Atlas/ Venues/ Solana Beach/ Belly Up Tavern
Solana Beach, San Diego

Belly Up Tavern

A ~600-capacity Quonset-hut roadhouse in Solana Beach where 50 years of touring legends — reggae, indie, blues, Americana — still come through.

21+ (most)
Since 1974
Independent
Quonset hut

Quick facts about Belly Up Tavern

The most common questions, answered.

What's the capacity at Belly Up Tavern?

Belly Up Tavern holds approximately ~600 cap. That's a mid-size room - small enough for clean sightlines, large enough for major touring bookings.

Is Belly Up Tavern 21+?

Yes, Belly Up Tavern is 21+ for all events. Bring a valid government-issued ID at the door. The venue does not admit anyone under 21 on regular show nights.

Where is Belly Up Tavern located?

Belly Up Tavern is located at 143 S Cedros Ave, Cedros Design District, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (North County coastal). The venue sits in the Solana Beach neighborhood of San Diego.

What music plays at Belly Up Tavern?

Belly Up Tavern books Rock and Reggae, plus crossover programming year-round. Rock, reggae, blues, indie, Americana, jam, hip-hop. Heritage acts (Los Lobos, Jason Mraz, Trombone Shorty) plus rising touring bands. Frequent tribute nights and holiday residencies. Booking: booking@bellyup.com

When is Belly Up Tavern open?

Belly Up Tavern has scheduled programming on select nights. Specific hours: Mon–Sun ~12pm–11pm (showtimes vary).

Capacity
~600 cap
Sound
Professional live sound
Ages
21+ (most shows; some all-ages)
Vibe
WWII Quonset-hut roadhouse

About Belly Up Tavern

Belly Up Tavern is a ~600-capacity live music club housed in a converted WWII-era Quonset hut on Cedros Avenue in Solana Beach, the coastal North County's most storied room and the oldest continuously operating live music venue in San Diego County. Tightly packed, low ceilings, real bar service between sets.

Owners Steve Goldberg and Phil Berkowitz have run it independently since 2003, with national talent buyer Pete McDevitt and regional buyer Chad Waldorf booking a famously diverse calendar — reggae nights, indie headliners, blues legends, Americana, jam bands, hip-hop, and tribute residencies all sit comfortably on the same marquee.

Open since 1974 and celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024 with a 50-show run, the Belly Up is the rare American mid-size venue that has stayed independent through five decades of corporate consolidation. Solana Beach City Council proclaimed September 28, 2024 'Belly Up Day' in recognition. Recommended for music fans who want sightlines, low ceilings, and a real bar between sets.

What plays here

Rock, reggae, blues, indie, Americana, jam, hip-hop. Heritage acts (Los Lobos, Jason Mraz, Trombone Shorty) plus rising touring bands. Frequent tribute nights and holiday residencies. Booking: booking@bellyup.com

Rock
Reggae
Blues
Indie
Americana
Jam
Hip-hop

Notable past + recent shows

Belly Up books 20–30 shows a month. A snapshot of the room's character:

RECENT
Heritage touring act (e.g., Los Lobos / Trombone Shorty / Jason Mraz)
Mid-size touring · doors typically 7–8pm
RECURRING
Reggae night
Long-running residency
RECURRING
Tribute / theme night
Weekly programming

Find upcoming shows at Belly Up Tavern

Tickets and lineups update fast. These are the most reliable places to check for upcoming nights at Belly Up Tavern:

Don't miss the next good night here.

The Signal — Weekly drops every Thursday with 5–7 picks for the SD weekend. Belly Up Tavern usually makes the list a couple times a month.

Practical info

Address
143 S Cedros Ave, Cedros Design District, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (North County coastal)
Phone
(858) 481-8140
Website
Hours
Mon–Sun ~12pm–11pm (showtimes vary)

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