San Francisco Open‑Mic & Open‑Jam Overview

The Bay Area’s music culture blends historic venues with a thriving DIY scene. From the storied stages of The Saloon to the hip‑hop‑friendly vibe of El Rio, San Francisco offers nightly opportunities for vocalists, instrumentalists, and producers to test material in front of supportive crowds.

Weekly Schedule of Top Events

• Monday – The Uptown – Open Mic Night
  • Time: 7 pm doors.
  • Genres: Rock, pop, indie.
  • Sign‑up: Eventbrite registration (free).
  • Fee: $5 (cash or Venmo).
• Tuesday – The Saloon – Tuesday Night Jam
  • Time: 8 pm.
  • Genres: Blues, classic rock, jam band.
  • Sign‑up: On‑site sheet (first‑come).
  • Fee: $5.
• Wednesday – Bottom of the Hill – Open Mic & Open Jam
  • Time: 7 pm.
  • Genres: Indie, punk, acoustic.
  • Sign‑up: Google Form (link on Facebook page).
  • Fee: $5.
• Thursday – Café du Nord – Acoustic Open Mic
  • Time: 8 pm.
  • Genres: Folk, singer‑songwriter, jazz standards.
  • Sign‑up: On‑site board.
  • Fee: $5.
• Friday – The Make‑Out Room – Friday Night Jam
  • Time: 9 pm.
  • Genres: Post‑punk, synth‑pop, experimental.
  • Sign‑up: Instagram DM (@makeoutroom).
  • Fee: $10 (covers back‑line).
• Saturday – El Rio – Saturday Open Mic
  • Time: 9 pm.
  • Genres: Hip‑hop, R&B, reggaeton, spoken word.
  • Sign‑up: On‑site sheet; max four songs per act.
  • Fee: $5.
• Sunday – The Independent – Sunday Jam
  • Time: 2 pm.
  • Genres: Jazz, funk, fusion.
  • Sign‑up: QR code displayed at the entrance.
  • Fee: Free (optional tip).
• Monthly – The Fillmore – Open Mic Night (1st Saturday)
  • Time: 7 pm.
  • Genres: Classic rock, blues, soul.
  • Sign‑up: Email openmic@fillmore.com 48 h ahead.
  • Fee: $5.

Practical Advice for Bay‑Area Musicians

• Public transportation is your friend. Almost every venue is a short walk from a Muni stop; use the F‑Line to reach The Uptown or The Saloon.
• Bring a printed set list. The Fillmore and The Echo (LA) require a short list in advance; many SF venues appreciate a hard copy.
• Gear considerations. The Saloon provides a drum kit; other locations expect you to bring your own amp/keyboard.
• Dress code. Most spots are casual; The Independent and The Fillmore request “no shoes on the stage” for safety.
• Network actively. Carry business cards or a QR‑code link to your Bandcamp/Spotify profile; the Bay Area community loves collaborations.

Contact & Further Resources

• The Uptown – uptownsf.com/openmic – (415) 618‑3311
• The Saloon – thesaloon.com – (415) 986‑4115
• Bottom of the Hill – bottomofthehill.com – (415) 863‑1310
• Café du Nord – cafedunord.com – (415) 861‑1100
• The Make‑Out Room – Instagram @makeoutroom – (415) 380‑4444
• El Rio – elriocafe.com – (415) 252‑3610
• The Independent – independentmusic.com – (415) 773‑3888
• The Fillmore – thefillmore.com – (415) 822‑6100