Hall (built 1907) on Market Street. It used to be a speakeasy, then a rumored brothel, and now a live music venue with a bar. Located on Market and Sanchez. read more

See all

Came here with a group of friends to see The 502s and indie band. I had never heard of the band or been to this music venue before so it was a really cool experience! The venue is small, and they definitely filled it with as many people as possible. Our tickets were very affordable and we were standing only. I believe they had some spots for sitting but it wasn't too bad to stand since we ended up being so close to the stage. The space is small so even if you were all the way in the back you would still have a good view. The space can get pretty warm inside and they sell water/drinks. Parking was a bit tricky but we were able to park a couple blocks away and walk. The staff were nice but we didn't interact too much with them during the show. Would definitely come back for another show! read more

See all

Well that was weird. Fun to be back at this spot to see some post HSB acts, but come on. One bartender for a full show? Line was twenty deep. Poor guy tried so hard. Then the strangest part, we were literally asked to leave by like 10:45. We had just had more drinks sitting chatting (and sobering up a bit) thinking we had hours until closing. Nope. They literally walked around asking people to leave. Everything I can find says they are open until 2am. Will I go back, if a band I like is playing, maybe. But I will be prepared for a weird staffing/closing time strategy. read more

This venue is so intimate. It can get a bit stuffy/warm given that it is a smaller space (320 max occupancy). Both artists I saw were a bit more indie. I get pretty excited when I see people I know are playing at this venue. As someone nonnative to SF city I find it very difficult to find parking around here. I haven't tried the drinks, so no review from me. There is a cute Photo Booth with the venue logo & for Steinza's concert (2026) they gave out lil photo cards of the headliner with the upcoming events on the back read more

See all

We attended Eivør's concert on a Friday night, and luckily it wasn't raining; otherwise, we would have been stuck outside in the wet weather. I highly recommend arriving early--thanks to previous reviews, we got there at 6:15 PM for the 8 PM show, and there was already a line. The doors opened promptly at 7 PM. The venue is conveniently located off Market Street, so instead of driving, we opted for a car service. Upon entering, I was surprised to find that there were no seating areas except for the ADA section. I quickly made my way to the left side where we could see the stage, away from the crowd. Our standing area was spacious enough for 4-5 people, which was great since my mom could lean against the railing. As the club filled up, it got quite packed--so much so that someone even fainted! But the performers were incredible. Eivør was absolutely amazing, giving me chills even without her band. I'm glad we got there early since I've never stood for such a long time at a concert before. I noticed some parents brought their kids, who had trouble seeing over the adults. The bathrooms were clean, and the staff were very friendly. Would I come back? Absolutely! read more

See all

Went for a night concert and staff was soo friendly. It was a good experience except standing room only. Got to relive my OTH dreams watching Tyler Hilton and Kate Voegele. Thanks Du Nord for the memories! Concert was great!! read more

Went to see Austin Giorgio with my disabled wife. Not only is this venue fantastic and bespoke with lovely bathrooms, the STAFF were incredibly accommodating in helping my wife navigate and use the elevator. read more

The lady at the front door giving out the cards was extremely nice and outgoing. The other people weren't so friendly at this business. The ambiance is nothing special the only thing that looks like effort, time, and money into was the bar. The stage lacked and so did the room. The audio equipment was exceptional. There was extremely poor air circulation and everybody was sweating. The artist that was playing even said multiple times that he was dying with how hot was in there (both of them had sweat dropping off their face the entire performance). They ended up turning a fan on towards the end which didn't do much. They should invest into A/C or figure out a way to keep people cool when every single person in there was complaining. Also the first artist that came up made multiple comments about the heat up on stage. It was quite shocking since everyone else was yelling about it. Make sure to dress with light clothing and do not wear any thick clothing otherwise you'll feel like you're in a sauna and you'll still probably feel that way but it won't be as bad as wearing a jacket or sweater. Also if you exit the building after the performance you are not allowed to return back inside, which was extremely unfortunate. The artist said he was going outside to meet everyone and we ended up having to wait about 45 minutes for him to come out because they wouldn't allow us back in due to the there were people inside still waiting to meet him. Only plus was tickets were a good price and it was a small cute venue. read more

Cafe Du Nord - Front stage - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

For many years now, CAFE DU NORD has been one of the coolest spots in San Franciso to catch a live show. Formerly a popular underground rock club (literally underground -- you walk down a flight of stairs to enter) that hosted local punk and indie bands before it shuttered in January, 2014, the music venue has undergone a couple of transitions to cocktail bar & restaurant, then reverting back to a music hall. With the changes, the basement space of the Swedish American Hall has undergone major remodelings, transitioning the subterranean area into a completely different look that appears almost unrecognizable from its earlier days. Wow! DU NORD replaced its old orange & yellow walls and dark wooden crown moldings & trims with rich burgundy tufted leather booth seating, vibrantly red stools, and colorful tiling, creating a swanky lounge aesthetic enhanced by colorful lighting. The new owners have definitely created a more sophisticated live music experience. CAFE DU NORD has also opened its doors to patrons age 6 years old and up to some shows and now offers pizza to order at the bar. The staff is professional and polite in conduct. The best concerts are held at small auditoriums, in my opinion. CAFE DU NORD is one of THE BEST in San Francisco, providing one of the most intimate settings for performances. Tip: Dress lightly - the temperature quickly rises from a hyped crowd. read more

See all

Went to Cafe du Nord to see 54 Ultra, and even though I had an issue with my StubHub ticket, the security team--Rico Suave and Jonny Smooth--were incredibly helpful and understanding. They went above and beyond to sort things out and made sure I could still enter the venue to see the show. Seriously appreciate their help and great service! Cafe du Nord is a great spot with awesome staff. Hope I can see more of my favorite artist at this location in the future. read more

Cafe Du Nord - Artist: 54 Ultra - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

I love this place! Great spot to see up and coming artists and you still get a decent view even if you're standing all the way in the back. Glenn the bartender is the best. So kind and warm and opened my eyes to what non alcoholic drinks I can order. Thank you, Glenn! read more

Fun venue in a basement of a building! There is a bar to the right of the stairs down and bathrooms in the back. I'd recommend muni or taking a bus over as parking can be tough in the area and catching a bite before or after a show. Like many have said unless you're tall, it's pretty hard to see past the first few rows so get here early! Overall a great ambiance and we really enjoyed the show we attended here! Looking forward to my next show here. read more

This is one of my favorite music venues in the city! The tickets are always fairly priced, as are the drinks. They serve pizza which is just okay so I say eat before you arrive. The acoustics however are great! Definitely recommend catching a show here if you can. read more

Cafe Du Nord - Stage - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - San Francisco, California

Recently came here to see Kyle Gordon and was pleasantly surprised. This venue is rather small but it makes for a intimate concert experience. There was only one bartender but he was very friendly and fast. +1 star for the quick operating photo booth and clean bathrooms read more

See all

The staff were all great, my issue is with the layout of the venue. It's very long and narrow, so unless you get there early you're probably not going to be able to see. There are a few seats on the sides but you need to be there early to snag those. The venue is downstairs, so it's in a basement and it gets HOT. Most venues get hot but this was different, there weren't fans or anything. I didn't get anything from the bar, and they have free water which was nice. The bathrooms are gender neutral, there's six bathrooms and a shared sink area in the middle, when I went two were out of order. The sound wasn't great and it was so loud. I had earplugs and it was still super loud in my opinion. I'm glad I went but I'm going to avoid this venue in the future. I also prefer venues that are near a BART station and this one isn't unfortunately. It wasn't a bad venue - it just wasn't for me. read more

I've been to a few concerts here and I always love it. Possibly one of my favorite concert venues in SF. I always feel very safe here and it is a very intimate setting. Not a single bad seat in the place. The shows run on time and efficiently. The bar tenders are very nice. The "preferred" viewing is an elevated balcony to the right of the stage, if you show up early/on time you can typically stand front row - but if you prefer to be away from the crowds it is worth it. They have pizza available for purchase as well which makes this venue cooler in my opinion. Overall a great venue for an intimate concert or a budding artist, I'm always excited when an artist I like is in town playing at this venue. read more

What a disaster - bought tickets for an 8pm show. Almost an hour later asked the security guy when it was going to start and he first lies to me, saying it was supposed to start at 9, then says basically "not my job", then threatens to kick me out for pointing out his BS. Steer clear! read more

Cafe Du Nord - Photo of an empty stage, almost an hour after the show was due to start - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - San Francisco, California

We saw Christopher here this past weekend. A guy from Denmark who's band made it to the US! whoo. Great location. Easy enough to get in. Dress light because it gets HOT. It was crowded but still space in the back if you don't care to squeeze to the front. I'm too old for that now. I thought I was pretty tall but dang these Europeans! They're giants. lol There's seats lining the walls, so if you come early enough, I guess you can snag those. Can't speak on the bar since my friend grabbed the drinks but drinks were stiff. Sound was great. Getting out wasn't too bad also. read more

Sorry but this place is horrible for a concert. Was so excited to see Haute and Freddy and they were awesome but the layout of this venue sucks. The stage is low and unless you are crammed in the front, forget being able to see the band. Don't think I'll come back for a show at this place. read more

Came here for the Ruby Waters concert. It was an awesome venue very intimate and the sound was great.

I love this venue. Just attended a show here for the first time in 20+ years, and it was pretty awesome. As others have noted, it's a basement-level club, but it seems they've updated their ventilation system, because I didn't find it stuffy or overly warm at all. Overpriced drinks, sure, but just pre-game a bit. Get there early if you want one of the very few seats, but don't expect to be able to see the stage unless the VIP section (a bench on a raised area along the house-right wall) is open to the public. read more

People are right--it's not the biggest space but it does have personality. We attended a private event there last night and were impressed by how well the space is managed. From the doorperson to the bartenders and waitstaff, everyone was accommodating. For those that are wondering, the single stall unisex bathrooms were clean as a whistle. There were about 80 of us there and it felt manageable. I think anything over 200 people might begin to feel a bit cramped?? They list their maximum capacity at 320 standing but much less for theater or classroom style set-ups. Their tech specs are pretty impressive. The sound was very good and they are capable of showing film. There's also a Green Room and a full kitchen. It's an iconic part of SF history with a cool list of past performers. read more

Cafe Du Nord - a stage with a podium and chairs - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great venue to see bands very intimately in what is the Swedish American hall. Mostly standing room with few booths and one table or so on left hand side. Was a former a Speakeasy. Staff are great. They have like pizza and some other smaller food options. Only drawback is tickets are through everyone's favorite friend : Ticketmaster. So for a small venue and say $25 tickets there's the customary $8-10 surcharge. read more

See all

Went here for Matt Hansen's concert. Loved the place!! We had a great night. It is a smaller & more intimate venue but I loved that! Great spot close to restaurants nearby. read more

Cafe Du Nord - Matt Hansen - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - San Francisco, California

Overpriced corporate garbage. I ordered a beer, it was $11 and in a tiny plastic cup. On my next order, I asked the bartender what do they have in a can, and is hopefully not $11. She pointed to a Tecate & I said ok. It was also $11. Plus tax. Like what bar doesn't include the tax on their drink prices? They put in a new sound system and it's f""king terrible. The live band feed plays right behind the bartender making ordering drinks more of a pain. I mean You can hear the band already, there's no need. It's also piped into the toilet stalls. Whoever came up with this system concept really needs to get in another line of business. Cash only. Illegal. If you are a local band who wants to play there on a Saturday night, they charge $1500. Ok sure that's super reasonable. CDN used to be awesome. The best venue in SF besides BotH. I hope it can make its way back. read more

Terrible experience from the staff. Was denied entry for having a point and shoot camera. This exact camera has never been an issue across the hundreds of venues I've been to in California and San Francisco specifically. I've seen thousands of artists with this exact point and shoot. None of security or staff has never given me an issue until today. It's more ironic because my cell phone would take better photos. Had an immediately negative experience directly as a result to how the staff at this venue handled the situation. read more

Bartender was nice and engaging Great place to hear music. The gentleman at the front door could have been a lot nicer. He seemed like he didn't want to be there. read more

Saw Oliver Hazard and The 502s here and the vibe was amazing!! The bartenders and security were so sweet and kind as expected from a concert venue. My friend and I had a great time and security made sure everyone felt safe and sound! No problems at all before, during or after the show! It's definitely small, so keep that in mind, but worth it!! Super clean bathrooms too!! read more

Cafe Du Nord - The 502s - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

They charge $16 for a can of Estrella beer, that's all you need to know. A six pack of that beer costs $10.99 at BevMo. For some reason, some of the most overpriced drinks in the city. Nice staff, good booking blah blah blah read more

Finally got a chance to check this place out for an Anthony Green show. Bummed this place is didn't live up to my expectations. It is a terrible place to watch a show. It's a narrow place and if you are shorter than 6' tall, you are screwed and won't be watching the show unless you are in the front row. It's hard to get in and out of the crowd since everyone is trying hard to get close to see something. They ran out of the good beer and their beer selection is weak. read more

Cafe Du Nord - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - San Francisco, California

Me and two guy friends had reservations next door at 8:45pm. Since we had some time to kill, we decided to check out Cafe du Nord. Our group of three walked in on Friday, July 8th around 7:45pm. We found three seats at the end of the bar. My friends both got the Golden Era: George Dickel rye, maple sugar, fig leaf bitters, On a big ass ice cube ($12) while I decided to get the Blood & Sand: Black Grouse scotch, Luxardo Sangue Morlacco, Carpano Antica vermouth, orange ($12). My drink was blended, so it was fun. I normally don't get the girlie drinks, so this was a change of pace. The drink was refreshing and not overly sweet. I normally think blended drink and picture those overly sweet island drinks. This one was nicely balanced. One of my friends was hungry, so we also ordered a Bucket of Fried Chicken: Sweet & sour, BBQ, ranch ($16). I had a couple bites and the batter / skin was nice and crispy while the chicken was moist and juicy. I didn't really care for the sauces. The ranch was the only one I really used. Very chill bar. I think it's also a music venue at times? It's a lot smaller than the old Cafe du Nord I remember, but I had a fun time hanging out here. The bartender was great and it was very lax. Definitely my kind of vibe. You can sit, have a conversation, while enjoying some drinks and snacks. read more

See all

We attended Julie band concert at cafe du nord. Great venue, well managed. Only issue was that cafe due nord was too eager to kick people out, when There were lines of fans to buy merchandise, and meet the band after the concert. I would think they should be more sensitive to accumulate these new bands and all these young fans. All good read more

Just ordered 'fried chicken' delivery. Could not even eat more than a bite people. The worst fried chicken I have ever tasted, or couldn't taste? So bad! This was rubbery unsalted chicken with flabby yellow goose bump looking skin under 1/2" of sweet undercooked corn dog like dough! Soooooo gross!!! Who would think this was okay? We spent $70.00 for two of the chicken meals and a crab salad. The crab salad was tasteless ground crab and hardly a crab Louie. I now just ordered greasy KFC! Though fast food, at least its edible, and can be called 'fried chicken' Go back to cooking school, or any beginner cook book. Make sure you look for fried chicken in the Glossary. Yuckkk read more

Cafe Du Nord - Nasty, tasteless, undercooked, doughy corn dog like batter nearly 1/2" thick, tasteless chicken with yellow, goose bump Like boiled blubber! - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Attend a concert this weekend and it was a nice venue. Staff was amazing. Very nice and wonderful customer service. Would highly recommend to attend an event at cafe du nord. read more

We came here for a live music concert and my partner had lost their ID on the way here, which meant that they couldn't get the 21+ wristband. That was fine, we didn't need to drink, but we had gotten VIP tickets to the venue and with it being a 4 hour concert, we ordered takeout. wI had picked it up separately and we wanted to just eat our takeout food OUTSIDE, off the street without bothering anyone. The doorman not only threatened to kick us out, but also told my partner that if they took one more step outside, they wouldn't be able to come back in. This is such rude and unnecessary behavior from the staff of this venue. To give it the credit it deserves, the place itself is alright, nothing to be dazzled with but also not a bad place for live music. However, because of the service and management, I will not be coming back here again, and I cannot recommend this to my friends. read more

Best place for a small concert! I saw spilltab and I got to see her so close! It does get super hot though so bring some water. read more

Came here on a Friday just before 11, used the restroom and came back and it was 11:02 and asked to order food and was told kitchen closes at 11. Literally came for the food and the waitress said "come before 11 next time". Last time I came it was closed for a private party. The burger is actually quite good or it was last time I was able to get it but any reasonable staff would accommodate an order at the cut off and given we got in before 11 why not ask if we want to order food. read more

Didn't appreciate that the event said start at 8 but only started at 8:50pm. Besides this, the event was awesome. Some sound difficulties but overall everyone is having an awesome time dancing around. Great venue for little bands. Cool lighting and decent space size. Cool mood lighting before the show starts and I liked the look of the bar. read more

I saw Suki Waterhouse here back in May and it was great! Cute space perfect for indie artists. It was packed but still had an easy enough time seeing the stage/band. Friendly bartender and good drinks. Just an FYI it's a card only bar. Well it was the night I went so maybe take multiple forms of payment. read more