Top 10 Jamband Bars and Halls in Southern California

Whether you live in So. California or are just visiting, the question of “Where do I catch a good show?” inevitably comes up.  An even better question is where do I go to see good jamband music.  With so many choices for places to see music in Southern California, here’s the list of the top places to see jam bands.

Listed in alphabetical order, we’ve picked our favorites based on location, acts booked, access, head-friendliness and of course bang for your buck.  Those that offer great food get some special love.

While some of these venues are small bars and others are large halls, they all have one thing in common…jamband love.

1.  4th & B, San Diego:  Smack dab in the middle of downtown San Diego, 4th & B is a giant hall with a killer sound system.  General admission gives you a chance to get right up front by the stage.  Being in the Gas Lamp district, 4th & B gives you a chance to explore the hot spots in downtown San Diego before and after the shows.  It’s not too far from the water and plenty of lodging to choose from.  There’s an upstairs bar that may or may not be busy but isn’t likely to be as packed as downstairs.  While you’re up there take a peek over the railing and catch the show from the birds eye view.

2.  Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach:  Hosting the who’s who of the Jam Band world, The Belly Up Tavern continues to be one of the best venues in Southern California to see a show.  Rockin’ the coast since 1974, the Belly Up is a medium sized room with a cool decor.  Ticket prices vary but are rarely out of the budget.  Right on the main drag in Solana Beach, The Belly Up is walking distance from the Amtrack station.  You won’t even have to drive there.

Their restaurant, The Wild Note Cafe serves top notch eats.  Call ahead for reservations, the restaurant isn’t that big.

3.  The Blue Cafe, Huntington Beach:  You’d never expect the place next to the laundromat is a hot music venue.  Sitting right on PCH across from the beach doesn’t hurt this place’s popularity.  Formerly Kosmos, now the blue cafe hosts it’s fair share of hot local talent.  Their beer prices won’t kill you and the Japanese tappan grill next door is fantastic.

A word to the wise, if you’re going for a weekend show, get there early, the parking lot fills up quickly and you may find yourself hoofing it down PCH.  The beach across the street is open access if you feel like a dip late night after the show and of course there’s always Jack -In-The-Box to fill your late night appetite.  Dip into Things For Your Head, a cool little head shop in the same building. CLOSED

4.  The El Rey, Los Angeles:  In the heart of Mid-Wilshire district, the El Rey is a great hall to see a show.  Giant dance floor, great sound and art deco design.  It’s a good size hall with a small hall feel.  Gotta check out the ceiling and stash your gum, they’ll take it away from you at the door!

The trick to the El Rey is get there plenty early to tailgate in the parking lot behind Blockbuster Video across the street.  It’s usually somewhere around $5-$10 to park there but it’s well worth it because that’s where the it’s happening before and after the show.

5.  Galaxy Theater, Santa Ana:  Located just off the 405 in Santa Ana, The Galaxy Theater nearly met it’s demise recently when it closed it’s doors for what was thought to be for good.  Thanks to a remodel and some folks willing to toss the dice again on this cool dinner theater venue, it’s once again hosting concerts.  A great big parking lot, dinner packages available and a regular booking of local and regional touring jambands earns the Galaxy it’s spot on the list.

The tip on the Galaxy is that if you blink you’ll miss it.  It doesn’t sit right on the main road, but rather behind an office building.  Look for the sign and turn in before you get there.  Once inside, pray they’ve got the middle bar open.  It’s rarely got a long line and beats the hell out of the one inside the music hall where you’ll wait forever for a bartender.  Even better, reserve a table.

6.  Saint Rocke, Hermosa Beach:  Formerly the king of all dive bars, The Pitcher House, Saint Rocke is anything but.  The recent remodel has brought the Hollywood bar feel to the South Bay.  Couches and dark lighting provide a relaxing place to chill with one of the many beers on tap.  They’ve got a full dinner menu and a hi-tech sound system.  Every Wednesday night they host the Sound Box, a collection of hot players from the area.

The biggest issue with Saint Rocke is parking.  There isn’t any.  They’ve got a tiny lot behind the place that holds maybe a dozen cars.  Because it’s right on PCH, those spots are often gone before you get there no matter how early.  Know this and plan accordingly.  Maybe carpool!

7.  TRiP, Santa Monica, CA:  Located right on the main drag of Lincoln Blvd, TRiP is a Chicago bar with a jammy feel to it.  The owner is a real audiophile and has outfitted this small bar with a big hall sound system.  They host a wide variety of bands from the LA area and cover is usually low.  Drink prices are good too and they’ve got some good beers on tap.

The bathroom walls are covered in blackboards and chalk is provided for your graffiti enjoyment.  Feel free to write “I <3 Shakedown News” while you’re in there.  Don’t be discouraged by it’s size.  TRiP is a tiny bar with big heart.  There’s a menu that over stuffed NY deli sandwiches that are made fresh in house and are really good.

8. Yost Theater, Santa Ana, CA:  A new addition to the line-up of cool places to see a show, The Yost Theater in Santa Ana is a landmark right in the downtown of the hub of Orange County, CA.  www.yosttheater.com

9.   The Wiltern Theater, Los Angeles:  A great music hall in the heart of Los Angeles that has hosted some of the best touring jambands around including SCI, Widespread Panic, Ratdog, Trey and Wilco.  The Wiltern is a big house with lots of options.  If you get there early enough and have a floor ticket, you can stand in line for a wristband and get in the pit.  Definitely a primo position if you don't mind being ass to elbow with the folks around you.  For a little elbow room to groove or you've opted for the often less expensive balcony seats, head upstairs and it's a whole new world.  Seats to chill, a view of the whole place including the cool ceiling.  Don't freak out and think its an earthquake when the balcony starts bouncing.  It does that.

Parking tip:  The parking structure next door is where the party is before the show and after.  Top floor is the key.  Don't get stuck in the lower levels.  Go early, park on top.

10.  Winston's, Ocean Beach:  Smack dab in the heart of hippie heaven, Ocean Beach, and right down the street from Sea World in San Diego, Winston's hosts some of the best So. Cal talent mixed with some major touring acts.  Because of it's location, Winston's is surrounded by a cool scene with lots of great food and lodging to choose from.  Big dance floor, low ticket prices and  a hippie friendly environment.