San Diego is a vibrant city with a rich live music scene. From the iconic Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach to the wild nightclubs of downtown, there are plenty of places to explore and enjoy live music. The San Diego Crew Classic brings together thousands of athletes from across the United States, while the San Diego Symphony offers more than 100 performances a year. Whether you're looking for punk, indie, ska, reggae, singer-songwriters, metal bands, progressive rock, rockabilly, thrash, hip hop or DJs, there's something for everyone in San Diego.
The Gaslamp Quarter is the epicenter of San Diego's live music scene. The Belly Up Tavern is one of the oldest venues in San Diego County and has hosted some of the biggest names in music since 1974. With a capacity of 600 people, it's one of the biggest bars to see a show. The Wild Note Café next door offers the opportunity to have a drink before eating something. Pacific Beach and Solana Beach are also great places to explore live music.
The Belly Up Tavern is located in Solana Beach and offers an eclectic mix of local and touring artists. For those looking for a more tropical experience, tiki bars are alive and well on the sunny coast of San Diego. Nightclubs are full of world-class DJs and handcrafted cocktails, while dance floors are full of people enjoying the bright vibes of San Diego after sunset. For those looking for something more intimate, dimly lit dives and small clubs offer some of San Diego's most exciting live music.
Since the early 90s, when magazines like Spin proclaimed San Diego as the next Seattle, the city has had a reputation for having incubated a fertile music scene. Follow the music to San Diego and explore its vibrant live music scene.
