Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Arena / Concert Venue

Boasting a lush beaux-arts architecture, the Bill Graham Civic Center was originally built in 1915 as the San Francisco Civic Auditorium as part of the Exposition Auditorium for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. It remains one of the only surviving buildings from that event and has since served as a mecca for an eclectic offering of performing arts and events. It is located on the bustling Market Street in the heart of Civic Center between the city’s downtown Financial District and the notorious gay neighborhood, Castro.

The seating capacity at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium is nearly 8,500, there are four stories, the venue occupies an entire city block, and there are countless show-stopping events at Bill Graham every year, featuring everything from music to politics. Everyone from the 1920 Democratic National Convention to the rockin’ beats of rock giants like the Grateful Dead, The Who, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers have graced the stage at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium.

The multi-purpose arena was renamed after renowned music promoter Bill Graham died in a helicopter crash in 1992; Graham had been responsible for significantly bolstering San Francisco’s music scene. The Bill Graham Civic Auditorium even served as the former home of the Golden State Warriors of the NBA from 1964-1966.