The Bill Graham Civic Auditorium is a multi-purpose venue in San Francisco, California. Built in 1915, the arena has a seating capacity of 6,000.

Bill Graham Civic Auditorium History

The arena was first build as part of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition and was originally known as the San Francisco Civic Auditorium. The auditorium was one of the only surviving buildings of the exposition, and began hosting events.

In 1920, the venue hosted the Democratic National Convention. The arena was also home to the NBA’s Golden State Warriors from 1964 to 1966. In the 1960s, the arena began hosting concerts. Many live bands have recorded live albums in this historic building.

The building itself is a treasured landmark in San Francisco. It was renamed to the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in 1992 after the death of the arena’s concert promoter. Graham was responsible for bringing so much great live music to the arena and to the city of San Francisco.

Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Multi-Purpose Venue

The size and layout of the arena makes it a popular venue for corporate events, tradeshows, sporting events, and of course, live music concerts.

The venue is considered one of the most prestigious in the music industry with top artists performing at the arena each year including Lady Gaga and Goyte. From world-famous country artists to rock bands, the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium hosts a wide range of concerts each year.

Part of what makes the venue so popular is its fantastic location. Some of the city’s most famous bars and lounges are located within minutes of the arena, including Café Du Nord, Thee Parkside, Ruby Skye, The Independent and The Deco Lounge.

Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Notable Performers

Throughout its long history, the arena has hosted some of the best-known artists, including:

• The Grateful Dead
• The Red Hot Chili Peppers
• The Who
• Janis Joplin
• Big Brother & the Holding Company
• Jefferson Airplane