On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Categories: Restaurants, Music Venues, Lounges
Neighborhood: Castro
Loading...
Parking was pretty easy. I was expecting worse. Found parking only 2 block away!
Came here for the David Choi show. Alcohol good.
Bartender a little pushy with us paying right away and worried we were going to disappear or something...relax homegirl I'm taking out my wallet! (minus 1 star)
Sat on the floor. A homey touch. Very intimate setting. Felt like he was right there, reachable, approachable, a real person not 5,000 rows away.
Very cool area, very cool setting. I like. Will come again for another show!
Great place to enjoy music, friends, and a drink. Tickets are usually very cheap, and they have music seven nights a week. The atmosphere is fun, with dark Victorian decor and good bar service.
Only downside -- it gets hot and stuffy and sweaty -- especially if you dance. The room needs a ventilation upgrade, some fans -- anything!
Get a dinner reservation for one of the few small tables along the sides -- although the food's not the main attraction. You come here for the music! It's just nice to have a seat -- in the main room you're standing around all night if you don't have a table.
I prefer to have an early dinner somewhere else, then hang with friends for a small bite of bar food and a drink while the music gets started. When things get going, it's easy to move down to the front of the stage to dance and enjoy the music up close.
The last time I went here was a benefit for the San Francisco Bluegrass and Old Time Festival -- Belle Monroe and Her Brewglass Boys, with the Original Barefoot Nellies. The bluegrass nights are always a friendly crowd and great music.
i liked the night i spent here listening to stung (the police cover band) even though some things were totally odd about it. but all easily laughed off. for one thing, it was freezing but we couldn't go in until the other people in our party showed up. and they're always late! this was just an annoyance on my part because rules are rules and totally understandable. plus, the guys at the door let us in anyway after i told them a funny story.
the inside was kind of confusing in terms of trying to figure out where you were supposed to go if you had reservations, but whatever...there's a bar to keep you occupied while it's figured out.
the food wasn't anything spectaculr but again...who cares? you're only making reservations so you have somewhere to put your crap during the show.
the crowd was also hilarious. SUPER awkward guy trying to make a move on his female friend's friend and was totally blowing it. old people. old people EVERYWHERE. doing old people dances. but this has nothing to do with the venue and i suspect it's just because of the band.
so even despite all that weirdness...i had a great time. the venue was super intimate and musty and low ceilied so i bet it's a great place to rock out to something a little more energetic than a police cover band and i will follow who is playing there to go again.
Intimate, cozy, well laid out venue. I like the bar's location to the stage as well as all the seating available. Stage seems to be about the same size as Bottom of the HIll's but this space has a more chill vibe, perhaps it's the wood panelling. Drinks were well priced, our bartenders made perfect JD's & Cokes. The bathrooms were clean! yay and no lines! Downside is that the Du Nord does not book many bands I like. Shame shame because it's a great cheap place.
Wear very little clothing. Baby, it's too darn hot.
a place where the bottle of Bulleit never goes back on the shelf?
Mommy...I'm home.
and now it's time for a break down...
We just saw the Mother Hips kick some serious ass for their CD release party. They played a good, long show with 2 sets. The door included a CD with your ticket. Good deal!
We had will call tix. No sep. line, just went right in.
Well staffed bar. Never had to wait more than a min. or so.
Ice cold water pitchers on the side of the bar for all of us. Nice!
Inexpensive drinks. $15 min. tabs. ATM appeared to be sleeping.
Good spacious back area with pool & some tables & chairs to escape the heat. Oh, lordie. The only reason for taking one star away. Granted, it was a warm, muggy SF nite, but damn was it hot on that dance floor. They could really use a few more ceiling fans.
Ladies room was clean and well-stocked. Never a long wait. (the show was sold out, but not overcrowded at all.)
Ready to make it back soon. Especially for Or, the Whale's CD release party on 11/14. Already got tix. ONLY $10!
Save our local venues! They are in real danger of being closed!http://www.dnalounge.c...
Let me start with the good stuff:
1) Intimate setting. Its nice and small, and you can find room near the stage and be right "in the show". You can even touch the performers, they are that close.
2) Drinks are inexpensive and of decent quality.
Now for the bad:
1) This place is like a well sealed tomb. No fresh air enters the facility. No wonder everyone is sweating. Perhaps this place is a combination bar / sauna? Hmm, I'll bring a towel and slippers next time.
2) The quality of sound from performances is lousy. The space was not intended for live concerts.
What a fabulously intimate venue! My friends and I saw Miranda Lee Richards here and had a great time. Friendly bar staff and nice selection on draft. Loved the pool table in the back. They don't serve food here, but there are plenty of great eateries in the area. I can't wait to see what other artists pop up here.
P.S. Parking is free if you find a spot on the street by the Safeway.
Ha! Did someone really give a negative review because they didn't like the food??? Did they ding Rubicon because of the music that was playing?
For the record, Cafe du Nord is a live music venue. Not a restaurant. It has a bar, occasionally two on busier nights, a pool table, and luxuriously dark walls. Vintage posters adorn the walls and the whole establishment glows with a 20s charm. And yes, it houses one of the best small stages in the City
As a performer, there are few places I'd rather play in town. The green room is too small to hang out, which means bands mingle with the crowds, a total bonus. There is ample room for merch in the hall just outside the stage. The only con is the lack of an elevator and about thirty narrow steps that are not fun navigating with a drumset or a bass cab in tow. In a different world, the du Nord would be considered disabled-person friendly.
Clubs like Cafe du Nord are the reason why I never go to festivals, or bother with venues like the Shoreline. It's a top notch venue to see nationally touring acts and really feel like you're participating in the experience.
My favorite place in the city to see a show, good sound, good size place, parking not too bad.
So I've been to this place at least 4 times. It was funny, because I planned to see "The Frail" last night, but came late and only caught "Natalie Portman's Shaved Head", who by the way stirred up intense energy in the crowd.
So the story of the night is there was this drunk girl dancing next to me while I was taking photos in the front. After Claire England sang, "Sophisticated Side Ponytail", this girl reached for the Claire's hands when she returned back to the keyboard. And just after that 2 second touch, she turned around and told her friend, "I have to go masturbate now!". I think it wasn't intended to be expressed loudly. But thankfully, I know that last night, that girl went home and had a happy ending.
But here is the other information you wanted to know. When you enter the venue, you descend downstairs into a small bar with dimmed red lights. As you get down to the bottom of the stairs, you will see the bar on your right. Then to your left is the bathroom, and in front of you is the stage. There is a pool table in the back left as you come down the stairs. The wine I bought was decent price -$6 ONLY. That was a deal for me.
What I like about this place is, it's in an intimate setting, so everyone can experience the same with there favorite bands, like the drunk girl who touch Claire's hands. Oh, one last thing, in case the bathroom runs out of toilet paper, it is located on the top of the sink area (that's in the women's restroom, not sure about the men's). :)
I've seen several shows here. The last was Trashcan Sinatras. What a great show. CDN is small and intimate and the sound is pretty good. You can step back by the bar if the crowd gets to be too tight or if you need a refresher. I had never eaten there until the last visit. We were running late so we bellied up to the bar and ordered a couple of burgers to go with our beers. They weren't bad. I would order it again. God only knows what goes on in the kitchen at an establishment like this, but sometimes you gotta take a flier. I did unwittingly get a little dish of chipotle ketchup with my fries. I didn't know what the hell it was until I saw it on the menu in the description for another dish. I just thought it was off. I wish I had known that it was supposed to taste like that, I probably would have dug it instead of being freaked out;)
Three stars ONLY because the space is pretty, the bartenders are (mostly) nice, they have a wide selection of drinks, and it's convenient to get to.
But it's an absolute FAIL as far as actually enjoying a live show. The too-low ceilings, the terrible acoustics and the armpit-of-hell lack of ventilation (no wonder they put water out; good call on that, at least) put a damper on a great set.
The space should really just be a bar, with acoustic music at most.
Never eat here. We ordered the hummus, which was like wet newspaper, the calamari, which were greasy, and a salad that came with a long blond wavy HAIR STRING in it.
It's very dark, so you can't see what you are eating.
The one star is for their food.
I would go here just to listen to music and not bother about eating there.
I really like Cafe Du Nord.
It is a cozy place with a a good sized bar and friendly staff.
I like the stage set up and that it has an intimate feeling to it.
I have good and drunk memories from this place.
The bluegrass night are my favorites, I like bluegrass and I really find the crowd amusing (not in a condescending way) and fun ( maybe in a condescending way) but I'm all part of that!
The drinks are not too cheap but all that it takes for me is a couple shots of makers mark and I am ready to go!
So whenever a band that you want to check out is playing here, go and get drunk, make out or get down on the dance floor ( no don't do that), whatever I'm sure you will have fun!
I've been to some shows at this venue located right on Market Street including New York's Adam Green. You know you are there when you see the special lit "Cafe Du Nord" sign. The venue is tiny and dark, but still homey and enjoyable. Right next door is the Swedish Music Hall where they offer some shows. Altogether, the building makes you feel like you are in the Europeanized San Francisco. I recommend it highly. The venue is purely for indie rock and not much else. ROCK IT!
This is one of the best music venues in the city, hands down-- I can't decide if it's more fun to be on stage or in the audience! It's all a great time :)
As a bar patron, the club is a great: Want to listen to the band? Head over to that end of the bar and indulge. Want to lounge on a comfy parlor sofa in the corner? Head to the other end. Pool table, stiff drinks, and very cool crowd of unpretentious music-loving beer sluggers.
As a performer, you are treated to some super-cheap eats and a few drinks, sound check is as smooth as a baby's butt, and no one tries to stiff you at the end of the night!
This is another one of those SF institutions that everyone should try. I heart!
I came here for the first time to see Dave Barnes play and had a great time. It's been so long since I been to a small music venue where you can sit down and enjoy yourself while having dinner or drinks near the stage.
I think there's a $20 minimum at the tables if you don't make reservations. If you don't want to make reservations for a table or sit at one, you can hang out around the open floor area where you can be more closer to the stage. In the back, there's a bar, more tables and seating, and a pool table.
For dinner, I got the chicken quesadilla, which came with chips, guacamole, beans, and sour cream and drank 2 beers. I got this for about $21 including tip, which I thought was a good deal. I was expecting to spend more money. The food is not the greatest, but good enough for me. I came here for the music! The sound and acoustics were perfect. I plan to come here again!
Nice room to take in an intimate show, but the acoustics made Sam Roberts Band sound like they were playing while facing a brick wall. Which is too bad, since you like to hear good stuff au natural, sans all the muddiness of the studio tracks.
Service at the bar was excellent given the throngs and there were a lot of draught choices (I chose Murphy's).
Would like to go back and try the whole dining with a reserved table trick.
I went to NOISE POP at Cafe Du Nord last weekend and it was pretty amazing. The place is wonderful. Feels cool. Looks cool. Good music. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
My only issue with Cafe Du Nord is the bar area. The majority of the people working at the bar are total douche bags. The first lady I had to deal with was really snobby and just plain unfriendly. And then the second lady. Holy shit. She forced my friend to keep her tab open. Listen lady, my friends and I usually leave tabs open, but that was a seriously rare occasion where we were just having one drink. Once this bitch was able to intimidate my friend into keeping her tab open, she asked her what her phone number was just in case we left without closing the tab. When my friend started to give her her number, she frowned at her and gave her a notepad and coldly said, "Um, I'm not writing it down for you." WTF? Psycho.
I don't care how much you hate your life, you can't act like that, especially if you live off of tips. It's just illogical.
Coming from LA I have been to my share of bars/clubs.
Upon first appearance I totally loved this place!
In the bathroom I felt like giant, other than that I thought it was a really cool venue.
We went to a lingerie show and got there at the end. A huge plus were the half naked guys running around with the half naked girls! :)
Now to the not so fun part.
The bartenders!
Did they put out a sign searching for the bitchiest people in San Francisco?
The first lady was super nice and helpful.
Upon ordering our second round however, we were served by the other lady and boy oh boy was she not nice.
We went to close our tab after only putting one round of drinks on it, mostly because she was scary and bitchy. She looks at my BF and says, "Are you sure you are not going to order another round?"
WTF are we twelve. I am pretty sure we never want to order from her again!
In fact I skipped on buying the third round for the simple fact she was the only one behind the bar.
To top it off I asked for a glass of Sprite to chase my tequila, she gave me soda water. As if I am stupid enough not to notice.
All in all a super cool venue, not so super cool staff.
This venue is tiny! Like really flippin' tiny. It's so tiny I felt a bit claustrophobic... So yeah, it wasn't the best venue I've ever been to. The bands took forever to set up due to malfunctioning equipment, inbetween sets people were told off by staff for sitting down on the floor, poor lighting and all together it was kind of a let down for me.
I don't want to be completely negative, so here's some good things about the cafe du nord as well: it's a beautiful venue, the bathrooms (while narrow and small) are kind of cool, and there were free posters on the wall (they might not have been free, but nobody cared when I took them either). So, not a complete waste of time.
Fucking cafe du nord needs to make their shows at least 18 + over so that I can see the cool shows here wtf !!!!!!!!! Maybe I could of written a good review but no they always make that shit 21+ over its lame as can be
no good it just wont do !
This is my favorite place to see shows in San Francisco because the band is right in your face the whole time. It reminds me of shows in college in someone's living room. My least favorite place to see shows is the Fillmore. What's with the 10 foot stage and bouncers? Maybe if you're Scorpions and you're in Moscow and it's 1986, but The Shins?
I saw Matt and Kim at Du Nord last week and it made me feel old.
Math. It's just math.
$3.50 Red Stripe special + Pamela D. + Geographer and The Botticellis = Hangover.
My liver hurts and I don't remember what happened. I know that I wound up with someone named Scott's phone number. Hi, Scott. Who are you and how did I get your number? Let's hang out!
I can vaguely remember that I really enjoy the decor of Cafe Du Nord, and think their bartenders are friendly and efficient. I was good and drunk and they obviously lent me a helping hand.
I sat at the bar and almost fell asleep on my friend Sean, but whilst doing so, I remember noticing that Cafe Du Nord is actually a pretty big place, and I like that. Lots of shadowy corners to one day either bang or do drugs in.
My ears weren't bleeding, so the acoustics are good. I recall feeling frustration, however, as I waited in line for the ladies room. Two stalls? My bladder says NAY.
All of these things added up equals four stars. Maybe 4.5 but Yelp sucks at fractions.
Cool. Down a steep flight of stairs, you enter what feels like a Victorian-era nightclub, which turns out to be an excellent venue for live music.
Plus that they serve food, and it's pretty decent. Had the grilled chicken parmesan sandwiches with fries and they were yummy.
Drinks are generous. Sound system is great.
Recently saw Uni and her Ukulele and her band here.. great show -- zing!
To really see the show you need to be in the room right next to the stage... but you can hear it from everywhere in the club, and there are relaxing nooks and crannies where you can actually have a conversation. Imagine!
Went to my first show here with Anna G, and Pam D, Sean and visiting friend from Bostonia Tony.
I didn't really end up buying any drinks that night, Tony had a tab. (Thanks!)
But If I were paying, I would have really liked the Red Stripe drink specials they were having that night.
I am a big fan of the color red, and this establishment seems to be covered with this color from door to door in various velvets. Or at least that is how I remember it...this may or may not be accurate.
I actually don't remember much other than totally digging Anna G's music knowledge, and the Meat Loaf and Hall & Oats sing along that happened outside.
Came here to see the DUD*S on Sunday night with my friends - a small group of PG&E employees listening to some great music. Band rocked, and they had an amber ale name Abita which we just had to have since it was one letter off from my name.
Some good eye candy too. Overall just a laid back bar, reminiscent of watering hole days in college.
"Built in 1907, it has maintained its Victorian interiors, featuring the original faux decorated paneling and wainscoting, and a forty-foot hand carved mahogany bar."
Another San Francisco institution! Haven't been there in ~5 years but went for a concert last night. Still retains it's classic, urban charm.
Drink prices reasonable, cool and hip crowd, and good live music (forgot the name of the band but they kinda reminded me of Green Day).
Anyway, I think I'm gonna to check their calendar to see what else is going on in the next few weeks...
So cozy, swank, comfortable and friendly. My new favorite place. Red velvet, dark wood - very much like a speakeasy.
A little cramped when it gets crowded. Arrive early, get some dinner and grab a table unless you plan on dancing.
Bartenders nice, drinks were cheap.
They have great rock shows and I love seeing bands here.
Cons: Sometimes it's a little hard to get a good spot to view the band if it is croweded. It sells out sometimes. Once rencently at a sold out show the sound sucked, which as a musician is almost unforgiveable considering the quality of the great venues in SF.
A must for indie rock fans.
I think I'm biased, because I came to see the Vespa Experiment (a tour of Brendan James, Jason Reeves, and Amber Rubarth), and Brendan James is my hero...
Best part? The stage was small and you could stand right up against it. I probably could have grabbed Brendan's hands off the piano, or tackled Jason and Amber before they had a chance to gasp...and risk being thrown out of the club of course...but still, the thought did cross my mind.
Great intimate atmosphere, all around, friendly service, free water that is OBVIOUS (finally!), and a pool table to pass the time. Plus, I glanced at the menu, and it's so cheap for a music venue! If it's as good as the Cafe and Cafe Du Nord next door, next stop I'll have to have a bite.
I've only been here twice. First time in March 2008 and then again last night. Both times I came to see Ari Hest who I can never say enough good things about.
The venue is quaint and has some charm. I reserved a month prior one of the dinner tables near the stage and it was sooo worth it. Chowing down on tasty and simple menu dishes, sipping a nice glass of Pinot Noir and listening to my man Ari.
What can be better then that...oh yeah, I know...if people weren't so DAMN rude and would just shut up and stop talking while people are singing their hearts out and while their fans trying to enjoy them. The guy sitting at the dinner table behind us wouldn't shut up. talk talk talk talk talk...REALLY??? And in between each song, he would stop talking as it got quiet, then would start back up again once the singing began. DUMB ASS DOUCHE IN THE RETARD PLAID HAT. Have some decency. Some other peeps were hushed up on the floor as well, and in the end, Ari just sang louder and finally got everyone's attention.
I wouldn't rush back for the food, ambiance or drinks, but when Ari returns, so will I.
Saw Chris Stamey and Peter Holsapple last nite, a real treat given the great sound system and intimate atmosphere. Non-surly doormen. They don't have a particular genre they specialize in (Flipper and the Toiling Midgets) played there the previous nite. you can get front row table service for the show if you obligate yourself to a pre-show dinner. just don't do it if Gwar rolls into town...
The Mantles, Jeremy Jay and Maus Haus were there when I went about 2 months ago and the music kicked ass but the alcohol was too fucking expensive and there was so many goddamn hipsters there it was hard to breathe. It was awkward at first being with all those stupid hipsters and their stupid leather jackets and boots but the music was awesome still and I had a lot of fun. Plus being in the castro is guranteed to always end up hilariously at 3 in the morning when the bars get out.
I just think hipsters should die. Word to ya motha.
Interesting. This venue seems to have a cult following but I have to be a bit more critical. Shows here can either be great or crappy acoustically. Really weird. And the food -- wow. You'd think if you got a table, came an hour before the show to order you might be able to finish eating earlier. Nope. I think it take upwards of an hour and a half to get our food. An absolute record of any place anywhere. I'm giving 3 stars since the waitress was super nice and apologetic but how disorganized of a kitchen can you run? I mean there are only like 10 tables in this place max and all the food is super simple.
I do like the decor and the idea of going underground to enjoy a show. But that eating experience really changed my opinion of this place overall. Sorry.
While I like the intimacy of the space, the setup is problematic. If you want to sit, you must eat. Fine, but at least make decent food! Seriously, HOW do you mess up something as simple as a hamburger or quesadilla? My friends & I couldn't even finish our plates it was so bad - literally no flavor.
That's my biggest complaint - the seating policy combined with crappy food. & I'd think if you hung out @ the bar it would be impossible to see the performer b/c of how the dining area is fenced off. It's an odd little place, I'd suffer through it again only for an artist I really adored.
This review is not being made to criticize this establishment. It is here to let people know that as of this moment there isn't any handicap access present here. There are a whole lot of stairs that if you are handicap and have good help, you might be able to make it in and out of here.
From what one of the employees says, "an elevator is in the works, hopefully they will be fully handicap accessible next year."
Again, there is no handicap access. :*(
This place is Beautiful and chill. I performed here with my band, The Moonlight Orchestra, and we all agree it's been one of our favorite venues. Our fans also rank it as one of the best places they've seen us perform at. The sound system is amazing. I Love the stage and staff. For some reason I also like that it's underground.
I hit up Cafe du Nord with the roomie for the Phosphorescent headliner show with The Donkeys (who were totally awesome) and White Swan Black Swan last night.
The place is swanky. Great atmosphere, very spacious and excellent acoustics. The bar is fully stocked with just about everything you can imagine, including a few sour-faced bartenders. :/
Now I don't know if it's just bitterness that comes with not having a lovelife of my own, but the couples-to-singles ratio seemed unusually high last night. At times I felt like I was at the AVN awards with all the slurping and sloshing going on around me. Mild PDA is alright, but please people... control yourselves (or bring a splatter guard) and stay stationary! And keep your hands where I can see them!
Cheers.
Cafe du Nord is cool because it's small, and you can get really good food. I discovered the band "Something for Animals" there. And I've seen "the Lovemakers" there a few times. And my favorite band "Something for Rockets" played there.
The only bad part about this venue is that if it's really crowded you can get stuck in the back, and you can't see the band anymore. But if it's a no name show, it's great. You can get dinner and drinks and listen to the band, and buy some merchandise and have a great time. There's parking around that neighborhood too. And the Lucky 13 bar is right next door to change it up after dinner/pre show.
I've seen great shows at the Cafe du Nord, and have fond memories of nights spent there. It's speakeasy ambiance is enveloping and sets a good scene. The best part about the du Nord is their booking. They get wonderful shows there. However, the drinks ain't cheap, the sight lines aren't good, the acoustics are meh, and the layout isn't really conducive to a good show, being long, low, and narrow. San Francisco being the place it is, I'd rather see a show in a dozen other clubs, but I still go to the du Nord when someone I want to see there ends up on their lists.
Meh is totally an adjective.
Discount
Neighborhood: SOMA
$32.95 three course prix fix…
Neighborhood: SOMA
Neighborhood: Castro
Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Potrero Hill
Category: Music Venues
Neighborhood: Western Addition/NOPA
Category: Music Venues
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin
Category: Music Venues
Neighborhood: North Beach/Telegraph Hill
Category: Music Venues
these are some of the places around the bay where…
If you're looking for places to hear good bands…
I don't live in San Francisco. I live in Oakland.…
Things to do in the bay area besides eat and…
As you may be aware, being stranded in the…
My review of all the venues I've been for music…
The best places to either: a.) twitch and jerk…
Here's where you'll find me when I roll outside my…
