The Fillmore Concert Venue / Live Music Venue

Western Addition, San Francisco –

The Fillmore emerged in the 1960s as a central component to the counterculture movement, hosting some of the biggest bands of the era and arguably fostering the emergence of psychedelic rock.

More than just a relic of the past or a shrine to outdated hippiedom, this historic venue remains one of the city’s handful of stalwart concert halls where major bands routinely grace the stage and up-and-comers still yearn to stand. Much like they have done for decades, greeters yell out, “Welcome to the Fillmore!” as the audience files in before a show, and though purists decry the 2008 lease to corporate chain Live Nation, traditions like the greeting still live on.

The open hall inside is relatively simple, with well-worn floors and cabaret-style chandeliers, and, depending on the act, the broad standing-room-only space in front of the stage hosts everyone from hardcore punks in furious mosh pits to chilled-out suburbanites.

Tables tucked against the walls provide respite from the dense surge of the thousand-plus fans who routinely sell out the shows, while a mezzanine level covered with psychedelic concert posters reminds guests of the venue’s long and occasionally drug-addled past.

Standard concert prices at the full bar keep revelers’ thirst in check, but all roads ultimately lead San Francisco music fans to The Fillmore, overpriced brews and all.