The Independent is a live-music venue with a full bar at 628 Divisadero Street in San Francisco's NoPa, open since 2004 and run by Another Planet Entertainment. Many acts now headlining arenas played their first San Francisco shows here, a track record the venue and Culture Trip both point to.
The room
The Independent is a single-room club of roughly 500 standing capacity, with high ceilings, a small stage, and a balcony that puts the whole crowd close to the band. Two bars run along the sides, so the line moves even on sold-out nights. The space has hosted live music under several names since its days as The Half-Note and The Kennel Club.
What to order
This is a venue bar rather than a cocktail program, so order a beer, a well drink, or a glass of wine and keep it simple between sets. Prices sit at standard show-bar level, and the bartenders are quick because the room is built for turnover. The point is the band, not the menu.
Who it is for
The Independent fits anyone after a close-up show, fans who like catching a band before it breaks, and a Divisadero night out built around live music. Skip it as a sit-down drinking spot, since it opens around show times and the room is standing for most gigs. Check the calendar before you go.
Best time to go
The venue opens on show nights, with doors usually from 7:30pm and the bar running through the set per the official listings. Popular shows sell out in advance, so buy tickets early and arrive at doors for a balcony rail. There is no daytime drop-in bar, so plan around the lineup.
The neighbourhood
The Independent anchors the Divisadero corridor in NoPa, surrounded by the neighbourhood's restaurants and bars, a short walk from Alamo Square. The location makes it easy to build a full night around a show with dinner and a nightcap nearby. The 24-Divisadero bus and rideshare both reach it directly.
The bottom line
The Independent is NoPa's essential music club, a 500-capacity Divisadero room with a full bar, run by Another Planet and known for catching acts on the way up. Culture Trip and the regulars treat it as one of the city's best-sounding small rooms. Buy a ticket ahead, arrive at doors for the balcony, and keep the drink order simple so you do not miss the set.
Keep exploring with our Live Music in San Francisco guide, the full San Francisco bar guide, and our edit of live music bars worldwide. Pair The Independent with Cafe du Nord in San Francisco, The Knockout in San Francisco, and Hotel Utah Saloon in San Francisco.
Sources: The Independent official site (2026); Another Planet Entertainment; Culture Trip; Yelp reviews (n=863); Google Maps reviews.
