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.

I’ve picked a few of my 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.  In no particular order…

1.  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.

2.  Wayfarer, Costa Mesa, CA: The Wayfarer, formerly the Detroit Bar, has certainly earned it’s spot on the list of best jamband bars in SoCal.  Although, admittedly, leaning more toward the trendy hipster vibe, they host some great touring, regional and local talent.  The cover is usually low, the drinks are strong (try the Jalisco Mule) and the food is tasty.  Sound system by local QSC helps too.

3.  Teragram Ballroom, Los Angeles, CA  A newer addition to the LA/So Cal music venue line-up and certainly making their place known, the Teragram hosts many of the mid-level touring acts in the jamband community rolling through LA.  Odd neighborhood with literally nothing going on around them, it’s a good thing that they’ve got a full bar, restaurant and killer sound and lighting.  Parking across the street fills up quick…get there early if you’re driving.

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.  Observatory/Constellation Room, Santa Ana:  The Observatory, formerly the Galaxy Theater, is located adjacent to an obscure office park just over the boarder of Santa Ana and Costa Mesa, CA.  Thanks to a remodel, including upgrading the middle bar (Constellation Room) as a separate smaller venue in a venue and some folks willing to toss the dice again on this cool dinner theater venue, it’s working.  A great big parking lot, dinner packages available and a regular booking of local and regional touring jambands earns the Observatory it’s spot on the list.  They also own another location, Observatory Northpark, in San Diego.  Not as cool.

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 you get there and inside the main door, turn right (you’ll be wanting to go left).  There’s a small bar right there with far less traffic than the inside bars.  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 remodel 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.

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!  Also, drinks are a little on the expensive side so, go early and visit Hermosa Saloon for a strong cocktail for less before the show.

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.  They host a wide variety of bands from the LA area including a monthly jam series by Spin Cycle Presents.  Drink prices are good too and they’ve got some good beers on tap.

Don’t be discouraged by it’s size.  TRiP is a tiny bar with big heart.  There’s a light faire menu of creative bar food.

8.   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.

9.  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.

10.  The Moroccan, Arts District, Los Angeles, CA:  The newest addition to this list, The Moroccan, as come in hot into the market.  Owned by the same folks as the Teragram Ballroom, The Moroccan offers a more intimate venue (approx 300 cap) paired with a top of the line sound and light system.  It’s really Downtown LA though and parking is limited, mostly street (which is free meters after 7pm).  Stop into Boomtown Brewery down the street on your way there and then enjoy hearing some of the best up and coming jambands rock out at a great spot.