Café du Nord & Swedish American Hall (CLOSED)

Several SF nightspots carry the feel of a Prohibition-era speakeasy, but none captures the spirit quite as well as the Café du Nord. Mind you, it does have a head start: it actually was one. The subterranean front room, which hosts cultured alternative acts, has red velvet walls and a 40ft (12m) mahogany bar that bustles with scenesters. Owner Guy Carson also books the likes of Cat Power, Joanna Newsom, Bert Jansch and Jenny Lewis to play the quaint, larger Swedish American Hall upstairs.