Bottom of the Hill

This venue hosted an awesome show and after it I went to my car to leave and my car was broke into. I went and asked the staff how they usually handle stuff like that. They were beyond nice to me and were so apologetic and sent one of their employees and one of the managers up to my car and helped clean up the glass from my car and helped tape up the window! Such great people there. They didn’t have to do any of that! Plus their venue rules… Thank you to everyone who assisted me tonight.

My husband and I drove in from Sacramento last night to see The Loved Ones here. It’s Super Bowl weekend, and we had no trouble finding nearby free parking. Seriously, the commute from Sac to this venue couldn’t be more ideal. We didn’t have to deal with downtown traffic at all. The venue itself is small with a fun, funky vibe. I think capacity is under 300, so it was truly an intimate concert experience. There were some technical sound issues between the opening bands which put things behind a bit, but I thought Bottom of the Hill did a great job trouble shooting and getting them resolved asap. I also really appreciated on a personal note that the bar tender was extremely pleasant about giving me free water on multiple occasions as I was not ordering drinks. Overall this was a great concert experience… Dare I say likely more fantastical than what the goers of the Metallica show down the road experienced? I would definitely not hesitate to go see another concert here.

Bottom of the Hill is a great intimate music spot. When I say intimate, it indicates that it’s a smaller crowd because it’s not a huge place.
If you know you possibly have super funny dance moves you might bust out with after you get some drinks in you, just know that everyone is going to be watching you hahaha (fine by me, I find it entertaining) You know the dance moves where you wonder if they have any sense of rhythm at all and question why they’re throwing their arms everywhere in air as if their arms are jello lol
The night we came, a hip-​hop Swedish band was playing and although I didn’t understand anything the whole night, I still managed to have a good time! I wish I was on my date’s level of tipsy, but had to call the über and end the night early.
I would love to return to bottom of the hill, but preferably with one of my girl friends haha :)

BOTH does weddings! My wife and i have seen many a show here and love the colorful nightclub and took a chance to book a private event, our wedding. It may be a bit of an unconventional venue but Lynn and her staff are all stars: flexible, professional, and helpful. BOTH is the real san francisco with character and community. Go there to see a show, have a private event, and give them a nice tip. We could not be happier with how they made our rock and roll wedding dreams come true.

One of my more favorite venues in SF. It’s kinda famous and it is easy to see why.
I’ve seen plenty of bands here. It’s so small and usually I hate small places that get too packed, but because of how ‘shallow’ the standing area is, I’m usually able to actually WATCH the bands that are playing, even when another 6’3″ BRO SHOULDER takes up that last cubic foot of space I had in front of me.
I come here for the bands and don’t think I’ve ever gotten a drink here, but other people appear to have them all the time.
The one thing I dread about commuting to SF (from Sacramento) for some live music is the whole ‘find a place to park your car’ thing. Suffice to say, there’s a generous residential area where I’ve been able to find parking pretty much every time with little to no drama, even with sold out shows. It’s pretty much always in-​out with this area which is good news if you’re coming into the city. Just be prepared for the never-​ending construction on the Bay Bridge on your way out. Bottom Of The Hill typically ends their shows around 1AM (I think they ended one ONCE at like 12:30 when I was there). If you can deal with that, you’re golden.
Just don’t leave anything valuable anywhere visible in your car.

This place has achieved legend-​status for a reason. Every worthwhile act has gone through Bottom of the Hill at some point in their careers. From Arcade Fire to Mike Park to True Widow, if you are on the way up, chances are you’re going to play here when you come through San Francisco.
It’s a dive. And that’s a major part of the venue’s charm. It’s also tiny, but that just means there isn’t a bad view in the house. If you’re feeling crowded you can step out to the back patio and still be able to hear and see the show through the window.
Oh yeah, and bring cash. That part is important. You gotta bring cash.

This is my FAVORITE venue. Period. I have been visiting this venue for nearly 9 years now (still do even though I live in Sacramento now) and I’m sorry it has taken me so long to write this review guys! This place hosts an array of artists both big and small, which is honestly a treat, like an ice cream dipped in chocolate and then dipped in more chocolate kind of treat. The place is big enough to pull in a crowd, but small enough to feel intimate. You can actually see the band perform from almost every angle and feel like you’re a part of something. BOTH stays down to earth by making shows accessible to all ages and keeping ticket prices reasonable.
The people are usually awesome whether it be the crowd or the people that work there because we’re always there for the same thing. THE MUSIC. The acoustics are solid, which is probably the most important thing. If you can’t hear the music or if it isn’t fine-​tuned, then what’s the point, am I right? It does have a dive bar-​esque feel, but it’s definitely open and clean and has a cute little patio in the back to breathe.
First tip: bring CASH if you want to drink. Second tip: Be prepared to be awkwardly intimate with people in the bathroom. It’s usually clean, but they fit 2 stalls and a sink in what I feel could be a bedroom closet.
I just wanted to say that this place makes me happy and I hope you get a chance to check it out for yourself :)

This venue is definitely for a younger crowd. The kind that carries cash and doesn’t mind rude staff.
Acoustics represent the 2 stars. The sound was incredible.

My type of venue: it’s large enough to have some ish bigger names (I saw Kevin Devine, Dads and Rozwell Kid), but small enough to make it intimate.
It has a slight dive bar feel, and be warned… cash only. At the same time it feels clean (i.e sticky floors don’t particularly stand out when I think about the place).
There’s the patio for smokers that doubles as a bit of a greet and meet spot. The whole atmosphere around the venue is so relaxed.
I also like the corridor to the right of the stage where the merchandise stand is with the comfy benches and tables. Shows are usually late and I work really early on weekdays… sometimes having a place to plop down for a sec can be so important.

Drinks are expensive and the bar is cash only. I’m happy to pay a surcharge for using a credit card… but I’m totally not entering my PIN on a sketchy ATM.

Who has rude staff and is a cash only establishment? No thanks, I don’t want to use the disgusting and overpriced ATM.

Love how small it is. If a band you like is playing here you NEED to go! It’s like someone playing in your basement. My favorite show here was definitely The Get Up Kids. It was a great intimate show. I also really enjoy the little back patio too. I just love this whole place.
I also love how easy parking is! Doesn’t get any better than this venue!

Very cute and intimate. Nicely decorated. Pretty lax organization, except for the «No stage diving» and «No crowd surfing» signs. Wasn’t going to do that anyway, so I wasn’t bothered. I mostly loved the intimacy of the venue, but I was most bothered by the crowd! Ugh I don’t know if it is usually the same age demographic, but there were so many older people (50s+) present. I wouldn’t have minded, as I am all about music appreciation at all ages, but it was so INCREDIBLY annoying that no one seemed to know how to turn off their flash? And they all kept taking pictures… and no one who worked there was stopping people? What about the poor performers?!?

Bottom of the Hill is a nice, small venue near Whole Foods and Live Sushi, which makes plans for any date night extremely simple. Grab some dinner at either location, then head over to this bar for good music in a relaxing setting.
We came here on for the 10^th anniversary of Mae’s Everglow tour. The bar is cash only but there is an ATM machine.
The layout of the bar incorporated a bunch of themes that somehow works when all thrown together – i.e. Christmas lights, skulls on the wall, and potted plants. It makes you feel like you’ve found an intimate, cozy hipster bar that was too hipster to judge you because you discovered their new hangout spot.
There are tables in the back where people had their Macbooks set up. The window treatment is also interesting, reminding me of a house straight from a Dr. Seuss book. The patio area is relaxing as well. There is a staircase but it leads to storage space. No one seems to know that so occasionally you’ll see people walking upstairs, thinking they’re heading to a cool spot. But then they just come back in a few minutes because there’s nothing there.

First time visiting bottom at the hill. Was there to check out a band, Sick of Sarah, who were performing for the night.
A small and cosy venue space ideal for smaller bands. The bar only accepts cash, likewise cash payment for the entry fee if any. They do have an ATM just next to the entrance if you didnt carry cash.
Though the place appear kind of old and rundown, the sound system was good.
The bar carries the typical alcoholic drink and a limited list of beers. Drinks are cheap, beers were at $ 6/​bottle. Tried to request for Mojito but they do not have any mint. So ended up with two Strongbow cider which worked out well too.
Two girls next to us ask for their «special shots» listed on the wall, the bartender whispered to them that he got no clue what it was. Thought it was pretty hilarious, apparently he was just stepping in before the real bartender comes in.
The streets were pretty dark by the time we got there, it appears to be located in the midst of an industrial area. Ideal for a music venue so there wouldn’t have much sound/​music limit restrictions.
There are plenty of parking along the streets so that’s great for those who drive. It’s also a short distant from the 22^nd Caltrain.

I’ve had nothing but positive experiences every time I’ve been here .
Positive people, positive vibes, and great music every time I’ve been here.
The ginger beer is real good here too.
I think Ryan Gosling makes the ginger beer.
The ambiance and décor is real nice.
They also serve food here and have great friendly smiles.
There’s definitely no negative vibes the many times I’ve been here.
The parking has been real nice every time too.
I love this place.
I like the lighting too.
Oh and the water, the water is hella good.
The bathroom also has a great set up.
I love all the cool stickers on the wall.
The last show I went too had the orange peels, curious quail and a band called arts and leisure, they were all really rocking, I loved all those bands, perfect lineup, yes yes yes.
They were all so good I could feel the energy flowing through me too wanna dance like crazy.

I’m in love with this venue. They are huge local music supporters and are quick to accommodate bigger out of town bands. I have never seen an «okay» show here. All of them have been amazing! Great drinks. Friendly staff. Fun atmosphere.

To put it simply, Bottom of the Hill is a dive bar with a stage. It’s small and charming, stuck in a random spot in the city, and if not for the huge blue sign they’ve got blazing up the front of the building, it’d be nearly forgotten. But, it’s my favorite music venue in the city because of the intimacy you get with being so close to the musicians, and with the great sound they have here.
Just to show my concert cred, I’ve been here for Seeking Empire twice, Asobi Seksu, and the Colourist. Every band I’ve seen here has been incredible, and I’ve been literally footsteps away from them performing. It is the best sounding venue I’ve been to in the city. Everything just feels crisp, and loud as well. Feel like I need ear plugs sometimes when I’m here, but that’s a good thing right?
The venue itself is small, but not small enough to feel claustrophobic. They’ve also got a nice little patio right behind the stage that you can go out and grab some fresh air or a smoke. Their bar is pretty stocked, and they’ve got all your typical favorite beers on tap.
It’s rare that a venue will sway me into going to a concert, but Bottom of the Hill has that unique effect on me! Definitely make it a point to grab a show here sometime.

A very cool venue – smaller, intimate space and you can’t help but feel cooler once your inside. There are rock and roll posters all over the walls and colored lighting.
The acoustics were good. We were there to see Strange Vine and their set was great. There’s also a space outback to smoke. Drinks weren’t too expensive– beers were $ 6 – 8. The bar is cash only though.

Cozy venue, good prices, good vibes
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I went to see my friends perform: Night Riots (formerly PK).
LOVED this cool place. It’s dim with some sweet décor all along the walls. It’s a very small venue. I think it is a house that was turned into a venue.
There’s a small bar (cash only) with good prices for drinks. If I can remember off the top of my head, Pabst was $ 4.50 and generally beers were $ 5. Mixed drinks were around $ 7/​$ 8, I think.
Sound wasn’t bad at all. I really liked being able to be close to the performances. Bathrooms are VERY small. For girls, two small stalls and literally only 1 person can be at the sink. It was fine though, didn’t encounter any problems/​never had to wait in line (probably because I went early lol).

Great place to soak in some tunes. Drinks are on the affordable side, Ca$h only! There are no in & outs. Smoking is outside *cough*cough*. Bathrooms are on the small side, but at least they are functional. You can order some nice greasy spoon food through a window past the bar. Lots of outdoor parking around the area, my fiancé’ loves that about this venue, making it his favorite SF music venue for small concerts.
Be sure to bring some ear plugs, they like to rock out the speakers here. Which is cool, because you can feel the music through your body, however, your hearing is replaceable. Felt like the crowd is pretty chill. Oh and bonus, along the sides there are seats if you’re luck enough to grab one.

First discovered Bottom Of The Hill when seeing PETER MURPHY & was really impressed w/​this venue.
Small & intimate & reminded me of a Red Devil Lounge or Café Du Nord (before both closed). There’s a small stage & everyone piles up wherever there’s a little space to stand. But makes seeing such great artists in these venues all the richer in experience & worth the attendance
Parking was easy to come by & bartenders were easy to recognize we needed refills — thanks for the imbibing attention!
Just missed seeing the Proclaimers but am definitely keeping my eyes out for the next chance to come back to Bottom of the Hill!