[1][2][3] According to Rolling Stone, the Bottom of the Hill is the best place to hear live music in San Francisco (RS 813).

Bottom is described as the heart of San Francisco's indie rock scene[3] and is among the most active venues in the city, usually holding shows seven nights a week.

[1][2] The venue has hosted a huge number of now-famous artists when they were still relatively unknown, including Arcade Fire,[1] Avail, Bad Religion,[4] Beastie Boys,[1][3] Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Blink 182, Bright Eyes, Cake, Cat Power,[3] Death Cab for Cutie,[3] Elliott Smith,[1] Fu Manchu,[4] fun., Green Day, Kid Rock,[1] Lush, Marilyn Manson,[1] Alanis Morissette,[1] Nashville Pussy,[4] Neutral Milk Hotel, Oasis,[1] Queens of the Stone Age,[3] The Donnas,[4][3] The Flaming Lips, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The Strokes,[3] and The White Stripes,[1][3] among many others.

[5] Similar venues in other cities include The Saint in Asbury Park, NJ, The Ottobar in Baltimore, MD, and the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton, MA.

[2] According to Benzuly, the sound set up features "EAW ASR 695 bi-amped mains, which have recently been upgraded with 1,000-watt woofers, all powered by Crest 7001 amps.

Significant events include a riot that broke out in 1996 when a radio DJ leaked news that the Beastie Boys were playing a show under the name "Quasar" and fans swarmed the venue.