Venues

Ace of Spades

R STREET CORRIDOR

Sacramento's go-to midsize venue on R Street. Books rock, hip-hop, and EDM. Key stop for touring acts and a pillar of the local rock and metal community.

Aftershock Festival

DISCOVERY PARK / NATOMAS

Annual rock/metal festival at Discovery Park every October.

Amatoria Fine Art Books

SACRAMENTO

Anchor & Tree Coffee Roasting Co.

SACRAMENTO

Venue lead from Sacramento Open Mic Scene screenshot: Open Mic Night every Thursday, sign-ups 5:00 PM, performances 5:30–7:30 PM.

Arlene Francis Center

SANTA ROSA

Armadillo Music

DOWNTOWN DAVIS

Record store in Davis. Does all ages in-store performances.

Attic Venue

ROSEVILLE

All ages shows in Roseville.

Audio Nerd

ROCKLIN

Record store and gear shop in Rocklin that hosts all-ages punk and metal shows. Draws from the broader Sacramento underground scene despite being technically outside city limits.

Bertha Henschel Park

EAST SACRAMENTO

East Sacramento public park used as a Pops in the Park concert site. 2026-06-13 official Pops in the Park lineup lists The Nickel Slots, Lewd Jaw, and Wisteria.

Black Miners Bar (Black Gold Miner Settlement)

FOLSOM LAKE (REGIONAL)

Folsom Lake recreation area / Black Gold Miner Settlement. Host of the annual Juneteenth Festival.

Blue Lamp

SACRAMENTO

Longtime Sacramento blues, rock, and local music dive on Alhambra. Permanently closed; keep for Sacramento music history/archive context, not active event listings.

Blues & Bourbon at the Starlet

SACRAMENTO

Documented via Sacramento Blues Society Hall of Fame bios.

Boston's

SACRAMENTO

Frankie Lee venue.

Brick & Mortar Music Hall

SAN FRANCISCO

Butterscotch Den

OAK PARK

Intimate 75-cap jazz speakeasy in Oak Park. Features the Maloney Jazz Trio on Tuesdays and Thursdays, plus Soul N' Steady DJs. Candlelit and classy.

C Street @ Second

DAVIS

Outdoor street venue in downtown Davis at the C Street and 2nd Street intersection. DMF stage location.

CA State Fair

SACRAMENTO

Documented via Sacramento Blues Society Hall of Fame bios.

Café Colonial

SACRAMENTO

Iconic Sacramento punk venue booking 250 bands per year. Part-owned by Jim Cornett. The go-to spot for local and touring punk, metal, and hardcore acts.

Cal Expo

SACRAMENTO

Large outdoor festival grounds and fairgrounds — host to X Games music stages, Aftershock, Country in the Park, and other major Sacramento events.

California Hall

SACRAMENTO

Documented via Sacramento Blues Society Hall of Fame bios.

Camp4Justice

SACRAMENTO

Community gathering site used for the July 5 Trans Rights 5Ever daytime event.

Channel 24

MIDTOWN (24TH STREET CORRIDOR)

Sacramento's newest midsize venue featuring balcony and standing room. Managed by Jon Gunton. Fresh sound, modern build.

Cinders Bar

SACRAMENTO

Occasional 21+ shows.

Clairvoyant Co.

AUBURN

New venue in Auburn.

Club 400

SACRAMENTO

(CLOSED) Described as a strip club with a blues jam; Robert Nakashima venue.

Community Park (Davis)

DAVIS

City of Davis public park used for civic events including the July 4, 2026 celebration with live music coordinated by Davis Live Music Collective.

Concerts in the Park

DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO

Free Friday night summer concert series in Cesar Chavez Plaza.

Constable Jacks

SACRAMENTO

(CLOSED) Family nightclub of Dana Moret.

Corner Spot Karaoke LeCafe

CITRUS HEIGHTS

CornerSpot Karaoke

SACRAMENTO

Live music shows in an outdoor space.

Crabshaw Corner

SACRAMENTO

Venue for Fourskins in the 1970s.

Crawdads on the Lake

FOLSOM

Folsom lake-area restaurant/bar venue candidate added from a public Lee Osh Facebook post and E.N.D. July 4 flyer. Treat as source-backed and needing venue profile enrichment.

Crest Theatre

DOWNTOWN

Historic theatre doing movies and events big and small.

Crocker Art Museum

SACRAMENTO

Venue mentioned for Bill Scholer.

Crow's Nest

SACRAMENTO

Documented via Sacramento Blues Society Hall of Fame bios.

CSUS

SACRAMENTO

Venue where Lena Mosley performed.

Dawgpound Skateshop

DEL PASO BOULEVARD

Sacramento skateshop and physical distribution point for local tapes and records. Stocks releases from labels including Mullet Death Records (Secretion tapes). May also host shows.

DDSO Parkway Community Theatre

SACRAMENTO

Deep Skate

SACRAMENTO

Skateshop and all-ages show space at 7000 Franklin Blvd #618, Sacramento. All-ages format, $15 cap. Hosted underground punk/hardcore shows (Test Dream, Extinguish, Wise Guy, Uni, Torena — Jan 26, 2024).

Delta King

OLD SACRAMENTO

Historic riverboat hotel and restaurant in Old Sacramento that occasionally hosts live music and special events.

Delta of Venus

DAVIS

Davis cafe/restaurant with live music. Long-running DMF venue.

Demo Spot

MIDTOWN

Multipurpose gallery, bookstore, music venue and event space founded by Esther Wang. Set between a cigar shop and Farmers Insurance on 16th Street. Hosts monthly art exhibitions, music events, pop-ups, and DIY shows. Curated zines and printed matter from local artists and independent presses.

Discovery Park

SACRAMENTO

Massive outdoor festival grounds hosting Aftershock and GoldenSky festivals. 50,000+ capacity. Where Sacramento goes big.

DNL Studios

SACRAMENTO

All ages performance/recording/practice space.

Doll Slum

SACRAMENTO

Sacramento DIY venue. Referenced for Punks for Palestine benefit show featuring Aruspex and others (January 2024).

Downtown Davis (Davis Music Fest)

DAVIS

Multi-venue outdoor festival footprint across downtown Davis, CA. Annual Davis Music Fest presented by the all-volunteer Davis Live Music Collective. Three-day, multi-genre event held mid-June. All proceeds benefit local arts education nonprofits. All ages.

Drake's The Barn

BRIDGE DISTRICT

Duffy's Tavern

CHICO

Eddy House

LONG BEACH

Elk Grove Park

ELK GROVE

Public park and civic event site in Elk Grove.

F.O.E. Hall

SOUTH SACRAMENTO

Eagles Hall Aerie 9 — Fraternal Order of Eagles lodge hall in South Sacramento. Used for local DIY shows and community events. Founded 1899. Spacious hall format.

Folsom Hotel

HISTORIC FOLSOM

A saloon (not actually a hotel) in Historic Folsom hosting bluegrass and country music.

Fox and Goose

R STREET CORRIDOR / MIDTOWN

Historic Sacramento pub hosting live music across genres. A longtime fixture of the R Street corridor.

Fulton's Prime Rib

SACRAMENTO

Venue where Omar Sharriff performed.

Gaslight Company

HISTORIC FOLSOM

Folsom venue known for its Wednesday open mic nights running over 10 years. Hosts all genres.

Golden 1 Center

DOWNTOWN COMMONS

Sacramento's major arena venue in the Downtown Commons district. Hosts national touring acts, NBA games, and large-scale concerts.

Golden Bear

MIDTOWN

21+ bar with variety of live music Sunday nights.

Golden Era Cocktail Bar & Lounge

NEVADA CITY (REGIONAL)

Goldfield Trading Post

SACRAMENTO

Two-location venue (Midtown and Roseville) with food and drink. Books blues, metal, country, and hip-hop. Half bar, half music venue, all Sacramento.

Goldfield Trading Post Roseville

ROSEVILLE

Greaseland

SACRAMENTO

Recording studio.

Green Room Social Club

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN PLACERVILLE

Live music in Placerville.

Hard Rock Live

SACRAMENTO

Casino-based concert venue with approximately 2,500 capacity. National touring acts in a casino setting.

Harlow's

MIDTOWN

Midtown Sacramento's premier live music venue.

Harrah's Tahoe

LAKE TAHOE

Documented via Sacramento Blues Society Hall of Fame bios.

Harris Center for the Arts

FOLSOM

Arts center at Folsom Lake College hosting professional and student performances.

Harry's Bar & Grill

SACRAMENTO

Venue where Liz Peel Vanhouten played.

Heart Health Park

SACRAMENTO

Sacramento Republic FC stadium at Cal Expo, also a venue for festivals and large concerts including the Holo Holo Sacramento Music Festival.

Heritage Festival

SACRAMENTO

Documented via Sacramento Blues Society Hall of Fame bios.

Hogshead Brew Pub

SACRAMENTO

Venue mentioned for Bill Scholer.

Holy Diver

MIDTOWN

Key venue for Sacramento's rock and metal community. Part of the circuit alongside Ace of Spades and The Boardwalk.

Java City Café

SACRAMENTO

Leo Bootes venue.

Jazz Jubilee

SACRAMENTO

Festival where Lena Mosley performed and where Ray "Catfish" Copeland played 15+ years.

Jazzman's

SACRAMENTO

Venue in Old Sacramento where Omar Sharriff performed.

Jazzman's Art of Pasta

SACRAMENTO

Documented via Sacramento Blues Society Hall of Fame bios.

Kilowatt

SAN FRANCISCO

King Tide Studios

SACRAMENTO

Recording studio.

Lake Tahoe AleWorX

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE

Los Robles

SACRAMENTO

Documented via Sacramento Blues Society Hall of Fame bios.

Lounge ON20

SACRAMENTO

Rooftop jazz lounge atop the Citizen Hotel.

Lucid Winery

SACRAMENTO

Luna's Cafe

SACRAMENTO

Folk, poetry, and acoustic room in Midtown.

Marilyn's on K

SACRAMENTO

K Street bar/venue hosting cover bands and tribute acts.

Maurice's

SACRAMENTO

Venue where Liz Peel Vanhouten played.

Melarkey's

SACRAMENTO

Venue where Little Charlie Baty, Omar Sharriff, and Steve Samuels performed. | Frankie Lee venue; source notes "Mekarkey's" spelling as [sic]. | Site of Bobby "Blues" Ray Live Vol.1, 1989.

Memorial Auditorium

SACRAMENTO

Documented via Sacramento Blues Society Hall of Fame bios.

Midtown Live

MIDTOWN

Mondavi Center

DAVIS

Regional performing arts center at UC Davis focusing on world music and cultural acts.

Monterey Blues Fest

MONTEREY

Documented via Sacramento Blues Society Hall of Fame bios.

Mr. D's

SACRAMENTO

Frankie Lee venue.

Mulvaney's B&L

SACRAMENTO

Midtown restaurant that occasionally hosts acoustic and jazz sets.

MusicLandria

SACRAMENTO

501(c)3 nonprofit serving as a drum hub, all-ages venue, and makerspace. Alcohol-free. Offers memberships, mentorship, and artist residencies.

Naked Lounge

CHICO

Neck of the Woods

OAKLAND

Oasis Ballroom

SACRAMENTO

(CLOSED) Venue for Fourskins in the 1970s.

Odd Fellows Upper Hall

DAVIS

Davis Odd Fellows Lodge upper hall. Used as a stage during DMF and other community events.

Old Ironsides

MIDTOWN

Historic Midtown venue — the first Sacramento bar to receive a liquor license after Prohibition. Hosts punk, indie, and everything in between.

Old Soul (Oak Park)

OAK PARK

Coffee shop in Oak Park running a weekly Sunday jazz series. Alex Jenkins Trio plays here regularly. Part of a separate jazz ecosystem that runs parallel to the punk/underground coverage.

Palms Playhouse

DAVIS

Venue in Davis, CA where Omar Sharriff performed. | Venue mentioned for Bill Scholer and Frankie Lee.

Pangaea Two Brews Cafe

SACRAMENTO

Curtis Park craft beer and coffee spot that hosts local shows.

Phono Select

SACRAMENTO

Sacramento record store and music hub. Described by Lee Osh as "the whole world's bestest record store." Stocks local CDs, cassettes, and vinyl. Hosts outdoor festivals including Charles Albright Fest (August 2024). Key physical discovery point for the Sacramento underground.

Piaci Pub & Pizzeria

FORT BRAGG

Po' Boyz

SACRAMENTO

Documented via Sacramento Blues Society Hall of Fame bios.

Powerhouse Pub

HISTORIC FOLSOM

Folsom pub hosting blues, rock, originals, covers, and karaoke. A go-to for the Folsom live music crowd.

Prospect Theater Project

MODESTO

Pus Cavern Recording

SACRAMENTO

Sacramento recording and rehearsal studio. DIY underground institution — records punk, metal, and hardcore bands in the local scene. Lockout rehearsal available.

Ramada Inn

SACRAMENTO

Documented via Sacramento Blues Society Hall of Fame bios.

Relish Burger Bar

EL DORADO HILLS

Venue lead from Sacramento Open Mic Scene screenshot: Musicians Open Mic Night Wednesdays 5–7:30 PM, hosted by Austin Payne, signup 4:30 PM.

Roberts Family Development Center

DEL PASO HEIGHTS

Sac Bicycle Kitchen

MIDTOWN SACRAMENTO

Volunteer-run DIY space hosting a Second Saturday music series May through September. Garage bands and community energy.

Sacramento Blues Festival

SACRAMENTO

Founded 1976 by Phil Givant (co-founder SBS); produced 1976-1993; venue for Little Charlie Baty, Lena Mosley, Ray Copeland (15+ yrs Jazz Jubilee overlap), and Steve Samuels (7 featured appearances 1979-89).

Sacramento Community Center Theater

DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO

Downtown performing arts theater — now part of SAFE Credit Union Convention Center.

Sacramento Memorial Auditorium

SACRAMENTO

Historic 3,800-capacity auditorium hosting touring acts, cultural events, and community gatherings since the 1920s.

Sacramento Turn Verein

SACRAMENTO

Historic German-American cultural hall in East Sac. Hosts music events.

Sacyard Taphouse

EAST SACRAMENTO

Brewery with live music.

SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center

DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO

Modern performing arts center hosting metal, orchestras, musicals, and large-scale performances. 2,500 capacity.

Sam's Hof Brau

SACRAMENTO

Venue where Omar Sharriff led the house band, and where Lena Mosley, Patrick Balcom, and Lew Fratis performed. | Recurring venue; Johnny Knox backed for years here; located at J & 17th per 2019 page. | House band venue for James Winegan; also played by Chris Martinez and Frank Dupree.

San Juan Club

SACRAMENTO

Venue where Jimmy Pailer played Thursdays.

SAYS Center

SACRAMENTO

Sacramento Area Youth Speaks / SAYS Center lead from Instagram screenshot: Plug Into Your Power open mic night, Friday June 5, all ages, poets/rappers/singers.

Self Designs Art Gallery

SACRAMENTO

Multi-use gallery across from DOCO with rotating art exhibitions. Hosts hip-hop, poetry, and experimental jazz performances.

Shady Coffee and Tea

ROSEVILLE

Venue lead from Sacramento Open Mic Scene screenshot: all-music open mic every Friday, signups 6:30 PM, music 7:00 PM.

Shady Lady Saloon

SACRAMENTO

1920s speakeasy-vibe venue on R Street near Ace of Spades. Books jazz, swing, soul, and DJ sets. Cocktails and atmosphere.

Shanachie Pub

WILLITS

Shanghai Saloon

AUBURN

Documented via Sacramento Blues Society Hall of Fame bios.

Shine Sacramento

MANSION FLATS

Community cafe and venue near Alkali Flat, hosting acoustic and poetry nights.

Signa Rare Plants

MIDTOWN

Silver Lining

MIDTOWN

Piano bar in downtown Sacramento that hosts a variety of events.

SMASH Sacramento

SACRAMENTO

All ages DIY shows in a rage room.

Sofia Tsakopoulos Center for the Arts

SACRAMENTO

Home of B Street Theatre. Intimate performing arts venue.

Sol Collective

SACRAMENTO

Cultural and community arts space on 21st Street. Hip-hop, spoken word, workshops.

Sophia's Thai Kitchen

DAVIS

Davis restaurant with live music programming. Recurring DMF venue.

Sudwerk Brewing Co.

DAVIS

Davis brewery with outdoor stage. Hosts Davis Music Fest sets — see the festival entry for context.

Summer Fox

FRESNO

Sweet Music Studio Cafe

SUNRISE MARKETPLACE, CITRUS HEIGHTS

New venue opened January 2026 by Evelyn Guizar. Combines a cafe with practice and rehearsal space. Coffee, beer, wine, and community.

The Backyard

CAL EXPO

600-capacity outdoor venue behind Rock & Brews near Cal Expo. Open-air shows in the Sacramento sun.

The Boardwalk

SACRAMENTO

Rock venue reopened in 2022 by Palm Tree Brewing with improved sound and lighting. Part of Sacramento's rock and metal venue circuit.

The Bunker

SACRAMENTO

Sacramento DIY venue. Hosted Anime Aliens and Rent Romus show (March 29, 2024).

The Bunker

SAN LUIS OBISPO

The Colony

TAHOE PARK / STOCKTON BLVD

All-ages punk/DIY venue near Cafe Colonial.

The Grinding Stone

SACRAMENTO

Co-opened by Nate "Snakeboy" Shiner; now operating as Luna's. Hosted the Fifth String Thursday jams.

The Press Club

MIDTOWN

21+ bar with live music in downtown Sacramento.

The Red Museum

MANSION FLATS

Alternative music/art/event space.

The Side Door

CURTIS PARK

110-capacity listening room focused on acoustic, roots, and singer-songwriter performances. Quiet crowd, quality sound.

The Starlet Room

SACRAMENTO

Polished, cozy 150-cap venue above Harlow's. Owned by Jim Cornett. Books indie, hip-hop, and singer-songwriter acts in an intimate setting.

The Starlet Room

SACRAMENTO

The Stony Inn

SACRAMENTO

Where Andrews & Friends played in the '70s; also referenced as a venue for Stan Powell. | Venue mentioned for Stan Powell.

The Torch Club

DOWNTOWN

Family-run blues bar since 1934, now in its 4th location. Owned by Marina Texeira (3rd generation). Blues jam Sundays, Mind X Thursdays. A Sacramento institution.

Thunder Valley - The Venue

LINCOLN

Casino-based concert venue in Lincoln with great sightlines. Books national touring acts in the Sacramento region.

Tia Maria

SACRAMENTO

Documented via Sacramento Blues Society Hall of Fame bios.

Tootsie's

SACRAMENTO

Venue where Little Charlie Baty and Steve Samuels performed. | Frankie Lee and Liz Peel Vanhouten venue.

Toyota Amphitheatre

WHEATLAND

Major outdoor amphitheater about 45 minutes from Sacramento in Wheatland. National touring acts all summer.

Tupi Coffee

SACRAMENTO

Twin Lotus Thai

SACRAMENTO

Thai restaurant with intimate jazz dinner performances. About 50 capacity, reservations required. Dinner and live jazz in one.

Two Rivers Cider

SACRAMENTO

Sacramento cidery and tap room. Loft above the tap room was used by Cider Sessions as a live-recording space (2019–2020). Continues to host live music.

UC Davis East Quad

DAVIS

Uptown Takeout

NORTH SACRAMENTO

Sacramento venue referenced in 2025 scene data. Details thin — research address and show history.

Vangari's

SACRAMENTO

Venue where Little Charlie Baty and Steve Samuels performed.

Verge Center for the Arts

SOUTHSIDE PARK

Artist studios and gallery in Southside Park, occasional live performances.

Watermelon Music

DAVIS

Davis music store with occasional all ages live music.

William Land Park

SACRAMENTO

Documented via Sacramento Blues Society Hall of Fame bios.

YMCA Camp Jones Gulch

LA HONDA

Zittel Family Amphitheater

HISTORIC FOLSOM

Outdoor amphitheater in Historic Folsom hosting the Twilight Concert Series on Wednesdays from June through August.