Entertainment & Events in Berkeley, California

Night Life

Blake's on Telegraph 510-848-0886
2367 Telegraph Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94704
Three levels of music, food, drink, and fun. The nightclub venue is perfect for live music - from old school jazz and blues to comtemporary and modern rock music - as well as DJs. Those that have played here - Cyndi Lauper, John Lee Hooker, Alice in Chains, Hoobastank, and many more. Blake's is also ideal for your private party or fundraiser. more
Albatross Pub 510-843-2473
1822 San Pablo Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94706
At Berkeley's oldest pub there are an outstanding selection of beers and premium liquors is offered at this place where you can enjoy the pool tables, dart lanes, live music, fireplace, board games, and art gallery. more
Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center 510-525-5054
1317 San Pablo Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94702
This nonprofit organization presents nightly live world and roots music, dance, and movement classes, workshops, programs for children, and benefit shows. The cafe is open during shows and primarily serves organic vegetarian fare, bottled and draft beers, wines, as well as non-alcoholic beverages. more
Shattuck Down Low Lounge 510-548-1159
2284 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94704
This venue features a wide mix of live music and DJs, including Funk, Soul, Hip Hop, Reggae, Salsa, and more, every night of the week! There are two full bars, couches and booths, tables, and a large dance floor. There are also private VIP areas for you to enjoy. more
Acme Bar & Company 510-644-2226
2115 San Pablo Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94702
Acme Bar & Company is a casual neighborhood bar specializing in high-quality spirits with an award-winning collection of whiskey and mezcal. Hand crafted cocktails, whiskey flights/tastings, and an extensive selection of beer and wine are offered. more
Kip's Bar 510-848-4340
2439 Durant Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94704
Simply put, there is no place in Berkeley like Kip's Bar for a great time. Seven nights a week from 3 p.m. until 2 a.m., Kip's is a great place to gather. Their two private party rooms hold as few as 30 and up to 125. Great for birthdays, CD launch, company mixers, etc. Pool table and bring your own band. more

Concerts & Performances

Berkeley Symphony Orchestra 510-841-2800
1942 University Avenue #207
Berkeley, CA 94704
A full season of exciting masterpiece performances and concerts is offered by this extraordinary symphony orchestra. Since 1978, Kent Nagano has been conductor of the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra presents 20th century scores, as well as classical pieces. The 2008/2009 season will be Nagano's last. more
Berkeley Opera Company 510-841-1903
2640 College Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94709
Julia Morgan Center for the Arts
This magnificent opera company has been providing and introducing fresh, interesting, operas to new audiences for over 25 years. more
Julia Morgan Center for the Arts 510-845-8542
2640 College Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94704
Visitors can integrate the arts into their everyday experience through quality theatre, dance, and music performances at the Center. The Julia Morgan Theatre is also a beautiful place for you to host a private event, such as a wedding or performance. more

Plays & Productions

Aurora Theatre Company 510-843-4822
2081 Addison Street
Berkeley, CA 94704
This 150-seat intimate house is a great place to experience live theatre and the theatre provides a nurturing, intimate environment for an ensemble of theatre artists and artisans to produce both old and new plays which place a high value on words and ideas. more
Berkeley Repertory Theatre 510-647-2949
2025 Addison Street
Berkeley, CA 94704
This theatre has established itself as one of this country's top-ranking professional resident theatre companies. The season consists of seven productions of the finest classic, contemporary, and new plays. The Berkeley School of Theatre provides many educational programs for all ages, such as classes, workshops, and matinees. more
La Peña Cultural Center 510-849-2568
3105 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94705
A multicultural performing arts center and restaurant in Berkeley that presents local, national, and international music, theater, dance, film, and visual artists. In addition to the public events, this place offers free and fee-based classes in music and dance principally from Latin America, and it houses Café Valparaiso, which offers a Latin American menu and beverages, and provides a "second stage" for more intimate cultural gatherings. more
Actors Ensemble of Berkeley 510-841-5580
1301 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94709
Live Oak Theatre
Presenting performances for Berkeley audiences since 1957. more

Festivals & Fairs

Annual Berkeley Juggling and Unicycling Fest 510-644-6280
King Middle School 1781 Rose St.
The BJUF is already a bratty 4 year old... but we'll be a teenager before you know it, so enjoy our childhood innocence while it lasts! more
Bay Area Book Festival
1563 Solano Avenue, #635 (Mail)
Berkeley, CA 94707
Held in Downtown Berkeley's Art District
Includes some of the industry's top authors, publishers, and booksellers. more
Berkeley World Music Festival
2454 Telegraph Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94704
Telegraph Ave Btwn Bancroft Way & Parker St
Though the "world music" tag still invokes American recording-industry hegemony, this one-day extravaganza promises to be loads of fun. Those with a dance jones should check out the People's Park main stage, where Cajun, Brazilian, and Sufi music are all featured, as well as a headlining set by the popular local Afropop group Sila and the Afrofunk Experience.
Berkeley Video and Film Festival 510-843-3699
1939 Addison Street
Berkeley, CA 94704
THE BERKELEY VIDEO & FILM FESTIVAL was created in 1990 to provide a venue for independent film and videomakers creating works that challenge and confront our notions of "Electronic Cinema." BV&FF programs and screens original works, all which have been juried by a screening committee of professional media makers at mainstream film theaters in Berkeley, California, home of the free speech movement. The festival issues awards in each category and promotes the individual filmmakers by insuring that their works receive media attention, press reviews and screen presence. The rapid growth of THE BERKELEY VIDEO & FILM FESTIVAL in the past decade reflects the increased interest in independent electronic cinematography, locally and globally. BV&FF continues to provide a context for everyone interested in independent media making today. more

Sporting Events

Golden Gate Fields 510-559-7300
1100 Eastshore Highway
Berkeley, CA 94710
Enjoy live horseracing from May to January while at this facility that also offers wagering and simulcast races. The facility can also hold all types of events, from intimate dinners, receptions to large scale meetings. more

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