Jazz Clubs in San Francisco

For those who recognize jazz as one of America's greatest contributions to the arts, San Francisco rewards them with a long history of jazz greatness and no shortage of SF jazz clubs and jazz-focused bars.

As far back as the early 1900s, the infamous Barbary Coast – though known more for prostitutes and heavy drinking – was also home to a thriving SF jazz scene, and the reckless lawlessness of the day no doubt inspired many jazz musicians of the time.

Jazz saw another heyday in San Francisco during World War II, when thousands of African Americans arrived to work on the docks as part of the war effort and brought their music with them. Nowadays the Fillmore District in SF is specially suited to celebrate the city’s jazz history, thanks to the establishment of the Historic Fillmore Jazz Preservation District that works to highlight the cultural role that jazz played in the neighborhood and throughout the city.

Whether you’re looking for a swanky date spot with incredible blues or a legit smoky neighborhood dive, San Francisco jazz clubs will not let you down. The massive Yoshi’s in the Fillmore is an easy choice for a fabulous meal while listening to world-class jazz in a super chic club, where as Club Deluxe in The Haight is a combination jazz and pizza joint that’s as festive and casual as they come.

Meanwhile, the seasoned musicians who take to Savanna Jazz’s small stage five nights a week aren’t drawing a crowd with their made-up pop looks or licentious dance moves, but with their fierce dedication to pure Brazilian and Latin jazz.

Dressed up or dressed down, jazz clubs in San Francisco have it going on.