Things to Do in Civic Center, San Francisco

Significant government and cultural institutions, with large plazas like Civic Center Plaza and United Nations Plaza. Key sites include the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium and the Veterans Building, where the United Nations Charter was signed in 1945.

San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts CenterTheater
Smuggler's CoveCocktail Bar
SFJAZZ CenterLive Music

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Top things to do in Civic Center

San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center
★ 4.7 · 902
Theater★
Performing-arts destination featuring stately theaters & auditoriums for opera, ballet & symphonies.
Website ↗Map ↗
San Francisco Symphony
★ 4.8 · 3.1k
Theater
Home to the SF Symphony, this concert hall seats more than 2,700 & has several cafes & bars.
Website ↗Map ↗
Heart of the City Farmers' Market
★ 4.6 · 819
Market
San Francisco's only independent, farmer-operated non-profit farmers market every Sundays 7:00am - 5:00pm and Wednesdays 7:00am - 5:30pm year round. Our Friday market day is temporary closed due to drought conditions.
Mon–Tue
Closed
Wed
7 AM – 4 PM
Thu–Fri
Closed
Sat
Closed
Sun
7 AM – 4 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Asian Art Museum
★ 4.6 · 4.3k
Art Museum
Over 18,000 Asian artworks & artifacts in the updated former main library opposite City Hall.
Mon
10 AM – 5 PM
Tue–Wed
Closed
Thu
1 PM – 8 PM
Fri
10 AM – 5 PM
Sat
10 AM – 5 PM
Sun
10 AM – 5 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
San Francisco Opera
★ 4.7 · 501
Opera House
Classic 1932 opera house hosting classics, new works & a beloved holiday-season Nutcracker ballet.
Mon–Fri
9 AM – 6 PM
Sat
9 AM – 6 PM
Sun
Closed
Website ↗Map ↗
Herbst Theater
★ 4.7 · 595
Theater
Grand theater located inside the War Memorial Veterans Building, hosting jazz & orchestral concerts.
Website ↗Map ↗

Where to eat & drink in Civic Center

Smuggler's Cove
Top 500 bar
Cocktail Bar· $20–30
Popular bar boasting nautical-themed decor, exotic cocktails & over 700 types of rum.
Every day
5 PM – 1:30 AM
Website ↗Map ↗
SFJAZZ Center
★ 4.8 · 1.6k
Live Music
This nightspot presents a line-up of internationally renowned jazz performers live on stage.
Mon–Tue
Closed
Wed
12 PM – 5:30 PM
Thu–Fri
12 PM – 10 PM
Sat
12 PM – 10 PM
Sun
Closed
Website ↗Map ↗
Kiln
Michelin ★★
Fine Dining· $100+
Industry veterans Chef John Wesley and general manager Julianna Yang have combined their talents at Kiln, where the warehouse space is warmed by personable service and the kitchen delivers artful creations. The tasting menu leans Nordic…
Mon
Closed
Tue–Thu
6 PM – 8 PM
Fri
5 PM – 8:30 PM
Sat
5 PM – 8:30 PM
Sun
Closed
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
The Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
★ 4.5 · 3.6k
Live Music
This four-story tall, "Beaux-Arts" style building occupies an entire city block in the heart of the Civic Center and has 7,000 seats inside. Large and small bands, exhibits, concerts, and galas are all hosted at the Civic Auditorium…
Website ↗Map ↗
Rickshaw Stop
★ 4.5 · 852
Nightclub· $$
Indie bands & DJs rock crowds in a small, funky space that also offers food & lounge areas.
Website ↗Map ↗
Zuni Café
★ 4.3 · 2.6k
Californian· $100+
Zuni has been at it for more than forty years, and locals and visitors remain drawn to this San Francisco institution.
Mon
Closed
Tue–Thu
5 PM – 9:30 PM
Fri
11 AM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 9:30 PM
Sat
11 AM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 9:30 PM
Sun
11 AM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 9:30 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Dumpling Home
★ 4.6 · 1.7k
Chinese· $
You can try the pan-fried baos, poke at the crispy green onion pancakes and sample the hand-pulled noodles, but please, read the room—and the awning that wraps around the building.
Website ↗Map ↗
AJ's Bar
Bar· $10–20
Website ↗Map ↗
Jay’s Grill
★ 4.8 · 396
Restaurant
A restaurant offering Mediterranean food in the Civic Center area of San Francisco.
Mon–Thu
11 AM – 11 PM
Fri
11 AM – 11:45 AM
Sat
12 PM – 12 AM
Sun
1 PM – 9 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
DragonEats
★ 4.7 · 470
Vietnamese· $10–20
Vietnamese spot turning out rolls, bowls & banh mi sandwiches in a small, laid-back space.
Website ↗Map ↗