The SFJAZZ Center, which opened in 2013, is the first freestanding building in America purpose-built for jazz performance. The intimate 700-seat Robert N. Miner Auditorium and the smaller 100-seat Joe Henderson Lab host over 400 shows a year, covering everything from straight-ahead jazz to experimental improvisation and world music.
The building, designed by Mark Cavagnero, sits at the edge of Hayes Valley. Grab dinner on Hayes Street before the show -- the neighbourhood's restaurant scene is one of the best in the city. Check the calendar in advance; shows sell out quickly.