August Hall
The Verdict
"Mid-size Tenderloin venue with good sightlines from almost anywhere in the room. Balcony seats give you a better view than the floor for most shows. Street parking is nonexistent, so take BART to Civic Center."
What you need to know
August Hall occupies the old Native Sons of the Golden West building on Post Street, two blocks from Union Square. The room was renovated into a concert venue and holds about 1,000 standing. It’s one of the newer additions to the city’s mid-size venue circuit, operated by the same group that runs The Independent.
What to Expect
The room is a single open floor with a stage at one end and a balcony bar overlooking the main space. The booking runs through Another Planet Entertainment and covers indie rock, pop, hip hop, electronic, and the kind of artists touring behind a second or third album. Think bigger than The Independent but smaller than The Warfield.
Sound is clean. The room is a straightforward rectangle with decent acoustics for a general admission venue. Sightlines are best from the center and the balcony. The sides get obstructed.
Visiting
420 Mason Street, Union Square. Most shows start between 8 and 9 PM. Tickets typically run $25 to $60. Doors open 60 minutes before showtime. The venue has multiple bars and standard venue drink prices.
Union Square is the most restaurant-dense area in the city. You won’t have trouble finding somewhere to eat beforehand. The building is on a block with several hotels, so the surrounding area is well lit and busy at night.
Getting There
Powell BART and Muni Metro station is two blocks south. The 38 Geary bus runs one block north. Union Square Garage is the closest parking option. Street parking downtown at night is metered but findable.
Skip this if you want a venue with character. August Hall is clean and functional but architecturally generic. The booking is the draw, not the room.
📍 Location: This activity is in The Tenderloin. Explore the neighborhood →
