MARIS
Maris live at The Casbah in San Diego on 2026-10-09.
See website for times
Check website
Tickets & event details
Get tickets on Official box officeOfficial listing
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission. Our picks are chosen editorially.
We use cookies for essential site functions and, with your permission, for analytics and advertising. California residents can opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information at any time. See our Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information.
San Diego Concert Venues
The Casbah is the most important 200-capacity room in Southern California. Nirvana, The White Stripes, Death Cab, The Strokes, Alt-J, and Blink-182 all played here before they were selling out arenas. It's small, loud, sits directly under the airport flight path, and remains the single best place in San Diego to see a band right before they get big.
Last updated
Quick answer: 21+ only, no exceptions. Capacity is about 200 so shows sell out fast — buy the second tickets drop. Park free on Kettner or in the lot across the street; the walk from Little Italy is 10 minutes. Doors 8:30pm, headliner usually 11pm on weekends.
2501 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
12 upcoming events we're tracking. Times and lineups can change — always confirm with the venue before you go.
Maris live at The Casbah in San Diego on 2026-10-09.
See website for times
Check website
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission. Our picks are chosen editorially.
Y La Bamba live at The Casbah in San Diego on 2026-10-13.
See website for times
Check website
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission. Our picks are chosen editorially.
See website for times
Check website
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission. Our picks are chosen editorially.
See website for times
Check website
See website for times
Check website
See website for times
Check website
See website for times
Check website
See website for times
Check website
See website for times
Check website
See website for times
Check website
See website for times
Check website
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission. Our picks are chosen editorially.
See website for times
Check website
Check the venue's official calendar for current dates, on-sale times, and box-office details.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission. Our picks are chosen editorially.
Free street parking on Kettner Blvd and the side streets west of the venue is realistic on weeknights. On weekends, the pay lot directly across Kettner runs about $10. Little Italy garages are a 10-minute walk and cheaper on a Saturday. Do not park in the adjacent business lots — Middletown towing is fast and expensive.
What parking costs
Free street, ~$10 lot across Kettner
Transit & rideshare
The MTS Blue and Green Line Middletown station is a 4-minute walk. The trolley is genuinely the best way to get here from downtown or Old Town, and it runs late enough on weekends for most shows.
Directly in front of the soundboard — the room is small enough that this is the best-sounding spot in the house.
Along the wall house-right by the pinball machines gives you a clean sightline and an escape route to the bar.
The back patio when the opener isn't your thing — you can still hear the room and actually have a conversation.
Avoid the front left corner; the stack there is aimed straight at your head.
Bag policy
Small bags and purses are fine and lightly checked. No backpacks on busy nights, no outside drinks, no re-entry once you leave.
Food & drink inside
Two bars, stiff pours, and prices that are genuinely reasonable for 2026 — $8–$12 beers and $12–$15 cocktails. Cash and card. No kitchen, but there's an outdoor patio with pinball and a smoking area.
All within a short walk or drive of The Casbah.
El Pescador Fish Market
Little Italy classic, 10-minute walk, best fish sandwich downtown.
Ironside Fish & Oyster
Splurge oysters and a martini before a show.
Waterfront Bar & Grill
San Diego's oldest bar, cheap burgers, 8 minutes away.
Kettner Exchange
Rooftop cocktails if you want to make a night of it.
What this room books: Indie rock, punk, garage, singer-songwriter, up-and-coming touring acts.
Tickets often sell out in under an hour for buzzy bands. Follow the venue's socials for on-sale times — they announce before the general blast.
Set times run late. On a Friday or Saturday the headliner often doesn't start until 11pm or later. Plan your ride accordingly.
The airport is directly overhead. Planes are part of the experience.
It's cash-friendly and the bartenders remember regulars. Tip well and your second round comes faster.
Sister venues Casbah-booked shows sometimes move to The Music Box or The Observatory when demand spikes — check your email for venue-change notices.
Yes. The Casbah is 21 and over for every show, with no exceptions and no accompanied-minor policy. Bring a physical government ID — they do not accept photos of IDs.
Capacity is roughly 200 people, which makes it one of the smallest notable venues in Southern California and the reason shows sell out so quickly.
Nirvana, The White Stripes, The Strokes, Death Cab for Cutie, Alt-J, Modest Mouse, Blink-182, and Smashing Pumpkins all played the room before they were arena acts. The venue's booking history is the reason it's nationally known.
Free street parking on Kettner Blvd works on weeknights. On weekends use the pay lot across the street (about $10) or walk 10 minutes from a Little Italy garage. Middletown trolley station is a 4-minute walk if you'd rather skip driving.
The Observatory North Park
North Park · ~1,100 standing
Gallagher Square at Petco Park
East Village / Downtown · Up to ~45,000 (stadium shows)
The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
Embarcadero / Downtown waterfront · ~10,000 (3,500 fixed seats + lawn)
North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
Chula Vista (South Bay) · ~20,500 (10,000 reserved + lawn)
Belly Up Tavern
Solana Beach (North County) · ~600
SOMA San Diego
Midway District · ~2,000 mainstage / ~600 side stage
Little Italy neighborhood guide
Restaurants, hotels and things to do around the venue.
San Diego parking guide
Rates, free windows and where to actually leave the car.
San Diego concerts by venue
Every room with shows on the calendar.
Full San Diego events calendar
Everything we track, by date.
This weekend in San Diego
Friday through Sunday, updated daily.
This week in San Diego
Monday through Sunday, same event data.
Tonight in San Diego
Evening events plus always-works picks.
The Sandi Spots Newsletter
New beach finds, hidden taco shops, weekend events, and seasonal guides — once a week from a local. No spam, ever.
One email a week. Unsubscribe anytime.
Published by the Sandi Spots Editorial team at Sleep Coast LLC. Guides combine local perspective and source research. Check the individual guide for firsthand observations and follow official links to confirm current details.