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Bottom of the Hill
Rating Details »
Category: Music Venues
Neighborhood: Potrero Hill1233 17th St
(between Texas St & Missouri St)
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 621-4455
- Hours:
Mon-Tue. 8:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Wed-Fri. 4:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sat-Sun. 8:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Thu, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
373 reviews for Bottom of the Hill
I saw the last 20 Minute Loop show here!!!
Plenty of street parking.
A small venue for music. Nice big bar, small outside smoking patio. And random hot dogs for food.
A pretty cool place!
One of the best venues I have been to in my time living here. I have been here twice: the Strike Anywhere show last month, The Lawrence Arms show this month. Bottom of the Hill is constantly booking amazing performers, I am so impressed. Intimate enough to make you feel like you can reach out and touch the band (theoretically, you could, but let's not get carried away), but not so small that you feel claustrophobic. Also, beers are fairly reasonable in price.
Definitely check the schedule and see which acts are visiting.
i think this place is alright. My visit wasn't that great last year but it wasn't bad.
Saw Nerf Herder, which was a pretty fun show.
Alright sound, alright interior, alright everything. I'd still go back for another show, though.
Awesome venue. LOVE the outdoor area.
They have pretty much ZERO security here. Came here to watch The Entrance Band. Opening band was surprisingly awesome. The Entrance Band was pretty good too except these two stupid bitches pushed their way to the front and started dancing like maniacs and stinking up the ENTIRE venue with their horrendous B.O. Everyone had to back away from them and we all kept making WTF? faces at each other. Some chick yelled at them which didn't seem to faze them at all. Elbows were thrown, bf almost got in fight. NO SECURITY GUARDS. Then later a gigantic beast of a woman punches my bf straight in the eye and again, NO SECURITY. WTF. We left shortly after.
HAVE FUN GETTING KNIFED HERE.
The Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco is a staple of the club scene in the Bay area. It doesn't quite have the history of the Gilman, but in falling just short of that, it has a great reputation all its own. It's probably one of the 5 coolest clubs around and being tiny as all hell that means a lot. You can see everything from a Girlfriend Experience show to the latest Airborne Toxic Event show. Lots of bands make a pass through the city still being relatively unknown and when they sell this place out they sometimes are forced to play larger venues just to fit more fans inside.
But, when you want an intimate show featuring your favorite band the Bottom of the Hill will surely be the spot to look. Whether you're searching through Myspace music or just going directly to the Bottom of the Hill website, you're sure to find at least one thing you'll want to go to each month. So go down to the water and park around the corner and get your hand stamped to enter this dark little club with good beer and music galore.
CHAD
I really like seeing shows at Bottom of the Hill, but after a recent experience I left disheartened thanks to their door people. The woman who ran the list/tickets was hostile and rude.
You could tell by the look on her face upon entering that she was not a happy camper and as the situation elevated, her looks were not deceiving. When two different publications' writers should be on the list (email confirmations to prove it) and they're not, and you respond by being rude and abrasive, I call bullshit.
I was shocked by how we were treated and it killed my night. After relaying my story to others, I found a couple of them had similar stories involving their list incompetency. I will still come here if I want to see a show, but I think cutting a couple of their staff (i.e. disgruntled ticket girl with short dark hair and anger issues) would do the venue some good.
I saw Miike Snow there a couple weeks ago, and couldn't have asked for a better venue. The capacity for the sold out show was about 250, so there wasn't a bad seat in the house. Drinks were reasonable priced, food was very inexpensive, no lines for the restrooms, and surprisingly excellent acoustics. I'd love to go again.
One potentially major drawback: getting a cab in this part of town at midnight can be a Herculean effort. Well worth it for the music though.
Jet lag cannot keep me away.
After a 10 plus hour flight home from Berlin, I log onto my email to find an alert that Echobelly was in town and playing that night at the BOTH. 2 hour nap and a shower later I am on the road to City.
Yes, I am dating myself as this show was back in the mid 90's but I cannot hide my grey hair. Well I can, but am too lazy to color it and it would be girlie to do so.
I have so many fond memories of this club and have attended countless amazing shows. From Alanis to Lush to Eve's Plum. But really my heart belongs to the many local bands that have played here (Pansy Division, Lilyvolt Castles in Spain and Lula Miss). Come with friends and you will surely have a great night out. Come alone and you will meet some new interesting people and make lifelong friends.
This place makes me feel all hip and cool and music sceney. Rarely do I have a chance to feel cool, so I'll take it. You know, tucked away on a dark street, neon sign, back road.. god I feel hip just typing this.
The size is just right, intimate vibe while still being open enough to have good sound. I heart the bartenders, they've helped me by stashing my jacket in the back since they are coat check-less. My boy Shefik just rocked a show here last night actually, and boy did he rock it hard. Not in a head banging mullet kind of way mind you, but again in a hip scenester way (matter of fact he's a Yelp newbie, go send love http://shefik.yelp.com, he'll love you long time, I told him Yelpers spread the love..) He's played here before and I'm sure he will again, and I much prefer he play here over Rickshaw, and Rickshaw is like right by my house. Speaks volumes when I'd rather take a 20 minute bus ride to B.O.T.H. over walking 5 minutes to Rickshaw.
They've got tacos, booze, tons of beer, a chill patio... so good. As far as music venues around the city go, and we all know there are gobs of them, this is one of my favorites. Mostly because it just makes me feel so damn cool.
It's kind of silly to even write a review for this place, because it's such an important part of the San Francisco music scene and nightlife that it doesn't need no yelpy word of mouth assistance.
But, I must express my love somehow. It's rockin' loud, decently priced, and always has something really good to offer. My only complaint is that they ended the Sunday afternoon $5 free food shows. Those were truly wonderful times. Still, the love will not stop for BOTH. If you haven't been yet, you must go! Hop on the 22 bus and get some free earplugs at the bar.
Bottom of the Hill is the best music venue I've been to in San Francisco since I moved here a little over two years ago. I try my best to go to around two shows a month so I can safely say I've seen a good amount of what San Francisco has to offer. I saw Jens Lekman here a few months ago and it was one of the best shows I've seen in a long time. True, Jens Lekman never disappoints, but it's the intimacy of this venue that is its strongest point. Even if you come late to the show and find yourself in what would be the back row behind the tallest dude in the place, you're still close to the stage (and closer to the bar). I'm not sure of the capacity, but it can't be anything over 200/250, which makes for a cozy collective. Besides the main bar area, there is a great space in the back in the back if you're just hanging out, along with a medium-sized patio for those Potrero Hill sulky evenings.
An experience at a music venue can definitely depend on who the act is so its difficult to gauge the venue from night to night. For instance, Jens Lekman, an adorable-Swedish-native-chamber-pop-charmer's show will be a lot different than say, the Everytime I Die show. But I look at it for what it's worth: Bottom of the Hill is a classic, small, divey joint that's all about music, be it big names to the virtually unknown, jingle-jangle to supersonic boom. So if you're going to see the likes of GWAR, well, prepare to be pushed around a bit.
Oh, and the beer is cold and cheap and delicious.
If you want to see a band close up in a small venue before they get so big, BotH is the place to see them at. You can't go wrong here. A great view no matter where you stand. Friendly staff, great beer choices and if you're hungry you can grab a bite to eat right onsite. Enjoy!
I've been here a number of times for shows and have yet to have a bad experience. Sold out shows can get crowded but you are still able to move around and not feel like a sardine. I've never had to wait long for entry, a drink,or the restroom which is a major bonus. No one wants to be spending time waiting in line for something when they could be watch a show. When a show becomes too rowdy you can find refuge the outdoor patio or seating area behind the stage. If you love the intimate setting of small venue - this is your place. Parking around the venue is abundant which I find to be an added bonus.
mixed with great food, good music and great staff. You feel very welcome here and the atmosphere is just buzzing with warmth. Everywhere you look there is something to see and some fabulous memorabilia to drool over.
Been to a handful of shows there over the past decade, never one bad experience. And the place is shaped fun too.
Sad to know that staff is racist creating an unsafe environment for people of color. I have a friend who has brown skin and was physically assaulted (sucker punched, broken glass on my friend's head- the whole nine yards) by a white woman this past weekend at Bottom of the Hill after asking the woman to stop pushing into her.
In response, my friend was yelled at by the bar staff and treated like she not only didn't belong, but that she had no business complaining. My friend had witnesses. She asked for the police to be called. But the staff, including the bouncer, dismissed her outright and all but told her to leave.
Bottom line about the Bottom of the Hill: Not a safe place for people of color. You will always be wrong in any kind of conflict there. Sad, because I used to like this place.
Finally made it over here... love this place, love the vibe. I like how beer can be had in actual glasses instead of plastic cups--definite bonus. Also had a chicken sausage sandwich, not bad, but I didn't come here for the food. I'd argue that the sound is actually better here than my favorite venue Cafe Du Nord. I just wish I didn't need to take a bus getting here; kind of out of the way for me.
This is vastly becoming my favorite venue in the city. I have seen at least 8 shows in the last few months here. I like that you can see some acts that are on the verge of going big, even before they start playing places like The Independent or GAMH or even the Fillmore.
I just recently saw Girl In A Coma and Miss Derringer on 7/17/09 it was awesome. I could get right up to the stage and get some great photos (see photos). One of my favorite shows I saw was Guitar Wolf before the the bass player Billy passed away back in '05.
For a while it seems they didn't get that many good shows but lately I've been enjoying the acts they've been bringing in. Small enough to get close or if you want some air they have a nice little patio outside. Parking is never a problem either. Definitely one of my favorite music venues!
A really small and intimate venue, plenty of parking, cheap drinks, and Strongbow Cider?!!! What more can you ask for?
And you're so close to the performers, you can basically touch them.
I saw Jay Brannan here, and it was one of the best concerts I've been to. It was only 12 bucks to get in, and it was an intimate concert and completely worth it!!
I can't testify for the food, but the people next to me were standing with what looked like a scrumptious quesadilla. It was GONE in seconds as we waited for the next act to come up. I almost asked for a bite! Haha!
Great club. As a musician I appreciate good sound and this place had Nerf Herder sounding damn good. Easy to get up close to the band too. Bartenders were exceptional and served everyone quickly and seemed to take notice of the order in which people were bellying up to get drinks. I'd see more shows there any time.
Intimacy and great sound: really, the only two things you want from a show; this place has that in spades. Even though it is out in the boonies (for now), it is definitely worth the bike ride from the Sunset! Go to a show and enjoy!
I haven't eaten or drank alcohol here (still rocking that underage ID), but that doesn't change the fact that BOTH holds an awesome show. I saw a concert here, and it was mega sweet. It wasn't like a regular show, where you're kind of far away from the stage, and the band is behind-the-scenes all the time except when they're onstage...it's more like you're hanging out with your friends who happen to be playing music there. I talked to my favorite musicians, danced with them, saw them eat dinner at the table next to me, etc. The stage is small, and pretty low, so you feel a closer connection with the band. Everyone there was very friendly, and I enjoyed myself. (And only $12 at the door for my ticket!)
There's a smoking patio, seating for dining, bar, plus the area in front of the stage for dancing and general mingling. Slight downside: the bathroom is tinyyy. I think it was only one stall (maybe two), and barely room for the sink. So if you feel like you'll have to use the restroom at some point and see that there isn't a line, take the advantage and go then. It'll save you the pain of a long, drunken line later when you REALLY have to go.
The only problem I had was that it did get kind of overly loud, because it's such a small area, but it was still great and entirely worth it.
Aaaaaand as long as we're reviewing live music venues...
BotH was alright. Tiny, which can be a plus if you want a REALLY good view of the band. Laid back, which can be awesome (especially on a non-weekend night). Beers are a bit overpriced. Music was too loud for the space (at the risk of sounding like an old person), and sound design left something to be desired. (They're not all metal bands, folks...) But it wasn't bad. I'd go back if it was a band I was excited about.
Went to a show at BotH about a week ago and will definitely be going back again. The venue is small which makes it perfect for seeing bands before they get too big for their britches. They have a smoking patio which also allows you to hear and see the bands without having to stand in the crowd the entire time.
I didn't eat, but they have a kitchen, which is convenient. Cash only which is not optimal, but a small inconvenience for such a cool venue.
Friendly bouncer, door staff and bartenders. Thanks for making my first time so enjoyable.
Surprisingly good considering how tiny the place is. When I first walked in I was wondering if I was even in the right place, it just looked like a regular bar with a tiny little stage, like for karaoke night or something. But no, this was the place.
All things considered this is a pretty great music venue that stands up and above some of the larger places in the City. Ticket prices are cheap, the atmosphere is more intimate and seemingly indie, and oftentimes they seem to have bands that you don't hear about all too often; Metalchicks, which is the offshoot of one of my favorite Japanese bands actually came here to play, and I even got them to sign my CD! Since the place is so small you can just walk right on over to the band and be like, "Hey, that was awesome. Can I buy you a drink?"
Only problem I ever had was more with the location. I'm not really sure what the heck's around this place since I almost never venture to this area of the City. When my girlfriend and I last went we got kind of lost trying to make our way home and wound up catching a cab. Doesn't seem like that great of a neighborhood, but I guess the adventure's worth the danger, eh?
I love Bottom of the Hill. I've seen some of my favorite bands here, including the Receiving End of Sirens before they broke up :(.
It's never expensive, and it's right by Whole Foods so I can get some healthy vegan grub before the show that makes up for what I didn't spend on my concert ticket.
It's also in Potrero Hill, which is one of my favorite little neighborhoods in the city.
On the BOTTOM of my list for favorite venues. Ha! I go when there's a good band. Only good thing about this place is the backyard and the bands that occasionally play there. The crowd is probably the main reason I don't love this place. It's always too crowded and no one looks like they enjoy the music. It's like they don't know the bands, cause no one sings along or anything. They just stand there. I've been there at least 5 times now and it's the same way.. always.
Here's the rule: if one of your favorite bands is playing here you buy a ticket immediately. Done.
I don't care if you don't have a crew to go with yet. I don't care if you're supposed to have dinner with your gf's parents. I don't care if a gnarly purple dragon is threatening to eat you if you purchase a ticket.
The way I look at it, even if I don't make it to the show the ticket was probably only $12-$15 anyways. Just feel good knowing you threw a little extra cash towards your favorite band.
If you do get to go though, you're in for a treat. The drinks are surprisingly not overpriced, the space is small and intimate, the decor is eclectically cool, and since the tickets were cheap you can buy that concert tee without feeling guilty.
I've been to this venue several times and it's definitely at it's peak with the shows are 21+. I love smaller venues but this place gets very crowded during popular shows, being on the shorter end doesn't help either. Beer is cheap with a decent selection, the high life is only like $2-3 bucks. I try to avoid drinking too much simply because the lines to the bathroom get insane. Aside from the people this venue has an awesome stage that allows you to get real close and has good acoustics.
It's a rare event where I consider something being small actually a huge advantage. That is definitely the case with BOTH!!
I secretly hope that all of my favorite indie bands play here because you really get a chance to see them up close and personal. It's small, which means it can sometimes get a little cramped, but it also gives you the potential to basically meet the band. It's like nothing else!
Dinner & drinks at the Connecticut Yankee down the street is a really good option beforehand!
I've been here my fair share of times. I really can't think of anything bad to say about Bottom of the Hill. You can get here via the 22 if you need to take public transport. They have food and a full bar if you get a hankering for some comida or some drinkies. The overall space is very intimate and great for when it comes to seeing your favorite band here or just some group you're even checking out for the night. They have a little lounge in the back with a pinball machine or two? Recently, back in early June, when I saw Sondre Lerche, we were allowed to chill in the little outside area behind the stage before we met him. It's a wondrous place, that Bottom of the Hill :)
Yes it's a small venue in the middle of no where, but you come here for the bands and the music. It's a rather fun place, with a wide range of people from different age. The bottom line is that it's not trashy. There's a bar and a place to order food (with a neon sign). Also some random couches laying around at the back of the stage, a good place to rest up and chat with your friends.
There were plenty of room for us to move around in the crowd when the show is on, and people were dancing like crazy around us. And you'll also see so many iPhone lite-up faces that were either texting or taking a snapshot on the little stage.
I am a fan of random happenings. And something random always happens every time I go to Bottom of the Hill. I saw a lead singer pass out drunk before his performance. I saw a group of girls wear shirts of the band performing. (You never wear shirts of the band). I saw a guitarist once try and schmooze for booze when he was clearly under age. And I got asked out by a drummer who not only had a large gap between his teeth, but also forgot he had a girlfriend. These may not be the most ideal things that can happen at a music venue, but they are definitely interesting. Live music is always a plus, and I'm always supportive for the SF music scene. So if you're looking for a good time--a laugh, a smile or even something worth blogging about--reserve your next ticket at Bottom of the Hill. Because music + booze + B.O.T.H. = an unexpected, kick ass time.
My freshman roommate would drag me here becuase she always wanted to date a muscian.
But every time I come here the band rocks. If you like Indie Rock and local bands, this is a good place to start. The crowd can get quite young depending on whose playing. This is one of the few SF scene where I feel a lil old. The space itself is really chill with a small bar, backroom, and outside patio. It's a lil tough to get to by public transportation, but if you have a car you can find parking, so plus.
The first time I walked into Bottom of the Hill, I was already three beers behind and needed to catch up to friends who had already started the drunken debauchery.
We popped our Bottom of the Hill virginity with Loquat and The Frail who were both excellent in concert. The venue itself is small and intimate - so intimate that you can pretty much feel everyone's sweat. Not such a great thing when you're at arm-pit level, as I am, but not so bad when you're listening to good music w/ a G&T in your hand.
The first rock venue I went to in SF.
They book great shows and even when it is crowded it's still mangable. Parking is usually ample!! Good sound, decent cheap food, smoking area in the back for the three of you who still smoke (bad, bad)
Cons: There is a bottle neck between the main area and the bathrooms and merch table. I have to think this greatly decreases merch sales for bands. Sad. The bathrooms are actually usually clean but so tiny and right at the stage (little privacy).
One of my all time favorite venues.
I've seen tons of bands play here, even larger bands, which is awesome in such an intimate setting. The crowds are always great, the bar is even better- especially because I can have a couple drinks without emptying my wallet. I also love going there early and playing pool, or hanging out on the back patio.
Oh yeah, and it isn't the sound guy sweetheart, as the saying goes:
"If its too loud, you're too old!"
This place is a fantastic venue to see your favorite bands up close and personal. I usually use a ticket website to get the tickets early, but I bet you could get into even the popular shows right when the doors open. They have a good capacity for a lot of people, and it's a really chill place so you can get up to the front easily if you want.
I've seen Liam Finn here twice, once with Laura Veirs and once with The Veils, and both shows were awesome. Good acoustics, neat decor, easy parking, and it's a nice clean place that doesn't stink like some of the bar scenes in SF. The bathrooms are awkward at best to get into and there is little to no seating if you are going there for shows, but that's the only fault I could find. Definitely my favorite venue to see bands at.
We were here for the La Plebe show on New Years Eve. The crowd got super crazy and the place got way too crowded for my taste. The chicken tacos were okay.
The owner is a post-menopausal cunty light show -- at least I'm pretty sure it was the owner who threatened to kick us out after we went through a door in the back we apparently weren't allowed to go through (there is only a sign that says "exit"), even after we watched a few other people go in and out through it.
And yeah, fake ID's don't work, but the guy at the door was nice about it and let us come in anyways.
