Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse

Great open friendly venue.  Fantastic acoustics.

Freight & Salvage, you are a star.

I've been coming here for WCS events and open mics since I was sixteen. It's an incredible all ages non-profit performing arts venue and a local treasure. I can't say enough good things about it. The interior is impossibly clean and well maintained with high ceilings and an elegantly designed seating arrangement. Over the years, I've sat in different spots all over the venue so I can honestly say that there are no bad seats in the house.

Though it is spacious, it still possesses an intimacy other local spots can't replicate. Wonderful acoustics and responsive house sound engineers. They even have a nice little drink and snack bar off to the side. I suppose now they serve beer and wine too. Good news for the lushes.

Despite their stylistically varied calendar of shows, the audience leans towards the older side of the spectrum, definitely senior friendly.  The genres represented most are folk, americana, singer/songwriter, and bluegrass with some jazz, blues, and pop. Note: They have a 50% off discount for patrons under 25.

In addition to being a stellar locale for live performance, Freight & Salvage also conducts music classes and seminars open to the public. Literally everything from songwriting to mandolin to blues guitar to harmony singing to fiddle to ukelele to singing circles....you name it.

Another perk is that it's super close to Downtown Berkeley BART and there is a flat rate garage on the same block plus lots of street parking nearby.

I always feel welcome here. The staff are extremely kind and courteous. The concert goers are well mannered but still enthusiastic. The vibration of this place is special. Don't miss out!

Great music venue.  Freight and salvage has been around since the 70s (i think) and are entirely non profit.  
Even though their non profit the musicians and performers still get paid well.  Te venue itself is immaculate, very clean, lots of stadium style seating, and great sound quality.
They serve coffee some small snack and wine.  Tickets range from $15-40 depending on who's playing.
Adjacent parking garage is a $5 flat rate after 5pm so parking isn't an issue.
Definitely worth checking out any night if the week for some great and often eclectic music