Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

Sound isn’t the best, but the staff is the most relaxed team of all the local music venues. Always a good time coming here.
Take Bart. Whatever you do, go to the bar on the right. The bar on the left is all mine.

A great venue in the heart of San Francisco. Bill Graham is very accessible with public transportation and easy to find. The space is huge — large floor standing space and upstairs seating. There are tons of restrooms on each floor and bars throughout the venue. Acoustics was awesome. Overall great place to have a concert!

Most recent visit was to take in Disclosure on 5÷20÷2016.
I could never be tough on a venue that hosts Disclosure, but bias aside, the venue itself is very nice. Sound was good, spacing was great, access to bathroom/​food/​drinks was easy. The upstairs mezzanine areas are a great alternative to floor areas (during GA events) and a comparable experience in terms of sound.
Venue was packed on the floor and mostly upstairs, but you don’t get too warm or hot from the lack of air flow. Well kept, easy to access in SF and overall a good time. See you in September, Bill Graham.

Great event space.
Tip: Sound quality is better in the balcony seats.
If you arrive to your event at least 2 hours early or about an hour before doors open, you’ll be able to find street parking if you just have the patience to circle. I’ve never had an issue finding parking without the steep lot fees.

Came here to see Disclosure.
* The location is nice (close to BART), though parking can be a hassle
* There are lots of great dining options in Hayes Valley nearby
* They seem to manage crowds well and getting in and out is easy
* No such thing as a bad seat, but the acoustics are not that good. Disclosure are very bass heavy and I like their music a lot, but it was not so much fun to listen to.

This is my favorite venue space! I know which bathrooms are the least craziest. I’ve been here to see Hardwell (twice), Jack U, and Boo SF. I feel like I’ve been here so many times. I guess not. I remember for Hardwell, the line outside stretched all the way around the park. That was crazy. I love this venue because the seats are really nice upstairs and you can see the stage from anywhere you sit. The bathrooms are always clean, I would recommend going upstairs if you need to use the bathroom because less people are up there. They have a lot of bars so they never had a super long line for that either. This venue is just smart and efficient. They always have enough workers so that there are never too long of lines. The venue space is huge and can fit A LOT of people. I can always enjoy myself here. Thank you Bill Graham Civic Auditorium!
The only downside is their curfew… 12 AM :(Come on.

A short walk from the BART station. This venue was bigger than I imagined it to be. Lots of floor space and balcony space. I’ve been here to see G Eazy and even from far back I still had a good view of the stage. I wouldn’t mind coming back for another show in the future.

2^nd time in this place and 2^nd time I’ve had a blast!
Easy to get here by car and even easier to get here by Bart. Just take the Civic Center exit and you’ll be right near the auditorium! It’s by Civic Center Plaza, another performing arts center, city hall, and so much more. It’s surrounded by restaurants, a close walk to other shopping centers, and a parking garage is right under the plaza.
First time I came here was for the America’s Got Talent recording of the auditions. The second time I came here was last night. It was a chilly Easter evening in the city, and I was about to fall deeper in love with the music of Fall Out Boy.
Before even entering the building we had to show employees of the event our tickets which were either printed out or on the phone. Next, we had to go through security which checked our bags and if needed patted us down to see if we were hiding anything in our pockets.
They were selling nachos, fries, grilled cheese sandwiches, and I think hot links tonight. Of course the food was grossly overpriced but what do you expect from a concert venue. They had a lot of alcoholic drink, but I never care for those. I bought to water bottles and a Doritos bag of chips. That was only nine dollars. Not too bad, but I’m sure I could have used that to buy two good meals at a fast food chain.
They let you bring in water bottles, but when you buy water bottles at the auditorium, they don’t let you have the bottle. They’ll pour the water into a cup. Not entirely sure why that is, but it’s a little much. Carrying both cups that were basically up to the rim was a task because I didn’t want to spill any. (I did anyways.)
This place is huge. They got the upper level where there’s a bunch of seating. There’s the floor level where you just stand. I think it could have fit around 9,000 people.
Be careful though. One can definitely get lost here. I sat in the upper level to the left. I went down to the bathroom. Let me just say that the hallways are many. It can be like a maze. Don’t be afraid to ask an employee for help. Or have fun walking around to a spot you definitely aren’t from.
Sound quality for the concert was on point. I could clearly hear what the artists were saying and playing. The beat of the instruments was hard upon the body and filled the room well. No view is a bad view either. Any seat in the auditorium had a clear view of the band. I even stood in the floor area and I still could see from the very back.
Definitely one of my favorite venues. I love that no matter where you’re seating/​standing you’ll have a good view, the food prices aren’t too high, easy to find parking or easy to come from public transportation, and just the overall quality of the room when a band is playing. Quite lovely. I hope to come here again.

The COOLEST venue I’ve ever been to.
My boyfriend and I went here for Crush SF & even though I’ve lived in the Bay Area my whole life, I had never really ventured into that part of the city. We easily found the location and we were able to park underground and pay a flat rate of $ 15 since there was something going on that night. Not only did we find EXCELLENT parking but when we walked up the stairs, we were directly in front of the auditorium.
After waiting in line for 45 minutes (they were running late), the security was super friendly and we went inside with no problem. I was amazed by how big the space was; SO MUCH room on the dance floor & SO MANY seats in the balcony. Our group chose a section as our «meeting spot» and it worked perfectly the whole night because you could see the section anywhere on the floor.
We will definitely be shuffling here again!

One of my all time favorite concert venues not necessarily due to the venue itself (which is quite good with a HUGE floor space) but more so due to the bands I’ve seen here. Yes, memories and experience help the star rating here. Staff out front is always polite and helpful, inside they can be cool or a real pain in the ass with the LED strobes. I get it, some bands don’t want photos/​videos taken… here’s a thought warn someone once and then haul their ass out if they do it again. Access to the venue is cake if you’re staying anywhere in or near downtown. On cold days they have coat check down below the left side for a few bucks. But Chris, checking a coat isn’t rock n roll! Fuck you, it’s cold outside and it’s hot in the pit. Concessions? I have no idea… I’m here to see a band, not bump fists with frat boys and pound beers.
Concerts attended:
TOOL x 3
New Order x 1
Killers x 1
Phish x 1
A Perfect Circle x 1

I came here for Dreamstate on ¹⁄₁₆ and ¹⁄₁₇.
Security was super relaxed compared to other venues I’ve been to. The seats in the balcony were comfy compared to the Forum in LA. Sound was good and you get a nice view no matter where you sit. The floor is big and there is plenty of restrooms upstairs and downstairs. So if you want to rage hard or go chill in the seats, both options are great.
Parking however, oh boy. So if you’re willing to shell out big bucks you can park in the underground parking structure in the Civic Center Plaza. Or if you’re more on a budget you can scour all the streets and look for meter parking. Meters do not run on Sundays so if you snag a spot with the meter then yay save money! Most of the meters stop at 5pm so if you’re show starts later it’s easier to snag a spot.
However, PLEASE be careful when walking around this area. This auditorium is located in the Tenderloin aka the hood of SF. While driving in the car looking for parking, I saw a man squat in between two cars to take a dump and later on a woman just straight up pull down her pants and showered the plants with her bodily fluids.
Definitely wouldn’t mind coming back for another concert here when I’m in SF!

Great venue! Amazing sound, spacious seats, drinks were generous pour (maybe the tip helped).
One of my favorite venues for a rave.

I’ve been to many concerts throughout California, and hands down Bill Graham will always be my favorite venue. Every time an event is hosted here, I always leave feeling happy.
The security, workers and staff are all very friendly and lively, which adds to the overall vibe of this place. The auditorium is huge, holding about 7000 people with wonderful acoustics and views.
I love the option of having balcony seating and the availability or amenities as well. When you’re dancing all night, sometimes it’s nice to have the option to sit down and take in all the beautiful sights and sounds Bill Graham has to offer.

Went to Bill Graham to see Odesza when he was in town a few weeks ago! I always like this venue. It is large and houses great concerts and DJ sets. There are also ample bathroom spaces (even though you will most likely always have to wait in line).
The bars downstairs are also well places and there are a few alongside the bathrooms so there isn’t a crazy long wait.
All in all, it’s a bigger venue than a club so the acoustics may not be as amazing but I had a great time at this venue and easy to get to via public transit/​über.

Super easy to get inside and huge space venue. The bathrooms are a little far away from the gathering area but not any more than any other arena or large venue. The drinks inside are sooooo expensive. I would guess thats the same for every single event they host. There is a seated coliseum area and a general admission floor area that is pretty sizable.
I like this place and would see another show here for sure. The Holiday Inn Civic Center is perfect for preparty and after party and walking for 2 minutes to the venue.

I’ve seen a few concerts at the Bill Graham, including Bassnectar and Odezsa, and it’s a great music venue for a few reasons:
— HUGE space! Love the fact they have a main floor if you want to dance your head off, and also a spacious upstairs with seating if you just want to sit and enjoy the show.
— Multiple water fountains and water bottle refill stations located everywhere. Dehydration is no joke!
— Great sound and light system. Sounds are clear and crisp and the visuals are always great.
— Bars located both inside and outside the main floor. So you don’t have to miss a beat.

Came here the other night for A$AP Rocky and the concert was AMAZIINNGGGGG but… There’s really nothing nice about this particular location. Very basic.
Close to bart which is awesome. It’s actually a lot bigger than it seems too.
Had a great night and plan to return for future concerts!

I’ve been to this venue a couple of times: Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, and this past year: Zedd and Hardwell. Dude. Huge Venue. Great for EDM shows I would say. Those light shows man! Good job, good job. I learned my lesson about these shows though, if you don’t want to feel gross, sweaty, half naked bodies on you – stick to the balcony. Although, it was sort of bothersome having second hand smoke all over the place. It was as if I went to a bonfire, but instead of firewood smell, it was cigarette smell in my hair. HAHA. ew. BUUUT, I have tons of fun up there. One thing about this venue being so humongous is getting people INTO the venue. Man, we spent like 30+ mins trying to get in. However, I do appreciate the location since I live in the city. I’m just a MUNI/​Über/​Lyft ride away. :D.
Until next time, Bill Graham! Hope to visit again!

Well, I just saw a legend at the legendary Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. And that legend was none other than my «Baby Janet». Oops, I shouldn’t have called her that! I’m talkin ’bout yours truly, Janet Ms. Jackson if you’re nasty!
Now, I can’t say this review will be about partying during a rave, though there are a few good reviews about that experience. With this being my first time at this venue, I can only tell you about the concert setup. So lets start with:
Parking/​Transportation:
~ I can’t possibly see how you can settle to find parking around here. When clearly it’s a «park at your own risk» tenderloin area. It’s a mere block away from the Civic St BART station, so I would suggest going that route instead of dealing with street parking or even paying $ 20+ at a public lot. But that’s just me; I choose BART.
Staff/​Guidance/​Safety:
~ For the most part, no issue. Not much interaction really. Didn’t really see or look for them either.
Bartenders/​Drinks:
~ The two bartenders I dealt with were nice. Although drinks on the other hand were expensive, but expected. $ 18 for two plastic cups of chardonnay, eek! Play nice with the bartenders, and they might give you a little extra.
The Look/​Feel/​and Seating (Section F11, Row JJ):
~ Eh, it was huge! Didn’t expect the floor seats to have real chairs lined up together. In other words, it wasn’t stadium style seating. They really were just chairs placed next to each other. No arm rest, so expect to touch knees with your neighbor. Get your tickets early and get yourself an aisle seat. I’m so glad I did! This was basically was just a large room with a balcony all around. Luckily, I’m tall enough to still see Janet move around on stage. And being on the floor, the sound system wasn’t too bad. The monitors helped out too.
Souvenir stands:
~ CHECK YOUR ITEMS before you leave! They threw the Janet Jackson program with lovely pictures of her in the bag. Later on, we find out there were sticky stuck-​on dried up stains between the pages. Like someone spilled a drink on it, they let it dry, and put them back up for sale. J2ck2sses! Such a waste.
My Pleasure Principle:
~ It’s not the greatest venue to watch a concert, but it was fun for the most part. If the rear floor seats were slightly elevated, then it would probably improve the view for everyone. I felt bad for some people as the idiot in front of me recorded the whole concert. Sticking his stupid phone up the whole time, blocking people’s view, and not paying attention to his girl. MORON! DON’T BE THAT GUY! So, would I do another concert here? Maybe, it just depends on who’s performing, and if I can get an aisle seat again.

I’ve been here multiple times for concerts and raves and this place is one of the best venues out there.
The venue itself is huge with a giant floor space as well as multiple balcony levels. Most people do not take advantage of the fact that there are 3 floors, meaning multiple bathroom locations everywhere. I went to use the upstairs bathroom and there was no line and still clean. Most people go downstairs and it can get pretty messy and chaotic. There are multiple entrances to enter the floor which does help relieve some traffic. To look for friends during a rave or concert, I suggest looking up at the ceiling. The ceiling looks like a grid if you are near the middle of the floor and you can attempt to find your friends that way. Easiest way is to have you and your friend meet directly in the center of the grid of the ceiling.
Both times I was here, security was a breeze. They are very lenient in that they dont pat guys or girls down before entering the venue. This way, lines to get in went by super quick. I was waiting in line for less than 3 minutes and I was inside. I also like that there is a parking garage directly across from the venue. Parking for Zedd True Colors tour was $ 15, but that should not be a problem if you carpool with other people. I generally don’t like to park my car outside on the streets near the civic center because the area is not the safest at night. Parking in a garage guarantees that no one will break into your car.

Came here spontaneously to see Above and Beyond perform live. This was my first time here and the venue completely blew me away compared to others I’ve been to before. The place is overall clean and staffs are friendly. The best part is they don’t try to jip you of your money; water bottles were only $ 3 dollars and you get to keep the cap!
The venue itself isn’t THAT big (if we’re comparing it to Oracle) but it’s enough so that when the entire auditorium fills, it’s comfy. It’s definitely more PLUR-​friendly than a half empty space.
What’s great too is the parking structure’s RIGHT underneath the park, aka the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Parking, so you only have to walk 5 minutes. They have flat event rates for $ 10 or $ 15 (can’t recall but certainly cheaper than Oracle where it’s $ 30 – 35) and open till 1am so there’s an hour for you to leave if the event ends at 12.
Overall, wonderful experience: D