San Jose guide to live n local DIY music
Put yourself out there! Support local venues, promoters, and musicians! Be part of your community!
Last updated February 15th, 2026.
There is a spectre roaming San Jose, the spectre of a dope, lowkey slept-on DIY art and music scene. When I moved here a few months ago, I initially had difficulty finding the good spots, and if you just search online it’s mostly search engine optimized garbage and AI slop. So, I have assembled this page with venues and places to check out if you’re stopping by or living here. This is what I wish I could have seen when I moved here to find shows and art and meet cool people etc.
The intention is for this to be is a living document. Please email me at timshelbandsj@gmail.com to add places or give more thoughts, in fact, I would much appreciate it if you did.
Music, promoters and venues
Heavy Lemon SJ (Promoter)
Heavy Lemon is the best promoter for shows in the SJ area. Unlike some other’s on this list, they are wholly dedicated to SJ and its surrounding area, which is rare for bay area promoters. They were founded right after Covid in part by Chris "John Lemon," to organize a previously disjointed scene. The name comes from the idea that its hard to squeeze a lemon, and maintaining a scene is a "heavy lemon" that requires the metaphorical squeezing from many volunteers to make it all happen. They have a great reputation for being kind and committed to the community. For knowing whats going on with music in SJ, they should be your go to!
Crossthread SJ (Promoter)
Another staple of music in San Jose. Crossthread tends to focus more on hardcore and its extensions (the countless “core” subgenres that are too numerous to name). They work a lot with very established general Bay Area promoter rnrgpresents.
CORE (Promoter)
While *technically* a Bay Area promoter, the up n coming promoter "CORE" has the majority of its shows in San Jose. They tend to lean more indie and alternative and less hardcore than other promoters like Crossthread. I had the chance to check out their Valentine's day event at SJ pocket park. It was well organized, and the people involved were incredibly nice. Great stuff to check out, be sure to follow them on insta and be on the look out for their events!
The Ritz (Venue)
Take about one stroll through downtown and you’ll have a hard time missing the Ritz. Probably the most established venue for this type of music in San Jose. An iconic part of the area with shows every week. Usually for 15 or 20 dollars, and they need to be booked online or using cash.
Caravan Lounge (Venue)
Caravan is a bar in the upper west side of Plaza de Cesar Chavez. They are an old part of San Jose, and have free music almost every week, both on the weekends and during the week. I’ve caught some DJs playing there as well as some cool local bands. You can feel the venue’s history in the place, the walls are full of old decor, photos of the area and Sharks merch. It is an unapologetically San Jose spot. Vibes are fantastic. Of note, their shows are 21+.
Guitar Wars (Guitar Shop, Venue)
Guitar wars is new to downtown, but its been around for over a decade. Since they they’ve only had a handful of shows but may do more in the future. I have met the owner Carlos who is an absolute chiller. When I went for the first time, I saw his son in the back, making all the logo work himself using art software. The owner also told me he does all the bookings and promo. Next time you need a cable or are on the prowl for a new guitar, stop by there first. Additionally, we did an interview with them recently which you can check out here.
A French Press (A Promoter, but for one specific venue)
Booking from the band a french project their bassist works for a coffee shop that he’s trying into a venue in Fremont! Went to one of their shows and it was a great vibe, roughly 40 people vibing in an outdoor patio area surrounded by other businesses, and the coffee was pretty decent too. Great people in a french project as well. Check out a french press and their next shows.
High Voltage Punk Shop (Venue)
I tried visiting this place recently but it was closed. Will update once I see it proper, but a number of people recommended it to me. By day its a punk attire shop, and by night its a venue for local bands. On san carlos st on the outskirts of downtown. Cool spot in a commercial area.
Chromatic Coffee (Venue)
This coffee place is in an industrial themed store front with a number of other nearby restaurants. Additionally, parking seems to be a little sparse on the lot. The venue itself is an incredibly vibey coffee place. They don’t host stuff all the time but it is frequent, another good place to follow!
Extra Notes
RIP ARTBOUTIKI
Artboutiki was a DIY space in San Jose for nearly 20 years
that recently (end of 2025) closed down due to lack of funds. An
unfortuantely extremely common tale nowadays post covid.
It would probably be top of list had fate been different. I had the
heartbreaking experience of discovering its existence only a couple
weeks before they closed. Rest easy, it is deeply depressing this keeps
happening.
Here is their blog post about it on their website
Random tips for general bay area music
The bay area generally has a ton of music as well. It almost would be overwhelming to put it all here. But some advice I have: follow 924 Gilman (a very historic berkeley venue), then piece together the network from finding other venues and bands they follow.
Also, for bay area electronic music, if you are new to these things, I have had success finding stuff through RAGuide and 19hz.info.
Also for events in general, you may want to know the existence of “Eddie’s List”
And that is all for now! Once again would love to be contacted with more info if you have it: timshelbandsj@gmail.com