The Clayton Club Saloon

The Clayton Club Saloon is one of the most genuinely singular live music bars in Contra Costa County, a historic, women-owned and veteran-owned dive saloon on Main Street in the small foothill town of Clayton that looks and feels like a place the modern world has agreed to leave beautifully alone. The decor is unforgettable: boots and bras adorning the ceiling, guns on the walls, a jukebox in the corner, a pool table, and a claw machine stocked with prizes, all housed in a building that has reportedly had people riding up on horseback within recent memory. The outdoor area is spacious and shaded with fire pits, making it one of the more enjoyable patios for catching live music on a warm Contra Costa evening. Inside, the bar program is no-nonsense: stiff drinks, cold beer, fast service, and a staff that treats regulars like family and newcomers like old friends before the night is over. Live music runs Friday and Saturday nights from 9pm to 1am with a rotating roster of party bands, classic rock and R&B acts, cover groups, and occasional DJ nights, all bringing real energy to a room that has been built for exactly this kind of a good time. Past performers have included The Relyks, The Velvet Hammer Band, The Party Mix Band, Damage Control, That 70s Band, and 2Track'n. Pool tournaments run every Monday evening and the saloon offers military discounts and is dog-friendly throughout. Clayton may be a small town, but the Clayton Club Saloon punches well above its zip code.