Best Live Music Restaurants in Cole Valley

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchJapanese

Regions

East BayMarinPeninsulaSan Francisco

Neighborhoods

ChinatownCivic Center / Hayes Valley / Van NessCow HollowDaly CityDowntown / Union SquareFinancial District / Embarcadero

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

54 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Curio

4.4

Awesome(325)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Comfort Food • Mission District

Booked 6 times today

Curio is a bar and restaurant that honors all things unconventional. Located next to The Chapel, the Mission’s most prominent performance venue, the space brings together some of life’s greatest pleasures – well-crafted cocktails, regional American food, and live music. The eclectic space draws inspiration from the building’s past as a mortuary, exploring the mysterious themes of life and time.

2. Foreign Cinema

4.8

Exceptional(8961)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Mission District

Booked 113 times today

Foreign Cinema is a one-of-a-kind, nationally acclaimed restaurant blending independent films with California-Mediterranean cuisine. Enjoy a stylish indoor dining room with a full bar and fireplace, or relax in our heated and covered outdoor courtyard where 35mm film screenings begin at dusk. For those seeking a more intimate experience, our private dining options include the mezzanine, amate terrace, and gallery, thoughtfully curated by Modernism West. Our vibrant DJ/live music bar, Laszlo, serves craft cocktails, zero-proof options, a full dinner menu, and lively tunes to end your night.We are currently accepting reservations for both the heated and covered outdoor patio and indoor dining up to 60 days in advance. Standard seating refers to indoor dining. For groups of 9 or more, please reach out to our private dining department at janine@foreigncinema.com for booking details.

A photo of Historic John's Grill restaurant

3. Historic John's Grill

4.7

Exceptional(7579)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 55 times today

John's Grill has been a San Francisco tradition since 1908. This historic restaurant is one of the city's oldest and most famous and is a favorite of celebrities who enjoy great steaks, expertly prepared fresh seafood with excellent service and a one of a kind atmosphere. John's Grill was a setting in author Dashiell Hammett, The Maltese Falcon.

4. The Post Room

4.4

Awesome(216)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Downtown / Union Square

Booked 13 times today

In the heart of San Francisco’s Union Square, a new Mediterranean-inspired bar and lounge called The Post Room is nestled inside the historic Beacon Grand and overlooking the hotel’s grand lobby, the vibrant social venue will serve breakfast through supper every day, with brunch served on weekends and complemented by a dazzling live music program.

5. MESKI

4.5

Awesome(83)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Ethiopian • Nob Hill

Booked 26 times today

Meski will marry Ethiopian and Afro-Latin flavors in dishes like a T-bone steak in a berbere-coffee rub, above, served with chile-glazed plantains and pigeon peas.Meski, named after Fassil's late mother, will serve dishes like sancocho, a Dominican meat stew, infused here with Ethiopian spices. Sambusas will made from yuca, the fried pockets filled with berbere-spiced beef or lentils. As they've developed the menu, German said he's been delighted to notice parallels between his native Dominican cuisine and Ethiopian food. His mother's steak encebollado stew, for example, reminds him of Ethiopian beef tibs.Please note due to high demand and the intimate size of our restaurant, reservations for parties of five or fewer are allotted a 90-minute dining experience. 120 minutes are allotted for parties of six.

6. BIX

4.8

Exceptional(5100)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 39 times today

An exceptionally stylish supper club, civilized speakeasy, a sophisticated saloon. Each of these "personae" is housed in a soaring two-story interior distinguished by a gently curving mahogany bar, fluted columns with ornate capitals, stunning original art, plush banquettes, cozy booths, starched linens, glittering glasses, and polished flatware. Overall, the ambiance is pure 1930's and 1940's - tasteful art moderne reminiscent of the glory days of Cunard and French Line ships. Fashionable and glamorous are the hallmarks. Trendy is simply not a part of the BIX culture. The clientele at BIX ranges from San Francisco movers-and-shakers to "savvy travelers" - owner Doug Biederbeck's term for the many diners in the know from out of town who patronize his establishment. All of them step from the featureless alley into another world - a world of superb cookery and libations, of sparkling service, of stylish nostalgia, of polished live jazz. That world is BIX.

7. Harris'

4.9

Exceptional(5688)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Russian Hill

Booked 50 times today

Harris’ is the quintessential steak house experience. We offer dry-aged, mid-western beef, outstanding martinis, and an award winning wine list. In our lounge we have live jazz nightly.Although the lounge is available for more casual dining, we do have a dress code in the main dining room: please, no shorts, t-shirts or sportswear.

A photo of Mr. Tipple’s Jazz Club restaurant

8. Mr. Tipple’s Jazz Club

4.8

Exceptional(951)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Cocktail Bar • Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

Booked 22 times today

***Best Jazz Club in the City, by San Francisco Magazine***Mr. Tipple’s is a craft cocktail bar featuring live jazz.-Reservations have a 90min time limit from reservation time. There is a $20/guest min for table serviceMr. Tipple’s heralds back to a 1950s NYC basement. Cozy. Dark. Boozy. The intimate setting features local jazz artists up close and personal. It’s a joint where you come as you are, hear great music, tap your toes, and sip a properly chilled cocktail.-My name is Mr. Tipple. Just a simple and laughable bloke hailing from London. I run a recording studio. My friends joke that you’ll oft find me spinning cocktails, not reeling tape. After a few too many, I usually just sit back and enjoy the music, having forgotten to hit record. Regardless, the band is always jiving, the whiskey is always cold, and we’re having a smashing good time.

9. Altamirano

4.7

Exceptional(150)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Peruvian • North Panhandle / USF

Booked 6 times today

NOW OPEN! Altamirano Restaurant & Bar is a new Peruvian restaurant, conveniently located in the NOPA neighborhood of San Francisco. Open the door to a spacious bar that flows seamlessly into the luxe dining room, with the exhibition kitchen in full view. Meander outside to the dynamic outdoor dining courtyard, featuring a fire pit, ample seating, a bar, and a TV to watch your favorite sports teams. Led by a team of culinary and hospitality professionals, service is comfortable yet elevated. Overseen by Chef Carlos Altamirano and led by Chef Eric Chumacero, the menu is a modern take on the flavors of Peru. Bold tastes and unique preparations will delight your senses and pop on your palette. Drinks highlight traditional Peruvian ingredients but with a contemporary twist. We can't wait to welcome you soon!

A photo of Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar - Fairmont San Francisco restaurant

10. Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar - Fairmont San Francisco

4.0

Excellent(2081)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Asian • Nob Hill

Booked 27 times today

Located at the iconic Fairmont San Francisco hotel, Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar has delighted guests with its tropical décor, decadent libations and Polynesian-fusion cuisine since 1945.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

K
KathrynVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •151 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Have never been here before but glad we gave it a try before the theater. Great food and got us in and out promptly to make our curtain time.
More info
Historic John's GrillPrice: Expensive• American• Downtown / Union Square
•
4.7
S
StephenVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •8 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Still amazing after all these years! Great wine selections, raw bar, and food.
More info
Foreign CinemaPrice: Expensive• Californian• Mission District
•
4.8
A
araselis
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
It was a gem, it exceeded our expectations. Service staff was very nice and friendly, accommodating. I will definitely return!!
More info
MESKIPrice: Expensive• Ethiopian• Nob Hill
•
4.5
K
Kathleen
New York City •7 reviews
4.0
Dined on Jun 10, 2025
The restaurant's interior is beautiful. The service was excellent and so was the food. The noise level was much too high, so only four stars. Lunch is served late so next time we will reserve a table a little later to avoid the lively lunch crowd. Otherwise, this was a lovely experience.
More info
The Post RoomPrice: Expensive• Californian• Downtown / Union Square
•
4.4
R
RaúlVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •6 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 25, 2025
We always have the best experience. The service is top! And the food is always so consistent and delicious! Thank you!
More info
CurioPrice: Moderate• Comfort Food• Mission District
•
4.4

Explore OpenTable

Neighborhood
Live music

Cole Valley

SOMA
San Ramon
Geyserville
Danville
American Canyon
North Beach
Klamath / Crescent City
Yountville
Concord
Japantown
Windsor
San Rafael
Burlingame
Richmond
The Castro
Santa Rosa
Downtown / Union Square
Alamo
Palo Alto
Outer Mission