The Madrigal's bar. Photo courtesy of The Madrigal.

One of the biggest contributors to a city’s vitality is its live performance scene, and the Bay Area is bustling with small and large venues that put on amazing shows. Public transit is one of the best ways to get to these venues, and there are multiple places to see live art on BART’s transit line. We’ve gathered a few spots to dine and drink before or after a performance because a night out should be celebrated!

San Francisco

Villon's dining room. Photo courtesy of the Proper Hotel San Francisco.

Proper Hotel | Powell St

Heading to the Warfield, the Orpheum or the Strand? If so, a stop at San Francisco’s Proper Hotel is a must. Its location is steps from the listed venues, which makes it a great spot before or after a performance. The hotel has three venues to choose from: Charmaine’s, the hotel’s rooftop bar, is open until 1am on the weekends; Villon, the hotel’s main dining room, offers nightly dinner and tea service on the weekends; and La Bande, the hotel’s tapas bar, is open daily from 4:30-9:30pm for a quick drink and bite before a performance. Take BART to Powell St and walk nine minutes to 1100 Market St.

Dine and drink at The Madrigal. Photo courtesy of The Madrigal.

The Madrigal | Civic Center/UN Plaza

Historic performance halls line Van Ness Ave, and this cocktail-friendly restaurant is open until midnight (last order at 11pm). They also have a great happy hour that starts at 9pm, perfect for a post-performance bite or drink. The menu consists of small plates, best for sharing and dishes include oysters, elevated grill cheese and patatas bravas. Take BART to Civic Center/UN Plaza and walk five minutes to 100 Van Ness Ave.

Formal attire worn by servers at Bix. Photo courtesy of SFGate.

Bix | Embarcadero

Bix is San Francisco’s answer to the Manhattan supper club—swanky and buzzing with people. It’s the perfect place to start or end an evening, especially if enjoying venues like The Punch Line and the Great Star Theatre. Its location in Jackson Square makes it convenient for those venturing out in the Financial District, the Embarcadero or Chinatown. They open at 4:30pm and don’t close until 11pm on the weekends so stop by and enjoy a classic cocktail and modern American cuisine. Take BART to Embarcadero and walk 13 minutes to 56 Gold St.

Ramenwell's extra spicy ramen. Photo courtesy of Ramenwell.

Ramenwell | 16th St Mission

Ramenwell opens at 4:30pm, which means that you can have a soothing bowl of ramen with plenty of time to spare before heading to a performance at the ODC or Victoria Theatre. Consider yourself warned as Ramenwell's extra spicy ramen packs a lot of flavor and heat. Besides ramen, they also have Hawaiian rice bowls. It’s a cozy space with lots of outdoor seating. Take BART to 16th St Mission and walk five minutes to 3378 18th St.

East Bay

Sashimi plate from Yoshi's. Photo courtesy of Thrillist.

Yoshi’s | 12th St/Oakland City Center

Yoshi’s restaurant, adjacent to their music venue, caters to a wide variety of palates. Happy hour and dinner options range from traditional Japanese items like sashimi to dishes like grilled miso chicken and grilled rib eye with a red wine reduction. Make reservations for dinner and a performance well ahead to secure a good time to enjoy both in one place. Take BART to 12th St/Oakland City Center and walk 16 minutes to 510 Embarcadero West.

Parche's inviting atmosphere. Photo courtesy of Adahlia Cole.

Parche | 19th St Oakland

Parche is the perfect place to familiarize yourself with Colombian cuisine, which is unlike the cuisines of other Latin American countries. But don't be intimidated because the team behind the new restaurant creates a welcoming vibe. Parche’s location in Uptown Oakland is a fine addition to the area’s dining scene and is perfect for pre-performance drinks and bites. The restaurant’s atmosphere will put you in the mood for shows at the Fox or Paramount Theatre. Take BART to 19th St Oakland and walk five minutes to 2295 Broadway.

Wine variations from Residual Sugar Wine Bar. Photo courtesy of Residual Sugar Wine Bar.

Residual Sugar Wine Bar | Walnut Creek

Wine bars that serve delicious food are great places to visit when taking in a live performance since they offer so much flexibility. Spend a few minutes enjoying a glass or two of wine and snacking on a charcuterie board, a cheese flight or a grilled panini. The Lesher Center is only minutes away, making it the ideal spot to pop into after a matinee or before a night out. Take BART to Walnut Creek and walk nine minutes to 1684 Locust St.

Yakitori Brussels sprouts from Ippuku. Photo courtesy of Ippuku.

Ippuku | Downtown Berkeley

Right across the street from the Downtown Berkeley station is Ippuku. Ippuku, a Japanese Izakaya style restaurant, couldn’t be closer to downtown Berkeley venues like the Berkeley Rep and Freight & Salvage. The menu is packed with all sorts of theater-friendly foods, from shareable small-plate yakitori dishes to fresh salads using seasonal produce. Don’t forget the sake! Take BART to Downtown Berkeley and walk two minutes to 2130 Center St.

Where do you go to dine or drink before a performance?

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