A great no-frills old timey bar with live blues (the excellent Johnny Nitro and the Doorslammers are the house band - Fridays and Sundays).

The place has an authentic neighborhood feel about it and is a great stop on a walk up Grant from Market to Coit Tower (see www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7862). Warning: Strange things will happen and people will dance!

1232 Grant Ave, near Grant and Broadway, North Beach;
tel: (415) 989-7666;
www.sfblues.net/Saloon.html

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For a very Californian experience go to the Audium. A 60s style professor creates a soundscape in a room filled with 150 speakers. You troop through a darkened corridor and then sit in a circle in complete darkness. Then the professor plays and mixes strange sounds – supposed to be 3d and sound sculptures but there’s a lot of running water and what sounds like a band of monkeys playing Hammond organs. Bizarre.

1616 Bush Street; performaces are at 8.30 on Fri and Sat only (arrive by 8pm); tel: (415) 771 1616;
www.audium.org

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Amoeba Records is quite possibly the best music and video store in the whole wide world.

As you enter the shop by its dingy front door in the hippy Haight Ashbury district of Cisco you will not believe your eyes. It’s vast - almost football-pitch sized, and it's full of used CDs, cassettes, LPs (including 12"s and 45"s) and DVDlLaser/beta/VHS.

Most of the sections are labelled - mainly the new and mint (used) - but there are sections which you can search through for hours on end lusting over those hidden gems. If you persevere you will find long lost tunes that you've been yearning for since being a geeky collector. I spent a few hours in there but had to go as a whiney mate was bored. You could easily spend a day or two in there and I reckon it's worth a trip to San Francisco alone for this one shop.

Prices are exceptionally good but beware! Do not take plastic with you as you will max it.

1855 Haight Street, San Francisco;
tel: (415) 831 1200;
www.amoebamusic.com

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Storefront church in the Filmore district that believes that the word of the Lord is communicated through the music of John Coltrane. The service (Sundays, 12pm-3pm) consists of roughly 2 hours of exceptional jazz and 30 minutes of the Archbishop Franzo King's messages of local grassroots activism to make the earth a more loving, peaceful and just place. Musicians are welcome to bring their instruments and sit-in from their seats. The bass player's smile will make a believer out of all doubters.

1286 Fillmore Street
Tel: 415 673-7144
www.coltranechurch.org

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For the best local rock and punk bands head to this little bar at the base of Potrero Hill. Friendly, alcohol-fueled, huge patio, cheap beer. Cover charge varies from $5-7 depending on night and bands. Everything starts late, the first act crawling on to the stage about 10pm. Thai food available earlier in the evening.

1600 17th St. (at Wisconsin), on the 22 bus line; tel: (415) 503 0393
www.theeparkside.com

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Located off Townsend between 3rd & 4th Street in the thriving South Beach /Soma area, 330 Ritch Street has been hosting events, receptions and club nights for over a decade.

Known for its underground appeal, hipsters flock to this club five days a week for it's various musical genres. Especially recommended is Popscene, a Britpop night each Thursday bringing you the best in indie, Britpop, mod and electronica.

We were staying for a week and in that time managed to see Jet (before they were big and who we ended up going out drinking with), The Libertines and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

330 Ritch Street (nearest cross street: Brannan & Townsend at 3rd);
tel. (415) 541 9574
popscene-sf.com; www.myspace.com/popscenemusic

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Funky French bistro assembled from a decomissioned Parisian bar. Live music on the weekend, inexpensive lunches, intimate, discreet place for dates. Located between Union Square, the Financial District, and Chinatown. A true San Francisco gem.

7 Claude Lane, San Francisco CA 94108;
tel: (415) 392 3505;
www.cafeclaude.com

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This is a bar with a strong emphasis on good music near downtown SF. We went there a couple of summers ago and I can only assume the setup is the same. Music varies from hard rock groups to ubercool DJs. Listings are on the website. Reasonably priced too.

A great place for good music and a chance to meet SF's famed cool scenesters. Thoroughly recommended.

647 Valencia St (near 17th Street);
tel: 415 552 7788;
www.elbo.com

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