All the World’s a Stage …

It’s edging toward the end of summer and just as sure as we love San Diego for the natural wonder of the four seasons (Santa Anas, May gray, June gloom, and a summer that starts after July 4) one thing remains a constant (okay, maybe three): great Mexican food, fantastic craft beer, and awesome local music.

Whether it’s reggae, blues, world music, or Americana, the San Diego music scene has never been hotter. And awesome talent continues popping up from the beaches to East County, from the border to North County.

But with all that rocking talent out there, do you (and your band) know anything about the thousands of local venues that hire musicians?

Well look no further, this column serves up vital info, from someone who knows, including how to contact bookers, what a club’s audience capacity is, whether they own a sound system (or not), and what kinds of music that bookers are looking for?

So, what are you waiting for? Get out there, get booked and kick up some noise!

The Belly Up Tavern

The Belly Up Tavern

A landmark music venue, celebrating 50 years of great performances, the Belly Up shows a wide variety of music from big names to local acts. And with mixed seating, a great bar, a fantastic sound team, and an omnipresent Great White Shark (look up!) who needs anything more?

A little background: Dave Hodges and Greg Gilholm acquired an old Quonset hut on Cedros Avenue in Solana Beach. The hut had previously housed a waterbed manufacturing and showroom space. After the business went under, Dave and Greg decided to move in and name their business The Belly Up Tavern.

Address: 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach.
Dedicated sound system/soundman: Yes
Music: Every night
Preferred music: All kinds
Booker: Booking @bellyup.com
Desired info: Your bands web page/audio or a link to your social media. A band biography, a list of San Diego clubs you’ve performed at during the past year, and the acts you’ve played with during that time.
Pay: Yes

Carruth Cellars Urban Wine Garden and Cheese Shop (Liberty Station)

Carruth Cellars @ Liberty Station.

Definitely a wine bar! Part of the renovation of the old Navy Recruit Center in Point Loma, the inviting Carruth Cellars Urban Wine Garden and Cheese Shop just celebrated its second anniversary on site. With a mouthwatering cheese shop in one room and a wine tasting room in the other, the venue also hosts outdoor jazz and flatbread nights, the Liberty Station Arts District Music Series, and wine club special events.

Address: 2710 Historic Decatur Road, Barracks 17, San Diego.
Dedicated sound system/soundman: No
Music: Tuesdays and Sundays
Preferred music: Jazz, blues, all kinds
Booker: (619) 546-9300
Pay: Yes

Mr. Peabody’s Bar & Grill: Live Music

Mr. Peabody’s

The ’70s called and they want their music back. This easily overlooked but lovely club (just off the I-5), located in a small strip mall, is a blast from the past with its warm, wall-to-wall wood interior, mood lighting, and awesome tunes by local bands (yes, I’m looking at you, father, son, and smoking ghost).

Address: 136 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas.
Dedicated sound system/soundman: No.
Music: Bands, open mic, karaoke, something nightly
Preferred music: All kinds including rockabilly, retro country, surf rock
Booker: peabodyrocks.com
Pay: Yes 

The Saddle Bar (Surf & Saddle)

Saddle Bar

The ultimate locals bar. Originally built to house a bike shop in the early 1920s and within a couple hundred feet of the beach, the Saddle Bar’s history began in 1954 when the Surf & Saddle originally opened. In 2012, patrons of the old Surf & Saddle (Matt Weaver, Brett Weaver, Mike Garcia, and Tom Van Betten) purchased, remodeled, and opened the venue as the Saddle Bar.

Intimate, dark, and with great drinks and a little divey vibe, “We want the Saddle Bar to be a bar for local, tourists, the race track crowd, with good music, good service, and good people without ever having a cover charge,” said owner Matt Weaver.

Address: 123 W. Plaza St., Solana Beach.
Dedicated sound system/soundman: No.
Music: The Saddle Bar brings live music, DJs, open mic nights to Solana Beach.
Preferred music: All kinds.
Booker: sb@thesaddlebar.com or the saddlebar.com