Best Live Music Restaurants in Financial District
2 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
John's Grill
Century-plus legacy with nightly jazz and classic steakhouse fare.
Notable Picks
#1
John's Grill
8.2
Since 1908, this old-school steak and chop house has anchored Union Square with leather banquettes, live jazz, and straightforward plates. A favorite for classic martinis and steaks before or after a show.
Must-Try Dishes:
New York Strip Steak, Sam Spade’s Lamb Chops, Petrale Sole Almondine
What Makes it Special: Century-plus legacy with nightly jazz and classic steakhouse fare.
Worthy Picks
A weathered Embarcadero seafood shack where the setting does as much work as the kitchen—open-air beer garden, bay views, and live jazz Thursday through Sunday pull groups who want waterfront energy over fussy plating. The crab and shrimp sandwiches anchor a straightforward menu built for sunny-day drinking and sharing, and the decades-long run on the pier gives it a neighborhood gravity that newer waterfront spots haven't earned yet.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shrimp Sandwich, Crab Sandwich, Louie Salad
What Makes it Special: Waterfront seafood shack directly on the Embarcadero with live jazz and an open-air beer garden overlooking the bay