5 live music in San Diego our editors have drunk at, sorted by score. All San Diego nightlife.

The Casbah ★ 4.8

$$Little Italy

The Casbah on Kettner Boulevard, founded by Tim Mays in 1989, is the 200-capacity San Diego punk and indie room that booked Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins.

TipDoors usually 20:30, some all-ages shows. Moved from the original 75-capacity room two blocks south in 1994; the current Kettner space holds 200.

Music Box ★ 4.5

$$Little Italy

Music Box on India Street in San Diego's Little Italy is the 13,000 square foot tri-level concert hall, opened 2015 in the former Anthology room.

TipTickets through the venue site or Eventbrite. The mezzanine has the cleanest sight lines; floor general admission fills early on big shows.

Soda Bar ★ 4.4

$North Park

Soda Bar on El Cajon Boulevard is the 200-capacity San Diego indie and rock room booking touring bands six nights a week along the City Heights and North.

TipAll shows are 21+, no exceptions. Doors typically 19:30; tickets through the venue site. Cash bar, kitchen at the back.

Belly Up Tavern ★ 4.6

$$Carlsbad / Encinitas (North County coast)

Belly Up Tavern on Cedros Avenue in Solana Beach has booked rock, reggae, jazz and indie in San Diego's North County since 1974, a 600-capacity room.

TipAll-ages most nights. Doors 19:00 or 20:00 depending on the bill. Half-hour drive from downtown; the Coaster commuter rail stops a block away.

The Observatory North Park ★ 4.5

$$North Park

The Observatory North Park on University Avenue is the restored 1929 North Park Theatre, a 1,100-capacity Live Nation room booking touring rock.

TipGeneral admission floor, balcony reserved seating. Doors 19:00 most shows. West Coast Tavern on the corner is the pre-show kitchen.

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