The Independent

A

Andy Ngvia Google

29 days ago

Happy New Year 2026 and cheers to hopefully a year of more concerts and performances. I came to see David Archuleta on his Earthly Delights tour and was so impressed by how intimate and comfortable the experience was at The Independent. The staging area felt small but meant you could really get up close and personal with the artists. There was ample seating on the sides and on the second floor too if you'd like to avoid too much of the crowd, but can't go wrong with the space and being so close to the stage. When it did get packed with guests coming in after the opener, I could tell the AC getting cranked up a notch to help with the sweltering gay heat exuding from all of us inside the venue. Drinks here were served by the friendliest of bartenders with cocktails going for $14, not the worst for a concert venue. I enjoyed my Passion Fruit Rum that I got to nurse through the night. Ticket checks were easy, bag checks were seamless, and I have to give props to the staff for making it a great experience.

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Tina Wildbergervia Google

about 1 month ago

Many thanks to the staff for providing ADA accommodations for my spouse and me. The show was great… only thing: your cocktail prices approach usury. $25 for a draft beer & well ranch water. Pro-tip: try catch a buzz before you go!

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Nathan Bvia Google

about 1 month ago

Apparently the venue doesn't care enough to enforce safety... I wish I could rate it half a star or even zero stars. I went to The Independent on April 23, 2024, the day Anna Akana was headlining. I purchased tickets prior on February 29 through TicketWeb. Although semi-interested in the show, I went primarily for the after-show meet-and-greet where photo OPs, autographs, and one-on-one interactions with the headliner are held. I asked Anna before (or shortly after) I purchased tickets via an Instagram live if she would be doing a M&G after the SF show, which she confirmed. But then on April 22nd, just one day before the show, I got word from Anna via an Instagram/Facebook story around 5PM that she would be canceling the M&G due to an alert from The Independent that a stalker came and bought tickets when they weren't supposed to, yet the show itself would still be held. This of course begs the question of why wasn't the show altogether canceled or postponed as an extra safety precaution? The headliner absolutely owes all the patrons safety at the event, as does the venue. It makes no sense to continue holding the show if the stalker is still in the same room as the victimized headliner along with the rest of the patrons and still able to cause harm, even if the risk is substantially lower compared to an after-show M&G. While it is true that the meet-and-greet was free, that doesn't change the number of fans who only or primarily went for the M&G, toward which the headliner should have compensated for by postponing the show at least, or canceling it at most so everyone had time to find another way to regain the balance deducted from their payment method and save until next time she came to SF. I know she was comfortable holding free M&Gs at the rest of the venues on her tour, and several fans only or primarily went for the M&G while caring little about the show itself (presumably they couldn't attend a proper, advertised M&G at a convention because Anna didn't appear at any near the patrons). Plus, even if the free M&G hadn't been canceled, it's not like anyone only interested in meeting Anna after the show and showed up outside the building at that time could've gained admission to the venue without having purchased tickets to the show itself. At this point I'm utterly convinced that the "stalker" story was a plain lie and just a parasocial marketing experiment to boost her profits for the fastest sold out show on her 2024 tour, in which case The Independent should never let Anna Akana headline an event again, because on top of that she has done many awful things throughout her career that don't warrant a sold-out headline. Also Anna used the ableist slur "special" in response to the manic laughter of her crowd, clearly displaying her prejudice, ignorance, and lack of compassion toward those affected by disabilities, Autism Spectrum, and neurodiversity. This is even more disrespectful because her deceased sister (to whom the entire tour is dedicated) was diagnosed with dyslexia and that contributed to her bullying, family issues and eventual suicide. The worst part of it is the bullying her sister suffered was justified as a "joke", but Kristina didn't view it as such, so Anna is very disrespectful to make jokes about the tragedy even if to cope with her loss and not take the bullies side. I can't believe The Independent would let such an intolerant performer headline.

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Matt Lawtonvia Google

about 2 months ago

One of the very best music venues in SF, can't go wrong with a show here

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Laszlo Lengyelvia Google

5 months ago

Great venue... it's a classic though plan on standing for the show. The bat had a great selection, including my favorite bourbon to so for hours. Love this place... glad it's still in business all these years!