Keys Jazz Bistro

Address
498 Broadway
San Francisco, CA 94133 United States Get Directions
Website https://keysjazzbistro.com/
Vibe: Sophisticated Listening Room | Historic Elegance | Heartbeat of Broadway
Keys Jazz Bistro occupies a storied 4,000-square-foot space along the historic Broadway corridor in North Beach, once home to the legendary 1950s club El Matador.  Founded by Dr. Simon Rowe — a distinguished pianist and former Executive Director of the Brubeck Institute — Keys is built around a single conviction: that jazz deserves to be heard.  Every design decision, from the 125-seat Listening Room to the resident Yamaha concert grand and Hammond B3 organ, serves the music first.  The result is a room where sound commands the spotlight.
Live Music & Atmosphere
The Listening Room is designed so no seat is more than 25 feet from the stage — acoustics optimized, sightlines unobstructed, and the room temperature set to reverence.  Programming draws Bay Area legends and international touring artists: vocalists like Clairdee and Lavay Smith, and the house Simon Rowe Organ Trio anchoring the weekly calendar.  The front bar and lounge (80 capacity) occupies the original El Matador footprint — the place to arrive early, settle in, and let the evening unfold.
Dinner and a Show
A full menu featuring appetizers and Australian meat pies — a nod to the owner’s roots — is served tableside so you can eat without missing a note.  Signature cocktails and a curated wine list complement the mid-century atmosphere — sophisticated without being fussy.
Details That Define the Room
• Tickets available online; reservations strongly recommended, especially on weekends.
• Will-call check-in — give your name at the door; no printed ticket required.
• Shows run Wed–Sat at 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM, with a 10:30 PM Hammond B3 late set on Saturdays. Sunday shows at 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM.
• First-come, first-served seating inside.
• Keys is home to Jazz in the Neighborhood, advocating for fair musician wages — every ticket supports the cause.
Categories: North Beach

Events at this venue

Today

  • Patrick Wolff all-star quartet with Edward Simon, Marcos Varela, and Jerome Gillespie

    Patrick Wolff all-star quartet with Edward Simon, Marcos Varela, and Jerome Gillespie
    Keys Jazz Bistro 498 Broadway, San Francisco, CA, United States

    Patrick Wolff-saxophones Edward Simon- piano Marcos Varela- bass Jerome Gillespie- drums Patrick Wolff is a saxophone and clarinet player with a long history in the jazz scenes of New York City and San Francisco. His playing has been characterized by a focus on lyricism and an embrace of the whole lineage of jazz styles. For this special...

    $30

  • Patrick Wolff all-star quartet with Edward Simon, Marcos Varela, and Jerome Gillespie

    Patrick Wolff all-star quartet with Edward Simon, Marcos Varela, and Jerome Gillespie
    Keys Jazz Bistro 498 Broadway, San Francisco, CA, United States

    Patrick Wolff-saxophones Edward Simon- piano Marcos Varela- bass Jerome Gillespie- drums Patrick Wolff is a saxophone and clarinet player with a long history in the jazz scenes of New York City and San Francisco. His playing has been characterized by a focus on lyricism and an embrace of the whole lineage of jazz styles. For this special...

    $30

  • Colm O Riain

    Colm O Riain
    Keys Jazz Bistro 498 Broadway, San Francisco, CA, United States

    Irish-born virtuoso violinist and composer Colm Ó Riain and his Ensemble return to Keys with their soulful exploration of the connection between Ireland and a host of other musical cultures. West African percussion underpinning plaintive Middle Eastern melodies, Flamenco duende driving jazz improvisations, and all topped by fiery Irish fiddling.   “Ó Riain’s fireworks display...

    $40

  • Colm O Riain

    Colm O Riain
    Keys Jazz Bistro 498 Broadway, San Francisco, CA, United States

    Irish-born virtuoso violinist and composer Colm Ó Riain and his Ensemble return to Keys with their soulful exploration of the connection between Ireland and a host of other musical cultures. West African percussion underpinning plaintive Middle Eastern melodies, Flamenco duende driving jazz improvisations, and all topped by fiery Irish fiddling.   “Ó Riain’s fireworks display...

    $40

  • Suzanna Smith

    Suzanna Smith
    Keys Jazz Bistro 498 Broadway, San Francisco, CA, United States

    Returning to Keys, Suzanna Smith fronts another stellar ensemble to work her magic around the Peggy Lee songbook. “There are relatively few contemporary female vocalists who evoke Peggy Lee, at least not genuinely. Suzanna Smith numbers among that rare ilk. That Smith sounds like Lee — slightly breathy and warmly sensual with a hint of...

    $40

  • Tony Lindsay

    Tony Lindsay
    Keys Jazz Bistro 498 Broadway, San Francisco, CA, United States

    After 25 years as the lead vocalist for Santana, Tony Lindsay has garnered 11 Grammy awards, traveled on numerous world tours and recorded on seven Santana CDs: Milagro (1992), Supernatural (1999), Shaman (2002), Ceremony (2003), Food for Thought (2004), Ultimate Santana (2007), Multi-Dimensional Warrior (2008). In addition to many Grammy Show performances, Tony’s time with...

    $40

  • Late Set: Simon Rowe Organ Trio

    Keys Jazz Bistro 498 Broadway, San Francisco, CA, United States

    Keeping folks up past 10 pm in SF is no easy feat, but Key’s owner Simon Rowe has been showcasing the best of the Bay Area’s organ trios in his late night Saturday sets. His ‘Transcendent Trio’, formed for a “Jazz on the Patio” residency during the pandemic will feature the dynamic Kai Lyons- guitar,...

    $15

  • Late Set: Simon Rowe Organ Trio

    Keys Jazz Bistro 498 Broadway, San Francisco, CA, United States

    Keeping folks up past 10 pm in SF is no easy feat, but Key’s owner Simon Rowe has been showcasing the best of the Bay Area’s organ trios in his late night Saturday sets. His ‘Transcendent Trio’, formed for a “Jazz on the Patio” residency during the pandemic will feature the dynamic Kai Lyons- guitar,...

    $15

  • Late Set: Simon Rowe Organ Trio

    Keys Jazz Bistro 498 Broadway, San Francisco, CA, United States

    Keeping folks up past 10 pm in SF is no easy feat, but Key’s owner Simon Rowe has been showcasing the best of the Bay Area’s organ trios in his late night Saturday sets. His ‘Transcendent Trio’, formed for a “Jazz on the Patio” residency during the pandemic will feature the dynamic Kai Lyons- guitar,...

    $15

  • Late Set: Simon Rowe Organ Trio

    Keys Jazz Bistro 498 Broadway, San Francisco, CA, United States

    Keeping folks up past 10 pm in SF is no easy feat, but Key’s owner Simon Rowe has been showcasing the best of the Bay Area’s organ trios in his late night Saturday sets. His ‘Transcendent Trio’, formed for a “Jazz on the Patio” residency during the pandemic will feature the dynamic Kai Lyons- guitar,...

    $15

  • Late Set: Simon Rowe Organ Trio

    Keys Jazz Bistro 498 Broadway, San Francisco, CA, United States

    Keeping folks up past 10 pm in SF is no easy feat, but Key’s owner Simon Rowe has been showcasing the best of the Bay Area’s organ trios in his late night Saturday sets. His ‘Transcendent Trio’, formed for a “Jazz on the Patio” residency during the pandemic will feature the dynamic Kai Lyons- guitar,...

    $15

  • Late Set: Simon Rowe Organ Trio

    Keys Jazz Bistro 498 Broadway, San Francisco, CA, United States

    Keeping folks up past 10 pm in SF is no easy feat, but Key’s owner Simon Rowe has been showcasing the best of the Bay Area’s organ trios in his late night Saturday sets. His ‘Transcendent Trio’, formed for a “Jazz on the Patio” residency during the pandemic will feature the dynamic Kai Lyons- guitar,...

    $15