The greater Yuba-Sutter area has little to offer in the way of entertainment. Karaoke bars abound, but if you are under 21 it seems you’re doomed to wandering the aisles of the Wal-Mart Supercenter after the bowling alley closes. There is hope, though. If you’re your willing to shell out the $3.59 a gallon for gasoline there is opportunity looming on the horizon. Sacramento and San Francisco are breathes of fresh air for the fan of live music.
The True Love Coffee House is an all-ages venue in Midtown Sacramento, located in a renovated two-story Victorian house on K Street. The True Love features an award-winning Open Mic Night on Tuesdays. The café is owned by Kevin Seconds, front-man of the legendary punk band 7 Seconds. The atmosphere is friendly; with indoor seating, a smoke-free front patio and covered patio in the back for smokers. Enjoy one their quirky specialty coffee drinks like the Michael Jackson (half regular mocha, half white mocha) or the Jostled Gandhi (a chai tea latte with a shot of espresso) and vegan nachos until the wee hours of the morning. The True Love is open until midnight on weekdays and until 1:00 a.m. on weekends. Parking is easy to find and ample seating is available for the live music performances on the second floor (cover charges usually run about $5). The True Love is a gem and an especially valuable resource for the under-aged crowd who are tired of late-night trips to Denny’s and driving aimlessly around Marysville and Yuba City searching for something to do.
The True Love Coffee House
2315 K Street
Sacramento, CA 92816
(916) 448-5683
www.myspace.com/truelovesacto
Luna’s Café has an intimate setting and features great local Sacramento music acts on a weekly basis. Luna’s is an all-ages venue but does serve beer and wine along with an impressive juice selection and espresso drinks. If you’re going to see a band get there early to grab a table because seating is limited. The average cover is about $6.
Luna’s Café
1414 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 441-3931
www.lunascafe.com
A Sacramento institution for those lucky enough to be over 21, Old Ironsides has plenty to offer the older live music fan looking for a place to spend a Friday evening. Old I has a full bar with a complete selection of beers and ales. It’s standing room only in front of the stage, but if you don’t want to leave your barstool the band is featured on the television screens above the bar. With reasonable cover charges generally ranging from $3 to $8 and $2 PBR on tap, Old Ironsides can be a great way to recuperate from a stressful week of work and school.
Old Ironsides
1901 10th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 442-8832 (for upcoming shows)
www.theoldironsides.com
San Francisco has a lot to offer to those willing to travel a little farther for live music.
The Great American Music Hall is a great place to see more mainstream artists in an extremely intimate setting. You can sit in at table and enjoy dinner before the show or cut loose on the dance floor. Admissions runs about $20, depending on the show. GAHM is valuable resource for getting to know musicians on a more personal level.
The Great American Music Hall
Great American Music Hall
859 O’Farrell Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
www.musichallsf.com
Slim’s is the Great American Music Hall’s sister club and boasts a wide variety of bands. Tickets generally range from $15 t $20. Be sure to catch one of the Avett Brothers shows on April 4th and 5th.
Slim’s
333 11th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 255-0333
www.slim’s-sf.com
The Granddaddy of all Northern California music venues, the legendary Fillmore is still going strong decades after it’s heyday in 1960’s. Tickets are on the pricier side, usually $25 and up with some convenience fees and surcharges tagged on, but it is definitely worth it to see one of your favorite bands at this historic location. It’s mainly standing room only downstairs, but the balcony upstairs features seating along the edge. Be sure to check out the Poster Room upstairs to take a scenic trip through the art of Rock & Roll. There’s usually a local band performing between the sets on the main stage in the Poster Room, and they have a tasty selection of entrees. Concerts at the Fillmore are generally all-ages events.
The Fillmore
1805 Geary Boulevard
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 346-6000
www.thefillmore.com
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