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Bottom of the Hill 1233 17th Street (between Texas and Missouri)
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Located at the bottom of Potrero Hill (hence the name!), this small venue draws a steady crowd by booking top-notch bands and charging a low cover. Local and touring acts, signed and unsigned, crank out live rock music night after night, ranging from hard-edged alternative to down-home country. If you're interested in seeing up-and-coming bands BEFORE their songs make it to radio, this is the place to go. Show up early to snag one of the few tables, but don't expect to keep your view by the second or third act into the night. The good-natured crowd hangs near the bar early on, and gradually migrates towards the stage. A couple of pool tables are in back, as well as a patio, which can serve as a great escape if you're not into one of the opening bands. There's a short-order kitchen if you've got the munchies, but I can't comment on the menu since the one time I wanted to order something, the cook offered us a small buffet for free! (The penne and Caesar salad really hit the spot. I guess it was the band's meal too?) There's also a Sunday afternoon BBQ, which I'm sorry to admit I haven't been to yet. Last August, I had the privilege of seeing Our Lady Peace put on an incredibly intense performance to a crowd of about seventy-five people. They were relatively unknown at the time and were able to walk throughout the bar unrecognized. Another treat for me was catching Holly McNarland this past June. She told a story that night about someone she'd met in San Francisco two years earlier when she played Bottom of the Hill. Her closing song, inspired by that person, was a powerful climax to an energetic show. If you've got a favorite new band that hasn't made it big yet, keep a watchful eye on the sked because they just may appear. |
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