Casbah, The

The Casbah is San Diego’s most storied small club. It opened in 1989 in a 75-capacity room in Middletown, where Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, The Jesus Lizard and Rocket From The Crypt all played. In early 1994 it moved down the road to 2501 Kettner Blvd., a bigger 200-plus-capacity space with a music room, a back-room bar with a pool table and an enclosed smoking patio.

Shows run up to seven nights a week, and the current room’s history is full of heavy and noisy names: High on Fire, Melvins, Helmet, Mudhoney, OM, The Sword, L7, Pere Ubu and more. For punk, noise-rock and heavy touring bands, and for local openers working their way up, the Casbah is still a must-play San Diego stage.

Venue Info

• Address: 2501 Kettner Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
• Phone: (619) 232-HELL (4355)
• Neighborhood: Middletown
• Capacity: 200+ (per the venue)
• Age policy: 21+ with valid ID
• Box office notes: Tickets for most shows via See Tickets, with will call recommended. The club opens only on listed show nights at door time