Hal Bigler Band
2029-07-03 20:00 - 23:00, 2029-07-10 20:00 - 23:00, 2029-07-17 20:00 - 23:00, 2029-07-24 20:00 - 23:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Comstock Saloon, 155 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94133, United States
Step back in time at Comstock Saloon, where the Hal Bigler Band holds court every Tuesday night from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Set in a meticulously restored 1907 building at the crossroads of North Beach and Chinatown, this residency perfectly matches the band’s vintage sound with a setting of intricate carved wood, cozy booths, and pre-Prohibition style. Known for serenading guests from the saloon’s unique upstairs stage, the band provides an elite, high-fidelity soundtrack that transforms a weeknight into a cinematic San Francisco experience.
The music is a masterclass in Traditional Jazz and Swing, often leaning into a “bawdy” and soulful energy that keeps the room vibrant. Led by bassist Hal Bigler, the ensemble features a rotating cast of the city’s finest instrumentalists—frequently including brass powerhouses like trombonists and trumpeters who drive the band’s “restless melodicism” and deep rhythmic pocket. Their performances are celebrated for their technical brilliance and an improvisational flair that honors the roots of early 20th-century jazz while keeping the energy modern and infectious.
The atmosphere at Comstock during these sets is both elegant and unpretentious, drawing a mix of jazz aficionados, cocktail enthusiasts, and neighborhood regulars. Whether you are seated at the bar enjoying a classic Ramos Fizz or tucked into a booth for dinner, the Hal Bigler Band ensures that the spirit of old North Beach remains loud and alive. With no cover charge and a front-row seat to world-class musicianship, it is one of the city’s most essential and accessible live music traditions.

About the Hal Bigler Band
Hal Bigler is a veteran of the San Francisco jazz scene, known for his “steady hand” on the upright bass and his ability to curate top-tier ensembles. His band has become a cornerstone of the North Beach live music circuit, praised for preserving the high-energy “hot jazz” style that once defined the city’s nightlife. Occasionally collaborating with unique performers like burlesque dancers, the group remains dedicated to the idea that jazz should be a multi-sensory, high-energy party. Their Tuesday night residency at Comstock is widely considered one of the best spots in the city to watch this live jazz combo.

Live Music at the Lion’s Den
2029-07-04 20:00 - 23:00, 2029-07-05 20:00 - 23:00, 2029-07-06 20:00 - 23:00, 2029-07-07 20:00 - 23:00, 2029-07-08 20:00 - 23:00, 2029-07-11 20:00 - 23:00, 2029-07-12 20:00 - 23:00, 2029-07-13 20:00 - 23:00 and 9 more dates | Lion’s Den, 57 Wentworth Pl, San Francisco, CA, 94108, United States
Step into the vibrant heart of San Francisco’s Chinatown and discover Lion’s Den Bar and Lounge, your ultimate destination for electrifying nightlife and unforgettable experiences. With an irresistible fusion of Asian-inspired cocktails, pulsating beats, and a captivating ambiance, Lion’s Den sets the stage for a night you won’t soon forget.

Magic School Busk
2029-07-06 17:00 - 21:00, 2029-07-13 17:00 - 21:00, 2029-07-20 17:00 - 21:00 | Red Window, 500 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA, United States
Experience the ultimate “living theater” of North Beach as The Magic School Busk takes up their weekly residency directly in front of The Red Window. Positioned at the vibrant, sun-soaked corner of Stockton and Columbus, this high-energy busking collective captures the spontaneous spirit of the neighborhood.
The performance is a masterclass in Street Swing and improvisational Jazz. Drawing from the “busking” tradition of New Orleans and the European “Hot Club” sound, the ensemble specializes in acoustic music that is both technically brilliant and completely unpretentious. The line-up is fluid, often featuring a “who’s who” of local instrumentalists who bring a “restless melodicism” to classic standards and upbeat, toe-tapping originals.
The Magic School Busk is more than just a band; they are the neighborhood’s “resident joy-makers.” Because they perform on the street level, the barrier between musician and audience disappears, inviting passersby to stop, dance, and engage with the music in real-time. Whether you are enjoying a gin tonic on the Red Window’s outdoor patio or just walking by with a cannoli in hand, the band provides an elite, soulful soundtrack that defines the modern North Beach experience.

About The Magic School Busk
Born from the city’s post-pandemic “street-side” revival, The Magic School Busk is a collective of veteran Bay Area musicians dedicated to the art of public performance. They emphasize the “acoustic and the authentic,” eschewing heavy amplification for the natural resonance of brass, strings, and woodwinds. Often featuring members from some of the city’s most popular jazz and swing outfits, the “Busk” is celebrated for its ability to read a crowd and create a party out of thin air. They represent the best of San Francisco’s musical resilience—keeping the city’s culture loud, proud, and accessible to everyone on the street.

Bluegrass Jam
2029-07-08 16:00 - 19:00, 2029-07-15 16:00 - 19:00, 2029-07-22 16:00 - 19:00 | The Lucky Horseshoe, 454 Courtland Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94110, United States
The Lucky Horseshoe hosts its long-standing Bluegrass Jam every Sunday afternoon. Unlike a typical circle jam, this is a unique “performance” jam where musicians take to the stage to play into microphones for a live crowd. It’s an intermediate-to-advanced level session that brings together the best of the Bay Area’s roots and bluegrass community, turning the Bernal Heights tavern into a high-energy honky-tonk for three hours every week.

The Performance Format: This session is specifically designed as a “on-stage” experience. Musicians are encouraged to step up to the mic, fostering a professional yet welcoming atmosphere that bridges the gap between a casual rehearsal and a formal concert.

Skill Level Requirements: The jam is tailored for intermediate players who are comfortable leading a vocal or instrumental song. The ability to “call a tune” and guide the ensemble is a key part of the ritual, ensuring a high-quality listening experience for the patrons in the bar.

A Neighborhood Tradition: Sponsored in part by the California Bluegrass Association (CBA), the jam is a quintessential Sunday social in Bernal Heights. The “Shoe” provides the perfect wood-paneled backdrop, complete with strong drinks and a dog-friendly policy that welcomes the whole community.

Acoustic & Unplugged: While the stage is amplified, the heart of the music remains strictly acoustic, celebrating the traditional sounds of banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and upright bass in their purest forms.

About the Organizer: California Bluegrass Association (CBA)
The Sunday Horseshoe Jam is part of the broader mission of the California Bluegrass Association, a non-profit dedicated to the preservation and promotion of bluegrass, old-time, and gospel music. By supporting weekly residencies like this one, the CBA ensures that traditional American music remains a vibrant, living part of San Francisco’s urban culture. Whether you are a seasoned picker looking for a stage or a fan of high-speed flatpicking, these Sunday sessions offer an authentic slice of the “high lonesome sound” right on Cortland Avenue.

Spanish Folk live music
2029-07-08 17:00 - 19:00, 2029-07-15 17:00 - 19:00, 2029-07-22 17:00 - 19:00 | Amelie, 1754 Polk St, San Francisco, CA, 94109
