This legendary open mic for original material is every Thursday.
Signup:
In advance, just call. The signup sheet for the FOLLOWING Thursday opens up every Thursday at 7pm, so that’s the earliest you can call (or drop by to sign up in person) to get on the list. 18 spots + alternates. They're very friendly & open to new artists. Unusual: Bazaar Cafe lets you choose a specific timeslot!
Performance:
Two songs or 10 minutes (whichever comes first), Original material only
Sound:
It's all accoustic, but people walk softly & the expresso machine goes off while performers are up. Very attentive crowd, small enough that a mic is unnecessary.
Info:
5927 California Street, San Francisco | (415) 831-5620
Last updated:
03 February 2026
Small, very chill neighborhood cafe in the Richmond district Great lazagne, wonderful, multi-aged crowd. The owner (Les) hangs out and listens to the performers, which is always the sign of a good venue. It really feels like a small town in here. Off the beaten path, but the resident talent makes it worth it. You can find an archive of some older performances on YouTube.