Belly Up Tavern

Location

143 S. Cedros Avenue, Solana Beach, CA, 92075
(Along Cedros surrounded by boutique shops and cafes)

Capacity

600

History

Opening in 1974, the Belly Up Tavern has a rich history as one of Southern California’s premier live music venues. Over the decades, it has hosted a diverse range of legendary artists, including Etta James, Kris Kristofferson, a secret Rolling Stones show, Ben Harper, and more. Because of its location in North County - home to more retirees and families in the suburbs - Belly Up tends to skew slightly older with its bookings. Legacy rock n’ roll acts are in high demand there, as are up-and-coming talents who represent guitar and roots-driven genres like indie, folk, country, funk-soul, blues, R&B, reggae, and more. The venue’s longevity and reputation have earned it numerous regional accolades, and it continues to be one of the crown jewels of North County’s cultural scene.

Vibe

The Belly Up strikes the perfect balance between an intimate club atmosphere and a space large enough to host prominent acts. It exudes a warm, relaxed, and rustic charm as its wood-paneled interior and beachy decor conjure Solana’s Beach’s surf-town vibe. The venue’s crisp, clean sound and wide sight lines are perfect for taking in the performances. They offer GA as well as limited reserved seating in the balcony section. Belly Up offers a uniquely laid-back experience, whether you’re catching a major act or discovering a new favorite. With its location near Fletcher Cove, you can plan an ideal summer’s day of beach in the afternoon, shops and dinner on Cedros in the evening, and a concert at night. 

Alcohol Situation

Full bar with a robust cocktail menu, a wide selection of local craft beers, and bottles of wine to choose from. The venue also has a decent food menu and a full on restaurant attached.

Parking Situation

Low stress. Generally by nighttime, Cedros has cleared out and there’s plenty of street parking, but there’s also a couple paid lots as well.