Music Box

Unlike Ironside's seafood focus or the traditional trattorias lining India Street, Music Box operates on a different currency entirely: it books national touring acts, local funk bands, and DJ nights that pull crowds from well outside the neighborhood. The India Street address might suggest aperitivo hour, but this is really a concert hall that happens to serve Filipino-inflected small plates and craft cocktails—the Asian fusion skewers get charred properly, and reviewers flag the surprising appearance of Filipino dishes, but you're here for whoever's on the rider, not what's on the menu.

The three-story setup works in your favor: arrive early enough to claim real estate near the stage, or hang back on an upper level if you prefer watching the crowd over the band. The space fills differently depending on the genre—indie rock draws the earnest head-nodders, funk nights turn it into a dance floor, DJ sets bring the post-passeggiata crowd looking to extend the evening past midnight. Drinks are reasonably priced for what amounts to a ticketed event with table service, and the staff (regulars mention manager David by name) runs a tight operation even when the floor's packed.

Practical notes: check the calendar before you commit—Music Box books widely, so one night's dream lineup is another's hard pass. The vibe skews welcoming rather than velvet-rope exclusive, which means tourists and locals mix comfortably. Sound levels run high, as expected, so this isn't your spot for intimate conversation. Park in the neighborhood structure off Date Street and walk the two blocks; trying to grab street parking on India during showtimes is a fool's errand. If you're coming for dinner-and-show, eat the skewers but don't expect a full Italian meal—the kitchen's playing a supporting role to the stage.