What’s Happening in Lower Nob Hill This September
One of the things I love most about Lower Nob Hill is that there is always something creative happening just around the corner. I've lived here all my life, and I still find new artists, exhibitions, and places to explore. Here are a few things happening around the neighborhood this September.
SF First Thursdays Art Walk
TOMORROW - Thursday, September 3 · 6–10 PM · Free
September starts with another SF First Thursdays Art Walk. Every first Thursday, galleries, artist run spaces, and local businesses open their doors for a free evening of art, culture, and community throughout Lower Nob Hill and the surrounding neighborhoods.
This month, for the first time, SF First Thursdays is offering a guided walking tour led by Caitlin Goebel.
The tour kicks off at Hotel Emblem with a special Art Walk Happy Half Hour, then heads west through Lower Nob Hill, the Tenderloin, and Lower Polk, stopping at more than a dozen galleries and creative spaces along the way.
The tour is free, but space is limited. Sign up on Eventbrite.
SF First Thursdays Art Walk · September 3, 2026
Gallery Highlights
Modern Eden
Modern Eden (1100 Sutter) is kicking off its fall programming with two new exhibitions: Angelique Benicio: Origin Story, a new sculpture series exploring ancient truths and our ongoing search for meaning, and New Beginning, a group exhibition looking at transformation, possibility, and what comes next.
The exhibitions explore personal histories, transformation, and the stories that shape who we become. The opening reception will also feature live music by Stephanie Law on the hand pan.
SWIM Gallery
SWIM Gallery (509 Ellis) is a more recent addition to the Art Walk, but long time gallery space. Their new exhibition, Emptiness is Form, features the work of Bay Ambrosia Hill.
Two New Pop Up Exhibitions
This month, two pop up exhibitions are joining the SF First Thursdays Art Walk for the first time. Both are fun new stops to add to your art walk.
Brian Barneclo: Street Joy
📍 886 Geary Street
San Francisco muralist Brian Barneclo brings his distinctive visual style indoors for a special pop up exhibition.
Sally McFlorez: Tenderloin Tiger
📍 1044 Larkin Street
Photographer Sally McFlorez presents Tenderloin Tiger, a special photo exhibition and fundraiser benefiting Larkin Youth Services.
Coming Later This Month
Phil Hale: Walk Through Walls or Don’t
📍 Ryan Graff Contemporary - 804 Sutter
This one is going to be big. Ryan Graff Contemporary presents a new exhibition by Phil Hale, whose latest paintings explore the struggle of bringing an idea into existence, with a focus on persistence, revision, and the process of making. Check out his work here.
Artist reception September 12, 5–9 PM
On view September 12–October 3
Ryan Graff Contemporary on Sutter
Live Music
There’s plenty of great live music happening around Lower Nob Hill this month and on a regular basis. Here are a few of my favorite places and events.
Stookey’s
Stookey’s features an incredible array of jazz artists, with live music throughout the week. Jazz Jam happens every Wednesday, with a rotating host each week. They also have classic film screenings.
The Royale
Check out Reggae Corner, happening every first and third Tuesday. It's a great excuse to spend a Tuesday evening relaxing to some reggae with local DJ Super Dusty Shores.
They also have Nick Rossi Organ Trio playing Saturday, September 12.
Another great night is Heavy Rotation (Bring Your Own Record Night) every third Wednesday. Bring a record, hang out, and listen to what everyone brings.
Persona
Persona brings the beats all week long with no cover. Sundays feature Magic School Busk Latin Collective playing Cumbia, Salsa, Son, and more. Wednesdays bring Funk, Soul, Latin, and Afro beats, while Thursdays feature Dirty Works Jazz. On Fridays and Saturdays, rotating DJs keep things moving with Funk, Indie Rock, House, Throwbacks, and Future Sounds.
Always Awake Coffee
On Wednesday, September 9, Jeremy Sullivan will be playing live with special guests Evie & Julian at the newly updated Always Awake Coffee at Post & Taylor.
2nd Thursdays at Dodge Alley
ELENAH is returning to the Tenderloin on September 10.
Bay Area artist David Saenz mixes reggae, cumbia, bolero, hip hop, and Afro-diasporic sounds. It’s upbeat, danceable music with a lot to say about migration, resilience, love, and life in the Bay Area.
September 10 · 5–8 PM
Dodge Alley · Free
As a bonus, this event includes $15 vouchers for food/drink at nearby businesses first come first serve
A Big Thank You
I also want to say thank you for all the great feedback on the first edition of the Newsletter. I really appreciate everyone who took the time to reach out, share ideas, and tell me what you'd like to see more of.
A lot of people said they would like to get more involved in the neighborhood's art scene. I'm listening, and I'm looking at ways to make that easier. Some ideas we're exploring include an art submission portal where local artists can share their work, as well as a possible holiday art market later this year.
There are still a lot of details to figure out, but I'm excited about the possibilities. Mostly, I just want to say thanks for the great response. It's been really encouraging to see how much interest there is in the arts and creative community right here in our neighborhood.
