RESERVATIONS ARE NOT REQUIRED,

BUT ARE ENCOURAGED

Music begins at 8:00pm

The Dawn Club

Steeped in history, the Dawn Club is a gorgeous Downtown San Francisco gathering place where guests can experience delightful cocktails, the finest of whiskies & spirits, lively, boisterous, invigorating music, and a superior level of service. Providing an outstanding hospitality experience is central to our intention and purpose here at the Dawn Club. Our art deco inspired atmosphere serves to complement that intention with its very own eclectic personality and style.

Reservations are NOT required to visit the Dawn Club, so come on by at your convenience. For guests inclined to experience our full tableside service, we encourage the making of reservations in advance. We offer table service of the finest drinks, but we do not serve food. Stop by when you like, and to learn more about making a reservation, please click on the Reservations button above.

We look forward to the opportunity of delighting you!

AS SEEN From

Lively cocktails

Central to the Dawn Club experience are the cocktails which share the top billing with an extensive collection of the most sought after whiskey in America. We spent 15 years assembling the whiskey collection, and folks will not be disappointed. If you are in the mind for the Yamazaki, the Pappy, the Elmer or the Redbreast 27, you’ll be in good company.

  • including the “Classics” such as the Clover Leaf and the Boothby. Our “Modern Classics” demonstrate our take on the current state of the cocktail evolution, examples being the Ella Fitz and The Town Club. For those taking a more mellow approach, our low-proof and zero-proof cocktails will surprise and delight.

    For the wine aficionados, we assure you, the Dawn Club is serious about good vintners. You can be spoiled with the likes of Chateau d’Yquem Sauternes or Xaveir Monnot Bourgogne Pinot Noir. Yes, the bubbles are good.

    We have three beers on tap, and a surprisingly convincing zero-proof beer, the Upside Dawn, from the good people at the Athletic Brewing Company.

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Live music, rooted in jazz, will be offered each night, usually commencing after 8pm. The bands performing at the Dawn Club will primarily be locally based, San Francisco Bay Area jazz performers, some of the most accomplished in the Country. We have a thriving jazz scene here around The Bay, and it is certainly having a moment.

Live Music

  • by modern, contemporary artists, youthful jazz musicians seeking new modes of expression and crossover collaborations with more mainstream music genres. These crossover collaborations are resulting in what has traditionally been known as “jazz”, becoming more accessible and recognizable to a broader nightlife audience. Many in this evolving audience are seeking satisfying and invigorating live music experiences in comfortable surroundings.

    At the Dawn Club, we intend to meet and exceed those entertainment expectations and desires with a music program that is engaging and fun, although hardly strictly jazz.

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History

The original Dawn Club existed in the same Monadnock Building on Market Street in the 1930's and 1940's. The Dawn Club became the epicenter of the Great Revival in San Francisco. Originally a speakeasy during prohibition, the club was located on Annie Street beside the Palace Hotel. In the late 1930s and early 1940s, the “Hot Music Society” of San Francisco held concerts at the club, featuring a variety of bands and musicians.

During the War Years of 1940 to 1945, its jazz shows, titled "Air Shots From The Dawn Club" were broadcast on long wave radio throughout the Pacific Region on Friday and Saturday nights. These shows served to re-establish immense interest in what became known as the original "San Francisco Jazz Style". Many of these broadcasts were recorded live and set to vinyl, many of which we are proud to display at the new Dawn Club. 

Leading this jazz revival movement was Lu Watters, ably supported by singer and banjoist Clancy Hayes, clarinetist Bob Helm, trumpeter Bob Scobey, trombonist Turk Murphy and tubist/bassist Dick Lammi. Much more will be shared about these phenomenal performers and their amazing Yerba Buena Jazz Band musicians as you journey with us to the original Dawn Club era.