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Tue / Jan 26
Party Earth Review A Southern-style restaurant in the heart of Northern California’s biggest metropolis, Biscuits and Blues may be a bit of a dichotomy, but it’s also the city’s top spot for live blues EVERY DAMN NIGHT, SON! Giant colorful... ... read full review
401 Mason Street
San Francisco, CA 94133
BART: Powell
MUNI F Line: 4th Street & Market Street
415–292–2583
Daily 6pm–midnight
Downtown / Financial District, San Francisco –
A Southern-style restaurant in the heart of Northern California’s biggest metropolis, Biscuits and Blues may be a bit of a dichotomy, but it’s also the city’s top spot for live blues EVERY DAMN NIGHT, SON!
Giant colorful paintings, photographs of renowned musicians, and a big neon “Blues” sign adorn the entryway, while a staircase leads down to a room shrouded in darkness apart from the stage, where both local and bigger-name touring acts deliver their gritty brand of music.
Customers who pony up for a meal enjoy the best seats in front of the low stage – not to mention the fat plates of jambalaya, baby back ribs, and brisket – while larger groups of blues lovers take over the booths lining the sides of the room.
Luckily, thanks to the venue’s open layout and intimate size, even the budget-minded college kids and European tourists sipping ice water and nursing beers in back don’t miss much.
The blues club is not the only reason crowds flock to B&B, however – there’s also the upstairs Union Room, a dining space featuring the same menu and just as much blues paraphernalia, as well as a lineup of lesser known acts in a variety of genres that perform throughout the week.
For anyone wishing to escape the fast-paced SF jungle in favor of a place where best friends steal wives, dogs die young, and momma don’t love you no more, it doesn’t get any better than Biscuits and Blues.
Locals already know parking Downtown can be a hassle, but Biscuits has a deal with the Mason/O'Farrell Parking Garage (325 Mason Street) that lets patrons pay only $12 for up to five hours. Just show the attendant your ticket stub when you leave. Otherwise, you can try your luck with area parking meters, which are usually free after 6pm, but never easy to come by.
Down-to-earth blues fans, cultured post grads, musicians, artsy tourists, and older couples, late 20s to 40s+.
Live blues every night downstairs in the main room, with regular jazz acts in the upstairs Union Room. Most shows begin around 7:30 or 8pm. Televisions upstairs typically play concert recordings before a show.
Southern-style menu includes barbecue pulled pork, beef brisket, fried chicken, and biscuits.
All ages. “Dinner and show” is required for the 8pm weekend shows. Meal service is not required for other shows, but priority seating is given to patrons who commit to dinner. "Dinner & Show" reservations can be booked on the venue’s website.
"Show Only" and "Dinner Only" reservations must be placed by phone.
Cover charge $10–$20+. Appetizers and sides $5–$17, soups and salads $7–$12, entrées $16–$24, desserts $5–$7. Beer $5.50–$6.50, wine $8+, cocktails $7–$14.
Dressy casual: button-downs, jeans, occasional suits, blouses, nice skirts.
Big-name blues artists play even on weeknights, so any time a performer of interest is playing will be a hot night.
Rye (688 Geary Street) is a cozy cocktail lounge with a name alluding to whiskey but a menu far more generous to gin. What it lacks in live music it makes up for in free pool and mixology.