Madrone Art Bar
The Verdict
"A Divisadero bar with rotating art on the walls and DJs most nights. Monday's Prince and Michael Jackson dance party (Motown on Mondays) is a city institution. The dance floor is small but the energy is high. No cover most nights."
What you need to know
Madrone Art Bar is on the corner of Divisadero and Fell in the Western Addition. The walls are covered with rotating art from local artists, the drinks are reasonably priced, and every week has themed dance nights that draw people who actually want to dance. The Tuesday Motown night has been running for years and still fills the room.
What to Expect
This is a bar first and a venue second. The space is small. There’s no dedicated stage, just a corner where bands or DJs set up. Theme nights are the main event: Motown Mondays, indie rock dance parties, soul nights, and one off events. Live bands play on certain nights but the schedule rotates.
The art on the walls changes regularly and is for sale. The crowd is a mix of neighborhood locals, Divisadero corridor bar hoppers, and people who came for the specific theme night. Conversations happen easily here.
Visiting
500 Divisadero Street, Western Addition (NoPa). No cover for most nights. Theme nights and special events may have a $5 to $10 cover. Open until 2 AM. Drinks are standard bar pricing. No food kitchen, but the Divisadero corridor has restaurants nearby.
Getting There
The 24 Divisadero bus stops right outside. The 5 Fulton runs a few blocks north. Street parking on Divisadero is metered and competitive at night. Side streets offer more options.
Skip this if you want a quiet drink. The dance nights are loud and the space is small. If you want to move your feet, this is one of the best neighborhood spots in the city for it.
📍 Location: This activity is in Japantown. Explore the neighborhood →
