In the shadow of The Fillmore lives an underrated SF club

Elvis Costello, Van Morrison and David Bowie have performed at the Boom Boom Room

On the southwest corner of Geary Boulevard and Fillmore Street lives one of San Francisco’s most historic music venues — the Fillmore. Acts such as Jimi Hendrix, Aretha Franklin, Santana and the Grateful Dead have passed through the hallowed halls over its 112 years. But just across the way on the northwest corner resides another storied music hall — one with as much star power and its own remarkable history that includes the late blues icon John Lee Hooker.

The Boom Boom Room is a 27-year-old live music joint in the heart of one of San Francisco’s most historic neighborhoods. While it might live in the shadow of the Fillmore, the Boom Boom Room has hosted performers such as Elvis Costello, Van Morrison and David Bowie. It has been a hub of entertainment in the city since 1997, and owner Zander Andreas, who grew up a few blocks north of the building at 1601 Fillmore St., says it will remain a bastion of live, late-night music as long as he’s around.

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