The Hotel Utah is a historic mixed-use building known as a saloon bar, live music venue, and residential hotel, built in 1908 and located in the South of Market neighborhood of San Francisco, California. It is known for its diverse open mic nights, which have historically attracted some people who have later become famous.
- Venue
- Hotel Utah
- Address
- 500 4th Street, San Francisco, California, 94107, U.S.
- Town
- San Francisco, US
The Hotel Utah is a historic mixed-use building known as a saloon bar, live music venue, and residential hotel, built in 1908 and located in the South of Market neighborhood of San Francisco, California. It is known for its diverse open mic nights, which have historically attracted some people who have later become famous. It is also known as The Utah Inn, The Hotel Utah Saloon, and simply The Utah. The Hotel Utah has been listed as a San Francisco Designated Landmark since November 2, 2018. The Hotel Utah is located at 500-504 4th Street, at Bryant Street in San Francisco, California. It was built in 1908 as a saloon and hotel. The interior of the saloon is fairly small, which makes for an intimate performance and music venue. The building is four stories and the upper floors were once an inn, and now operates as a single room occupancy and room rental. The building was originally created for seasonal workers employed in nearby factories. In the 1930s, the saloon was a hangout for gamblers, madams, and longshoremen. Most of the buildings in the nearby neighborhood were razed in the 1940s and 1950s during a period of redevelopment, including almost all of the other residential hotels. After World War II, Al Opatz owned the saloon which he named, "Al's Transbay Tavern". On March 18, 1977, the bar was purchased by Paul Gaer, who turned the space into the Hotel Utah and built the stage. Damian Samuel, who had gotten his start as a doorman (under Gaer), was later the owner of the Hotel Utah. The Hotel Utah Open Mic on Mondays draws a local diverse crowd including musicians, comedians, poets, and other performers. Notable people and bands that have performed here include Con Brio, Mike Deni of Geographer, Amina Shareef Ali, Kelly McFarling, PJ Harvey, Matt Nathanson, Miggs, Toychestra, The Union Trade, The Loud Family, Terra Naomi, Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Williams, and John Mayer. In 1980, the drag musical Blonde Sin was first performed at Hotel Utah, featuring Doris Fish