On 3/9/2009 10:12 AM, Rub Wrongways wrote:
> "I'd be happy to pay more to see the music and buy less beer."
> Unfortunately there aren't enough of you to go around.
> Here's a take on the whole thing from a Henning Ohlenbusch of School for the
> Dead:
>
> http://schoolforthedead.blogspot.com/2009/03/why-are-these-shows-so-late.html

Excellent overview.

Several SF clubs have workarounds. The Make Out Room, which books CvS, 
the Orange Peels, Corner Laughers and other pop acts has live music
starting at 7:30pm, then does dj/disco stuff starting around 10:30pm
which brings in the serious drinkers.

The Great American Music Hall, which is the best bar type venue SF
to see a band IMO, starts it's shows at 7:30 or 8pm, and usually
limits the event to 2 bands, so typically it's all over by 11pm.
The prime sitdown spots are for dinner guests only, so there's
extra revenue. We've seen the Rubinoos here twice in 2 years and
were more than willing to pay for their mediocre dinner to have
seats and a great view. And the late niters still have hours left
to kill themselves with alcohol.

Also, SF has numerous smaller concert venues like the Fillmore,
which though more for touring acts, on occasion host less known
groups with a decent Bay Area following, and which give off the
aura of a bar more than concert hall.


  - Michael