Clubs

	Club Info	Description
	12 Galaxies 2565 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94110 415-970-9777 Calendar Map MySpace	The 12 Galaxies is a good-sized room made roomier by a balcony area where patrons can watch the bands, play pool or just relax off the main floor. The club features a full bar and serves food. It books local as well as touring bands like Wayne "The Train" Hancock, Deke Dickerson and the Asylum Street Spankers. The stage is much improved over the picture here, having been elevated and extended forward while still leaving ample room for dancing, standing and seating.
	19 Broadway 19 Broadway Fairfax, CA 94930 415-485-0375 Calendar Map MySpace	19 Broadway is divided into four comfortable spaces: the main bar, the smoking patio just off the main bar, the large music area, and the Tiki Bar. For twang, they book Marin homeboys Chrome Johnson and touring bands, like The Comets and Wanda Jackson, that are looking to pick up a second Bay Area show after their main show in SF. It's a nice bar in cozy downtown Fairfax, just west of San Rafael, but while they book a variety of music, they tend to stay with the bands they know.
	23 Club 23 Visitacion Avenue Brisbane, CA 94005 415-467-7717 Calendar Map MySpace	The 23 Club in Brisbane, barely ten minutes south of SF, is forging a new future for itself with a rebuilt stage, 32 channel sound system and other upgrades to support country, rockabilly, blues, Cajun and more. The club features a full bar, pool table and a large dance floor. This historic club has hosted Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Jimmie Rivers who recorded his "Brisbane Bop" album there in the early 60's. It's in the Guinness record book for having BBQed seven buffalos simultaneously.
	4th Street Tavern 711 4th Street San Rafael, CA 94901 415-456-2828 Calendar Map MySpace	This San Rafael dive does little to promote itself as its minimal, calendar-free MySpace page testifies. Find all their shows by subscribing to soundfound63 at yahoo dot com. Hicks with Sticks' Calendar lists only the club's twang shows. Cari Lee and the Saddle-ites, the Revtones, the Royal Deuces and other bands have played the Fourth Street Tavern which has a full bar, pool table, fireplace and music seven nights a week.
	Ace-in-the-Hole Cider Pub 3100 Gravenstein Hwy N. Sebastopol, CA 95472 707-829-1101 Calendar Map MySpace	Part English pub and part California cafe, the Ace-in-the-Hole offers a range of music seven nights a week. They have food, beer and wine, but their own ciders top the list of what they pour. The pub has a spacious patio area with a BBQ shack. They open for lunch, and it's all-ages since it is a pub/restaurant. The Billy Boys and Sons of Emperor Norton are among the twanging bands that have played there.
	Acme Bar 2115 San Pablo Ave. Berkeley, CA 94702 510-644-2229 Calendar Map MySpace	A rotating cast of DJs play a variety of twanging styles on "Honky Tonk Night" every Monday at the Acme Bar on San Pablo Avenue, just south of University. There's a post-punk streak that give the bar's DJs and the crowd a certain edge. Thursdays are full-on punk night, Saturdays are 80s night, Sundays feature free BBQs, and other nights offer a variety of spinners. There's a full bar, pool table, jukebox, pinball and video games.
	Amnesia 853 Valencia St. San Francisco, CA 94110 415-970-0012 Calendar Map MySpace	Every Monday Amnesia features either bluegrass or acoustic country, and last Thursdays usually feature three twang bands. This comfortable Mission district bar has a large beer selection, wine, but no hard liquor. Toshio Hirano, Axton Kinkaid, Cari Lee and the Saddle-ites and several others listed on the Hicks with Sticks Bands page have played at Amnesia.
	Annie's Social Club 917 Folsom St. @ 5th. St. San Francisco, CA 94107 415-974-1585 Calendar Map MySpace	This bar books mainly punk and indie, but has been known to slip in a few twangers like Dave Gleason's Wasted Days and the Plain High Drifters. The club has a main bar, a room for music, and a back room that often has performance art that can't be found on the Great White Way (and this is a good thing).
	Apple Jack's 8790 La Honda Rd La Honda, CA 94020 (650) 747-0331 Calendar Map MySpace	No picture, no website, no MySpace, no calendar... we're lucky to get a map to Apple Jack's in La Honda off Skyline in San Mateo County. It takes a little luck to know this place even exists. Down-home atmosphere, raw wooden floors, twisty mountain roads, chairs (notches cut out of redwood cross-sections, actually) on the porch, a creek running outside the back window, that's Apple Jack's. Sure an occasional biker or stray dog might look you over if you're not a local, but neither will do you any harm and, if you buy either of them a beer, you could wind up with a friend for life.
	Ashkenaz 1327 San Pablo Avenue Berkeley, CA 94702 510-525-5054 Calendar Map MySpace	The Ashkenaz sometimes books western swing for dance shows, but the the general absence of twang Americana club is unusual given the club's friendliness toward Cajun/zydeco, swing, blues and other American music styles. It features a big dance floor, a good sound system and offers beer, wine, some food and other refreshments. It's not a bad place for a show, though its "more Berkeley than thou" vibe – from the vegan food to the stage's backwall which is "decorated" with posters of protests long gone – might take some getting used to.
	Benders 806 So. Van Ness Avenue San Francisco, CA 94110 415-824-1800 Calendar Map MySpace	Benders is back! No wind nor rain nor fire could destroy Benders, the slightly edgy, though relatively sane gin joint at S. Van Ness and 19th. This club books a wide variety of music from Americana stalwarts like Jimbo Trout and the Fish People to post punkers like the Crosstops. Full bar, late night food, pool.
	The Bistro 1001 B Street Hayward, CA 94541 510-886-8525 Calendar Map MySpace	The Bistro in Hayward is not on many people's radar even though it offers live music seven nights a week. Cari Lee and the Saddle-ites and the Sons of Emperor Norton have played there as have several bluegrass bands. Hayward only seems distant, even to people in Oakland and Alameda, but what's not to like about a place that has no cover charge, 30 Belgian beers, and is carpeted like a miniature golf course? The food is soup, salad and sandwich fare, there's outdoor seating, and bring your putter!
	Black Cat 10056 Main Street Penngrove, CA 94951 707-793-9480 Calendar Map MySpace	The Black Cat is a friendly little dive in Penngrove, about two miles northeast of Petaluma. Their mainstay is rock, but they have booked twanging bands including 77 el Deora and Charlie Roman and the Teenage Werewolves. They've also got a reputation for treating their bands right. There's a full bar and food service until 10:00 from John's Cafe next door.
	Blackthorne Tavern 834 Irving Street San Francisco, CA 94122 415-564-6627 Calendar Map MySpace	There is live music in San Francisco's Sunset district, but you'd never know it from the Blackthorne Tavern's lack of advertising, website, or MySpace page. Even with Irish bands, the club seems to lack even the Irish identity that it aspires to have, but it's alright for hanging out and it's the only place in the inner Sunset neighborhood with live music. Rusty Evans and Ring of Fire play there every month or so. Last we'd heard, this was a sister club to the equally low-profile Fourth Street Tavern in San Rafael.
	Blank Club 44 S. Almaden Ave San Jose, CA 95113 408-292-5265 Calendar Map MySpace	The Blank Club is almost single handedly keeping club life alive in San Jose. It's spacious and comfortable with a full bar and a solid sound system. Visitors to the club, however, need a word of warning about SJPD which has played a major role in killing club life in California's third largest city. Avoid Santa Clara Avenue, First Street and Almaden Boulevard (one block west of Almaden Avenue where the club is located.) Know your back routes to avoid heavy-handed SJPD policing on Friday and Saturday nights to sniff out cheap-shot DUIs. HWS avoids this problem by sticking to back-street routes to and from the club. As we pull onto the freeway ramp, we always roll down the window and yell, "Get a night life, San Jose!"
	Bottom of the Hill 1233 17th Street San Francisco, CA 94107 415-621-4455 Calendar Map MySpace	Bottom of the Hill hosted more twanging shows and it's Sunday twang BBQs back in the 1990s, but that's tapered off in the 2000s. The club books mainly punk and indy, and they are friendly to rockabilly and psychobilly. It has a full bar, bar food, pool tables, and a spacious smoking patio.
	Cafe Du Nord 2170 Market Street San Francisco, CA 94114 415-861-5016 Calendar Map MySpace	Cafe du Nord, located on outer Market Street, is a club with food, a full bar and music seven nights a week. The club will hold 300 comfortably in its bar and music room where Red Meat, The Pine Box Boys, The Cowlicks and even the Supersuckers in their twang configuration have played. It offers a pool table, cozy nooks, and other amenities along with tasty, reasonably priced food.
	Cafe Royale 800 Post Street San Francisco, CA 94109 Calendar Map MySpace	A look at Cafe Royale's calendar profiles the club as a strong supporter of the arts including music, art and literature. The club is a cut above most in just about everything, including its decor. It has a trivia quiz, but its a world affairs quiz. It host "Down to a Science," a casual forum where leading scientists discuss their research with the public. It even has something decent for sake drinkers. Everything about Cafe Royale suggests that the cafe cares about what it's doing, and it does.
	Champa Thai Restaurant 3550 San Pablo Dam Rd El Sobrante, CA 94803 510-222-1819 Calendar Map MySpace	True, Thai restaurants are not known for their dance floors or booking Western Swing/Americana bands like the Polka Cowboys. But the Polka Cowboys do indeed play Champa Thai every fourth Wednesday of the month. Why don't more twanging bands play Champa Thai? Well, when you think of twanging and dancing, a Thai restaurant in an El Sobrante strip-mall might not be first to mind. Still, it is there. Every month. Like clockwork. Good food too.
	Clayton Club 6096 Main St Clayton, CA 94517 925-673-0440 Calendar Map MySpace	Founded in 1874, the Clayton Club Saloon in Clayton is an old school dive just east of Concord. The Heartbreak Valley Girls play the Clayton Club, but who knows who else. None of the links on the club's site seem to work at this writing on 9/2007.
	Club Deluxe 1511 Haight St San Francisco, CA 94117 415-552-6949 Calendar Map MySpace	The Club Deluxe in the upper Haight keeps a low profile, as in zero advertising or web presence, but they are twang-friendly and do book live bands now and again. DJed music is their mainstay though, and dancers and old school R&B fans seek the club out on the last Friday of every month when Dr. Scott and Oren present Shuckin' and Jivin' and spin old vinyl.
	Costello's Four Deuces 2319 Taravel San Francisco, CA 94116 415-566-9122 Calendar Map MySpace	Costello's Four Deuces has a semi-Irish, plain ol' neighborhood bar with live music identity. It's a decent, friendly enough bar, but it has no website, no publicity, no advertising, just drink vibe. Dave Crimmen and the Plain High Drifters have discovered the place, though their appearances are rare. (Hmmm, this fits the description of The Dogs Bollix though the clubs are unrelated.)
	The Dog's Bollix 408 Clement St San Francisco, CA 94118 415-752-1452 Calendar Map MySpace	The Dog's Bollix has a semi-Irish, plain ol' neighborhood bar with live music identity. It's a decent, friendly enough bar, but it has no website, no publicity, no advertising, just drink vibe. Misisipi Rider and the Plain High Drifters have discovered the place, though their appearances are rare. (Hmmm, this fits the description of Costello's Four Deuces though the clubs are unrelated.)
	Don Quixote's 6275 Highway 9 Felton, CA 95018 831-603-2294 Calendar Map MySpace	Don Quixote's, located near Santa Cruz, is similar to Berkeley's Freight and Salvage in that it is more of a sit-down venue than a club. It fact, both venues have similar booking policies of featuring quality touring musicians who are outside the mainstream music industry. Even when Don Quixote's booking local talent, it's presented differently than a club would stage it. The Bobby Black/Joe Goldmark/David Phillips steel guitar summit is a combination of local talent, that would be unlikely to find in a bar.
	El Rio 3158 Mission St. San Francisco, CA 94110 415-282-3325 Calendar Map MySpace	El Rio is generally known for its two big, twangin' patio shows on Memorial Day and on Labor Day, but they do host some shows in their indoor room. Los Trainwreck holds a live band/karaoke event in the main bar on the second Tuesday of every month. Bands like Red Meat and the Plain High Drifters perform in the club's music room. El Rio, which bills itself as "Your Dive" has a full bar, shuffleboard, and pool table.
	Epic Arts Studios 1923 Ashby Avenue Berkeley, CA 94703 510-644-2204 Calendar Map MySpace	It was a tea house back in 1923, but today Epic Arts Studios supports a variety of arts-related events. It hosts Twang Cafe on the first Sunday of every month wher The Billy Boys, Yard Sale and Misisipi Rider have been among the featured bands. Any number of bluegrass bands and twanger-songwriters have played this venue, which is more like a house concert than a club.
	Finbar Devine's 145 Kentucky Street Petaluma, CA 94952 707-762-9800 Calendar Map MySpace	Finbar Devine's in Petaluma has recently increased it Americana music bookings on Fridays and Saturdays. Bluegrass accounts for most of what they offer now, but they are branching into broader range of Americana. Their menu offers food well beyond standard pub fare and is backed by a strong selection of beers, wines and whiskeys.
	Freight and Salvage 1111 Addison Street Berkeley, CA 94702 510-548-1761 Calendar Map MySpace	The Freight & Salvage specializes in quality music, usually by touring acoustic performers. Iris Dement, Rev. Billy C. Wirtz and Robbie Fulks have played there. Locals play infrequently and usually as part of an event, like a boogie piano summit or a bluegrass buffet. The Freight & Salvage is an auditorium, sit-down-style performance space rather than a club. It's refreshments include coffee, teas and snacks. They do not serve alcohol nor do they fly their People's Republic of Berkeley colors too much.
	Great American Music Hall 859 O'Farrell Street San Francisco, CA 94109 (415) 885-0750 Calendar Map MySpace	This mid-sized venue books occasional touring twang with some local supporting acts. Red Meat, the Whoreshoes and the Shut-Ins have played the club, which is memorable for its rococo-a-go-go interior which Christine Lavin once compared to a project where kids glue uncooked noodles to a cigar box, then spray paint it gold. There's a full bar, great sound and stage lighting, and a nice dance floor when it isn't too crowded. The club serves food and reserves tables for those who are there for dinner and a show. The food is reasonably priced and satisfying.
	Hotel Utah 500 4th Street San Francisco, CA 94107 415-546-6300 Calendar Map MySpace	This establishment dates back to SF's Barbary Coast days, but these days it is know among musicians for its welcoming booking policy. The club is always ready to give new performers a chance, and some big names like Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams have cut their teeth on the Hotel Utah's stage. Full bar and food. Old school pinball machines too.
	The Independent 628 Divisadero Street San Francisco, CA 94117 415-771-1422 Calendar Map MySpace	BR-549, Devil Makes Three and The Pine Box Boys have played here, but The Independent generally doesn't book much Americana music. Yet Hicks with Sticks has it on reasonably good authority that the club does want to book more twang, so perhaps listing them here will jump start that effort.
	Ireland's 32 3920 Geary Blvd. San Francisco, CA 94118 415-386-6173 Calendar Map MySpace	After decades as a hard-core Irish Nationalist bar, Ireland's 32 lightened up with a change of ownership in 2007. It's still an Irish bar, but with darts, pool and live music instead of heavy politics. The best part about it is its entirely new booking policy which keeps the club twanging several nights each month.
	Iron Springs Pub & Brewery 765 Center Blvd. Fairfax, CA 94930 415-485-1005 Calendar Map MySpace	Iron Springs is a pub and restaurant with their own brewery and award-winning beers. Wednesdays are their live music nights where they feature Americana, which tends toward bluegrass, though they have booked the hulabilly Shut-Ins and even the swinging Chazz Cats who are the inspiration for their Chazz Cat Ale. Their menu offers more than the usual pub fare and the food is good and reasonably priced.
	Jupiter 2181 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704 510-THE-TAPS Calendar Map MySpace	Jupiter is a pub/restaurant with music that favors jazz and some funk, but they also book acoustic-flavored twang like Jeanie and Chuck's Country Round-Up. Two floors make it a roomy place, and they have a full menu and good selection of beer and wines. Their beer selections include a dozen of their own brews. Music at Jupiter, as is the case with many restaurants, is more background than entertainment. There's no stage, bands bring their own PA, and the sight lines for viewing a band there are not the greatest. Still, it is a welcoming place for those with food, drink and music in mind.
	The Knockout 3223 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94110 415-550-6994 Calendar Map MySpace	The Knockout is just about everything a Mission neighborhood dive bar should be. It's one of the Bay Area's best supporters of live twanging music, but its all around eclectic events, including Thursdays' beer-soaked bingo, every second Friday's old school R&B mix, and mixmaster dX the Funky Grandpa, are what keep bringing customers back. Along with the music, a pool table, incredibly strange videos, $2 Tecates, a photo booth, and a vintage video game table keep patrons entertained.
	Little Switzerland 19080 Riverside Sonoma, CA 95476 707-938-9990 Calendar Map MySpace	This place is so unhip, it's cool. Little Switzerland is one of the few surviving old school restaurants in the Bay Area. Everything in it, from it's bar to its restaurant with ancient Swiss travel posters and murals, is a throwback to 1951. Its big dance floor is right in the middle of the restaurant. Lost Weekend and The Polka Cowboys are among the bands that play there.
	Lost Weekend Lounge 2320 1/2 Santa Clara Ave Alameda, CA 94501 510-523-4700 Calendar Map MySpace	Lost Weekend Lounge usually features punk, but has booked psychobilly, rockabilly and honky-tonk to establish yet again that when you scratch a punk rocker's surface there's a cowboy underneath. This is Alameda's bar of bars where the music is loud, the drinks are strong, and the tattooed and leather jacketed can relax. No site. No MySpace. Even the photo at the left isn't their sign. Iit's just there.
	Makeout Room 3225 22nd Street San Francisco, CA 94110 415-647-2888 Calendar Map MySpace	The Makeout Room is a fine dive in the Mission neighborhood tradition. The club features a full schedule of live music during weekdays and a mix of live and DJed music on weekends. It has a full bar, pool table, booths, and thumb in the eye of political correctness with a bear hide hanging on one wall and on another is a deer head that's almost invisible under the mounds of bras that customers have strung from its antlers.
	McGrath's Irish Pub 1539 Lincoln Avenue in Alameda, CA 94501 510-522-6263 Calendar Map MySpace	McGrath's is a cozy bar in Alameda that leans toward the acoustic side in booking mainly country, bluegrass and Americana on weekends. During the week they hold open mikes and jams. This small and friendly place has a full bar and darts are the game of choice when when the bands are not playing.
	Murphy's Irish Pub 464 1st St. East Sonoma, CA 95476 707-935-0660 Calendar Map MySpace	Murphy's is party headquarters in quaint downtown Sonoma with a lively crowd of locals and music Thursdays through Sundays. Thursdays are usually folk, Fridays and Saturdays bluegrass and Sundays Irish, but the schedule is not that firm in that they'll slip in a blues band or country every now and again. The main reason we see few Hicks with Sticks-type bands there is because many do not know the club exists, which is a shame because where else can you get an award-winning cucumber martini.
	Mystic Theatre 23 Petaluma Blvd. North Petaluma, Ca. 94952 707-765-2121 Calendar Map MySpace	The Mystic Theatre books touring twang bands at its sit-down theater-style venue, which does have a dance area. Big Sandy and the Fly-Rite Boys and the Hacienda Brothers have played there, but when the venue does book locally, it tends toward cover and tribute bands. The Mystic is managed by McNear's Bar and Restaurant which is right next to the showplace.
	Old Western Saloon 11201 Highway 1 Point Reyes Station, CA 94956 415-663-1661 Calendar Map MySpace	West Marin is another state of mind from east Marin, and 30 miles up winding Highway 1, where the Old Western Saloon in Point Reyes Station can be found, seems so far into the country that it's hard to believe San Francisco is as close as it is. The Billy Boys, B-Stars and Big B and his Snakeoil Saviors are among the bands that have played this twang-friendly venue. There's a full bar and pool tables in the back room.
	Parkside 1600 17th Street @ Wisconsin San Francisco, CA 94107 415-503-0393 Calendar Map MySpace	The Parkside features twang every Sunday form 5:00 to 7:00. A mid-2007 ownership change led to an upgrade of its food and service from awful to average, but the open question is whether there is enough momentum behind the changes to pull the club out of the punk rock hole it's fallen into. The club has some plusses, like a full bar, plenty of parking, a large patio and free ping pong, but the music suffers from under-capitalization, unimaginative booking and too many different sound people messin' with the board. We're pulling for the Parkside, but is the Parkside pulling for itself?
	Peri's Silver Dollar 29 Broadway Fairfax, CA 94930 415-459-9910 Calendar Map MySpace	There's nothing fancy about Peri's Silver Dollar, not that there needs to be. Located in the heart of Fairfax, the club features a full bar and music all week long. Rusty Evans and Ring of Fire play there as do many other north county twangers. It has a large open patio that's airy enough to enjoy whether smoking or not.
	Pier 23 On the Embarcadero San Francisco, CA 95111 415-362-5125 Calendar Map MySpace	Pier 23 books a variety of music including the twang-rockin' Jinx Jones and the Kingtones and Whiskey Pills Fiasco. Weeknight and Sunday shows start early which is nice time to enjoy the club's spacious deck and great view of San Francisco Bay. This club has a full bar, food service and the best t-shirt of any bar in town.
	Plough and Stars 116 Clement Street San Francisco 415-751-1122 Calendar Map MySpace	The Plough and Stars remodeled in 2005 which gave the place a nice lift. It has a full-service bar and pool table and it is one of the most "Irish" of the bars on this list. A genuine Irishman owns it! The club is friendly to start-up bands too. Little White Lie and The Whiskey Richards have played there as have veterans like the Shut-Ins.
	Rancho Nicasio On the Town Square Nicasio, CA 94946 415-662-2219 Calendar Map MySpace	Rancho Nicasio is 11 miles off Highway 101's Lucas "Star Wars" Valley Road exit. This former roadhouse is a great place to enjoy dinner and a band. '70s bands including The Amazing Rhythm Aces, Asleep at the Wheel and New Riders of the Purple Sage have played there, as have Big Sandy and the Hacienda Brothers, and locals like Red Meat and The Jenny Kerr Band. In summers they have BBQ's on the lawn which are outdoor concerts set in the midst of Marin's rolling hills. When the bands are playing, the sun is shining and the hawks are soaring, life is good.
	The Riptide 3639 Taraval St San Francisco, CA 94116 415-681-TIDE Calendar Map MySpace	Head west on Taraval. If you reach the Farallon Islands you've gone too far, but not by much. The Riptide might be the most westerly bar in SF with live music, but it's usually worth the trip. The club's heads-up booking policies add up to music on stage that is more than expected from a club at this location. Doug Blumer and the Beerhunters, Burning Embers and Octomutt's Country Cousin are band regulars, while others, like Matt Lax and the Nearly Beloved check in from time to time. The club itself is warm and friendly, and a walk on Ocean Beach is a block away.
	Rite Spot Cafe 2099 Folsom Street San Francisco, CA 415-552-6066 Calendar Map MySpace	This bar and restaurant supports a wide selection of music, usually on the acoustic side. Bands like Yard Sale, Axton Kinkaid, Toshio Hirano or the Hotsy Totsy Hillbilly Jazzbos will be there during some part of the month. There's a full bar and food. Wine drinkers can get a break at the Rite-Spot since this is one of a handful of places that offers decent whites and reds by the glass.
	Russian River Brewing Co. 725 4th Street, Santa Rosa, CA, 95404 707-545-BEER Calendar Map MySpace	The Russian River Brewing Company is the most popular Saturday night live music venue in Santa Rosa where bands like the Buckshot Boys and 1/4 Mile Combo can often be found. It is a brew pub with a large selection of custom micro-brewed beers that includes ales that have been aged in wine barrels.
	Saint James Gate 1410 Old County Road Belmont, CA 94002 650-592-5923 Calendar Map MySpace	St. James Gate, where they're booking bands every Friday and Saturday, has really picked up the live music scene in North San Mateo County. This Irish Pub/Restaurant has an outdoor patio, a mere $3.00 cover on weekends, a large beer selection and a midnight BBQ on Saturdays.
	The Saloon 1232 Grant Avenue San Francisco, CA 94133 415-989-7666 Calendar Map MySpace	This classic North Beach dive books blues. However, the rockabilly/vintage rock band The Bachelors play there, and not much of anyplace else, every Monday night making The Saloon a reliable destination for live music on usually slow Mondays. Full bar, cheap drinks, and no cover Sunday through Thursday. It is the oldest bar in SF, and the second oldest bar west of the Rockies, dating back to when SF's waterfront was where the Financial District is today.
	Seahorse Saloon 2017 Palmetto Pacifica, CA 650--355-6363 Calendar Map MySpace	The Seahorse is a cozy, full-service bar in Pacifica that hosts live music on weekends. They have a blues jam on Thursdays, specials and a lunch/bar food menu. Five screens including a 100 incher.
	Slim's 333 11th Street San Francisco, CA 415-255-0333 Calendar Map MySpace	Slim's is sizable club, and sister club to the Great American Music Hall. Like GAMH, it's mainly interested in booking touring twang like the Hacienda Brothers, Dave Alvin and The Gourds. If local twang gets booked at Slim's, it's usually in support of a touring act. The club has a full bar, food and reserved seating with dinner reservations.
	Smiley's Schooner Saloon 41 Wharf Road Bolinas, CA 415-868-1311 Calendar Map MySpace	Established in 1851, Smiley's is all the West Marin dive you'd want it to be. It can be a little tricky to find because locals keep tearing down the sign that directs travelers off Highway 1 and down the narrow peninsula into Bolinas. There's something poetic in that. The Burning Embers, Whoreshoes and Jimbo Trout and the Fishpeople have all played there. The place is a hotel too, which gives some the option of staying over when their DUI magnets might be working.
	Starry Plough 3101 Shattuck Ave Berkeley, CA 94705 510-841-1424 Calendar Map MySpace	The Starry Plough is the last place in the East Bay that regularly books amplified twang music. They'll host touring bands and locals like Loretta Lynch, Johnny Dilks and his Country Soul Brothers and 77 el Deora. The bar serves beer and wine, and the kitchen dishes up burgers and pizza until 10:00. Both food and drink are reasonably priced and cover charges rarely exceed $5. Unfortunately, the club is not doing well financially. Our East Bay pals need to get to this club because other than McGrath's in Alameda it's the only other place in the El Sobrante/Clayton/Hayward triangle that regularly supports live twang music. Remember the Ivy Room?
	Swingin' Door 106 E 25th Ave San Mateo, CA 94403 650-522-9800 Calendar Map MySpace	The Swingin' Door, formerly The Prince of Wales, has gone through an ownership change and a major renovation. It has a full bar, ample menu, an upstairs room for private parties, an patio and, at times, dueling pianos(!). Be sure to check this site for a coupon for $2.00 off any food order.
	Sweetwater Saloon Mill Valley Calendar Map MySpace	A 2007 rent increase caused Sweetwater to move from it's long-time location on Throckmorton around the corner on Miller in Mill Valley. The club hopes to reopen but is jumping through permitting hoops at this writing. Stay tuned.
	Uptown 1928 Telegraph Avenue Oakland, CA. 94612 510-451-8100 Calendar Map MySpace	The Uptown came alive in 2007 thanks to a change in ownership. The Oakland club is now a sister club to the Blank Club in San Jose which gives it a leg up on booking. They can, and do, book touring bands on Friday, then Saturday since the two two clubs are 55 miles apart. Full bar, large separated band room, smoking patio.


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