For many decades, North Beach played an important role in San Francisco’s music scene. From the folk scene at the Hungry I and blues at The Saloon to the punk heyday of the Mabuhay Gardens and On Broadway, something was always (to paraphrase Buffalo Springfield) “happening here”.

The Stone, Morty’s, Chi Chi Club, The Purple Onion, are all gone, but The Saloon remains, with Tupelo and Doc’s Lab, joining their ranks in recent years to create space for local talent.

Finally, there’s Bimbo’s 365 Club, where walking in the door transports you to a nightlife setting of a bygone era. Amid the Art-Deco décor and the infamous “girl in the fishbowl”, Marvin Gaye, Neil Diamond, Smokey Robinson, Iggy Pop, The Tubes, The Flaming Lips, and Adele, to name a few, have all graced Bimbo’s stage.

A North Beach constant for over 50 years, Bimbo’s still regularly presents music in their main room, a mix of touring headliners and cover bands. But last night I saw a different side of one of my favorite San Francisco landmarks.

Off the main bar, in a side room most people (yours truly included) have never seen before, Bimbo’s has begun embracing San Francisco’s local music scene, with The Dolphina Lounge Series (named after their famous fishbowl occupant).

Last night was the third in the series. In an intimate room lit by wagon wheel hurricane lamp chandeliers and cocktail table candles, with ghostly pastel images of showgirls in gold frames, and a roaring fire in the fireplace, two immensely talented troubadours poured their hearts out to an appreciative audience.

Travis Hayes, accompanied by his trusty sideman, Brent Curriden, gave us an earnest set of heartfelt songs, punctuated by wry observations about year just past and the endless cycle of recording his new album.

Local son, Andrew St. James is a mix of kinetic energy, old school folk, and rambunctious rock and roll. Backed by a drummer, his songs seemed to teeter between outrage and despair. And he name-checked disgraced former Senator Leland Yee!

Both were worthy of the hearty response they garnered from the crowd. By the end of the night, one of Bimbo’s bartenders, Saul had painted (yes, painted!) a portrait of the evening’s events.

Last night was magical. You should have been there. There will be more of these Dolphina Lounge Series, featuring local talent. If you love San Francisco and live music, you owe it to yourself to get to one of these events.

Thanks to Isabel and the Bimbo’s staff for making it happen, and to Travis and Andrew for the magic.