Cafe Du Nord   

Built in 1907, Cafe Du Nord was once a speakeasy, and time seems to stand still here. After waiting in line, you'll descend into a basement room that looks like a set from 'The Cotton Club.' Come early on weekends and order dinner; stay late and watch the staff clear the tables off the floor to make way for dancing. Each night features a different type of music, from jazz to rock to American roots, with an occasional live poetry reading. Well known acts frequent this small venue, and tickets will easily sell out for bigger names. No matter the genre, the club's bookers have good taste. Local faves Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, for example, played here before they hit it big. Much like its Upper Market/Castro neighborhood, the crowd at Cafe Du Nord is mixed. Some nights draw drag queens, others draw eyelinered goths or surly indie rock hipsters. Like all venues in this area, it welcomes people of all persuasions, but the crowd is mixed and changes depending on the evening's entertainment. Cafe Du Nord also operates the Swedish American Hall, a spectacular grand ballroom that lies upstairs in the same building and is used as a live music venue.